It is Written - What He Does

Just to remind you

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
He will not let you stumble; 

the one who watches over you will not slumber.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you! 

The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, 

BOTH NOW and FOREVER. [emphasis mine]

Psalm 121:2-8 NLT

Prayer:

Father, 

           Thank You for keeping watch over us. Thank You for preserving Your Word for us. Help us to not say or do anything that has not been filtered through the Holy Spirit working in us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Did Anyone See That?

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
1st Corinthians 10:31-11:1 NLT

A friend sent me a poem that reminded me of this Scripture passage. I've seen the poem at least a dozen times, but it's a great reminder every time I read it. It's not about performing to the best of our ability for performance's sake. It's about doing and being the best we can be because someone - in this case, a child - is watching... and learning. (The poem is included at the end.) 

Our Christian walk is under the same scrutiny on a daily basis. Somebody somewhere is watching, is listening, is waiting to see what we will do in any given situation. Sometimes it can be about judging us, but mostly it's about silently observing and learning.

What will they learn if they watch you and me? Will they come to know the Christ of Calvary? Will they learn of His love or only of His Law? Will they know mercy or misery? Will they see patience or pouting? Hear praise or prattle?

What do we WANT them to learn from watching us?

Prayer:

Father,
           According to Your Word, let me so live my life in Your Light, that You will be glorified. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
*****************************************************************************
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I looked at you and wanted to say, ‘Thanks for all the things I learned while I watched you, when you thought I wasn’t looking.'

Look, Dad! Watch me!!

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.
Psalm 34:15 NLT

The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 
2nd Chronicles 16:9a NLT

In my memories are those of my daughter calling to her father, "Look, Dad! Watch what I can do!" And my youngest granddaughter, echoing the same sentiment to her father, "Look, Dad! Dad! Watch me!" Do you have a similar memory?

There are MANY Scriptures we could point to about wanting God to listen, and asking Him if He is, but how often do we think about God watching us? I mean other than the times you hope He's NOT watching...

The Truth is He not only knows it all - He sees it all. Yes, all of it, but it's not to try to catch us doing something wrong! He wants to see us doing what is right! That's what He's looking for! Hearts that are committed to Him, who want to please Him, no matter what!

He wants to strengthen those hearts! He watches over us. He rejoices over us with singing, according to His Word. In Jeremiah 24:6a, God says, "For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up..." What do you think about that? I'll tell you how I feel about it...

Hey, Dad! Look! Look, Dad! Watch me!

Prayer:

Father,
         You're a good, good Father! It's who You are, and we're loved by You! Thank You for watching us and watching over us. Thank You for hearing our cries for help and for strengthening our hearts. Keep us ever mindful of being fully committed to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

Did Anyone See That?

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
1st Corinthians 10:31-11:1 NLT

A friend sent me a poem that reminded me of this Scripture passage. I've seen the poem at least a dozen times, but it's a great reminder every time I read it. It's not about performing to the best of our ability for performance's sake. It's about doing and being the best we can be because someone - in this case, a child - is watching... and learning. (The poem is included at the end.) 

Our Christian walk is under the same scrutiny on a daily basis. Somebody somewhere is watching, is listening, is waiting to see what we will do in any given situation. Sometimes it can be about judging us, but mostly it's about silently observing and learning.

What will they learn if they watch you and me? Will they come to know the Christ of Calvary? Will they learn of His love or only of His Law? Will they know mercy or misery? Will they see patience or pouting? Hear praise or prattle?

What do we WANT them to learn from watching us?

Prayer:

Father,
           According to Your Word, let me so live my life in Your Light, that You will be glorified. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
*****************************************************************************
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I looked at you and wanted to say, ‘Thanks for all the things I learned while I watched you, when you thought I wasn’t looking.'

Watching and Waiting *

Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.

Proverbs 8:34 NKJV

Every time I read this verse, I think of Joshua, son of Nun. I know I've mentioned it before - how he waited at the entrance every time Moses went to meet with God. Always serving Moses, obedient and attentive to his every directive. Joshua knew his place, his position and his purpose. And he served in each with excellence.

There is no record of Joshua moaning and groaning about his position. He did NOT bring back a bad report or commiserate with the other ten spies who said they were like grasshoppers in their own eyes. He aligned himself with what the Lord had declared, and would profess nothing less. 

Do we serve God the same way? Do we align ourselves to be in His presence at every opportunity? Do we align our mouths to say only what God has to say about any given situation? Do we align our spirits to say "Yes, Lord!" at His every expectation of us?  If not, why not? These are not rhetorical questions. Stop and think about how you will answer.

Prayer:

Father,

          O that it would be said of us that we listen, watching daily at Your gates, waiting at the posts of Your doors. What wisdom we would glean! Help us, Father, to make it be so! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.