Friday, March 6, 2020

March 6

Focus! How do you focus when there are so many distractions that draw you away from your intentions? I made it through a few chapters of Leviticus, thankfully I’m nearing the end of it, but I became distracted and began thinking about other things; I stopped where I was, so maybe tomorrow I will be able to pay more attention. Could that be the answer? Why beat yourself up for not being able to focus? Maybe you’ve gotten what you needed, and have given the Lord all you have for the moment, and it’s time to move on. I would say that a few minutes of your whole attention upon the Lord, is better than hours of distracted time, where you are mixing your quiet time with your everyday things. 

Many of you struggle with the issue of distraction. What I normally do is start first thing in the morning, before anyone is awake, get my coffee, pray, and go straight into God’s Word. Today, I broke my own rules and decided to look at my email, and I got completely off-track. This was a good lesson for me to stay on task, and not start anything else until I’ve given my time to the Lord. You know yourself better than anyone, so set your own rules, just as I have, and try not to break them.

"And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed." Mark 1:35

Thursday, March 5, 2020

March 5

When you get to hold a newborn baby, something beautiful flourishes within you. The sweet noises, the tiny hand that wraps around your finger, and the delight in your heart that wells up within you, means there is something good in this world. The love and the passion of the parents, and the siblings bind them together to become a family forever. Who is this new life? What are they bringing into this world that we can’t live without? For now, it’s just love, but soon we will be able to see their traits blossom, and God’s purpose for them will be exposed for all to see. So unselfish is the love of a mother and father who chooses life, which shouldn’t be a choice at all. God planted a seed, and he expects for it to live and grow, that is his plan, and they have a purpose. Will this new child have a heart for Jesus? He surely will! If you begin to teach your children to trust the Lord, as if there is no other way, they may run off and sow a few oats, but they will return to their first love, the one who loves them the most, Jesus. Teach your children and grandchildren about our amazing Creator, and tell them of the sacrifice that he made, and of the love he has for us. One day they too will commit their life to him, and follow him wherever he leads. 

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

March 4

March forth! Keep moving! Don’t get stuck in the past! We are a product of our past; our mannerisms, personality, and heart, are shaped by our experiences. May it never be said of me that I have become the vile person that sin has caused. Believe me, we have all experienced hatefulness, rejection, and harm that was caused by others. I always try to remember that the person causing the pain are also in pain, and a product of their experiences. Who hurt them so badly that they must lash out at those around them? It is up to me to get beyond my past, and also to not allow the feelings of others to reflect upon me; their feelings belong to them - this is when you need a Teflon shield to protect you from letting negativity penetrate to your heart. Cry out to Jesus; he is your protection. It is Satan’s goal to keep you offended and in the chains of rejection, don’t let him win.

There is a lot of hand washing going on right now because of sickness and disease; cleanse your heart from the filth of others, just like you’re cleaning your hands; don’t let someone’s emotional disease infect you.

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."  Proverbs 4:23

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

March 3

My elderly neighbor locked herself out of her house. She had gone out to get her early morning paper, and somehow locked the door behind her. She was beyond frustrated, and in a bit of a panic. I brought her into my home and gave her a cup of coffee while my husband tried to break into her house. What would you do? If you’re a decent person, you would do your best to help her, just as we did. If we hadn’t helped, she would have gone to someone else, and who knows what kind of help she would have received. 

Now, imagine your friend being locked out of the Kingdom of Heaven, and they came to you for help, but you were too busy to lend a hand, or give them guidance. You can guarantee that they will seek help somewhere else, but what they may find could be of a different spirit, and lead them in the wrong direction. People don’t know that the answer to their problems is Jesus, and will seek help anywhere they can find it. Be the one who leads them to Jesus, who is the keys to the kingdom.

Just as my husband was about to break her lock, another good neighbor came over with a key. You may not know all the answers, but be a part of the process of giving hope.

"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Monday, March 2, 2020

March 2

And now we hear about a disease that is going to kill us all, and many have already died in China. Who really trusts a communist nation to tell the truth? How much do we believe the news today, with so much false information, it’s easy to become cynical. Many people have already panicked, causing Wall Street and other world trading to be impacted. Our lives are threatened every day, do we go into hiding because of the danger? No, we continue to live, and if it’s our time, we will move on to much better things and be in the presence of Jesus. Let me remind you of what fear is: False Evidence Appearing Real! The things they are telling us to do the prevent the spread of this illness, are things we should be doing anyway; wash your hands and don’t touch your face until you do! Now I’m not saying that a Christian won’t get sick, because we all have times when we do, but we are promised a divine protection - if reports are true, this disease resembles what the Bible calls a plague. I will accept God’s promise as my own and pray it over my family, and I suggest you do the same.

Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalms 91:9-11

Sunday, March 1, 2020

March 1

We get one extra day every four years, and what do I do? Taxes! I wish it was easy, and could press a button and have everything fall into place, ready for the accountant. Unfortunately, my record keeping is not good enough to do that, so I must painstakingly compile our income and expenses one by one. I’m still not done! Though I have everything compiled, my accountant has a book, about two inches thick, for me to fill in the blanks! If only I had that button. We try to be as accurate as possible to avoid an audit by the IRS! 

One day, we will be held accountable for the things we have done. Thankfully, most of us are hidden in Christ, and our sins are covered. However, there are those who are not fully consecrated to the Lord, and have made a half-hearted commitment to him, if this is you, I fear for you. Are you lukewarm? Riding the middle of the road? Get in, or get out! Let your yeses mean yes, and your noes mean no. There will be no half-hearted souls in heaven, only those who are fully committed to Jesus. Just like being accountable to the government for your income and expenses, you will be accountable to Jesus for your failings, and accomplishments.

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15-16