You are Here

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
Psalm 139:8-10 NKJV

A new girl started working in our building this week. At the beginning of the week, she had a hard time trying to find the different places she needed to be because our building is very similar to a rat maze. Poor thing... she couldn't find the restrooms let alone anything else.

In my part of the building, we created 'You are here' maps for my people and posted them at every corner. So even though all the halls look the same, once you know 'You are here' you can find your way to where you need to go. And if you discover you don't like where you are, you can find your way out. 

It's the same in our Christian walk. Yes, we need to know where we want to go and we need direction to know how to get there, but we can't get to Point B unless we know where we are to begin with. The great news is that no matter if you're in a good place or the worst place of your life - God is there with you. He knows 'You are here.' And He not only knows the way out - He gave us the Way, the Truth and the Life - Jesus Christ. And we can find our way to the Father through Christ our Lord.

You are here. Where do you want to be?

Prayer:

Father,
            How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You. Father, I know we'll make it by Your Grace, but for now, it is more than enough that You are here. Guide us, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Making the List

Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Revelation 21:27 NLT

During the Christmas season, adults everywhere work from lists. There's the A list and the B list for the gift list, the guest list, the card list, the things-left-to-do list. And children are just as consumed with them, trying especially hard to stay off the naughty list.

We've all made gift lists and invitation lists that have included people who - left to our own devices - we would not have included for whatever reason. Checking it much more than twice to make sure we've gotten everyone we're "supposed" to include. Oh that we would be as consumed with the Master's List! To give as much attention to His detailed instructions. To be sure that everyone gets a personal invitation to His dinner party.

There's one thing I know for sure. Not one name written in the Lamb's Book of Life is written there because it was the politically-correct thing to do. No one is included because otherwise their feelings would be hurt or because if you include this one, then so-and-so has to be included, too. There's only one way to make the Master's List. Do you know how?

Prayer:

Father,
          According to Your Word, we know You loved the world so much that You gave Your one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. We know You sent Your Son into the world to save the world through His death on the Cross paying in full the debt for our sin. Thank You, Father, that we can make Your A list by believing in and following Jesus. We pray for those who do not yet believe in Him. We know it is Your will that none should perish. Give us divine appointments, Father, and the courage and boldness to speak at those times. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Just a Thought on What We Offer

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
1st John 2:16-17 NLT

Last night, we had a sleepover at Granna's (that's me). Playing with a 5-year-old means this Granna goes to bed at the same time 😍 so writing was not in the program...
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I've been thinking about how easy it is to get caught up in worldly behaviors without being aware. It's a subtlety from the enemy of our soul, and often has nothing to do with blatant sin. It can start with a thought, such as...

"I'm going to go home, put on my pj's, make popcorn, and binge-watch something on TV."

Surfing the Internet, TopHatter, Wish...

"This company doesn't recognize the value of what I bring to the table."

All just thoughts. Yet, if we allow actions and thoughts like these to become commonplace in our lives, we allow worldliness to place a hold in our hearts. Heart Check... If we consume what the world is offering us, what, then, do we have worth offering to God? Just a thought...

Prayer:

Father,
           We pray from Your Word. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you.
In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

Giving Gifts

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

1st Corinthians 12:7 NLT

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 

1st Peter 4:10 NIV

At this time of year, we often spend lots of time, energy and resources trying to find just the right gift for our loved ones. It's a great delight for some and a study in frustration for others. Delight has to do with our perspective of the holiday and our love for others; frustration has much to do with how we perceive ourselves as gift finders and probably even more to do with how we think we'll be perceived by those to whom we give gifts.

Step away from all of that for a moment, and let's focus on the best gifts - those we have received from God. The first and best is Jesus Christ, our salvation. Following that is each other - Romans 12:5 tells us ...so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.  So, you're a gift to me and vice versa. Rounding it off are the gifts we've been given to share in serving and helping each other. 

Paul tells us in Romans 12, In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 

Oh, that we would be the bearer of gifts that keep on giving what God intended to give!

Prayer:

Father,

           When Your people are in need, give us eyes to see and hearts that will be ready to help them. Let us always be eager to practice hospitality. Help us to bless those who persecute us. Lord, teach us to be happy with those who are happy, and to weep with those who weep. Help us to live in harmony with each other, and to do all that we can to live in peace with everyone. And to use the gifts You have given us to help and serve others. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Getting In Tune

But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.
John 10:2-4 NTL

At the turn of the century (this one - I've always wanted to use that phrase - LOL),  I worked as an assistant for a man who was brilliant and gifted, but very scattered. My job was not to keep him organized, but to bring organization to his creative chaos. No small task. It took me a while to get the flow of it, but by God's grace and design, I was able to do it. 

My desk was literally two feet outside of his window office. I rearranged it so that when I was at my computer, I could also see him in his office, to observe his work habits and idiosyncrasies. I learned what to expect during specific tasks and could prepare accordingly to have what he needed within his grasp when he needed it. I studied him because - technically speaking - he was my job. After awhile, I could tell what he was looking for just by the way he moved and could anticipate what he would ask for by the way he called my name. He didn't have to call me twice. I could be in the middle of a conversation and I would put it on hold or call them back if I heard or saw he was beckoning. I was in tune to his work needs. 

I have several comic strip clips on my refrigerator. One is a picture of little Billy from Bill Keane's Family Circus ©. He's kneeling by his bed to say his prayers and the caption reads, "Make me be good. And if you don't get through to me the first time, please keep trying 'til I answer." You might be asking yourself, "What does that have to do with being in tune with your boss?" So, I'll tell you...

Confession... Recently, during worship, we sang a song called "Whisper His Name" and during the course of it, I was struck again with the overwhelming reality that God - Creator of the Universe - will answer when I call. Then I was dumbstruck and pierced in my heart with the reality that I did not respond in kind because I have allowed complacency to slip in. 

How many times has God asked something of me and I did not answer? Too many times I have thought, "In a minute, God, just let me finish this..." How and why would I say that to a KING - and not just A king - but the King of kings?!?  I thought about the Billy comic strip and somehow, I don't think that's what God had in mind when He said we need to come as a child. Then I thought about my former boss and I realized I must rearrange my focus to be that intent on GOD - studying, watching, listening, anticipating, and responding. If I'm not in tune with God, how will I hear Him when He calls us home?

Prayer:

Father,
         Forgive me for allowing complacency and distractions to rule, I only want ONE King, One God, One Lord, You. You are all I need. Help me to stay focused and in tune with You. In Jesus' Name I pray.  Amen

Forthwith

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.
Luke 2:15-18 The Message

This year, as last, I ask God to awaken my heart again to hear the Truth written so purposefully into the Christmas carols we've sung all our lives. 'Hark!' The herald angels sing, 'Glory to the newborn King! Peace on earth and mercy mild - God and sinners reconciled! Reconciled to God!

Have you ever thought about it from the shepherds' viewpoint? Lyrics from While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks - Thus spake the seraph and forthwith appeared a shining throng of angels praising God on high... Can you even imagine what it would be like to have an angel appear in front of you "out of nowhere" - make the proclamation and forthwith a shining throng of them appears?!? I'm surprised the shock didn't kill them. Then what did they do? The Scripture tells us they talked it over, and they left RUNNING to see what God had revealed!

Do we make haste to see what God has revealed to us? Do we even move from our computer chairs to see to what He nudged us about or do we talk ourselves out of it? I don't want to become blasé about the Christmas story. Clouded and shrouded by years of tradition, do we dread the holiday and all the commercialism and man-made stresses, or do we see it for what it really is - God's greatest plan for mankind?

Prayer:

Father,
            Forgive us for dreading the day of celebration for Your Greatest Gift to us. Thank You for sending Your Son. Father, cause our hearts to burn within us so that we tell everyone we meet about this gift! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Lights and Life

You are the world’s light—a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:14-16 The Living Bible

I went to spend the weekend with my oldest brother and his wife. Our younger sister drove in, too. We had a great weekend, reinforcing the bonds of love that have endured over the years. The town Ron and Mary live in does a free-of-charge holiday light drive-through park,  They had quite a few motion light displays that I thought were rather spectacular!  For instance - one for each of the twelve days of Christmas; I'd never seen anything like it! 

Halfway through, I almost started laughing at our exclamations of, "Oh, look at that one!" "Did you see that?!?" "That one is so beautiful!!" "Look!!"  My sweet sister-in-law (who is now a great-grandmother) was also like a little girl as we drove through. It was reminiscent of long-ago years and some not-so-long-ago years, but it is one tradition that can be easily outgrown in the hustle and bustle that Christmas has become. 

On the drive home (that should only have been 5½ hours but took 8 because of traffic!), I had plenty of time to think of the parallels of Christmas lights and living the Christian life. These are just a few of my thoughts. 

Christmas lights: As a child viewing light displays, we have no idea how much forethought and work are involved in making it look that beautiful. 

Christian life: Before the foundation of the world - Ephesians 4:1.

Christmas lights: We don't think of what it cost for us (the electric bill). 

Christian life: Mark 8:34-36.

Christmas lights: What it takes to maintain it (the right instructions for best results). 

Christian life: Matthew 19:17-21.

Christmas lights: What it takes to keep the lights burning brightly (proper power supply - protection in the storms of the seasons). 

Christian life: Matthew 7:24-27

Christmas lights: Where and how to place the lights so that they illuminate the path and make the house inviting (so you know the way and you'll want to come back). 

Christian life: Our Promise for Today!

Christmas lights: I'm not turning off my lights just because someone doesn't like Christmas. 

Christian life: I'm not hiding my Light just because someone doesn't like Christians... 

♫♪This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine! ♪♫

And I'm not going to get into debates about the actual date of Christ's birth, or how the date was brought into the church as we know it today. I'm just eternally grateful Emmanuel WAS born so that we could be forgiven to live in His Light and have eternal life with Him!!  

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for sending Your Son to be Light and Life for all who will receive Him. Thank You that the invitation is open to whosoever will... Please keep our hearts and spiritual eyes open to see the opportunities to spread Your Light and Life to those who don't yet know You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen