Whatever We Do

 

     How do we continue to keep Jesus first in our lives, as our lives become stretched too thin? Calendars fill up. Work and chores need to be done. Friends and family need our time. Worries abound. Health issues arise. Our young children deserve our constant and consistent attention and care. Where does Christ fit in?

     Looking back over the many decades of my life, the times I have been most out of sorts have, invariably, been the times when my focus has been taken off Jesus. Enjoying and welcoming and relying on the Holy Spirit’s lead is the only answer to maintaining a peaceful and joy-filled life. It’s ultimately all about Him.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not human masters. Colossians 3:23

     The definition for “everything” includes “all things” and “life in general.” What if every single thing we do and say, including our actions, our work, our attitudes, could be given to Jesus? He bought us with a price and our lives now belong to Him.  

     I can’t imagine trying to give Him some of the things I have said or the ways in which I have completed tasks half-heartedly, or done something for someone grudgingly. So many instances come to mind as I think about giving everything to Christ. I’m sure Jesus would want nothing to do with some of it.  We will never be perfect, nope, not ever on this earth.

     But, for today, I am going to think and act mindfully as to the Lord, focusing on the way I live and act, as a child of the most-high God, as one who belongs to Christ and is given the honor of representing Him to a fallen world.

Jesus,

Help me to give all of my life to You, to act and do everything in Your honor and with You in mind. No matter how mundane, let us welcome Your presence into all we do, in all things, in everything.

Amen

 

In All Things

 

     Feeling weak? Let Jesus be your strength. Feeling tired? Come to Him and He will give you rest. Feeling unsettled? He will bring you back to peace. Are you grieving? Let Him comfort you. Content and happy? Jesus will rejoice with you.

     Be reminded that Jesus is here. He is alive and well in heaven and His Spirit resides within every believer. He is beside you, within you, around you, above and beneath you. In all things, Jesus is there. All things were created through Him and for Him.

For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16

     We have been saved for eternity through Christ. He is with you today and tomorrow. He will walk with you, talk with you, listen to you and He is able to sustain you in all things. He is enough. Have faith. Here is the simple Gospel truth.

Through Him, you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:21

Father,

Thank You for reminding us today that, because of Jesus, we have access to You. Our hope and our faith remain steadfast in You. Give us exactly what we need right now, this very minute. We praise You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

All We Need

 

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 them.

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

Think On These Things

 

     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 we overdo. Take a break before the hoopla begins and 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

     What do you think? Can we rise above the craziness and focus on the lovely and excellent and pure? Focus on the love around you 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, taking on all of the things that are not lovely and pure. Keep our focus on You and sharing all of the excellent and noble gifts You give to us.

Amen

The Aroma of Christ

 

     The sights, smells and sounds are upon us. Snow will soon fall. Christmas lights and displays greet us. The smell of pine infiltrates our homes. Many of us will savor the smell and taste of our Thanksgiving turkeys. 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 are 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

Spiritual Joy

 

    Hope. Jesus returns us, always, back to hope. During the crisis times in our lives, the times of deep suffering, we often lose hope. Where Is God? How did this happen? And why? We have all been through so much, especially those of us who have lived many decades. If you have known Jesus for a while, you know He provides a way through, a way out, a reversal in your circumstances, a fresh beginning.

     Hope and joy. As we move into the holiday season, I pray your times with family and friends will be joy-filled. If it is a difficult time right now, hang on to hope and Jesus. Here is my prayer for us in the weeks to come.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

     Trust Him with it all and allow His peace to wash over you with hope for the future. May His joy be complete in us.

Jesus,

The joy of the Spirit is unlike any other joy in life. It is eternal and it s filled with hope. No matter what each of us is going through today, would you fill us with that peace and deep joy as we hope and trust in You?

Amen

Spiritual Joy

 

     Deep joy is a promise to believers. It is available to us along with the other fruit of the Spirit. (See Galatians 5) Joy in Jesus does not depend on our circumstances or even our feelings and emotions. It is the constant presence of Jesus within. Feel His joy in your spirit today. Let the joy be complete and steadfast throughout the rest of your life. Jesus brings spiritual joy.

I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11

     Believe, just believe and experience spiritual joy, deep and rich and overflowing.

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8

     Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with that inexpressible and glorious joy. It is beyond earthly boundaries, heaven-sent.

Jesus,

We do ask You and Your Holy Spirit to fill us with the deepest joy that only You provide. We pray for our hurting world and that You would come into the hearts and minds of those who do not yet know You. Let Your joy shine in our lives so others may see You.

Amen