Jesus Stopped.

I was listening to Joyce Meyer this morning and she said it always strikes her how Jesus would stop what he was doing to help people. He never said he was too busy or was in a hurry. He just stopped and listened to what people said to him. I like that too.

He stopped to heal a blind man. He stopped to see a funeral and then brought the young man to life. He stopped to heal a man whose friends had brought him through the roof because there was no other way to get in the house. He stopped to talk with a woman who touched him and was healed. He stopped to heal an old woman who had come into the church bent over with illness. He stopped to bless the little children. He stopped to talk with a Phoenician woman about her daughter and heal her. He even stopped on the way to the cross to speak to crying women.

Joyce was saying we should be like Jesus. Don't be in such a hurry that we ignore the needs of others. Take the time to talk with people and get to know them. Look around you and see who needs friendship and help.

Be Ready!

Jesus said, "Stay dressed and ready for action and keep your lamps burning. Be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes." Luke 12:35-37

I take these verses to mean we should always be ready to do some kind of work for God. Lights and lamps usually represent the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we need the Holy Spirit in our lives in order to be ready. How do we stay ready for action? I would say by Bible study and prayer. When our minds are fortified with truth, we will then have something of value to pass on to others when they need it.

If I were to cater a wedding, I would have all things ready for the Bride and Groom when they walked into the house. I would be looking towards the door and peeking out the window to see if they were on their way. I think our eyes should look towards Jesus, anticipating his coming to us, either now or when he returns to take us home to heaven.

Disappointment.

I recently learned a certain pastor and author of Christian books has been having affairs with women. I learned a lot from this man's sermons and books. He helped me to understand and love God more.

I know this happens in churches everywhere in every denomination. What I don't understand is why the men and women who do these things stay in their position, hiding what they are doing - sometimes for many years. Aren't they afraid of what God would think of them preaching while they are having sex with married or vulnerable women? Have they no fear of God's wrath at all?

Well, it isn't my place to judge or condemn them. I just wonder what they are thinking! I don't expect perfection in people, even ministers. We are all human. I hope they ask forgiveness and let God change their lives. But I will say, the whole thing is a puzzle to me. Not the adultery, just the fact they keep on preaching.

Peace

"The peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus." Philippians 4:7

I read this verse the other day and for the first time I noticed that peace will guard our hearts. I always used to love the first part that says God's peace passes all understanding. I didn't think about the last part of the verse.

Since I have found more peace in my life lately, I can see how peace guards your heart. If you are peaceful, you don't get angry, worried or depressed. Peace guards you from these negative feelings.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid." John 14:27

Who is the Greatest?

Often, the disciples of Jesus would argue about which one of them would have the greatest job when Jesus was ruler of Jerusalem. They expected him to become king one day. James and John's mother even asked Jesus to let her sons sit at his left and right hand when he was on his throne.

Jesus said, "The kings of the world lord it over people... But it is not this way with you. But whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:25-28

Ambition and lust for power is not for followers of Jesus.

"For that which is highly esteemed among men, is an abomination in the sight of God."

The disciples of Jesus were ambitious, but he did not turn them away because of this. He taught them a better way. We may be selfish and very sinful, but Jesus will not turn us away, he will simply teach us a better way to live.

Goals.

Many times I read blogs that advise us to have goals in our lives. I think it is good to have goals; having something to strive for can be invigorating and can move us along to a better path.

But I read something the other day that explained God's goals for us. I like what this person wrote. I'm sorry I can't give them credit, but I don't know who wrote it.

"If I can stay calm, faithful and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me. God is not working toward a particular finish. His purpose is the process itself. It is the process, not the outcome, that is glorifying to God."

Day by day, God teaches us. We are hanging on the vine, ripening as we learn more and more how to bear the fruit of the Spirit. This is the process we all must go through. The Lord is teaching me to become calm, faithful and unconfused when trials come. I used to panic, I used to get depressed and I used to get angry. Day by day, God is teaching me to trust him.

As Paul says, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I have learned how to live with little, I have learned how to live with abundance. I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Philippians 4:12

Yesterday Went Well.

Yesterday, I decided to ignore my negative feelings about my illness (fibromyalgia) and just get up and get on with my day. I took my pills early in the morning and made myself get up in spite of the pain.

I kept busy doing some cleaning and stayed on my feet more. I didn't lay down as much or sit as often. It did feel good to accomplish some chores. My feelings tell me, "Why get up?" But I'm not going to listen to that any longer.

One thing about exhaustion from Fibromyalgia though. I can work through the pain, but not the exhaustion when it hits, which I know is okay. Also, I take some pills for the pain which help a lot. Some people don't have that. I find if I take one day-time cold pill and one Tylenol Arthritis pill together that this works wonders. I still have weakness and pain, but it is much improved.

It really was my sad feelings about being sick that was keeping me in bed. I am glad God has shown me I can ignore these feelings and get going.

"The Lord is the strength of my life and my portion forever."