PAY IT FORWARD

Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.  Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

I have received a multitude of blessings from people I have never met—people like Dr. David Jeremiah, John Maxwell and Debbie Macomber who use their time, talents and gifts to add value to others.

For over twenty years, I have listened to Turning Point, the radio ministry of Dr. David Jeremiah. Dr. Jeremiah’s teaching of God’s Word not only imparts knowledge to my mind, but pierces my heart. He encourages me to be a better person and live a more Christ-filled life. I often listen to his messages more than once—eager to allow the Word of God to penetrate every fiber of my being—not willing to miss one important detail which may help me grow in my relationship with Jesus.

After attending my first Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit in 2014, a friend of mine lent me the book, One Perfect Word, by Debbie Macomber. Her wonderful book inspired me to select my one perfect word to focus on during 2015: Leadership.

I still marvel at the perfection of God’s timing and the sequence of events He set into motion as He revealed the next great discovery. While searching for leadership material on the internet, I came across the teaching of John Maxwell, a gifted writer and speaker. He has transformed my view of leadership and taught me many valuable lessons, including: To be a good leader, you must first love people.

Father God, as we reflect on the important people in our lives, let us pay it forward and seek to be a blessing to others.

© 2017 Amy A. Verzi

BE STILL

Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest. Exodus 34: 21 (NIV)

It’s Monday and the blaring alarm jolts me from my sleep reminding me that another work week will soon begin. I say to myself, “How could another weekend come and go so fast? There are so many things I didn’t do, so many things I wanted to do, but there never seems to be enough time. And God says we should do all our labor and work in six days? Certainly, God was not thinking of my schedule when He gave this commandment!”

He was! And He was thinking of your schedule too!

Despite our natural affinity for a life of busyness, God knew our human need for rest. It was so important that He modeled it for us when He created the heavens and the earth. Then, He placed it among the ten commandments.

I’ve not mastered this “rest” thing, but I’ve read stories of others who have. Their sabbath may fall on a Monday, a Friday, or perhaps a Sunday. Whatever the day, they are intentional in exhaling and being still. It’s a display of their trust in God to take care of all their needs in a six-day period.

I do not envy those who have decided to be still and take a weekly sabbath; instead, I strive to be like them. God took a sabbath. He recognized a need for rest. We, too, have a need for sabbath—a time to be still and a time to be restored by our great and mighty God.

Lord, forgive us for neglecting Your command to rest. Give us the courage to trust You to do all things in six days.

© 2018 Dawn M. Wayman

SHARING MARY'S TEARS

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matt. 6:14 (NIV)

I awake—heart pounding. My sleep is disturbed by worry. I seek the Lord’s comfort and peace.

Through the darkness my mother's heart cries out, recognizing that still, after years, I harbor anger and resentment for the one who nearly took my son's life. Anger burned as I recalled the event that hurt his heart and sent his life into years of a self-destructive tailspin.

Without speaking, I cry to God, "He almost killed my son!" Life crushing pain squeezed across my chest as I pleaded my case.

God quietly, tenderly responds.

"They DID kill my son . . .

And it was for you."

That broke me, drove me from my bed to my knees at this most holy moment. I sobbed out my sorrow for what my sins had done and my thankfulness that even now, God could love me so deeply as to speak love into my pain, ever so gently caressing away the ugly ache of anger that screamed for justice.

He reminds me I have been forgiven once and for all, but in return, I must forgive.

Tears continued streaming from the deep well of pain in my heart. I felt kinship with Mary as she cried for her son.

I felt her tears stinging from under my eyelids—tears that I was in part responsible for.

Oh God, forgive me for my unforgiveness. Help me to release what I am holding on to. Change my heart. Help me to trust you unreservedly with all I hold dear. 

Praise You, Father, for showing me the error of my way, what is inhibiting healing and fullness of joy. Amen.

© 2018 Bonnie Mae Evans

LIFE UNDERWAY

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes? Matthew 6:25 (NIV)

Worrying about the past is like standing on the fantail (stern) of a ship contemplating the turmoil of the water churned up by the ship’s propellers as you pass a place you will never be again. It is utterly pointless.

The Captain of the ship is on the bridge, guiding and instructing the helmsman on the course determined by the Navigator from the Captain’s instruction. There are lookouts watching ahead and to port and to starboard for hazards such as other ships or rocks in the channel. But no one is paying attention to what is behind. It is no longer of any concern. Yes, it is part of the journey, but the way to the destination is all that matters.

Jesus advised us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these (other) things will be given to you as well” (Mathew 6:33).

What is important is the ship you are on. Who is your Captain and where is he taking you?  Each of us gets to choose our ship of life. If Jesus is the Captain of your ship, the kingdom of God is your destination. You can have confidence that He will get you there safely. Yes, we need to repent of the turmoil of our sins and receive Christ’s promised forgiveness, but then we can forget what is behind and confidently sail with Him to God’s kingdom.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus, God of grace, for opening and showing me the way to the kingdom of God!   

 

© 2018 Parker Wayland