Not the healthy but the sick

   
     Luke 5:27-32 is about the calling of Levi to be Jesus' disciple.  Jesus called him and Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.  He then held a banquet at his house for Jesus where more tax collectors and others joined them.  Jesus was questioned, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"  I love his reply!  "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."  If he had hung out with only the 'good' then we would all be lost and his mission here on earth would have been useless.
                                             
                                                             He came to save the wretch.

     When Jesus died on the cross he commanded us to go into all nations and preach the good news.  We are to tell ALL others about Christ so that they can be saved.
     In India they have something called the caste system.  People are divided into groups.  You are in one of four groups and considered anywhere from being an untouchable to being very highly esteemed.  The guidelines for which group a person is classified in is determined by the family they were born into and the area they were born in - man made rules of discrimination.
     As Christians we aren't supposed to put up walls or dividers between us and other people because they aren't ideal to be around or to share with.  How often do we do this though?

    *The woman laying by the dumpster clothed in rags with a cardboard box as her blanket - her house.
    *The man sitting by himself in the restaurant with deformities claiming his face and hands.      
    *The person needing assistance at the store but whose bodily odor keeps others from coming near.
    *The boy who stutters so badly that he can't be understood.
    *The quiet girl whose hair hasn't seen a comb and whose clothes are adorned by holes and were too small for her six months ago.
    *The man whose reputation has him pegged as 'strange', but no one really knows why... they just go along with it.  


     In Matthew Jesus says, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me... Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."  Jesus' words are convicting.  I'm sure I have missed out on plenty of opportunities to share my life with others... chances to share about my Father in Heaven - about the one who loves and adores them and deems them fearfully and wonderfully made.
      "Lord help me to view your creation through your eyes.  They are beautiful.  Each and every one is fearfully and wonderfully made.  Give me a desire to reach out to the people you place in front of me.  Thank you for being a beautiful Savior full of grace and love.  Make me more like you I pray."

Your will...

   
     Leprosy would be a terrible disease to have.  No one was allowed to touch a leper.  No one was supposed to go near a leper.  Jesus did both.  (Luke 5:12-16)  A man with leprosy saw Jesus and fell face down in front of him.  "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."  Jesus reached out and touched him.  "I am willing. Be clean!"  The man was healed.
     As I read this, the man's words hit me.  If you are willing... you can make me clean.  His words were not:  Can you make me clean?  Nor were they:  If you can, then you will make me clean.   He did not question Jesus' abilities.  He did not test Jesus or demand from him.
     "Lord, I know you can heal me.  I ask that you would.  But whatever your will is, I pray that it would be done."  How often do we pray this way?  Rather, it seems that the trend today is naming what you want done and claiming that it will be done.  If it doesn't come to pass then apparently you don't have enough faith.  Hmmmm...  I've never seen that written in the Bible.
     I do not tell God what is best for me.  His will is best.  He determines my steps.  I won't always understand why God does what he does, or why he allows the things he allows.  I must trust that He knows what is best and believe that He is in control.  Matthew 21:22 "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."  This has nothing to do with naming and claiming.  If we are in HIS will, then what we ask for will align.
     "Lord, help me to have faith that knows without a doubt that you can do what you say you can do, and that you are who you say who you are.  I do not want to demand anything from you.  I ask humbly and I ask that your will be done above all."

Fisher of Men

   
     Simon Peter.  He had great faith.  He was humble.  He was obedient.  Jesus had been sitting in Simon's boat teaching a group of people who were on shore.  Once he had finished speaking, he instructed Simon Peter to go out deeper and throw his nets over the side of the boat to catch some fish.  (Luke 5) "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything.  But because you say so, I will let down the nets."  He ended up catching so many fish that Simon and his friends filled two boats full and began sinking.  When Simon Peter saw this he fell to his knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord;  I am a sinful man!"  But Jesus reassured him, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."  When they got back to shore they left everything and followed Jesus.
     After a long day of hard, unfruitful laboring, I don't know that I would have been so eager to go back out and try again just because someone told me to.  Knowing that it was Jesus and knowing the miracles that he can perform would have given me a lot more reason for believing and doing, but I have a hard time believing that there wouldn't have been at least a little bit of doubt in my mind.  Sad, but true.  Simon Peter knew Jesus could do anything.  And even after seeing the fish pour into the boat, he fell before him in humility.  I am not worthy of you, Lord!  What a heart!
     I sit here trying to imagine if Jesus had called me to be one of his 12 disciples - if he said to me, "from now on you will catch men."  That is an amazing thing!  It would be a difficult path to go down, but what an honor!  It would mean choosing a path of servitude, love, and persecution.  What about now?  He calls me where I am right now.  Is my attitude the same?  Am I honored to be called his disciple today?
     "Lord, help me to choose a path of servitude.  Help me not to doubt you.  Help me to be bold.  Help me to be humble.  There is no good thing in me outside of you.  It is a gift to be called a servant of the Most High.  Help me to see it that way more and more.  Thank you for who you are Lord God.  I praise you!"

Fruit Bearing

     John the baptist was preparing the way for the Lord.  He went into all the country around the Jordan preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  He had very strong words for the crowds coming out that wanted to be baptized.  (Luke 3:7-9) "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.'  For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."  Their hearts were certainly NOT in the right place.  They heard what was being preached and got scared...They had better act on this before something bad happened to them!  Feeling impending doom brings about action.  I am convinced of this.
     God does not want sacrifice, baptism, servitude, or anything else produced from anything other than a true dedication and love for Him.  Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 1:3 "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."  Is my heart motivated by and centered on LOVING God?
     God tends to his garden and cares for the fruit that is bore.  Are we connected to Jesus in every way?  What compels us to do what we do?  (John 15:1-2) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."  If a branch is not connected to the vine then it simply dies.  Nothing fruitful can come from it.
     Pruning...  In our vegetable garden my husband planted tomatoes.  He set up trellises so that they could climb up and stay off of the ground.  He guided them and supported them. Once the growing process hit a certain stage he had to prune back some of the branches.  If he hadn't pruned, we would have had a lot more tomatoes budding.  However, very few would have come to maturity.  The pruning helped the tomatoes that were produced to be beautiful, ripe, tasty fruit.  Everyday he would go out and water his plants.  He'd make sure no pests were getting at them.  He would pinch off any branches that were withering and becoming problems.
     When I think of being a fruit-bearing person, I often seem to overlook the pruning step.  Being pruned and molded by the Lord doesn't promise to be a 'feel-good' experience.  He has to take any bad parts off so that we can be as fruitful and productive as possible for HIM.  This can hurt.  But it is sooo refining and good!  In the end, we will be beautiful fruit-bearers if we allow him to work completely. 
     "Lord, thank you that you have a plan.  Thank you that you know what I need to be a woman who serves you with her whole heart.  Cut off the areas of my life that are displeasing to you, Father.  Keep me in your hands.  I want my motives for serving you to be motivated by nothing more than love for you and gratitude for what you have done for me.  Show me how to love you more." 

A Slavegirl's Choice

     Devotions with my boy this morning: Jonah and the big fish.  It's one of his favorite Bible stories.  He sits in anticipation with eager ears as the story is read.  "Even though the people of Ninevah were running from God and doing terrible things, He couldn't stop loving them.  He had Jonah go talk to the people so that they could be saved."  We talked more about this until his mind wandered and he asked, "Mom, it's like that bad guy who took the girl as his slave and killed her family."  I had to think for a second... "Do you mean Namaan?  The story we read about a few days ago?"  "Yeah!"  "Oh, well... Namaan took her and made her his slave.  You're right.  Namaan had leprosy.  The girl knew someone who could help him.  His name was Elisha and he was a prophet of God.  So, Namaan went to Elisha and he was healed by washing in a river.  Do you remember why this happened?  That the girl chose to forgive him for the wrongs he had done?  And she chose to help him instead of just being angry?"  His eyebrows furrowed at this.  "Yes, but she should be angry at him for killing her family and making her a slave!"  "The Bible says we are supposed to forgive those who do bad things to us.  It doesn't mean that we have to like the bad things they do.  In fact we shouldn't.  But we are supposed to forgive them and choose to love them."  His eyes averted and he was in his own little world.  I wonder how that processes in the mind of a 4 year old.
     Do I live and walk out my days in a way that helps him to grasp this?  Is there someone I still haven't forgiven?  What was it I just said to my son?  "Lord, help me to walk out my faith in plain view.  Help there to be no hypocritical way in me.  Show me where I lack, Father."

His Agape Love

     Love is such a funny thing.  We don't want to doubt the love people say they have for us.  We want it to be real and intense.  Experience sometimes betrays our desires.  And sometimes this human attempt (and often failure) at love severely tarnishes our understanding of how God loves us.  They say love can be so up and down with people because 'I can never know the real you'.  Human love is based on circumstances.  The Greek word for this type of love is 'philia'.  It's the type of love that describes friendship.
     God's love is the one love that is completely consistent.  It never changes or lessens.  It never ends.  He is head over heels in love with his creation... you.... me.... the neighbor who drives everyone crazy.  With all of our imperfections, quirks, and failures, God continues to love with a great passion!  God's love is one of 'agape'.  It is a sacrificial love.  God does know the real us.  And because of that, he sent Jesus - God in flesh - to die for us, so that we may have eternal life with Him in Heaven.  We are called to love with this agape kind of love, but it is impossible outside of God loving through us and helping us.
      Psalm 139 gives an amazing description of just how well he knows us, and how much He truly does agape us.  "Oh Lord, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar... You hem me in behind and before...  For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb... All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be... How precious are your thoughts, Oh God!  How vast is the sum of them!  Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand..."
     We just have to accept and believe this great agape love that he has for us.  He died to cleanse us from sin that we may LIVE!  It's a free gift!  There is nothing we can do to earn this gift of love, this gift of salvation.  Simply receive it.  Believe it.   (John 3:16)  "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son.  That whosoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life!" There is no greater love than this.  When I die I know where I am going.  I will be singing with the angels; I will be glorifying and praising the God who lives!  And I know that there is only one way to accomplish this.  (John 14:6)  "...No one comes to the Father except through me." 
     "Father, I am so unworthy of your love.  I praise you and I thank you for how sovereign and holy you are!  Thank you for your gift of eternal life.  There is no good thing in me without you.  Fill me, Lord.  Help me to love with this agape kind of love.  Make my heart ache to share this truth with others!"

God's Chosen

     I can not imagine being told that I will give birth to the Almighty.  (Luke 1:30-31,35)  "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus... the Holy Spirit will come upon you... so the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God."  "Abba Father, I've never been with a man.  I am pledged to Joseph.  How can this be?  Why choose me?"  How unfathomable!  I can just imagine the fears and questions that must have run through Mary's mind!  Yet, even though she was trouble, there was joy... there was peace... she trusted God.
     I try to cross out the fact that I know this story truly did happen.  Sitting in my chair, I close my eyes.  I try to imagine myself as Mary... 2000 years ago... hearing this for the first time... grasping the thought that it is me the angel is speaking to.  In all honesty, I can't imagine what I would think.  Mary was chosen for a very specific reason.  God, in his sovereignty,  knew she would respond in love and servitude.  (Luke 1:38)  " 'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said.' "
     The Bible is clear that God has a purpose for each one of his children.  He has gifted us all differently.  I am challenged.  Is my heart open enough to be sensitive and responsive to when God calls me to a specific ministry?  A specific purpose?  There are daily tasks that I am called to: being the mom God created me to be, serving and loving my husband, and so on...  But am I listening for the instructions he might be giving me for only a short period of time?  A day?  Or perhaps a  year?  Do I get too caught up in daily tasks that I have stopped listening?  I pray not.  "Lord, what do you have for me to do this day?  Help me to hear and believe."

A Woman of Noble Character

     In 1st and 2nd Thessalonians we are instructed not to be idle.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 we are told to "...respect those who work hard among you, who are over us in the Lord..." and to hold them in high regard in love.  Paul says to live in peace with one another and to "...warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone."  In 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Paul says to "...keep away from the brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching..."  In seeing the word, brother, we can know he is speaking about fellow followers of Christ.  They are choosing not to obey and could possibly lead you astray.  He goes on to give himself as an example in verses 7 and 8, "...We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it.  On the contrary, we worked night and day laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you..."  and then in verse 10, "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat.' "  He gives distinction between those who are busy and those who are busybodies.  "Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat."
     What does this look like for me?  I am reminded of the Proverbs 31 woman.  A noble wife is worth more than rubies... she brings him good... she gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family... she considers a field and buys it to plant a vineyard... she works vigorously... her lamp stay on all night... she makes garments to sell... and then the verses I believe sum up everything: (Proverbs 31:27 and 30)  "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness... Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  What a powerful description!  "I want to be that kind of wife and mother, Lord."  Proverbs 12:4 gives another strong picture of what I can be for my husband.  "A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones."  
     There is a time for rest and laughter and just plain old fun!  I believe the Lord likes to have a good laugh now and then too!  However, my life is not going to please my Heavenly Father if that is what defines the majority of it.  Rest becomes laziness; laughter and fun can turn into foolishness.
     "Father God, I praise you for the holy and sacred God that you are.  I thank you for the plans you have set before me.  Lord, please be with me as I walk through my week.  Keep me from being idle.  I ask for help in becoming more and more like the Proverbs 31 woman.  Thank you for that example and instruction."

Overcoming

    There are days when it feels as though we are at war.  At war with our spouse, at war with our kids....  Satan delights in tearing families apart.  If we allow him any type of foothold then we are in big trouble!  The structure of a family models God's plan.  God is the head; he is the bridegroom.  His people are his bride.  In the same way, the husband is the head of the household.  He is told to love his wife as Christ loved the church.  When this is broken, Satan has made headway into our lives.
      There are days it seems as though war rages inside the church body - when quarreling amongst our brothers and sisters in Christ runs fiercely.  "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." (1 Corinthians 1:10)  The church is made up of imperfect people.  The only thing that will keep us united is relying on the Lord and seeking out HIS will.
     There are days I battle with myself.  "Why can't I just trust that YOU know what is best, Lord?"  I have to make a conscious effort to push down my own ideas of what is right and how I believe things are "supposed" to be.  "I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord..." (Jeremiah 29:11)
     Last week, during morning devotions with my 4 year old, the topic of Satan came up.  He wanted to know how big Satan is.  "Can he even kill a dinosaur?"  "Satan can't do anything unless God allows him to."  I say this with definite conviction.  But wait.... if I truly believe this, then why do I sometimes fear Satan?  "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear..." (1 John 4:18)  Satan delights in sending distractions to take our eyes off the goal.  When we aren't leaning on God, then we WILL falter.    
     How do we overcome the evil one?  What does this look like?  God is on our side!
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)  
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:13-17)  "...let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet."  (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
         In all of this, I am reminded that through trials and tribulations, good times and bad, we can have peace and joy!  "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)  "Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." ( 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
     Today I will choose to live in victory!  I will TRUST that the Lord knows best and that he has EVERYTHING in HIS HANDS!  "I praise you Father!  You are ever faithful!  Thank you that you neither leave me nor forsake me.  Build our family on your firm foundation, I pray.  Keep us from Satan's lies.  Give us discernment as parents.  Give us a burning desire to be in your Word, that we will be able to stand firm on it.  Thank you for who you are, Lord God."

Peace in Obedience

     1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will be with the Lord forever.  Therefore encourage each other with these words."  Many people have no hope for "the afterlife".  We can have so much hope though!  I want others to be able to have that hope too.
     Yesterday the Lord continually brought to mind my journal entry about missions.  My boys and I were at the park inside our town home complex.  A new family was moving in next door.  "Cookies... they need some cookies for all that hard work.  God... they need to know God."  Truth be told, I have no idea if they know God, but it was so refreshing for that to be my first thought for them!  I read a book a long time ago where a man loved to bake.  And whenever he baked for someone he included a Bible verse with it to encourage them.  Later that day, my 4 year old carried the plate up to their front door.  "Knock, knock," he said through the open passage way.  A little girl came to the doorway with long, dark curly hair.  They exchanged smiles.  "Merry Christmas!" Camden shouted as he skipped down the steps.  As we walked back to our house I felt such peace.  We did something for the Lord.  I felt the prompting and I obeyed. "Thank you, Lord."  
     I talked to my son about the Bible verse we sent with the cookies.  Hopefully he understands the need to share Jesus with everyone we meet.  The impact it had on that family might have been very little... or it could mean the difference in their salvation.  We might not ever know.  But I pray that a seed has been planted.
     When I die I will leave a legacy behind for my children.  This is the legacy I choose.  All glory to God.  My life is useless if not lived out for HIM.  If my children take away nothing else from me, I pray that they take that.  I have so much work to do, but, "I can do all things through Jesus who gives me strength."

Missions

     In 1 Thessalonians Paul writes about being persecuted and the encouragement that he received from the church of the Thessalonians.  He and his companions was encouraged because of their faith.  "Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.  For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.  How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of your God because of you?  Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith." It does not say he was encouraged because they were finding a way to keep him from the persecution.  No, he was revitalized by seeing their steadfast faith which he had helped to cultivate.  Is my life lived for such a purpose?  That even in the midst of great suffering I would have great joy all because my loved ones kept a strong faith?
     To truly live is to live for God.  What does that look like?  We are given very important instruction by Jesus.  "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations..."  If I am being obedient to that, then one of my greatest joys should be seeing the fruit of it.  And then for Paul to be praying earnestly that they could return to the people to encourage and build them up in their faith even more - What a heart for missions!
    My challenge today is to peach the good news wherever I go.  Yes, I have the freedom to do that.  As I said yesterday I am beyond thankful for that blessing.  But do I even utilize it?  Christians all over the world are being persecuted -tortured- for the cause of spreading God's word because they do not have that freedom.  What am I doing?

Life of Plenty

We have so very much!  I'm not saying we drive the best cars or own a huge house, or that we eat king crab for supper every week.  But what we do have is more than plenty.  Everyday I wake up to find my loving husband laying next to me.  Everyday I have the joy of loving on my little boys and seeing them learn something new.  My family has clean clothes to wear and a roof over our heads.  Our stomachs are always satisfied.  I have the privilege to read my Bible and talk about Jesus whenever and wherever I want to.  My husband is such a hard worker, and I am blessed to be able to stay at home with my boys.  I thank the Lord that I was given parents who raised me to love Him.
We put up a Christmas tree last weekend.  It's full of fun ornaments that belonged to my husband and me from when we were younger.  Some belong to my little ones and will be passed on to them when they grow up.  At the top of our tree hangs a brightly painted cross which proclaims the word 'Savior'.  A midst all of the presents and holiday buzz, that "tree topper" reminds me of what is important.  I pray I can pass that on to my children - the realization and importance of what this season.... and this life.... is all about.
To whom much is given, much is expected.  This year I want to discover something that we can do as a family to reach out and serve.  We need to give back.  What does this look like?  The Bible talks about helping the fatherless, the widow, the orphan.... Are my eyes open?  Am I sensitive to the Lord?  I am reminded of what serving the Lord looks like when I read Jesus' words, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the lease of these, you did not do for me."  Are we clothing and feeding and helping the people God has set before us?  I am challenged.  We have so much.  But do we give so much? 

Loving My Children

The greatest challenges as a mom of young children seem to come when I am tired, stressed, or simply not in a good mood. In other words, it has only a little to do with my children's behaviors and choices.

Where am I with the Lord? Have I had my daily time reading in my Bible and talking with the King of Kings? How I answer those questions seems to be reflected in my day with my kids. Am I short with them, impatient, even rude...? Or am I on the floor playing and reading to them; dancing to silly songs, and loving on them with a heart of gladness?

My children are so precious! The oldest is 4 years old. He is obsessed with animals and I have to admit, it gets tiring trying to play animals with him every day, all day long. Sometimes I have to put his animals away where he can't get at them in order for him to play with something else.

My youngest is 7 months. He is such a happy little boy! I believe his greatest joys in life are having his mommy close and watching his brother. Oh he laughs when he watches his brother! They are buddies already. :)

I have made a decision to be the mom that God wants me to be. It is most certainly a work in progress. One thing I know for sure is that I MUST invest spiritually into my children every day! My oldest and I have began having devotions every morning out of his Jesus Story Book Bible. We sit at the table eating our breakfast and once I am finished I get the book and we read together while he finishes. The conversations it has brought about are quite amusing and strange sometimes. And yet, it amazes me how deeply my little 4 year old thinks.

Another conclusion I have come to in my endeavor is this: I MUST hug and kiss my children every day, many times a day. They need to hear the words, "I love you" often.

"Lord, help me to be the mom that you want me to be today. Give me a love for my boys like the love you have for me, Father. Thank you for your grace. Please take up where I fail. Thank you for the gift that they are to me. Amen."