Just Ask

This morning the Lord took me to the book of Proverbs, the book of wisdom in the Old Testament. It is a perfect book to read in short moments with God. Every verse packs the power of wisdom that we sometimes overlook or fail to focus on.

"All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord," (Proverbs 16:2 NIV).

God sees everything we do, say, and think. He knows what hides behind the action, the words, and the thoughts we have. I wonder how many times I have disappointed God. 

The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom, written in short snippets by Solomon, known as the wisest man of Old Testament time. He compiled these treasures on how to become wise, and how to do what is right and just and fair. God requires honesty and fairness in our lives. It may not be easy. That's when we can ask God for discernment and the courage to be truthful, and the righteousness to be honest and fair.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed," (Proverbs16:3 NIV).

When I started to pray for God's guidance before I started writing, I found that He helped me. That is a practice I continue. God gives me topics and scripture and ideas to help me with what I am writing. He can give us the words we need in difficult conversations. He can redirect our thoughts when we are stuck on something depressing or wrong. Just ask.

O gracious God and Father of us all, we lift our arms in praise for all You help us do. We ask for Your blessing on the task that is before us today. Guide us, strengthen us, correct us when we go the wrong way. Thank You for the wisdom You gave Solomon that teaches us even today.We ask for Your wisdom in all that we do and say and think today. We pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

To God be the glory!

Power Not Timidity

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline,"              (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV). 

This verse always catches my eye because I am a rather shy or timid person. But this verse tells me I should not be timid because the Holy Spirit is in me giving me power, love, and self-discipline. So why do I forget this when I face meeting someone new or especially a group of people I don't know? Instead, I let my feelings of fear and selfishness take control of my actions.

I have been shy forever. I remember hiding behind my mother's dresses when I was young. And turning beet-red in the face whenever an adult talked to me. I don't know why I am that way, but even now as an adult believer, I struggle to put the Holy Spirit's power and self-discipline to work.

Paul's letters to Timothy are a wealth of instruction for new Christians and old ones alike. He tells us to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus," (2 Timothy 2:1 NIV). Look at the gifts we receive when we accept Jesus as our Savior, and are filled with the Holy Spirit!

Heavenly Father, help me in my timidity. Remind me that You are alive in me, giving me the spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. Thank You for sending Your Son to die on the cross for our sins. Forgive me for hiding my faith behind others, instead of speaking up with His strength to do the work You have for me to do. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. 

To God be the glory!

Hello, October

Hello, October.. I can't believe you are here already.You arrived with rain drops in Iowa, raindrops we are tired of. We look forward to the sun that is predicted tomorrow. We are weary of the mud and sloshy lawns. But, we know that you come with the promise of changing colors, cool mornings and evenings, football games and volleyball games. We anticipate the beauty that comes with the turning of the calendar page. Welcome, October.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose," (Romans 8:28 NIV).

Not all things that happen to us seem good. But, God can use every instance we endure for long-range good if we love God and are called according to His purpose. Sometimes we wonder how in the world God can make something good out of a situation. When we have the Holy Spirit in us, we trust God and look ahead to the eternal life that awaits believers. That promise wipes away the pain, the suffering, the persecution, and the sorrow we feel in our earthly lives.

Thank You, God, for being with us through every trial and painful experience. Thank You also for all the good that You bless us with. Thank You for the seasons You have created for us to experience, and for the blessings that fill our hearts with joy. Surround us with Your love when we face unspeakable pain and remind us of the eternal home You have prepared for us. We praise You, God, and we love you. Guide us in Your purpose for us, we pray. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

To God be the glory!

God's Testimony

Driving down a tree-lined street near our neighborhood I saw two maple trees with a strikingly rich red section of leaves. It looked like God had taken a brush and swiped through the tree, touching only one section. Somewhere I read that the colors of fall are to be especially beautiful this year. Only time will tell. 

There is no rushing the colors of autumn. They seem to appear magically. One day the color-embellished leaves appear where the day before there was green. As we drove through the hills of northern Arkansas last week I noticed touches of brown dotting the landscape.

"Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy," (Acts 14:17 NIV).

As we enjoy this season of fall, let us pay attention to the testimony of God all around us. No human can touch the leaves and change the colors. Only God can. May every leaf that falls on your lawn be evidence of the blessings from God. Even as you rake bushel baskets of them until your back aches.

Oh, Gracious God, giver of all things, open our eyes anew to the beauty of Your Creation. We thank You for this season and Your testimony. We know You are real! Thank You for sending Jesus to live and die for our Salvation. And thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit to live in us and to guide our lives through every season. We worship You and praise You, praying in the name of Jesus, Amen.

To God be the glory!

Autumn Arrived

Tuesday was the first day of autumn. We were driving the hills of Arkansas that day and saw a sprinkling of gold among the green trees. It was still warm and humid there. No jackets were needed until we returned to Iowa. I hear it has been rainy most days. The grass grew while we were gone. I will look for more signs of fall today.

Fall is a beautiful time of year. Autumn flowers bloom and the leaves change colors creating a landscape of beauty. The palette God uses is filled with rich, warm shades that fill our views with awe. The fields of green corn and soybeans quickly change to gold as the harvest comes near.

Life is often given the symbolism of the seasons. I think of fall as the time we are most productive. Our labor produces a rich harvest in the fall of our lives. We grow in wisdom and in faith.

"The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good," (Ecclesiastes 9:17-18 NIV).

Solomon's words of wisdom in Ecclesiastes offer a good perspective for our lives. The verses above seem especially appropriate for us today.

Lord God, fill us with wisdom this autumn. Show us the things we need to learn and understand. Guide us in our walk of faith so that we please You in all we do and say. We pray in the holy name of Jesus. Amen.

Rules

How are you at following rules? As adults we may not think we have to follow rules but we actually have many rules to follow. When we drive we have many traffic rules to follow: speed limits, stop signs, yield signs, parking does and don'ts. There are weight limits on our suitcases at the airport. First come, first served. Watch your diet, from the doctor.

Christians have rules to follow as given by God to Moses: the Ten Commandments. But a new covenant was established in Jesus Christ, as professed by the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah, hundreds of years before.

"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people," (Hebrews 8:10, Jeremiah 31:33 NIV).

Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to live in believers, helping us live the life as God desires. With the Holy Spirit we are reminded of the way we should live. It helps us follow the path that God desires for our lives, and fulfill the purpose He has planned for us.

Lord God, we are Your people. We thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit to guide us. Help us listen to His whispers and do the good we should do. We are so thankful that You are our God, and that You sent Jesus Christ to carry our sins to the cross. We pray in the name of Jesus, Amen. 

Just Say Jesus

Sometimes it is hard to pray. It doesn't seem like a hard thing to do - put together a few words that express what my heart is feeling. But there were times when I needed others to pray for me. I just couldn't speak words to my God.

Maybe it was a Christian maturity thing, or maybe it was such a crushing, painful thing that I was just completely overwhelmed. Now, I do not remember that feeling, but I remember asking others to pray. Then, sometime I read this scripture and learned to say, "Jesus."

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue  confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father," (Philippians 2:9-11 NIV).

Then in 2013 a song, "Just Say Jesus" by 7eventh Time Down was played on the Christian radio station I listened to. The words expressed just what I had been feeling.

"Life gets tough, and times get hard
It’s hard to find the truth in all the lies

If you’re tired of wondering why
Your heart isn’t healing
And nothing feels like home
Cause you’re lost and alone just screaming at the sky

When you don’t know what to say
Just say Jesus
There is power in the name
The name of Jesus
If the words won’t come
Cause you’re to afraid to pray
Just say Jesus

Whisper it now, or shout it out
However it comes out, He hears your cry
Out of nowhere He will come, you got to believe it
He will rescue you
Just call out to the Way, The Truth, The Light

When you don’t know what to say
Just say Jesus
There is power in the name
The name of Jesus
If the words won’t come
Cause you’re to afraid to pray
There is just one name
Strong enough to save
There is just one name
There is just one name
Jesus

When you don’t know what to say

Just say Jesus
There’s still power in the name
The name of Jesus
If the words wont come
Cause you’re to afraid to pray
If the words wont come
And you don’t know what to say
Just say Jesus"

Oh, Gracious, Loving God, I'm so thankful that I can say "Jesus" and You listen to my cry. When I feel overwhelmed I can cry out to Jesus and He hears me. Lord, help those suffering in pain or grief or depression just call out the name of Jesus and You will answer. I'm so thankful You are there, Lord. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.