Share His Love

"Share His love by telling what the Lord has done for you," a line from an old hymn.  Our recent winter weather has been so different and sometimes very threatening.  My pastor's recent focus has been on helping us build and enhance our relationships with God. He has been setting us up to hear the voice of the Lord.  He's been encouraging us to not merely ask God in prayer for whatever but to be still and listen to hear the voice of God.  Most recently, our assignment was to ask God what He'd have us do for the next 24 hours.  On this past Monday morning, I did just that.

 Early evening, I had to make a decision regarding whether we'd open our child development program the next day.  By this time, every school system in the county and surrounding counties had already closed, local colleges were closed, many children day cares were closed, the weather forecast suggested close.  For all practical purposes, we were closed because we tell our parents and caregivers that we follow Birmingham City Schools.  We also reserve the right to do differently. So for us specifically, my strong sense was to wait until I saw something.  When saying this to the director of our program, I expected her to debate my suggestion.  But she didn't, she simply said she'd let staff know to wait on our decision.  My strong sense went against everything I was hearing and what everybody else was doing.  Was this rational?  Was it a reasoned and informed decision?  Amid it all, I felt so at peace with the choice.

 So I waited, the staff team waited.  The early Tuesday morning forecast showed rain throughout the day with temperatures above freezing until late night.  So open we did, not at the usual time of 6:30 a.m. but at 9:00 a.m.  For many of our parents who needed our service, we were available to provide it. Wow, I have to share His love by telling what the Lord has done for me.

 

 And that's not the end of the story.  The following evening, all the school systems again closed.  My strong sense remained to wait until I saw something.  It was easier this second time around to trust what I realized God had advised me to do.  Wednesday morning rolled around, temperatures above freezing, rain, an afternoon forecast for chance of light dusting of snow.  So again, we opened an hour earlier at 8:00 a.m.  Even more of our parents took advantage of our being open when the schools, and colleges, and many day care programs were closed. And we were able to remain open until two o'clock.  Wow, I must share His love by telling what the Lord has done for me.  I asked Him to let me know what He would have me do for the next 24 hours, and He gave me insight into how to respond to the weather conditions.

 You too must "share His love by telling what the Lord has done for you."

I Love to Tell the Story

Words from an old hymn are "I love to tell the story ... of Jesus and His love."  In the aftermath of Birmingham's most recent and surprisingly harsh winter storm, how many of you have a story?  What is your story? How did Jesus show His love to and for you?  At The Guiding Light Church where I was, I learned a bit of the stories of many.  I recall a mother who arrived before noon to pick up her youngest child after having already picked up her twins from their school.  Four hours later, I saw her getting out of her car with the three children in tow.  She realized that she was unable to get home and so returned to the church for refuge.  What better place to seek refuge than where Jesus lives and rules and reigns.  The four of them were there until late morning two days later.  I can only imagine the children singing "yes, Jesus loves me."

 I love to tell the story of the mother and father who left their three year old on that Tuesday morning.  Mother was unable to pick up her precious child until late Thursday morning.  This mother and father experienced the love of Jesus as their child stayed peacefully through two nights away from them. Then, there's the story of the father who finally arrived safely to pick up his daughter.   Realizing that his wife was stuck in Hoover and he'd be unable to get up the hill to their home, he said "we might as well stay here with y'all."  So for the two days, they did.  And then, I'd love to hear the story of the pregnant mom who came to pick up her young child, stayed, and experienced the love of Jesus.

 A grandmother and grandfather picked up their two grandsons and realized their inability to get back to their home.  Grandmother's thought was, "let's go the church."  In her heart, she realized (without knowing for a certainty) that the church must be open.  And open it was.  For a full day, they experienced the love of Jesus, though not at their home, yet at home in His house.

 "The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell" -- words from another old hymn.  Two seniors, both 80+, spent the night at the church.  One of them, our staff person in Adult Day Care, was asked to take the other senior, our client, home.  They left the church shortly after 2:00 p.m., but returned a short while later after realizing that the drive was treacherous.  Ask either of them about the love of God.  Any story that does not tell of the love of Jesus or the love of God is incomplete.  So, what is your story?

This Is My Story

On many occasions when Jesus would teach the people, he chose very simple, down to earth, easily understood stories. We call them parables, yet they are earthly stories with heavenly messages.  What is your story around the recent winter storm that took Birmingham and surrounding areas by surprise? If your experience were a big test, what is your big story? What heavenly message did you glean from your story?

 This is my story, though only a small part of it.  We are interconnected, whether we want to be or not.  Being one with God makes us one with all God's people.  Into late afternoon on that Tuesday, the Family Care Center at The Guiding Light Church had three adult day care clients and 25 children in child care whose caregivers and parents had not arrived to pick them up.  We had program directors and staff who forgot about themselves and remained to serve wherever needed and to do whatever needed to be done. When a church member had been involved in an accident which totaled the car she was driving, the policeman attempted to carry her home but the road was barricaded. Unless she had another place to go, he offered to leave her at a service station.  She quickly thought and called the church on my office phone.  Our All Knowing God had me (who spent little time in my office and even less answering my office phone) in place to receive her call, and to say "we're here, come on." Only God could have orchestrated the perfect timing for her call.

The mother of a young infant left work in Lincoln around 10:00 a.m.  By late evening, her husband resigned himself to the fact that neither of them would be able to get there. We assured both of them that all was well, and the baby would be fine even though he had been given his last bottle.  By the grace of God, this determined mother arrived 12 hours later, picked up her baby and then made it safely home.

 A husband, with his son and another teen, left his job at Shades Mountain Christian School before noon coming to the church to pick up his wife.  They arrived at 2:30 a.m. after having made only one 30 minute stop.  With God's favor, nothing is impossible, no road is impassable.

"This is my story, this is my song;

Praising my Savior all the day long."

(from the hymn Blessed Assurance)

The I AM of 2014, part 4

Ask I AM for Wisdom and Knowledge

 

Following the death of his father, King David, and shortly after being appointed and anointed king of Israel, Solomon asked I AM for wisdom and knowledge. And guess what? God granted him wisdom and knowledge.

 

In this new year of 2014, what are you asking I AM for? Riches? Honor? Longevity? Health? Healing? Deliverance? Success? Job? Victory? Promotion? Defeat of your enemies? A mate? Children?  Healing of your marriage? King Solomon did not ask God for any of the above. He asked only for wisdom and knowledge. God was so pleased with Solomon's request, his not asking things from His hand, but for more of Him who is Wisdom and Knowledge. When God answered Solomon's prayer for wisdom and knowledge, He gave him not only wisdom and knowledge, but wealth and riches and honor unlike any other had ever had. (See 2 Chronicles 1: 7-12) Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge, and received from God more than he could have ever asked or imagined. Would you like to be in that position? Yes, of course you would. So would I.

 

In this new year of 2014, let's do what Solomon did. In prayer, let's ask I AM for wisdom and knowledge. Even if you can't fully believe or imagine the possibilities, begin to thank I AM for more wisdom and knowledge. Remember, I AM, Jesus, said ask for more wisdom and knowledge and it will be given to you. I AM, Jesus, said seek more wisdom and knowledge and you will find it. I AM, Jesus, said knock on the doors of wisdom and knowledge and they will be opened to you. (See Matthew 7:7) Thank You, I AM!

The I AM of 2014, part 3

Walk with I AM so I AM can walk with you.  On one occasion, Jesus said to the Jews "before Abraham was born, I AM" (John 8:58).   Jesus' words here remind me of an old hymn, Walk With Me.  The first line of the chorus -- "I want Jesus to walk with me ... all along this pilgrim journey,  I want Jesus to walk with me."  Consider that the chorus could be sung this way -- I want I AM to walk with me ... all along this pilgrim journey, I want I AM to walk with me. 

As you seek the way God has purposed for you, remember that Jesus said ... I AM the Way.  When the facts of life are bombarding you ... the doctor's negative report ... a new round of layoffs that includes you ... the unexpected death of a loved one ... teenager on drugs, remember the words of Jesus, I AM the Truth.  When you just don't know which way to turn or where to go, Jesus says I AM the Light of the World.  His word is a lamp for your feet and a light on your path (see Psalm 119:105).  When God seems so far away, when it seems that none of your prayers are being answered, consider where I AM is.  I AM is right there, I AM is right here, wherever you need Him to be, whenever you need Him.

Invite I AM to walk with you, all along your earthly journey, let I AM walk with you. Jesus has declared I AM the Beginning and the End.

 

The I AM of 2014, part 2

Talk with I AM so I AM can tell you what to say.  At the burning bush, God gave Moses the assignment to go to Pharaoh, tell him to “let my people go,” and then to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (see Exodus 3).  Moses' first thoughts -- who, what, why, when, where, how; probably not unlike our first thoughts.  Who am I that I should do this? Who shall I tell the Israelites sent me? What is his name? How am I going to do this?  What do you want me to say? I AM, you know that I am slow of speech.  When do you want me to go back to Egypt?

Talk with I AM so I AM can tell you what to say.  Moses had never done anything like this in his entire 80 year life span.  Neither had anybody else.  New assignment, new challenge, new time, new season, new ending, new beginning.  All new, little or nothing to draw from or learn from.  We, however, can learn from Moses.  He talked with I AM.  I AM told him what to say to his brother, Aaron.  I AM told him what to say to the elders of Egypt.  I AM told him what to say to the Israelites.  I AM told him what to say to Pharaoh.

Talk with I AM so I AM can tell you what to say. Going on a job interview ... going before your accusers ...  told to write a book, article, blog, letter, sermon, lesson ... in a tight place ... backed up against a wall ... half dozen in one hand, six in the other ... need to discipline another … just don't know what to say ... talk with I AM so I AM can tell you what to say.

Talk with I AM means Pray to I AM!!!

The I AM of 2014

Happy New Year!  How has 2014 started for you? Easy?  Wonderfully well? Tough? Hard? Unusual? Different? More of the same? New assignment? Filled with change? Loss? Gain? Status quo?

Through this blog, the last message of 2013 was about Jesus declaring "I am the light of the world" (see John 8:12, 9:5).  And yes, He is.  Consider the first two words of His declaration -- I Am.  On other occasions, Jesus declared "I Am the Good Shepherd ... I Am the Bread of Life ... I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" ... and more. During a conversation with the Jews (see John 8:48-58) where they called him a demon-possessed Samaritan, Jesus responded "before Abraham was born, I Am." My first thoughts, I Am what? I Am who? I Am when? I am Where? I Am why? Something is missing from that statement. Do I, can I fill in the blank?

And then I remembered Moses and his encounter with God at the burning bush.  At 80 years of age, Moses was given what some of you may call "the mother of all assignments," the assignment which he spent the last 40 years of his life working on. Asking God who he would tell the Israelites sent him, God replied "I AM WHO I AM ... I AM has sent me."

God the Father, I Am.  Jesus, I Am.  I Am whatever you need me to be.  I Am wherever you need me to be.  I Am wherever you are.  I Am with you whenever.  I Am whoever you need me to be.  Before 2014 was, I Am.  I Am, thank you (and you add the rest).