If I said “Ministry”, you’d probably think of many well-known Christians with TV shows and Conferences you could attend. But God has a Ministry for you also…it’s to have compassion towards the needy, and to tell others the Good News of God’s loving kindness. Your Ministry is to touch the people around you with the love of Jesus…so go and fulfill YOUR Ministry.
Month: November 2012
Psalm 5:12 ” For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”
God goes before you today as a protector, safeguarding your every step. He encircles you with His grace and kindness, and gives you peace on all sides. So today, move out boldly into the world…you’re well protected…God has your back!
Galatians 6:6 ” Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.”
Has someone influenced your walk with the Lord by being a mentor? Has someone come along side during a rough period and spoke truth and light into those dark times? Has your Pastor ever given a sermon you know was written especially for you? Has a Bible teacher ever made that confusing passage suddenly very clear? I dare say you could probably answer “Yes” to most of these questions…so I ask you then…have you ever thanked them? Don’t take for granted the bounty of wisdom and knowledge you’ve received over the years from others. Today, make a phone call, send a text, or tell them personally…Thank you for showing me Jesus, and speaking the Word into my life.
Ezekiel 13:10-11 ” Because they lead my people astray, saying ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall.”
Whitewash is a paint that contains powdered chalk. When applied to a building, it looks really nice…for a short time, until the weather strips it away. Then you’re left with the same old, nasty looking building. We do the same thing in our lives…we justify and gloss over mistakes and faults in others and ourselves all the time. If we keep making excuses for someone, we are in a way enabling them and not helping them in the long run. If we are always down playing our own problems, pretty soon we’re believing the lies we tell ourselves. Trying to whitewash the elephant in the room is very messy, and never works. Whitewash doesn’t last…Truth does.
Psalm 71:18 “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.”
Don’t think for a moment that just because you’re “old and gray” that God can’t use you anymore – that you don’t have purpose. You have a very important endeavor and mission for God…it’s to make known to the next generations His mighty works. From your wealth of wisdom and knowledge, future generations will come to know the awesomeness of your Lord. Finally, don’t fear growing old…God will never abandon you, for He cares deeply for the elderly…you are His spokesperson for those to come.
Ephesians 6:13 ” Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
When you think of standing, you think of a stationary condition. But if your standing, you’re not retreating…you may not be forging ahead, but you’re not going backwards either. There are times in our lives when standing will be the only thing we can do at the time…but be encouraged, the Lord says to hold your ground and stand firm against the enemy, and you will be the victor.
Ecclesiastes 11:3 ” If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth.”
Don’t fear the gathering storm clouds. For out of the storm comes the rain that cleanses the air and waters the fields. So as in your life, don’t fear the storms that come your way. Refuse to focus on the clouds…but rather on the good that can come from them.
Isaiah 52:12 “…for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”
The Hebrew meaning for the words “rear guard” have a completely different connotation than what we would think. In my mind, a rear guard watches and protects the back part of the army. But the Hebrew word for rear guard also means to bring in or gather. So in this scripture the Lord will not only go before us forging the way, but He will be behind us too, gathering up the weary and those lagging… so none will be left behind.
Psalm 100:4 ” Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.”
First, I would like to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. May the day be filled with love,family and friends…not to mention lots of great food! As you are gathered around your table giving thanks for the bounty before you, when someone asks what you’re thankful for, think beyond the obvious…health, living in a free nation, family, etc, etc. I encourage you to be thankful for the simple and often overlooked things…the things you take for granted day in and day out. The Lord wants us to be thankful in all things, from a sunrise to a miracle…from a wonderful blessing to a great trial…thank Him for it all.
Song of Songs 8:6 ” Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave.”
When we married 26 years ago today, we had a most unusual wedding. It was the second marriage for both of us, so the wedding was going to be small and simple. The church we were part of had no building, we met on the campus of the University of Idaho. I had mentioned my lack of a venue to my Administrator of the Nursing Home where I was a Dept. Head, and suddenly the plans were launched for the wedding to take place there. I included many of the residents in the planning and preparation, and that evening a great number attended the service. So unique was the celebration, that a reporter from the local newspaper was there…so you can imagine our surprise when a picture and story was on the front page of the paper the next morning stating…”Nursing Home gives away Bride.”
Safetypinlove 