Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (NIV)
Matthew 25:37-40 "Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me -- you did it to me.' (MSG)
Mark 10:51 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." (NIV)
I received a prayer request today that was heartbreaking and humbling in its simplicity. The person was interceding for someone and asked simply for their basic human needs to be met...
The LORD calls us to serve those who are in need. There is no prerequisite to reaching out and showing God's love. We do not have to be a spiritual giant, or have an army of fellow Christians at our side ready for service. We simply have to be observant and ask someone, "What do you want me to do for you?" Their answer might be, "I would like a prayer; I would like a coat; I would like food for my family; I would like a meal; I would like some fellowship because I am lonely..."
Be a willing vessel for the LORD. Let Him work through you to bless others. When the LORD says "Whom shall I send?" Simply answer "LORD, here I am. Send me." Be willing to spread God's love through your actions, keeping your eyes ever alert for divine appointments -- those people in your path who desperately need help. Slow down, still your busy life, and reach out to someone who is so often overlooked and ignored... remember, while you are doing it for them, you are also doing it to Him.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me of the needs of others. I pray that You use me to bless those who are less fortunate and who are in desperate need of Your provision and love. I am humbled to be used as Your vessel. Here I am. Send me. Amen.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Sharing Your Journey
Deuteronomy 1:33 who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.
Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
Isaiah 43:16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
Our individual journeys are covered completely by His Presence. Scripture declares He goes before us, He is with us, and He is behind us. We are simply surrounded by our Heavenly Father. And each individual journey is a story... a unique story that He has written... a story that unfolds as we choose to walk with Him.
I love listening to people as they share about their journeys with God and reveal their testimonies about how He is working in their lives. I marvel at how each story is different. Yet God's Presence is clearly woven into every account I hear. I am often in awe of how people have been lead to incredible heights with Jesus... or touched at the tenderness of the person who has taken that first monumental step toward Him. In all accounts, wherever they happen to be on their walk with God, His hand is clearly leading His children on their individual paths with Him.
Whether you have had a long, fruitful relationship with the LORD, or whether you have just made the decision to follow Jesus today, no matter where you are on your journey with Him, your story can bless and encourage others. Share the Good News of His Presence in your life! We can all learn from and be encouraged by each other. While my journey will be very different from yours, the common thread of His glorious Presence and how He surrounds us on our journey will be clear.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the story You have given me. May I use it to bless others and to proclaim Your surrounding Presence. I praise You for Your overflowing, faithful and unending love as You walk on this journey with me. Amen.
Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
Isaiah 43:16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
Our individual journeys are covered completely by His Presence. Scripture declares He goes before us, He is with us, and He is behind us. We are simply surrounded by our Heavenly Father. And each individual journey is a story... a unique story that He has written... a story that unfolds as we choose to walk with Him.
I love listening to people as they share about their journeys with God and reveal their testimonies about how He is working in their lives. I marvel at how each story is different. Yet God's Presence is clearly woven into every account I hear. I am often in awe of how people have been lead to incredible heights with Jesus... or touched at the tenderness of the person who has taken that first monumental step toward Him. In all accounts, wherever they happen to be on their walk with God, His hand is clearly leading His children on their individual paths with Him.
Whether you have had a long, fruitful relationship with the LORD, or whether you have just made the decision to follow Jesus today, no matter where you are on your journey with Him, your story can bless and encourage others. Share the Good News of His Presence in your life! We can all learn from and be encouraged by each other. While my journey will be very different from yours, the common thread of His glorious Presence and how He surrounds us on our journey will be clear.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the story You have given me. May I use it to bless others and to proclaim Your surrounding Presence. I praise You for Your overflowing, faithful and unending love as You walk on this journey with me. Amen.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Walk With Him
Leviticus 26:12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Matthew 1:23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" -- which means, "God with us."
Matthew 4:18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.
God is not far away, "up there," somewhere in the clouds... Jesus, Immanuel, God with us.
Our Heavenly Father never intended for us to walk out this life on our own. God is with us. He wants to walk with us, on His path, for His purposes. He has a purpose and a plan for our life, but the only way to experience that purpose and plan is to accept His gift of salvation and accept His invitation to follow Him. The same invitation He gave to His disciples, He gives to you. Jesus says, "Come follow me..."
When I decided to take a walk with Him, I began the most breathtaking adventure. He took hold of my hand, and He will never, ever let me go. I am His child, and I know He loves me. I don't proclaim this in a boastful, conceited way -- I say it in a humble, awestruck way. I am just an ordinary person -- and the Holy Creator of the universe wants to walk with me. That simply fills me with awe and humility. Through my journey with Him, God has graced me with His protection, healing, comfort, encouragement, provision, strength, guidance, discernment, direction, love, and peace. And as I walk with Him, I can't imagine my life without Him.
I encourage you to say "yes," and choose to take a walk with Him. Grab His hand, He promises He will never let you go, and He will never lead you astray. By taking His hand and choosing to walk with Him, you will begin the breathtaking journey on His path -- a path that will lead you to eternity. And when you feel too weary to walk, He will carry you.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for walking with me, thank You for loving me, thank You for Your constant Presence in my life. LORD, You have my heart. Amen.
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Matthew 1:23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" -- which means, "God with us."
Matthew 4:18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.
God is not far away, "up there," somewhere in the clouds... Jesus, Immanuel, God with us.
Our Heavenly Father never intended for us to walk out this life on our own. God is with us. He wants to walk with us, on His path, for His purposes. He has a purpose and a plan for our life, but the only way to experience that purpose and plan is to accept His gift of salvation and accept His invitation to follow Him. The same invitation He gave to His disciples, He gives to you. Jesus says, "Come follow me..."
When I decided to take a walk with Him, I began the most breathtaking adventure. He took hold of my hand, and He will never, ever let me go. I am His child, and I know He loves me. I don't proclaim this in a boastful, conceited way -- I say it in a humble, awestruck way. I am just an ordinary person -- and the Holy Creator of the universe wants to walk with me. That simply fills me with awe and humility. Through my journey with Him, God has graced me with His protection, healing, comfort, encouragement, provision, strength, guidance, discernment, direction, love, and peace. And as I walk with Him, I can't imagine my life without Him.
I encourage you to say "yes," and choose to take a walk with Him. Grab His hand, He promises He will never let you go, and He will never lead you astray. By taking His hand and choosing to walk with Him, you will begin the breathtaking journey on His path -- a path that will lead you to eternity. And when you feel too weary to walk, He will carry you.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for walking with me, thank You for loving me, thank You for Your constant Presence in my life. LORD, You have my heart. Amen.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Lift Up Your Head
Psalm 42:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 62:5-6 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I heard a little snippet of a song on the radio the other day, and it spoke to me in such a visual way: But when I hear You whisper, "Child, lift up your head."
When children are sad, ashamed, or without hope, their natural body language is to lower their eyes and face; to bow their head, looking downcast. Adults do this, too. Jesus wants to lift up our heads. He puts His gentle hand under our chins, lifts our faces up to Him, and gives us hope. His face shines upon us, and He tells us, Child, lift up your head... I am enough for You, and I love You. Trust in Me and I will give you peace.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your simple assurances and gentle reminders. I praise You that You are our hope, our peace, and the One who makes us brand new. Let us remember, when we are sad, ashamed or feeling hopeless, that You are our answer. You are our hope. You are the One who gives us rest and peace. Thank You, LORD, for gently lifting our heads up to You. Amen.
Psalm 62:5-6 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I heard a little snippet of a song on the radio the other day, and it spoke to me in such a visual way: But when I hear You whisper, "Child, lift up your head."
When children are sad, ashamed, or without hope, their natural body language is to lower their eyes and face; to bow their head, looking downcast. Adults do this, too. Jesus wants to lift up our heads. He puts His gentle hand under our chins, lifts our faces up to Him, and gives us hope. His face shines upon us, and He tells us, Child, lift up your head... I am enough for You, and I love You. Trust in Me and I will give you peace.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your simple assurances and gentle reminders. I praise You that You are our hope, our peace, and the One who makes us brand new. Let us remember, when we are sad, ashamed or feeling hopeless, that You are our answer. You are our hope. You are the One who gives us rest and peace. Thank You, LORD, for gently lifting our heads up to You. Amen.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Troubles
Psalm 46:1-3, 10 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging... Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 59:16-17 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.
As I went about my morning, I crossed paths with so many people who are troubled. We talked about world troubles, national troubles, and troubles in our own homes...
Yes, we live in troubled times at all levels of our lives... but, praise God and His abundant mercy and grace! We are His children! As children of God, we have His promises. And, oh, such joy and peace can come from those promises! Knowing He is our fortress, our refuge, our strength, and our ever-present help can change our worries to peace. My dear friends, rest in His peace and His presence. He knows it all and He is in control. Always.
Dear Heavenly Father, help us to remember Your promises when our world and our lives seem shaken and troubled. For we know that your Word says You are God -- Mighty, Powerful, and Unchanging. I praise You for Your ever-present help in our times of trouble. Thank You, LORD, that all is well with my soul. Amen.
Psalm 59:16-17 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.
As I went about my morning, I crossed paths with so many people who are troubled. We talked about world troubles, national troubles, and troubles in our own homes...
Yes, we live in troubled times at all levels of our lives... but, praise God and His abundant mercy and grace! We are His children! As children of God, we have His promises. And, oh, such joy and peace can come from those promises! Knowing He is our fortress, our refuge, our strength, and our ever-present help can change our worries to peace. My dear friends, rest in His peace and His presence. He knows it all and He is in control. Always.
Dear Heavenly Father, help us to remember Your promises when our world and our lives seem shaken and troubled. For we know that your Word says You are God -- Mighty, Powerful, and Unchanging. I praise You for Your ever-present help in our times of trouble. Thank You, LORD, that all is well with my soul. Amen.
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