Monday Morning Memo: Scared to Death!

I remember the day well.  I was getting ready to step out on the platform to preach and my mentor in the ministry was there too.  He looked at me and asked if I was nervous and I assured him that I was.  He answered, “Good.  The day you don’t feel some nerves before preaching…you might want to check yourself.  Stepping into the pulpit is a huge responsibility because you are representing our Lord and sharing what He has laid on your heart.  It’s never for our glory…but for His…and that responsibility should make you have some nerves.”  I hope I will never forget those words which were spoken to me many years ago at a time when I was learning to step way out of my comfort zone.

 

Few people love to step out of their comfort zone.  Most of us enjoy feeling comfy where we are…doing what we always do…when we always do it.  So, when the Lord starts telling us it is time to get out of those cozy surroundings because He has something new for us to do…fear and anxiety can easily overwhelm us.  Trust me…I’ve been there many times and I’m confident I could lead a group called C.Z.Anonymous (aka Comfort Zone Anonymous).

 

It gives me reassurance though to know there were those in the Bible who weren’t crazy about pushing the boundaries in their lives either.  Remember Moses?  When he was told to lead his people out of Egypt…he struggled to believe he could do it since he had murdered an Egyptian and was rejected by his Hebrew brothers.  He worried that the people wouldn’t believe him or even listen to him because he wasn’t good at public speaking.

 

Then there was Jeremiah.  God wanted him to be a speaker and warn the people of their sins and the punishment to come.  Jeremiah resisted the call and said he was too young and didn’t know how to speak.  

 

Did God agree with them and let them off the hook?  No, He didn’t.  For Moses, he allowed his brother Aaron to speak for him.  For Jeremiah, God told him He would put the words in his mouth for him to say.  He told him not to worry because He would be with him and protect him.  God never gave up on either of them and whatever Moses and Jeremiah needed to carry out His plans…God provided.

 

There are many others in the Bible, but what about you and me?  How willing are we to do whatever God calls us to do?  What excuses can we come up with so that hopefully God will realize He chose the wrong person?  I don’t know about you…but I usually have a “ready” list to recite back my objections.

 

What if Moses and Jeremiah had just stayed in their comfort zones and rejected God’s call?  Could God have accomplished His plan without them?  Of course He could have.  But what blessings would they have missed because they didn’t follow God’s perfect plan for them?

 

What if you and I choose to stay in our comfort zones and reject God’s call?  This is a question I am currently asking myself.  I believe He is using these turbulent days in our world, to speak to each one of us concerning what we can do to make a difference…what we can do to further His kingdom.  We have a world full of people who desperately need to see Jesus and if they don’t see Him in us…they may never see Him at all.

 

God is speaking. But if I’m honest, I must admit that I’m good at immediately pulling out my list of objections…hoping maybe He will choose someone else.  But He doesn’t give up on me and continues to whisper His plan.  My prayer is that I will continue to listen and allow Him to guide me every step of the way.

 

How about you?  I’m confident God is speaking, and it will be up to you as to whether you choose to listen.  I want to encourage you to take the next step in His plan and let Him worry about all the things which have you scared to death. If He could help Moses and Jeremiah with the huge tasks which were put before them…and if He could help me preach on that Sunday many years ago (especially in front of my mentor!)…He surely can help you!   

 

Jesus looked at them intently and said, 

“Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. 

Everything is possible with God.”

Mark 10:27

Monday Morning Memo: "Hidden" Sins

Occasionally, I’ll come across a graphic that just stops me in my tracks.  Today’s graphic is one of them.  I saw this the other day and at first I thought, “Well duh…of course that is true”.  But then I realized that I sometimes forget this very basic truth.  God does see everything I do…but why don’t I always live in a way that shows I believe it?  How many times in my life have I done something I knew wasn’t pleasing to my Jesus…but I just figured He wouldn’t notice.  I mean…He is so busy with all the major disasters going on and this upside-down world we are living in…He surely isn’t paying any attention to my “small” sins.

 

I have a question for you and me.  Why do we brag about our Jesus being all-knowing and all-powerful…but then hope to high heavens He doesn’t see what we are doing when we sin?  Rather silly, isn’t it?  But unfortunately, I’m guessing all of us have done this at some point.  Oh, maybe we figure it isn’t a “big” sin.  Maybe it’s just reading books or watching movies which we know we shouldn’t be reading or watching.  Or, maybe it’s just speaking to our spouse in a way we know we wouldn’t…if we saw Jesus standing next to us.  Or maybe it’s just that white lie we told the person who called because we surely didn’t want to have to spend time with them.  Why, it could even be that money we took “under the table” in our job so we wouldn’t have to report it on our taxes.  When we figure out all the “big” sins we see going on in our world today…surely ours can be hidden and ignored.

 

Psalms 139: 1-6 says, “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.  You know everything I do.  You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.  You go before me and follow me.  You place your hand of blessing on my head.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!”  We read these words and we often think how wonderful it is that He knows everything about us…until we really comprehend that He DOES know EVERYTHING about us!  AND, He still loves us anyway…with all our faults and failures.  Such amazing love.

 

It’s because of His amazing love for us that He wants so much more for us.  He wants us to look more and more like Him…to be more Christ-like in everything we do…and that will never happen if we just continue to think we can hide our sins from Him.  Later in Psalm 139, we find these words, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

 

I know if I really do want to look like Christ, my desire…my longing… should be for Him to point out those things in my life which aren’t pleasing to Him.  Then I must be willing to ask for forgiveness and put those things aside which are weighing me down and holding me back from being a totally devoted follower of His.  I know that some days will be harder than others to really listen to His leading and then be obedient…but if my heart is truly given to Him…it will be so worth it as He leads me along the path of everlasting life.  

 

As we go throughout our week, let’s keep today’s graphic in our mind with each decision we make.  Let’s take a moment to ask ourselves if we are trying to “hide” in our sin…hoping and praying He isn’t looking.  Or, are we thrilled to pieces He is right by our side…enjoying the journey with us. The decision my friend…is ours to make. 

Monday Morning Memo: Being Intentional

Well today is Labor Day, which is a sure sign that summer is coming to an end.  UGH.  As I have shared before, summer is my favorite season of the year and winter is my least favorite.  So, I’m praying that we have many more sun-soaked, warm days before the snow flies!

Labor Day is a day when we honor the American worker; those people who work hard day in and day out to keep this world of ours moving forward.  Everywhere we look, we see laborers who are faithfully doing their job to the best of their ability.  Yes, I’m not naïve enough to think that everyone is doing their very best and working their hardest…but I don’t want to dwell today on those who choose to do just enough to get by.

 

I think we would probably all agree that many of America’s workforce is stressed beyond measure.  Rising prices, lay-offs and an unsettled future has many struggling to pay their bills and feed their children. I oversee a ministry where we help fill the shelves of our local food ministries and they are all telling me that the numbers keep rising and there are families coming for help who thought they would never, ever need help such as this.

I think it is even more important then to be observant of those with whom we come in contact as we go about our daily lives.  In many cases, we have no idea what each person is facing in their life and we may not realize that some are at their breaking point.  They may be holding on by a thread, and it just may be that our making sure we “see” them, could be what makes the difference.  I think so many people feel invisible in this world and believe no one cares…no one even sees them.  

 

It is so important that we recognize and appreciate these workers today on Labor Day and in the days to come.  It doesn’t matter whether they are a cashier, a salesperson, a teacher, a lawyer, a ditch-digger, a stay-at-home parent or a doctor.  We need to make the effort to truly “see” them and thank them for what they are doing.   Many give their all in everything they do…even when the world seems to be unhinged…but never have anyone notice.  It is easy to become so busy in our day that we overlook those whom God has placed in our path who need an encouraging word.  

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, as we go throughout each day, we were intentional in praising those we see?  It doesn’t have to take a lot of our time; sometimes just a simple, heartfelt “thank-you” is appropriate.  Maybe it is just asking the cashier how he or she is before they can say anything to us.  Maybe it is writing our child’s teacher a note, thanking him or her for all they do to instruct our loved one.  Maybe it is taking the time to tell our spouse how much we appreciate all they do each day to make our lives easier. 

The list of those we can encourage is endless.  The key is that we must be intentional; otherwise opportunities will be missed.  The amazing thing is that as we lift the spirits of others, we will also be blessed.  The reason is that we can’t out-give God…so as we deliberately strive to bless others…we will be blessed in return.

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So, let me begin by thanking all of you, my readers, for the love, support and encouragement you have shown me.  I am so humbled that you take your valuable time to read my ramblings.  Some of you I know quite well and there are others whom I have never met.  Regardless, you have blessed me immeasurably and my prayer is that God will shower you with His blessings as you continue your journey with Him!

 
“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Philippians 1:3-6

Monday Morning Memo: A Stuck Tongue

Sometimes I come across verses in the Bible which probably weren’t meant to be funny…but they make me chuckle.  The reason is that I immediately picture in my mind what it would look like if these words were describing me.  Let me share an example:

 

“Then the Spirit came into me and set me on my feet. He spoke to me and said, ‘Go to your house and shut yourself in. There, son of man, you will be tied with ropes so you cannot go out among the people. And I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth so that you will be speechless and unable to rebuke them, for they are rebels. But when I give you a message, I will loosen your tongue and let you speak. Then you will say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says! Those who choose to listen will listen, but those who refuse will refuse, for they are rebels.’” (Ezekiel 3:24-27)

 

I’m thinking this might be a very good idea for me…except I’m guessing I probably wouldn’t be talking very much.  If I’m honest, if God would make my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth so that I couldn’t say the wrong thing…it would definitely be a lot quieter at my house 

 

You see, my mouth is often my downfall.  It is so easy for me to speak before I think…and as a result…wrong things can be said.  I think this happens sometimes because I’m already thinking about what I should say next, while the other person is talking.   So, the second they take a breath…I quickly blurt out what I’ve been thinking about, and it can be the wrong words…because I truly wasn’t listening to what the other person was telling me.

 

Oh, how much easier it would be if God would just make it so that I couldn’t talk unless my words were His words!  And can you imagine what a difference it would make in our world if all of us could only speak when God wanted us to speak or post on social media when He directed us to do so?  

 

As I’m sure you have noticed…right now in our world there are so many words being thrown around that I am confident are not pleasing to God.  To be honest…my heart is breaking over the hateful, spiteful words which some Christians are spewing out to degrade others.   Social media makes it all too easy to slam blast someone with words we would never have the courage to say in person…so we hide behind the keyboard to deeply hurt others.  As children of the King, every action and every reaction we have should be based on Biblical principles…not on our emotions.  When we choose to run our life based on how we feel instead of on what God teaches…Satan claps…because He knows it won’t take much to cause division.  What a tragedy.

 

James 1:19 says, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters:  You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”  Unfortunately, I have not perfected this verse in my life, and I know it is something I need to work on.  How about you?  Maybe it would be a good idea if all of us would make a point today to be quick to listen (even to those who may have a different opinion than us)…slow to speak (even when we are confident our way is the right way) …and slow to get angry (even when we really want to give others a piece of our mind).  

 

Would you pray with me?  “Father, I know that my words can either lift up…or tear apart.  Guard my mouth, Lord; keep watch over my lips…so that I will only speak…or write…those things which are pleasing to you. Help me to act and react according to your Word…instead of my emotions.  I know the world is watching and listening Lord…may I be the light that is needed in this very dark world.  Amen.” 

Monday Morning Memo: Worship

What do you think of when you hear the word “worship”?  If we look the word up for a definition…we will find:  to honor or show reverence for a divine being or supernatural power or to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion.  

 

To be honest, when I hear this word…that’s not the first thing I think of.  I immediately think of a set time on Sunday mornings when I attend a worship service.  So, I think of more of a set routine…instead of the action of worship.  Of course, I do worship God while I’m there…it’s just not the first thing that comes to my mind.  

 

I got to thinking about this recently when I was working in my kitchen.  I happened to be home alone and I had several things that needed done.  Oftentimes, I listen to a local Christian radio station while I work…but on this particular day I decided to tell “Alexa” to play the Gaither Vocal Band Radio station.  Song after song started playing:

 

Come, Jesus Come

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Because He Lives

In The Garden

Glorify Thy Name

Lord, I’m Coming Home

I Love You, Lord

Standing on Holy Ground…and the list went on and on…

 

As I listened to these songs…I began to feel God’s presence in such a powerful way in my kitchen.  It was as if He was right beside me and I was standing on holy ground. As I listened, I felt overwhelmed with emotion.  There were moments when I stopped what I was doing and raised my hands in worship…with tears in my eyes…giving praise to God through the songs.  

 

As I reflected on this later that day…I was reminded that I don’t need to wait until Sunday morning to worship.  I have the privilege of worshipping my Savior at any time and in any place.  I don’t need to be in a certain building…sitting in a pew…being led by a worship leader.  Now, I thoroughly enjoy worshipping with my brothers and sisters in Christ in our church…but I’m missing out on so much if that’s the only time during my week when I spend time praising Him.

 

You see, it’s not the location that makes the difference…it’s the condition of my heart.  If I will open my heart to be in tune with God’s promptings…I can feel His presence no matter where I am.

 

What about you?  When was the last time you truly worshipped?  If you aren’t involved in a local congregation…I want to urge you to make it a priority to find one.  Hebrews 10:25 reminds us, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage oneanother, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near”.  Worshipping with my church family helps set the tone for my entire week and I really miss it if I’m not there.

 

But remember that you don’t have to wait to be in a building to lift praise to God.  Read His Word…listen to Christian radio…spend time in prayer.  He IS right there beside you…no matter where you are…and you can have a sweet time of worship regardless of your surroundings!

Monday Morning Memo: "Healthcare"

This post probably won’t make me friends.  In fact, some of you who follow my blog may choose to stop following…and that is your choice.  I don’t answer for anyone but myself, and when God lays something on my heart and tells me to start writing…I’ve learned I better obey.

 

To say I am disturbed by the recent action of the Massachusetts governor who signed a bill to allow abortions up to birth in her state…is an understatement.  Many stood around her…smiling and applauding this as healthcare for women.  This is not healthcare…this is murder.  

 

There have been times in my life when I was so upset at the actions of people and when I have voiced my frustration to my husband…he has wisely said that I was expecting the person to act like a Christian when they do not profess the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.  But in this situation in Massachusetts…there are Christians who agree with this bill which was signed into law.  Christians…who profess a personal relationship with Christ.  Christians who will in one breath say it is wrong for someone to kill another person…but will say that abortion is different and acceptable.  Christians who say it is a woman’s choice to do with her body what she pleases and who are they to judge.  Christians who stand in a pulpit and take on the responsibility of preaching from God’s Word…saying the commandment in the Bible “Thou shall not murder” does not apply to abortion.   

 

I cannot wrap my head around how any person…who has been blessed with children…can look at their child and believe it would have been ok to kill them the day before they were born.  Many argue that they aren’t actually a person until they are born.  So, if that is true, then I would love to ask those parents these questions:  If you are holding your baby in your arms on the day they entered this world…how in the world can you say that it would have been ok to murder that baby 24 hours earlier?  Wasn’t that baby alive the day before?  Wasn’t he or she kicking inside the womb and getting into position to make his or her appearance?  What is different about that child the day before to make it an ok decision to end this precious child’s life as a part of your “healthcare”?  

 

When you realize that every abortion 

stops a beating heart…

it’s hard to say that abortion is not murder.

 

I’m not writing this to debate anyone, and I am doubtful that my thoughts will change anyone’s opinion concerning abortion.  But I cannot just stand by and not stand up for the unborn.  They deserve life just like you and I do…and I believe that God is deeply grieved by how far in the pit our country has gone concerning the careless disposal of so many unwanted babies.  Unwanted babies whose delicate, inner parts of their body were knit together in their mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13).  Unwanted babies who deserve healthcare…not health destruction.

 

Mother Teresa wrote a poem entitled “Life Is” and the last two lines say, “Life is too precious, do not destroy it.  Life is life, fight for it.”  I can’t imagine what she would think if she was alive today to see the casual murder of babies become part of our accepted “healthcare”.

 

I am a child of the King…but I am far from perfect and I will someday stand before Him and account for how I lived my life and the decisions that I made.  And I believe I will also be held accountable for whether I spoke up, when given a platform, to warn those who are living on a very slippery slope.  I read Titus 1:16 this past week and I hope and pray it will never be said about me, “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.  They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.”  Lord, help me to never deny you by my actions.

 

Isaiah 5:20 says, “What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter”. What a dark day we are living in when Christians smile and applaud when evil is made to look good.  Remember, all will stand before God someday…and I am doubtful that the smiles and applause will be seen then.  

 

Time is of the essence, and I believe Satan is working overtime to destroy our families and what better way to do that, than to get us to believe that murdering babies is healthcare.  Oh Lord…we don’t deserve it…but please have mercy on us.

Monday Morning Memo: Being an Influencer

I’m guessing that most of you know who an “influencer” is in the world of social media.  In case you aren’t familiar with this type of person, they have the ability to shape the opinions, behaviors or decisions of others, most often through social media.  They typically build a dedicated audience and can significantly impact consumer choices.

 

I’ll be honest…I have a really hard time believing most of what they say.  Why?  Because if you watch them closely, their absolute favorite product seems to change…sometimes weekly.  Let me give you an example.  A woman will say that a certain product for your face is one that she just loves and what a life-changing effect it has had on her skin…only to say the next week that there is a totally different product that she loves and of course has also had a positive impact on her skin.  Then, of course, they always have a discount code that they’ve exclusively been given to share with you if you make the purchase right away.  I’ve come to realize that if some of these influencers actually used all the products which they so urgently push on consumers…it would take them most of the morning just to get their face routine done!

 

I realize that this is how the influencers make their money…by making you believe that your life will be SO much better if you just click on that link and use this amazing product.  For them to make money, you need to want what they are pushing…so they want to do all they can to get you to make that decision to “click”.   I hate to be the one to break the news to you…but many of those influencers really don’t care about you and how glowing your skin could be…they just want you to desire to be and look like them…hoping you will “click”.  We used to deal with high-pressure salespeople in stores…now they enter our homes through social media.  

 

I was thinking about this last week, when I read Galatians 1:24 and it seemed to jump off the page at me, “And they praised God because of me”.  Paul was reminding the people of his past…how he had persecuted Christians and tried to destroy the church of God.  But then God met him where he was and cleansed him of his sins and as a result, Paul made a 180 degree change in his life.  As a result, the people praised God because of the miraculous work He had done in and through Paul.

 

Talk about being an influencer!  Paul was a walking sign board for His heavenly Father.  He was living proof that he served an all-powerful…all-knowing God who could forgive and save the worst of the worst.  He was a testimony to the fact that no one is beyond God’s reach.  Paul wasn’t interested in having the people praise him…He wanted them to put their eyes on the One who had changed his life.

 

So, I then had to ask myself what kind of an influencer am I?  Do I go through life just doing and saying things which will only benefit me?  Do I really care about those who I encounter…or do I have an ulterior motive to bring attention to myself?  I have wrestled with these questions ever since reading the verse in Galatians. 

 

As I contemplated this, a friend of mine sent me an excerpt from a sermon on YouTube where the minister said our purpose for each day should be to make Jesus look good.  What a wonderful goal to have as we go through our day.  As a result of this, I’ve been much more intentional as I’ve interacted with people to keep this thought at the forefront of my mind…doing all I can to make Jesus look good.  I know I haven’t always been successful…but I think it is a good goal to have every day.

 

What about you?  What kind of an influencer are you as you go throughout your day?  You may not realize it…but I’m confident that people are watching you and will either be influenced for good…or for bad.  So, I urge you to join me as we keep our focus on Jesus…making sure we do all we can to make Him look good.  Oh, how wonderful it would be if we could say, “And they praised God because of me”!