Obedience brings Joy

As Chrstians we are expected to be joy filled. But do you sometimes feel someone or something has stolen your joy. What do you do to bring it back?

Well, today Susie Jennings, the famous "blanket lady" shared her secret at a Chritian Women's cub luncheon here in Irving, Tx. Joy turned a ministry of deivering blankets to the homeless of Dallas into an international ministry, Operation Care, that has reached thousands of children in 9 countries and over 130,000 men, women and children in the Dallas metropolitan area. She attributes this to listening to God and giving him unconditional obedience. What follows is JOY that comes from Jesus, others and yourself.

"Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, “Oh, thank you, God!” I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other believers. And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it. Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers." Philemon 1:4-7 (Message)

Reunion

Summer is often a season of reunions for families and other groups or organizations. We spent several days in San Antonio with the reunion coordinator for Jim's destroyer group looking at multiple possibilities to bring a group of 60 or more from across the countty to reminisce about their naval experiences and enjoy a fun time together. What kind of reunion are you attending this summer? A family reunion, a college or high school reunion, a friend or previous employment or former church? Who do you hope will be there and what do you hope the outcome will be?

Psalm 60 is a beautiful passage reminding us what a Godly reunion can be. Have you ever considered planning a reunion witih God? Who do you expect will come? What do you expect the outcome will be?

"I’ll give you only the best—no more hand-me-downs!
Gold instead of bronze, silver instead of iron,
bronze instead of wood, iron instead of stones.
I’ll install Peace to run your country,
make Righteousness your boss.
There’ll be no more stories of crime in your land,
no more robberies, no more vandalism.
You’ll name your main street Salvation Way,
and install Praise Park at the center of town.
You’ll have no more need of the sun by day
nor the brightness of the moon at night.
God will be your eternal light,
your God will bathe you in splendor.
Your sun will never go down,
your moon will never fade.
I will be your eternal light.
Your days of grieving are over.
Psalm 60: 17-19 (Message)

First Priority

"Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
    and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands,
    for there I find delight.
 Turn my heart toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain." Psalm 119

Ever have difficulty figuring out God's plan for you? Seems that from this passage understanding comes through our hearts, not our heads. It would also seem that we need to turn out hearts toward his statutes. And where do we find these statutes that helps us to know and obey what he wants from us? Must be from scripture...God's Holy Word.

So, where do we go to find our God's plan for us? Reading his word and turning our hearts to him and away from thoughts of worldly gain, praying for understanding and guidance and seeking his heart...his love. Not impossible, is it? Let go of worldly thinking and desires and instead open your mind and heart to God's love for understanding and direction. Make that your priority every day, all day. It's how to begin and spend your day.

Wipe Out

Some days I just wish I could just start life over. How about you? Begin again from the beginning with the slate wiped clean. So many things I would do differently. For sure, I would spend more time with those loved ones that I miss so much now. There are messages I would have shared with others, both spoken and written. I would have trusted God more and many who influenced me less. Most of my pain was not caused by illness, but by relationships. But I can't go back and do over. I can make amends now. I can ask for forgiveness. I can  be more obedient to God's Word. I can look forward to the following promise from God and live in peace instead of regret.
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Rev.21:4-5

In Grief, You Can Trust Me

Have you recognized events when the Lord just places you where you need to be? It happens to me all the time, especially when I am struggling with a situation, especially what to write. Ever since my son, Steve, was killed, he has placed me with bereaved parents. Even when I lived in Vienna, my neighbors has just buried a son in Jordon and were transfered to Vienna.

It happened again. Last week I was having lunch with a group after a BSF study and  the lady, who I had just met and sat next to me was a bereaved parent. Then on Monday I learned the woman on the other side of me at this luncheon had lost her son over the weekend. This week another ladyin this group mentioned she, too was a bereaved parent. Then last night at the viewing, we parked next to a couple and walked into the chapel with them. As we waited to go in we got into conversation and learned that we, too, shared the same grief. Together we approached our friend. God was giving her the message he gave me when a bereaved parent approached me before my son's funeral, "I am with you and I will take care of you. Trust me."

" Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God,   the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint,   and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary,and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;   they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary;   they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:28-31

A Song in my Heart

A song tells a story. It can be a story about love, loss or suffering.  It could be patriotic, praise a person or idea, religious, controversial or any subject that stirs the heart or moves us to action. Some lyrics remain for a very long time, becoming the theme for other art forms and others are lost shortly after we hear them. They can have a wide variety of beats from jazz to classical. Songs express feelings from sadness to great joy.

A lot of songs are featured in scripture. Some we are very familiar with like those in the Psalms. In a recent study of Deuteronomy, we discover Moses song in chapter 32. Someone described it as a Biblical Country Western song. It is one we need to read at this time, as it is descriptive of what is going on today as we loose the meaning of following one God in love and obedience. Many have slowly replaced the God of the Bible with idols representing power and prosperity. What kind of song are you singing today? How are you influencing future generations? Which God are you serving? Do you recognize the deficiencies? What do you need to do?

" He’s the Rock, and His work is perfect; everything He does is right.
    He’s the God who can be trusted, who never does wrong
        because He’s righteous and upright.    But a perverse and crooked generation has broken its word to Him.
        They are not counted as His children—not with such deficiencies."  Deut. 32:5-6

Take In The Message With Enthusiasm

Sitting in church on Sunday mornings, my mind sometimes wanders to what I'm going to do when I leave or what plans I have for next week. To get back on track, I ask the lord to help me focus and to open my heart to hear the message and to know how He wants me to apply it.

My Biblical Heroine, Lydia knew what to do with the message she heard from Paul when he visited the Bible Study she attended at the riverside in Philipi. She was a mother, wife and business woman. I'm sure she had a lot on her mind. Did her mind wander? Did she go home and promptly forget what she had heard?

Lydia invited the visiting Apostles to her home where she and her family were baptized. She was a leader in her church,  encouraged others in this international city she lived in and shared her belief with merchants who came to her business from throughout the world. So lets not just ask the Lord to help us hear the words said in church, but to take the next step and let him guide us in what to do with this information. Like, Lydia, lets do it with vigor and enthusiasm.

 "One of them, Lydia, was a business woman originally from Thyatira. She made a living buying and selling fine purple fabric. She was a true worshiper of God and listened to Paul with special interest. The Lord opened her heart to take in the message with enthusiasm." Acts 16:14