Today’s devotion is short and sweet, but probably one of the most difficult challenges for me personally. Today, I want us to focus on building relationships.
Again, turn to Philippians—this time to Chapter 3, Verses 7-10:
7 I once thought these things (he’s talking about the Jewish law—the “rules” of the tabernacle) were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ, For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.
Look at those first 5 words in verse 10 and ponder them a moment:
I want to know Christ
God didn’t desire for us just to have head knowledge of Him. He didn’t desire for us to “go through the motions”. Nor did He want us to merely pay “lip service” to Him. He desires a RELATIONSHIP with us. Paul didn’t want to know about Christ. He wanted to KNOW CHRIST.
I always relate this to the President of the United States. I know a lot about George Bush. If I wanted to know more, I there are thousands of websites, newspaper clippings, books, etc. where I could learn more about Him. But, though I know about him, I don’t know George Bush. He is not my personal friend. I have never had a conversation with him.
But I KNOW the God of the Universe—the One, True God—through my relationship with Jesus. I haven’t touched Him, but I’ve talked with Him, and He has touched my heart many times!
Today, act out of that relationship with Him. Ask Him to help you be bold to build relationship with the people here in Monterrey. Today, we may encounter parents of a child we’ve taught in crafts, or a prisoner who needs a kind word and a warm handshake. We may meet a child who wants to tell us their thoughts about God in their simple, but awesome way. Or, the singer singing next to us may need someone to stop and pray with them. Look for ways to KNOW the people you encounter today in a meaningful way.
Lord, this is probably the most challenging thing for me. You know how I am made. I am an introvert. I don’t like to meet new people, and it is hard for me to know what to say or how to begin a conversation. Please speak through me. Help me to draw closer to You today so that You may draw closer to them through me. Help me not to withdraw as I meet new people, but to risk so that others may come to know You through my life and testimony. Pour out Your message from this shy soul. Help me to be sensitive to the needs of those around me. In and of myself, this is something I cannot do. I need Your power and Your guidance.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monterrey Devotional, Day 2: Humility
A few weeks ago, I wrote in my blog about “humility”. It is my least favorite issue to deal with. It seems like I have to wrestle with it A LOT! But, I’m thankful that God reminds me from time to time, in a bold way, that He is God and I am not!
Here’s the story I told:
The other night, my husband came home from work exhausted. He's been working so hard, and giving every spare minute to our family and the "honey do" list. We were getting ready to leave on a 10-day vacation. I didn't have the heart to ask him to mow the lawn (which DESPERATELY needed it--the grass is growing so fast right now). We have a large yard that requires so much care, and though we feel like we work in it often, there's always something else to do in it. So, instead of hitting him up with "Can you mow the lawn?" the minute he walked in the door, I asked him to show me how to use the mower. It's a new riding lawn mower, so I figured it couldn't be too hard. I could get the yard done in no time, and he could come in and kick his shoes off and relax.
He was so appreciative, so he quickly gave me a lesson. I got on it, and released the brake to go forward. Immediately, it jerked and I was thrown forward. Evidently, I released the brake a little too fast. I slammed on the brake again, laughing (and a little shaken). I looked up, and noticed that there were 8 roofers on my next-door neighbors' roof, laughing and pointing at me. A very obvious lesson in humility!!!!! I waved and laughed and continued on with trying to figure out the mower, and finished the lawn (well, almost...my husband had to negotiate the hill in front).
Okay, let’s just get it out in the open. We will all probably deal with lessons in humility over the next four days. Perhaps, it will be because we misspeak about something minor. The first time I was in Cuba, I tried to tell someone my son was 7, and mistakenly said I had seven sons! Imagine the look on their face. Well, I’m sure that the more I try to speak Spanish, the more I’ll fail, but I’d rather try and have a little laughter than not build a relationship with anyone along the way. That would be so much more of a failure! Perhaps it will be a larger faux pas—something that hurts another individual. We must be on our guard.
But, my prayer is that we’ll go even deeper than that surface humility—not the kind that’s about us and our feelings, but the kind that develops true servants. Let’s turn to scripture…again to Philippians…and see what Paul has to say about it, starting in Chapter 2, Verse 3:
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Meditate on that statement a moment—YOU MUST HAVE THE SAME ATTITUDE THAT CHRIST JESUS HAD. How is that even possible? What a HUGE expectation. But, that’s what Paul tells us we need to do. Spend a moment asking God for that sentence to manifest itself in your life! Read on:
6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
God is not asking us to die right now on this trip. But He is asking us to serve. Look around for the humble positions of a servant that we can take to serve our brothers and sisters in Monterrey. We are not there to be served or to be pleased. We are there to serve—to be slaves to Christ!
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
EVERY KNEE WILL bow and EVERY TONGUE WILL confess. Let’s pray that through our service, people will come to know Him NOW, and experience fully the JOY of living a life in Him.
Here is my prayer for us—our instruction manual if you will—from Paul’s words 2:12-18:
Dear Lord, help us to:
· 12Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
· 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you.
· Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
· 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
· Be joyful in all circumstances: 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
Those are challenging words. They are much deeper forms of humility than my experience with the mower. But, I know that God does not teach us such lessons to be demeaning, but rather to remind us that He is God, and we are not. We don’t serve something that our minds can control or define. He is so much greater than the greatest scholars and thinkers can wrap their minds around. He is so much grander than any engineer or scientist could build. He is so much more compassionate than any humanitarian or donor that we could imagine. He is a healer, like no physician we know. He is God. We serve the One, True, Living God. With joy and humility, let us take the news of Him to a world that needs desperately to know Him!
Lord, we love You and ask You right now to keep us humble so you can redirect our paths as needed. We are Yours.
Here’s the story I told:
The other night, my husband came home from work exhausted. He's been working so hard, and giving every spare minute to our family and the "honey do" list. We were getting ready to leave on a 10-day vacation. I didn't have the heart to ask him to mow the lawn (which DESPERATELY needed it--the grass is growing so fast right now). We have a large yard that requires so much care, and though we feel like we work in it often, there's always something else to do in it. So, instead of hitting him up with "Can you mow the lawn?" the minute he walked in the door, I asked him to show me how to use the mower. It's a new riding lawn mower, so I figured it couldn't be too hard. I could get the yard done in no time, and he could come in and kick his shoes off and relax.
He was so appreciative, so he quickly gave me a lesson. I got on it, and released the brake to go forward. Immediately, it jerked and I was thrown forward. Evidently, I released the brake a little too fast. I slammed on the brake again, laughing (and a little shaken). I looked up, and noticed that there were 8 roofers on my next-door neighbors' roof, laughing and pointing at me. A very obvious lesson in humility!!!!! I waved and laughed and continued on with trying to figure out the mower, and finished the lawn (well, almost...my husband had to negotiate the hill in front).
Okay, let’s just get it out in the open. We will all probably deal with lessons in humility over the next four days. Perhaps, it will be because we misspeak about something minor. The first time I was in Cuba, I tried to tell someone my son was 7, and mistakenly said I had seven sons! Imagine the look on their face. Well, I’m sure that the more I try to speak Spanish, the more I’ll fail, but I’d rather try and have a little laughter than not build a relationship with anyone along the way. That would be so much more of a failure! Perhaps it will be a larger faux pas—something that hurts another individual. We must be on our guard.
But, my prayer is that we’ll go even deeper than that surface humility—not the kind that’s about us and our feelings, but the kind that develops true servants. Let’s turn to scripture…again to Philippians…and see what Paul has to say about it, starting in Chapter 2, Verse 3:
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Meditate on that statement a moment—YOU MUST HAVE THE SAME ATTITUDE THAT CHRIST JESUS HAD. How is that even possible? What a HUGE expectation. But, that’s what Paul tells us we need to do. Spend a moment asking God for that sentence to manifest itself in your life! Read on:
6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
God is not asking us to die right now on this trip. But He is asking us to serve. Look around for the humble positions of a servant that we can take to serve our brothers and sisters in Monterrey. We are not there to be served or to be pleased. We are there to serve—to be slaves to Christ!
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
EVERY KNEE WILL bow and EVERY TONGUE WILL confess. Let’s pray that through our service, people will come to know Him NOW, and experience fully the JOY of living a life in Him.
Here is my prayer for us—our instruction manual if you will—from Paul’s words 2:12-18:
Dear Lord, help us to:
· 12Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
· 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you.
· Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
· 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
· Be joyful in all circumstances: 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
Those are challenging words. They are much deeper forms of humility than my experience with the mower. But, I know that God does not teach us such lessons to be demeaning, but rather to remind us that He is God, and we are not. We don’t serve something that our minds can control or define. He is so much greater than the greatest scholars and thinkers can wrap their minds around. He is so much grander than any engineer or scientist could build. He is so much more compassionate than any humanitarian or donor that we could imagine. He is a healer, like no physician we know. He is God. We serve the One, True, Living God. With joy and humility, let us take the news of Him to a world that needs desperately to know Him!
Lord, we love You and ask You right now to keep us humble so you can redirect our paths as needed. We are Yours.
Monterrey Devotion Day 1: Unity
We are preparing for a unique journey. God has great things in store. He has been at work long before we ever knew where Monterrey was on a map…long before we were ever born.
My favorite book of the Bible (if I had to choose one) is the Gospel of John, followed closely by the letter to the Philippians. John captures the sights, sounds and emotions of the Gospel. He saw things with such a unique perspective. John doesn’t talk of the physical details of Christ’s birth, but rather sums up the purpose and significance in the first 14 verses of the Gospel account. He talks about light coming into a world of darkness. He reminds us that this light is God in human form, but that Jesus (the Word) was with God in the beginning. He speaks of the fact that though we were made by God, we did not know Him. And then, in verse 14, John writes the most glorious words—he writes about something that would change this world FOREVER:
14And the Word became flesh, and made His dwelling among us, and we saw His glory, the glory of Jesus the One and Only from the Father, full of grace and truth.
We are preparing to share this incredible TRUE ACCOUNT with a world in desperate need of the hope of this message. We will share it in song on Friday and Saturday nights. We will share it through encouragement as we serve alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ at Prince of Peace Baptist Church. We will share it with prisoners in prison. We will share it with children who come to participate in a craft or drama or instrument. We will present to them the account of this Gospel. So, right now, as we begin, let us begin by praying for unity in heart and spirit.
Read with me Philippians Chapter 1, beginning verse 2:
2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5in view of your participation in the Gospel from the first day until now. 6For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Skip to verse 9:
9And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
My prayer for right now is that as we embark upon this journey, our love in Christ may abound more and more in REAL knowledge and ALL discernment so that we may be and be a part things that are excellent…to the Glory and Praise of God. What a noble purpose!
As you finish this reading, thinking about what lies ahead, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, and look closely at His prayer from the Garden just before His journey to the cross, as accounted in John 17:
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
Isn’t it amazing that Jesus, Himself, was praying for our unity in Spirit and Truth in that garden. His last thoughts and preparation before He gave Himself up for us was that WE would be unified and made one so that the Father’s glory would be revealed to this earth. Let us pray now that everyone who comes in contact with us throughout the coming days sees Him. Let His light and His grace radiate off of our faces. Let our words and instruments and song give Him glory. May people believe that God sent His only Son into the world because He loved us and loves them, and that He desires to have a relationship with them. What an awesome responsibility!
He is beginning a work in us. He will be faithful to complete it. As we close our devotion for today, ask Him to enlighten your hearts toward unity. Think thoughts of unity. You can’t go wrong with focusing on names of praise for our Savior. After that, think of ways to build up the brother or sister sitting beside you, or befriend a brother or sister on this trip that you don’t even know. Ask God to embolden you and speak through your actions, your song, your instruments, and your words.
I am rejoicing that you are on this journey with me! I am thankful to God for each one of you on this journey:
…for Richie, Beth, Laney, Keaton, Hayden, Malcom, Carl, Tami, Matt, Kerry, Jana, Jonah, Raeann, Lisa, Carmen, Valerie, Lynne, Jana, Halie, Daryl, Jack, Julie, Ken, Nancy, Chrisann, Kim & Ben
Dear Lord, we are humbled that You have called us forth as a team for this purpose. We pray that it will be Your purpose, and that we won’t go astray. Lord, we turn over our hearts to you even now, that You will focus us on You, thus focusing us on Your goals. We thank You, our Savior, our Redeemer, the Lover of our Soul, the Rock, our Refuge, our Deliverer, our Friend. Savior, like a shepherd, lead us now as we embark upon Your journey!
My favorite book of the Bible (if I had to choose one) is the Gospel of John, followed closely by the letter to the Philippians. John captures the sights, sounds and emotions of the Gospel. He saw things with such a unique perspective. John doesn’t talk of the physical details of Christ’s birth, but rather sums up the purpose and significance in the first 14 verses of the Gospel account. He talks about light coming into a world of darkness. He reminds us that this light is God in human form, but that Jesus (the Word) was with God in the beginning. He speaks of the fact that though we were made by God, we did not know Him. And then, in verse 14, John writes the most glorious words—he writes about something that would change this world FOREVER:
14And the Word became flesh, and made His dwelling among us, and we saw His glory, the glory of Jesus the One and Only from the Father, full of grace and truth.
We are preparing to share this incredible TRUE ACCOUNT with a world in desperate need of the hope of this message. We will share it in song on Friday and Saturday nights. We will share it through encouragement as we serve alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ at Prince of Peace Baptist Church. We will share it with prisoners in prison. We will share it with children who come to participate in a craft or drama or instrument. We will present to them the account of this Gospel. So, right now, as we begin, let us begin by praying for unity in heart and spirit.
Read with me Philippians Chapter 1, beginning verse 2:
2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5in view of your participation in the Gospel from the first day until now. 6For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Skip to verse 9:
9And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
My prayer for right now is that as we embark upon this journey, our love in Christ may abound more and more in REAL knowledge and ALL discernment so that we may be and be a part things that are excellent…to the Glory and Praise of God. What a noble purpose!
As you finish this reading, thinking about what lies ahead, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, and look closely at His prayer from the Garden just before His journey to the cross, as accounted in John 17:
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
Isn’t it amazing that Jesus, Himself, was praying for our unity in Spirit and Truth in that garden. His last thoughts and preparation before He gave Himself up for us was that WE would be unified and made one so that the Father’s glory would be revealed to this earth. Let us pray now that everyone who comes in contact with us throughout the coming days sees Him. Let His light and His grace radiate off of our faces. Let our words and instruments and song give Him glory. May people believe that God sent His only Son into the world because He loved us and loves them, and that He desires to have a relationship with them. What an awesome responsibility!
He is beginning a work in us. He will be faithful to complete it. As we close our devotion for today, ask Him to enlighten your hearts toward unity. Think thoughts of unity. You can’t go wrong with focusing on names of praise for our Savior. After that, think of ways to build up the brother or sister sitting beside you, or befriend a brother or sister on this trip that you don’t even know. Ask God to embolden you and speak through your actions, your song, your instruments, and your words.
I am rejoicing that you are on this journey with me! I am thankful to God for each one of you on this journey:
…for Richie, Beth, Laney, Keaton, Hayden, Malcom, Carl, Tami, Matt, Kerry, Jana, Jonah, Raeann, Lisa, Carmen, Valerie, Lynne, Jana, Halie, Daryl, Jack, Julie, Ken, Nancy, Chrisann, Kim & Ben
Dear Lord, we are humbled that You have called us forth as a team for this purpose. We pray that it will be Your purpose, and that we won’t go astray. Lord, we turn over our hearts to you even now, that You will focus us on You, thus focusing us on Your goals. We thank You, our Savior, our Redeemer, the Lover of our Soul, the Rock, our Refuge, our Deliverer, our Friend. Savior, like a shepherd, lead us now as we embark upon Your journey!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
No Less Days
Barry, Jana, Daryl and I have been in the Worship Leader National Conference this week. We just left a room of 2500 people all joining hands and singing the first verse of "Joy to the World" a capella, in perfect harmony. It was an amazing time of worship.
Last night, as we sat in worship, we heard some wonderful worship leaders, and some amazing new songs. We heard a variety of styles, expressions, etc. But what was overwhelming was God's presence and His sovereignty. It was a time filled with praise--I felt like my heart was exploding with praise. There were many songs that I didn't know, but on those, I was able to just write the texts on my hearts as others sang, or open my journal and just write thoughts of praise.
Last night, the Pastor started us off with an image. Before we ever even sang a note, he merely said the word, "Manna." It was an image that immediately focused me on what God had to teach me and on the blessings of being in His presence and uttering praise and adoration to Him. At one point during last night's worship, we got to a moment when we all sang "Amazing Grace". As we began to sing the last verse, "When we've been there 10,000 years...we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we first began." That phrase just burned in my mind.
Can you imagine? A time of worship where time isn't limited. It will be a place where we will utter praises and be in His presence for eternity. We won't be counting down the minutes until lunch. We won't be counting down the days to an event. We won't be counting down the years until our lives are over. We'll be serving in praise among the saints...actually as a member of the saints...for eternity.
I have a dear friend whose mother is very sick right now. She is living on "borrowed time"--as are we all. As I focused on that phrase, I thought of my friend and her Mom--both of whom are strong believers. That image of her Mom praising Jesus around the throne...not counting down days...not worrying who she might be leaving behind...not feeling pain or sickness. Just pure, holy praise. I could just picture her radiating with God's glory. It was an image that brought tears to my eyes. It is an image I long for--a time when I'm not living on borrowed time, but rather home with my King.
As I left, I was reminded once more that I should NEVER take worship for granted. I should NEVER treat it as routine or ordinary. I should take EVERY opportunity personally and corporately to rehearse for Heaven! I should take EVERY opportunity to fill our hearts and our lips with praise.
I love the Psalms, and want to finish praying exerpts from Psalm 25:
"To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in You I trust...Show me Your ways, O LORD, teach me Your paths; Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long...My eyes are ever on the LORD...Guard my life and rescue me...may integrity and uprightness protect me because my hope is in You."
Last night, as we sat in worship, we heard some wonderful worship leaders, and some amazing new songs. We heard a variety of styles, expressions, etc. But what was overwhelming was God's presence and His sovereignty. It was a time filled with praise--I felt like my heart was exploding with praise. There were many songs that I didn't know, but on those, I was able to just write the texts on my hearts as others sang, or open my journal and just write thoughts of praise.
Last night, the Pastor started us off with an image. Before we ever even sang a note, he merely said the word, "Manna." It was an image that immediately focused me on what God had to teach me and on the blessings of being in His presence and uttering praise and adoration to Him. At one point during last night's worship, we got to a moment when we all sang "Amazing Grace". As we began to sing the last verse, "When we've been there 10,000 years...we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we first began." That phrase just burned in my mind.
Can you imagine? A time of worship where time isn't limited. It will be a place where we will utter praises and be in His presence for eternity. We won't be counting down the minutes until lunch. We won't be counting down the days to an event. We won't be counting down the years until our lives are over. We'll be serving in praise among the saints...actually as a member of the saints...for eternity.
I have a dear friend whose mother is very sick right now. She is living on "borrowed time"--as are we all. As I focused on that phrase, I thought of my friend and her Mom--both of whom are strong believers. That image of her Mom praising Jesus around the throne...not counting down days...not worrying who she might be leaving behind...not feeling pain or sickness. Just pure, holy praise. I could just picture her radiating with God's glory. It was an image that brought tears to my eyes. It is an image I long for--a time when I'm not living on borrowed time, but rather home with my King.
As I left, I was reminded once more that I should NEVER take worship for granted. I should NEVER treat it as routine or ordinary. I should take EVERY opportunity personally and corporately to rehearse for Heaven! I should take EVERY opportunity to fill our hearts and our lips with praise.
I love the Psalms, and want to finish praying exerpts from Psalm 25:
"To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in You I trust...Show me Your ways, O LORD, teach me Your paths; Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long...My eyes are ever on the LORD...Guard my life and rescue me...may integrity and uprightness protect me because my hope is in You."
Monday, July 14, 2008
Serving Joyfully
Psalm 100
1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
This is a very familiar Psalm to all of us. One of the things we face as servants of Christ, and as members of a very busy church is the balance between serving joyfully and serving out of obligation. I have been reminded in a very bold way about serving joyfully, and I am claiming that for my life and my ministry.
A few weeks ago, a mother told me about a decision her 5th grade son had made. He accepted Christ as his Savior. He was telling his mother about this, and he said, "Okay, now what's my job?" She asked him what he was talking about. He said, "Well, you sing in the choir, and Daddy runs sound. You both have jobs in the church. What's my job? I'm a Christian now. I need a job."
I love his enthusiasm. It's not that worldy "What can you do for me" attitude. It's "What can I do for God". It's that authentic change--that mysterious gift that only comes from God. This sweet boy was so excited about his transformation that he immediately wanted to give back.
I'm thankful for a church that allows those opportunities. A few weeks ago, my son was in a First Things First episode. Abby was terribly upset that she didn't get to be in it. Daryl--one of our greatest gifts when it comes to training up children--gave her a job. He taught her how to run a teleprompter. Most of us would be afraid to touch one, let alone allow a 7 year old to touch one. But, Daryl showed her how to do it, made her feel important, and she was able to contribute to ministry. I am thankful for people in this church who aren't afraid to trust and train our children--our next generation.
This next week is Vacation Bible School. There are many adults and teenagers who will serve. They need many more volunteers. It's a great opportunity to share and minister joyfully. It's also a great opportunity to touch a life eternally--to encourage a child in the church where one day he or she will be serving joyfully and training up the next generation.
That little boy who asked his mother about his "job" is now running graphics every other week at Brown Blvd--now called NorthPointe Baptist Church! What a tremendous opportunity that church has and is cultivating in the life of that boy. I know many more stories like his will come out of faithful servants, joyfully serving Christ in the church and community.
Thank You, Lord for giving us gifts and skills that we can use to serve You. Help us to cultivate joy daily as we use them for Your service. Help us never to become complacent, but always be looking for ways to encourage others in their gifts. Thank You for 150 years of church history with people who weren't afraid to serve and train up the next generation. Help us, as we work with VBS, that lives will be touched and that You will cultivate the next generation of joy-filled servants. Draw us nearer to You every day, Lord, and fill us with Your joy and glory.
1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
This is a very familiar Psalm to all of us. One of the things we face as servants of Christ, and as members of a very busy church is the balance between serving joyfully and serving out of obligation. I have been reminded in a very bold way about serving joyfully, and I am claiming that for my life and my ministry.
A few weeks ago, a mother told me about a decision her 5th grade son had made. He accepted Christ as his Savior. He was telling his mother about this, and he said, "Okay, now what's my job?" She asked him what he was talking about. He said, "Well, you sing in the choir, and Daddy runs sound. You both have jobs in the church. What's my job? I'm a Christian now. I need a job."
I love his enthusiasm. It's not that worldy "What can you do for me" attitude. It's "What can I do for God". It's that authentic change--that mysterious gift that only comes from God. This sweet boy was so excited about his transformation that he immediately wanted to give back.
I'm thankful for a church that allows those opportunities. A few weeks ago, my son was in a First Things First episode. Abby was terribly upset that she didn't get to be in it. Daryl--one of our greatest gifts when it comes to training up children--gave her a job. He taught her how to run a teleprompter. Most of us would be afraid to touch one, let alone allow a 7 year old to touch one. But, Daryl showed her how to do it, made her feel important, and she was able to contribute to ministry. I am thankful for people in this church who aren't afraid to trust and train our children--our next generation.
This next week is Vacation Bible School. There are many adults and teenagers who will serve. They need many more volunteers. It's a great opportunity to share and minister joyfully. It's also a great opportunity to touch a life eternally--to encourage a child in the church where one day he or she will be serving joyfully and training up the next generation.
That little boy who asked his mother about his "job" is now running graphics every other week at Brown Blvd--now called NorthPointe Baptist Church! What a tremendous opportunity that church has and is cultivating in the life of that boy. I know many more stories like his will come out of faithful servants, joyfully serving Christ in the church and community.
Thank You, Lord for giving us gifts and skills that we can use to serve You. Help us to cultivate joy daily as we use them for Your service. Help us never to become complacent, but always be looking for ways to encourage others in their gifts. Thank You for 150 years of church history with people who weren't afraid to serve and train up the next generation. Help us, as we work with VBS, that lives will be touched and that You will cultivate the next generation of joy-filled servants. Draw us nearer to You every day, Lord, and fill us with Your joy and glory.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Humility -- My Least Favorite, but Most Memorable Lesson
Tuesday night, my husband came home from work exhausted. He's been working so hard, and giving every spare minute to our family and the "honey do" list. We are getting ready to leave on a 10 day vacation. I didn't have the heart to ask him to mow the lawn (which DESPERATELY needed it--the grass is growing so fast right now). We have a large yard that requres so much care, and though we feel like we work in it often, there's always something else to do in it. So, instead of hitting him up with "Can you mow the lawn?" the minute he walked in the door, I asked him to show me how to use the mower. It's a new riding lawn mower, so I figured it couldn't be too hard. I could get the yard done in no time, and he could come in and kick his shoes off for a moment.
He was so appreciative, so he quickly gave me a lesson. I got on it, and released the brake to go forward. Immediately, it jerked forward and I was thrown forward. Evidently, I released the brake a little too fast. I slammed on the brake again, laughing (and a little shaken). I looked up, and noticed that there were 8 roofers on my next door neighbors' roof, laughing and pointing at me. A very obvious lesson in humility!!!!! I waved and laughed and continued on with trying to figure out the mower, and finished the lawn (well, almost...my husband had to negotiate the hill in front).
Psalm 25:9 "He leads the humble in doing right; teaching them His way."
This lesson in humility was a quickstart to my week. I've said before that I go to the mountains every year for vacation. I think the main reason why I am so drawn to the mountains is because it is a time of rejuvenation and reflection. But all of that begins with humility. God reminds me PHYSICALLY to be humble. In 24 hours, I'll be standing between two mountains fishing. There is nothing else around. The river rushes so loudly, that nobody would ever hear my voice if I were in trouble. Our cell phones don't work. Internet is a joke. The bears are around...and cougars...and skunks. It's a huge, unknown world. There's always a moment as I'm fishing that I realize just how vulnerable I am. It reminds me to thank my God, my Provider, my Shelter.
"Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart?" -- song by Casting Crowns
Every year, while up there, I climb to the top of Hamilton Mesa. It reminds me of how small I am. I am a mere dot on the canvas of this earth. I look around and see peak after peak after peak. On my peak alone, there are miles of wilderness and trails. I am but a dot.
"I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind" -- song by Casting Crowns continued
I am a mere dot. But the God of the Universe cared enough to send His Son to die for me and for my sins. I am not worthy, but He thought I was worth rescuing. He cares. He, who is busy with the 6 billion other people in the world, still hears my voice when it calls out to Him. He desires a relationship with me. How mind-boggling is that?
"Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours." -- song by Casting Crowns continued
I love this time in the mountains. It reminds me that God is God and I am not. It reminds me that He is Lord. It reminds me of my commitment to let Him shepherd, and let me learn and follow. These are all lessons contrary to what the world instills in us every day. This is my grounding time--as I turn my eyes upon Jesus. It's a great physical reminder of the rest of the world fading away--the things of earth becoming dim--as I stand there, a dot, against that marvelous canvas. I am reminded that I don't come from gasses colliding in outerspace and accidentally creating what we now call Earth, but that the God of the Universe molded me, shaped me and made me uniquely who I am, just as He did each mountain and each blade of grass. But He created man even more special--in relationship with Him. Here are the final words of this great worship song:
"Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
You've told me who I am.
I am Yours." --song by Casting Crowns continued
Psalm 69:32 "The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged."
Lord, help me to see You at work throughout this week. Help me to focus on what You desire. Make clear my part in Your Kingdom so I can follow with fervor and confidence. Keep me humble so you can redirect my path as needed. I love my time with You! I am Yours.
He was so appreciative, so he quickly gave me a lesson. I got on it, and released the brake to go forward. Immediately, it jerked forward and I was thrown forward. Evidently, I released the brake a little too fast. I slammed on the brake again, laughing (and a little shaken). I looked up, and noticed that there were 8 roofers on my next door neighbors' roof, laughing and pointing at me. A very obvious lesson in humility!!!!! I waved and laughed and continued on with trying to figure out the mower, and finished the lawn (well, almost...my husband had to negotiate the hill in front).
Psalm 25:9 "He leads the humble in doing right; teaching them His way."
This lesson in humility was a quickstart to my week. I've said before that I go to the mountains every year for vacation. I think the main reason why I am so drawn to the mountains is because it is a time of rejuvenation and reflection. But all of that begins with humility. God reminds me PHYSICALLY to be humble. In 24 hours, I'll be standing between two mountains fishing. There is nothing else around. The river rushes so loudly, that nobody would ever hear my voice if I were in trouble. Our cell phones don't work. Internet is a joke. The bears are around...and cougars...and skunks. It's a huge, unknown world. There's always a moment as I'm fishing that I realize just how vulnerable I am. It reminds me to thank my God, my Provider, my Shelter.
"Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart?" -- song by Casting Crowns
Every year, while up there, I climb to the top of Hamilton Mesa. It reminds me of how small I am. I am a mere dot on the canvas of this earth. I look around and see peak after peak after peak. On my peak alone, there are miles of wilderness and trails. I am but a dot.
"I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind" -- song by Casting Crowns continued
I am a mere dot. But the God of the Universe cared enough to send His Son to die for me and for my sins. I am not worthy, but He thought I was worth rescuing. He cares. He, who is busy with the 6 billion other people in the world, still hears my voice when it calls out to Him. He desires a relationship with me. How mind-boggling is that?
"Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours." -- song by Casting Crowns continued
I love this time in the mountains. It reminds me that God is God and I am not. It reminds me that He is Lord. It reminds me of my commitment to let Him shepherd, and let me learn and follow. These are all lessons contrary to what the world instills in us every day. This is my grounding time--as I turn my eyes upon Jesus. It's a great physical reminder of the rest of the world fading away--the things of earth becoming dim--as I stand there, a dot, against that marvelous canvas. I am reminded that I don't come from gasses colliding in outerspace and accidentally creating what we now call Earth, but that the God of the Universe molded me, shaped me and made me uniquely who I am, just as He did each mountain and each blade of grass. But He created man even more special--in relationship with Him. Here are the final words of this great worship song:
"Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
You've told me who I am.
I am Yours." --song by Casting Crowns continued
Psalm 69:32 "The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged."
Lord, help me to see You at work throughout this week. Help me to focus on what You desire. Make clear my part in Your Kingdom so I can follow with fervor and confidence. Keep me humble so you can redirect my path as needed. I love my time with You! I am Yours.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
A Holy, Famous Name
Proverbs 22:1 says, "A good name (reputation) is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold."
Tonight, my daughter, Abigail, was playing on the piano. She will sit there for hours, picking out tunes that are familiar, then harmonizing them, then reharmonizing them. We laughed at Christmas because she learned "Deck the Halls" in major...then minor...then in the Dorian mode, etc. Dennis and I find it very entertaining (most of the time).
Tonight, she picked out Beethoven's Fur Elise. After she picked it out, she rearranged it. It turned out to be a "dueling Fur Elise" in the style of "Dueling Banjos". It was quite humorous.
When she finished, I was praising her creativity. She came in from the music room and said, "I think I'm famous." We asked her why she thought that. She said "because Beethoven named a piece for me" (her middle name is Elise). I told her that her first name was a famous name, too. She said, "Yes it is...a HOLY famous name." We've often told her of the story of Abigail and David from 1 Samuel. Abigail actually means "her Father's joy." She is not only her Heavenly Father's joy, but our joy as well.
As I began to prepare for bed, I was smiling and thinking of her statement--"a holy famous name". It dawned on me that each of us, as followers of Christ, has "a holy famous name". Our names as believers are written eternally in the Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). That thought just made me feel like celebrating. Here's the text of praise that came to mind, from the great praise song (and ancient hymn text) Before the Throne of God Above:
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
My name (and yours--for you who believe) is written on His heart and graven on His hands. He stands as payment for my sins and as intercessor for the Father. He stands so that I can dwell with the Father eternally. My name is holy. Meditate on that thought for a moment.
My name is holy.
No tongue can cause it to disappear from His heart and His hands...from that precious Book of Life. Our reputation is spoken for by the Lamb of God. Our name is sealed by His blood.
Thank You, Father for sending Your precious Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. We are not worthy in and of ourselves. But You have made us worth more than any great wealth of this earth. You have sealed our names in the eternal Book of Life. Thank You for the hope, foundation, and security we have in You. We love You. We praise You for the profound mystery and eternal hope found in this precious gift.
Tonight, my daughter, Abigail, was playing on the piano. She will sit there for hours, picking out tunes that are familiar, then harmonizing them, then reharmonizing them. We laughed at Christmas because she learned "Deck the Halls" in major...then minor...then in the Dorian mode, etc. Dennis and I find it very entertaining (most of the time).
Tonight, she picked out Beethoven's Fur Elise. After she picked it out, she rearranged it. It turned out to be a "dueling Fur Elise" in the style of "Dueling Banjos". It was quite humorous.
When she finished, I was praising her creativity. She came in from the music room and said, "I think I'm famous." We asked her why she thought that. She said "because Beethoven named a piece for me" (her middle name is Elise). I told her that her first name was a famous name, too. She said, "Yes it is...a HOLY famous name." We've often told her of the story of Abigail and David from 1 Samuel. Abigail actually means "her Father's joy." She is not only her Heavenly Father's joy, but our joy as well.
As I began to prepare for bed, I was smiling and thinking of her statement--"a holy famous name". It dawned on me that each of us, as followers of Christ, has "a holy famous name". Our names as believers are written eternally in the Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). That thought just made me feel like celebrating. Here's the text of praise that came to mind, from the great praise song (and ancient hymn text) Before the Throne of God Above:
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
My name (and yours--for you who believe) is written on His heart and graven on His hands. He stands as payment for my sins and as intercessor for the Father. He stands so that I can dwell with the Father eternally. My name is holy. Meditate on that thought for a moment.
My name is holy.
No tongue can cause it to disappear from His heart and His hands...from that precious Book of Life. Our reputation is spoken for by the Lamb of God. Our name is sealed by His blood.
Thank You, Father for sending Your precious Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. We are not worthy in and of ourselves. But You have made us worth more than any great wealth of this earth. You have sealed our names in the eternal Book of Life. Thank You for the hope, foundation, and security we have in You. We love You. We praise You for the profound mystery and eternal hope found in this precious gift.
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On Top of Pecos Baldy
...what a memory!
