Desires of today

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” – I Peter 4:17

Public Service Announcement – This isn’t going to be an easy one because it hits a little too close to home.

The time has come for renovation. The time has come to decide what we keep and what needs to be removed. The time has come to be brave enough to let go and willing enough to accept the new. The time has come to allow God to clean house – so to speak.

I was asking God and searching for what He wanted me to write about this week. I haven’t written in a while…well, for a number of reasons. This verse was the last verse that I could bring myself to research today. And it stuck. It stuck big time.

I have a bad habit of putting things off, sometimes. Usually, if it is vitally important in my book, I will get up immediately and tend to the task. But if my brain and heart do not hold it in high necessity, well, it gets put off until the last minute. Take for instance house cleaning. I like to have my house tidy when my husband comes home. I can power clean with the best of them. If I know he will be home in 15 minutes, I can get more done in that 15 minutes than the last 4 hours of the day. But I put it off until the last minute. That’s not always the best way to do things.

I was reviewing some of my old sermon notes. I came across one that was on Romans 10:1-14. Let’s look at that first verse – “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” Okay. Now, we all know that it was Paul’s singular desire that all people might accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. However, despite being sent to the Gentiles to preach salvation, He desired for his fellow Jews to accept Jesus as their Savior as well. We all long for the entirety of the ones that we care the most about to come alongside of us into Eternity. But what about everyone else?

Let me ask you this question – What was your desire last week? Or how about this – What was your desire yesterday?

One of the phrases that I have highlighted from this message is this – The desires of our heart is what we do daily. Ouch. That hurts.

If the time has come for renovation – for judgment to begin at the house of God – what does the desires of your yesterday say about what you need done on your foundation today?

I don’t know about you, but that sentence alone brings conviction.

For most days, my desire is for me. What do I want to do today? How do I want to spend my moments? I don’t think about others so much. I think about me. How is this effecting me?

I’m sad to say that far too often my desire for my day only briefly focuses on God and His will for my life. I need more of His Word in my life. I need more of my time focused on communicating with Him. I need more of my activities to focus on things that others need from me and not always what I want my time to be focused on. I need to make improvements. I need to get rid of activities that overtake my thoughts. I need to become more of what He would have me to be. I need to stop putting things off.

I know this has been a tough one. Maybe for you, your desires from yesterday are full of His will. But maybe you’re rowing in a boat right next to me. My prayer is that we can renovate our life starting today to better reflect Him tomorrow.

Gifts

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:10-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬ – “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
This last weekend, my daughter was in a school performance of “The Little Mermaid”. There were so many talents displayed – song, dance, prop prep, costumes, sound management, makeup, acting – just to name a few.

And these kids had worked hard. They had been practicing for weeks and weeks to prepare for these few nights in April. They had long rehersals, extra time at home and an occasional Saturday meeting. There were lines to memorize. Dances to learn. Props to prepare. Costumes to fit to people. Seriously…hard work.

They presented this hard work beautifully. These young people are incredibly talented. They are hard working and dedicated to the task at hand. I have seen this over and over again in the last 3 years that my daughter has participated in the spring play. There may have been a year that they weren’t too excited to present the play, but they still gave it their all and didn’t quit until the curtain went down on the last night. 

They were all using their gifts. 

When we think of gifts, we think of big things like presenting God’s Word or teaching or being a missionary or singing in services. But our gifts can come in many shapes and sizes. Some are obvious while others are inconspicuous. But regardless of the attention they receive (or don’t receive), they are important. And we must use them – daily. 

For example – I am a planner and an organizer. I like to know what is coming, when it will get here and how I will handle it. I plan out lunch and dinner every day. I have the menu listed in my kitchen for everyone to see. I do this to serve my family and to provide a sense of stability to our day – things may be crazy today but at least I know what is for dinner. Crazy, I know, but this is how my brain works. Not everyone can plan things. For me, this is a gift. 

You see, I think that we overlook little details like planning and chalk them up to just being able to do things like that. But I choose to see it as a gift that I can give my family. Occasionally, I will let that gift seep over into other areas of my life. I have been known to plan events at church. I create treatment plans for my patients all the time. I help plan vacations for the family.  I organize the house on (what seems like) a daily basis. 

But in all these instances, I am serving someone. That’s the part I think we miss – the reason behind what we are doing. Yes, I do it to make my life feel easier but the main purpose is serving. And in serving, I am helping the people around me. I am showing them Christ in my life. 

I don’t know what gift(s) God has given you. I don’t know if they are flashy or private, obvious or inconspicuous but I do know that your gift(s) are important and God means for you to use them to bring Him honor and glory. I know that He is disappointed when you don’t use them. I know that He gave them to you for a reason. And I do know that you and I both need to get out there and use them more and more. You never know when His gift He has bestowed upon you might lead someone to the greatest Gift anyone could receive – salvation through Jesus Christ. 

Baby Believer

1 Peter 2:2 – “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

My daughter has a good friend that accepted Jesus as her Savior this school year. Since that time, she and my daughter have been reading and discussing the Bible together. It’s really cute, if one forgets to read a chapter, they have to give the other one a dollar.  If they neglect to read more than one chapter, they have to buy a spirit ribbon on Friday and the other one gets to decide where they wear it, like on their forehead. Not something I would do, but it is the way they hold one another accountable.

Last night, they were face timing and discussing what they had read the night before. My daughter’s friend had made a list of questions to talk to her about. She is a new Believer who is hungry and thirsty for the Word. She has been taught so many different things from so many different people that she just wants to know what Jesus says about everything. And what better place to find it than the Bible.

When was the last time you and some close friend of yours had that sort of discussion? When was the last time you were hungry for the Word of God? When was the last time you made a list of questions to discuss with someone about what you read in the Bible?

Heart pricking, isn’t it?

The older we get, the less likely we are to ask questions. We don’t want to look foolish. But this young lady doesn’t care what she looks like to others. She wants to know God more and more. And her questions are thought provoking. They make you stop and consider what was going on, who Jesus was talking to and why. It’s a great way to learn. 

I also think that we ebb and flow when it comes to reading God’s word. We have times when we are really diligent about it and other times when “stuff” gets in the way. Maybe we all need some sort of accountability partner to keep us reading. I think it would be good for us. Maybe it would get us to sincerely desire the Word of God in a whole new way. 

So this week, I want to challenge you to read His Word diligently. Let His words so seep into you that you are contemplating long after you close the Book. And ask questions. Teachers always tell their students at the beginning of the year that there is no such thing as a stupid question. And it is so true. More than likely, someone else is thinking the same thing. Go, learn and grow.

Be prepared

1 Peter 3:15,16 – “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”

Well, the packing is almost done. I have been thinking about as many scenarios as possible to prepare for. I have bandaids, moleskin for blisters, a first aid kit, sunscreen, muscle rub, medication for pain and headaches, aloe. I have extra clothes. I have water bottles to fill. My goodness, I can’t believe all the stuff I have packed!

I like to be prepared. I don’t like to be caught off guard. I have even written off the address and lock box info for the house we are staying at just in case I don’t have cell phone service. I try to be prepared. 

But how well do I prepare myself for spiritual journeys? 

Each and every day is a new challenge, a new focus, a new opportunity to share Christ with someone. But am I ready?

Getting into the Word is a great start. Reading and studying and thinking about God’s precepts and principles is a necessary step in growing and preparing. 

Prayer is also a necessity. How can we expect to be ready for any spiritual battle or situation if we don’t communicate with The Commander and Chief? 

There is also one more thing that helps get me ready for spiritual journeys – my brothers and sisters in Christ, aka – my church family. I need them. I need their love. I need their support. I need their encouragement. But you can’t have that church family if you don’t make the sacrifice to be a part of it. 

Be prepared. Be prepared for life. Be prepared for spiritual issues and battles. Be prepared to be in His Word. Be prepared to spend time with your Savior. Be prepared to find love in your church family. Happy Monday. 

The week before

1 Peter 5:6,7 – “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

Do you ever dread a week? For me, the week before vacation is a dreaded week. I’m working like a crazy person trying to get everyone seen and all their paperwork completed that might be due while I’m gone. I’m thinking and making list after list about what I need to remember to purchase and pack. I’m leaving things out on counters so that I don’t forget them. I’m trying to clean my house because if I die, I don’t want people coming into my house dirty (I know, it’s morbid. I can’t help the way my brain works!). 

But here I am on Friday. One last day this week to get those people seen and get that paperwork done. One more day to get the items on that list. One more day to remember how God has brought me through this week. 

It hasn’t been a bad week. It really hasn’t been a rough week. It has just been a week. And as glad as I am that it is Friday, I’m really anticipating Monday at 2 – when work is truly finished and I clock into vacation mode. 

But God has got it between now and then. He sees my lists. He knows my potential issues and problems. He knows what all needs to happen between now and then. I’m not worried about it. God is going to take care of it. 

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

These are the words I’m claiming and have been claiming this week. I’m choosing today to lay my burdens at His feet and walk away trusting that He is going to make it happen one way or another. And I can do this because He loves me. He, the God of Heaven and Creator of all things and Savior of my soul, loves me – a sinner choosing to give my best by following after Him. 

So on this Friday, I want to encourage you to let Him love on you. Let Him take your burdens. Let Him hold you close. Let Him show just how awesome and amazing He can truly be. Happy Friday. 

14

1 Peter 3:2-4 – ” While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

It’s a big weekend – my daughter turns fourteen on Saturday. We are going out to a nice dinner tonight and tomorrow, she & I are going for a manicure and pedicure. 

But as she is growing and learning to be a woman, there is one thing that I want her to grasp and understand – beauty is not only skin deep. 

Beauty is something that comes from the inside. Beauty is a light that shines inside of you. It lights up a room. It can calm a situation. It brings warmth to a conversation. It is something that can’t be replicated in a doctor’s office. It isn’t something that can be taught. It has to be grown inside with diligence and patience. 

As my daughter faces even more challenges as a teenager via her peers and social media, I want her to appreciate what God is doing in her life. He is growing something special in her that He can use down the road to bring Him honor and glory. 

Yes, her hair is long and beautiful. Yes, her button nose is too cute. Yes, her freckles bring joy to my heart. And yes, her laughter is contagious. But it is her heart for others, her joyful spirit, her tenacity, her spunkiness and her love love of life that I don’t want to fade or grow dim or ever be cut off. 

Life takes it toll. Time marches on. But I pray that her beauty that truly lies within will never change. For that is what makes her my beautiful daughter. 

Heartbreak

1 Peter 3:15,16 – “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”

Wednesday was a tough day. And I’m not talking about all the running that I had to do. No, I’m talking about a conversation I had with a patient I see. 

God had set it all up. I had received a random text from my mom about my aunt’s email address. And my patient wanted to know if everything was okay, seeing that I checked the text from my mom. Well, that opened the door for me to tell someone about Jesus by using my blog. 

Here’s where it gets tough – she told me she was agnostic and proceeded to very sweetly tell me what she believed and why. It was clear through the discussion that she had already made up her mind about Jesus. She had rejected Him. And it broke my heart. When I left, I cried. I called my husband. I called my mom. I was heartbroken that this dear lady, whom I care about, had made the choice to die and go to Hell, even though she doesn’t believe in it. 

How do you go on after that?

It is tough. I have to work with this lady. I have to help her achieve her physical goals while knowing that her eternal future is in jeopardy. 

All I can do is pray for her. I will keep living differently in front of her and keep interjecting Christ whenever I can. I need to know in my heart that I pricked her heart every time I had the opportunity. 

I can’t save her. I can’t make her believe in Jesus Christ. I can’t change her mind. But I can love her. I can show her Jesus in my thoughts, my actions and my words. I can tell my brothers and sisters in Christ about her need and have them pray with me. That’s all I can do. And if the opportunity presents itself again, I will pounce on it…again. I just need to be listening and be aware of what God is laying before me. 

Living life on purpose

1 Peter 3:10-11 – “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.”

I was listening to the lessons last night at church and one theme kept coming to mind – on purpose. Do we do things on purpose? 

Most of the time, I feel that I’m “rolling with the punches”. Sometimes that’s necessary. Unfortunately, my rolling is more like the rolling of a square tire – it’s not pretty but it is possible, with a lot of work. But I shouldn’t do that. 

I need to be living my life on purpose, even through the rough spots. 

When I cook, every ingredient has a purpose. There is a time to put it into the mix that creates exactly what it was meant to create. When I do it out of order, it doesn’t turn out right. I have to do each step on purpose. 

In these verses today, we see how to live a life that we can love – a life pleasing unto God. 

1) Hold your tongue – Don’t speak evil against others. Don’t cut them down. Don’t say things to hurt others. Watch what you say. Now, if that doesn’t require purpose, I don’t know what would. It takes thought and effort to allow God to guard your tongue. Sometimes life is rolling along and wham! Out flies something that you wish you could take back. Unfortunately, once it’s out there, it can never come back. Guard your tongue. 

2) Go away from evil and do good. This seems obvious, right? But is it? Satan makes evil look good. He disguises the wrong in the cloak of goodness. And it’s not until your knee deep in it that the cloak comes off. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish right from wrong because of that cloak. This is why it is so important to purposefully ask God what you should do. Living life on purpose means finding out the truth – knowing good from evil and seeking after the good. 

3) Go after peace – This is definitely a choice. Peace requires purpose and determination. It is so easy to seek revenge when we are wronged, but that’s not what God would have us to do. We have to purpose in our heart to go after peace and not let the hardships and problems drag us into the pit of dispair and unrest. 

This is all about decisions. Decisions to live life on purpose. Decisions to choose God’s way above our own. Decisions to roll like a round wheel and not a square one. 

I am planning to write this week about doing things on purpose. God laid it on my heart last night to stop flying by the seat of my pants when it comes to my spiritual life. I need to purposefully choose each and every day how and when to live out His purpose in my life. And it starts with recognizing the problem. I invite you to join me in learning to live on purpose. 

Know who you fight

Ephesians 6:10-12 – “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places .”

We depend so much on our sight. We want to see the beauty of God’s creation. We want to see the smiling faces of our loved ones. We want to be able to read. Our sight is vitally important to us. 

So, how are we supposed to fight someone we can’t see? We can see the ground before us and look to where the holes might be in the grass, but sometimes we miss one and fall in. We can watch the traffic out on the road, but sometimes someone does something that causes an accident that we never saw coming. 

As a follower of Christ, we do not battle against things we can see and touch. We battle against principles and ideas. And at times, it gets really dark because we find ourself in a battle with “rulers of darkness” and “spiritual wickedness”. Serious stuff. 

We like to joke that the devil is this dumb little demon with horns and a pitchfork. But in reality, we are facing a fallen angelic being who is a maniac with destruction in his heart. This isn’t some little red being snearing in the corner, rubbing his hands together and giggling mischievously. No, 1 Peter 5:8 says this – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”. A lion. There is nothing sweet and innocent about a full grown lion. I don’t believe that Peter was speaking of a cub here. 

Sometimes, we all need a reminder of who it is we are dealing with in our daily life. We need to be vigilant in remembering that this devil is no cute and mischievous little demon. He is a full grown, mean and nasty, ready to tear you apart kind of being. You need to be prepared. 

The great thing about all this is God doesn’t leave us without protection. We have the armor of God. Read Ephesians 6:13-18. It’s all right there in black and white. It is ready for you to check out and apply. 

That one beautiful day…

  
1 Peter 3:8 – “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous”

As you can see, it was a beautiful day at the soccer field yesterday. As my son was working on his skills, I watched and listened to another team practicing. 

The girls were running around the fields as a team. They all started out together, but as the yards wore on, they began to spread out. One girl kept getting farther and farther behind. 

As the girls began crossing the finish line, they began to line up and cheer one another across the line. The last girl was really far behind. I mean, like 2 minutes behind her teammate. Instead of laughing or complaining, they began chanting her name – “Let’s go Charlotte, let’s go!” (Go ahead and clap/clap, you know you want to!)

It was beautiful! Actually, if you know me, it brought tears to my eyes! Girls can be especially harsh sometimes. So to hear these girls genuinely cheering for her…well, it warmed my heart. 

Sometimes we need someone cheering us on. Sometimes we are the last one to come across the line. Sometimes we are hard pressed to make it over the line. But when we hear someone cheering out our name, clapping their hands for us, we get that last little bit of encouragement that we need to push through. 

So be an encourager to someone today. You never know, they might feel like they are at the end of the line and need someone to cheer them on. Go ahead, be their encouragement, be their cheerleader!