And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17 (New Living Translation)
This is one of my favorite verses and I try to live by it every day. Sometimes it's definitely not an easy thing to do! It's a very serious (& sometimes scary!) responsibility to be a representative of our Lord Jesus!
Several years ago God convinced me not to gossip. Let me tell you, that was such a challenge at the beginning that I often struggled to come up with something to talk about! When I was growing up, my mother always told me if I didn't have something good to say, not to say anything at all. Although I usually tried to be obedient to her, reminding myself that I am a representative of the Lord Jesus is an even stronger motivation to keeping my lips zipped!
It's funny how people pick up on you not participating in gossip without you telling them. At the beginning, I did tell some friends, but since we've moved and the people I'm around at work and elsewhere haven't really heard me gossip, they usually don't tell me gossip. When you don't know much gossip, it's much easier not to repeat it. I am thankful that temptations into this area are kept to a minimum in my life these days. Thank you, Jesus!
When co-workers, friends and family are aware you are a Christian, whether they consciously realize it or not, they are always watching you. Admit it, you watch and notice when your Christian friends do or say something that it not very "Christ-like." When I fall victim to "un-Christ like" behavior, what really burdens me is the possible effect that observing this could have on someone who is not yet a believer or is a new believer. I met a woman at a women's ministry leadership conference a few years ago who shared with us that she would have committed her life to Christ literally years sooner if it had not been for the behavior she observed in Christian women!
Keeping in mind that whatever I say or do I should do it "as a representative of the Lord Jesus" is a serious responsibility for sure. But, it is also an awesome privilege that I am blessed with as a child of God. I am forever thankful for this responsibility and privilege as well as for the blessings that result from living in obedience.
What about you? How do you feel about living your life as a representative of our Lord Jesus? Will someone observing how you live your life realize you are a believer and follower of Jesus? Has God shown you an area of your life you need to work on?
What has God said to you today through this verse?
My prayer for today:
Father God, thank you so much for loving me. Thank you for being patient with me and most of all for forgiving me when I don't live up to your expections of me as your representative. You know even better than I do that gossip is just one area you have shown me over the years that I need to change in my life.
The world is so loud! Even when we know in our hearts that following Your example is the very best way to live, it can be such a struggle to keep the world from creeping in. Father, thank you for the privilege of being your chosen child and thank you for putting me here on earth for your purposes. It is my heart's desire to glorify you in all I say, do and think each and every day. You know I can't do it without you by my side each step of each day. I thank you for always being right there with me. Thank you for forgiveness and mercy. Thank you for the sacifice you made through your son, Jesus Christ, going to the cross to bear the burden for my sins and those of each person who trusts Him with their life. It's in His precious name, I pray. Amen.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
The gift of today
". . . For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told." Habakkuk 1: 5OK - I know, I know - I just wrote about this same verse my last post. The problem is that when I was reflecting on this verse the other day, God was taking me this direction and then I went to Step by Step and I felt He wanted me to share how I saw the verse in action there.
But, I can't let the gift message go, so decided to share it as well.
Two wise, Godly women whom I'm blessed to know, Mimi and Shelley, the authors of "Holy Habits," spoke at a Holiday brunch I attended in 2007. Their gift to each attendee was a Chinese take out box - mine is pictured above. One of their teachings that day was to use visual clues as prayer reminders. Can you guess what the take-out box is a clue to?
No, it's not food or China related! Mimi suggested sitting it on your bedside table or dresser where you can see it first thing every morning even before you get out of bed. It is to remind you that each day is a gift from God. He is just waiting to unwrap blessings and opportunities (& yes, often times challenges!) for us each and every day! She suggested starting each day praying thanks to God for the gift of today and then asking Him to show you how He can use you that day.
When I read the verse above, it reminded me that God would absolutely love it if we approached each day with the same level of anticipation and excitement we have when we spot the biggest, brightest present under the tree on Christmas morning and realize it has our name on it! He would love it if we just cannot wait to see what He has planned for us that day just like we can't wait to see what's inside that great big box! Whether we rip the paper off in a rush or calmly and methodically remove it without tearing is up to us, but the gift inside is all ours! The same is true of God's gift of each day to us - it is all ours and He gave it specially to each of us! If He told us what was in it before we saw it, we couldn't even begin to believe all He had planned!
The next time you're tempted to groan and grumble about getting out of bed picture a brightly wrapped gift - or a white take out box - and realize that God has once again blessed you with the gift of another day!
What has God said to you today through this verse?
My prayer for today:
Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you, thank you , thank you - for the gift of today, yesterday and tomorrow! Please forgive me for the days I forget to thank you and ask you to show me or tell me what I can do for you today. Please help each of us keep our focus on you and keep the world with all its distractions, fatigue and tempations from interferring. Lord, please help us remember that your gift of today is also an opportunity for us to give back to you through our obedience and through serving others in your name and for your glory. Thank you, Lord Jesus! It's in your precious name, I pray. Amen.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Unbelievable!
" . . . For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told." Habakkuk 1: 5
Thursday night I had the privilege to serve at the registration table during the first meeting this year of Step by Step, a non-denominational ministry to teen moms and their children. It was a great observation (& listening!) post!
The mission of Step By Step is "to provide an opportunity for salvation, and emotional and spiritual healing through Jesus Christ to young single mothers and their children, by walking with them step by step as they learn to lead productive, purposeful lives."
I could see the mission in action on so many levels!
Having worked in the nursery last year, I recognized several returning moms and babies. It was wonderful to see the babies' growth and to see the smiles on the moms' faces because they were so happy to be back at SBS! It was easy to spot the first timers - their faces showed uncertainty and sometimes a sense of hurt. It was so encouraging to see returning moms bringing new friends with them because they knew how much their friends could benefit from the program and especially from the love of Jesus.
"For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told."
I could see it in the faces of the first timers "What am I doing here? What good is this going to do me?" But, "the rest of the story" of that verse was clearly illustrated by at least two stories I observed.
The first was a young mother wearing a Kroger shirt, holding one baby in her arms and another by the hand. She was beaming and couldn't wait to tell Susan and Terri, the SBS directors, that she is going to school and studying nursing! What progress she has made since last year! I suspect that if she were told last year that she'd be successfully balancing children, job and nursing school, she would not have believed it!
Even more touching was another mom who was also beaming - she had a glow about her that makes me believe she has Jesus in her heart! Susan was exclaiming over the change in her saying, "you do not look or act like the same girl who walked through those doors last year!" The young woman agreed and said co-workers had told her the same thing. While I don't know this particular young woman's story, I suspect it is like many others who have come to Step by Step broken, disheartened, discouraged and hurt looking for answers, love and acceptance. Susan and Terri, along with many volunteers, help these girls find Jesus and purpose in their lives.
Step by Step, like so many ministries, enables volunteers to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus, spreading his love, truth and light to those who so desperately need Him.
Has God called you to serve somewhere or in some way to help others find Him? There are so many opportunities! Just be prepared - you would not believe what He can do through you even if He told you the whole story beforehand!
If you'd like to learn more about Step by Step, please visit http://www.sbslex.org/.
What has God said to you today through this verse?
My prayer for today:
Father God, thank you so much for giving us opportunities every day to serve you through serving others. You may have different plans and different ways for each of us to serve, but help us remember that you will always equip us to do what you have called us to do. You know the end from the beginning and we though we'd like to, we don't need to know it. We just need to be obedient when you call us to serve.
Thank you, Lord, for the success stories of so many who have been served and saved through the Step by Step ministry over the past 14 years. Please guide the leadership and volunteers in that ministry. Equip them spiritually, physically and financially to continue to do your work in Lexington and beyond.
Thank you, Lord for being who you are! In Jesus precious name. Amen.
Thursday night I had the privilege to serve at the registration table during the first meeting this year of Step by Step, a non-denominational ministry to teen moms and their children. It was a great observation (& listening!) post!
The mission of Step By Step is "to provide an opportunity for salvation, and emotional and spiritual healing through Jesus Christ to young single mothers and their children, by walking with them step by step as they learn to lead productive, purposeful lives."
I could see the mission in action on so many levels!
Having worked in the nursery last year, I recognized several returning moms and babies. It was wonderful to see the babies' growth and to see the smiles on the moms' faces because they were so happy to be back at SBS! It was easy to spot the first timers - their faces showed uncertainty and sometimes a sense of hurt. It was so encouraging to see returning moms bringing new friends with them because they knew how much their friends could benefit from the program and especially from the love of Jesus.
"For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told."
I could see it in the faces of the first timers "What am I doing here? What good is this going to do me?" But, "the rest of the story" of that verse was clearly illustrated by at least two stories I observed.
The first was a young mother wearing a Kroger shirt, holding one baby in her arms and another by the hand. She was beaming and couldn't wait to tell Susan and Terri, the SBS directors, that she is going to school and studying nursing! What progress she has made since last year! I suspect that if she were told last year that she'd be successfully balancing children, job and nursing school, she would not have believed it!
Even more touching was another mom who was also beaming - she had a glow about her that makes me believe she has Jesus in her heart! Susan was exclaiming over the change in her saying, "you do not look or act like the same girl who walked through those doors last year!" The young woman agreed and said co-workers had told her the same thing. While I don't know this particular young woman's story, I suspect it is like many others who have come to Step by Step broken, disheartened, discouraged and hurt looking for answers, love and acceptance. Susan and Terri, along with many volunteers, help these girls find Jesus and purpose in their lives.
Step by Step, like so many ministries, enables volunteers to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus, spreading his love, truth and light to those who so desperately need Him.
Has God called you to serve somewhere or in some way to help others find Him? There are so many opportunities! Just be prepared - you would not believe what He can do through you even if He told you the whole story beforehand!
If you'd like to learn more about Step by Step, please visit http://www.sbslex.org/.
What has God said to you today through this verse?
My prayer for today:
Father God, thank you so much for giving us opportunities every day to serve you through serving others. You may have different plans and different ways for each of us to serve, but help us remember that you will always equip us to do what you have called us to do. You know the end from the beginning and we though we'd like to, we don't need to know it. We just need to be obedient when you call us to serve.
Thank you, Lord, for the success stories of so many who have been served and saved through the Step by Step ministry over the past 14 years. Please guide the leadership and volunteers in that ministry. Equip them spiritually, physically and financially to continue to do your work in Lexington and beyond.
Thank you, Lord for being who you are! In Jesus precious name. Amen.
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