Sunday Scripture

"I will delight in your principles and not forget your word." Psalm 119:16

Today, Lord, help me to set aside time to spend with you reading directly from your word. Draw me in and show me a joy in all that you have to say to my heart. Amen

Think Before Judging

Give to others and God will give to you.  Indeed, you will receive a full measure, a generous helping, poured into your hands - all that you can hold.  The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you.

Luke 6:38

A am guilty of judging others too harshly.  I am guilty of judging others by appearance.  I am guilty of judging others when I don't know all the facts, and today I see the pain I cause myself when I fall into that judging trap.  God loves us unconditionally more than we could ever imagine and it says in this scripture that when we give to others God gives to us.  We could stop reading and listening at this point and assume if we are good people and serve others, help the poor, share our belongings and offer our time then we will be given rewards in heaven and blessings here on earth.  But as we continue reading, giving good things brings good things, but giving bad things or not giving at all will bring on that same judgment for ourselves.  If we are stingy with our possessions, not sharing them, then God will be stingy with His possessions, wisdom, strength and whatever else He decides to withhold.  If we are quick to judge someone God will be quick to judge us, and believe me I need all the patience He can give me!  Does this change God's love for us? No, but it does change the amount and type of blessings we receive.  Just like in life, most actions bring on a reaction or a consequence and the same goes here.  If we want to judge someone harshly, or give them little grace the same judgment will be used for us.  If we decide to withhold forgiveness then the judgement we use on that person is the same we will receive from our loving God.  Hey, aren't we always complaining that life isn't fair?  Here is an example of God's fairness.  The golden rule sticks in this moment......we shall treat people the way we want to be treated. 

Dear God, forgive me for all the times that I judged unfairly.  Help me to recognize those moments and put an end to my quick and unfair judgement.  It is my desire to receive more blessings than I can hold and so I will rely on your wisdom and strength to change my heart to be more like You.  Amen     

Amid the Hum

"The gate keeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they never follow a stranger, in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize his voice." John 10:3-5

Throughout the classroom there was a hum of activity; There were the sounds of whispered voices, shuffling bodies, coughs and sneezes, and quiet giggles. A little boy raised his hand for help. I approached him and squatted down next to his ear so he could hear me without drawing anyone else's attention. He turned and told me that he didn't know what to write about today. I began reminding him of all the things we had discussed; I recounted his morning and a statement he had made to me about his weekend. I offered many suggestions. As I spoke, his eyes began to roam the room. His body slowly turned toward the child on the other side of him. So, I spoke his name. The following conversation took place...
"Davey, I'm talking to you."
"I know. I'm listening."
"No, you're not. Please turn around and look at me so I know I have your attention."
"I AM listening!"
"I know you're listening, but are you listening for MY voice? Please focus!'

WHAM! Instantly I hear this paraphrase of scripture ring through my head as I spoke those words, "I know my sheep and my sheep know my voice." (Matt. 10:1-21) I am then reminded of my morning quiet time.

I had been asking God for direction. I felt unsure of what I was to do. I felt as if He wasn't giving me any help. I was confused and frustrated.  But, as I spoke to my student I felt God echo these words to my heart..."I know you're listening, but are you listening for MY voice? Please focus!" It wasn't that God wasn't making his intentions for me clear, it's that I had gotten lost in the hum of life around me. I needed to focus!

Lord, forgive me when I lose focus. Forgive me for being drawn by the hum of activity around me and for failing to listen for your voice. Give me ears to hear you, Lord, and a heart that is willing to obey.
Amen.

"I'm Bowing Down To Who?"

Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him the nations of the world and all their glory.  "I will give it all to you", he said, "if you will only kneel down and worship me."

Matthew 4:8-9

So I read this scripture and for the first time I saw something I have never before.  Unfortunately it wasn't one of those moments that made me jump for joy or even smile.  No, this time I felt a little sick to my stomach and wanted to punch myself for all the times I put my desires and worldly plans in front of God's.  For the first time God made it clear to me that when I put worldly fame and worldly plans in front of His will I am bowing down to satan.  When I take matters into my own hands I am joining satan's side and bowing down to him.......worldly answers and ideas that don't go along with God's plan for me.  Even when I say things before speaking or agree to ideas and actions that don't match up with God's will, I am putting my trust in satan, and bowing down to his methods and his answers to my problems.  Yes, it was a real kick in the face but something I needed to hear and understand.  I praise God for speaking to me.  I praise Him for the time we can spend together.  I praise Him for His guidance, even when it hurts, because ultimately I want to live like Jesus.  As christians, this is our goal, and so we are always changing and growing.  God is always shaping us and turning us into the person He has dreamed for us to be.  And when I can accept that and know that deep in my heart, that is the moment I can smile and jump for joy!

My dear friends, my heart leaps for you all.  Ever since I really understood the importance of knowing God and having a personal relationship with Him I have wanted to share that feeling with the world.  My prayer for you is to find God on an intimate level so that you are anticipating your time with Him every day.  I want you to feel His presence in your life and trust Him with your entire being!  I want you to read scripture and feel Him speaking to you!  I praise God for you!  Please if there is ever a topic you need help with, or if you ever need prayer, Mary and I want you to email us.  It would be our blessing to help you out.  We don't have all the answers but our Big God does and together we can pray and search His Word.  I pray for just one of you, and you know who you are, to speak up and take your life with God to the next level.       

Be Transformed

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

The beginning of each year in first grade always includes a study of insects, mainly the monarch butterfly. I've participated in this study for the last 10 years, but it wasn't until this year that I notice the details of the process. I noticed the time that the transformation takes, the split second changes, and the breath taking-beauty of life anew. It's not that I've been uninterested in the past, but this year, I related the changes to God's design of life and the way he works in us, and this perspective made all the difference.

A monarch caterpillar spends the first weeks of his life gorging himself on milkweed. He grows rapidly as he feasts on as much as possible. I thought about how we, as humans, gorge ourselves on the world before we know Christ. We are looking for something to fill us and we consume all that the world has to offer. 

After he's fattened himself, the caterpillar crawls to the top of the container, hangs down and soon curls his body in to a "J". Do you see us in this? Eventually we've had enough of the ugly ways of the world. We look up and see "J"esus.

After a few hours maybe days, the caterpillar begins to wiggle and within moments, he's wrapped himself in an amazing chrysalis. It is perfectly made to cover his entire body and is ringed with a tiny trim of gold. But what I noticed this year, is that this caterpillar to chrysalis transformation took only seconds. It's like us though. In a split second we can make a decision to live for Christ. He wraps us in his arms and then the changes begin, but instantly we are safely wrapped in his love.

As the caterpillar remains in the chrysalis, change is happening. But all I hear in my classroom is the echo of each child asking, "What's going on in there?" "What's taking so long?" "When will we see the changes?" But, we can only wait and hope!

After about a week the chrysalis becomes clear and a monarch butterfly emerges. It's slow to get it's flying wings ready, but then it is free and unstoppable. As Christians we need to emerge in our new life boldly and confidently ready to tell everyone and anyone about the changes that Jesus has made in us!

Although parts of the process happen quickly, for those watching and waiting it is too slow. Like my first graders, when we are waiting for our friends and family to emerge from their 'chrysalis' of the old life, we want to rush the process. But, it takes time as God transforms their minds to be more and more like him. If you are praying for someone, don't give up! God's at work, even when we can't see it!

God Is Holding You

I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night.  I think how much you have helped me; I sing for joy in the shadow of your protecting wings.  I follow close behind you; your strong right hand holds me securely.

Psalm 63:6-8

You may have had a night like David recently.  You couldn't sleep because you had so many things running through your mind.  And, like David, maybe you felt alone and scared, even fighting to stay alive or hiding from your enemies, but instead of looking forward to what God had in store for you, you were dreading waking up for fear of what the next day would bring.  In these moments do you meditate on your fear and your unfortunate situation or, like David, do you meditate on God's ability to protect you and bring you out of your peril?  

As I was holding my foster baby in the middle of the night it reminded me of that secure feeling we have when we remember that God is with us but as soon as we forget He is right there holding us we begin to cry and wiggle with discomfort.  My foster child was the same way.  As soon as I picked her up she stopped crying and began to fall back asleep but the moment I put her down she would cry again.  She only felt safe when she was in my arms.  The only time she could calm down and rest, beginning to let herself fall back to sleep, was when I was holding her.  The same is true when we start to forget that God is with us, but when we remember Who is holding us we can relax and let ourselves calm down, and even rest in His arms.  

Unfortunately I can't tell my 7 month old baby to relax and trust God, but I can tell you.  It isn't an easy concept to always cling to but I have found all of my peace in this one action.  If we are to feel safe and secure we must trust in God's ability to help us in our situation.  And while we are suffering and worrying it is very important that we look back on God's faithfulness in our life.  Just like David we have to think back in all the times and places that God helped us and showed up on our behalf.  Then we must sing for joy of those times and with confidence that He will show up again.  Also, like David, we must follow closely to God, meditating on His Word and His promises to us.  Never forgetting that He is always holding us with His right hand, protecting us in the shelter of His wings.  So, my friend, if you feel yourself wiggling in discomfort and fear; crying out in the middle of the night, instead of mediating on your problems, mediate on God's healing touch.  Feel yourself being held by your Father.  And rest in His ability to comfort and save you.      

Unusual Kindness

"The islanders showed us unusual kindness." Acts 28:2

As Paul journeyed to Rome he found himself shipwrecked. When he and his crew came upon an island, the islanders were unusually kind to them. The natives made them a fire, fed them, and even took them into their homes. When Paul and his crew were ready to set sail, the islanders even furnished them with supplies.

As Christians, we should be known for our unusual kindness. Today's challenge… what have you done to show others unusual kindness this week? Have you gone out of your way to show 'unusual kindness'? Did you greet the sales clerk with a smile? Help a colleague with a project amid your own busy schedule? Sacrifice your time to visit with a friend? Welcome guests into your home when you could have been completing tasks?