Monday Morning Memo: Determining The Value

I love to read and have a hard time understanding people who don’t   There are so many good books…fiction and nonfiction…and it never ceases to amaze me how God can use both types of books to speak to me.

 

I just finished a fiction book which, as I read, felt like it had been written just for me.  One of the characters had lived a life that so resembled mine that it was almost eerie.  As I read how this individual sought God through the good times and the bad…it challenged me to keep seeking…keep following whatever God has for me…even if it requires great sacrifice.

 

I then picked up the next book in my stack which happens to be a non-fiction one entitled, “Bloodline – Tracing God’s Rescue Plan From Eden To Eternity” by Skip Heitzig.  I am only on page 37, but I am already having nuggets of truth jump off the page at me.  In writing about Christ’s sacrifice for us…some of the powerful truths have been:

 

“You are God’s precious treasure, worth the best gift He had to offer, His Son”.  

 

“God showed your value to Him in what Christ did for you.  After all, the value of something is determined by what someone is willing to pay for it.  Jesus shed all His prerogatives in heaven to come to earth and buy you back from sin.  You matter to Him.”

 

Wow. The value of something is determined by what someone is willing to pay for it.  As I read those words…I was overcome with emotion as I was reminded of the price that has been paid for me…and for you…and all I could think of was “What am I going to do with that truth?”  If I truly believe this, then I need to ask myself, “What am I willing to pay…what am I willing to do with my life…so that others will see Jesus in me?” Do I value those with whom I encounter enough to be willing to do whatever it takes to make sure they know my Jesus?  Christ was willing to sacrifice himself because He values me that much.  Do I value others in the same way?

 

These are such sobering thoughts to me.  Christ gave His life for me…but yet I find myself whining because I think He is asking too much of me.  He valued me enough to give everything He had…but I find myself complaining when I am expected to come under His authority.  

On page 37 then…Heitzig hit me between the eyes with this statement: 

 

“Choosing Jesus as Savior is a one-time event,

but choosing to submit to His lordship 

is a daily decision.”

 

Ouch.  I have been paid for with a price and as a result…I am expected to submit to Him every. single. day.  Not just when it is convenient.  Not just when it’s easy.  Not just when I have nothing else to do and feel I can work it into my schedule. 

 

God is convicting me that how I live my life every day is showing others just how much I value my relationship with my Jesus.  How much am I willing to pay?  My prayer is that today…and every day…His sacrifice will not be in vain and that my life will be a testament to others of what a truly devoted follower of His should look like.  Will you join me?

 

BY THE WAY…have you watched all four lessons in my latest YouTube series entitled, “Fears, Worries & Futures” on my YouTube channel, Image Seeker?  If not, check it out and make sure and subscribe so you won’t miss out on the next series when it becomes available! You can find Image Seeker at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0szlDSgNBtFuzzNLBWzwMA

Monday Morning Memo: WHY? By His Grace...

Last week I shared with you the word “why”, and how it had been used in recent days from various friends.  Why has God allowed Covid to interrupt our lives and cause so much pain, fear and dissension?  Why am I being afflicted with one health problem after another?  Why did my spouse walk away from our marriage?  Why did God take my spouse in the prime of their life?  Why aren’t my children following the Lord like I want them to?  Why are we struggling to make ends meet, when others who aren’t following the Lord seem to prosper?

 

This past week, I watched the news and since then, an entirely new set of “why” questions have been flooding my mind:

 

Why am I fortunate enough to live in the United States…instead of Afghanistan?

 

Why am I blessed to be living in a comfortable home…instead of in Haiti where many buildings and homes are nothing but rubble after the recent earthquake?

 

Why do I have a plethora of food in my cabinets, refrigerator and freezer…and there are others who are standing in food lines for hours because they have nothing to eat?

 

Why did I have the privilege of hugging my grandkids this past week…instead of trying to pass them off to American soldiers…hoping…just hoping…they might be taken from my country to a safe land?

 

Why was I allowed to worship in my church yesterday without the threat of being killed for doing so…when others chose to worship knowing full well, they may be martyred and see Jesus before the service was over?

 

Why are all my children safe here in the United States…when others’ children are serving in the military, putting their lives in grave danger?

 

Why was I born into a Christian family…where I was raised by Christian parents…instead of in a home of drug dealers in a poverty-stricken inner city, where there is little hope of having a prosperous, abundant life?

 

Trust me, I could go on and on.  You see, the word “why” can be used to complain about my current circumstances, OR, it can be used to humble me and open my eyes to realize how blessed I truly am.

 

I don’t know the answers to these questions…but I do know one thing.  I. am. blessed.  I am blessed beyond measure, and I hope that in the days to come, I will remind myself of this over and over again.  When I find myself comparing my circumstances to others…thinking they have it better than me…I hope I will run through the “why’s” I have listed today.  Because there is absolutely no reason I should have it any better than anyone else in this world.  I don’t deserve it.  I’m not loved more. I’m definitely not a better person.   All I can say is, “There but for the grace of God…”.

BY THE WAY…tomorrow morning I will be posting our final look at “Fears, Worries & Futures” on my YouTube channel, Image Seeker.  We will be looking at a man in the Bible who asked God to bless him and what can happen if we do the same!  Make sure and “Subscribe” to my channel today so you won’t miss this study and the studies to come!  You can find Image Seeker at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0szlDSgNBtFuzzNLBWzwMA

Monday Morning Memo: Why?

It seems like I have heard the question “Why?” asked often lately by various friends.  Why has God allowed Covid to interrupt our lives and cause so much pain, fear and dissension?  Why am I being afflicted with one health problem after another?  Why did my spouse walk away from our marriage?  Why did God take my spouse in the prime of their life?  Why aren’t my children following the Lord like I want them to?  Why are we struggling to make ends meet, when others who aren’t following the Lord seem to prosper?

 

Why?  It’s a question many of us ask at some time during our lives, and unfortunately, we often don’t receive an answer.  At least we don’t receive the answer we want to hear.  If you are like me, you want things to be much more black and white…an answer for everything…and you want to be able to plan your future without unexpected “hiccups”.   Unforeseen detours can surely put a wrench in our plans and that often leads us to ask why.

 

The words on this graphic really spoke to me.  I would imagine that being thrown into a fiery furnace was not in Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s plans and could have been classified as a major unexpected “hiccup”.  King Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into the fiery blaze because they refused to bow down to the golden image he had set up for the people to worship.  Even though these three men knew they would suffer severe consequences for disobeying King Nebuchadnezzar, they knew God was able to deliver them.

 

You would think that because Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were willing to give their all for their God…God would just snuff out the flames.  Or maybe He would have the King have second thoughts and at the last minute pull them aside, safe and sound.  No, God allowed the flames to roar as the men were thrown in.  I just love this story.  We read in Daniel 3:19-25, “Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage.  He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual.  Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.  So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes and other garments.  And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in.   So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisors, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them in the furnace?”  Yes, your majesty, we surely did,” they replied.  

“Look!”  Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed!  And the fourth looks like a god.”

 

If there were ever three people who could have asked “Why?” it was Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, but that isn’t what we hear them saying.  They trusted their God to do what was best for them and do what would bring God the most glory.  The result?  The rest of the chapter tells us, “Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: ‘Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!  Come here!’  So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire.  Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them.  Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched.  They didn’t even smell of smoke!  Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego!  He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him.  They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.  Therefore, I make this decree:  If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble.  There is no other god who can rescue like this!’”

 

Wow.  Many lives were changed because these three men trusted their God, even when their circumstances didn’t make sense.  I wonder if I would see more miraculous things happen if I spent less time asking “Why?” and more time just trusting God.  If He could protect them from the raging heat…He can probably take care of me during my unexpected “hiccups”.  I may never have the answer to the “why” questions of my life…but I can rest in the fact that I am not alone because my Jesus walks beside me.  

 

This week, why not join me in asking “Why?” less often and trusting our Jesus to do what is best for us and do what will bring Him the most glory.  We just might see some miracles happen before our eyes too!

Monday Morning Memo: For HIS Glory

We have been blessed with a bountiful garden this year.  So far, we have enjoyed corn, peas, tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, strawberries, peaches, asparagus, carrots, onions, lettuce, spinach and my favorite…green beans.  There just aren’t too many things better than fresh green beans for dinner.

While there is nothing better than having fresh food from the garden on our table each night…it’s a lot of work.  All this food didn’t just show up on its own.  Dan has spent hours and hours tilling, planting, weeding, fertilizing and harvesting and then we have spent hours and hours canning and freezing everything so that we can enjoy it all year long.  In fact, the other evening we were canning spaghetti sauce and green beans and I told Dan, “Now don’t get me wrong.  I’m glad we are able to do this…but sometimes I think of all the extra free time we would have if we didn’t do all this!”  Yes, we would have more time now…but if we didn’t do it, I wouldn’t have this garden bounty tucked away on my shelves and in my freezer to use when the snow is falling this winter.

Anything worthwhile takes work, doesn’t it?  It takes dedication, perseverance, sacrifice and often hours and hours of work to accomplish our goals.  Sometimes it can seem overwhelming, and it is easy for the “grass is always greener” concept to creep in…thinking of how much easier it would be if we would just give up.  But what would we be giving up in the future if we walked away now?  

I’m guessing we would be giving up a lot.  Taking the easy way out when we have a task to do…rarely reaps the abundant blessings that we desire.  Yes, it may sometimes seem a little overwhelming with everything you need to do to get your goal accomplished…but I have found that the rewards of your labor make your efforts worthwhile.

Are you in the middle of a task and feel like giving up?  It could be a project around your home…a college degree that you know the Lord wants you to attain…a marriage that needs weeded and fertilized just like our garden…or maybe Christ is calling you to witness to that person next to you at work, but you know it will be a huge commitment of time to begin to live life alongside them.  Whatever it is…I want to urge you to not give up.  Whatever God calls you to do…He will see you through and the bountiful rewards will make all your work so worthwhile.

So, for me…I will keep canning and freezing so I will be prepared for the days of winter ahead.  Who knows…God might have big plans for some of that food that I know nothing about…because even when gardening…we can do it for HIS glory!

^“Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. 

And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. 

Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll 

get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. 

Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. 

The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. 

Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.”

Colossians 3:23-25 (The Message)

BY THE WAY…Have you checked out the 2nd video yet in our study on YouTube, “Fears, Failures & Futures”?  In it I share part of my “story”, how Satan had a heyday with me when God called me into the ministry. Make sure and get caught up by watching Lessons 1 & 2…because Lesson 3 will be posted tomorrow!  To access this series, click on this link:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0szlDSgNBtFuzzNLBWzwMA

Make sure and subscribe today so you won’t miss any of the lessons in this new study!

If you would like encouraging thoughts to help you in your daily walk with Jesus, check out and “Like” my Facebook page, “Image Seeker”…you can find it at https://www.facebook.com/Image-Seeker-109914611136211/news_feed.  

And, if you aren’t on Facebook but would still like to see encouraging posts and notices of new videos…”Follow” me on Instagram.  Just search for “The Image Seeker”

Monday Morning Memo: Pre-Covid

There is a game show on TV that we enjoy watching.  It’s that one with a wheel…and I’ve been told that only old people watch it…so if that is true…I am officially old   We like to see which of us will figure out the puzzle first.  Yes, it is that exciting around here just about every evening!

The other night, we were glued to the TV, and saw that the episode was filmed in 2019.  Do you know what my first thought was?  Ahhhhh….pre-Covid.  Those people had no idea what they were in for.  They had no clue there would be a pandemic…that most businesses would have to close…students would have to learn from home…people would go nuts having to stay home…and there would possibly be friends and loved ones who would pass away from this disease.

Yes sirree…those contestants were just living their lives without any idea what the next year would hold for them.  If they just would have known…they could have………….worried?  Stopped it?  Warned everybody?  Hmmmm, of those options I don’t think worrying would have changed anything.  I really doubt they could have stopped it from happening.  But, maybe…just maybe…they could have warned people.  If they only would have known.

The same is true now in 2021.  We have no clue what tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year will bring.  We may have to go through something far worse than Covid…or…we may be blessed with something better than our wildest dreams.  We just don’t know.  So, what can we do?  Worry?  Stop whatever is going to happen?  Warn everybody we know?  If we look at it sensibly…we know worrying about what mighthappen will accomplish nothing…except maybe give us high blood pressure or an ulcer.  Trying to stop something when we have no idea what “it” is…is futile.  And how can we warn everybody about something we don’t know the facts of yet?

I think we might spend our time in a more productive way by concentrating on what we DO know.  The only thing that we as Christians know…is that someday Jesus is going to return.  It might be today, tomorrow, next week or next year…we just don’t know.  But since we do know that it will happen…why don’t we spend our time making sure everyone else knows too.  If we put all the effort that most of us put into worrying about the future, into telling others about our Jesus…I’m guessing we might have a better, more peace-filled life today.  Christ doesn’t want us to live our lives consumed with fretting about what might happen…but instead…consumed with letting our light shine for all to see.

Is fear consuming your thoughts?  Do you spend your days worrying about all the “what-ifs” of life?  Maybe you need to work on redirecting your thoughts on the One who already holds tomorrow in the palm of His hand.  Jesus knows every detail of your future, and do you know what?  He isn’t worried.  So, if He isn’t wringing His hands…we shouldn’t either.  We don’t even have to “spin the wheel” to see what prize we will receive in the end…because we already know our prize is waiting for us in heaven.  So, let’s get busy and show our friends and family the joy we have in our Jesus and tell them He is coming back so they need to get ready!

Hey, if you are struggling with fear and worry…make sure and join me in the current study on my YouTube Channel, Image Seeker.  We are looking at “Fears, Worries & Futures” and I think it just might be of help to you.  Lesson 1 & 2 are up and ready for you to watch!  Just click on this link and don’t forget to “Subscribe” so you won’t miss the next video in this series: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0szlDSgNBtFuzzNLBWzwMA   

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. 

And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. 

So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

John 14:27

If you would like encouraging thoughts to help you in your daily walk with Jesus, check out and “Like” my Facebook page, “Image Seeker”…you can find it at https://www.facebook.com/Image-Seeker-109914611136211/news_feed.  

And, if you aren’t on Facebook but would still like to see encouraging posts and notices of new videos…”Follow” me on Instagram.  Just search for “The Image Seeker”