Listen

 

     This week we talked about ways to regain our peace, our joy and prioritize our time with God. Studying and reading the Bible. What a precious gift this is. The word of God is alive and necessary for us to follow.

With my lips I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth. I rejoice in following Your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I delight in Your decrees. I will not neglect Your word. Psalm 119:13-16

     And we can pray.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 1 John 5:14

     Finally, we can listen. The Holy Spirit of God resides within us as believers. The Spirit will open up the word of God to our hearts, will intercede with us when we don’t know how or what to pray and will relay God’s desires for us as we move through our days. We will notice His nudging, warning, guiding, teaching, and opening our eyes to opportunities. Listen to the voice within. The very Spirit of the living God is within you!

My sheep listen to My voice. I know them and they know Me. John 10:27

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes with us with wordless groans. Romans 8:26

     Read, pray, listen. He is our Lord and Savior and He always leads us in the best, richest, most satisfying ways. He is life, life to the full, the abundant, blessed life. And He is ours! Sit with Him. Hear Him. Be filled with peace and joy and rest.

Lord Jesus,

Keep us steadfast and trusting. Keep us less busy in order to keep You in first place where You belong. Please let Your Spirit guide us today and every day until we reach our heavenly home.

Amen

Love God, Love Others

 

     I feel better already. Thanks for reading this week. The Holy Spirit tends to lead me to what I need and I needed these verses and reminders this week. We all do. Think about the lives of our grandparents and great-grandparents. Can you imagine them witnessing our world today? It is no wonder we become stressed or anxious. We move too fast, use screen-time too much, get stuck in traffic, and, whew, on and on it goes. It is easy to see why we often lose our way.

     Jesus asks us to love the Lord our God with all of our hearts, our souls and our strength. Jesus summed up the greatest commandments for us.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it; Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40

     Loving God first. It encompasses everything important in life and eternity. That love encourages us to love ourselves and others. Losing your way? Put priorities in order. And others will recognize Jesus through our love.

By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35

     Let Jesus change your heart into one of love, peace and joy.

Jesus,

Let others recognize us as Yours. Only placing You truly first in our lives will fill us to the brim until we overflow with Your Spirit. Help us find time to be with You.

Amen

 

Choose What Is Better

 

     Do you remember the story of the sisters, Mary and Martha? Company was coming to their home, including Jesus! Oh my. I don’t know if hospitality is your gift, but it is not mine. I would love to be the one sitting in a corner, talking to one person, hoping someone else is handling the cooking and cleaning. Fretting over company comes naturally to me.

     Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, worshipping, listening, savoring time to be near Him. Her sister, Martha? She was doing all of the preparing, all of the work. Busy, busy, busy.  Cooking, cleaning, slaving away all by herself. Well, you can imagine her emotions. I would feel the same way.

     Here is the conversation between Martha and Jesus.

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered. “You are worried and upset over many things, but few things are needed-or indeed, only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:40-42

     Jesus understood what needed to be done. He wants to be first, before all of “what we have to do!” Hospitality is a vital gift in the body of Christ. Welcoming, feeding, comforting, and opening our homes and churches are necessary and wonderful. But Christ reminds Martha of the first thing. Spending time with Him is most needed.

     Jesus, may be repeating your name, reminding you. Are you too busy with many things? Have you moved Jesus away from being the “better choice?”

Lord,

Keep us from becoming too busy with everything else. Show us how to sit at Your feet and listen and spend time with You and Your word. Help all of us to find the time, placing You first in our busy lives.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Come Away With Me For Awhile

 

     Jesus is talking to me about being still.  Let’s listen as we approach the Christmas season.

Then, because so many people were coming and going, that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and rest for awhile.”  Mark 6:31

     Is life moving too quickly for you? Too much to do? Coming and going here and there? Too many details, social media, work, kids, Christmas preparations, life? I know the feeling. Even when we are not in our “too busy” mode, we find ourselves forgetting to spend time with Jesus.

     Our Lord is our place of peace and rest, the centerpiece of our souls. The details and scurrying can wait. In fact, He will help us move step by step in peace and joy, if we just let Him. He is our Rock, our Shepherd, our quiet place to rest.

     That sounds good to me right about now. You, too? Let Him take you by the hand, lead you to a quiet place to allow Him to nourish and refresh your soul. His word feeds our deepest needs. His love penetrates our weary hearts. His peace eases our distracted minds. Give it all to Him in a quiet place, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

     Let His peace wash over you as you sit in a quiet place and rest.

Lord,

Thank You for Scriptures that reminds us of all You have available to us. Keep us from being distracted from what should be the first things in life. Our very first and most vital need is to spend time with You. Lead us to that quiet place today.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

Blessings and Grace

 

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

     Take in the blessings of God this week. Allow Him to fill the holes in your heart and bless you in all things at all times. Jesus loves you to the moon and back and beyond the stars. After all, He has washed your sins as white as snow. Take that love and the blessings of God and give some away. Count your blessings on Thanksgiving Day and every day. And don’t forget to pray for others and allow others to pray for you.

And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.  2 Corinthians 9:14-15

     God’s gift of grace is meant to be shared. And prayer changes things. Prayer opens hearts and heals wounds and gives peace. I thank God for each one of you and I pray that God’s gifts be given to you abundantly so that you may overflow with joy.

Happy Thanksgiving! See you Monday.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for Your indescribable gifts. We take each one as a blessing from above and we ask to be given opportunities to give to others.

Amen

Hoopla, Heartache, Hope

 

     Well, let’s admit it. Along with the delightful, smells, tastes, sounds and anticipation of the season, there is more. More stress, more busyness, more annoying relatives. There are the gifts that don’t work, that don’t fit, that we don’t need. We overeat, we over shop and wo overdo.

     Take a break before the hectic days and the hoopla begin and remember the One above watching over us, above all else He is there.

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.  Colossians 3:2

  This time of year is especially difficult for those grieving the loss of loved ones. Jesus is there to comfort, to find hope, to remind us of His great gifts. Remember the blessings and, remember, there is a great cloud of witnesses awaiting us in heaven.

     What do you think? Can we rise above the craziness and focus on the hope that awaits? Shine with hope this season. Let’s focus on the love around us and share memories of loved ones waiting for us and the One who came for us. It’s all about Him after all. He can change everything.

Jesus,

Calm our spirits as we get ready to celebrate the loveliest and purest gift ever given, the life You sacrificed for us, offering us grace and forgiveness. Keep our focus on You and on sharing all of the noble gifts You give to us. Please comfort those who mourn.

Amen

The Aroma of Christ

 

     The sights, smells and sounds are upon us. Leaves have fallen. Christmas lights and displays are ready to greet us. The smell of pine will soon infiltrate our homes. Many of us will savor the smell and taste of our Thanksgiving feasts. I love this time of the year and look forward to decorating, baking, spending time with loved ones. Picking out gifts and delighting the young ones around us add to the holiday anticipation.

     What about the reason for the season? What about the anticipation of celebrating the miraculous birth of Jesus? The sights and sounds of the choir of angels greeting the shepherds as they tended their flocks? The realization that the Savior of the world was wrapped in swaddling clothes? What were the sights and sounds and smells of the manger where he slept?  The surroundings were common, but the magnitude of the event, astounding!

     Did you know we can be the aroma of Christ? Imagine that as this season engulfs our minds and hearts, as we become distracted from the true meaning of Christmas.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.  2 Corinthians 2:14

Jesus,

Help us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of You throughout this season. We celebrate You. Born of a woman and the Son of God! Sent to save us all. We look forward to celebrating Your birth. Help our focus to remain on You throughout this busy season filled with sights, sounds and smells of the holidays.

Amen

Spirit and Truth

 

     Being a Christian should make others want to be a Christian. Somehow Christians have the reputation for being judgmental, for bombarding others with rules or pointing out what others are doing wrong. Sometimes we push non-believers away. On the other hand, sharing the message of Christ with only grace may leave out truth. Is there a balance?

God is Spirit and His worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. John 4:24

     Let the Holy Spirit guide you on how and when to speak up about Jesus. Some will listen and will be open to truth. Others will not.

And I will ask the Father and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him for He lives with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17

     Lean on God’s wisdom. He will guide you. Show the love and joy of Jesus. Shine with His light. Someone may ask you about the joy within you and the Spirit of truth will give you the words. Some will hear. Remember the Holy Spirit does the changing after someone believes. Don’t focus on the bad, when they do not yet know the goodness of Christ.

Father,

Take away fear and discouragement. You put people in our lives for a reason. Let our lives count for You. Show us how to share Your grace and Your truth.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Think On These Things

 

     The Bible tells us, in the last days evil will be called good and good evil. God is pure and holy, blameless and true. Our culture is filled with evil, but our culture calls it good. If it feels good do it. Lust, sexual immorality, brawls and violence, shootings and anger, drugs and porn, all permeate our society. None of it is pleasing to our God.

     Listen to these words of what to expect before Jesus returns.

But mark this; there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God-having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

     Quite a list, isn’t it? We want to believe things will get better. Tolerate everything and let everyone do their own thing. The Bible is clear. Evil has to run its course. The times will get worse before Jesus returns. But, never forget, light shines brightest in the darkness. If we spend more time in the world than with our God, which voices will speak the loudest?Think on these things.

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:8

     Focus on Jesus and let Him transform your life into something admirable, right, lovely and excellent. He changes everything.

Lord,

Keep us from becoming frightened or filled with dread and doubt. You knew the end of the story before you created the earth and man. Change our hearts and our minds so that they may be filled with what pleases You and not the world around us. Help us to be pure, lovely and admirable in Your sight.

Amen

Pray For Others

 

     Never underestimate the power of prayer. We have a hunger to save lost souls. The Bible is clear. There is a heaven and a hell. Jesus spoke more about hell than anyone in Scripture. Our souls will live forever in one place or the other and the choice is ours.  Jesus tells us not to be afraid, even of death.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell. Matthew 10:28

     Pray for others. Look for ways to share your faith. Watch for opportunities Jesus places in your life. God maneuvers the right people to fill in for Him at just the right time. He might choose you and use you today. You have a testimony. You have a story. It is yours to share. Here are some verses you can pray for those who do not believe.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us. Ephesians 1:17-19

     You may plant a seed. Someone else may water it and the Holy Spirit will continue the work.

Jesus,

Give us a chance to save others with Your free gift of salvation. You are the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through You. Those are Your words. Give us courage in these dark days.

Amen

A Simple Prayer

 

     Have you confessed the hope you have in Christ? Here is a promise for all of us.

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

     Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart. So simple and we make it so complicated. Open your heart and seek Him. He is standing at the door of your heart. If someone you know wants to receive Christ, ask them to pray after you:

Dear Jesus,

I believe in my heart that you came to earth, you died for our sins, you were buried and rose again from the dead. Forgive me, Lord, for anything I have done against You. I receive you now as my Lord and Savior. Guide my life so I may follow You.

Amen

     That’s all it takes. Can you imagine the wonder of helping someone get to heaven? What a privilege. What an honor to bring glory to God. Amen!

Good News!

 

     What is the Gospel message? If someone asked you how to receive Jesus, would you know what to say? We know it is a gift. We know He died for us. In Paul’s letter to the city of Corinth, there is a clear message for us to share.

By this Gospel you are saved if you hold firmly to the words I preached to you. Otherwise you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance-that Christ died for us according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.  1 Corinthians 15:2-4

    Believe that Jesus is Lord of all, that He sacrificed Himself on a cross for our sins, that He was buried and rose again. That’s it. Ask Him for forgiveness, turn from your sins and accept His free gift. It is hard to believe many will turn away from this offer. Jesus suffered for you and for me. He suffered more than any of us. He moved from glory to be one of us.

     Share the good news. He does not want to lose one.

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Jesus,

Your good news brings tidings of great joy. We want to sprinkle seeds of hope to others. Let that be our greatest desire until we reach heaven.

Amen

Gratitude

 

     Today we take our upside down, last is first, less is more, honor in humility, sacrifice in praise, worth in weakness, believer’s world into the topic of gratitude. Have you read, Footprints in the Sand? Looking back I recognize those times when Jesus carried me even without me recognizing His presence.  I am still learning, but even during troubled times, I thank Him. When there are no answers, I thank Him for working. When things look hopeless, I know He will bring hope.

     My emotions and my need for control try to take over. I want to make it better, fix the problem, lash out at someone or something. The learning will never end until we arrive in heaven. Thank Him when the world is closing in. Believe in His timing when your patience is wearing thin. Thank Him when the circumstances seem impossible to meet. Practice gratitude. God’s grace is enough to get through the day, the hour, minute-by-minute.

     Can we learn to stop in the midst of the day to thank God for our ordinary tasks and duties as we perform them one more time? Can we take a moment away from the seemingly endless urgent details to savor our most valuable God? Can we thank Him for working when we don’t see His hand?

     I thank God for each one of you today, no matter where you are in your journey with Jesus. He hears you. He will carry you. Give Him all of your cares with deep thanksgiving.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus, Philippians 4:6-7

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Dear Jesus,

We find gratitude in our hearts today for Your love, for Your mighty hand at work, for Your grace and mercy, for our loved ones and our homes, for our food and for our very lives. Thank you for the breath of life today, and we thank You for what You will do tomorrow. We wait in expectation and hope.

Amen

Enjoy the weekend.  See you back here on Monday.

Heartbroken to Humble

 

     The first time I really sought out God, I was on my knees. It was a time of deep grief, confounding disbelief and overwhelming doubt. I fell to my knees, because I had nowhere else to go. When I hear of a loss, or a prayer request, a tragedy, or of someone’s suffering, my first prayer, in addition to requests for healing or comfort or peace is to pray for the person to find Jesus.

     Going to our knees is not always a choice for us. It may be the only place left to go. Is God there? Is He real? For me, after all of these years, it is the place I choose to go first, with a grateful heart. Humility comes by recognizing God for who He is and recognizing how much we need Him.

     When we fall or stumble, our merciful God has an answer.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.  James 4:10

      With God’s help, we take the focus off of ourselves and put our eyes on Him and on others. That is all He asks of us. It is our purpose. It is our call. Serving God and serving others. Everything is upside down in God’s world. First is last. The least is the greatest.

Then He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes Me and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the one who sent Me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” Luke 9:48

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Romans 12:10

    Impossible on our own? Yes. Possible with the one who lifts us up and sends us out? You betcha!

Dear Lord,

Give us humble hearts today. Take our focus off of ourselves and bring us to our knees before You.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Praise In Despair

 

     It’s so difficult to praise God when we are suffering. When grief overwhelms. When we are going through treatment. When someone we love isn’t doing well. The list goes on. But even in the darkness, praise brings us to a place beyond anything on earth. It brings us to heaven, where we find hope. God explains in His word, the sacrifice of praise.

 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that openly confess His name.  Hebrews 13:15

     Can we praise Him through the darkness? King David did.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:5

     Somehow, over time, God replaces our despair as we continually look to Him.

Provide for those who grieve in Zion, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.  Isaiah 61:3

     The verse above is filled with hope. God fills us on the inside. He gives us a crown of beauty instead of ashes, joy in place of mourning, and our praise replaces our spirits of despair. What beautiful promise these words hold for us!

Father,

You are in heaven waiting for us to arrive home. Fill our spirits with joy, beauty and praise. We trust You with it all.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Look Up Not Down

 

     Jesus turns the world upside down. He turns us upside down, shakes a few things loose, sets us back up, and after the dizziness subsides, we look around and nothing is the same. This week allow God to show you a new perspective, a topsy-turvy, inside-out and upside-down beginning. Let’s begin with praise.

     Praise to begin and end your day:

They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening. 2 Chronicles 23:30

     Praise for all He has created:

All the earth bows down to You. They sing praise to You, they sing the praises of Your name. Psalm 66:4

     Praise with hope:

As for me, I will always have hope. I will praise You more and more.  Psalm 71:14

     Praise to the next generation:

Then we Your people, the sheep of Your pasture, will praise You forever from generation to generation we will proclaim Your praise.  Psalm 79:13

     Praise for His love:

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His love endures forever.  Psalm 106:1

     Praise for His word:

May my lips overflow with praise, for You teach me Your decrees. Psalm 119:171

     Praise for your life:

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful. I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

     Praise for who He is:

Praise him for His acts of power, praise Him for His surpassing greatness. Psalm 150:2

Dear Father in Heaven,

We thank you for the gift of praise. Turn our lives around to seek You above all else whatever the circumstances.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Prayer

 

     A prayer begins our relationship with Jesus as Savior. It is a necessary part of life to keep our relationship with Him growing and active. Prayer changes circumstances, heals hearts, intercedes for friends and family.

     Do you find yourself trying to pray and something comes immediately to mind? Suddenly you remember an e-mail you have to answer or the phone just happens to ring as you begin your time with God.The quiet intimate time with Jesus seems impossible until it becomes a habit. The habit will eventually become the time you look most forward to, the quiet time to get to know and understand the voice of Christ.

     Jesus is always with us. That fact allows us to pray in the middle of a meeting, in a line at the post office, as we remember a sick friend, or witness an accident. Praying can be habitual and part of our existence, as we practice the presence of God. 

Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

     Satan would love to distract us enough, keep us busy enough, make us comfortable enough, make us worry enough, build our pride enough, keep us uncertain enough, to believe we don’t need to pray or believe we have no time to pray. Let prayer become a priority. Find a special time each day for prayer and Bible time. Those two things, understanding and studying God’s word and sitting in His presence in prayer will change your life forever. This relationship with Jesus gives us joy and hope. Don’t do this out of guilt or obligation, but because this relationship will become one of joy and anticipation.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

     Prayer has great power, the power that first connected you to Jesus. The Holy Spirit within you will guide you into prayer, how to pray, what to pray and who should be included in your prayers. It is an honor to pray for others, and if someone prays for you, you are blessed indeed.

     I am pausing in my writing, right now, to pray for each reader. May Jesus fill your hearts and mind with blessings in the joy and hope of His salvation and love. And I thank you, dear friends, for the ways you have prayed for me and our family.

Dear Father,

Let each person reading these words feel Your presence in a new and powerful way. I pray those “Holy Spirit shivers” are running up and down as we unite together in praising You and in believing in the power of prayer and basking in Your mighty presence.

In Jesus powerful name we pray,

Amen

Power

 

     The moment we become believers we receive the power of the Holy Spirit. That spiritual power is beyond this world, beyond what we see with our eyes, or hear with our ears. It is a deep and abiding force that guides us through the rest of our lives. The breath and Spirit of Christ rests upon us. It is beyond our natural abilities. It is supernatural

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1;13

     Yes, that moment you first believed the Holy Spirit was given to you. Are you ready to hear more about this great power? These next verses never fail to fill me with awe and wonder at what He offers freely when we believe that He exists and died and rose again for us. Paul is praying this prayer for his brothers and sisters in Ephesus. Let this be a prayer for you today. Let it soak into your heart.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at the right hand of the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:18-20

     The same power that raised Christ from the dead is given to us?! Resurrection power. I could use a little of that each and every day. You, too? Feel that great power in prayer, through your struggles, beyond your circumstances and in trusting His ability to use all things for His good. We may not understand it all until we are in heaven, but all of this, every single thing in our lives will not go to waste. Every bit of it will be, somehow, in some way, used for His glory. Believe it!

Dear Lord,

We don’t see all things clearly now. It becomes muddled in our daily existence, but we trust You. One day we will see it all and understand how you used us in unexpected ways. Tune us in to our Holy Spirit power today and every single day for the rest of our lives. Teach us how to be in constant contact with You and to share the power of Your great love with others.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Plan

 

     There is no other person on the planet like you. God’s plan for your life is different from any other. You were born at just the right time, for just the right season, for just these moments. You are gifted with a certain personality type, with natural, in-born gifts to share, and when the Holy Spirit comes to live within you, God enhances all of our attributes with gifts of His own, gifts of the Spirit. These gifts are to be used for the common good. (See 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and Romans 12 for the gifts of the Spirit)

     God’s plan will fit perfectly, with great precision, with who you are and where you are and with what you do best. Do you make a plan or go with the flow? Are your decisions based on logical thinking or from the heart? Do you connect with the world with your five senses or intuition? Gifted in administration? Love to entertain? Are you quiet and prefer one-on-one conversation to a crowd setting? Love to teach or to stay behind the scenes setting up for the meeting? Are you meant to shepherd a small group or use your Biblical knowledge to help others? Are you a singer?

     All of these and more can be used to influence the kingdom of God. The community of faith works together as a body. Jesus is the head, and we make up the other parts. Just as our body cannot function without all of its working parts, so our communities cannot function without all of us working in unity.

     The beautiful thing, well, one of the many beautiful things about the body of Christ, is that God gives special honor to the unseen, less-focused-on gifts. Do you pray for others continually? Maybe you sharpen the pencils in the pews. Or you come early and stay late before and after the meetings and no one knows what you are doing. You are highly honored by our God.

     God’s plan is just right. Not too much, not too little, a one-of-a kind blueprint that fits you like a glove. And He will give you the power to do what you are meant to do in ways that may seem impossible without our Creator. He will pull out all of the stops to influence His children on earth. He needs you, and we are in it together.

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.  1 Corinthians 12:26-27

From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.  Ephesians 4;16

     Discovering your gifts and doing your part is an awesome adventure. As you read God’s word, He will show you the way you should go.

Dear Jesus,

We thank you for each part of the body of Christ all over the world. How you orchestrate all of us to work for Your kingdom is beyond our imaginings. Show us our part. Are we your eyes focused on a hurting world? Are we Your hands offering a loving touch to someone in need, or Your feet going to unsaved parts of the world? We all share Your great and powerful heart in love.

Amen