A Time to Go

Ecclesiastes 3:1, "There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven."

There are times to pray. There are times to plan. And then there are times to go, to carry out the plans that God has revealed.

Eagles don't fly by flapping their wings. They hold out their wings, catch the air currents, and soar on the wind. We as Christians do a great deal of wing flapping to little avail when what we need to do is catch the current of the Holy Spirit and soar on His power.

The Holy Spirit is moving in very exciting ways, in the church and in the world. Do you want to have a part in what God is doing? Why don't you catch one of His currents and soar aloft to see what wonderful things God will do in and through your life?

Isaiah 40:31, "But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

Father, may I fit into Your plans. Use me whenever and wherever and however You will. May Your Holy Spirit always be the Wind beneath my wings. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

I dial the phone, and in answer these are the words I hear,
"Press one for ---------, press two for --------," and I just think, "Oh, dear!"
I don't want option one or two or even three or four.
I need a different alternative, but they don't offer any more.
Now what to do? I know I need to make some kind of choice.
What would I give if I could hear someone's human voice?!

Child-Like Faith

Luke 18:16-17, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

What are children like? What child-like qualities do people need in order to receive the kingdom of God as a child? Unless children have a good reason not to do so, they place implicit trust, complete faith, in the adults who care for them. That faith is simple, straight-forward, uncomplicated, and enduring. They don't worry but believe that the ones who love them will also protect them and provide for them.
Children enjoy simple pleasures. They just want to hang out with the loving adults in their lives, to spend time with them. It's so much fun to see the world through the eyes of a child because they feel and express so much awe and wonder at God's creation. Things that we overlook, like rocks, bugs, worms, butterflies, four leaf clovers, and bird feathers, are newly discovered treasures to them.
If you have ever made a promise to a child, you know that the child absolutely expects you to keep that promise no matter what. We have probably all heard a child wail in disappointment, "But you promised me!"
Some people have been raised in the care of untrustworthy adults, people who were negligent or abusive. Even if this is so, all Christians have a heavenly Father who can be trusted completely. Do you have implicit faith in the love, protection, and provision of your Heavenly Father? Do you spend time just "hanging out" with Him, reading His Word and pouring out your heart to Him in prayer? Do you regard Him and His creation with awe and wonder? Do you claim His promises, knowing you can trust Him to fulfill every single one? Do you live in such a way that makes it easy for the people who know you to trust their Heavenly Father?

Father, may I represent You well in the world so that all who know me will be encouraged to trust and love You. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

I reached in my purse and pulled out a pen.

I pressed it to paper, moved it, but then

No mark was there--a discouraging sight.

I just hate a pen that will not write!

Evangelism

Psalm 34:8a exhorts us to "Taste and see that the Lord is good."

Psalm 66:5 invites us to "Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf."

John in I John 1:3a tells us that he will be writing about "what we have seen and heard" and will proclaim that.

II Tim. 2:2 Paul told Timothy, "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others."

Evangelism can be well summed up in six words. Come and see. Go and tell.

Before I started taking chemotherapy I had a port inserted so the chemicals could go through it. I still have the port and will keep it awhile longer until I am reasonably certain I won't need it anymore.

Ports have to be flushed periodically in order not to clot so they will remain useable. I went this week to have my port flushed and met a friend of mine from Decatur who was there having the same procedure done. She told me how much she dreaded it and how painful it was for her. I asked her if she used lidocaine to deaden the area around the port. I apply it an hour ahead of time, and I only feel slight pressure when they access my port, not pain. She said nobody had ever told her about lidocaine. but as I left the cancer center she was on the way to find her doctor, get a prescription for lidocaine, and get the cream from the pharmacy. She was delighted to know of something that would help her, and I was delighted to tell her about something that would make her life more pleasant.

Evangelism is just telling someone else about the Savior who has helped us so much. What a privilege we have--not even the angels are given this opportunity. What a wonderful feeling to tell others about Someone who can make such a difference in their lives, both now and for eternity!

Father, we don't hesitate to talk about sales or helpful products or other things that might help people. May we realize that they need Jesus above all else and make telling about Him the highest priority. Amen.

Life's Little Frustrations

I'd like to be much thinner,

But I won't give up my dinner,

Or my breakfast or my lunch

Or my snacks--I like a bunch.

So now tell me what you think.

Is it likely that I'll shrink?