A REASON TO SERVE

Romans 15:5-6

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When we do anything we do it to glorify God. 

Let this be your prayer today:

God give me endurance and encouragement with the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice I may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen. 

LIFE VS. MORE LIFE

Dear Friend:

“Prayer is my medication” whispered my friend who was grieving the sudden death of her twenty-three year old son.  I was grieving, too, and trying to make sense of things. I was praying and pondering how we would ever come to a place of accepting this tragedy. Her next words came with strength and conviction: “St. Paul said ‘to live is Christ and to die is gain’” (Philippians 1:21 NIV).
This grieving mom was comforting me. This should not have shocked me. She was praying and pressing into God. The Holy Spirit spoke to her.  In another version it was stated “Life versus even more life! I can’t lose” (Philippians 1:21 MSG).
Don’t you often wonder when someone goes through a horrible ordeal “How will the family get through it?” Then it happens. The Holy Spirit does actually what Jesus promised he would do by counseling those through their troubles. Reading God’s word daily allows the Holy Spirit to counsel and convict us. In an instant I sensed God’s presence in that room. He was moving in the hearts of many of us bringing good out of despair. He was reassuring us that He was there to comfort, support and fill us with hope.
The book of Philippians records that Paul was in prison. The result of his praying was that he was shown that he was in chains for Christ. God was using his pain for gain. Paul’s letter to the Philippians was similar to the devotion I am writing. We each saw the power of God working many things together for good through a bad situation. Paul was trying to encourage everyone that here on earth you can have some life on your own or you can have even more life if you choose to follow Christ. Paul was looking forward to his hope which is one day being with Christ.
Paul pleads “for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.  I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:19-20 NIV).
Each of us should take a moment each day to be reminded we are not here of our own accord. The worldview for true happiness is being independent and self-seeking. Whereas, God’s view for true happiness is being united with Him in love and letting the Holy Spirit lead us and reveal life to us.
PRAYER:  God, being led by your Spirit allows me to see how much there is to life and after life. Thank you for your perspective and revelation. Amen.

LET IT GO

“It’s funny how some distance makes everything seem small and the fears that once controlled me can’t get to me at all.” I came across these lyrics sitting in a quiet space drinking my coffee. These are lyrics from the song “Let it Go”, which is from the smash Disney hit movie Frozen.
I like this verse. It rings true for me. My past fears:
Fear of rejection
Fear of my parent’s marriage falling apart
Fear of my dad working himself to death
Fear of my children taking the wrong path
Fear of sickness

Once, a doctor challenged me to write down my fears, put them in an envelope, and revisit it in a month. I did that and found the result to be remarkable. Everything I was afraid of happening never came to pass. Thankfully, I am aware that fears can control me if I give them permission to.
At different times do you wish you knew the outcome right when you are in the thick of things so the fear wouldn’t consume you?

Jesus taught us “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth” (Luke 21:34-35 NIV). Jesus is not saying adversity accompanied with fear may come. He is saying it will come. Jesus goes on to implore us to “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36 NIV).

I am happy today that my dad is 80, retired and healthy, and my adult children know Jesus. Sadly, my parent’s marriage did end in divorce.

What counts now is that I am aware and this girl is free from perfection and I can let it go.
For me truly to be free and “Let it Go” I had to put my trust in Jesus. That helped alleviate just about all my fears. I had to forgive myself for the regret I had because I wasted time in fear. I am grateful God forgives me and I have learned to forgive myself. Have you forgiven yourself?

PRAYER:  Lord at times fear rears its ugly head. Help me to be aware of when this happens and trust you. Amen.

SACRED MOMENT

Todays thoughts:
I read this passage:

"One day the Lord said to Moses, "Climb one of the mountains east of the river, and look out over the land I have given the people of Israel. After you have seen it, you will die like your brother, Aaron, for you both rebelled against my instructions in the wilderness of Zin (Numberse 27:12-14a NLT).

My thoughts upon reading this:
God wants Moses to look over the land and maybe worship with Him.
But then the blow came when God said,
"You're gonna die because you rebelled."
All my thoughts of this being a Sacred Moment instantly came crashing.

I am so sad for Moses.

But wait a minute! Here is Moses response. "O Lord, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new Man as leader for the community" (Numbers 27:16 NLT).

My immediate reaction is, "Are you serious Moses? Really? That is your response?"
A response full of humility, worship, other focused, care, compassion and love...many more positive words come to mind.

I am sad again.

How would I have responded if God just told me that?

Deeper thinking and prayer. "God how come Moses did not come to his defense? Why didn't he try and talk you out of this decision? Was he so old and worn out that he just excepted this fate? Did he figure whatever will be will be?"

My next thought became a review of the deep relationship Moses had with God. Moses was selected by God and accredited with righteousness. He was a holy man of God. He did exactly what God said to do (except in the instance of Zin). God  said "look out over the land." Moses acknowledged, worshipped, praised and gave thanks! In that moment he connected to God as He always did. He loved God and trusted God with everything He had within Him.

My response:
I want that relationship in my life. What a leader Moses was. He didn't have anyone around to impress. It was just Him and God. A SACRED MOMENT.

Moses knew God so intimately. Moses heart was full of the heavenly hope, which is being with God one day. This hope far surpassed the earthly calling. Moses heavenly calling filled every fiber of His being. Moses was relishing in the fact that He loved his relationship with God more than life itself.

Therein lies the challenge. Do I value this relationship more than my life? Or do I depend on God just so I can get my daily needs met?

Let me ask you? When you look at this sacred moment what do you see? How do you respond? What will you do differently upon reading this account?

Maybe you have the gift of leadership and you want to use it more.
Maybe your relationship with God is weak and it needs some work.
Maybe you simply needed today to read this and then refocus your mind.
As Paul said "To fix your eye on the prize." Our hope can only be the heavenly home secured for us by God and with God one day.
Maybe like Moses you need to think more about others than yourself.

Please don't let this moment go by without praying. 

PRAYER:  Father I am grateful for Your message of hope. I pray that I can fix my eyes on You today. I look forward to sacred moments with You Father. I want to be other focused help me to be more aware of how I can do that. Amen.