November's Verse: A Few Directives for Me

My verse of the month for November is Luke 6:27-28.  Why?

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Shall we break down the verse?

Am I listening? 

Love your enemies. 

Do good to those who hate you. 

Bless those who curse you. 

Pray for those who mistreat you.

Listen.  Love.  Do.  Bless.  Pray.

A bit of background:  At the beginning of the school year, I unintentionally offended a peer.  Privately, I apologized to this person.  Then, I apologized to the group (without mentioning any names.)  But.  I was not forgiven.

When I read this scripture, I chose this one with the above situation in mind.  Not that this is a poor, poor me scenario.  This is not about my obtaining forgiveness.  This is about this peer seeing Jesus Christ alive in me.

This is about my learning to listen. choosing to love, doing good, blessing others, and praying especially for those who are hurting.

This is about allowing Jesus to use this vessel...somehow, some time, in some way.

Am I listening? 

Love your enemies. 

Do good to those who hate you. 

Bless those who curse you. 

Pray for those who mistreat you.

Yes, I am listening.

Everyone Builds

This week, I have spent some time in Nehemiah.  Love that book.  So many powerful messages from the Lord located within those pages.

As I re-read the chapters, I asked the Lord to open my eyes/mind to something new for me.  He did.  Of course!

This time chapter three spoke to me.  If you have time and would like, go read chapter three now.  Yes...I will wait!






Back with me?  I can almost hear what you are thinking...one of those chapters with all those names I cannot pronounce!  So true.  Those names, though, are the builders, the workers, the rulers.  Yes, those in positions of overseering perhaps who modeled work, becoming involved in this massive reconstruction.  Could this be a tremendous example of "servant leadership?"

Would you think with me for a moment?  Leaders who work with...and not over...how much more do you respect them?  I know they are busy, with loaded plates, people to see, decisions to make, orders to give.  But.  For whom will we in turn work for more?  Yes, servant leadership is a definite win-win.

Nehemiah 4:6b says, "for the people had the will to keep working."

The will to keep working.

Nehemiah and the leaders modeled, encouraged, served.  I just have to think that this "will" came from those powerful examples of work.

SIDENOTE:  I have inferred that Nehemiah's love language, according to 5:17-18, was food!  Please read those verses.  Right?!

Just one more nugget...this one came to me a few years ago, when I needed it the most.  In the midst of those attempting to distract and disrupt the progress, Nehemiah says in 6:3, "I am doing a great work and cannot come down."  These words spoke to me during a time when I needed just this encouragement.  Our eyes must remain focused on the end, the goal, the Creator.  We cannot allow ourselves to become distracted and disrupted from the task of the day nor the goal of Eternity.

Yes, everyone builds.  Serving, leading, working, restoring, building...all through modeling Christ-like behaviors.

Blessings, my friends, as you go forth and "build."

He Was There

Have you ever heard the song "He Was There All the Time"?  This song began to swirl around in my head as I read Ezra 8 this morning during my daily Bible read.  Here, we find Ezra returning to Jerusalem 80 years after  the first exiles returned.  (That is quite the time span...would love linger here and chat...but not today's focus!)  Here, we find a man ready to travel 900 miles, trusting and believing in God to provide along the way...and He did.

First, Ezra notes that no Levites had volunteered to travel with them, so he sent some men asking for "ministers for the Temple of God at Jerusalem." (v 17)

Love these words, "Since the gracious hand of our God was on us..."  Yes, He was.  Yes, He is.  I want more of the close walk with God that Ezra had!

Then, in versus 21-23, Ezra and people "fast and humble ourselves before our God," asking for protection since Ezra, as he says, "After all, we had told the king, 'Our God's hand of protection is on all who worship him..."

"...he heard our prayer."

Again, I just love those words, for His Words are as alive today as then.  Very alive.

Shall I place those words again?  "Since the gracious hand of our God was on us..." AND "...he heard our prayer."

I am praying now for me and you...to have those words be ever alive and real in our hearts and lives as they were to Ezra and those exiles making that 900-mile journey.  Aren't we all on a journey?  So good to know who our travel companion is!

He was/is there all the time...

Blessings!

Less Is More

I just realized that I have taken an unintentional siesta from this blog.  Time for an update!

Isn't how God gains our attention just so interesting?

My One Word for 2018 is less. This morning as I began the study pages for my women's Bible study group (Week 3 of Priscilla Shirer's Gideon), and, in response to one of the questions, I had discussed with myself how...(I am sure God smiled...just a bit)...this weekend I did not dive in and take over concerning an issue at church.  Instead, I requested prayer for this particular topic and intend to sit back and watch as God answers the prayer.  He will.

Then, I turn the page from Day 1 to Day 2...and there rests the next topic:  Less Is More.

I just love when He chats with me!

Just as John tells, "He must become greater; I must become less." (John 3:30, NIV).  Just so true, He wants to flow through us as He is glorified.  Every time.

Just in case you thinking this is easy?  Sometimes.  More so, as I spend time in His Word...and listen to Him.  No, not quite there...but I am working on it, and He is working on me!

How's that sitting back and resting working out for me?  Feels soooooo good.  Seriously!

How does God chat with you? 

Sometimes...The Tiny Things Are HUGE!

When you check your schedule and the meeting begins at 8:15...instead of 8:00...

When you pull into any parking lot and an empty spot is waiting that protects at least one door from getting binged...

When you need a medical text but no openings exist until Nov...but one is now open on Tuesday morning...

Some might argue these are just coincidences.  I say this is God saying my timing is perfect, and I will always take care of you.

The parking spots began during the time when my sister was in the hospital for months.  I arrived at all times of the day and night, depending on her status, and a parking spot would be waiting, often close to the front...always on an end...just for me.

Sometimes, God speaks in a loud voice.

Sometimes, He quietly whispers.

Sometimes, He opens a parking spot just for me...time after time.

So I testify to those in my vehicle as they witness the available spot, for I know He wants to assure them, too, that He just as mindful of them.

Watch.  Listen.  See.  He is there for you, also.

Go in Peace

This morning, this scripture speaks to me:

"But may the LORD forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm and I have to bow there also--when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant for this."

Here, Naaman speaks, having just been cleansed of leprosy and having just acknowledge God as his God (yay!  good times!)  Might I add...a Naaman who had just consumed a dose of humility (times 7!).  Sometimes meds are just hard to swallow...ask anyone preparing for a colostomy!  I know...I had my first one recently.  Gracious!  Ugh.) 

I digress.  Sorry...:)

Back to Naaman.  On fire for God!  Excited!  But.  Reality sets in.  His world.  His "real" life.  His mission field.

He knows that part of his job is to take his boss to worship false gods. A job he must do.  Can't get out of it...and still remain on the mission field.

Interesting.  May we pause here?  And think.

In our every day lives, under what circumstances do take a stand while also bowing?

Very interesting.  Anything coming to mind.

God is so mindful...or should I say He is so "heart"ful, for He truly knows the intent of our hearts.  Of every single heart.

Glad I am to serve the One True God!

Two Months?! What?!

Oh, my goodness!  I have not landed my thoughts on this blog in two months! 

Busy, busy, busy!  (I did blog at Treasures and Mrs. G's Book Reviews...and wrote about half the number of poems I planned in April...again, I remind myself:  writing some is better than writing none!)

So here goes....

Currently, the Lord is busy keeping me busy for Him...AND, at the same time, teaching me to say, "No."  "No thank you."

Reminder...my one word for this year is LESS, and on that, I am still working.  For instance, last evening, while chatting with the ladies at church, I asked for another volunteer to be in charge of the t-shirts sales, and after a bit, that volunteer spoke up.  Yay! 

My "less" also continues as I work with the youth, for the Lord has sent to us a potential youth director...no, a potential youth couple!  How amazing is that!  They feel the call to work with the youth.  I feel the call to not.  God just works like that!   I am excited to see how He works out the details!

My Bible Study with my Gal Pals (Making Choices) is wonderful.  I love these ladies and appreciate them sooooo much. We are one meeting away from finishing Beth Moore's The Patriarchs.  My...what an amazing study.  AND  Beth Moore is coming to Arkansas in August, to which I have won two tickets!  How exciting!  That will be a lovely girl weekend.  Looking forward to that.

We have learned so much.  Sooooooo much.  Last evening, we decided that our next study will be Priscilla Shirer's Gideon.  I arrived to class with no particular study in mind (well...I do want to study Moore's Daniel and Paul studies...at some point...but I do agree with the ladies that we need to study and get to know other authors).  After some discussion, the consensus was Shirer...and then Gideon.  Perfect.

Therefore, beginning the second Tuesday in June, I will begin this study.  Would you like to join us...me?  Please do!  More details...just as soon as I purchase my book and have some time to pray about how to set this up!

Also...school is about out...May 22, here I come.  Time to rest and refresh.  AND time to focus on some events for church.  Two events that I so enjoy...Women's Conference and VBS.  I love both.  Very much.  Yes, more about both soon!

I have completed two studies...with just myself...as part of my morning Quiet Time.  Two books that I highly recommend!

1. 40 Days of Increase...and amazing study for Lent, one I may just repeat next year.  I came across this book for the low cost of $5...and bought it.  So glad I did.  
2. Awaken...this one I began in January, one that contains 90 days of devotions.  Written by Priscilla Shirer, I marked it up from cover to cover.  Really enjoyed it...and will purchase copies to give as gifts.  Just that good!

Much to say...much to pray about...so I will be back soon!

In the meantime, please consider joining me in my study of Gideon!  Blessings!