Let us give thanks today for our Saviour and all that He has done.  Let us praise His name because He alone is worthy of all praise!  Let us show forth His glory to all people by praising Him in all things!

Ps. 18:49, “Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.”

Ps. 30:4, 12, “Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.”

Ps. 97:12, “Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.”

Ps. 107:1, “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”

Ps. 119:62, “At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.”

Eph. 5:4, 20, “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

Col. 3:17, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

1 Thess. 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Heb. 13:15, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

Rev. 11:17, “Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.”

I Will Rejoice Greatly

Whether it be Thanksgiving Day or any other day of the year, we have great reason to rejoice.     We are to be thankful for much more than food, clothing, jobs, etc.     Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 61:10,

I will rejoice greatly in the LORD,    
My soul will exult in my God;    
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation.    
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness.

The greatest gift we have from God is salvation in Christ Jesus.     And, we see here that it is God who “clothes” us with salvation.     It is nothing we can ever do for ourselves —- it is a gift from God.     In love, God Himself “clothes” us — like a Servant dresses his master — only, it is God who has humbly made Himself  our Servant.

And it is our LORD and Creator who condescends to wrap us with an awesome  ”robe” of true righteousness.     It is not a righteousness of our own that we can buy or create, but the righteousness of Jesus Christ.     As we grasp the depths of these truths, we will truly “rejoice greatly in the LORD”.      We haven’t done anything to deserve the eternal wealth of all these gracious gifts of love, but yet, He has chosen to so love us.    He has so chosen — while we were lying helpless in the mire of our sins.     Such love and care are incomprehensible — far beyond our wildest imagination.

Can you imagine God Almighty tenderly wrapping us with a robe of true righteousness?     With this robe of honest righteousness, we will no longer be looked upon as despicably disgusting sinners.     All of our sins will be washed away.     In actual purity and holiness, we can now enjoy a true fellowship with our LORD.

Realizing the wonder of this utter cleanness, we greatly desire to stay clean forever and always enjoy this relief and peace with our Savior.

With hearts rejoicing in our LORD, we say,  “Hallelujah!     My Lord, You have done all things for me.     What has been impossible for me, You have made possible.     Thank You.”

Love,  
Margaret

A devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and King of kings…

**************

This year the Holidays will be tough.  I’m completely heart-broken, the Wife is with an immoral man and his family for the week, and the kids are confused.  However, it is time to praise God for the air I breathe, the kids I love, the job I have, the home I live in- the things God has given me.

My life is a mess.  That’s true.  But, God is my redeemer, and He is on His throne.  I will praise God during this storm.  I hurt, but He is with me.  Whom or what shall I fear?  No one.  Nothing.

Psalm 42:5-6  > Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

As it’s been getting closer to Thanksgiving,I’ve been thinking more and more about the last year. I think I ate Thanksgiving dinner with my left hand. That was just after my little plate collision with my right elbow.

 I was about to turn 18. 

Earlier in that month of Nov. I had become a rebelutionary,after reading the book by Alex and Brett Harris. I wanted to do hard things. I just wasn’t sure how. How do you search for hard things to do?

 Little did I know then that I didn’t have to look but identify the situation. I got many chances to do hard things.

I got to suffer a little pain,colds,the flu and bloody noses,until just breathing was hard.

I got to stand up for what I believe in. Stand up for truth. Even one of those harder things;myself. 

I got to gain and lose all friends,as some came from far away and then all moved far away. I was given opportunities for some wonderful good times,and to lay them down when they were done. 

I learned that trusting gets you hurt,but to trust anyways;especially a God who loves me.

 I had many simple moments in thanks of Him; like water droplets on the grass,like the sound of rain falling,like bright warm sunshine,and the stars at 5:30.

 Chances to sing and teach Sunday School. Wonderful times with my pastor’s family.

 Having my charge run and hug me when I pick her up from Head Start.

I really can’t complain when I get sugar in my water instead of salt. Having a matched pair of escorts is pretty handy. Even getting patted on the head. Overwhelming opinions and protection.

Good food and a warm house.

The unexpected circumstances that turn into grand adventures.

 All in all it’s been an exciting year.

          It’s life and I’m thankful for a chance to live it.

We are gathering together this week on Wednesday night to spend some time before Thanksgiving in thanksgiving, as the body of Christ!  Why?  We have truly experienced another incredible year as the Northland Oviedo family passionately in pursuit of God.  We saw the launch of our Missional May with Compassion International and the sending off of foreign missionaries, beach and pool Baptisms, local adventurers sent on mission trips to Jamaica and Africa, the Luke Project and Women’s Tea, the launch of our Neighborhood Gatherings, multiple Small Groups formed and multiplied, lots of new faces from congregants to baby’s, baby’s and more baby’s.  Even in a time where there is a lot of struggle and hurt, loss and suffering we all still have much to be thankful for form our salvation because of His sacrifice, to our brothers and sisters in Christ who are here with us, “spurring one another on in love and good deeds.”   Having lots to be thankful for is reason enough to take time out before we begin to eat too much food and fall asleep watching football, but Paul gives us a much, much better reason, the greatest reason of all. 

Read this for yourselves from Philippians 4:3-9:  

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 ⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Paul’s reason is more compelling than the list of things we have to be thankful for, even in a time when things are hard for many, these verses give us a clear picture of why we are to spend time in THANKS to the Lord!  In fact, it seems like Paul is actually saying something like “all the more reason to be thankful when things are bad, because He is going to give you what you need to get through it”.  Bring it all to Him, always, good, bad and the ugly, everything, and then, guess what will happen: “…the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”

I want more of that, how about you?  “The peace of God that transcends all understanding” sounds pretty awesome, and HOW do I get that?  By bringing my whole life, all of it, to Him, in prayer and supplication (humble petition or request).  Do not be anxious about anything (see Matthew 6:26), He promises He will be with us always and although our situation and circumstances may not disappear, we will be strengthened to endure and glorify Him as we do. 

Join us either at the Tuesday night Thanksgiving Service at FUMCO in Oviedo, 7pm, details in the lobby OR at the Wed night of Prayer and Thanksgiving OR go and serve others at the FUMCO Thanksgiving Dinner, details in the lobby!  If you are going to spend the holiday alone and would like to be with some of us, please contact Amanda Hartley or myself, and we will do what we can to connect you to others, who, like you know they have plenty to be Thankful for this year!

 This morning,I found myself in a very small room with balloons flying,popcorn scattering and kids yelling;everywhere. Believe it or not we were celebrating Thanksgiving. I told them the story of the first day on this continent that a day,or several days,were set aside for thanks.

    We went  through the reasons that those people came here and what they suffered in so doing. When we got to the part about their first winter,I gave them their snack;five pieces of corn each. I thought it was a wonderful idea,but they weren’t so impressed. They were starting to get the idea that the Pilgrims didn’t have it so good. They were pretty thankful when I gave them popcorn instead. 

     Then for fun and games. I didn’t think that wrestling and shooting bows and arrows where such encouraging activities. So,we had mazes,balloons,straws and paper airplanes. They had a blast breaking out of the norm,blowing straw papers,having balloon contests,folding airplanes and generally being chaotic.

   Different,yes,but I thought it was fun. Someone even said that it was the best! When I step out of that little room when it’s all over people ask me how it went. I just smile and reply that it was good. All the while thinking,’You have no idea!’

Psalm 13:1-6

This has been a tough week for me in my spiritual faith.  I have seen good things that God has done, but I have felt forgotten by God with some of my deepest prayers. 

It is a “funk” I get in when things get slower and life becomes more like a daily grind than a freeway. I needed this passage this week to encourage my heart.

The writer asks a hard question, that so many of us can relate to, “How long?” It is somewhat retorical “I would say, “It seems like forever since I heard from you”.  The author knew from the prayer Psalm of Moses that time was not a restriction for God. 

Psalm 90:4  For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. KJV

It was just a cry of frustration.  I found a definitive answer to this question in Isaiah who answers this heart cry with hope:

Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. KJV

I would outline this Psalm but I simply want to speak to what it does for me to read it.  I am struggling but not down, why???

Because of verse 3 which is my hope: “Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten my eyes”  Sometimes in my daily walk with God I lose focus and need “fresh eyes”  This is a passage I can learn about God’s plans through God’s eyes. 

King David for all his glory and writings simply was worried and took his frustration to the God who could do something about it.

I have learned that when I am down, that is when I can look up and find in vs. 5 -6:

Mercy – undeserved favor from God

Rejoice – joy in God’s salvation who is my hope

Sing – when everything looks dark and hopeless – Sing a new song from the inside out like Paul and Silas did in the Philippian jail.

Acts 16:22-25

 ²²And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

 ²³And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

 ²⁴Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

 ²⁵And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.  KJV

David ends with what I need today,” He has dealt bountifully with me”  I can’t be in a “funk” for long, I have too much that God has done for me. 

Thank you Lord for everything You have done!

I have in my hands two boxes
Which God gave me to hold
He said, “Put all your sorrows in the black,
And all your joys in the gold.”
I heeded his words, and in the two boxes
Both my joys and sorrows I store
But though the gold became heavier each day
The black was as light as before.
With curiosity, I opened the black
I wanted to find out why
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.
I showed the hole to God, and mused aloud,
“I wonder where my sorrows could be.”
He smiled a gentle smile at me.
“My child, they’re all here with me.”
I asked, “God, why give me the boxes,
“Why the gold, and the black with the hole?”
“My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings,
the black is for you to let go.”

“And we urge you, brethren,

to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.

Be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the faint-hearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us.

Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.”

1 Thessalonians 5:12-26

A Prayer of Faith/ Miracles    (WHERE THE BLANKS ARE PUT IN YOUR NAME OR OTHER NAMES)

In the Name of Jesus heavenly Father, we bring our prayer petition (s)

before you today on behalf of ____________.   _________ is challenged

today; but he/she realizes that this is a faith challenge.   So

_____________ is not worried in any way.  Our prayer is a prayer of

agreement based on your word which says “Again, assuredly I tell you, that

if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will

be done for them by my Father who is in heaven.  (WEB)  (Matthew 18:  19)     Father

we give thanks and honor to you this day.  We lift up all of our leaders in this

country and the leaders of the world.  We lift up all of our local leaders as

well as all of our spiritual and financial leaders for we know that this is good

and acceptable in Your sight.    We pray for the peace of Jerusalem.    We

pledge this day to think as faith people do for we are faith people who walk

by what we believe in accordance with Your Word and not by sight, to see

things as You see them, to see our circumstances in accordance with your

Word, our families in accordance with your Word, Our finances in

accordance with your Word, Our health in accordance with Your Word.  We

are unshakeable and unstoppable.   We are strong in Your Word and in the

power that backs the Word…your Almighty power!   Father Your Word says:

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God

must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently

seek him.  (KJV)  (Heb.  11:  6)    We say Father that ________________ is

pleasing you because she/he believes that You are and that You will reward

him/her because she/he is diligent in her/his seeking of you.   We declare

that _________________ will be a person of Prayer because that will

strengthen her/him in times that they face unexpected challenges and even

in normal times.   We declare that ______________ will always guard their Words always remembering the words of Christ Jesus when he said:   “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Mt.12:36-37).   Father we guard our hearts every day and we guard our mouths as well for your Word says:

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Mt.12:36-37).  So ______________ will not use idle words regarding his/her situation at any time.    Father we are thankful that you have heard our prayer today for we KNOW that you never forget the place where we give thanks.  We thank you for this Blessed and glorious day!  We will rejoice and be glad in it!  We praise you for the abundance of all things!  We thank you for the peace of God which keeps our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  We thank you Father for allowing us to serve you.  We thank you Father for our strength in our minds and in our bodies.  We thank you that this situation is resolved!   We thank you Father that the broken parts of our lives are no longer broken.  You said that you would make the crooked places straight and you have!  We thank you that when the enemy comes in like a flood that the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard!   We thank you Father for loving us so much and for Your mercy and Your grace!  There is none like You Father!  Not in the whole earth or the universe!  We thank you that you are able to give us heavenly backing and for telling us that any battle that we face is NOT our battle,  but it is Your battle!  We command these things to come to pass for _____________.  _________ will continue to speak boldly the truths which You have declared in Your Word!  We declare that on this day.  (SAY DAY , DATE and Year)  THE MOUNTAIN MOVES!  We count it done in the Name of Jesus!  AMEN!  SO BE IT!

READ:  BREAD BREAKER

Philippians 4: 4-9   

⁴Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 ⁸Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

These days, it is so easy to fall into the trap of “you think you have it bad…. you should know about my issues”.  Whether it be family, financial, work or anything in between, we all have a story.  It is a matter of how you want that story to turn out.  Either we can sit and wait for “something” to occur or we can trust in God to make our way.  Notice I did NOT say forge out on our own.

Many times I have forged out on my own without asking for God’s help.  Having been brought to deal with life’s obstacles as best as possible, bringing God into the equation was not top of the list.  Why should I ask God for things that are so trivial to Him.  Shouldn’t I be able to do things on my own?

It has only been since my 40’s and a set of God-involved circumstances that He has become a part of my requests – no matter how small.  I am not always good at asking in all things, but I am able to recognize opportune moments where He is a possible ally to the things I need (notice I did not say “want” – because I “want” the winning lotto ticket).

So the thing here is to REJOICE in everything – good or bad.  Good because it is a gift, bad because it is a means of strengthening us, to be persistent and to find the truth in God and in ourselves.  If we are constantly rejoicing, we do not have the time to lament over the things that are not going the way we think they should go.  If this is the case, we more apt to rely on Him for all our needs and not be anxious in our circumstances.  Rejoicing at all times is not an easy task.  It is a habit that must be learned by doing over and over again.  So when do we start.  Rejoice – Now, Rejoice – Always.

Father, you are the all giving ruler of my life.  For this I am grateful and I honor you today by starting to make a stand to rejoice.  Lord give me the willingness to have the desire to always be rejoicing.  Let this rejoicing overflow to help me understand you are there for me always and want to help – just as any father/parent would want to do.  All I must do is ask.  Rejoice and ask for courage to master the obstacles that cross my path.

Isaiah 54: 17 No weapon that is formed against you will prosper.

“This is my prayer in the battle

When triumph is still on its way

I am a conqueror and coheir with Christ

So firm on His promise I will stand

and I will bring praise

I will bring praise

No weapon formed against me shall remain

I will rejoice

I will declare

God is my victory and He is here”

Spending time praying tonight.  What can I be praying for you about?

]]> http://cecimouse.com/2009/11/08/hidden-talents/ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:19:08 +0000 cecimouse http://cecimouse.com/2009/11/08/hidden-talents/

I stopped to say “Hello” to an elderly gentleman on my way out after church this morning, and I think stopped is the operative word.  He began to tell me a story about when he was a boy.  His mother didn’t like the song, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, because she didn’t think it was right to make fun of someone who was different.  He, on the other hand, loved the song.  Because, his young mind reasoned, in the end Rudolph’s hidden talent made him very special in everyone’s eyes after all.

When he became older, his story continued, he went to work on a construction crew for a company that his father owned.  He learned there was a softball league and decided he wanted to play.  “Oh great,” he read on the faces of the other players when he showed up for the game after work, “the boss’s kid wants to play.” They were playing on a field with lights, but the lights only illuminated out to the bases.

They put him out in far right field. Nobody could say they didn’t let the boss’s son play.  When the white ball came streaming at him, the lights spotlighted it from his vantage point, making it an easy catch for someone in the shadows.  For those under the lights, it looked like he had caught it in the dark.  “And the crowd went wild!”

He doesn’t move very fast anymore, and his words are formulated and put together as slowly and deliberately as he walks. If I hadn’t stopped, and even more, if I hadn’t listened, I would have missed that story. He had a long successful career as a professional football quarterback. Yet his fondest sports memory was when he played softball and his hidden talent made him special in everyone’s eyes.

By the time he got around to telling me about the softball game, he had forgotten he had told me about the song his mother didn’t like.  But that didn’t matter because I hadn’t forgotten. I heard what he said and was able to weave the pieces together.

Sometimes I think I’m a good listener, but then I completely miss the point of what someone is trying to tell me. I realize now too often I’m busy talking in my head — reinterpreting or critiquing what they are saying or planning out what I’m going to say as soon as they quit talking or take a breath.  Of course I can’t listen to them and me at the same time — too many voices talking and no one listening.  Today reminded me that I need to be quiet and listen to the words and concentrate on the intent of the story. I think I’m finally discovering one of my hidden talents. “And the crowd went wild!”

Scratchings from

Ceci, Church Mouse

I think the word I’m looking for is Behemoth. Canada’s Wonderland’s website boasts that it is “Canada’s biggest, fastest & tallest coaster EVER!” I feel like I’m living on it. My life right now is Behemoth.

I struggle with keeping God #1. I struggle with saying and believing the nice fluffy Sunday school lines like “Give it over to God – He will comfort you!” and “He wants to carry your load – do your best, God will do the rest!” Awww… There’s my cosmic teddy bear again, wanting to make all the trivial little dramas in my life go away.

I know I’m not even giving God the chance. I get a really upsetting phone call. My heart is broken, my soul is wrenching, and I can’t quite find an emotion to stick with – I’m all over the map. I’m a mess. What makes me feel better – email a close friend to “vent.” Venting. What a ridiculous notion. I need to vent to someone to feel better? I need to freak out and spew out all of my pent-up resentment and frustrations and anger to someone I trust? Bull***. I want someone to feel sorry for me, and I want someone to hop onto my pity-party train and take a ride with me. It makes me feel good. For like 10 minutes. Then I want to vent to somebody else.

WHY don’t I vent to God? WHY don’t I go into my closet and shut the door and weep and cry and freak out on God? He knows EVERY EMOTION I’m hitting on this Behemoth today. He is with me, in my head, in my heart, in my subconcious – he knows why I feel the way I feel when I’m trying to figure out what exactly it is that I’m feeling! He’s with me on so many levels, that I can’t even understand how much more He knows about me, let alone my problem. But I feel better writing an email? What’s wrong with me??

A close friend I’ve cherished since high school wrote me today. She knows a sliver of what has been happening between Owen & I, and instead of asking for all the gossip, and trying whatever she can to squeeze some juicy information out of me, she writes to encourage me. I don’t know what you’re going through, I don’t know what’s wrong, but “I love you and I pray things are getting better for you day by day…”

She goes on to write “If I could give you a little advice from my own marriage trials, is not to expect a change overnight, and to learn to work on one thing at a time and not try to fix everything at once. It took (her husband) and I three years to finally feel “in love” and feel like newlyweds. We’ve just now learned to love each other with our love languages and to put the other first. Although it’s not pefect some days, we are trying to make an effort.”

This is the sound of me breathing a deep, refreshed sigh. Thank you. I’m not the only one going through this, I’m not the only one struggling in my marriage, and here’s some sound advice that I learned the hard way and I hope means something to you too. That’s a friend right there.

So although I didn’t go lock myself in a closet like I probably should have, God decided to speak through one of my fellow sisters in His family and give me something I needed to hear.

Marriage is hard. She also wrote “I’m a firm believer that marriage is the hardest thing a person will do in their life. It’s really the only thing you have to commit to. If your job sucks, you just get another one. If you don’t like your look, you change it. There are so many things in life that if we are unhappy, we can walk away fromy. Marriage is one of the only things that requires true committment and really shows what a person is made of when they choose to stick it out, and in the end, it makes them into stronger and better people…”

Marriage is like a roller coaster. It really is. There are high times, there are low times, there are times when you’re getting really high, and you hear that clicking, and you know it’s going to be crazy soon, so you just hang on and hope for the best. Sometimes it’s insane – you want OFF NOW. The trick is learning that, just like on a roller coaster, getting off isn’t an option. They don’t stop the Behemoth every time it gets to the highest point, so the people who’ve changed their minds can climb out and go down the ladder. You got on it – you gotta suck it up and stay on it til it’s done and those chest bars lift up! The quicker you realize this is up to you. You can decide to give it all you’ve got – heck, you’re going to raise your hands above your head and let it exhillerate you on the way down! Or you’re going to clutch the seat and scream and hate every second. Regardless, you’re on the ride. What are you going to make of it? It was DESIGNED FOR YOU, to bring out the best in you, to comfort and encourage you, to delight in and rejoice in. It was God’s ultimate day-to-day gift to us in our crazy life – someone to serve the Saviour beside, and in total union with. And we are so selfish that we turn it into something miserable.

Everything comes easy these days. You don’t have to sit down for breakfast as a family anymore – get a microwavable bagel that takes 30 seconds and you can eat it on the run! Grab some instant oatmeal bars and throw them at the kids in the back seat on the way to the bus! It’s that easy! Feeling empty? Don’t pay for 12 months! Fill up your house with more crap you don’t need so you can feel better right now!  Sale! Everything must go! We’ve gotta make room for the next batch of useless garbage! You HAVE to have the newer upgraded cell phone, the old one just WILL NOT satisfy you! Keep up! We’re moving faster than you are, and you’ve gotta have all this crap too, or you’re just missing out on living life to the fullest! You’re filling a void that can’t be filled with any of this stuff, so keep cramming, at least some days you’ll feel some temporary relief!

WHERE HAVE WE PUT GOD?? We are living so far away from Him, that nothing satisfies us anymore. We want more, more, more. Yes, it’s human nature. Exactly. We can put aside our human nature and live HOLY lives if we buckle down and decide to. I always wondered HOW people did that? How do you live so satisfied in Christ, how do you actually live IN His Spirit? How are you so filled with the Holy Spirit that His presence in it spills over and produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and (the fruit I believe our culture is lacking above all else) self control. How do you do that? I believe the answer is so simple, when you truly grasp it, you’ll feel like you got a boot shoved up your butt for not seeing it sooner.

Every. Single. Decision. In. Life. From how to respond when a telemarketer calls at supper time, to whether or not to get pissed off when someone cuts you off in traffic, to that extra little bitg you squeeze out of someone because you know you can. It’s all there – the choices are black, and white. We make them grey because we don’t want to do the white stuff when it all boils down to it. There is no room for grey with God. It’s black and white. Make the right decision to glorify Him, or don’t. Every single time you make the right choice; say the right words; do the right thing… You are giving God the glory and inviting a little bit more of Himself to fill you up and make YOU, HIS temple. WOAH. Seriously, if you truly grasp what that means, how can it not knock you to your knees? Literally. Are you still with me? Can I get an AMEN?? (I never understood that sentence but I get it now!)

When God asks us to do things in secret, it’s because He KNOWS we are truly doing it to glorify Him! Who else gets the glory if He’s the only one who it was meant to be seen by? When He tells us that good things done for the attention or praise or thanks of others here on earth is all the reward we will receive – He means it! He’s a righteously jealous God who wants all the glory to Himself – He’s the only one who deserves it. He will have it, at the end of all things, be it from the bowed knees and the confessing tongues of the people who slandered Him through their entire life on this earth, or through the satisfaction of saying “Well done, good and faithful servant” to those who grasped this concept and actually applied it to their life. He WILL have His glory. It’s only His, it will only ever be His. I want to give it to Him every day. I want to store up my treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not decay, and theives will not break in and steal. I can’t even conceive of the life He has promised me – how could I deny Him the trivial tasks of delighting in Him every day of this short life?

FILL ME! God, I choose You right now. I choose YOU when I stub my toe and I want to curse. I choooooose you when my dog takes a crap in my living room and I am so angry I can’t see straight. When I don’t feel like starting another load of laundry. When my son has an accident in his pants and I want to scream instead of hugging him and cheerfully cleaning up his poop. Those are the moments when I normally want to do things myself. I want to get angry, and cranky, and I don’t allow your joy into my heart. It’s that simple. Every, single, minute, there is a chance to accept God into your life – into the little moments that ARE your life! Not just on the big steps when we really do need a divine intervention. We only want Him around when we feel like we’re in over our heads. He wants to be a part of ALL of it! Every second! Everything – the laughing, the crying, the toe stubbing, the delicious bite of apple crisp. He wants to be WITH us. And it’s easier to shut Him out until the big stuff comes – and we wonder where He is, when He’s sitting across the room smirking at us and our selfish stupidity.

Help me, Lord, to choose You in EVERYTHING I do. What a broad sweep of so many tiny little details. “Everything.” Yes. EVERYTHING.

John Piper states that “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”

Can I get an AMEN!?

We all have certain things that have touched our hearts so deeply that we never forget them. About 8 years ago, I was helping my nephew with a high school English project. The project was based on a book that they had read in class. In order to help him, I needed to read the book, so I might fully understand the scope of what was required. The book, The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, is a memoir, written by an ex-slave, Frederick Douglass, and is held to be one of the most famous non-fiction narratives written by any former slave. It depicts his life, and the social climate, during the early 1800’s, and shows his ability to rise above the horrific conditions that these people were forced to endure.

Reading this book made such an impact on me, that I will never forget much of what I read within the pages. To think of a young boy, around my grandson’s age, losing his mother, but having very little sadness over this, because he had been separated from her at as a toddler. This was done in order for him to be moved to another master’s home. He speaks of how saddened he is that he doesn’t know his birthday, and is not even quite sure how old he is. Early in the book, one of the first detailed memories he has, is of having to endure seeing his Aunt Hester being brutally whipped. This was done in front of many of the slaves, in order to teach them a lesson. Yet there were no lessons, because the master could beat and brutalize the slaves at will, no matter the reason, and often there was no transgression even involved. Douglass continues by describing many events in which there was extreme brutality against his fellow slaves. He explains that, as a group, that was a reason they would sit and sing praises to the Lord, as it gave them much hope, and happiness, in a world that was otherwise very sad.

I recall reading a part of the book, where the master of the plantation comes home from Church one Sunday. He is very prominent in his Church, and is a man quite full of himself. Upon his return, he is dissatisfied with something one of the slaves has done, or not done, and the slaves are brought into a barn, I believe, where this one slave is placed upon a milk stool, and brutally whipped in front of everyone. The detailed account is so vivid, and clear, that I recall actually cringing as I continued reading, through my tears. I wondered at what type of human being could inflict such pain and fear upon another human being. My mind cannot even fathom anyone doing such a thing, and my heart cried out for this master to stop. What must these slaves have felt, in having to witness another person’s pain and suffering, while knowing it could be them the next time.

In this book, Frederick Douglass catches his break when he is sent to live with Master Auld, whose wife is at first kind, but then turns cruel. She at first decides to teach Frederick how to read, and write, but before she is able to accomplish this, her husband, sees her teaching Frederick one day, and forbids it. He stated that once a black man could read, or write, they would understand slavery and rebel. He specifically states that the Bible, specifically, is something that the black slaves should never learn to understand. Frederick takes strong mental note of this, although he is only 8 or 9 years old, and decides then and there, to learn to read, and write.

The first half of the book is extremely hard to read, since the writing is so poignant that I was able to immerse myself into the time, and actually feel I was witness to the horrible treatment of these slaves. Throughout Frederick’s entire childhood he has no parent, no one to really call his own. Since he is quite awkward, and has problems keeping up in the fields, he is beaten on a regular basis. I recall reading that at one point, he was beaten so badly that he passed out in the fields, while working. For this transgression, he was beaten again, almost near death. How could any human being treat another so horrifically? Yet these slaves were put in a class with livestock; as if they were a possession, able to be traded, sold, and utilized for productivity, and status of the white master.

Once Frederick teaches himself to read and write, it opens his world. When transported to Baltimore, to become a slave for a different master in his teen years, what he has learned enables him to understand that they are traveling in a northeasterly direction, and takes note of this. He decides then and there that he will escape slavery, and after secretly teaching many of the slaves around him how to read, and write, Frederick ultimately escapes, but not before finally fighting back against a master who whips him regularly. After a two-hour physical confrontation, Frederick wins this fight, and is never again touched by this master. The remainder of the story is about Frederick Douglass’ fight for freedom, and the start of abolition.

There are so many lessons in this sad, yet triumphant story, but one thing has always stuck in my head. How did a man, who was seen with such high regard in his Church community, come back and whip his slaves to near death? How did Christian’s of that time in history ever dare to justify treating another human being in such a detestable manner? They did not wish for the slaves to learn to read the Bible, for fear of retaliation, yet what words were they seeing in this great book that might ever allow or condone such brutality? Jesus was such an example of peace that when being arrested, and knowing He was to suffer great pain in His crucifixion, He rebuked Peter, and told him to put down his sword. If these masters were reading the Bible, and listening in Church, how were they thinking their behavior would ever be anything but detestable in the eyes of the Lord?

I have often thought about this story in the years since reading it. Whenever I read, in the Bible, of how those in positions of authority need to be mindful that they are asserting the will of God, and not their own will. I read about the Pharisees, and how Jesus spoke of them being so full of themselves and needing to clean the inside of the cup before making the outside clean. Nothing in the Bible would ever allow for the concept of slavery, or mistreatment of another human being. Yet these Churchgoers would come home and viciously attack other human beings.

My only small consolation in reading stories such as this one, is that I have faith in the Words that I read in the Bible. I pray that these slaves, in their songs of praise, were able to see through the darkness of their existence, knowing that the Lord was with them, and that they would get their just reward. These people were servants, yet many still showed such kindness toward one another, in order to bring hope and faith to those around them.  Many even treated the landowners and master’s family kindly, despite such brutality. So in the end, I must ask myself, who was the slave?

The horrific treatment I read about in this story shows me so clearly exactly what the Lord means when He speaks of how we are to treat others. Of how we are supposed to stand up to injustice, and how those who are the greatest are the least, and those that are the least are the greatest. These men, women, and children may have been slaves on this Earth, but the Lord has so much more in store for them, through His salvation. Yet, I worry for those who so horribly treated other humans, in the act of slavery.  These masters, and landowners were the ones who were the greatest of slaves. They were slaves to the Earth.  Slaves to every material and conscientious failing around them.  They were such slaves to power, and greed, that they sold their very souls, to a world with no God.   I fear that in the end, although these landowners, masters, and anyone who condoned such a concept as owning another human being, might have thought they had power here on Earth, that God has dealt with them accordingly.  These wonderful men, women, and children who were treated so horribly might not have been able to read or write, but in the end, they were not the ones left without eyes to see, nor ears to hear.

Let us all be reminded that we must stand up to injustice, in a manner that is befitting a follower of Christ. May we rejoice in knowing we are good servants of the Lord, and not slaves to a world that focuses on things of the Earth, rather than matters of the heart. May love, kindness, and good will toward all of those around us be the walk we choose this day.

Gal 5:13 — For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Gal 5:14 — For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Gal 5:22 — But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, LONGSUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, faith,

Gal 6:2 — Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Mk 10:43 — But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Joh 13:14 — If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Act 20:35 — I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Rom 15:1 — We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

1 Cor 9:19 — For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

John 15

12″This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
13″Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

Matthew 24

46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

47Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth

The Sheep Of His Pasture

Psalm 100:1-3

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.   
Serve the LORD with gladness;   
Come before Him with joyful singing.   
Know that the LORD Himself is God;   
It is He who has made us,  and not we ourselves;   
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

The “stress tests” we go through every day can seem overwhelming.     There are trying situations with our finances, work loads, health, other people, politics, and everything else.     And yet, in all this God says we are to “shout joyfully to the LORD” and to “serve the LORD with gladness.”     Not only that, but, we are to “come before Him with joyful singing.”

We might moan, “Not now.     I’ve got too many other things on my mind.”

But —  there is a very good reason why we should stop and follow God’s instructions for our every day lives.     The number one reason is:

It is He who has made us,  and not we ourselves;   
We are His people  and the sheep of His pasture.

We are God’s creation.     Because He made us,  He loves us very dearly.     He calls us His people and His sheep.    

Our problem is that we go around assuming we are our own “god”.     We feel like we have to be in control of all things in our lives — and don’t bother giving God Almighty credit for having created us and sustained us all the days of our lives — to this very day.     That is falling victim to Satan’s deceitfulness of convincing us to put all our attention on ourselves — and no attention on our Savior.     Satan is awfully tricky, but, truth be said, most of us fall for that line all together too often.

Because it is so easy for us to center on all our own problems, we need to follow God’s advice and realize that He alone is LORD of lords, King of kings, and God of gods.     Therefore, we really can “shout joyfully to the LORD.”     We can serve God with gladness because all our problems are in His hands and He loves us.

It is with joy that we can say with Paul in Romans 8:28,

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Because we are “the sheep of His pasture”,  let us center on our Good Shepherd, joyfully follow Him,  and look to Him for all our needs.     We have good reason to be glad.

As we rejoice in God our Savior, we say,  “Hallelujah!     My Creator, Savior, and Shepherd, blessed be Your name because You are so faithful in caring for us in spirit, body, and soul.”

Love,  
Margaret

A devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and King of kings…

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Prayer today poved itself a time of quiet reflection on the burdens of other people. My mind was directed towards several conversations I’ve had over the past few days, and all of them centered around one theme: we are a broken people in desperate need of redemption.

I’ve spoken with friends who are dealing with the loss of someone they loved, who were sexually abused, and who struggle with personal sin that is taking their very worth from them. These are all heavy things, and my heart broke in peices for their circumstance. And although prayer today wasn’t necessarily easy or enjoyable, I did begin to udnerstand a few things I may have missed before. Mainly, I realized the value in us who have been broken, and the value that lies intrinsically in the brokenness itself.

I don’t know why some people have lead charmed lives, why some had parents who were on top of their game and why some people have been raised in homes of freedom and love. I don’t understand why some of us have to struggle so much every day and why everything seems to be a fight because of past hurts and things said by people we love. I don’t know the answer, but I am content that there is wonderful purpose in it all. When I sit across the table from a homeless man who has lost everything, including his dignity, I can look him in the eye and say with integrity that I understand where he is coming from. A connection is born between people who have suffered greatly, and I wouldn’t trade that for the world.

So, when bitterness in me springs up from seeing someone laugh freely with their parents, or when their siblings send them money because they know they need it, I must remind myself that there was always a purpose to it, to the hard situations some of us deal with. Not everyone has an easy family situation; some of us come from divorced homes, some of us come from abusive homes, and some of us come from even worse things. But God’s incredible power can truly be revealed through that all, and I think you may understand what I mean when you begin to open up to people about the hurt or neglect or abuse that you yourself have dealt with. People are connected through suffering.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:1-5