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Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. (MSG)
In Galatians 6, God is telling us that we have a responsibility for each other and if our resources (financial or personal) are low, our first concern should be to others who belong to the family of believers. (NIV)
Do you wonder why on earth someone's name pops into your head? You have no idea where it can come from. Whatever you were doing had nothing to do with that person. Absolutely nothing..but as the day goes on, the name won't leave.
So what should you do? Ignore it? Drop an email? Call them?
God say's to reach out and don't ignore them.
I have a friend I recently sent an email to because I had a question for them. Something didn't seem right with the response I got, it didn't seem to be their normal self. Nothing clear or definite, but I felt it in my heart. So I emailed back with the words 'you ok'?
Turns out this person was having a bad day and all the rain we'd been having wasn't helping. So we went out to lunch and just talked. I really hope it helped to lift their spirits, even a little bit. I do know it did mine.
I'm glad I listened to that voice (God) inside telling me to ask the words, 'you ok'?
Nancy
Monday, August 18, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Luke 2:52
And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people. (MSG)
This is the story of a twelve year old and his parents making their annual trip to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. When it came time to go back home, Jesus' parents started off to Nazareth and thought their son was walking with relatives or neighbors. However, Jesus never told his parents that he had decided to stay behind.
So the next day after missing him, his parents traveled back to Jerusalem and found him sitting at the temple listening to the teachers and asking them questions. These teachers were very impressed with him, but his parents were not. They were upset and wanted to know why he did this. Jesus said he had to be there, he had to hear what they were saying about his Father. His parents didn't understand and told Jesus they were all going home - Now. Jesus learned he had to be obedient to his earthly parents as well as to God.
My grandson, Jacob is now three. He likes to climb everything, scale walls and pretend he's Spiderman. He puffs up his little arm muscles and deepens his voice and says, 'I do it myself' or 'I'm big'. We always have to ask, "Where's Jake?" He can disappear in a heartbeat, both inside and outside the house. We watch him like a hawk because he is so quick in his spontaneous actions.
Usually he is playing in another room by himself or in the sandbox, but sometimes he is into my fishpond (literally) or climbing on the big rock. Those are the times Jacob learns to be obedient to his parents even though he thinks he's big.
Jesus grew up blessed by God and people and Jacob is growing up blessed by God and people.
I am very blessed to have both God and people. I have people who help me grow both in Christ and in life, they continuingly keep me focused on God and they are here for me to lean on. Again I say I am so blessed.
Obedience and blessings go together. We are blessed, but no matter how big, smart or mature we think we are, we do have to be obedient. Be obedient to God first and the blessings will come.
This is the story of a twelve year old and his parents making their annual trip to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. When it came time to go back home, Jesus' parents started off to Nazareth and thought their son was walking with relatives or neighbors. However, Jesus never told his parents that he had decided to stay behind.
So the next day after missing him, his parents traveled back to Jerusalem and found him sitting at the temple listening to the teachers and asking them questions. These teachers were very impressed with him, but his parents were not. They were upset and wanted to know why he did this. Jesus said he had to be there, he had to hear what they were saying about his Father. His parents didn't understand and told Jesus they were all going home - Now. Jesus learned he had to be obedient to his earthly parents as well as to God.
My grandson, Jacob is now three. He likes to climb everything, scale walls and pretend he's Spiderman. He puffs up his little arm muscles and deepens his voice and says, 'I do it myself' or 'I'm big'. We always have to ask, "Where's Jake?" He can disappear in a heartbeat, both inside and outside the house. We watch him like a hawk because he is so quick in his spontaneous actions.
Usually he is playing in another room by himself or in the sandbox, but sometimes he is into my fishpond (literally) or climbing on the big rock. Those are the times Jacob learns to be obedient to his parents even though he thinks he's big.
Jesus grew up blessed by God and people and Jacob is growing up blessed by God and people.
I am very blessed to have both God and people. I have people who help me grow both in Christ and in life, they continuingly keep me focused on God and they are here for me to lean on. Again I say I am so blessed.
Obedience and blessings go together. We are blessed, but no matter how big, smart or mature we think we are, we do have to be obedient. Be obedient to God first and the blessings will come.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Matthew 6:27
Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? (MSG)
Do we grow by standing in front of a mirror? (MSG) Do we add a single hour to our lives by worrying? (NIV) God says no...
My grandson, Nicholas, starts first grade in a couple of weeks and is a anxious. He knows he will be in the same school and have the same kids from kindergarten, but he will have a new teacher and be in a new room. And he is worrying about it and he doesn't hesitate to voice those worries to his parents.
There are people who fear flying or speaking in public or starting a new job or (you fill it in with your fear). I know it is embarrassing for me to admit my fears to people. What would happen if they didn't understand because it wasn't their fear? Make light of it? Make a joke about it? It can be hard to talk to others about our worries or fears. Down right scary.
Going into the next grade at school, flying, speaking in public or (your fear) can immobilize us and keep us from experiencing different opportunities.
Nick will go on to first grade at the encouragement of his parents and because they know and understand he is a scared, he can let go of his worries and know he will be ok. He trusts them and they love him.
The same for us. God knows our worries and fears and knows how we struggle. He gives us encouragement through his Word, through special friends and through family. If we could only be like Nick and let go and trust. How much better we would be with our worries and fears.
Start by finding someone you trust, someone you can talk to about your fears and worries and someone who won't judge or laugh. Ask them to pray for you and to encourage you when you are afraid and ask them to help you let go and trust God.
Nancy
Do we grow by standing in front of a mirror? (MSG) Do we add a single hour to our lives by worrying? (NIV) God says no...
My grandson, Nicholas, starts first grade in a couple of weeks and is a anxious. He knows he will be in the same school and have the same kids from kindergarten, but he will have a new teacher and be in a new room. And he is worrying about it and he doesn't hesitate to voice those worries to his parents.
There are people who fear flying or speaking in public or starting a new job or (you fill it in with your fear). I know it is embarrassing for me to admit my fears to people. What would happen if they didn't understand because it wasn't their fear? Make light of it? Make a joke about it? It can be hard to talk to others about our worries or fears. Down right scary.
Going into the next grade at school, flying, speaking in public or (your fear) can immobilize us and keep us from experiencing different opportunities.
Nick will go on to first grade at the encouragement of his parents and because they know and understand he is a scared, he can let go of his worries and know he will be ok. He trusts them and they love him.
The same for us. God knows our worries and fears and knows how we struggle. He gives us encouragement through his Word, through special friends and through family. If we could only be like Nick and let go and trust. How much better we would be with our worries and fears.
Start by finding someone you trust, someone you can talk to about your fears and worries and someone who won't judge or laugh. Ask them to pray for you and to encourage you when you are afraid and ask them to help you let go and trust God.
Nancy
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