As a special treat for our dog, we brought home from the store a package of three stuffed toys. I took all three from the box and put them on the floor and then stood back to see what he’d do. It was absolutely comical to see him attempting to put all three in his mouth! He’d latch on to two, and then scoot the third one around with his nose. We humans do that sometimes too…the Lord blesses us, but we aren’t satisfied, and feel we must amass more and more…to the point finally when we’re more focused on getting the “stuff”… than the Lord who supplied it.
Author: kezha1
A Christian mother, grandmother, and retired nurse living in Illinois. Called into a ministry of encouraging others to find their ultimate plan and purpose in life through Christ.
Jeremiah 38:10 ” Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech the Cushite, ‘Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.’ “
Jeremiah had been thrown in a pit to die, but Ebed-Melech, a God-fearing Ethiopian eunuch in the palace guard boldly asked the king to pull him out. This unlikely man saved Jeremiah’s life…this lowly man, whose name meant – servant of the king. But because of his belief and trust in God…Ebed-Melech’s name really meant – servant to The King of Kings.
Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”
Stepping out in Faith can be a very scary thing…you know God has spoken to you, but that leap into the unknown can be frightening. Faith is manifested by your simple obedience when you say, “Yes Lord.” You may not know where, or how, or what, but as one foot follows the other in obedience…He will reveal it to you.
Psalm 18:20 “…according to the cleanness of my hands He has rewarded me.”
I don’t know about you, but I love to clean on New Years Day! The Christmas decorations are all down and put away, the clutter that’s been accumulating since Thanksgiving has been sorted and thrown away, and all major areas a clear of junk. Let the cleaning begin! The Lord wants each of us to start the new year with a clean mindset also…what’s happened in 2013 is behind us, and nothing can change it. But what we can do today is to determine to do things differently going forward into 2014.
Isaiah 42:9 ” See, the former things have taken place, and the new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”
On this last day of 2013, let us consider the past year, while we look to the future. The Hebrew description of this would be like a man rowing a boat; he backs into the future while looking towards where he has been. As you reflect, know He is declaring new things into your life, and will be working mightily for them to come about.
Luke 19: 11-27 The Parable of the Ten Minas
A wealthy man was going on a journey, but before he left, he called ten of his servants and gave each ten minas…”Put this money to work until I get back.” In that day a mina was worth about three months salary, so it was a sizable amount of money he gave each one to invest as they saw fit. Some used the money wisely and made more, while others did nothing, and incurred their master’s wrath on his return. We’ve all been given gifts and talents from our Master…but what are we doing with them? Each of us are responsible for the way we use or waste what the Lord has given us.
Psalm 7:17 ” I will give thanks to the Lord…”
As we all get ready to welcome in the New Year, I would challenge you to pray more in 2014. I can hear you complaining already…”I don’t have time to pray during my busy day!” So, let me reword it…do you have enough time to say “Thank You!”? If you think about it, our prayers should mostly be just that – Thank You Lord! And as your gratitude for God increases, so will that gratitude flow into the rest of your life. Just imagine what the world might be like, if we were more grateful to one another.
Jonah 1:3 “But Jonah ran away from the Lord…”
The Lord has laid something on your heart…it could be to talk to someone about Jesus, or move out in a gifting He has given you, or like me, to write. Regardless what it is, you know God has spoken, but you run in the opposite direction, hoping that God will lose interest and let you go. WRONG! The Lord has a surprising amount of tenacity and patience towards us, gently herding us back to what He called us to do in the first place. Just be honest with God…tell Him your fears and concerns. For like Jonah, you really can’t run away from the Lord.
I Samuel 3:10 “…Then Samuel said, ‘ Speak, for your servant is listening.’ “
To listen for the Lord…so very easy to say, but so very difficult to do. Active listening, or giving your full attention to the Lord is hard to do. Our minds wander, we fidget in our seat, other thoughts take over, and suddenly that quiet time of seeking Him, has vanished. The Lord has much to tell us…but we have to slow down, discipline ourselves and listen.
Matthew 2:11 ” On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, and of incense and of myrrh.”
On this Christmas morning, my wish for you is the gift of God’s Peace, His Provision, His Presence, His Power and His Prosperity into your lives and your homes… for God gave to us the greatest gift ever – His Son Jesus – who in turn gave us the greatest gift ever…Salvation.
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