Be Joyful

 

Do you serve God with your head or do you serve God with your heart?  In the Old Testament book of wisdom, the Proverbs, are found commands like these -- keep my commands in your heart ... write them [love and faithfulness] on the tablet of your heart ... trust in the Lord with all your heart ... above all else, guard your heart (see Proverbs 3:1-6, 4:20-23).

Even more pronounced during this season of celebrating the birth of Jesus, many are experiencing broken hearts, physical sickness, depression, stress, unhealthy emotions, mental illness, hustle and bustle, hurry up, loneliness, grief, sadness, unhappiness, bitterness, regret, lack, poverty, hurry up and wait, conflict, loss, confusion, fear, and the list goes on.   Through it all, make the choice to be even more determined to serve God with your heart.

How, you may be thinking?  Be joyful.  Rejoice in the Lord always.   Sing joyfully to the Lord, e.g., "joy to the world, the Lord is come."  Joyfully, show random acts of kindness to others.  Speak joyfully to all who you encounter.  Rejoice always.  Smile joyously.  Remember the fruit of the spirit, "love, joy, peace ... ."  Allow Jesus to restore to you the joy of His salvation.  From the depths of your heart, will you be joyful?

 

What Can I Give Him

 

"What can I give Him poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd, I'd give Him a lamb. 

If I were a wise man, I'd do my part.

But what can I give Him? I'll give Him my heart."

How can I give Him my heart, you may be thinking? I'm glad you asked. If you have first accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then give Him your heart in worship. Next question may be -- so what is worship? Worship is adoration, bowing before God in reverence, showing respect and honor, worshipping in spirit and in truth. Much can be learned about worship through the Christmas story (see Luke 1). During her visit with the older woman Elizabeth who was pregnant with John, the virgin Mary bowed and worshiped in song as she carried the Holy Child. Due to his unbelief, the older priest Zechariah who was married to Elizabeth was unable to speak until after their child, John, was born. At that time, he too worshiped through a song of prophecy. 

Jewish rabbis of old have said that "study of the Word is the highest form of worship." Old Testament Scripture reminds us to honor the Lord with our wealth, with our firstfruits. The wise (scholarly) men, who knew the prophecies and studied astronomy, traveled a great distance to worship the baby Jesus and give Him their best gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

Beginning with this season of celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, will you give Him your heart through increased worship -- adoration, reverence, honor, giving, study of the Word?

Prepare Him Room

Joy to the world! the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;

let ev’ry heart prepare Him room . . .

(from the familiar Christmas carol, Joy to the World).

In this season of Christmas, who is your heart preparing room for? Some recent headlines featured in The Birmingham News -- "Another Day, another shooting and no solutions; Boy, 12, shot on Birmingham playground by 13 year old after jokes exchanged; 2 women die in early morning Calhoun County fire; 'I live on Facebook,' says Alabama man who threatened to 'blow up' high school; Man shot by woman on Thanksgiving Day now identified; 3 men indicted in Montgomery sex trafficking ring; Gadsden couple reports armed robbery, $3,200 taken."

Given all the darkness in the world, in our families and personal lives, can you agree that we need to prepare room for The Light of the World. Who is that, you may be thinking? Jesus said in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

Tonight, go into a dark room with an unlit candle and matches, or with a flashlight or penlight, or with your cell phone darkened.  Quietly, begin to think about the dark places in your life this Christmas --  i.e., your disappointments, hurts, fears, frustrations, lack, sickness, disease, loneliness, unemployment, etc.  Turn on the light and see the changes in the room. What can you now see that you couldn't see in the dark?  Begin to consider how The Light of the World can come in and turn your places of darkness to light.  Write down your thoughts, dreams, aspirations, and promises of God.  Not only are you experiencing The Light of the World, but now recognize the Prince of Peace resting, abiding, and ready to take rule in your heart.

In your heart during this Christmas season, prepare Him room today and in the days ahead!!!

 

Prayer Explosion for Our Schools

Recognizing the power of prayer, we should pray without ceasing, we should pray and not faint, and PUSH -- Pray Until Something Happens.  The week of November 2-8 has been designated as a time of prayer for our schools; i.e., for all the school workers, the students, and their parents.  Our three part challenge to all is to 1) pray this prayer at least three times, 2) share it with at least one other person, and 3) invite at least one person to attend the Prayer Explosion for Our Schools service at 9:31 on Sunday, November 8th at The Guiding Light Church in Birmingham.

PRAY -- Father God, touch the hearts of all who are in our schools.  Raise up a generation of men, women, and children who seek your face, and are filled with peace, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.  Our schools are transformed, not only as we pray and stand, but also as we speak, act on and fight for the truth of Your Word.  Thank you for an increasing measure of love and unity throughout our schools.  Lord, here I am, empower and use me for your service.  In the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.

SCRIPTURE -- "When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.  Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction.”

In All Things Be Thankful

Does God really mean that we should be thankful in all things, be thankful for everything, be thankful all the time, be thankful for the good and the bad, be thankful for hard times, be thankful for persecutions, be thankful in all circumstances, be thankful no matter what happens? YES!!!

A few days ago, I noticed water on the floor of my garage that was coming from the area where the cooling units and water heater are located.  First thought, "oh no."  Later thoughts -- "if it ain't one thing, it’s another ... something all the time ... why me ... why now."  To be thankful in all things never crossed my mind.  I did, however, whisper to God to show me what needed to be done.  Called a plumber friend who assured me it was not the water heater, but it was the cooling unit. Have a service agreement, so called them who, on the second day, said it was the water heater and not the cooling unit.  Okay.  On the third day, the home warranty serviceman came and gave me the cost for their replacement of the water heater.  And on the fifth day, they replaced the water heater.

It took two service reps telling me the same thing that led me to the place of being thankful in all things.  Each rep showed me the date of the unit and replied they'd never seen a water heater that old.  The date was 1982, more than 30 years ago, 33 years to be exact, the construction date of the unit.  I've lived in the unit 19 years using the one water heater.  That information got me to the place where I should have started -- in all things be thankful.

Unlikely Alliances part 2

Consider a time when the Spirit of God dropped into your spirit an idea or thought that was so farfetched ... outrageously ridiculous ... downright asinine ... dang foolish  ... incredibly preposterous ... harebrained ... wacky (got it).  How did you respond?  What were your thoughts about the thought?  Did a part of you know this was the Holy Spirit while another part of you resisted and said "no way." 

Consider the prophet Hosea who the LORD told to marry a prostitute.  Say who?  Do what?  Is the LORD serious?  Was that really God?  My thoughts would have been along this line.  Does God really know who I am? The devil is a liar!  Get thee behind me satan!  Ain't no way on this side of heaven!  No, no, no, no way, NO! Not me, not the kid.  I ain't no fool.  I know that's not God. 

Hosea did as the LORD had said.  His wife, Gomer the prostitute, gave birth to three children, two boys and a girl.  When she left Hosea and the children, and returned to the streets, the LORD instructed Hosea to go get her from the street life and bring her home.  Do you know that the crazy man, Hosea, went and paid money to her pimp to get her back? 

Through Hosea, the man of God and prophet, his wife Gomer, the prostitute and adulteress, and their three children, God delivered a powerful message to his people about love and forgiveness and reconciliation and obedience and so much more (see Hosea 1-3).  Could it be that God is setting you up through an unlikely alliance or an out of the ordinary relationship to use you in fulfilling his purpose on earth?

 

Unlikely Alliances

Have you ever connected with someone and knew that the connection was a "God thing?" You knew there was no way your paths would have otherwise crossed ... the two of you were as different as night and day ... absolutely out of the ordinary ... too good to be true.  Have you needed a door open and you were miraculously connected to the door opener? Have you recognized the supernatural at work in your life?  Do you know there are no chance occurrences?  Do you realize that good days are really God days?  So, too are bad days.

I've learned that the organizational structure used in government, business, corporate, non-profits, churches, military, schools and colleges around the world started with wise counsel and advice within an unlikely alliance, an out of the ordinary relationship. Two men met, fast forward more than 40 years later, and find the older man, Jethro, giving counsel to his younger son-in-law, 80+ year old Moses. Jethro witnessed Moses serving as the one and only judge to the people. In turn, he informed his son-in-law that what he was doing wasn't good, and that he and the people would only wear themselves out.

The wise counsel that has stood the test of time was for Moses to select capable persons, train them, and appoint them as leaders/judges over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens (see Exodus 18, Deuteronomy 1). In your mind’s eye, see the picture of the organizational structure -- the pyramid or triangular shape. See the managers and supervisors, first line, second line, third line.  At the top is the one head. This unlikely alliance -- Moses, born to Hebrew parents, raised as a prince of Egypt, running away from Egypt and running into the priest of Midian who became his employer and later his father-in-law. Can you see God not only ordering their footsteps then but our steps today as well?  Unusual? Out of the ordinary? Unlikely? Supernatural?

The Living Dead

Today's society paints vivid pictures for us of the living dead. Maybe you follow or have seen the tv series, The Walking Dead, which earlier this year completed its fifth season and has been renewed for a sixth. There are two comic book series, The Walking Dead and Talking Dead.  Then there's the 1968 horror film, Night of the Living Dead.  Can't leave out the 1965 rock band, the Grateful Dead, which lives on. Get the picture, know that your children are even if you are not.

Jesus described one of the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 as having a reputation of being alive but was, in reality, dead (see Revelation 3:1).  Do you have a reputation of being alive but, in reality, you are dead?  Are you like the prodigal son who left home and squandered all his earthly possessions on wild living -- freestyle sex, gambling, alcohol and drugs, and more? Upon his return home, his father described him as having been dead.  Or, are you like the woman, that Paul described to Timothy, who lived for pleasure and was dead even while she lived? 

Have you chosen to live life self-focused -- self-indulgent ... selfish ... self-seeking ... self-absorbed ... self-loved ... self-centered ... self-conscious ... self-determined ... self-gratified ... self-important ... self-reliant ... self-serving ...self-willed -- get the picture?  Will you concentrate on self and remain gratefully dead? Or, will you do as Jesus commanded, deny yourself (see Luke 9:23)?  Don't be among the walking dead. Choose not to be among the living dead?  Rather, choose life, life more abundantly, life to the full, life in Jesus (see John 10:10).

Remember

How many times do you think or say the word remember in any given day?  Likely, lots of times. As recently as yesterday -- Monday, May 25th, Memorial Day, holiday -- how many remembered the purpose of the holiday?  That part I remembered. Memorial Day is a time to remember  the 1.8 million American soldiers who sacrificed their lives in military conflicts since 1775, all for our freedom.  While I was aware of the national Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m., I didn't remember at that precise time.

Remember ... retain ... recollect ... recall ... remind ... bring to mind ... bear something in mind ... reckon.  How important is it to be able to remember? Very!  Remember is used in Scripture many times as you would expect.  Sometimes, the usage is God speaking to us.  Number four of the ten commandments is one example, "remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." (See Exodus 20:8.)  In Revelation 3:3, Jesus says "remember what you have received and heard; obey it and repent." Recall one other verse wherein the Lord tells you something to remember.

Other times, the usage is our speaking to Him. Like the thief on the cross asking Jesus to remember him (Luke 23:42) ... like Job reminding God that his life was but a breath (Job 7:7) ... like the psalmist remembering the deeds and miracles of the Lord (Psalm 77:11). What are you reminding God to remember?  What are you remembering to remind God of?

Commencement

The Merriam-Webster definition of commencement includes "the time when something begins" and "an act, instance, or time of commencing."  All too often we may miss the real meaning of Commencement Exercises, and view them more literally as graduations, completions, ends.  The month of May is the time for Commencements.  During the first weekend in May, I attended three Commencements in one 24 hour period, two of which were out of town.  For my nephew who received a degree in electrical engineering, the exercise was likely for him a commencement to a successful career using what he's learned through this field of study.  For my niece who received a law degree, the exercise was probably a commencement to a successful career in some area of law.  For me, who was recognized for having received an undergraduate degree 50 years earlier, the exercise was a commencement to what?

Like, what's next? What have I been prepared to do?  In what am I to be successful?  Should I have a career focus?  In what activities should I be engaged?  To help answer those and similar questions, I looked to the Scriptures.  Jesus' commencement exercise was baptism in the Jordan by his cousin after 30 years of preparation for his earthly ministry.  Moses' commencement exercise was a burning bush experience at the age of 80 which launched his 40 year long deliverance ministry.  Saul's (name later changed to Paul) commencement exercise was a midlife Damascus road experience through which he learned how much he would suffer for the name of Jesus.  His commencement propelled him into a traveling ministry wherein he was instrumental in getting more churches started than any other.

In May, this month of commencement exercises, what's next for you?  What have you been prepared to do for the name of Jesus? Is age a factor?  Hear the words of the Lord penned by the prophet Isaiah -- for my thoughts are not your thoughts ... neither are your ways my ways ... my thoughts and ways are higher than yours ... my word does not return to me void or empty ... it accomplishes the purpose for which I sent it (see Isaiah 55:8-11).  So what's next for you? To what are you commencing?

National Day of Prayer

Did you know that President Abraham Lincoln signed a resolution proclaiming a National Day of Prayer and Humiliation in 1863?  Did you know that, in 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming the National Day of Prayer into law?  Did you know that President Ronald Reagan amended this law in 1988 designating the first Thursday of May every year as the National Day of Prayer?  Today, May 7th is that day.  Let's pray for our "one nation under God."  Let’s pray that “in God we trust.”

Did you know that the theme for this year's National Day of Prayer is taken from Solomon's prayer during the dedication of the magnificent temple He built? 1 Kings 8:18 -- "Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, O Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day." 

I challenge you to remember God's response to Solomon's prayer during the dedication of this temple in Jerusalem found in 2 Chronicles 7:13-14.  “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, ¹⁴ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 
 

I challenge you to pray for our nation, not just today but daily. I challenge you to pray for the nation of Israel.  I challenge you to pray!