Decisions

Just two more days and the political commercials will be finished. I don't think I'm the only one who is ready to have the ads stop. Tuesday, November 5 is Election Day. Many people have already voted by absentee ballot or in person at the election office in their home county. 

General election day is held the first Tuesday of November. That is a United States federal law established in 1845. Presidential elections are held every four years for all qualified voters, no matter your party affiliation, your gender or your race. Each of us has the power to elect. It is a privilege to complete one ballot for all United States citizens, 18 years old on or before election day, not convicted of a felony (unless voting rights have been reinstated), or "incompetent to vote" as deemed by a court of law.

The scripture as written by Joel prophesied to the people of Judah to turn their lives back to God and receive forgiveness for their sins. They had a life-changing decision to make.

"Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision," (Joel 3:14 NIV).

Our votes will not be as life-changing as the decision we make to follow Jesus. Our decision to be like Jesus is reflected in our lives, our actions, our love, our integrity, our honesty and our kindness. That is indeed life-changing. God wants us to please Him in everything we do, including every decision we make.

Dear Lord, We desire to follow Your Will for our lives. You have entrusted us with the ability to make decisions and You allow us to make mistakes. Help us, Lord, to follow You in all we do or say. Heal our broken and hurting country, and give us peace. We trust in You alone, Lord. Guide us and love us through whatever lies ahead. We pray in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen. 

Like a Little Child

Goodbye October. The Trick-or-Treaters come tonight in Ankeny. It is very unusual for cities to change the day of Trick-or-Treating, but because of the storms predicted they moved it from last night. And it was a good thing. There were downpours and lightening and wind and even tornado watches last evening. Thank you, Ankeny, for protecting the children. 

As grandparents, we are to guide our grandchildren (and other children) toward Christ by our example, our words, and our actions of kindness and love. Children are so easy to love. Their innocence requires us to be accountable for teaching them about Jesus and the Word. Children are dependent upon the adults around them. Children trust the people near them. They are humble and sincere. They are a blessing to us and we are to be like them.

"Jesus called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me,"" (Matthew 18:2-5 NIV).

As the children come to our doors tonight, dressed in costumes we may not even recognize, we need to show them kindness in our words and actions, and with our treats. They will bring smiles and laughter, and riddles to solve. They will delight us with their excitement and eyes of wonder.

Dear Lord, help us be beacons of light to the children we meet today. We pray for the little ones to learn about You and to trust in us and in You. Protect the children as they are out traveling through our neighborhoods tonight. Keep them safe and shelter them from anything or anyone who might make them stumble in their faith. Lord, we pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.

More Like Jesus

 I want to be more like Jesus. 

Every day I start out ready to be like Him, then I mess up somehow. I say or do the wrong thing. I know I can never be perfect but I'd sure like to be a little closer to being without defect.

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me," (John 15:4 NIV).

Remain in me, Heavenly Father, lead me to do the right things and say only good words. Let the Holy Spirit work in me and lead me to righteousness. Use me to shine Your love upon the little part of the world that I touch. Show me the Way in all I do. Make me more like Jesus. Amen.

An old hymn that speaks the message I need to hear today is "More Like Jesus Would I Be" written by Fanny J. Crosby and William H. Doane in 1867. The words follow:

"More like Jesus would I be, Let my Savior dwell in me; Fill my soul with peace and love, Make me gentle as a dove; More like Jesus while I go, Pilgrim in this world below; Poor of spirit would I be; Let my Savior dwell in me. If He hears the raven's cry, If His ever watchful eye Marks the sparrows when they fall, Surely He will hear my call: He will teach me how to live, All my sinful thoughts forgive; Pure in heart I still would be; Let my Savior dwell in me. More like Jesus when I pray, More like Jesus day by day; May I rest me by His side, Where the tranquil waters glide; Born of Him, through grace renewed, By His love my will subdued, Rich in faith I still would be; Let my Savior dwell in me."

It is a new week, and a new day to follow Him and welcome Him to remain in me. I'm thankful I don't have to walk alone in this life. Remain in me, Jesus. Make me more like You.

The Glory of Fall

This fall seems like one of the most colorful seasons I remember. The trees are just amazingly beautiful; at the peak of color in Central Iowa right now. I praise God for His artistic designs all around us! This is one of my favorite trees. We have been watching it grow since we moved to Ankeny eight years ago. It is our view out our deck door or our kitchen window.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shining shadows," (James 1:17 NIV).

The autumn fields are becoming bare as harvest continues during this very dry season. The clouds of dust are evidence of a working combine or corn picker. Semis are parked along the fields waiting to be filled by the golden corn and soybeans. It still thrills me to watch the farmers work the harvest.

One of my favorite fall hymns is "We Plow the Fields, and Scatter". The words are perfect for this season. 

"We plow the fields, and scatter The good seed on the land, But it is fed and watered By God's almighty hand; He sends the snow in winter, The warmth to swell the grain, The breezes and the sunshine, And soft refreshing rain. All good gifts around us Are sent from heaven above; Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord For all His love. He only is the Maker Of all things near and far, He paints the wayside flower, He lights the evening star; The winds and waves obey Him, By Him the birds are fed; Much more to us, His children, He gives our daily bread. All good gifts around us Are sent from heaven above; Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord For all His love. We thank Thee then, O Father, For all things bright and good, The seed-time and the harvest, Our life, our health, our food; Accept the gifts we offer For all Thy love imparts, And what Thou most desires, Our humble, thankful hearts. All good gifts around us Are sent from heaven above; Then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord For all His love." Written by Matthias Claudius, 1782 and Johann A. P. Schulz, 1800; Trans. by Jane M. Campbell, 1861.

Holy Father, I pray this morning with grateful heart for the beauty of the earth. You fill our lives with bountiful blessings for which I am so thankful. Guide my steps and control the words I speak, so I am pleasing to You in all I do today. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

 

Changing the World

The world. What an all-encompassing word. Everywhere we look there is lying, evil, bitterness, racism and prejudice. As Christians we are called away from worldly customs, to follow You instead. Yet, we are encircled by the world and have to live and work within the world's values that often include selfishness, envy, hatred and corruption.

Scriptures tell us to give up pride, covetousness, selfishness, arrogance, cheating and stubbornness - the world's ways. Instead, we are to choose behaviors that are fitting for God's plan. That means we must allow our minds to be renewed by the Holy Spirit. It is our goal to walk in God's purpose for our lives.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will," (Romans 12:2 NIV).

Christians are called to discern what is right. Paul spends several chapters of Romans giving guidelines on how we should behave. "We are to give ourselves to Christ as living sacrifices, obey the government, love our neighbors, and take special care of those who are weak in the faith," (Life Application Study Bible NIV).

Living in Christ is challenging at times. Once we accept Jesus as our Savior He lives in us and He is always there to help us through the tough times. He helps us reject the evil of the world and be molded into faith-filled believers who can change the world.

Dear God, we need You today. Encompass us with Your protection. Fortify us so we can stand up to what is wrong. Help us make right decisions, and strengthen our faith so we can be Your Light to others around us. In Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Goal Setting

When I forget how old I am, I often think like I did when I was younger. I don't know how many years are ahead in my life, but I still set goals. They aren't big lofty goals; often my goals are just to get through the day. 

I read a book by Mark Batterson, "Win the Day," that was full of encouragement toward setting a goal and working toward your dream every day. I may be too old to dream but I think it is good to have goals. One of my goals is to bring glory to God with all that I do. It is perhaps a lofty goal, but it is something I strive for everyday. Some days I am an utter failure. But, I keep striving.

Mark Batterson said, "Show me the size of your dream and I'll show you the size of your God."

The Bible is also full of encouragement toward setting goals in life. Hebrews 11 is filled with evidence of how having faith combines assurance and anticipation of what God can do. My Life Application Bible commentary says, "When we believe that God will fulfill his promises even though we don't see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith (see John 20:24-31)".

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 3:13b-14 NIV). 

That is my ultimate goal in life - to be called "heavenward in Christ Jesus". 

Dear God, hear our prayers today and lift us up with the assurance of Your promises. We come to You with our dreams and goals, confident that You can do anything. Help us achieve our goals with Your guidance. We know You are big, God. Really big! We are thankful that we can trust in You always. In Jesus' Holy Name we pray. Amen.

"Just Thinking"

When I was in high school we had a young man from Ramallah Palestine live with us and attend school. He was placed in a grade level too high and his understanding of English was rough. Still he worked very hard to learn. One of his frequent phrases was, "just thinking." Whenever he was quiet for awhile he would respond with "just thinking."

I can't even imagine all that was going through his head as he struggled to use a new language, learn a new culture, adjust to being away from his family, and live in a new country. We also introduced him to Christianity as he attended church and youth group with me. He was like a sponge, absorbing everything around him.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things," (Philippians 4:8 NIV).

Ali and I remain "brother" and "sister" even after all these years. He finished high school out east with a relative and went on to college. He attended Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, and graduated from there. He has a successful office in Buffalo, New York, where he is now semi-retired.

Dear Lord, as we begin a new day and a new week, guide our thoughts to what is good, as suggested by Paul. Thank You for all good things You have given us. We thank You especially for the life of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. We pray in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.