Serving

When we serve, we must do it as unto the Lord. Serving brings great joy and fulfillment. We cannot serve for the reason of pleasing people or getting our name in lights. We must learn to serve the Lord with the right heart.

Colossians 3:23-24, "In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. Remember that you will receive from the Lord, which He promised to His people. You are serving the Lord Christ." Scripture encourages you and I to do our work and serve as unto the Lord. Whatever we choose to do, whether teach a class, help someone, or physical labor, it would do us well to keep our heart in the right place. Ask yourself what your genuine motive is for doing something good.

Often, we complain when we begin to work for the Lord. When we grow weary and tired, sometimes feeling as if we are the only one working - we can have the wrong attitude. But Scripture teaches that we should serve faithfully for the Lord's sake, not for the praise of others. Then, in the end, our reward will be great. And it will come as a direct blessing from the Lord.

Therefore, do not keep record of your work. Do not count or track others who fail to work. But instead, stay focused on your purpose. The question is, what are you doing? And then, work and serve for no other reason except only for Christ. And He (the God who is More Than Enough, Sovereign and True) will give you a rich reward for everything you are doing for His Kingdom.

By His Grace

Our salvation is not earned or deserved, it is simply the work of the grace of God. In Romans 4:16, we find, "Therefore, it is of faith, that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed....". It is vital that the promise be sure to you and I. 

We walk by faith that Christ loved us and gave Himself for us, to redeem us from our sin. Not because of anything we have done to deserve it, but only by grace. He is merciful to accept us in as is condition and make his home in our hearts.

I am thankful today for the Grace of God. He alone is able to free me from my past and make my future glorious with Him, eternally. I will never be good enough, faithful enough, or deserving enough. However, I need only have complete faith in God to perform a mighty work of His Divine Grace. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8) 

He offers everyone His free gift. Grace. The choice is up to us.

America's Most Wanted

When I watch a show like America's Most wanted or a law enforcement program I notice the description of the suspect is placed out in the forefront. And often when the authorities are searching for someone they first want you to describe the person and give a description of any defining marks or items of distinction. They ask did the person have any scars or tattoos?  Was he tall or short, dark hair or light, skinny or heavy? The officers are trying to provide a clear description.

We should each take time to think about how someone else might describe us. Do we have any distinguishing marks that identify us with Christ?  Do others think of our caring and kind spirit? Do they see the love of God in us? Or do they first ponder our snippy, hateful demeanor?

Every Christian should carry the marks of Christ. We should have clear, defining marks like love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. But our lives should also be defined by maintaining a secret place of prayer that transforms our attitudes to that of Christ.

Sometimes, its' easy for the Christian to pray publicly or in a group for a specific need. However, when we neglect our private prayer time and fail to worship God in personal prayer, we are disobedient.  God help us to refresh our passion to pray, so we might carry the incredible marks of Christ.

In Matthew 6, Jesus instructed us, "When you pray, go into your room/closet and shut the door and pray..." There is nothing that will replace a personal, intimate time alone with God in prayer. We must strive to discipline ourselves daily to keep that appointment with God. Prayer strengthens our walk with God. Prayer lights a flame back into our spirit. Prayer connects us to a Sovereign and personal God who desires to guide our steps and speak to us daily. 

Through time with God and reflection in His Word we begin to look more like Christ.  And then, we begin showing the marks of Christ to the world.  

In Control

We love being in control. We demand it. We love to control every  decision and the path our lives take. But it also would be great to realize God owns the universe and He remains in control of our lives.

It is not always easy to trust fully in God in difficult times. But God knows exactly where you are and He has a plan even through crisis. We are often troubled because we cannot see what God has in mind for our future, and it's hard for us to let go and let God take charge.

If you have surrendered your life to God, then you know that He is in control of your situation. Romans 8:28 declares, "For we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." 

When trouble comes, we often wring our hands and fear what will happen next. But God teaches us in Scripture that He is in Control. Yet, many times we keep grabbing the wheel. We keep demanding our way and striving to maintain control. 

Learning to let-go and let-God is certainly a process of maturity. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we are then able to allow Him the freedom to take control and direct our lives. It is imperative that we realize God always has our very best at heart.

Real Peace

In our chaotic world, everyone desires peace. Scripture teaches that God keeps us in perfect peace when our mind is 'stayed on Him' because this person trusts in Him. In other words, when we keep our mind on Christ and completely trust Him, we dwell in peace (Isaiah 26:3).  God carries us in His everlasting arms through difficulty and trial.  He is always watching out for you and is able to give you peace of mind.

Scripture teaches us also to strive to think on things that are "lovely, pure, and of good report".  Sometimes, our thinking is detoured from the positive by the negative. When this happens, our thinking becomes downcast, creating chaos and a lack of faith. This is not an atmosphere that invites the peace of God. Colossians 3:15 declares, "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which you are called in one body, and be ye thankful". This means pondering the wonderful blessings of the Lord, the benefits He daily bestows on our lives and thinking on the good.

Often, we are distracted with so many cares in life.  We must press hard to keep our mind on God and the blessings of God on our lives.  Therefore, if you and I will think on the good, the positive, the lovely. And if you and I will keep our minds on God and what He alone is able to do - we will maintain an abundant peace in our lives. The kind of peace that surpasses all human understanding.

The Love of God

God's love is great and continues to amaze me day by day. He loves us regardless.  He loves us in spite of our own faults. He genuinely loves us. "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.....For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His Son in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:3, 12-14)

One of the very best ways God provided for you is through the gift of Jesus Christ. He gave His only Son as a sacrifice for your sins and wrongdoing. And because of Christ you now have the opportunity to walk in redemption and freedom.

God loves us unconditionally and offers us forgiveness from sin. He accepts us just as we are and allows His Holy Spirit to begin transforming our life at the very moment we are willing to make a commitment to Him.

We should take time to focus on all the incredible ways that God has shown His love and forgiveness to us. Daily we should list several wonderful blessings God has placed in our lives and cultivate an attitude of gratitude. "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Honor

Scripture is clear that blessings and long life are presented to those who obey and honor their parents. We should walk in obedience to those placed in authority over us whether it be parents, headship at home, leadership at church, or governmental authorities.

Mom and Dad hold a position of authority that is God-given. And God promises to bless those abundantly who walk in submission to that authority. But a warning also resounds to those who choose to disobey, "whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in deep darkness" (Proverbs 20:20).

You may not always agree with the way your parents discipline, love, or live and conduct themselves. Most likely you will strongly disagree with many things about your upbringing.  But you have a responsibility to honor them as your parents. It is showing respect for their position. And God will honor that.

Perhaps one day when you are older (if you are honest with yourself) you will understand some things more clearly. Allow Gods' Blessings to flow on your life as you walk a life of obedience to God's principles. Honor your parents and respect them enough to reach out to them regularly and let them know they are important to you.

Gifts

We all like gifts. We are like little kids when someone gives us a nicely wrapped package. We love gifts. Scripture shouts, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)  If you ever walk the city streets at night where light posts cast shadows of yourself walking you realize how shadows can greatly shift with movement.  These shadows are not stable but are ever moving and changing.

People change with time.  If you run into an old friend you notice right away subtle changes due to age and maturity.  Their hair may be different.  Their face may have aged and they now speak more knowledgable and mature than when they were young.  They have been shifting and changing through the years.

But God is nothing like the shadows that constantly shift and change.  Neither is He like our classmates that constantly change over the years. But He is ever-present and never changing.  He remains constant throughout all time.  He is dependable.  He is unabated.  He is sustained and ceaseless.  He is uniform.  He is steady and perpetual. There is none like Him. He Himself is a good gift from the Father to us.

Your Heavenly Father loves you abundantly and desires to give you only His best gifts. He has already bestowed many blessings on your life.  And every good gift is from God above.  Remember when life shifts and changes, and people do not remain the same - God never changes.  You can count on His steadfastness and stability for all eternity. His sent His Son as a perfect and good gift to you and me.

The Vision

Sometimes it's easy for us to be discouraged quickly with doors and opportunities that seem to close on us. At first, we think of closed doors as negative circumstances, when actually they may very well be God directing our path in a new direction. We must prayerfully remember that our steps are ordered of the Lord and He directs our path. Therefore, we should see closed doors as a positive. Maybe there is something better, something greater, something amazing just ahead in the bend in the road for us. Perhaps you cannot see it right now. But God knows what He is doing and He ultimately desires to bless His people and make them ready for heaven.

"For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come; it will not delay on its appointed day." Habakkuk 2:3 

Be encouraged about what God has in mind for your day and your future and continue to pray for God's direction in your daily life. Read the Word and commit to learning and applying biblical principles. Then, wait. Wait and listen for the answers of God's promises. God does not lie. His promises to you will come to pass. 

The Blessing

The Hebrew word baruch means to bless, to empower, to prosper. It is interesting to note that the blessing of the Father is so important that Jesus, the Messiah did not perform one miracle or preach one sermon until after the blessing of God, His Father was pronounced upon Him. "And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him and a voice came from Heaven which said, "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Therefore, I feel it is just as important that earthly Fathers pronounce blessings over their sons and daughters. The Jews still practice this today. The Father pronounces a blessing over their children at the time of puberty. Children search a lifetime for the acceptance and blessing of their Fathers. Perhaps, we have failed to give them the love and acceptance they long for so desperately. When a Jewish father sets their early teen in a chair, looks them in the eye and tells them clearly how proud he is of them, he conveys to them his heartfelt approval. This gives the young person security and affirmation that many search a lifetime to receive.

According to Deuteronomy 30:19, God has set before us blessing and cursing, then asks us to choose life that our descendants may live. Give your children a chance. One they will not have to search the world over to find....with blessing, love and affirmation. Take opportunity to let your children know how much they are valued.

Thirty some years ago my husband & I were blessed with our firstborn son. And he is a direct blessing from God. The Hand of God was upon Him from the onset, we prayed for him for many years, and it is God who birthed him in anointing and calling. David, we want you to know we are blessed by you!