For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

After hearing a sermon by my pastor, I placed an orange Post-It note on my computer screen that says, “I will not live beneath the purpose God made me for!” Every morning, as I sit at my desk, my eyes continually glance at that note. It’s one of the things that remind me every day that God has work for me to do.

As 2009 draws to a close, I’m reflecting on how well I’ve stuck to God’s plans for my life and I have to answer some questions:

~Whose life did I make just a little better because they knew me?

~Who did I bless with a word of encouragement?

~When did I go out of my way for the benefit of someone else?

~How many people did I share the gospel with?

~How many times did I give up my right to be right?

~When did I take a stand for Jesus?

~How often did I pray for others and their needs?

These are a few of the thoughts that come to my mind as I think about what I’ve accomplished in 2009. The one thing that they all have in common is that they focus on others. As a Christian, our purpose is always more about others and Jesus than it is about us.

The ultimate purpose of all Believers is to glorify God. He has gifted us with skills, talents and gifts so that we can bring Him glory. When we use our gifts, we can begin living in our purpose.

I’d like to suggest that you set aside time for your own reflection. Answer the question whether you are living beneath your purpose. Create your own list of questions. It’s not too late to end 2009 living on and in purpose. Neither is it too early to think about starting 2010 in the same way.

Blessings,

Joyce

Child of My Love, lean hard.

And let me feel the pressure of thy care;

I know thy burden, child I shaped it;

Poised it in Mine own hand, made no proportion

In its weight to thine unaided strength.

For even as I had it on , I said

“I shall be near and while she leans on Me”

This burden shall be mine, not hers;

So shall I keep My child within my circling arms

Of Mine own love.” Here lay it down, nor fear

To impose it on a shoulder which upholds

The government of worlds, yet closer come;

Thou art not near enough, I would embrace thy care;

So I might feel My child reposing on My breast;

Thou lovedest Me! I knew it. Doubt not then;

But loving Me; Lean Hard!

~Anonymous

Psalm 9:1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

1 Peter 3: 8-12

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For:

  He who would love life
 And see good days,
 Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
 And his lips from speaking deceit.
 Let him turn away from evil and do good;
 Let him seek peace and pursue it.
 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
 And His ears are open to their prayers;
 But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”

The compassion of Christ is displayed in the life of one who follows completely after Him. Those who labor for Christ may have difficulties and hardships, but we are to not lose our compassion for Him or for others. Jesus knows we will face hard times, but when we are at our weakest, then He is strong. (2 Cor. 12:10)

He will embrace us and relieve us of our fears and anxieties. Many times life can be an uphill struggle with mountain top experiences that seem huge and ominous, but we must cling to Christ for He will see you through it all. The compassion of Christ is something He freely gives and He has a heart for those who need it most. (Matt 9:35-36). Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw people suffering; He is still the same Jesus today. His heart of compassion does not change; He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb. 13:8). Jesus also teaches how to be compassionate and develop compassion toward others.

Dear Lord we ask You to help us to walk according to Your Word.  Teach us what true compassion is and how we can love others with it as You have.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I’d like to share this short but powerful little story. If you’re having one of ”those days,” I pray that your spirit will be uplifted.

One day I decided to quit…quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality… I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

“God,” I said, “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?” His answer surprised me…

“Look around,” He said, “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.”

In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.”

He said, “In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.”

“In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit.”

He said, “Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant…But just six months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.”

He said to me, “Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don’t compare yourself to others.”

He said, “The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come,” God said to me.

“You will rise high.” “How high will I rise?” I asked. “How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return. “As high as it can?” I questioned. “Yes” He said. “Give me glory by rising as high as you can.”

I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

Never regret a day of your life. Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life.

-Author unknown

Blessings,

Joyce

Psalm 95: 6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker

The song titled ‘Drummer Boy’ has lyrics that can be very touching when sung or read. Just this week while watching a video clip with our precious one I began to sense the sweetness of what it really means to have no gift to bring. This is the best gift one can give, birthed out of a heart of love, pure uninhibited worship. He addresses the Creator of the Universe simply with; Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum”. It seems the drummer boy realizes he is a poor boy too; “I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum” yet in his innocence he admits; “I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum”. The drummer boy is standing in the presence of a King and so he plays for Him. That’s fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum, Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum, On my drum?

It’s the purity of this child’s heart as he plays the drum for Him offering the only gift he has. It is not a gift that one may find on sale rack or for personal edification, but rather it’s a natural response when one finds themselves in the Presence of God. While this is just a story and a precious one at that, it is a reminder of the intimacy we hold with our Savior; if we just come to Him. Psalm 145:18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

So in the hustle and bustle of the next few weeks of preparation for family gatherings, celebrations, and festivities take time to offer up pure unadulterated worship.  Take a moment and rest in the sweet Presence of the Lord and share the greatest gift of all, even if you have ‘no gift to bring”.

By Wendy Blight

All that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it to dry land. (Exodus 14:21 )

Devotion:

Do you feel alone?

Does God feel far away?

Does life seem dark - are you afraid?

At one point in my life, I answered “yes” to each of these questions. Following a tragic incident in my life, fear filled my heart. God seemed so distant. I felt completely alone.

It was then that God placed a familiar story before me from Exodus chapter 14. It tells the story of the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. Initially, Pharaoh agreed to let God’s people go, but soon after they left, he changed his mind. He began to pursue them with 600 of his best chariots. The approaching army terrified the Israelites. They cried out to Moses. Moses reminded the people of God’s promise that He would deliver them. But their circumstances told them otherwise. They heard the rumbling of the chariots charging toward them. They saw the huge body of water blocking their only escape.

Can you imagine their fear? The reality they knew was that Pharaoh’s finest soldiers were pursuing them, and there was a huge obstacle, the Red Sea, preventing their escape. God’s people had no idea the miracle awaiting them.
 

When Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, Scripture says, “All that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it to dry land” (Exodus 14:21). Because it was dark, the Israelites could not quite see what God was doing. In the dark of night, God tirelessly worked on behalf of His children to deliver them, just as He had promised.

It’s as if the words of this story leapt off the pages of Scripture and into my dark, desolate heart. Although the Israelites could not see or hear God, He was working in the midst of their darkness. I too could not “see” or “feel” God, but He was at work around me in invisible ways — present and active, working on my behalf to carry me through my dark place. 

In the dark, we have two choices. We can take matters into our own hands, turning to drugs or alcohol to numb our pain, seeking out friends’ advice, or the latest self-help book, never really knowing if any of them is the way to healing and wholeness. Or we can look to God. We can open His Word and know that He guarantees healing and wholeness.

Would you like the Truth of God’s Word to come alive for you? Would you like Him to come along side of you? You need only ask. The Lord promises, “When you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.” (Jeremiah 29:13). You don’t have to feel alone - seek God today!

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, it is so difficult to walk through darkness. You feel so far away. I feel so alone. Thank You for the promise that You will never leave me or forsake me, and that there is nothing in all creation that will ever separate me from the love I have in You and in Your Son. Walk ever so closely with me during this darkness, Lord. Speak to me. Give me hope. Show me the treasures in my darkness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Psalm 139

Often times we can read the Word of God and be inspired by a wonderful Psalm. Just taking time to read the scriptures we will find that piece of manna for our day, for our families, and for our children. Reading Psalm 139 is a gentle reminder of how precious the Word of Life is for us and our families. Take time to read bits and pieces of this wonderful Psalm; v. 4 & 5: Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before you have laid your hand upon me. The Lord hems us in and has laid His hand upon us; we are sealed with a promise and have a hope for eternal life. There is a destiny set into motion and a plan is laid out for us and for our future; as well as for our families. He has created us and formed us; v 13-14; For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

The Lord knows us all too well, and He set the solitary in families. Just asking Him to search our hearts and lead us in the way of everlasting brings great peace; v 23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Take a moment this week to read this wonderful psalm as well as others.  They can be enlightening for the soul.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

We can use the word love to describe how we feel about everything from family to chocolate and everything in between. In fact, we say we love so many things, that we can sometimes forget just how special that word really is.

As Christians, we have a responsibility to love like Jesus. We are called to make moment by moment choices between serving or seeking to be served. Jesus is our example when it comes to deciding how to put our love into action. Our love should be characterized by:

Patience - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. (Galatians 5:22)

Kindness - Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

Generosity - Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. (Deutoronomy 15:10)

Humility - Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4)

Unselfishness - Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

Sincerity - I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. (2 Corinthians 8:8)

The Word of God tells us everything we need to know about how to love like Jesus and how to put our actions behind our words.

Blessings,

Joyce