Faithful

God is faithful.  He keeps His promises. He never changes.  Psalm 36 declares "Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds."  And Psalm 89 begins with "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations."  Jesus elaborates on the absolute surety of God's Word and His faithfulness to carry it out.  "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My word will by no means pass away."  In the wisdom of Solomon, "Not one word has failed of all His good promises."  

This assurance is particularly good to know when we are overwhelmed with problems.  1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."  Notice how God is faithful is the rock to stand on during trials and the promise that you will overcome it.  His faithfulness is a very real help in practical daily troubles.       

The purpose of life is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).   By identifying with Jesus' death and resurrection we receive the gift of a new nature, and then as the Holy Spirit transforms our mind with the Word of God, we change from glory to glory.  As a man thinks, so is he.  God is faithful to lead us into all truth, and in His presence, we are changed.  

However, part of this process is our participation and obedience.  Notice the admonition in 1 Corinthians 4:1-2,  "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful."  God commands us to be faithful to the Lord Jesus and in our obedience to His Word.    

Clearly, God calls us to be faithful,  Jesus asked, "Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom His master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?"  He also instructed us to be faithful in little so He could entrust us with the much.  And His final welcome into glory will be, "Well done, good and faithful servant."  

The good news is that we don't have to do this by our own effort.  Jesus promised not to leave us orphans, but that He would send the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit helps us in our weakness, make us His witnesses, and guides us in the way we should go.  His life-giving power transforms our minds, hearts, and will to delight to do His will.  In short, the Spirit helps us to be faithful.  He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.    

Hearken

 Come to Me, you chosen of God.  Sometimes we don't feel like or remember that we really are His chosen.  In Psalm 81, we are not only reminded that He has chosen us and has directly involved Himself in our lives, but we are also given a continuing challenge of how to walk in His glorious provision. 

 First, He reminds us that He set us free from our burden, obviously the slavery of our own sin, and when we called in trouble, He was there to deliver us.  Furthermore, He desires to continue to demonstrate His goodness to us by giving this simple admonition: "Oh that My people would hearken unto me, that Israel (my chosen) would walk in my ways!" 

 Just as Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before Him, God sets the table for us to come and enjoy His glorious provision.  "I would soon subdue their enemies....[I would] feed them also with the finest of the wheat and with honey out of the rock would I satisfy thee."  What incredible motivation to listen and obey!

 So this morning, the Lord invites you to take a moment to ask His Spirit to speak to you.  My sheep hear my voice.  Then hearken -  give heed or attention to what is said.  It sounds so easy and simple.  Yet God's ways are easy and light (My yoke is easy and My burden is light  Matthew 11:30)  Rather than something hard, it is as simple as asking and receiving, taking time to wait and by faith respond to the still small voice.  Choose to believe the word that He gives and obey. 

The Lord has good plans for you today with victories over your difficulties, and with the promise of the finest of wheat, the provision that your heart enjoys.  You are chosen and blessed beyond description.  Take time to hearken.  Let him who has ears to hear, hear.  As you give heed and pay attention to what is said, surely goodness and mercy will follow you today.

Sunshine

"Hey, Sunshine!" might be a greeting we give to a young child, but what if God called you "Sunshine." 

God's light makes us a beacon wherever we go.  Sometimes we forget our responsibility, to be a light in the darkness.  In His light we become light.  In John 13 and 14, the Word reminds us that the love and power of God in us is meant to be so real that the world will see it.  "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."  Isaiah 60 likewise declares that His light has come, and His glory will be seen in you.   

 It all starts with the revelation of Jesus.  In John 14:19, "After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me; because I live, you will live also."  and later in 21, "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and disclose Myself to him."  Obeying the little things brings big results. 

 When we walk in awareness of God in us, like John 14:20 states, "In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.", there will be a radiant life and joy that naturally flows from within.  Even when we are in "normal" daily activities or even in tough times, the presence of the Lord still exudes from our being.  Perhaps the challenge is to believe He is really with us, and He is able to touch others even when we don't realize it.  Didn't Jesus say (John 6:29) the work of God was to believe in Him whom the Father sent."

Rather than let our minds dwell on our shortcomings or the situation, life flows from us when we choose to give thanks in every situation and think about what Philippians 4:8 says, "whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." In short, set your mind and focus on the Spirit.

 You are a light to the world by simply loving God and responding to the next thing or idea the Lord gives you.  Arise, shine.

Heart of God

Honor and blessings to all mothers as we celebrate Mother's Day! 

God's plans are awesome.  There is a good reason He compares and contrasts a mother's love (in Isaiah 49) in describing His love toward us.  Through motherhood (and fatherhood) He allows us to share His feelings toward His children and the joy of seeing them make wise choices.  It is stated in 2 John that he rejoices greatly to find his children walking in the truth.  We have the honor to share the heart of God.

 On one hand, mothers, you are to be highly commended for being a mother and all you do to ensure the well-being and growth of your children.  Everyone knows the daily routine of feeding, washing, clothing, providing for their every need is often a full-time and often thankless job.  It is a laying down your life in all the "little things" that fill your day, that result in the "big things" of your children knowing they are loved and valuable.  Having this foundation allows each one to be secure and to grow into the person God meant each one to be. Clearly, Mother's Day gives the opportunity for children to rise up and bless their mothers with a special thank you of appreciation.  This is good and right, but nothing compares to the final "Well done, good and faithful servant" that awaits you.  

 However, on the other hand, what do we have and what can we do unless it is a gift from the Lord?  When it is all said and done, all we can ever do is thank God that He allowed us to have the desire and strength to do what He gives us.  It always reminds me of the parable in Luke 17, where Jesus concludes, "So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' "  We will be amazed forever how God used our "simply doing what needs to be done" to accomplish His eternal purpose.  In this sense, Mother's Day is a day to thank God for the privilege and strength to serve Him in this favored position.  "Thank you, Lord, for letting me be used to touch forever the lives You have given me."

The greatest in God's kingdom is servant of all. Sharing God's heart and acting accordingly brings us into oneness with the Lord forever.  

May I?

 Have you ever played the game, "Mother, may I?" where you have to ask if you "may" before you can take the giant steps the leader gives you?  Almost always in the excitement of being given a good command, the person would forget to say, "May I?" and have to go back to start.

There is a parallel in the way human nature responds to God's call on our lives.  Ephesians 2:10 reminds us "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  Notice God has already prepared the work we should do.  However, the fallen-nature flesh response is, "Do I have to?" instead of our rightful choice, "May I?"  It is a privilege to do things for and with the Lord to extend His kingdom, not a burden.  Didn't Jesus say "My yoke is easy and My burden is light."? 

It has everything to do with our attitude and our faith that result in gratefulness to be chosen to lay down our life for Him.  Jim Elliot clarified the choice with his statement, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."  Even David refused to offer to God sacrifices that didn't cost him something. (2 Sam 24).  The bottom line is that whenever God asks you to do something, from caring for a child to routine chores around the house to trying to help somebody, there always is a cost.  However, in Paul's words, the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

 "Unasked for" advice is criticism. This certainly is a good rule for healthy personal relationships.  Taking it a step further to the Lord, He doesn't need our advice but rather our obedience.  He loves a cheerful giver.  Whenever we give of ourselves, our time, our effort, our sacrifice, God sees and surely will have an eternal reward.  Lay up your treasures in heaven.

Rather than grumble or complain about current chores and responsibilities, ask, "Lord, may I do what you desire?"