JESUS WITH SKIN ON

....Verily I say unto you,

inasmuch as ye have done it unto

one of the least of these my

brethren, ye have done it

unto me.

Matthew 25:40b

Not sure how you are, especially if you live alone, but I am really uncomfortable asking for help. I'm learning more and more all the things Brian did to keep the homestead operating. I appreciate him more for all the things he fixed and created. We never had to have various handymen come to fix anything and that goes for the car as well.

In our church, we not only have a wonderful pastor and staff but such a godly group of men on our deacon board. Each deacon is assigned church members they can minister to through all the ups and downs of their lives. All are great and God gave Brian and me a special guy...Chris. He has prompted me regularly as to what he can do to be of help to me and I so resisted taking him up on it. However, the Lord convicted me in the fact that I could be depriving our deacon of the joy of serving the Lord.

Recently, I got my car parked in the garage and later found that the garage door would not work. After hesitation I called Chris. With a godly, servant spirit, he was here the next morning first thing, tools in hand. In a matter of minutes, not even an hour, he called me to the garage to push the button and up came the garage door. You cannot imagine my relief. As Chris left after my thanks, I told him that he was Jesus with skin on. He didn't really think he was all that, but he was for me and to Jesus as well.

I wonder if we ever give thought to times people have come to our rescue. Obviously, Jesus couldn't come to our aid in person, but does put a calling on all of our lives to function on His behalf. That is who and what we are called to be...His hands and feet. Because that's Who we function for, we can take no glory in whatever deed we perform because it was His calling on us.

When Jesus observes us caring and loving for others as He would if He were here in person, He is pleased. Most of the time, our ministering for Jesus may not be as huge as fixing a garage door. It's often simpler than that. For instance, Jesus said:

For whosoever shall give you a

cup of water to drink in my name,

because ye belong to Christ,

verily I say unto you, he shall

not lose his reward.

Mark 9:41

Thank you Father for those folks who are sensitive to your will and way. They seem to just know what You would have them do in the lives of folks who are in need. Help us, Father, to be counted among those folks. By the way, thank you for my deacon. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

WONDER-FULL

O that men would praise

the LORD for his goodness,

and for his wonderful works

to the children of men!

Psalm 107:15

I am so totally blessed living where I do. Living where I do, I see a lot of families with children of all ages. Whether out on a trail or watching children tubing down the river, the new ones to our area show such a wonder as they look around at the mountains, trees, streams, trails, etc. No one shows a sense of wonder like a young child in a new and beautiful setting.

We should all have a special sense of wonder as we benefit from the working of God in our lives. Wonder is defined in places as “inspiring delight.” Anything wonderful is simply anything that is full of wonder as is our Heavenly Father. Scripture speaks of the wonders of God. The word can be a verb, describing the working of God on behalf of His people. But also, God's wonders are nouns in our lives...the benefits of His working on our behalf.

There were too many Scripture verses to list that I saw in my Bible, having to do with wonder, but one in particular struck me from Isaiah 9:6 that says it all:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is

given: and the government shall be upon

his shoulder; and his name shall be called

Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God,

The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Remember the old chorus we used to sing?

“Isn't He wonderful, wonderful, wonderful

Isn't Jesus my Lord wonderful?

Eyes have see, ears have heard,

It's recorded in God's Word.

Isn't Jesus my Lord wonderful!”

Thank You Jesus for being so wonderful and for being such a wonder in our lives. We stand amazed in awe of Your doings and we love You more than words can express...In Your precious name...Amen 

BEING TEACHABLE

I will instruct thee and teach thee

in the way which thou shalt go:

I will guide thee with mine eye.

Psalm 34:11

Anyone who has ever taught others can almost tell right away those who are teachable and those who are not.  There will always be one or two who let a teacher know that they have no desire to be with the group. Such people almost dare a teacher to inspire them to learn the least little thing. 

In the above verse, it seems to be speaking of the same activity which is instruction and teaching. In the truest sense, the words are different. God promises to instruct and teach us. It seems like God is in earnest in both presentations. What better educator can we have other than God Himself. However, we must be determined to be teachable. When test time comes, I want more of myself than just a passing grade.

As of late, the Holy Spirit led me to Psalm 34:11.  Even though, many times, I was in my Bible hardly able to read the words because of tears, I determined, that I did not want to waste this time. I want to remain open to what the Holy Spirit wants to show me, however He chooses.

In most education circles, teaching and instruction are similar but not the same. Teaching will always present the basics of a subject, important information. For instance, a teacher may teach something about a new tool on the market. It's described and may even speak of it's intended function. Instruction takes that information and shows a student who has learned the name and function of the tool, how to use it...putting it into practical h is what usage.  

God wants of us.to  always be learning things about His Word.  We learn fact after fact as we read. The Holy Spirit ever so gently teaches us about His Word.,  but then, He takes us into the classroom of instruction. That classroom may take on the location of our church auditorium, Sunday school classroom, conferences...all where we learn how to make God's Word work in our lives. The Holy Spirit will still teach us in personal ways. God wants to pull out all the stops in teaching and instructing so we can be as strong spiritually as possible.

God promises to use all of this in leading us in the right paths and then says He will guide us with His eye. Did you ever have a parent who had a way of guiding you just with his or her eye. I could tell with just a look at my Mother in certain situations, if she was a happy camper with me or not. God's eye serves on our behalf and isn't meant to be stern but loving. He promises to be watching us and guiding us in a very personal way for our own safety and well being.

Can you believe we have such a Heavenly Father who is so vested in looking out for what is in our best interest? With all of this attention from our Father, we should be alert and teachable at every opportunity. May we stay teachable.

Father, thank You for your patience in teaching us when often we may not be paying attention. Thank You for Your consistent love, direction and patience with us. Keep us close for Your sake and our well being. Amen