A VIEW FROM EIGHTY

⁵ And Moses, the servant of the Lord died there in Moab as the Lord had said. ⁷ Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. Deuteronomy 34:5, 7(NIV)

I recently turned 80 years old. It seems such a big number. I’m blessed with great healthy—vigorous, but conscious of little aches and pains that come from time to time. I begin to wonder if this is the onset of arthritis or something that will debilitate me.

 

But, in Jesus’ name, I am just getting started. As His disciple, I have everlasting life. The mathematical symbol for infinity (everlasting) is an eight on its side, ∞.  The fraction of my life so far can thus be expressed as 80/∞. Mathematically, that is zero percent! Eighty years are just getting started.

 

I believe I’ll be here on earth as long as God has stuff He wants me to do or someone he wants me to be. For example, God had lots for Moses to do, and it took Moses 120 years to get it all finished to God’s satisfaction. I can live with that perspective.

 

A lot of advertising is for products and services directed to prolonging life. If there is a “secret” to long life, it is to stay useful to God. As long as God has more for us to do and we’re obedient to Him, He will keep us around. We can be at peace with that. Lord, lead us on.

 

Pray: Lord, lead me on. I want to be useful to you.

 

© 2017 Parker Wayland

PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalm 62: 5-7 (NIV)

Just recently these verses were prayed over me by a very dear friend.

Do you ever have times in your life where you feel utter despair? It is a time when you have no joy or peace. You feel empty.  Anger is directed inward and outward. You may feel as if no one close to you understands. You suddenly lose that connection that you usually have with each other. You are desperately alone, not able to make eye contact, feeling hurt and angry. We begin to see ourselves as a failure, unable to live up to the expectations we believe someone else is putting on us.

Ever been there?

As a young adult, I did not have a heartfelt relationship with God.  Often, for weeks to months, I was filled with despair and anger toward my first husband. That marriage had no strength to survive. God was missing. 

Today, Christ is at the center of my second marriage. My husband and I are active in our local church, and surrounded by people who love God and love each other. 

Those desperate times may still come, but my friendships within the body of Christ are present and ready. They pray over me, through my situation, bringing God’s light to my soul when I am too weak to look up.  

Praying the scriptures over each other is such an amazing gift. Its God’s power and His power is beyond our imaginations.

Father, thank You for Your word that renews our soul.

© 2017 Marianne Lucot

NO! NO! NO!

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)

"Pick him up and put him in a seat," I told the distraught father who was trying to persuade his kindergarten son to get on my school bus. The frightened boy cried and screamed "No! No! No!" As soon as the father set his son in a seat, like a streak of lightning, he was out the door before his dad could catch him.

Once again the father picked up his crying son, trying to console him. As soon as he was carried to the bus door, the boy planted his feet on each side of the door and locked his knees so his dad couldn't get him into the bus. It was plain to see the boy had never ridden a bus before and was traumatized by its size.

I had waited longer than my schedule allowed, so I told the dad to get on and ride to school with his son to calm him down. I would drop him off here on my way back to the bus lot.

Isn't this the way many balk at giving in to the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit? The little boy didn't know all the exciting things he was going to learn. We don't know all the wonderful things God has prepared for those who love Him either. We do know that it will be better and more abundant than anything we know or will ever experience in this life.

Father, calm our fears. May Your gracious love draw us to You, running.

© 2017  Evelyn B. Ryan

GOD'S PEOPLE IN THE MIDST OF THE BATTLE

The great dragon was hurled down-that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Revelation 12: 9 (NIV)

I recently met a young lady who stated very casually, “I do not believe in God anymore. I have not been to church for 12 years.” Her life experiences of drug addiction and the loss of her brother in the past year to a drug overdose have surely influenced her conclusion.  

How can we, as Christ followers, respond to such a statement? I know it stopped me cold, but my desire is to reach those who are lost. God’s Word reveals that Satan is the ruler of the earth. We know firsthand that he is the enemy. His strong presence in this world is manifested everywhere.

God challenges us to prepare a response based on His Word. We acknowledge this fallen world, filled with injustice, hate, poverty, disease, and wars. When this has been a part of one’s life, despair grips the very soul and stomps on hope.  

Meditate, prepare, and be ready to give your response. We grieve the lost, who are filled with despair. Share your stories, pointing to your favorite scriptures which have brought light into your darkness. This world is ruled by Satan, and God’s Word illuminates this truth. Our hope comes from above, not in this world where Satan reigns. Become a friend and initiate further conversation about the God of Hope, Our Reigning King, Jesus Christ.

Father, equip us to meet people where they are, and point to You, our source of Light in the darkness.

© 2017 Marianne Lucot