Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless his name. - Psalm 100:4
You have put gladness in my heart. More than in the season that their grain and wine increased. - Psalm 4:7
You never appreciate things more than when you avert a disaster. That happened to my family this week.
It was an unseasonably warm couple of days and my parents decided to air out the house. Not just for the fresh spring air but because we had been smelling a strange odor for quite some time. We speculated what the smell might be. A dead mouse? Spoiled food coming from the new refrigerator? We weren't certain but the one thing we did know -- it was mighty smelly.
After a while, the smell was making my mother sick to her stomach. Then that morning, this last Sunday, my dad woke up and began gagging. I was doing my morning walk to my favorite DVD and I kept checking the time. Dad must have gagged for ten minutes straight.
At this point we had pretty much decided what we were smelling was gas. But we weren't sure. Didn't gas smell like rotten eggs? This didn't smell like that.
That day my Dad went to a local establishment hoping to run into a guy who could help him, someone who might have a detector to tell us exactly what this smell was.
But this day, the man didn't show up. It was the first time in months this man hadn't been there on a Sunday.
Was this a blessing in disguise?
Because Dad didn't find his friend he decided to turn off both the furnace and the water heater. Because that was where we were smelling most of the gas.
Another blessing? Hum.
I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. - Genesis 12:2
We went to sleep that night concerned but not truly scared. We left the doors open overnight for good measure. Maybe if we had been smarter about such things we would have been very frightened.
The smell kept my Mother up half the night with a sick stomach. And when I got up the next morning I could really smell a strong odor coming from Dad's bathroom (where the furnace & water heater live).
Our initial thought was that the smell was coming from the furnace. But it was off. So, why were we smelling it even more?
I went to work not overly concerned. Dad was planning to call someone to come over and check things out.
Did I fail to mention one small detail? My parents both smoke. That means they were lighting up off and on through our entire experience.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. - Matthew 5:5
While I was at work, Dad called the people who had originally put in those gas lines. When they went into the back yard to check the pipes, the strength of the gas about knocked them all over. At that point the workers knew this situation was a dangerous emergency. They quickly turned off the gas and fixed the leak. A pipe at ground level had completely rusted through and the gas was leaking into the house from a pipe running from the backyard to the furnace.
They told us we were lucky our house didn't explode. Amazing, huh? But there are other things to be thankful for besides the fact that I'm still alive to write this.
If it hadn't been so unseasonably warm, we wouldn't have had the doors and windows open which aired out the house.
If Dad hadn't missed his friend on Sunday, we never would have turned off the furnace and water heater.
So, we're safe today not just because the gas leak got fixed but because of all the little things that happened throughout the week. Three are probably many other things that happened throughout the previous week. There are probably many other things I don't know about that contributed to our being here today.
My prayer for you is to be thankful not just for the big things, but for all the little things you don't even notice. Because this week it was the little things that saved our lives.
And immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" - Matthew 14:31
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
You've Got Talent - Daily Inspiration
To everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. - Matthew 25:29
Sounds kind of harsh, doesn't it? It sounds harsh especially when taken out of context. This scripture is from the Parable of the Talents. Hopefully, you've heard about it, if not, here is a condensed review.
A rich man was traveling to a far country. He gave his three servants a certain amount of talents (I think this means money or goods). To one he gave five talents. To one he gave two talents. And to the third he gave one talent, each according to his own ability. The first two servants went out and invested their money some way. the one with five talents now had ten. The one with two now had four. But the third servant was fearful. He thought the market looked shaky. So he dug a hole and he hid his one talent in the ground.
When the master came back a time later he discovered first two servants had doubled their talents. He was very pleased. But with the servant who had hid his one talent, he was very upset. The master took the third servant's one talent and gave it to the one with ten.
It still sounds harsh even when going over it again.
But what if the term talents didn't just refer to money or goods. What if it referred to the gifts God had blessed each of us with. So, each time you use a talent, more will be given. Maybe that's why we see so many creative types on television delving into music, art, acting and such.
To whom much is given, much is expected.
And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own. - Luke 7:41
We all need to remember, not to judge how others deal with their talents. I always find it humorous, to watch Simon Cowell on Britain's Got Talent. He gets this funny look on his face when he pre-judges a contestant based on that person's appearance. I like to call it the "Susan Boyle Effect."
A new seventeen year old came on the show recently with a slim, young, beautiful girl. But this seventeen year old wasn't slim or beautiful. He didn't look anything like the voice that was about to come out of his mouth. But when he did sing, he blew Simon away. That overweight seventeen year old who didn't look like he could sing was AMAZING! He had one of those opera voice that take over the auditorium.
Jonathan Antoine definitely didn't hide his talent in the dirt. Even though he knew he would be judged, he had been many times before, he let his talent shine for all the world to see.
My prayer for you today is to be like Jonathan. Let your talent shine. Do what it is that you do and do it for the whole world to see. And maybe you'll see your talents doubled.
Judge not, that you be not judged. - Matthew 7:1
Sounds kind of harsh, doesn't it? It sounds harsh especially when taken out of context. This scripture is from the Parable of the Talents. Hopefully, you've heard about it, if not, here is a condensed review.
A rich man was traveling to a far country. He gave his three servants a certain amount of talents (I think this means money or goods). To one he gave five talents. To one he gave two talents. And to the third he gave one talent, each according to his own ability. The first two servants went out and invested their money some way. the one with five talents now had ten. The one with two now had four. But the third servant was fearful. He thought the market looked shaky. So he dug a hole and he hid his one talent in the ground.
When the master came back a time later he discovered first two servants had doubled their talents. He was very pleased. But with the servant who had hid his one talent, he was very upset. The master took the third servant's one talent and gave it to the one with ten.
It still sounds harsh even when going over it again.
But what if the term talents didn't just refer to money or goods. What if it referred to the gifts God had blessed each of us with. So, each time you use a talent, more will be given. Maybe that's why we see so many creative types on television delving into music, art, acting and such.
To whom much is given, much is expected.
And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own. - Luke 7:41
We all need to remember, not to judge how others deal with their talents. I always find it humorous, to watch Simon Cowell on Britain's Got Talent. He gets this funny look on his face when he pre-judges a contestant based on that person's appearance. I like to call it the "Susan Boyle Effect."
A new seventeen year old came on the show recently with a slim, young, beautiful girl. But this seventeen year old wasn't slim or beautiful. He didn't look anything like the voice that was about to come out of his mouth. But when he did sing, he blew Simon away. That overweight seventeen year old who didn't look like he could sing was AMAZING! He had one of those opera voice that take over the auditorium.
Jonathan Antoine definitely didn't hide his talent in the dirt. Even though he knew he would be judged, he had been many times before, he let his talent shine for all the world to see.
My prayer for you today is to be like Jonathan. Let your talent shine. Do what it is that you do and do it for the whole world to see. And maybe you'll see your talents doubled.
Judge not, that you be not judged. - Matthew 7:1
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Make Your Words Sweet - Daily Inspiration
A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire. - Proverbs 15:1
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. - Proverbs 15:2
There is this gal I work with. She is a tiny bit of a thing. She looks like she's fifteen and still wears kid's sizes in clothes. But there is something else you notice about her almost immediately. She is very soft spoken. Sometimes it seems she barely speaks above a whisper.
But that doesn't mean she is small in spirit ... In spirit she speaks very loudly. And I find this contradiction very endearing.
Then in contrast to her soft spoken ways, there is me. My speaking voice booms. You can definitely hear me over a loud radio. I guess it's all that theatre training I received in high school. Thank you Ms. Oliver & Ms. Ford.
But sometimes the way I say something can be taken in a way I don't intend. I've seen my soft spoken co-worker flinch when I respond to her. I don't mean to startle. I'm just trying to be understood, albeit a bit too loudly. Has something like that ever happened to you?
I need to learn that my need to be understood doesn't mean I need to shout it to the back row or the rafters.
Often it's not what we say but how we say it that brings such varied responses.
Then he shall speak to him in his wrath, and distress them in his deep displeasure. - Psalm 2:5
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in you; let me not be ashamed. Psalm 25:1-2
Now, I would never purposely try to hurt anyone's feelings by using the tone of my voice to inflict distress, but I'm sure that has happened in the past... Probably more than once.
What about you? Do your words unintentionally hurt others? Do you have trouble being heard or getting your message across? Then it is my prayer for you (and myself) that you take time today to pay attention to what you say and how you say it. And make your words like sweet music to another's ears.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. - Proverbs 7:24
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. - Proverbs 15:2
There is this gal I work with. She is a tiny bit of a thing. She looks like she's fifteen and still wears kid's sizes in clothes. But there is something else you notice about her almost immediately. She is very soft spoken. Sometimes it seems she barely speaks above a whisper.
But that doesn't mean she is small in spirit ... In spirit she speaks very loudly. And I find this contradiction very endearing.
Then in contrast to her soft spoken ways, there is me. My speaking voice booms. You can definitely hear me over a loud radio. I guess it's all that theatre training I received in high school. Thank you Ms. Oliver & Ms. Ford.
But sometimes the way I say something can be taken in a way I don't intend. I've seen my soft spoken co-worker flinch when I respond to her. I don't mean to startle. I'm just trying to be understood, albeit a bit too loudly. Has something like that ever happened to you?
I need to learn that my need to be understood doesn't mean I need to shout it to the back row or the rafters.
Often it's not what we say but how we say it that brings such varied responses.
Then he shall speak to him in his wrath, and distress them in his deep displeasure. - Psalm 2:5
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in you; let me not be ashamed. Psalm 25:1-2
Now, I would never purposely try to hurt anyone's feelings by using the tone of my voice to inflict distress, but I'm sure that has happened in the past... Probably more than once.
What about you? Do your words unintentionally hurt others? Do you have trouble being heard or getting your message across? Then it is my prayer for you (and myself) that you take time today to pay attention to what you say and how you say it. And make your words like sweet music to another's ears.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. - Proverbs 7:24
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Be A Good Neighbor - Daily Inspiration
Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling - Zechariah 2:13
Sometimes I wonder why God cares about us at all. We are but grains of sand in the universal beach of life. I mean, small and insignificant, a grain of sand of a grain of sand. We're so small I'm surprised a heavenly being can even see us.
But for some reason God got off his heavenly throne and chose to love us. He gave us chance after chance to follow his ways and we still disappointed him. You'd think a God whose children disobeyed him like that would be angry. Those pesky humans never listen. And then give up on us and float away on his mighty cloud.
But he doesn't.
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:22-23
He knew all along that we could never live up to his expectations. But he knew there was a way for us to someday be with him in heaven.
God had a plan.
And that plan was Jesus Christ.
Is anything too hard for the LORD? - Genesis 18:14
So that we could one day be with him, God gave us Jesus so that through him we would have eternal life. I find that kind of mind blowing. Way back at the beginning of time he knew there would be a me. And he knew there would be a you and he set his plan in motion so that he could love us for an eternity in heaven.
But he didn't just want us to love him, he wanted us to love each other too.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. - Romans 15:7
The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." - Galatians 5:14
God wants us to be a good neighbor. Doesn't sound too hard, does it?
My prayer for you today is to let the spirit of the Lord impress on you that God loves you just as he loves us all. And spread that love to everyone you meet today. Give a new person you've never met a smile and a wave and a warm greeting. Be the bright spot in another person's day, just as God is the light in yours.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. - 1 Peter 4:8
Sometimes I wonder why God cares about us at all. We are but grains of sand in the universal beach of life. I mean, small and insignificant, a grain of sand of a grain of sand. We're so small I'm surprised a heavenly being can even see us.
But for some reason God got off his heavenly throne and chose to love us. He gave us chance after chance to follow his ways and we still disappointed him. You'd think a God whose children disobeyed him like that would be angry. Those pesky humans never listen. And then give up on us and float away on his mighty cloud.
But he doesn't.
This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:22-23
He knew all along that we could never live up to his expectations. But he knew there was a way for us to someday be with him in heaven.
God had a plan.
And that plan was Jesus Christ.
Is anything too hard for the LORD? - Genesis 18:14
So that we could one day be with him, God gave us Jesus so that through him we would have eternal life. I find that kind of mind blowing. Way back at the beginning of time he knew there would be a me. And he knew there would be a you and he set his plan in motion so that he could love us for an eternity in heaven.
But he didn't just want us to love him, he wanted us to love each other too.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. - Romans 15:7
The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." - Galatians 5:14
God wants us to be a good neighbor. Doesn't sound too hard, does it?
My prayer for you today is to let the spirit of the Lord impress on you that God loves you just as he loves us all. And spread that love to everyone you meet today. Give a new person you've never met a smile and a wave and a warm greeting. Be the bright spot in another person's day, just as God is the light in yours.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. - 1 Peter 4:8
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The Reason He Came - Daily Inspiration
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. - Matthew 27:50-51
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, - Luke 23:44
From these passages I don't think we see the scope of the entire situation. This is the climax if the movie. The part where they put all their cards on the table. I don't think all that happened in the environment was that darkness came, a curtain ripped and a rock broke.
In my mind I see a much more dramatic scene. I mean, it is fitting, right? The death of the son of God needs to be epic. Grand. Awesome.
Here is how I picture it...
The dark spirits swirled around the son of God as the sky darkened to almost twilight. Then as the time came they bombarded him The onslaught was constant. One spirit after another came upon him. And each spirit was the sin of one man.
Jesus took on the sin... one spirit at a time... until he had taken on the sin of the entire world, and the only way to release it was in death.
The man who took on the sin of the world must have suffered greatly. An overwhelming amount of suffering. No normal man could endure it. But he did.
Sometimes the sin of just one man is too much to bear, but the sin of the world? Everyone born and everyone who ever will be born? Can you imagine it? Unimaginable suffering.
Only a divinely supernatural person could take this torture. But Jesus didn't tell his father no. He didn't tell him he couldn't handle it.
Jesus said BRING IT ON!
After all, it was why he came.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16
And then I wonder about the two men on the cross on both sides of Jesus. After seeing such a sight, how could the other man, the who rebuked Jesus not give his life? Why was he so stubborn? Jesus was offering him eternal life. Life everlasting.
But I guess he is like so many of us. We have to see it to believe it. And sometimes even seeing isn't enough. My prayer for you is that you believe in spite of not seeing. If you're having trouble, if you're in pain, turn to the one who can heal you now and forever.
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. - John 20:29
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, - Luke 23:44
From these passages I don't think we see the scope of the entire situation. This is the climax if the movie. The part where they put all their cards on the table. I don't think all that happened in the environment was that darkness came, a curtain ripped and a rock broke.
In my mind I see a much more dramatic scene. I mean, it is fitting, right? The death of the son of God needs to be epic. Grand. Awesome.
Here is how I picture it...
The dark spirits swirled around the son of God as the sky darkened to almost twilight. Then as the time came they bombarded him The onslaught was constant. One spirit after another came upon him. And each spirit was the sin of one man.
Jesus took on the sin... one spirit at a time... until he had taken on the sin of the entire world, and the only way to release it was in death.
The man who took on the sin of the world must have suffered greatly. An overwhelming amount of suffering. No normal man could endure it. But he did.
Sometimes the sin of just one man is too much to bear, but the sin of the world? Everyone born and everyone who ever will be born? Can you imagine it? Unimaginable suffering.
Only a divinely supernatural person could take this torture. But Jesus didn't tell his father no. He didn't tell him he couldn't handle it.
Jesus said BRING IT ON!
After all, it was why he came.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16
And then I wonder about the two men on the cross on both sides of Jesus. After seeing such a sight, how could the other man, the who rebuked Jesus not give his life? Why was he so stubborn? Jesus was offering him eternal life. Life everlasting.
But I guess he is like so many of us. We have to see it to believe it. And sometimes even seeing isn't enough. My prayer for you is that you believe in spite of not seeing. If you're having trouble, if you're in pain, turn to the one who can heal you now and forever.
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. - John 20:29
Monday, March 26, 2012
He Loves Us Anyway - Daily Inspiration
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. - Pslam 139:2
That's kinda scary, isn't it? God knows our thoughts from afar. Heck, sometimes I don't even know my own thoughts. They wiz by with such speed that I can't catch them. They say we have 12,000 thoughts per day. Whew! That would make any soul weary. That's a lot of thinking. But somehow God knows all of them. And not just mine, yours too. Everyone's.
Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. - Psalm 139:4
And now it gets worse. He knows our thoughts BEFORE we even think them! And He still loves us. Can you imagine that? Think of all the thoughts you have that you never express: gossip you hear, judgments you make, trials that are weighing heavy on you... God knows them all. He knows them and he still loves us anyway.
I have had days where just one thought tortured me all day long, and maybe the next day as well. God knows those too. He knows them and gives you the peace to deal with them.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13
So, as you go through your day remember this. God is with you. He knows you. He knows your thoughts and he still loves you!
That's kinda scary, isn't it? God knows our thoughts from afar. Heck, sometimes I don't even know my own thoughts. They wiz by with such speed that I can't catch them. They say we have 12,000 thoughts per day. Whew! That would make any soul weary. That's a lot of thinking. But somehow God knows all of them. And not just mine, yours too. Everyone's.
Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. - Psalm 139:4
And now it gets worse. He knows our thoughts BEFORE we even think them! And He still loves us. Can you imagine that? Think of all the thoughts you have that you never express: gossip you hear, judgments you make, trials that are weighing heavy on you... God knows them all. He knows them and he still loves us anyway.
I have had days where just one thought tortured me all day long, and maybe the next day as well. God knows those too. He knows them and gives you the peace to deal with them.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13
So, as you go through your day remember this. God is with you. He knows you. He knows your thoughts and he still loves you!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Waiting - Daily inspiration
But those who hope in the lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31
I've been looking all morning for a scripture that really speaks to me today but nothing seems to be clicking. Does that ever happen to you? You want so badly to do something but you feel stuck. That's me today.
So I dusted off my favorite scripture Isaiah 40:31. And look at that! It's all about hoping and waiting. It's hard to wait on the Lord, isn't it? Especially when you have other plans.
Maybe that's what I need to do today. Wait and hope that tomorrow God will have more to say.
What is God saying to you today?
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. - Psalm 130:5
I've been looking all morning for a scripture that really speaks to me today but nothing seems to be clicking. Does that ever happen to you? You want so badly to do something but you feel stuck. That's me today.
So I dusted off my favorite scripture Isaiah 40:31. And look at that! It's all about hoping and waiting. It's hard to wait on the Lord, isn't it? Especially when you have other plans.
Maybe that's what I need to do today. Wait and hope that tomorrow God will have more to say.
What is God saying to you today?
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. - Psalm 130:5
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Daily Inspiration
Be still and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10
Being still is a hard thing, especially for me. My mind is constantly racing from one thing to the next. And when I get home from work at night I sometimes feel like I've done a two hour workout.
Why does just thinking make us so weary? I think it's because we don't get quiet and let God speak to us. What were we missing by listening to all our own inner dialogue? Are we missing the words of the father telling us to slow down, breathe, and trust in the words he has already given us?
Your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." - Isaiah 30:21
Being still is a hard thing, especially for me. My mind is constantly racing from one thing to the next. And when I get home from work at night I sometimes feel like I've done a two hour workout.
Why does just thinking make us so weary? I think it's because we don't get quiet and let God speak to us. What were we missing by listening to all our own inner dialogue? Are we missing the words of the father telling us to slow down, breathe, and trust in the words he has already given us?
Your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." - Isaiah 30:21
Daily Inspiration
Jesus said, if people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing to give up their lives daily to follow me. - Luke 9:23
Sounds kinda drastic, doesn't it? Give up your life?
You know what I think it means? Give up those things you focus on that seems to fill up our lives these days. Give up the television, gossip, petty indifference to the world and turn your focus to Jesus. Because in him you will find a peace you can't fathom
And you don't just do it once. You have to choose Jesus every day. Jesus is a choice. He is the way and the truth and the life.
As the dude says on that tv commercial for the StL church - CHOOSE JESUS.
Sounds kinda drastic, doesn't it? Give up your life?
You know what I think it means? Give up those things you focus on that seems to fill up our lives these days. Give up the television, gossip, petty indifference to the world and turn your focus to Jesus. Because in him you will find a peace you can't fathom
And you don't just do it once. You have to choose Jesus every day. Jesus is a choice. He is the way and the truth and the life.
As the dude says on that tv commercial for the StL church - CHOOSE JESUS.
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