Saturday, September 13, 2008

Consider Doing His Will (Matthew 12:50

Consider Doing His Will: (Matthew 12:50)
“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50)

Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see about Him. They couldn’t help but hear the stories the religious leaders had told. Mary and her other sons were concerned about His well-being. Jesus looks around the room and declares, “those who do the will of God, these are my mother and my brothers.”

We sometimes struggle with finding God’s will for our lives and then doing His will. I find a blessing in this short passage. Sometimes, we feel alone in a life situation but we get a sudden answer from the Lord. This happened to me a few years ago. The answer, while not necessarily a good one, told me I was not imagining the condition I saw. I felt I was to concentrate on doing God’s will about this disorder and its effect on our lives.

Right before God gave me this answer, a man at our church told of learning a phrase in Sunday school. It went “I will to will God’s Will in my life.” The one book of the Bible I turn to when I am having a struggle is the book of Job. I can know when I am in His Will because then I receive confirmation of my deepest thoughts when I am confronted with major struggles in my life.

Friday, September 12, 2008

When I Hear "Jesus Loves Me"

As I entered the Church for our monthly singspiration, I heard two children, a girl and her little brother, practicing for the service. They had chosen to sing “Jesus Love Me”. While they were still singing I shared with their grandfather that they sounded sweet.
When they sang it, I found myself focusing on the feeling that the hymn conveys and what the words might mean to those who hear them. The hymn has spoken to hearts for generations. People find the words very worshipful. The lyrics can be sung in a whisper, as a prayer, or in full voice, as in praise.

Jesus loves me, this I know. . .” as grown-ups we tend to take these words for granted. When I first heard this hymn after I had become an adult and a mother, I didn’t know what to think. The words, sung almost in a whisper, were more beautiful than I remembered.

“. . . for the Bible tells me so!” We all have times of being in need of affirmation of God’s love for us. We do have this in God’s written Word.

Little ones to Him belong. . .” God accepts all His children adult or infant. He accepts us because He made us. He loves us as we are, he knows us better than we know ourselves, yes, even better than our closest family members.

“. . . they are weak, but He is strong.” Jesus protects his precious children. He goes before us, his children, wherever we go. He goes with us no matter the circumstance. He builds hedges of protection around us when we aren’t aware of His being there.

This children’s hymn brings me comfort. The phrases soothe my soul. They cause me to pause and worship. They allow me to reflect on God’s perfect love. I will never tire of hearing or singing this very special hymn.

Monday, September 8, 2008

God Speaks Through His People

I read a book by Patsy Clairmont yesterday; I finished it this morning. The title was "Normal is just a setting on your dryer." It is a series of short essays about her life and how God has intervened.

I can identify with the lesson she learned in the last chapter. Her sister was ill and the illness had progressed to the sister being on life-support. She was asked to go to her sister's home state and be there while the crisis was going on. Patsy really wasn't sure she could do that. Les, her husband, reminded her of the fact that God uses people to speak and to work through.

The outcome for Patsy's sister was good because Patsy's voice brought the sister to the point she could open her eyes in the presence of a nurse, who had earlier said, no it can't happen.

Does God speak through people on a routine basis? I believe He can and does. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is the pathway by which God speaks to us today.

Have you ever thought of a person you haven't seen for a long time? God could be telling you they need your prayers.

Have you awakened with words to a praise song running through your mind? God is comforting you or giving you strength through the music.

Have you needed to talk to someone and that person calls you on the phone? God has placed it on their heart to call you because He knows you need to talk to that person.

For myself, I intend to listen when God speaks to me, especially when He uses a friend. I also intend to listen when He instructs me to speak to someone with a need.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...