“Carry each other’s burdens, in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Galatians 6:2
Have you ever tried to move something heavy by yourself? You may have been successful, but no doubt it was hard and maybe you hurt your back in the process. The same project with a helper makes the job faster and easier on your back. Life can be heavy sometimes that's why we need people to walk with us in life - to help us when life gets heavy.
Moses was given a heavy burden by God - lead the people out of Egypt and to the land He had promised Abraham a long time before. It would have been impossible for Moses to do it alone. Fortunately, God provided Moses with help. Miriam and Aaron helped to lead the people out. In the midst of one battle Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands all day so that the Hebrew army would be victorious (Exodus 17:12). Naomi had Ruth to help her through her time of grief. The Apostle Paul never traveled alone and his companions often ended up in jail right along with him.
We all need, not only the Holy Spirit to guide us through the darkness of this life - but we also need other people to help us carry the heavy stuff of life. The founders of Alcoholics Anonymous understood this and that is why those walking the steps have sponsors - someone to help them carry the burden when the going gets tough. Jesus, taught his disciples to care for one another, to love one another, to help each other - because he knew they would face hard times down the road.
Who helps you carry the burden, to move the heavy stuff of life? Are you helping someone with their load? As followers of Christ, as brothers and sisters in Christ we are supposed to carry one another’s burdens. When we do, we will experience what one friend of mine described as being “overwhelmed by blessings.”
To be overwhelmed by blessings is such a good thing, especially when you find yourself in the wilderness.
Don’t carry whatever struggle you are dealing with alone. Let someone help and you will both be blessed.
A Prayer
Father - Thank you for putting people in our lives to help carry our burdens. Thank you for letting us help others carry theirs burdens. You made us for relationship so we would never have to be alone and what a blessing those relationships can be. Help us to let others help us and show us where we can help those around us. May we bless and honor you as we care for one another. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Help! I Think My Brain is Melting
“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.”
Mark 6:30-32
The apostles had recently returned from a short mission trip and they were excited to share all that had gone on while they were away. No doubt they also wanted to hear about what Jesus had been up to while they were gone. But the crowds were distracting all of them - so Jesus decided they needed to retreat, to find some peace and quiet, to get some rest and quiet their minds and souls.
Enter the twenty-first century; we are constantly bombarded by information - good and bad. We face all sorts of life situations also good and bad. We are excited to share the good stuff with friends and family. We know we should share the bad, but often times don’t - we don’t want to add our troubles to the struggles our friends are facing. We can easily get overloaded and our brains begin to feel like they are turning into mush. If we can get quiet for just a moment we can hear Jesus calling us to come with him to a quiet place to rest.
If we are smart and want our brains to cool down and function so we can enjoy the good and deal effectively with the bad, we will heed His call and take a time out. Where is your quiet place? Of course it isn’t necessary to get in a boat like Jesus and the apostle’s did, but if you have that option it could be nice. Maybe you have a beautiful garden to sit in. Perhaps there is a beach nearby or a nice park. I like the mountains myself when I can get there. Maybe the kitchen table with a cup of tea works for you. The point is to take some time away from the busyness of life to rest, to spend time with the Lord just you and Him and to let you brain firm up again.
I hope this week you will find a quiet place and give your brain a rest.
A Prayer
Father - Thank you for letting us know it is good for us to rest, to stop and find restoration for our weary minds and souls. Help us to actually heed your words and rest. Help us to slow down so that our brains won’t melt. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Mark 6:30-32
The apostles had recently returned from a short mission trip and they were excited to share all that had gone on while they were away. No doubt they also wanted to hear about what Jesus had been up to while they were gone. But the crowds were distracting all of them - so Jesus decided they needed to retreat, to find some peace and quiet, to get some rest and quiet their minds and souls.
Enter the twenty-first century; we are constantly bombarded by information - good and bad. We face all sorts of life situations also good and bad. We are excited to share the good stuff with friends and family. We know we should share the bad, but often times don’t - we don’t want to add our troubles to the struggles our friends are facing. We can easily get overloaded and our brains begin to feel like they are turning into mush. If we can get quiet for just a moment we can hear Jesus calling us to come with him to a quiet place to rest.
If we are smart and want our brains to cool down and function so we can enjoy the good and deal effectively with the bad, we will heed His call and take a time out. Where is your quiet place? Of course it isn’t necessary to get in a boat like Jesus and the apostle’s did, but if you have that option it could be nice. Maybe you have a beautiful garden to sit in. Perhaps there is a beach nearby or a nice park. I like the mountains myself when I can get there. Maybe the kitchen table with a cup of tea works for you. The point is to take some time away from the busyness of life to rest, to spend time with the Lord just you and Him and to let you brain firm up again.
I hope this week you will find a quiet place and give your brain a rest.
A Prayer
Father - Thank you for letting us know it is good for us to rest, to stop and find restoration for our weary minds and souls. Help us to actually heed your words and rest. Help us to slow down so that our brains won’t melt. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Clearing Away the Weeds
“Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. …The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.”
Luke 8:7 & 14
Gardens take work. They have to be watered, they have to be weeded and pests have to be kept away. Weeds can cause problems - their thorns cause pain and they can overrun the flowers and vegetables in a garden. In our backyard foxtails are a particular problem especially for our dogs so we have to make the effort to get rid of them.
Our hearts are gardens too - In Jesus’ parable of the sower he talks about the different planting and growing conditions of the heart. Weeds can grow in our hearts if we are not paying attention. The thorns of life can cause pain. The clutter of worldly stuff can crowd out the hope of the Good News. Weeds can block our view of the garden path and the fruit growing there. Weeds can leave us filled with doubt, worry, and even fear.
What weeds are endangering the garden of your heart today? When was the last time you tended to the garden of your life in Christ? How is your relationship with the Master Gardener? Jesus is waiting to work in the garden with you - He will show you the weeds that need to be pulled if you let Him. He will help you plant - faith, hope, love and a lot of other beneficial things so that you can enjoy the fruitfulness of a life in Him.
This week spend some time with the Master Gardener, getting your life’s garden ready for the bountiful harvest He has planned for you.
A Prayer
Father - Help us to tend to the garden of our hearts. Show us the weeds that need to be pulled out by the roots. Show us the new seed You desire to plant in our lives - seed that will benefit us and bring a bountiful harvest of faith, hope and love. Thank you for being our Master Gardener. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Luke 8:7 & 14
Gardens take work. They have to be watered, they have to be weeded and pests have to be kept away. Weeds can cause problems - their thorns cause pain and they can overrun the flowers and vegetables in a garden. In our backyard foxtails are a particular problem especially for our dogs so we have to make the effort to get rid of them.
Our hearts are gardens too - In Jesus’ parable of the sower he talks about the different planting and growing conditions of the heart. Weeds can grow in our hearts if we are not paying attention. The thorns of life can cause pain. The clutter of worldly stuff can crowd out the hope of the Good News. Weeds can block our view of the garden path and the fruit growing there. Weeds can leave us filled with doubt, worry, and even fear.
What weeds are endangering the garden of your heart today? When was the last time you tended to the garden of your life in Christ? How is your relationship with the Master Gardener? Jesus is waiting to work in the garden with you - He will show you the weeds that need to be pulled if you let Him. He will help you plant - faith, hope, love and a lot of other beneficial things so that you can enjoy the fruitfulness of a life in Him.
This week spend some time with the Master Gardener, getting your life’s garden ready for the bountiful harvest He has planned for you.
A Prayer
Father - Help us to tend to the garden of our hearts. Show us the weeds that need to be pulled out by the roots. Show us the new seed You desire to plant in our lives - seed that will benefit us and bring a bountiful harvest of faith, hope and love. Thank you for being our Master Gardener. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, June 4, 2012
A Listening Heart
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”
John 10:27-28
The Greek word that is translated listen in today’s passage means: hear, pay attention, understand, and obey. How do you listen? Most of us would probably say that we listen with our ears - this of course is true - at least to a point. Kardia is the Greek word most often translated as heart in the New Testament. The heart was considered the seat of the inner self comprised of life, soul, mind and spirit. The heart was the place where thinking and true understanding took place.
God has a listening heart - He hears our cries for mercy and forgiveness, strength and guidance and He responds to us with His amazing love. Picking us up when we fall, carrying us when we are to weary to go on and holding us when we are overwhelmed by life.
We need to have listening hearts, so that we will hear His voice, pay attention to and understand what He is saying to us and then respond because we love Him - we will follow Him. Sometimes we let the noise of the world overload our hearts and then all we hear is static. God doesn’t yell over the noise He whispers into it. So how do we quiet our hearts so we can listen?
I can think of several things we can do to quiet our hearts. How about fasting from artificial noise - turn off the T.V. or radio and listen to the sounds of nature. Read God’s Word. Sing simple songs of praise that come from your heart - they will break through the static. Ask for forgiveness. No doubt you can think of other ways to have a listening heart.
Today and all this week, tune your heart to hear God’s voice and follow Him where He leads because He is leading you to paradise.
A Prayer
Father - Thank you for having a listening heart, for hearing and responding to our prayers. Help us to have listening hearts, show us how to quiet our hearts so we can hear your voice, know you better and follow after you all the days of our lives and for all eternity. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
John 10:27-28
The Greek word that is translated listen in today’s passage means: hear, pay attention, understand, and obey. How do you listen? Most of us would probably say that we listen with our ears - this of course is true - at least to a point. Kardia is the Greek word most often translated as heart in the New Testament. The heart was considered the seat of the inner self comprised of life, soul, mind and spirit. The heart was the place where thinking and true understanding took place.
God has a listening heart - He hears our cries for mercy and forgiveness, strength and guidance and He responds to us with His amazing love. Picking us up when we fall, carrying us when we are to weary to go on and holding us when we are overwhelmed by life.
We need to have listening hearts, so that we will hear His voice, pay attention to and understand what He is saying to us and then respond because we love Him - we will follow Him. Sometimes we let the noise of the world overload our hearts and then all we hear is static. God doesn’t yell over the noise He whispers into it. So how do we quiet our hearts so we can listen?
I can think of several things we can do to quiet our hearts. How about fasting from artificial noise - turn off the T.V. or radio and listen to the sounds of nature. Read God’s Word. Sing simple songs of praise that come from your heart - they will break through the static. Ask for forgiveness. No doubt you can think of other ways to have a listening heart.
Today and all this week, tune your heart to hear God’s voice and follow Him where He leads because He is leading you to paradise.
A Prayer
Father - Thank you for having a listening heart, for hearing and responding to our prayers. Help us to have listening hearts, show us how to quiet our hearts so we can hear your voice, know you better and follow after you all the days of our lives and for all eternity. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Bought With a Price
“…To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Ephesians 1:6-8
Over the course of the American Revolutionary War, the war in which we Americans gained our independence from Great Britain it is estimated that between 25,000 and 50,000 American revolutionaries lost their lives. During the American Civil War an estimated 360,000 Union soldiers lost their lives in a conflict that would bring an end to slavery in the American South. God some 2000 years ago took on the form of man and in the ultimate battle over sin and death, Jesus the Christ allowed himself to be crucified at the hand of sinful man. His sacrifice, frees all who believe in him from an eternity separated from God.
For those of us blessed to live in the free world, the price for that freedom was great. Paid for with the blood of soldiers, a sacrifice that made a way for us to live the lives we do. Even as I write this, sacrifices are still being made so that we can continue to be free and that others might become free. Today, the sacrifice of the cross still offers eternal freedom.
So that none of these sacrifices are in vain, we must live life to the fullest taking advantage of our freedom to serve one another - to love each other with our whole hearts. We in the free world have the privilege to worship the One who makes us eternally free, may we do so with our whole heart.
Today and everyday remember freedom was bought and the price that was paid was unimaginably high - so give thanks to those who have gone before and support those who are paying the price still.
A Prayer
Father - Thank you for the sacrifice of Your Son, so that we can have eternal freedom. Thank you for the men and women who have sacrificed their lives so that we can live free in this world today. Help us to live lives worthy of all the sacrifices that have been made for us. Be with those who are still fighting for freedom even now - keep them safe, grant them courage. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Ephesians 1:6-8
Over the course of the American Revolutionary War, the war in which we Americans gained our independence from Great Britain it is estimated that between 25,000 and 50,000 American revolutionaries lost their lives. During the American Civil War an estimated 360,000 Union soldiers lost their lives in a conflict that would bring an end to slavery in the American South. God some 2000 years ago took on the form of man and in the ultimate battle over sin and death, Jesus the Christ allowed himself to be crucified at the hand of sinful man. His sacrifice, frees all who believe in him from an eternity separated from God.
For those of us blessed to live in the free world, the price for that freedom was great. Paid for with the blood of soldiers, a sacrifice that made a way for us to live the lives we do. Even as I write this, sacrifices are still being made so that we can continue to be free and that others might become free. Today, the sacrifice of the cross still offers eternal freedom.
So that none of these sacrifices are in vain, we must live life to the fullest taking advantage of our freedom to serve one another - to love each other with our whole hearts. We in the free world have the privilege to worship the One who makes us eternally free, may we do so with our whole heart.
Today and everyday remember freedom was bought and the price that was paid was unimaginably high - so give thanks to those who have gone before and support those who are paying the price still.
A Prayer
Father - Thank you for the sacrifice of Your Son, so that we can have eternal freedom. Thank you for the men and women who have sacrificed their lives so that we can live free in this world today. Help us to live lives worthy of all the sacrifices that have been made for us. Be with those who are still fighting for freedom even now - keep them safe, grant them courage. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Time for a Joy Break
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“A source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone (emphasis mine) greatly valued or appreciated” is just one of the ways Dictionary.com defines joy. The psalmist says speaking of the LORD “You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound” (Psalm 4:7). Jesus is our primary source and cause of keen pleasure or delight and He gives us greater joy than anything else - even an abundant harvest - just because He loves us.
What else is causing you to feel joyful today? Are you experiencing great weather? Are you enjoying your family? Do you find joy in the work you do? Maybe you are finding joy in the simple fact that you were able to get out of bed this morning. Are there people in your life bringing you joy by just being present with you in the trials of life? Can you hear birds singing where you are? Do you have opportunities to admire God’s creation? Have you seen God answer your prayers or the prayers of someone near and dear to you?
Just knowing that God loves us is enough to fill us to overflowing with joy and if you can answer yes to even just one of the questions above you definitely need to make time for a joy break. When I take a joy break - I like to spend some time just talking with the Lord and thanking Him not only for how wonderfully He loves me but for everything else as well. Listing everything that is causing me keen pleasure lifts my spirits and makes me feel lighter. I suspect that if I could see God’s face as He watches my response to Him - that maybe He considers me to be a cause of keen pleasure to Himself.
Take a joy break today - you and God will both be glad you did.
A Prayer
Father - Thank you for filling our lives with joy even in the hard times. Help us to share that delight with you today as we take time to celebrate that joy. In the name of Jesus the source of our joy, Amen.
Monday, May 14, 2012
An Extraordinary Quest
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”
Matthew 6:9-10
I am tired of the status quo - are you? This is an invitation to join me on an extraordinary quest. This is a call to prayer, prayer and fasting. This is a call to spark revival in our own hearts and watch it spread. This is not about praying for our heart’s desires - it is about looking into the heart of God and seeking His heart’s desire and what does he desire of us? “That we act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8). This is not a call to weakness - it is a call to extraordinary strength, extraordinary faith, and extraordinary trust, things only available to us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is about fighting oppression and injustice on our knees. This is about pushing back the darkness that causes our souls to grow weary. This is about pushing the darkness back so we can catch a glimpse of the kingdom - of HIS kingdom, of our kingdom - to catch a glimpse of something so spectacular and marvelous that we will be irrevocably drawn to it. But more importantly so that when those around us see the reflection of that kingdom and of The King in our eyes and hearts - they too will be irrevocably drawn to it.
What do you say? The destination will be more amazing than anything we can imagine, but the journey will be difficult, it may be dangerous and it will demand more of us than we think we can give. Will you join me on this extraordinary quest?
Do you dare?
A Prayer
Father - today and everyday may we to know the desires of Your heart. Help us by granting us the strength, faith and trust that allows us to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with You. Provide everything we need for the journey and when we begin to falter grant us a fresh glimpse of Your kingdom through the darkness. Thank you that we will not be on this quest alone, You will be with us. We begin praying all this in the name of Jesus, Amen
Matthew 6:9-10
I am tired of the status quo - are you? This is an invitation to join me on an extraordinary quest. This is a call to prayer, prayer and fasting. This is a call to spark revival in our own hearts and watch it spread. This is not about praying for our heart’s desires - it is about looking into the heart of God and seeking His heart’s desire and what does he desire of us? “That we act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8). This is not a call to weakness - it is a call to extraordinary strength, extraordinary faith, and extraordinary trust, things only available to us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is about fighting oppression and injustice on our knees. This is about pushing back the darkness that causes our souls to grow weary. This is about pushing the darkness back so we can catch a glimpse of the kingdom - of HIS kingdom, of our kingdom - to catch a glimpse of something so spectacular and marvelous that we will be irrevocably drawn to it. But more importantly so that when those around us see the reflection of that kingdom and of The King in our eyes and hearts - they too will be irrevocably drawn to it.
What do you say? The destination will be more amazing than anything we can imagine, but the journey will be difficult, it may be dangerous and it will demand more of us than we think we can give. Will you join me on this extraordinary quest?
Do you dare?
A Prayer
Father - today and everyday may we to know the desires of Your heart. Help us by granting us the strength, faith and trust that allows us to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with You. Provide everything we need for the journey and when we begin to falter grant us a fresh glimpse of Your kingdom through the darkness. Thank you that we will not be on this quest alone, You will be with us. We begin praying all this in the name of Jesus, Amen
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