Category: Whispers (Page 17 of 161)

Even our tears are a blessing for it says in Psalm 126:5, “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” Just like the seed goes into the ground, it later comes forth bearing fruit. We need to bring those hidden things into the light and water them with tears, so they can be life giving and produce a harvest of joy, blessing us and also others. Only as we face those things, painful though they be, can we move forward and as it says in the Message translation, “Those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest. So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.”

What is more beautiful than the prodigal who returns to his father’s house. He finally realizes his sinful situation and reality hits, why not go home to my father. For many years we have had a large picture on our dining area wall of the Prodigal son returning that speaks to me time and time again. Most notable is that one of the Father’s hands is feminine and the other masculine. It is a reminder to me that we need the strong firm hand to recognize our sin, but we also need the softer hand of compassion and forgiveness. God’s love shows us how far we have strayed from Him, and his compassion is shown when we come back to Him. He is always waiting and watching for us, and some of those failings we have bring us back sooner rather than later as our tears open us to God’s cleansing work. Let us relinquish our control and let Him do His freeing work in our lives.

Our biggest problem is that we have to move from a self-serving narcissistic life and die to self and choose to serve the Lord. That is death to our flesh and ego but if we can get beyond that we will find a blessed life of holiness that is lived by the Spirit. We have only to open our eyes to those who are such an example like Mother Teresa who served the poor and dying or missionaries that have left all to serve the lost. We might think of the apostle Paul who gave up being a rule keeper, a peer pleasing man and became a slave of Christ. In Gal. 5:16 &18 he says, “My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. … Why don’t you choose to be led by the spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?”

Hass wrote that Holiness is all about selfless openness and response to God’s call as we give up preoccupation with ourselves, not looking at our own interests but the interests of others. That means we will have an openness to see the needs around us and to hear what the Lord is asking of us. It is not wondering what is in it for us but how we can give of ourselves and serve.

Let us be self-emptying that there may be room for the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts anew.

Challenge of today: Experience joy by responding to God’s call to holiness.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

May each of us question our motives as we prepare to go to church. Are we excited to see others in the Body of Christ and to catch up with them. Do we talk about our week and what is happening around us etc. or are we more interested to know what the Lord has to say to us. Sometimes we may get so busy with the other things going on that we fail to hear the most important voice of the Lord. We are told to focus on what we are doing and to let our words be few. As we go to church, we should have an open heart to be ready to listen to what is God’s now word to us on that day. We are told to limit what we say and pay attention to what the Lord is saying to us.

We are not to be rash and jump to conclusions of what we think God is saying or maybe decisions we need to make; but instead, we are to spend time in quiet and waiting so we can know God’s will from our own wills. Our emotions can cause us to quickly think something is God’s will, but it is wise to be quiet and wait before deciding. Let us remember who is in charge and be quiet enough to hear His will.

Challenge for today:  As you go to church, let your words be few and have an openness to let His words get through to your heart.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

Hope you have a great day. This morning, I plan to do some food prep, studying and go downstairs for donuts.  This afternoon we have Bible study, and we are nearly through the book of Mark.

The other day Al and I were on the trail and a friend joined us who walks slow, so Al and he visited as they walked. I went ahead and walked my speed and all the while praying and at times singing to the Lord. But I also asked the Lord, what is it about my eye that I can’t seem to get rid of the stye although I have put warm packs on it, even tried warm tea bags and yet it doesn’t clear up. What are you trying to get through to me? I began singing songs about my eyes and the words to one, “O send Thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me/ That He may touch my eyes and make me see/ Show me the truth concealed within Thy words/ For in Thy book revealed I see Thee, Lord.” Like the blind man who Jesus asked what he wanted, his response was, I want to see!

Perhaps those of you reading this also want to see and for the Spirit to guide you into all the Lord has for you. We need to go to the Bible with an open heart and not use it to manipulate and serve our needs but let it touch our souls. Paul says to Timmothy that scripture is inspired by God for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness so that we are equipped for every good work. (II Tim. 3:16) Perhaps the Lord is correcting me to listen better and also slowly read when I open my Bible and to hear Him speak in a deeper way to my heart. Even a single phrase or word could be a special word for the day. Lord may our eyes be focused and clear!

We don’t’ have to teach children to be selfish, and one of their first words out of their mouths is “Mine!” If someone tries to take away their favorite toy, they say, ”Mine, Mine!” We are much like those children and feel we have ownership of what we have earned and it is ours to keep. But what if the Lord prompts us to give to someone else what it has taken us a long time to acquire. Do we say, “Yes, Lord!” or do we act as if we didn’t hear Him and ignore His voice.

We are to have the mindset that we are only stewards of what God has given us. That means we are to give however God directs us for it all belongs to Him in the first place. We manage things but we are not the owner so we hold them in our hands very loosely. And when we are told to give something away, we don’t have to make a big deal out of it for it was His in the first place and we are just distributing it. It may not be something new, as in the case of giving away something old and treasured. Al gave away one of his old Bibles that is so marked up in the margins and full of underlining, but the recipient treasures it and uses only that Bible when he goes to preach.

Let us have open hearts to give freely as the Lord prompts us and know His pleasure as He sees us share His goods and can trust us with more.