Work To Do

     I believe, as followers of Jesus, if He hasn’t called us home, we have work to do. He longs to be with us as much as we long to be with Him. It fills me with awe that the Creator of heaven and earth, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, the one who numbers the stars in the sky and names them all, the one who counts the number of hairs on our heads, can use us!

     Are you ready to be called into action at any moment? Are you asking and staying alert for opportunities? Sharing the Gospel with just one person would be such a gift. To imagine you and I could be a part of someone living eternally with God! Most of the time, we will just plant a seed; a seed of kindness, of compassion, of encouragement, the seed of time and love.

     Someone else may pick up where we left off and the difference we make may lead them to Jesus. You may be the only Jesus someone knows. Ultimately, it is God who opens the heart and allows the Holy Spirit to move in.

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6

     Will you plant or water a seed today? Ask God to show you how. He will follow it up with the light of the Son.

Jesus,

You grow the seeds we plant. It’s exciting to know that we work together with you and with other brothers and sisters. The plan is all Yours. Move us in the right directions, to the places and the people you have prepared in advance.

Amen

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  A Savior is born. See you back here on January 2^nd.

Into Old Age

     My uncle, Paul, (age 90) and my aunt, Mary Ellen, (age 89) have been and continue to be an inspiration. They live in Portland, OR and I may not see them again this side of heaven, but their faith in Jesus has been a constant in my life since I was a small child. My uncle has a perpetual smile and a twinkle in his eye. They swim and walk daily and keep their minds active as well.

     In their current senior high-rise, they have several friends over 100 years old and the person they call their “Sunday school teacher” is 96! Don’t we all long to be active and serving God to a ripe old age. The first three verses in the Psalms always come to mind when I think of my older friends and relatives, especially the ones who acknowledge and serve Jesus as Lord and Savior. They are well-nourished and strong.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who meditates on His law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

Lord,

Let it be said of us as we age that we serve and love You, that we can remain strong in season, like a tree that does not wither. What beautiful words. Help us to tell the aging people in our lives that they matter, that they inspire, that their wisdom teaches so much.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Trust Him, Lean on Him, Acknowledge Him

     If we ask God to be first in our lives, if we study His word, listen for His voice and continually pray, He will continue His work in us with new dreams, new possibilities, new opportunities, it’s the perfect time to listen for His call as we move into the brand-new year that awaits.

     Is He asking you to change an old habit, to forgive an old grudge, to change an attitude, to teach, to encourage, to start a new job, to take care of a grandchild (yes!). Life with Jesus is a continuous adventure. Remember He always wants the very best for us and as we serve Him, the blessings increase.

     Sit with Him for a time and ask, “What’s next?” Where will the New Year lead? I await those answers along with you. Wherever you go, whatever you do, lean on Him, acknowledge Him and He will show us the way.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

Lord,

Increase our willingness to trust You in all things, to acknowledge you in all of our ways, to lean on You when we don’t understand. We believe You when you tell us the way to go.

In Jesus name,

Amen

A New Thing

    For the last couple of years, rather than a resolution, I have picked a word for the coming year. Two years ago, I chose “authentic.”  Living as a child of God and becoming the person He created me to be, is a work in progress. But I yearn for the peace He offers and for the joy of the Holy Spirit to be within me no matter the circumstances, no matter the people I am with, no matter the suffering. Authentic.

     Last year I chose the word, “beginnings.” I stepped down from two positions I loved and cherished that had blessed me over and over, leadership in a crisis ministry and teaching a wonderful group of women in deep Bible study. What would come next? God always has something new ready for us when change comes upon us.

     The word became a self-fulfilling prophecy, not only for me, but for my entire family. My husband was given an opportunity to retire early, our youngest daughter became pregnant with our first grandchild, and our older daughter is in a new and serious relationship. What an amazing God! What does your new year have in store? Watch and wait. I’ll let you know my word for next year.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19

Father,

You are always working in our lives. Keep us watchful and aware as you move us to change, as you seek new beginnings for our lives, as we allow You to guide our ways in the years to come.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Spiritual Armor

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Ephesians 6;17

     The gift of salvation may be our greatest piece of armor. No matter what comes our way, we know we will reside in heaven for eternity! What joy that brings. The helmet of salvation keeps our mind from straying away from our hope. The hope of salvation. You are saved forever!

     The Word of God is our offensive weapon. Did you notice the other pieces of armor we have studied this week are all defensive? God protects us with His Gospel, with the gift of faith, with our salvation and with His righteousness.

     When we memorize and study Scripture, it is written on our hearts. We can take it out as a weapon against the attacks of Satan, whether in our own minds or in the world around us. Scripture is alive. It holds the very Words of our eternal God. The Word, teaches, guides, admonishes and encourages. It changes our hearts and gives peace to our souls. Satan hates to see us peaceful, joy-filled and standing firm on our faith. What a gift!

     Even Jesus used Scripture to speak back to the devil when He was tempted over 40 days. (See Matthew 4)

     And finally, God leaves us with the power of prayer as we learn to combat the spiritual battles around us. Put on the full armor of God and withstand the days of evil.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18

Jesus,

Keep us alert, prayerful and loaded with Scripture. Our home in heaven is secure. What gifts you give us each day. Keep hope in our hearts as we withstand evil.

Amen

Spiritual Armor

And with your feet fitted for the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15

     The Gospel that saved our souls forever gives us peace in the world. Our feet are called to be fitted with this gospel, ready to walk and share this great news. We have the knowledge of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Put on your spiritual shoes and be ready to share.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16

     I love this promise and this piece of armor. Our faith in Jesus gives us the strength and the power to avoid all of Satan’s arrows. Feeling fear? There are Scripture verses to stand against it. Mourning a loss? Jesus is there to comfort. Facing an addiction or a health crisis? Jesus is our eternal healer. Our faith can keep us peace-filled and able to withstand our enemy, the accuser of the brethren. (Revelation 12:10)

Father,

We praise You today for these pieces of armor, the peace that flows from accepting the Gospel and our continuing faith in Your ability to get us through every part of life. Thank You, Jesus.

Amen

Spiritual Armor

     The world around us holds many “truths.” Everyone worships something or someone. Everyone finds an idol or a way to get through, a philosophy that makes sense to them. But Jesus tells us. He is the truth. His Word is truth. Nothing, not one single thing has been proven wrong in the Word of God.

     The more we know and understand God’s word, the more we will be able to battle the spiritual forces at work. Standing firm on the Bible protects us from deceit, from compromise, from being swayed by the craziness that says the workd is right. Know God’s truth. There is such power in the word. Speak it, study it and use it as part of the spiritual armor.

Stand firm, them, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist. Ephesian 6:14a

     Jesus died for you. You are forgiven past, present and future. And when you accept the Savior and the fact that Jesus lived, died and rose for you, gives you His righteousness.

…with the breastplate of righteousness in place. Ephesians 6:14b

     The breastplate of righteousness covers our hearts. Our hearts are blameless because of Jesus. You are covered.

Jesus,

Thank You for covering us with Your holy blood. We are forgiven. We are loved. Our hearts are protected because of You.

Amen