August 9, 2016

Psalm 116:1-2  "I will love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my plea for mercy.  Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live."   This psalm is dear to me right now because I am in a season when I have been dilligently praying about a couple of people that I love who are experiencing some serious health issues.  I know that God has heard and answer my prayer in the last several days.    Both situations are improving and all I can say is God is so very good! Thank you Lord for knowing what I need even when I somtimes do not.    Thank you for touching those I love with your healing hand and extending your grace when I have cried out to you.    

August 8, 2016

As many teachers and students are heading back to school, I feel compelled to pray that those of us in the classrooms that are Christians have many opportunities to shower God's abundant love on our students.   Some of us in public schools have a bit of a challenge as God is not always welcome in our schools.   We can, however, be ambassadors of God's word in our actions and reactions.   Many people watch us closely and I pray that we can hold our heads up at the end of the day when we say good night to our Lord.   We need to pray for each other as we work hard at our jobs, teaching and influencing our young people.   Ephesians 6:16-19 finds Paul asking for prayer as he moved about his business of teaching Jesus' way.   "In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.  To that end, keep alert with perservence, making supplication for all the saints and also for me that words may be given to me in opening my mouth to boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel.".    If Paul needed this prayer, how much more do we need it?   Father, keep us true to you!

August 7, 2016

Just this week I was having a friendly discussion with someone about the diversity of Christians and the large number of different denominations in our country.   The party I was visiting with was pretty sure that her "home church" was right on with their doctrine.  In fact, she stopped just short of  challenging that all other churches that are not in line with her denomination are wrong.   I was working hard to maintain polite conversation with this woman who I was beginning to have very un-Christian judgements about.   I so wanted to remind her of the scripture in Romans that reminds Christians to avoid division.   You know the one:  Romans 16:17-18  "I appeal to you brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught;  avoid them.  For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive."  (ESV)   With this in mind, I politely ( and maybe a bit shortly) excused myself from the conversation and headed to the car where I  thanked God for giving me the grace and wisdom to hold my tongue so as not to be dragged into her smooth talk.   I know that God moved me and kept me silent as I am not one to be still by myself.    Thank you God!

August 4, 2016

Psalm 66:1-4 "Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!  Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!  So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.  All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name."  Sometimes praising the Lord is enough!  

August 3, 2016

Having recently spent several days at the hospital as my mother had surgery, I am reminded yet again about how wonderful God is.  Everyone provided my mother with great care, which one would expect at an accredited hospital.   However, a large majority of the caregivers tended to my mother with good humor and a gentle manner as well.    These angels had to be extensions of God!   Much of what goes on in a hospital is not funny; and many of their tasks are down right nasty.   But these folks moved forward as if my mother was a queen.  God certainly gifted these medical caregivers and my mother, and so many other patients, benefit from their expertise.  I Corinthians 16:15-16 reads, "Now I urge you brothers, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achia and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints, be subject to such as these and to every fellow worker and laborer."    I am so grateful that God has called some to service in this medical field.   I, in turn, will praise God for their labor and ask a special belssing on them.   Thank you God!      

August 2, 2016

Lamentations 3:22-23  "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithgulness."  (ESV)  Don't you just love that promise?   Isn't it comforting to know that even though tomorrow we may wake up with some of the same issues that we went to bed with tonight, the Lord is still in the picture.   He does not get tired of helping.   He does not get weary of our complaining.   He does not get bored with us.   Our Lord is the same every day, every moment, every praise and every prayer.   And, he is full of love for me and for you always.    Wow!  

August 1, 2016

I am atruggling a bit to understand God's timing during this season of my life.   It seems that I am praying about situations and have friends praying about other situations and things are not rolling forward.    I am certain that God has heard our prayers!   Why then have we not seen His action?   Have you ever wondered about God's timing in your life?  Acts 1:7 (ESV) reads "He said to them,  It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority."   God knows the plan and the timing and will lead us along the path, even when we feel that He is not answering prayer.    God knows the timeline and his timing is always perfect!   This is sometimes difficult to accept when we are in the middle of a rough time, but God will never turn His back on us.    We only have to trust in His perfect timing and be ready to patiently accept His blessing.   Thank you God for your promises!