Saturday November 7, 2009

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature.  But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.  Galatians 6:8

 

Planting seeds always yields a harvest.  If I plant good seeds, I will harvest goodness most of the time.  There have been instances where a storm destroyed my crop.  There have been situations where the devil wreaked havoc with my ability to hoe and nurture the plants so the yield was considerably less than expected BUT the vast majority of the time… I reap what I have sown.  My good intentions and dedication to the Spirit have produced blessings and grace. 

 

Jesus does not promise me a rich harvest here on earth… He says that Everlasting Life is what He guarantees.  I trust Him and know that even when things are tough here, if I persevere in my duties as a cultivator and plant the seeds of His kingdom then I will reap the Harvest of the Holy Spirit, a life that will never end. 

 

Dear Lord, Help me to overcome my sinful nature and nurture the seeds of the kingdom you have planted in my soul. 

Friday November 6, 2009

If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 

Romans 13:8

 

I have shared that it is harder for me to love myself but I have met some un-loveable neighbors along the way too.    The gossip monger, the braggart, the people who “know it all” are just a few of the folks who are hard to embrace.  But Jesus faced all these individuals and still went to the cross for them as well as me.  Some of His disciples were less than endearing… Judas, the brothers, James and John, who wanted fame and recognition, Peter who disowned Him when the chips were down.  Yet Jesus LOVED them to His death. 

 

Jesus showed me how to love, unconditionally… He modeled the fact that Love directed inward has nowhere to go and love directed outward can change the world… one soul at a time. 

 

Help me Lord to be loving to all the neighbors in my life. 

Thrsday November 5, 2009

Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my mind and my heart.  For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes.  Psalm 26:2-3

 

As I walked through the Dallas airport this morning, I saw a beauty parlor, a spa and a shoe shine place and thought what a good use of down time… waiting for flights to get a pick me up.  God is in the grooming business too.  He renews my spirit whenever I come to Him with burdens and troubles.  If my soul is dirty with sin, He cleanses me.  If my spirit is sad because of loss or betrayal, He reminds me that LOVE is always the answer.  If I have muscles that are stressed with tension and fighting off temptation, He is the Spa that refreshes me. 

 

The issue is taking the time to come to HIM.  No appointment necessary… He is a 24/7/365 shop.  I just need to admit my need and come to Him and He will refresh my broken spirit.  He knows my mind, my heart and my mind.  He loves to hear my story from my own lips just like a devoted friend who has heard my tale of woe… OFTEN! 

 

As I open up to YOU my Lord, That is how much I will receive because you will not be outdone in generosity.  Thank you for loving me so much.

Wednesday November 4, 2009

The commandments… are summed up in this saying [namely] “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Romans 13:9

 

I have struggled with this one my whole life…  Not the loving my neighbor part but the ‘as myself’ part.  I have had to really stretch to “Love myself”.  For me it is much easier to see the good in others, to accept their faults and forgive their trespasses.  It is hard to accept the same traits in myself.  I have very high expectations for myself and never see that I am doing enough.  I really know in my heart that this is not godly thinking but just can’t seem to get past it.  People who love me cajole and tease, scold and dictate but I just do not change.  It is in my DNA.  I recognize my faults first and enlarge that and play down my good points. 

 

If I am to grown into a true loving daughter of God and sister to Jesus… this must end.  For the barriers I create to loving myself will stop me from loving others as I should.  If I focus on my own faults they will eventually blind me to see and help others.  Because the measure I use to measure myself may become the yardstick I hold up to others… making me a very unhappy and judgmental person.  God wants me to respect myself and accept my own limitations as He does… with grace. 

 

Dear Lord, Help me to be more patient with myself and with those in my life.  Let me see Your yardstick and fairly hold myself to Your Standard.  

Tuesday November 3, 2009

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  Proverbs 9:10

 

I used to think it odd when I read a story that described people as “God-fearing”.  It seemed like a very strange thing because I loved God and did not fear Him.  Making my way through Scripture as I have matured has opened my eyes to the true meaning of this phrase.  Just like most things that I do not understand or things that I dread doing can sometimes be considered fears… people could shy away from God if they did not know Him benevolently.  I understand God is all powerful but that He never uses His power to hurt me has been my belief even as a small child.  When someone grows up with a brutal father or an absent one, it is easy to understand the attitude of fear.  Nothing to compare God with in the mind’s eye causes a large gap in the belief system.  If the only stories ever told of God were the Old Testament Fire and Brimstone God… there would be nothing else to do but fear! 

Jesus came to allow the world to know His father as Daddy… Abba. 

 

I ask You to open my eyes to appreciate Your wonder… To understand and seek You, My Lord and My God.   

Monday November 2, 2009

Their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction.  But they are in peace.  Wisdom 3:2-3

 

I have learned a lot about Hispanic customs since beginning FLM studies.  Having several people in my class from Cuba, Puerto Rico and South America has been a real lesson in other traditions.  One of the ones that is very foreign to me is El Dia de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead.  This is a day of celebrating the dead and rejoicing that they are in heaven.  It is hard for me to admit, but I was taken aback by this.  I truly do believe in heaven but rejoicing was a stretch for my mind to grasp.  Steeped in sadness and loss growing up when someone died, the idea of going to the cemetery to celebrate was hard to grab. 

 

I have really come to embrace the scriptural basis of their approach and have tried to absorb it and combine it with the fact that yes I miss my mom and dad, my aunts and uncles, grandparents but I do know that they are awaiting me in heaven!  Praying for me and interceding for me today.  Happy All Souls Day!  I won’t have a party but I honor you and the way you shaped my life. 

 

Thank you God for welcoming my loved ones to your home!  Help me to rejoice in their peace with you!

Saturday October 31, 2009

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  Galatians 3:27

 

Today is Halloween, a favorite of mine.  I love putting on costume and making believe I am someone else.  I have often thought I should have been an actress.  I could really become a great character actress…   Special clothes, make up and a new hairdo really do a lot to change how I feel about myself even on normal days.  

 

St Paul understands humanity so well and in this verse reminds the Galatians to change their demeanor like they change their clothes by putting on Christ.  By putting on their Savior, they would put on love.  This theme runs through many of his letters  And over these put on love, that is. the bond of perfection.  Collosians 3:14. 

 

God calls me to wear the mantle of love… to let compassion drape from my shoulders.  If I steeled myself with the armor of courage, I could defend and protect those who are being persecuted.  There is a Garment of truth that allows me to fend off the great deceiver.   Putting on the clothing that Jesus makes available in His store would go a long way to righting the wrongs in the world.  How can I shop there and invite others to do the same? 

 

Lord, Let me wear your love and peace always. 

October 30, 2009 Friday

Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” 

John 10:27

 

I have been on a listening and following kick it seems…  But I want to talk a bit about another way the spirit speaks to me… Promptings.  So often somebody pops into my mind and I feel the need to call or write them a card.  If I don’t react, I learn later that person needs prayer about something.  God is whispering in my ear and I need to be tuned into His call.  I recently had a neighbor pop into my mind.  I called and left a message as she was not home.  I prayed for her that day and have added her to my daily petitions list… She e-mailed me yesterday to say she has a teenager living with her, she is looking for activities and friends for him.  I can connect her with some teens, good Christians who will help him make the transition. 

 

Jesus does speak and I need to hear His voice, recognize His commands and Follow HIM!

 

Give me wisdom and ability to discern your voice from the incessant chatter Lord!  Give me the desire to always do your will!

Thursday October 29, 2009

This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you.  John 15:12

 

Many of my friends who support the troops use the line

 Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American G.I. One died for your soul, and the other for your freedom.

as their signature line.  When I read this scripture I think can I really LOVE as Jesus loved me.  Because to truly love as Jesus loved, I must be willing to die for my beloved.  I would die for my children or for my grandchildren… maybe a couple of my family and of course for my husband… but could I, would I die for anyone else?  God loved me so much He even sacrificed His son.  That would be even harder for me than dying for someone myself. 

 

To truly LOVE is to put another’s wishes, desires and needs ahead of my own.  Without guilt or guile, without bargaining or counting, without keeping score or making judgements.  VERY tough stuff for anyone.  I read recently about a relationship coach who asked a group of couples in counseling… what does it take to make a marriage work.  Answers ranged from 50/50 effort; 60/40 and one very confident successful business man said 80/20.  The group was shocked when the coach told them that each person must give 100% and expect 0!  That is the only way a marriage really works.  I guess I am coming to realize that is what Jesus expects in every Loving relationship.  Can I give 100% and expect nothing in return? 

 

Lord help me to Love as you loved me. 

October 28, 2009 Wednesday

Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. 

Jeremiah 7:23

 

What a neat way to determine if I am a child of God…  Do I listen?  Have you ever been in a crowded room with multiple moms and dads?  When one little voice cries out Momma… every head turns.  Because every parent is in tune with their child, most will know if this is a cry of distress or true need.  I am sure God knows my voice especially when I am sad or distressed.  Is the reverse true… Do I hear my father’s voice and LISTEN to Him?  To truly be heard is the greatest gift.  I can give my attention or I can pretend to be listening… everyone knows the difference and feels it down to their very souls. 

 

God has the right to demand my attention but instead He says, Listen.

Open my ears, Lord!