Sunday Writings.....6/5/16

Good morning...

Today I was in pain in my hips. Not excruciating, but uncomfortable. I think it is Arthritis, but it does not help it that we got "lost" last night after the graduation that we attended. We walked at least a mile and finally found the car. Praise God!

Have a succulent Sunday...I am running out of adjectives that match the first letter of the name of the day...time to let this silliness go I think! 
       

God bless from
Corinne




In today's devotional component of the Sunday Writings, Jan Andersen writes about matters of life or death.  She asks us how we might respond in different situations of physical or spiritual life or death.  Thankfully we have a loving God who forgives us when we fail to respond appropriately and helps us share his love with others.  

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  Today's Devotional   

"LIFE OR DEATH"

written by

Jan Andersen

If someone were to call me and leave a message to call them right back, saying it was a matter of life or death, my heart would skip a beat as my mind flew to all manner of possible tragedies.  I would immediately try to get in touch with that person.  If unable to reach them right away, I would continue trying every option I knew.  That might include calling others near to them or using all the various technologies available, such as texting, e-mail and instant messaging.  If all else failed and they weren't too far away, I might even drive to their house looking for them.  If that wasn't an option I would likely be pacing the floor as my thoughts and heart raced.  

If we see someone who is in need, do we have the same urgency to help them?  Perhaps we don't see it as a life or death situation, so we have plenty of excuses not to get involved, or not to help again if we already have helped them in the past.  Or maybe we don't know them personally, so we are suspicious of their truthfulness.  Even if we do know them and know their need is real, we might feel that we are ill equipped to help with their issue, be it physical or emotional - "I don't know how, or I might do more harm by trying to help."  We might feel the person needs to try harder to help themselves more before we lend a hand.  Or we see ourselves as in need also, so we don't feel we have enough to share.  Possibly we feel like we are the only one that ever helps out, it is someone else's turn.  Do we use the same excuses when an organization is asking for help? How about when the church asks for help?  The reasons we use can be the same - "I can't.  I don't know how.  I don't have enough.  I always help.  It's someone else's turn."  Instead of our minds racing to figure out how to help, our thoughts sometimes turn to every excuse imaginable. 

Consider how it would feel if we ourselves are the ones in need.  We may have fallen on hard times or need help or support in various ways.  We may be struggling with trials or temptations.  Depression may have set in.  It can even become a life or death situation.  How would we feel if those same excuses were used on us?  It is hard enough to ask for help, but then to be turned down, shunned or ignored can be devastating. 

What about spiritual "life or death" situations?  When I hear that someone does not believe in God, my heart should skip a beat and my thoughts ought to be racing to find ways to share God's love and forgiveness with them and all that it means to believe and receive the free gift of eternal life.  Unfortunately, my mind often comes up with all kinds of excuses to hold back.  I don't want to offend them or turn them off.  They probably already have heard anything I could possibly say, and they just need to decide for themselves to believe or not.  Or even, I've already had this discussion with them and they still reject God so why try again?  

Thankfully our God is forgiving when we fail to reach out and help others physically, emotionally, or spiritually.  In faith we come to him with a sorrowful heart, willing and ready to have him remove all our reasons or excuses for not helping.  Then we ask for help in doing the next right thing so that his name might be glorified.  Most importantly, God helps us share with others that he loves them.  It could be a matter of life or death!

John 3:16  "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Dear Father in heaven, creator of all on earth, help me to share my blessings with others without reluctance.  Forgive me for making excuses to not help others, especially in matters of physical or spiritual life or death.  May your name be glorified in all that I do.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

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   Snippets of Spiritual Insights  from Beverley   

 Hmmm. I know that Jesus went to "lonely places" to pray- those physical places where He was alone. But I also believe that He went to emotionally "lonely" places as well.

After all, He was away from His Father and far from His home. He was betrayed by those who said they loved Him and He was (quite literally) carrying the weight of the whole world on His shoulders.

Wow. How many of us can relate to the feelings in those experiences- and to the loneliness in those feelings.

I love that Jesus was in those places and better yet- that He was comforted in those places. I love that He believed the words of His Father in those places and that He was encouraged.

     written by Beverley A. Napier (c)  

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I believe that the heart of a true friend should celebrate the other freindships of those they care for. Friendship was never meant to be selfish, self promoting or self centered. It was meant to be shared. By all.

I am grateful that my friends have other deep and meaningful friendships. I am thankful that they have others who love them- just as much as I do. 

I pray they will always find a friend by their side. Someone they can talk to. Someone whom they can trust. Someone who will not only pray for them, but celebrate them as well.

One who will cover their weaknesses and encourage their strengths. One who will remind them of just how truly special they are. And of how deeply they are loved. 

One who will wipe their tears away and share in their sorrows. One who will make them laugh and laugh and laugh. Until they cry. And clutch their sides. In joyful agony. And then make them laugh and laugh and laugh- even more.   

      written by Beverley A. Napier  (c)                              

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   Encouraging Christian Poems   

A Christian Poem about how God sees us - Worth it enough to die for us
Christian Poem on being made worthy to God through Christ's blood

You Are Worthy

Don't see yourself as insignificant,
Not worthy to come before God,
Fearing the stains are too deep to clean
From the sins you're guilty of
And don't feel as though you're not worthy
To dine at His table of grace,
Nor even to gather the scraps that fall,
Nor look into His loving face

But see yourself clothed in garments
Fit only to clothe a king,
Eating as His honoured guest
And wearing His signet ring
For that is how God sees you,
A worthy child indeed
A royal priesthood, bearing His name
The moment you came to believe

For surely as Christ's blood has washed you,
You shall be whiter than snow,
So don't see yourself as someone unworthy,
A tiny speck nobody knows
For that only belittles the value
Of Jesus Christ's spilled blood,
For it's through His blood he's cleansed you
And showed you how much He loved

He says, 'My child you are precious,
More than you can comprehend,
For nothing you've done could lessen my love,
For I'd always call you my friend
My heart just longs for you to come
And bask in my embrace,
My child, I will always love you
And pour out my mercy and grace

So don't feel afraid to draw near,
Nor feel you have no worth,
My son's blood has purchased you
And has given you new birth
So come, enjoy my presence
And let me hear you sing,
The new song I have given you,
For to me, you are everything’.

© By M.S.Lowndes

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   Today's Inspiring Graphic   

Here we have a promise of God.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:30-31

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Prayers are lifted up daily for 

you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff

of Women's Focus Ministries.

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