Thursday, October 22, 2009

Reminders

God is pounding a message into my life - and I need to sit still and hear. We've been hearing about Nehemiah the last two weeks. When I sit down on Monday to write the curriculum for the mid-week kids' program, I think about it again. Nehemiah built a wall - and it was a positive thing. While he waited to be able to return to Jerusalm, he prayed. He prayed for God to open doors and bring opportunity. When he went before the king to talk to him, Nehemiah prayed. During the first week of these lessons, I read a book. The author wrote about a different topic entirely. However, she included the same theme of focusing on God through prayer. Not "please do this and we want that" prayer, but prayer that spends time in God's presence, acknowledging who He is. The second week of these talks at church I also attended the OCW fall writers conference. The main speaker, Eva Marie Everson, read and discussed Nehemiah chapter 2. Her point was that while the people were working on the wall, they were also defending it with swords.
The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
The speaker pointed out that we can defend our work as we set about doing what God has placed before us, defending against opposition by staying in the Word.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

More Answers

Yesterday my son called with questions about what his friends were saying. He asked what he should do if one friend was asking another friend their opinion of him. It started to sound almost as if they were gossiping - saying things behind his back and others' backs about people - although in a Christian setting. The Bible has an answer for that, too. John reminds us to walk in the light and not keep things hidden. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from every sin. 1 John 1:7
In a different context, Jesus reminds us to let our 'yes' be 'yes' and our 'no' be 'no.' He is talking about making oaths, but I think it also applies to plain, simple speech, in honesty, without hidden agendas. (Matthew 5:37)

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Time to Listen

I've read the same thing in 2 or more places - that usually means I'd better take notice and listen. The gist of it is to seek what God wants us to do, rather than doing what we want and asking Him to bless it. That means more trusting, less fretting and scrambling. Sounds like a good plan, if I could just "get out of the way" (M. L'Engle) and do it.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Answers

It's amazing to me how God answers the smallest of thoughts. We read just last Sunday in a Psalm that David called on God and God answered him. Why does it surprise us to receive answers? Last week I prayed that God would give family members wisdom. That day I read James 3:17, after reading James 1:2-6 a few days earlier. It says right there that the "wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." In the first chapter we read that we *will* have trials, and when we are facing those times we can ask God for wisdom.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

God's Desk

The last couple of weeks after I do "my part" I've been trying to put things on "God's desk." It's really taking pressure off! It still feels like there are numerous piles on my desk, though - some of the work I just have to do, I guess.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Waiting

It seems to me God does much more waiting on us than we do on Him. I passed a reader board yesterday at a local church with this message, "We need to talk. (signed) God." At the end of a hectic 3 or 4 days, I had to agree with the sign.
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
The Psalms, too, have many reminders to wait on God. At a gathering of fellow Christians last night, we were reminded to take some time with God at the start of each new day, before we begin our work. Then we'll have what we need -- strength, energy, direction, purpose, creativity, etc. -- for the day. He's just waiting to hear from us.