Mothers

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

What if I could speak all languages of humans and of angels?
If I did not love others,
I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal …

When we were children, we thought and reasoned as children do.
But when we grew up, we quit our childish ways …

For now there are faith, hope, and love.
But of these three, the greatest is love.          1 Corinthians 13:1, 11, 13

This isn’t a devotion just for mothers. It’s not just for women. It’s about everyone who has an influence over a child. That covers everyone.

This weekend is a time to celebrate mothers. It can be a wonderfully joyous day filled with laughter, good food, memorable cards, and the outpouring of love. It can also be painful if you have recently suffered through the loss of your mother or your child or maybe your memories and relationship with your mother is estranged.

A few years ago I did a word study through the Bible on “father.” It took me several weeks on that initial study to look up all the passages that mentioned ‘father’ and follow the path of each in its context. Do you know what I found out? God is my Father but He is big enough to also have some characteristics that I usually associated with “mother.” His tenderness, compassion, and willingness to sacrifice what was most precious to His heart in order to save His children, it all sounded like a mother to me. And so I learned about being a mother also in my study. I continue to study and continue to learn more.

Being a mother is not about biology. Just because I can give birth to a child does not make me a mother. It is about setting aside my wants and even needs in order to nurture and care for a child. I have friends who have not had a child themselves and yet they have influenced my children and others with their encouragement and talents and naturally flowing love. I am grateful for their willingness to give. I also know women who have had children and it just does not seem to be in them to set aside their wants in order to care for the wonderful gifts they have been given. Their children are burdens to them and take away the attention they feel they deserve. It is sad to see what they are missing and how their children keep hoping for just a crumb of unconditional love.

This weekend, reach out and bless the ‘mothers’ in your life. Don’t get stressed about how perfect or how big the gift is but make it a gift from your heart. It could be as simple as a telephone call with the opportunity to say, “I love you, Mom. Thank you for _________ .” And pour out some unexpected love on someone who has been a loving mom to you even though they did not give birth to you. Let us teach our children how loving our mothers isn’t just on Mother’s Day but every day.

Mama’s Song written by Luke Laird and Carrie Underwood who also sings it

 

 

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Does God Go On Vacation?

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

The Lord is our God, and we are his people,
the sheep he takes care of in his own pasture.

Listen to God’s voice today!
8 Don’t be stubborn and rebel as your ancestors did
at Meribah and Massah out in the desert.
9 For forty years they tested God and saw the things he did.
10 Then God got tired of them and said,
“You never show good sense,
and you don’t understand what I want you to do.”
11 In his anger, God told them,
“You people will never enter my place of rest.”         Psalm 95:7-11 (CEV)

Does God go on vacation? I asked this question yesterday when my husband came home from the Bible study he attends every Wednesday and told me that the leader announced “we won’t meet during the summer.” I am eternally grateful that God doesn’t take the summer off from caring for me! And this fellowship isn’t the only one who has significantly lower attendance during the summer and discontinues its “extra” study groups and Wednesday night dinners, etc. Interestingly enough, the summer is usually the busiest time for youth and children directors as parents take advantage of free babysitting and activities that they hope are a better alternative than leaving their children home alone.

Do I sound cynical? Angry? Yes, I suppose I am but not in a self-righteous way. I am well aware of my own shortcomings in putting God in the #1 priority place in my life. This particular incident makes me see that as I point a finger at someone that three fingers are pointing back at me in a glaring way!

Summer is a time when spending time together as a family becomes a bit easier. There is no school. There are no band rehearsals and sports practices. It is a time for family to head to the beach or lake on the weekends. And I have no doubt in my beliefs that God wants us to spend time together as a family, laughing, encouraging each other, and building our relationships. It is His family, too. Which means to me that He would like to be a part of our time together. How hard would it be to share what God is doing in our lives while we eat our waffles and pancakes?

Why do the gospels show us that people of all ages, including children, loved hanging out with Jesus. What was it about how He spoke or what He spoke about that was interesting and relevant? Did the children and young people take their cue from their parents? Was what Jesus had to say come across as loving and encouraging instead of condemning and self-righteous?

What if instead of calling off Bible study and activities during the summer we made them fun?! As an example (and please do not hear this as a commercial!), there is a Bible study my husband and I published for women called It’s in the Bag by Kimberly Gordon for women that uses “stuff” that we have in our purses as a jumping off place for a study and discussion. Like lipstick – do beautiful words come out of your mouth or is it just a pretty color with ugly words? And next month, there will be one for guys, It’s in the Toolbox by Greg May. What happens when you leave your tools out in the rain and neglect to care for them? Is there some rust accumulating on your spirit due to neglect?

Have a bar-b-q or fish fry and invite the local Teen Challenge group or ask the local children’s hospital if you could have an evening of appreciation for all the nurses or maybe invite the local volunteer fire fighters. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just bring a double portion of baked beans! It’s not how much we spread out on the table for their stomachs but how much love we pour over their spirits!

Maybe have all the worship times without robes and ties and everyone wearing flip flops and sandals. And let the children sing and collect the offering and the youth preach! Why not? Jesus said our faith should be more like theirs so maybe we need to hear about their faith!!! So it’s not perfectly timed and polished like the “way we usually do it” – PRAISE GOD! I bet it will be better if we open our ears and hearts and get the prideful stick out of our backs.

God promised over and over and over that He does not sleep or slumber and He would not leave or forsake us. Let us not take that for granted and return that love by giving Him less because of our summer excuses.

Come Now is Time to Worship written and sung by Brian Doerksen

 

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Let My Light Shine

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

[Jesus said,] 14 “You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden,15 and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house.16 Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 (CEV)

12 Once again Jesus spoke to the people. This time he said, “I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.” John 8:12 (CEV)

Light is something that those of us who were born after the 1930’s pretty much take for granted. We haven’t had to do our homework by candlelight or stay off the roads at night because headlights were weak. We are used to flipping a light switch and a room is flooded with light. When storms cause temporary electrical outrages, we search drawers for flashlights and candle stubs.

While there were no such fancy “lights” in Jesus’ time, we all understand the importance of light. It is light that reveals what was once unclear and hidden in darkness. Jesus is light that brings me into a clear and true relationship with the Father. It is Jesus who has shown me how much the Father loves me and how He has always been a part of my life. When I walk with Jesus I am walking with Light that shows me the best path in this treacherous world.

And when the Light of Jesus is in me my life can be a beacon of light for others to come and receive their own true Light. My life, my witness can show others the power of Jesus’ Light in a life. The Light inside of me can certainly shine through my words that I share about Jesus in my life but it also shines through the way that I use my hands and feet in His service. One of the brightest “Jesus Lights” I have had in my life was a man named Chet. I never heard him speak great theological precepts but his life was a bright Light that blessed many young people and adults that came to know him around a campfire, in a boat, or while praising the LORD with music. It was all about praising his Father in heaven, not praising him.

Jesus’ words regarding light are as profound now in the 21st century as they were in the 1st century. It is also well understood as we need the wisdom of a life well-lived. The question that remains to trip us up is whether we will respond and actually live our lives after Jesus’ example and be a light that leads others to Life.

This Little Light of Mine written by Harry Dixon Loes (1920) and sung by The Lower Lights

 

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Sin, Plain and Simple

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

“Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to repay each person according to what he has done.13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

16 I, Jesus, have sent My angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.”     Revelation 22:12-16 (HCSB)

Lectionary texts: Acts:16:16-34, Psalm 97, Revelation 22:12-21, John 17:20-26

If you are someone who follows the Lectionary texts for your own study you may notice that the “official” list of texts does not include all the Revelation 22 texts that I did. They chopped it up and left out a few verses, like #15. For me, that begs the question of why?

Last Wednesday, I shared a devotion, Mercy, in which I said,

“To me, it is impossible to talk about grace without talking about God’s mercy. Some might think that we spend too much time speaking about grace and mercy and not enough time talking about sin and repentance. I think about the Father being the perfect parent. Should a parent teach a child by telling them all that they should not do or by being an example and teaching the child what they should do? The answer would be both but I believe a child will respond and remember the positive input so I want to do more of that. I want to make sure my children understand grace and mercy that come from our Heavenly Father.”

Part of being a good parent is teaching our children right from wrong; giving them a moral compass that will help them navigate their choices in this life. As a Christian parent, that means that I use the word “sin.”

When I was a child, sin was given to me in a very visual way. It was based on The Ten Commandments and there were two lists: Mortal Sins and Venial Sins. The teacher drew a circle on the blackboard. That was my “soul.” A mortal sin put a big black mark on my little soul. A venial sin put a little gray mark. Murder was an example of a sin that would separate me from God. Lying was a forgivable sin. If I died with an unconfessed mortal sin, I would end up in hell. As I have read Scriptures for myself, I haven’t found sin to be that way.

Sin, any sin, separates me from God. Even in this passage of Revelation, Jesus does not find lying less of a sin than murder, witchcraft, and sexual immorality. So when I am teaching my children, and learning for myself, I need to remember that God doesn’t “wink” at my lying to my boss or on my taxes any more than He “winks” at those who commit adultery.

But with calling sin – sin – it would not be the truth of God if I did not also speak about it with grace and mercy. It has been God’s plan all along to make a way for His children to be with Him for all eternity. A good parent disciplines, not to punish, but to teach and grow up children who will be healthy and joyful! The most important principle in discipline is consistency. God shows us that. The Ten Commandments still hold all these decades later. Grace and mercy still hold all these decades later.

Last night I heard an evangelist, Rev Steve Hill, who has preached repentance all around the world for 30 years, speak about sin. He said:

  • Do not hide it. Hidden sin will fester and poison your whole life.
  • Do not minimize it. God has already maximized it by giving us His Commandments but He also gave us Jesus, our Savior and Teacher, who showed us how to live through this life in victory over sin.
  • Do not add to it. To me that means do not add condemnation. God does not condemn but His Spirit convicts us so that we can repent and be restored.

Please spend 10-15 minutes today and read Psalm 97 and John 17:20-26 and think about the sins that can plague your life. Grab hold of the power and love that God has for you and His desire to free you from these chains that bind you (Hebrews 12:1-3). Embrace His love, conviction, and mercy.

Mercy Seat written and sung by Vicki Yohe

 

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Grace in the Old Testament

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from October 4, 2011]

“Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each one of you according to his ways.” [This is] the declaration of the Lord GOD . “Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so they will not be a stumbling block that causes your punishment. Throw off all the transgressions you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death.” [This is] the declaration of the Lord GOD . “So repent and live!”     Ezekiel 18:30-32 (HCSB)

Did you ever think about God’s grace when you are reading in the Old Testament? My friend, Alden Thompson, is about to release the 5th edition of his book, Who’s Afraid of the Old Testament God? and he got me reading and thinking about God in the Old Testament more than anyone I know. This passage in Ezekiel leapt out at me during my Sabbath study this week.

I will judge you. God is the only one I would want to judge me. That’s good news and bad news. God is the only one who knows my true heart. He sees every dark corner I try to keep so I have a place to hide “secret sins”. Because dark is just like light to God (Psalm 139:11-12), I can’t hide a sin. His Light brings my sin forward and He says “We will deal with this. Choose to ignore and die a little more or repent.”

Repent. Turn away from what trips me up, dulls my senses, and distances me from the One that I desire more than anyone else. Over and over, God entreats me to become holy – become like Him. I think I can’t. And it is true, I cannot turn with my own strength. It’s like trying to turn a car without power steering. Some of us reading this are old enough to remember driving such a car. Parallel parking was a workout when there was no power steering. It took two arms. Now I can turn the wheel with one finger. Get the power!

Get a new heart and new spirit. At the start of a new school year a new ball season, or new job, it’s wonderful to have a new outfit, to being fresh. God says when I turn from my old sin, that He will forgive and with that forgiveness comes a new me. Many may think that this “newness” only happens once, when they commit to believe in Jesus, but here God promises before Jesus became real in my world that “new” comes with repenting. Turning away from the old sin always brings a new fresh outpouring of God into my life. My heart, my spirit, the very essence of who I am becomes new.

God wants me new and strong, not worn out like an old pair of shoes. That’s His unconditional love, called grace.

The River is Here written and sung by Andy Park

 

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Divine Thinking

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

[reprinted from October 12, 2010]

Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”

So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together, Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood.     Genesis 22:1-9 (NLT)

I wonder what Isaac thought at that moment! Did he look at his father like, “Are you nuts?!” Or given the time and social mores and maybe even the relationship that Abraham and Isaac might have had, did Isaac quietly relinquish his control in absolute trust to his father? Child sacrifices were not unusual in this time. Going to worship God on a mountain was also not unusual. Taking the gift for which you asked and prayed and destroy it? Was that what Abraham was doing?

Since I made that 180 degree turn in 1995, acknowledging that I was a sinner and accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior, it seems that God has asked me many times to relinquish my plan and come along with His plan. He has let me wander and take my own path, waiting for me to turn back to Him. It isn’t easy” to follow God. It may be simple, but not easy. It isn’t easy for me because it means following God even when I cannot “see” the outcome.

My answer to the control question has usually been more toward the “Are you nuts?!” side than the peaceful release. I theologically know that God knows best but it’s taking that step away from me to Him that trips me up. And besides, how do I know it’s really God?

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.             Philippians 4:4-9 (NLT)

This is just one of the Scriptures that comes to my mind when I wonder if what I am hearing is God. Yes, I also consider what I feel in my spirit and what has God done in my experience but in any given situation, I could hold up this Scripture and get a ‘reading’ on which path/answer is truly God.

– Which path would glorify God with my gentleness and show that the Lord is near?

– Which path brings on ‘anxiety’ and which brings ‘peace’ in my spirit?

– When I lift the situation in prayer, which path does thanksgiving overflow and which path do I want to present before God if I am staring Him right in the face?

– Which path is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy?

The answer may not be the easier path. It may not be the logical path. The answer could be the obvious right answer. Jesus promised that if we seek Him first; if we knocked, He would answer. How excellent and faithful is my LORD.

Going through a tough time? Unsure which way you should turn? Instead of staying up late with worry, let us spend the time in prayer instead. What a divine thought!

Everything We Need written by Keith Lancaster & sung by Acapella (1993)

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Mercy

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

I pray to you, O Lord, my rock.
Do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you are silent,
I might as well give up and die.
Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help,
as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary …

Praise the Lord!
For he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.     Psalm 28:1-2, 6-7 (NLT)

This week more than usual God has been speaking to me about His love. The word ‘grace’ is seen in Scripture from Psalms through all of Paul’s letters. Saul the Pharisee didn’t know about God’s grace but Paul the Apostle lived in it and wanted to make sure that the rest of us ‘got it’!

To me, it is impossible to talk about grace without talking about God’s mercy. Some might think that we spend too much time speaking about grace and mercy and not enough time talking about sin and repentance. I think about the Father being the perfect parent. Should a parent teach a child by telling them all that they should not do or by being an example and teaching the child what they should do? The answer would be both but I believe a child will respond and remember the positive input so I want to do more of that. I want to make sure my children understand grace and mercy that come from our Heavenly Father.

Every day I may have challenges. Sometimes these challenges seem overwhelming.

  • Parenting – There’s a reason that God designed a family to have two parents! And yet how many of us find ourselves becoming a single parent? Truly it was one of the hardest seasons of my life.
  • Sickness – (physical or mental)Whether it is my own health or the health of an elderly parent or my child, hospitalizations and appointments, tests, the financial strain, and daily care creates unknown stressors that can affect the health of those who are caring for the one who is ill.
  • The unexpected – Natural disasters, military deployment, traffic accidents, broken water pipes, or a car that just quits, difficulties sometimes just happen and usually not at a “good” time.

Rarely do challenges come one at a time. It may seem like I am running to keep all the challenges in their boxes.

I wish I had known as a 20-something how important spending time every day with God can be to my mental health and to navigating through whatever season I am in. Who else has more wisdom than God? Who else loves me more or wants anything better for me? Who else will listen to my cries for help and answer with more than platitudes or a shrug?

There is no other like my LORD in my life. Yes, He has given me a wonderful spouse, 2-3 close friends, and His Word to be a part of His support. But there is nothing that takes the place of time with Him that leaves me with peace in a world that is not peaceful. How great is God’s mercy.

Cry Out to Jesus written and sung by Third Day

 

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Grace – Always and Freely

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.                    Ephesians 3:14-19 (KJV, my emphasis)

Grace. That’s the Word of the Day and every day. There has never been a day since Adam was created that we do not owe every breath, every heart beat, our eternal lives to God’s grace. Grace is God’s unconditional love for every one of His children. He gives His love freely. We can do nothing to earn it. We can reject it and walk away from His love (just as Jesus told us in His story of the prodigal son). But if we turn and come back with repentant heart (just as the prodigal son did), God is waiting there with open arms to welcome us home with love freely given yet again.

What happens when I am rooted in God’s grace? What happens when I give up trying to figure out how to earn this wonderful gift and accept God’s grace with both hands? What happens when I soak up His love just as a thirsty plant soaks up the sun, the water, and the soil’s nutrients through its deep roots?

I grow. Instead of trying to find my own way to live a life that is full of life, when I sink my roots into God’s love, I am assured of an abundant life that has nothing to do with my circumstances. I may find myself planted in an isolated “crack in the world” or a seemingly small plant in a vast field of bright, showy colors. If I grow in God’s love, then I will grow where I am planted and be what God intended me to be. It is when I respond to God’s love by listening and obeying and just spending time with Him that I find that I grow and mature, becoming stronger in Him.

I leak. As I fill with God’s love, this love fills all the empty spaces in my life. His love nourishes all the dry, lonely spaces and heals the cuts and bruises to my heart and spirit. And when that happens, I begin to “leak” on others. God’s love runs out of my mouth, my heart, my hands and feet. I will find myself speaking and doing things that I would never have said or done.

It is a totally awesome experience when something comes out of your mouth and the person to whom you spoke – their face just lights up or the heaviness slides off their shoulders. And you wonder to yourself, “Where did that come from?” Or you feel a urge to call someone or pick them up a flower or drop off some cookies. There’s no reason, just know you are suppose to do it and it makes a huge impact on them. That’s God’s love leaking out of you on to a thirsty world.

God’s grace is right here. I don’t have to call it up or beg for it. It’s here and now and in an unlimited amount. It strengthens, heals, comforts, activates and answers God’s forgiveness. God is love. God is here. Grace is here.

Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone written and sung by Chris Tomlin

 

 

 

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God’s Presence – He Lives in Me

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

Jesus replied:

“If anyone loves me, they will obey me. Then my Father will love them, and we will come to them and live in them. But anyone who doesn’t love me, won’t obey me. What they have heard me say doesn’t really come from me, but from the Father who sent me.

I have told you these things while I am still with you. But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you.

I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.”         John 14:23-27 (CEV)

Lectionary texts: Acts 16:9-15, Psalm 67, Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5, John 14:23-29

Do I love Jesus? The obvious ‘church answer’ is “Of course!” But Jesus says here that if I love Him, I will obey Him. And in that obedience He and the Father will live in me.

Without a doubt, I can say that when I am obeying Jesus and following His teaching and guidance in my life, I do feel the Presence of God inside of me. How do I know it is God?

Peace. I know the quietness and assurance of God’s peace even in the middle of multiple problems and chaos. I had a hectic week just recently and as I was answering the phone, one call after another, making lists so I wouldn’t forget things, pulling together information for Henry and others, and thinking about my children who had surgeries and a granddaughter with a broken hand, it occurred to me that I wasn’t stressed. I knew it was because I felt surrounded by the Presence of God. I also knew that He was right there with my children and grandchildren. Peace in spite of circumstances. That is God in me.

Mercy. I can obey God in one thing and mess up something else. But when my heart is seeking God, seeking to be obedient, then I know His mercy when I mess up. Jesus in my life means conviction of my sins and mercy that is so awesome! Do I not love my children even though they aren’t perfect? How much more does God love me even though I am not perfect! He knows my heart. I know His mercy.

Love. And all that God gives in such abundance to me is because of His great love. He loved me ‘way before I ever loved Him. God’s love manifests in more ways than I can count. I take a breath because of His love to make me in such an extraordinary way. It is so important to take time at least every day to just stop and acknowledge the love God has for me. Just stop. It’s like taking time to have a hug with God. Just let Him surround me and cover me with His love. Research papers say we humans need 8, 12, or 20 hugs per day. (I would have loved to have been a part of that research group!) I surely need one or two or more from God every day. But hugs cannot be given on the fly. They take a bit of intention. A pause in the motion to receive both arms around the body and feel the pressure and smell the scent. It takes a moment to just “be” in the hug in order to appreciate it and receive all its therapeutic properties.

May God be merciful and bless us.
May his face smile with favor on us.

May your ways be known throughout the earth,
your saving power among people everywhere.
May the nations praise you, O God.
Yes, may all the nations praise you.       Psalm 67:1-3 (NLT)

Thank You, LORD, for Your Presence today and every day. Let us stop and take the time to know the Presence of God today. He is the King of all kings and the LORD of all lords but we are His children and He is our Father. Receive His hug.

I See the LORD written by Andy Park and sung by Lindell Cooley

 

 

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Show Me The Way

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Jody Neufeld

[Jesus said,]“I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father. If you had known me, you would have known the Father. But from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him.”    John 14:6-7 (CEV)

I have accepted at this point in my life that Jesus knows best. That’s a good first step. Now all I have to do is keep working on the listening and obeying steps!

Jesus told His disciples in many different ways that He was their Teacher and He had the Way that led to the Father. But His way was counter to what they had been taught by their church leaders and so they were confused and doubting. Daily they saw miracles and heard words that spoke of God’s love and how He wanted them to build His Kingdom. He wanted them, simple fishermen.

As I have spent the last 15+ years reading and studying the Bible, there are many things that I have heard that are counter to what I was taught prior to that. What I was taught as a child and young adult was fairly easy. Go to church every Sunday, be ‘good’, and then heaven. But studying the Bible and having daily conversations (prayer) with Jesus have taught me that He wants me to be more than a Believer. To be a disciple is simple but not easy. It’s about serving others, loving others, and sowing into others. And that takes a lot more study and listening to the Teacher. It also takes the support of other disciples. Jesus brought 12 together and told them to “Go.” He meant for His plan to be a team effort. He did not give all His gifts to each disciple but gave to each so that they would work together and complement each other (1 Corinthians 12-14). And so here I am trying to navigate this plan that Jesus has.

“Show me how You want me to do this, Jesus.” I really liked to play basketball when I was a kid. The toughest part of the game for me was finding out how to promote the “team” concept among fellow players. I confess it is the difficult part of being a disciple. Working together and keeping the common goal of Jesus and His Kingdom as the focus is not easy in our Christian community. Like the 1st century disciples, members have their own agendas or ideas how God’s Kingdom should be built. Frequently having little to do with Jesus’ plan of reaching out and caring for those who are in need of The Great Physician.

I am a mother, a grandmother, a retired nurse, an editor in a publishing company, a sister, and a wife. Under all of those ‘hats’ are opportunities for me to use the talents/gifts that God has given me to build His Kingdom. Jesus is willing to alert me to those open doors and show me how to be a constructive part of His plan. All I have to do is ask.

Show Me Your Way written and sung by Hillsong United

 

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