God Goes Before Us

This week was our church's turn to provide a meal for people at the local homeless shelter. Bill & I usually sign up for what has become a favorite--mac 'n cheese, (a recipe from a dear friend of mine). And this time we decided to make two lbs. of macaroni instead of one.

In the past we have always brought our dish to the church by 2PM and then those who were planning to serve the food, heated it in the church oven before leaving for the shelter. This time, however, I had the idea to bring it HOT to the church just at the time they would be loading the food into the vehicles, getting ready to leave. It would be less for them to have to be concerned about, I thought.

A friend who lives nearby called us and offered to pick up our food because she was going to be going to the church at 3:30PM and then on to help serve the meal. We were so appreciative of her offer and both trays of the mac 'n cheese were hot when she picked them up here.

Later that evening she phoned and said it was a good thing we had sent ours hot because the church ran out of propane halfway through the heating of the other dishes. The workers had to transport everything to the soup kitchen and hurriedly finish heating things up in the ovens there. Meanwhile, because the mac 'n cheese was hot, it was able to be served without delay.

This was the first time we had made a double batch of macaroni, and the first time we had had the food hot and all ready to be served at the soup kitchen. God knew what was going to happen that day, so this was His plan. Oh, how I love the way God goes before us!

Raising "Peter"

Several authors have written about their experiences of dying, going to heaven for a short time and then coming back to life here on earth. In his book, "My Time in Heaven", Rev. Richard Sigmund wrote about what he saw while he was in heaven. One of the many wonderful things was the reunion of a mother and her baby. He wrote, " There was a person carrying a baby who had full power of speech and was totally aware of all its surroundings. The baby cried with a high little voice, 'Mommy! Mommy! There is my mommy. Jesus said that I could remain a baby and that Mommy could raise me in heaven.' How great is the love of God!" (I have read other, similar accounts of babies remaining babies in heaven.)

Like any mother who has "lost" a baby, sometimes my heart aches for the one God brought home to be with Him before I could know him or her. (Although we did not know the sex we gave the baby the name, "Peter".) I am looking forward to seeing, holding, loving and raising the baby I "lost". God knows how much I loved raising my other 3 children, and so I believe with all my heart that when I get to Heaven, I will have the opportunity and blessing of raising the child who is waiting there for me. How truly wonderful that will be! But above all, the greatest blessing (beyond words) will be to see my Jesus and to spend all of eternity with Him!!

Dirt and Clean-up

Even as a child, I have never liked getting dirty and so am always careful not to purposely expose myself to dirt of any kind. I remember a particular day when I was young, however, when I had decided to see what it felt like to actually get dirty. I recall I was wearing (of all things!) a white sunsuit with red poke-a-dots that day. While no one was watching, I went outside and actually got down and rolled around in the sandbox. I stood up and was covered with sand. Just as I thought--I didn't like being dirty at all, and in fact, I hated it! I immediately went back into the house, got cleaned up, changed my clothes, and never did anything like that again.

We are exposed to dirt in this world everyday, and often we get dirty. We sin. And when we do, there is nothing we can do to clean ourselves up. Try as we might, even our best efforts cannot make us clean and acceptable to God. We need the cleansing power of Jesus every time! He promises, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 We can clean the physical dirt, but all thanks and praise be to the One who can clean us spiritually! Amen!

A Royal Welcome

Before leaving for church this morning, I read through the "Palm Sunday" passage in the Book of Matthew. Concerning Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Message Bible tells us , "Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving Him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat."

My thoughts turned to Jesus wanting to make a triumphal entry into our hearts. What are we willing to sacrifice for Him? What are we willing to lay down for Him? Serving God sometimes requires sacrifice and sometimes requires us to give up things. We may need to cast off some "garments". Something to think about. Jesus willing and joyfully gave up His life for us!

Readiness

"God called unto him...and he said, Here I am." Exodus 3:4

A friend of my daughter's has just had their 4th baby; the blessing of their first girl! As I was praying for this mother, child and family this morning, I wondered if this family has any praying grandmothers in their family?? They NEED a praying grandmother, I thought, and sensed the Lord leading me to begin praying for this family on a regular basis.

Moments later, as if to confirm His request, the Spirit directed me to the verse in Galatians 6, (AMP), "...as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].

Oswald Chambers wrote, "Readiness for God means that we are ready to do the tiniest little thing or the great big thing, it makes no difference. When any duty presents itself we hear God's voice as our Lord heard His Father's voice, and we are ready for it with all the alertness of our love for Him. Jesus Christ expects to do with us as His Father did with Him. He can put us where He likes,...because the union is that of the Father and Himself. 'That they may be one, even as We are one.' "

I have known this young family for quite some time yet today is the day of the surprise visit from God, putting into my heart the thought to lift this family to Him in my daily prayers.

Father, we thank you for Your surprise visits. Instead of being busy telling You where we would like to go, (to that great opportunity for something sensational), may we be listening for Your call and go wherever You want us to go. Truly, we do not want to miss anything You have for us to do for Your Kingdom purposes! May we live each day with the heart attitude of readiness. "Here I am, Lord."

Super-Victorious In Christ

In Romans 8:35-39 we see a long list of things that will NEVER separate us from Christ's love.
And at the end of the list we read, "...or anything else." NOTHING can separate us from His love! (Seriously, something to "Selah" about!)

Verse 37 tells us, "Yet amid all of these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loves us."
My definition of conqueror would basically be, "one who defeats; is victorious," but I have discovered that in the Greek, the word "conquer" has a prefix attached to it--"hyper" which means "above" or "surpassing." This means we are not only conquerors, but we are super-victorious as we live out our faith in Christ.

Father, may we, your children, live in this truth today and everyday! Selah!

God's Gift of Music

Last night at choir practice Pastor Dennis, who is also our Choir Director, mentioned that on Sundays there may be some people who are not engaged in the service. They may not connect with the words being spoken or the prayers being prayed, he said, but that the music is able to touch hearts like nothing else can. Being reminded of this, I felt humbled and blessed. I love being part of the choir.

Lord, use the music for Your honor and glory. Prepare hearts even now to receive what You have through this coming Sunday's music. Have your way, O Lord. And may my own heart be turned towards you, I pray. Minister to me through the music, as well, and may I bless YOUR heart as I sing. Thank you for the gift of music.