Fervor and Zeal

     Has Jesus given you fervor and zeal for life? If we are waiting and watching, God will offer us opportunities to serve one another, to offer hope to each other and to give and share His love and compassion with others.

                                                                                                    

     We all have unique gifts that God uses. Your purpose in life will look different than mine. I love working and serving with older women of faith. Having turned 60 last year, I love to see zeal and passion for Jesus in those in their 70’s and 80’s and even 90’s. As long as we live, Jesus has purpose for us.

     The definitions for “fervor” and “zeal” include these descriptive words: passion, intensity, emotion, warmth, earnestness, eagerness, excitement, enthusiasm, energy, fire, spirit, zest.

     Read through the list. Are you excited and eager to serve Jesus? Is your spirit on fire with zeal and intensity? The word “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek language meaning to be inspired by God. May He inspire us into our old age and keep us planted like trees, still bearing good fruit.

They will still bear fruit in old age. They will stay fresh and green. Psalm 92:14

Lord,

Fill us with passion and zeal for You. Inspire us with Your Word and Your love until we can’t help but speak of You and act for You in the world. You fill our hearts with the deepest compassion and hope. Raise our enthusiasm and eagerness and zeal even bearing fruit in old age.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Passion and Zest

     Our home team, the Minnesota Vikings lost a playoff game yesterday. The final field goal, a relatively short one, would have won us the game. The die-hard fans began the pre-game festivities early in the morning on a -10 degree day. Wind chills hovered around -20 degrees. Their zeal and their fervor were not diminished by the bone-chilling temps.

     The anticipation and the excitement of the fans never fails to amaze me. They dress in purple. They paint their faces. They cry at a loss as if their very lives were coming to an end. And the winning games are never lost in conversation and memory.

     If only we shared that type of passion for our Lord. The football fans don’t care how crazy they look. This passion is top priority in their week, in their speech, in their plans, in their parties.

     We don’t need to paint our faces and scream. The world wouldn’t listen. But if our inner passion and zest moved us to serve and love and affected our lives like the sports fans, we would make a difference.

     Is it time to reorganize our priorities? It doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a sporting event. It is just a reminder of what we hold most dear. May our passion and zeal for Jesus never end and may it show in the way we live our lives.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord. Romans 12:11

Jesus,

Let our lives show real passion and zeal for You above all else. Our priorities are all mixed up in the world around us. Help us to enjoy our lives, but not at the expense of losing our zeal for You above all else. We pray for each other. Let our lives be zealous for You.

Amen

The One and Only

     Man-centeredness is all around us. We selfishly express our needs and wants. We luxuriate in our comfort zones. We “deserve” the best clothes, cars and homes. After all, we have worked hard. Man-centeredness allows us to veer from God’s path. The world says we can. And so we do. We follow. We fall. We need. We want.

     God-centeredness allows us to seek God’s glory rather than our own. All of creation was made for His benefit. And we turned away. The evil in this world of ours takes us off of the path of righteousness, right where Satan wants us. Focus your eyes on the Creator of the universe. Ask for Him to make the plans. Ask for Him to make a path for life. And ask to share His glory.

     This God-centered life leads to deep peace, joy and fulfillment. And nothing else will do. He has the Words to eternal life. He quenches our hunger and thirst. Work on the inward and it will show. Make this New Year all about the One and the Only, Jesus Christ.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

This is how God showed His love among us. He sent His One and Only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9

Jesus,

It’s hard to remember to live through You and for You. Keep our minds set on glorifying You and not ourselves.

Amen

Meaning

     In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon, listed as the wisest man in the world, ponders the meaning of life. The Bible echoes our doubts, our fears, our mistakes and our questions. The human authors, with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, help us understand and acknowledge our frailties and weaknesses. With all of his wisdom, Solomon finds vanity in much of life. The first ten chapters would have you believe all is meaningless.

     With all of his wealth and with all of his wisdom, something was lacking in King Solomon. In the end, Solomon realizes it is all about God. All of his searching had been focused on everything “under the sun.”  What we all need to do is to look beyond the sun and into heaven where the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords resides. He has the answers to our earthly lives and to the eternal questions of our hearts.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart and, yet, no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

     Everyone has eternity in their hearts. That may be one reason there is such a fear of death. The unknown awaits. Believing in Christ alleviates our fear of death. He is there, waiting. We cannot fathom the beginning from the end. But our gracious God has the whole world in His hands.

Jesus,

We love and trust You with all of the doubts and questions that we simply cannot fathom. So much does not make sense on this earth. One day we will understand. Keep us from fearing the unknown and from chasing the meaningless vanities of life under the sun.

Amen

Heavenly Imaginings

     Do you imagine heaven as boring? Do you see us sitting on clouds playing harps? Don’t believe it! We will have bodies, real bodies that will never wear out. When Jesus appeared in the forty days following the resurrection, He suddenly appeared in a room without walking through a door. He cooked fish on a beach and ate with His disciples. His body had flesh and bone and doubting Thomas could feel and see His wounds. (see John 20 and 21)

     We will have responsibilities and be able to move freely without limits of time and space. Your wildest dreams and imaginings will not be able to bring into focus what will be our home in heaven. Keep eternity in mind. Our short life spans are nothing in comparison. Store up treasures in heaven. Work for Jesus and not for yourself. The rewards will be great.

But as it is written, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

Father,

No eye has seen nor ear heard what You have prepared for us because of Jesus. Our humble service on earth will mean something in eternity. Keep us focused on those eternal rewards which will be given by Your Son.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Moments of Life

     Our loved ones, our family and friends cut our burdens in half and double our joys. Life is meant to be shared and lived. We win and we lose. We suffer and we sing. We grieve and we laugh. We worry and we rest. We work and we play. And when the opposite ends of the pendulum swing from our greatest joys; our weddings and babies and promotions to our deepest sorrows; a death or a diagnosis or a loss, we call our Bff, we fall into the arms of our spouse, we hug our kids.

     Reach out and tell someone you love them today. Appreciate the moments we live together. Thank Jesus for your family and friends. Make memories. Share Jesus. Is it time to bring hope to someone you love? Is it time to be kind to a co-worker? We all need hope and healing in some way.

Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15

     We are in the world at this time, for this season for a reason. Let’s live life together, in Christ.

Lord,

Show us how to live in light of eternity. We have so much to give because of You. You have given us all things. Let us reach out to others this year. And thank you for those we love.

Amen

The Moments of Life

     While watching a funny movie on New Year’s Day our smiles were interrupted by a commercial for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the heartbreaking images of children with cancer and disabilities. Sitting and chatting with good friends at a holiday party, reminiscing with laughter led to somber expressions and teary eyes when the conversation took a turn to the suicide of a classmate’s daughter.

     The moments and memories of life can switch from joy-filled to traumatic in the blink of an eye. And without Jesus, how do we get through? His love, His compassion, His understanding, His strength, and His willingness to share our burdens makes the toughest moments bearable.

So do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

     This year let your life be filled with images of our Lord. Get to know His voice and fill up in His presence when life gets too tough. During the moments you don’t understand, He will be with you and He will smile with you during the moments of pure joy. Take in every moment. This life can change in an instant. But He is ready and able to see you through.

Lord,

Life without you is unmanageable and at times, terrifying. The answers will not all be given until one day in eternity where we will see all the pieces of the puzzle. For now, we take each step trusting You.

In Jesus name,

Amen