Christine is a happily married teacher, homemaker, pastor's wife, Sunday school teacher, mother, sister, friend. Having built a retirement cottage in the country, enjoying "porch time" with God. Reading devotionals, reflecting on God's Word, making applications, pausing to reflect on His truths, writing from the heart.
Riding along highway 27, I pulled out my phone, started searching the web, then realized I am on an unfamiliar road. Put down the phone. Enjoy the sites. Converse with my husband.
In today’s “easy to reach technology” mindset, it is easy to lose focus. To drift away from conversations. Get engrossed with self and device.
God wants us to be present in worship, as well. Worship in the great outdoors as you take in His creation. Worship in the car, laying aside your worries. Worship and forget your troubles. Be intentional wherever you are as you worship God. Hear His words. Let them rest upon your heart.
Psalm 100:4 “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.”
The day after Thanksgiving. My heart is full. My house is full. My refrigerator is full. What will I eat today? Turkey- yes. But then there is corn, beans, squash, potatoes, stuffing and don’t get me started on all the leftover desserts.
Every day we have choices to make. Some are survival choices: eating. Others are hobby choices: reading. And others are activity choices: Black Friday Shopping.
When it comes to being a Christian, we also have choices. First and most, the decision to follow Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. Then, choices to serve, to be kind, to love, to pray.
I’ve heard much about a little bit of Jesus plus good works plus good living is all I need to choose in this life and then I’m good with God and heaven will be my home. I’m not sure where this theology came from but if you are good enough now, then why did Jesus come to die in the first place? Nowhere in the Bible does it say have a little bit of faith and a little bit of good works. No, the shed blood of Jesus is all that will put us in a right relationship with God. Belief that I am a sinner, nothing righteous within me, surrender my life to Jesus and accept the free gift of salvation He offers to all mankind.
I made that choice over 30 years ago and I continue to pursue Jesus as my first love. My desire, my choice, is to know Him more and for my life to reflect Him.
Have you made that choice today?
Romans 4:4-5: “When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.”
James 4:8a: “Come close to God and God will come close to you.”
As I age, I am aware of my body- what it can and cannot do. Because I want to remain active, have the energy to work, to serve, to love, to encourage, to study, to grow… I have made some adjustments to my morning routine.
I had been getting up early to workout, eating a healthy breakfast, packing healthy snacks and lunches, but as I went throughout my day, I was losing my joy. I was complaining. I was not who I wanted to be. I realized I was mentally and spiritually weary.
So… I made some adjustments to my morning routine. I added devotion and prayer time. I added thankful writings to my morning. I centered my mornings with God. The peace, the love, the calm is the adjustment I needed so as I go throughout the rest of my day, His voice is in my ear, in my heart, in my mind, on my lips. He gives me the strength for the day and beyond.
Psalm 27:4: “One thing I ask of the Lord; this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.”
We collaborate at work to develop plans, presentations, to distribute the work load, becoming part of a team.
We collaborate at home to develop an atmosphere of love where everyone helps out with the running of a household.
Do we collaborate with God? We read His word, we memorize verses, but then are we out there doing it alone, receiving the individual accolades?
When we put our faith and trust in our Savior and Lord, we are putting our whole self in His care. Our every need, He is there. Our every prayer, He hears. When we are doing His work in ministry, in serving, He is there. As we sit and study His word, He is there in these quiet moments directing our thoughts, our plans.
When we collaborate with God, we submit to His will, His plans, His direction.
I Peter 5:1-4:To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Today is the last Sunday of October, which is Pastor Appreciation Month. The job of a pastor is many. What most people see is the preaching/teaching of the Word on Sunday mornings. That is the visible side. What about the less visible side? The counseling side where the pastor meets one-on-one, the labor side where the pastor fixes roofs, floors, dishwashers, etc… The community side where the pastor meets with other pastors to plan community events. The wedding/funeral side where the pastor meets with the families. The study side where time is spent reading, listening, studying God’s Word. The prayer side where time is spent in prayer with God.
The hats a pastor wears is many. I pray you lift your pastor up in prayer every day. This pastor has a calling on his life to teach God’s Word, to shepherd the flock. He prays for you every day. Carries burdens only he knows about, knowing he not only will one day stand before God for himself but also for you. This pastor loves God, loves you, and is in it for no other reason than to serve God.
Titus 1:6-9: An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Psalm 147:7-8 “Sing out your thanks to the Lord…He covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth, and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures.”
A friend recently sat on the porch of her in-laws and enjoyed being a “rain” spectator. Her new home state is very dry so on her return home, the rain brought back wonderful memories.
It is a rainy day today. Outdoor plans cancelled, postponed, rescheduled. Listening to the rain fall. Watching the puddles grow. Enjoying the cleansing, refreshing, cooling rain.
When rain allows us to slow down, to take in the restoring rain, I am drawn to think about how God has cleansed, renewed, and restored us into a right relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. His finished work at the cross cleanses us, our sins are washed away. Our new “born again” self looks to Jesus daily, hourly, and we are renewed in His Word as we continue to grow ever closer to Him.
Jeremiah 14:22 “Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.”
Father and son working together, skillful with their hands, sharing the experience of building a home together.
If you work, you are a laborer. Working with your hands, working outside, working with children, working with the sick, the lonely, the down and outs. You are a laborer.
My husband is a Pastor so his work is leading the flock. Studying God’s word, sharing God’s truths, counseling the flock. His secondary job is our homestead. He built our house and is finishing up the garage. He enjoys working with his hands from the planning stage to the finished product. The physical weariness of a builder compares to the spiritual and mental weariness of a Pastor.
We all have a “day” job but our primary job is to be a laborer for the Lord. Sharing His truths, studying God’s word, being a witness for Him. How do we labor for the Lord? Taking part in community events that bring the community to the church. Spending time with the youth- teaching them, playing games with them, talking to them. Taking a meal to the sick or widowed, helping them get to the store or to doctor appointments. Speaking with your neighbor and co-workers about church, about lifestyle choices. Being a friend, showing kindness, holding your tongue, showing patience and restraint, honoring your parents.
God is at work in this world today. Join His work today and be a fellow laborer for God. Be willing. Be able. Be available for God.
Colossians 3:23-24: Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”
Casual Gathering. Impromptu get-togethers. Last minute plans. Not much work involved to get ready. Comfortable and relaxed.
Going to a training with other professionals, the dress code runs the gambit: skirt, pants, jeans, leggings. The twenty-somethings being the most “casual” in their dress. Have an appointment or a scheduled time to meet, the attitude of “on time is late” to the “always running late” casual attitude of “I’m here now.”
There are times when having an attitude of casual-ness will serve us well… less stress, go with the flow, let it run off your back, in one ear and out the other. But can it be appropriate all the time? Are there times when our attitude needs to change? To be present, focused, on your game?
In our relationship with God, is it a casual attitude of “God is good with me just as I am?” “God loves me, I don’t need to go to church?” Or is there a reverence when approaching God in prayer? Is there a humbleness in service, a gentleness in our speech? The desire to know God more as we read our bibles, to worship Him with a lowly view of self and a high and lifted view of God?
Let us check our attitudes at the door as we approach God in prayer, worship, service, speech. He is the God of the universe. He created all things. The last time I checked, I do not have a universe that I created.
Isaiah 66:2 “My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the Lord, have spoken!“I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.
Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
As adults, we are mindful of the battle our bodies are in. Watching our weight, eating right, working out, walking, biking. Trying to live a healthy lifestyle while also working, taking care of our daily responsibilities and finding free time to enjoy life.
As a child growing up in a house of eight, we had Saturday morning chores. Everyone had a bedroom to clean- stripping the bed and re-making it with clean sheets, bringing down the dirty laundry, and then cleaning another room with a sibling. Dust, polish the furniture, vacuum the floors. Then… freedom! To my surprise, my parents kept working… inside and out. Cleaning the bathrooms, mopping, cleaning out cabinets, straightening up the front porch, fixing the hanging baskets, yard work, etc…
As a child, the sweet relief came as my chores finished and I had free time. Why did my parents work so hard? It looked fine to me.
Now, as an adult, I get it. We work hard. We want our homes to look good, to last. We take pride in a job well done. This is not to say, on any given day, you will not see clutter in my home- you will. But the value of hard work was instilled in both me and my husband by our parents and grandparents. Hopefully our grown children are seeing those same work ethic values today in their own lives. Happy Adulting everyone!
Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Lying in the bed, I have a dog on either side of me. I want to turn, but I’m stuck in between two dogs. Time for them to get in their doggie beds.
Have you ever been stuck in the middle? Two friends talking to you, each separately about the other. You are stuck in the middle. Two children saying, “Mom, he did it.” “No, he did it.” You are stuck in the middle.
Confrontations are hard for me. It is not my strong suit. As I get older though, I realize it is necessary. Wisdom and experience give me the courage to address both parties with words filled with grace and truth.
God wants us to choose a side, as well. Do not be stuck in the middle. Living for God, then living for self the rest of the time. Confront your selfish desires. Be honest with yourself. What is keeping your whole heart from God? For me, my selfish desires range from working out, doing work at home for my job and just wanting to be alone doing absolutely nothing. Life is a balancing act. None of what I just mentioned is wrong, unless my pursuit of those outweigh my pursuit of God. Let us strive to put God first in our daily lives.
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Matthew 22:37-39 “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
