WHEN YOU CALL MY NAME

On the airwaves right now is a popular song whose lyrics include, “I will arise when You call my name….” I know those words probably refer to when Jesus calls our names and we arise to live with Him forever.

What about now? When He speaks to you on a daily basis, do you arise? Do you arise to serve Him in the everyday tasks He gives?

Perhaps those everyday tasks include….
Faithfully going to your job
Spending loving time with your family
Caring kindly for your aging parents…or a newborn
Providing a good example to your children and grandchildren

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

Yes, eternally we will arise when He calls our names but let us, now, listen for Him to speak to us so we can arise NOW.

Heavenly Father, please open my ears to hear Your call . Please give me a willing heart to say, “Send me!” Then please give me joyful feet as I obey You.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.

GIVER OR TAKER

It has been said that there are two types of people: “givers” and “takers”. A “taker” is a person who always seems to want something from others but gives nothing in return. It’s all about them. They never seem to get around to asking how you are . . . they are too busy flooding you with details of the what they are doing.

A “giver,” on the other hand, is a person who always seems to be looking outward and away from themselves, looking for ways to serve others. They listen patiently, then respond with words of wisdom and acts of kindness. If there is a need, they seem to sense it and quietly provide for it, unnoticed by anyone.

May it be our heart’s ambition to be a “giver” - like the greatest giver of all - our heavenly Father.

For God so loved the world that He gave . . . .
John 3:16

Heavenly Father, my heart’s desire is to be more like You - a giver. Please teach me who I need to be in order to do what pleases You more fully. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

TIMES OF PEACE

Recently a friend made this statement: “Maybe I just need problems to make me happy.”

I am reminded of a soldier from ancient times. When he was in battle, he was magnificent - full of courage, riding on his steed to defeat dragons. In peace time, however, he crumbled into a whining baby. As he returned home to his wife and children, he became unbearable. He just couldn’t seem to get his hands around a rake in the garden, on a hammer to repair the roof, or his arms around his family to love them. He fussed and fumed, impatient to be off to the excitement of the battle once again. He needed “problems” to be happy.

What is there in some of us, as humans, which craves the excitement of “problems” but rebels against the peace of ordinary days? Don’t we realize that the times of peace are precious? So precious that the times of peace are used by God to further bless and train us - to make us ready for anything ahead.

May we recognize that both come from the hand of God - times of peace and times of problems.

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in all ways.
II Thessalonians 3:16a

Heavenly Father, thank You for times of peace which help to balance out the times of problems. Oh, how I need both! Thank You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

THE LAMP

A beloved aunt left a beautiful antique lamp to me upon her death. My uncle wrapped it carefully in special packaging material so that it wouldn’t break on its way from Pennsylvania to Michigan. We breathed a sigh of relief when it arrived safely those many years ago.

That lamp was valuable so special care had to be taken in its placement in our home. It couldn’t be in a spot where someone might bump it accidentally or where my young son might run into it while playing. Every time young guests would come to visit, the lamp was picked up and moved to another room, where it would be safe.

One day the unthinkable happened. As I was carrying the lamp to safety, the top portion of it dropped onto the hard oak floor and smashed. Instead of tears, I found myself suddenly relieved. It had been such a burden to protect that lamp. Now I was free.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that our inheritance from God isn’t burdensome. It is imperishable, unable to be defiled, nor does it ever fade. How kind He is!

By His great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you . . . I Peter 1:3 & 4

Heavenly Father, thank You for all You have for me - now and through eternity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

ACCOUNTABLE TO WHOM?

As you look around, don’t you sometimes become frustrated with how poorly everyone else seems to be living their lives? Your neighbor, try as she might, just can’t seem to get it together to keep her house clean and in order. Another neighbor is so busy, there is never any food in her cupboards so she continually dashes out for fast food. Another friend is extremely ill, yet her family doesn’t seem to help out much at home. Everywhere you look, you see people failing miserably.

Is it our job to hold others accountable? No, it certainly is not. Each person has a “story” which God is working out in his or her life. They may not be doing their “story” perfectly, but that is God’s business, not ours. In fact, if we look at our OWN “story”, we may find much to keep us busy. We will have no time to be looking at others’ stories.

Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld for the Master is able to make him stand. Romans 14:4

Heavenly Father, please help me to keep my eyes on my own “story”, doing those things I know which please You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

HEALTHY HELPFULNESS

Have you ever tried to help someone whose life seemed out of control? Perhaps it is someone who has an alcohol problem, unable to escape the grip of drink. Perhaps it is someone who won’t listen to Godly counsel, bent on marrying someone they shouldn’t. No matter the situation, you find yourself becoming angry and impatient with the entire cycle of failure on their part. Can’t they see? Why won’t they listen?

Then a thought enters your mind which helps you see more clearly: If that same person were suffering from bronchitis, would you become angry? Would you be impatient, wishing she’d just get on with life, leaving the illness behind?

No, you wouldn’t. You would realize that she was weakened and that certain measures needed to be taken to return to health - rest, liquids and, perhaps, some antibiotics.

Those whose lives are out of control have an illness, too. The illness is caused by sin which entered this world with Adam’s and Eve’s trespass. Sin, which has contaminated lives resulting in every sort of problem imaginable, has been dealt with at the cross by Jesus’ sacrifice. Healthy helpfulness on our part begins with praying and listening to the Lord’s directions if we are to have a part in the cure.

. . . for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God. James 1:20

Heavenly Father, please help me exhibit Your patience towards those You want to help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

KEEP A TRANQUIL MIND

Billy became ill with a nasty respiratory flu which caused a physical crisis. At the emergency room it was found that his blood sugar level was elevated. Suddenly he found himself on a strict diet and full daily exercise program.

Looking back after the emergency, he realized that for the previous four years he had been under tremendous stress. His father and mother had both died within a year of each other. Then two friends died. Then his wife's step-dad died. He realized that stress may have played a big role in his subsequent crisis.

Realizing the dangers of high blood sugar, he began the diet, an exercise regime and tried to control his current stress levels. Because he was monitoring blood sugar levels by doing a finger poke five times a day, he had a window into his body. He could see what, specifically, would cause his blood sugar to be elevated. Not only did various foods affect the level, but stress and anxiety did, too - in a mighty way.

How wise God is to admonish us again and again in the Scriptures not to be anxious about anything. As anxiety rises, we damage our bodies. Imagine what it does to our souls! If we will only recognize that God is in control of every situation and event and learn to deal prayerfully with life’s stresses and strains, some of the anxiety can begin to dissipate. We can learn how to trust in God’s kind care.

Our heavenly Father had a good reason to admonish us to not have anxiety - for our health not only spiritually but physically.

A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh. Proverbs 14:30

Heavenly Father, help me to obey You in dealing with the anxiety inherent in living in this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.