Does it seem like your faith, trust, and love of God are tested almost daily? How well do you fare in obedience to the Lord? God provides a great example for us in the man Abraham. It is powerful to see how Abraham’s obedience foreshadows Jesus’ obedience to God in one particular story.
Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” –Genesis 22:1-2 (NLT)
Abraham and Sarah were barren and childless until they were in their 90’s, way past childbearing years, when God blessed them with the gift of Isaac. After waiting so long for a child, imagine you hear God say to offer that child as a burnt offering to the Lord. Would you be obedient?Continue reading “SACRIFICE”
How often does God call us to step out in faith in our Christian ministry, to say yes to further His kingdom?
How often are we obedient to those little promptings the Holy Spirit gives us?
How willing are you to challenge yourself, doing something out of your comfort zone, to say yes to a new adventure in your faith journey or ministry?
I was reflecting on these questions because of two occurrences this past week. One was my book launch where I shared about the making of God’s Presence Illuminated: Treasured Thoughts to Inspire Hope and Light, and the other was from a Bible study on the book of Jonah. Continue reading “SAYING YES”
A few simple words, though heartfelt, that I texted a friend of mine this week. I was describing what I saw in her daughter’s life as well as in my friend’s life.
Faith in action is something we are called to do daily, right? To not just KNOW about God’s word or just hear it only, but to put flesh and blood to that knowledge and faith by taking action; to find ways to live out that faith each and every day. Continue reading “FAITH IN ACTION”
Are you one, like so many of us, who is afraid to ask for help when you really are in need of some?
Have you ever been in a supervisory type role–either at work or in some type of ministry– and really dreaded asking people for the help that you really needed?
Maybe in your personal life you were going through a struggle and really needed to vent or have someone join you in prayer to make it through but were afraid to ask?Continue reading “ASK AND RECEIVE”
Did any of you readers watch that TV show this season?
Through the years I have enjoyed watching the regular So You Think You Can Dance show. I do enjoy being graced by the talent of the choreographers and the elegance of the dancers even though I am not personally musical or artistic. Continue reading “MENTORS”
Something you may not know about me is that through the years, I’ve earned the title of being a good “put the baby to sleep” gal. Well, that is probably true for all babies, except my own! 😃 Of course, they were more difficult. I like to think that I earned that title from having such a calming, peaceful effect on the babies; certainly not because of being boring! Continue reading “HIS EMBRACE”
Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in the “worldly” happenings and in our day-to-day chores—working, running the kids here and there, rushing to meetings, doing “church” things—that we tend to forget how near the Lord is and how He is working in our lives. Continue reading “GOD-INCIDENTS”
In a recent Bible study I was doing, the Lord opened my eyes to see something that I had not noticed before. It is a simple thing but it made me stop and reflect on the specialness of it.
Luke 22:31-32 says, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you, as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” –(NIV)
A phrase from the Bible that has sparked a chord in my heart (no pun intended!) recently is that
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered all these things in her heart.” Luke 2:19 (NIV)
and
“His mother treasured all these things in her heart.” Luke 2:51 (NIV)
The background to the first line is shortly after Jesus’ birth when an angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds in the fields nearby bringing them the good news of great joy for all people announcing the birth of Christ. Once the shepherds saw Jesus lying in the manger, they spread the words that the angel told them. How amazing is it to think that Mary, the mother of baby Jesus, took time and pondered all these things in her heart?
The passage from Luke 2:51 is when Jesus was about 12 years old and Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. When Mary and Joseph were heading home, after a day into the trip, they suddenly realized Jesus was missing. They headed back and THREE days later they found Jesus teaching in the temple. Jesus told Mary, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:49 (NIV) And, again, Mary treasured all these things in her heart.
I think we can relate with Mary on many levels.
…Her willingness to do what God asked of her–to be the Mother of Jesus…not telling God she would not do it.
…Pondering in her heart what Jesus’ life would be like…not announcing to everyone that He was the Holy One.
…Treasuring the thoughts of what Jesus would do for His Father…not getting angry at Jesus for not being with them.
…Knowing that Jesus was really here to do God’s will she had to release Jesus back to God. Imagine watching your Son suffer an excruciating, painful death being hung on the cross…
Have you ever thought about the hardship Mary endured as the Mother of Jesus experiencing these things? Yet, she left us a wonderful example. If she, being the Mother of Jesus, pondered and treasured all these events in her life, how much more should we ponder and treasure the words and parables Jesus shared with us?
Do you ever “ponder” things in your heart or “treasure things in your heart?” I think that is probably a natural thing to do especially if you are a parent. Different milestones in your child’s life might be something you ponder or treasure.
How about even Scripture passages or prayers for people? Do you “ponder” or “treasure in your heart” those things? How about the many “God incidents” you experience in your life? Do you share them with others to strengthen their faith too?
Here is a link to a song, Mary Did you Know, that I think is truly beautiful and makes one ponder what Mary was thinking. Listen and be blessed.
Mary lived a gentle, humble life pondering and treasuring even the little things…..Let us strive to be more like Mary in our lives.
2 Timothy 2:7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
With Christ as the center of our lives, we can possess a lasting happiness that will carry us through this life.
Christ gives a peace that surpasses all understanding despite all the trials we may be facing.
He is our best friend and will never, ever leave us even though others may desert us.
Our greatest hope is in the day we will meet Jesus face to face, and then spend eternity with Him.
This (Christ) is the lasting hope we can offer people as we live it and walk it each day. As Paul states in his First Letter to the Corinthians, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” (1 Cori 15:19)
Christ is the hope we need to offer others–it will change their lives forever!
I think the song, Cry Out to Jesus, by my favorite Christian band, Third Day, is such an inspiring, encouraging song that talks about the hope that Jesus provides. Take a listen and be blessed! Let the words penetrate your heart and soul.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11
