Written Just for Me

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,

correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be

thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

II Timothy 2:16-17 (NIV)

            When my son was small, I ordered a book for him that quickly became his favorite. The reason? His name was in it. It was a book that you custom ordered and the company placed your child’s name on almost every page.

            Imagine the delight of a child who reads “Eddie is the best ball player ever!” or “I like to play at Eddie’s house.” And you are Eddie.

            The day it arrived in the mail, I read the book to him a couple of times. But that was not enough. He begged me to read it to him over and over and over. By the time his father came home that evening, I had the book completely memorized.

            When he heard the truck pull in, my son ran to the door, book in hand. “Daddy, daddy, look!” he yelled. “This is MY book and it has MY name in it everywhere! It’s about me, Daddy, and it’s written just for ME!”

            The comparison between my son’s book and the Bible is amazing. Today’s Scripture from II Timothy 2:16-17 says “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

            The Bible was written just for us! Each page has something for every person to read and learn. For example, do you feel unloved? God says in Jeremiah 31:3 that He loves us with an “everlasting love.”

            Do you wonder what the future holds for you? He tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 that He has a special plan for each of us. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to lean on God because He is wise and will direct our present and our future.

            Are there days when you are discouraged and feel alone and frightened? Just stop for a moment and read God’s encouragement to us in Deuteronomy 31:8.

            The Bible was written for all of us – not just for men but not women; for the tall but not the short; for the wealthy but not the poor; for the introvert but not the extrovert. It was written so that every single one of us could know the depth of love and mercy our Father has for us. It is personal and tailor-made for all of us because He knows us better than anyone.

            Sure we see names like “David” and “Joshua” and we read about “Peter” and “Rahab.” But don’t you see? That’s US! That’s all of us. We are all, at times, afraid. We struggle with wanting to do the right thing but failing. We deny God’s nudging when He calls our names. Just like they did.

            The Bible: a book of guidance and direction, encouragement and love. A Book written just for us.

            Father, thank you for your words of love, hope and mercy to us, your children. Help me to know you better and to understand your plan for me in your Word.  In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up

Reflect

• Have you ever felt like the Bible was written for people who lived a long time ago and not for you today in whatever situation you may be facing?

Application

• Read today’s Power Verses but replace every “you” in the sentences with your name.
• Read each Scripture again. Does God’s Word feel more personable and intimate to you now?
• As you read Scripture in your daily walk, remember that God’s Word was written specifically for you. Thank Him for His faithfulness to you.

Power Verses

• II Timothy 2:16-17 (NIV) “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
• Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV) “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.’”
• Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to proper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
• Proverbs 3: 5-6 (NIV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
• Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”      

Delay with a Purpose

“’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your

 ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher

 than the earth, so are my ways higher than your

 ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)

            I had our trip all planned. My granddaughter Ella and I were driving to Kansas City. Car packed: check. Seat belts on: check. Stopped to fill up the car at the gas station: check. Well, semi-check.

           

            We pulled up to the pump and she hopped out to get a drink and stepped into something that appeared to be a mixture of kitty litter and silly putty. Her new flip flops were covered. Delay #1.

            “Just hit them together and we will pull around to another pump,” I told her. But as she did that, the mixture went everywhere: in the car, in her hair, on her clothes. Everywhere! Delay #2.

            We pulled around to another pump and wiped off as much of the gunk as we could with a towel. And she went inside for her drink as I slid my card, hit the buttons and tried to pump the gas into my car tank. Again and again. Nothing. Delay #3.

            After the third try, I walked into the gas station and found out that I had picked the one pump that occasionally gave customers problems. “Try again, please” I was instructed. Delay #4.

            I did – a fourth time. Nothing. But finally on the fifth try it worked! Hallelujah! The car was filled up, the drink was purchased, seat belts were on and we finally left town after a 30 minute delay.

            A delay that had us shaking our heads in frustration but one that quickly changed to praise and thanksgiving a few miles from our destination. There had been a wreck.

A semi had swerved back and forth on the highway before running off the right side and into a huge ditch, destroying a long metal protective rail in the process. The highway patrol and two ambulances plus several other vehicles were lined up along the side of the road.

            It instantly occurred to us that if we had not had all the delays before leaving town, we could have been exactly where that wreck occurred. What a great reminder for us of God’s protection and plan for our lives!

                    

Today’s Scripture is found in Isaiah 55:8-9. “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”

I get upset and frustrated over trains stopped on tracks and long lines in grocery stores because I have MY lists and MY priorities for MY life. And I seldom stop and consider that the delays I experience may be part of God’s plan for me. My timeline is not always the same as His and I truly believe that my check list is not a top priority for Him either.

If you struggle with your plans not going as you think they should, join me in deciding to stop, take a breath, and consider that God has your delay planned for a purpose.

Father, forgive me when I act like I know better how to lead my life. Help me to look less at my check lists and more in your Word to guide me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up

Reflect

• Have you ever become frustrated and upset when your timeline and check list were delayed or ruined?

Application

• The next time your plans are delayed, take a deep breath and reflect on what the Lord is protecting you from or planning for you.
• Thank Him for His wisdom and purpose in all situations.

Power Verses

• Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) “’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”
• Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
• II Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV) “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”
• John 10:10 (NIV) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
• Psalm 46:1 (NIV) “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Do You Know A Mrs. Wallace?

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of

the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

Her name was Mrs. Wallace. Just saying the name – Mrs. Wallace – and immediately I picture that little lady with extremely short naturally curly and seldom washed hair. A tiny lady with jack-in-the-box teeth that needed no prompting to pop in and out of her mouth at a moment’s notice.

I can almost smell the talcum powder that did little to mask the scent of one who seldom bathes that we kids always knew would be there – and almost always was – when our mother picked her up on Saturday mornings to take her to town with us.

I admit that we complained every time Mother told us we would be picking up Mrs. Wallace. “Why does she have to go with us?” “She smells funny.” “Her socks are always down around her ankles.” “Doesn’t she have someone in her family who can take her to town?” “What if our friends see us with her?”

My mother would always respond to our questions with the same answers. “She is going with us because she has no one close by to take her. How will she get groceries? This is a good opportunity for you to get to know Mrs. Wallace. She is a very sweet lady. How can I tell her that my children don’t want her to go with them? Imagine how hurt she would be!”

And so for one more trip to town, we would sit in the back seat and watch her and wonder . . . why she didn’t bathe more often, why her socks continued to rest around her ankles, what kept her teeth from separating completely from her mouth and falling on the floor of the car.

But something happened during one of those car rides: we began to realize what our mother was doing. She was putting God’s love into action. She was taking care of Mrs. Wallace the widow lady as if she was HER mother!  We saw that our mother was living what she believed. The teaching that Jesus was sharing in Matthew 25:34-40 was not something she took lightly.

In that Scripture Jesus was speaking to the righteous and blessing them for giving Him food and drink, for clothing Him, for taking care of Him when He was sick and for visiting Him in prison.

When they question Him as to exactly when they did those acts specifically for Jesus, He replies in verse 40: “…I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (NIV)

My mother was showing us that when “the least of these” needed help, we should be willing to step in and show our Father’s love without complaining and without asking anything in return. Her unselfishness in being willing to put Christ’s love into action was a lesson we never forgot.

What are we doing to show our children how to be Jesus to those around us? Could it be that there is a Mrs. Wallace in our neighborhoods or where we work?

The best way for our children to learn Christ’s unselfish love for others is to see it reflected in our acts of kindness toward “the least of these” around us.

Father, please help me to never cease to look around me for those who need your loving touch in the very simple everyday things. Help me to always remember that people will learn about you by watching me. May I be a mirror of your love and compassion. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

R.A.P. it up

Reflect

• Is there a Mrs. Wallace in your family or neighborhood?
• Do you need a “vision check” so that you see them through the eyes of Jesus?
• What lessons are you conveying to your children when it comes to taking care of widows and others in need?

Application

• Find out the birthdays of the older neighbors in your community or at church who may not have any family living close by. Help your children to design coupons for (a) “a meal brought to your home;” (b) “a shopping trip;” (c) “a tea party time” (and you provide the tea and cookies). Pass out the coupons to each person and check back every couple of days to see if a date has been decided on to use the coupon.
• Pray with your children concerning the salvation of each person who accepted a coupon. Have them write a note of encouragement to each person.

Power Verses

• Matthew 25:40 (NIV) “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
• Philippians 2:4 (NIV) “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
• Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
• I John 3:17 (NIV) “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”
• James 2:15-16 (NIV) “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” 

The Best Bargain of All

“The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the Lord will praise him – may your hearts live forever!” Psalm 22:26 (NIV)

My husband loved to shop for groceries. The only problem was that he almost always shopped on his way home from work in the evening. Translation: he walked down each aisle with an empty stomach and came home with an empty wallet.

And if that wasn’t enough, a strange phenomenon occurred. During those shopping trips, an otherwise poor memory (“Huh? You asked me to take out the trash? I don’t seem to recall . . .”) came alive and suddenly was able to remember every name brand food item ever seen on television! And THAT translated into a huge grocery bill made up of items that we absolutely did not need.

Another big part of that phenomenon included so-called bargains. If it appeared to be a good deal, the bargain found a resting place in my husband’s grocery cart. For example, he was very excited about the twelve jars of baby food advertised at $3.00 off but we didn’t have a baby. And yes, the sack of cat food on sale for $6.00 off WAS a steal . . . IF you owned a cat!

Walking in a grocery store with an empty stomach can be costly. But even more costly is walking through life without a relationship with Jesus.  

Please hear my heart on this one: we can shop around to find something else to fill our “shopping carts.” In our hunger to fill the void inside each of us, we can look for bargains that we don’t really need, like a bigger home or a more expensive vehicle. We may even try filling our carts with drugs or alcohol or time spent in chat rooms on the internet.

In our emptiness, we may search for the perfect bargain and overlook the Perfect One who meets all our needs and satisfies our hunger as nothing else can.

My husband came home with grocery “bargains” that he would never have bought if his physical hunger had been satisfied.

In the same way, when our spiritual hunger is filled with a relationship with Jesus, we will avoid falling into the trap of filling our hearts with “bargains” we do not need.  

Satisfy your spiritual hunger with a “shopping cart” filled with mercy, love and forgiveness from the Lord and you will never need to shop for “bargains” again.  

Father, I am so grateful that You desire a relationship with me and that I only need to come to you empty and You will fill me up. My soul hungers for more of You and Your Word. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up

Reflect

• Have you ever tried to fill the emptiness of your life with “bargains” that did not satisfy?

Application

• Journal each “bargain” that you have ever considered to fill the hunger in your heart. Beside each one, journal whether or not your hunger was satisfied. Then look up a Scripture that shows how Jesus can fill that hunger, write it down and praise Him for His faithfulness.

Power Verses

• Psalm 22:26 (NIV) “The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the Lord will praise him – may your hearts live forever!”

• Romans 15:13 (NIV) “May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

  

• Matthew 5:6 (NIV) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

• Psalm 63:1 (NIV) “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

  

• Psalm 143:8 (NIV) “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”

 Are you a bargain shopper? I would love to know how Jesus has filled your "grocery cart!"

The Best You That You Can Be

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

            My husband never could sing on key. Not. One. Single. Note. It wasn’t that he didn’t try. My goodness, he tried and tried and tried. But it never happened.

            The sad part to me was that he never knew if he was on or off key. His only clue would be the reaction of people around him when he sang.

For example, people in the row in front of us at church would turn around and stare during worship. He would see them frowning, lean over to me and whisper “Way off?” to which I would always, quietly respond “Yes. Yes you are. Totally.”

            But that never seemed to keep him from singing and singing loudly.

            I felt so badly for him that I convinced our family to start a new tradition: singing “happy birthday” as off key as possible.  I thought it would make him happy to “blend in” with the crowd. But I was wrong.

            “Why did you change the way we sing happy birthday?” my husband asked me. In my mind I thought “Are you nuts? I did it because you sing so badly!” but I responded “I thought you might like to sing it differently for a change.”

            He smiled. “I know why you did it. You think I feel out of place with my singing and you don’t want me to feel bad, right?” I nodded as he went on. “Honestly, honey, it doesn’t bother me at all!” Enter my “seriously?” face.

But he continued. “This is the way I look at it. God made songbirds and He made crows. I just happen to be a crow. And I decided a long time ago that I would be the best crow I could be.”

What a lesson for me! My husband didn’t complain about being a crow. He never asked God to change him to a songbird. He didn’t even question his plight in life of always singing off key.

He simply worked his hardest to be the best crow that God created. And he praised the Lord in his best crow voice every time he sang.

My husband had learned an important lesson from Colossians 3:23-24. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” That’s a lesson I need to learn as well.

How about you? What has God gifted you with? The voice of a songbird or that of a crow? In other words, what are you doing with what you have been given by the Creator?

Not everyone is an opera singer. Some may be a grand ole opry singer. Some people hand out fast food at work and others work at eating fast food. Is one better than the other? More loved by God?

Absolutely not! No matter what I am and what I do, I long to be the best at it and to work at it because I truly am working for the Lord who loves me just the way I am.

. Are you a songbird? Great! Are you a crow? Super! All that God asks you to do is to work at being the best “you” that you can be!

Father, you tell me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank you for creating me to live for you. I pray I will serve you with my whole heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up

Reflect

·        Have you ever thought that you needed to be the same as everyone else in order to be loved by God?

Application

·        In your journal, write this at the top of your page “God has created me to be.” Under that write down all that you are: truck driver, nurse, mother, custodian, teacher, wife.

·        Begin each morning by asking the Lord to help you work hard to be the best that you can be. He is faithful.

Power Verses

·        Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

·        Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

·        Isaiah 64:8 (NIV) “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”

·        Colossians 3:17 (NIV) “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

·        I Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”  

I would love to read your comments below! Are you the best songbird or crow you can be?

Except for One

“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”

James 4:17 (NIV)

Not even a broken hand could keep my daughter from playing basketball in middle school. After just a few weeks of wearing a cast, she was cleared by the physician to play ball again with one stipulation: her hand had to be wrapped and cushioned during every game. It was healing perfectly and he didn’t want to take the chance that it might get pulled or twisted and re-injured.

The injury did nothing to keep her from scoring points – and a lot of them – almost every game. At one particular contest with a major basketball rival, she had scored 20 points by halftime, even with a broken hand.

But something strange happened during the third and fourth quarters: the girls on the other team switched from trying to steal the ball from our daughter and instead concentrated on grabbing and twisting her hand. Except for one girl.

At first my husband and I thought it was just coincidence but then we quickly realized that the opposing team had one focus and that was to hurt her hand to the point that she couldn’t continue playing. Except for one girl.

We could hardly contain our disbelief and anger as we saw the look of pain on our daughter’s face as girl after girl tried to twist and pull her hand and she struggled to get away from them and continue to play. Except for one girl.

When the game finally ended, our team had won by 10 points. All the girls on the opposing team went through the congratulations line and high fived my daughter’s wrapped hand extra hard as they mumbled “good game.” Except for one girl.

As the girls came out of the locker room, our daughter walked over to us, holding her hand against her chest. It was obviously hurting her. But something else happened.

The one girl on the team who never tried to grab her hand or hit it extra hard after the game also walked toward us.

“I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for what just happened,” she told our daughter. “At halftime, our coach told all of us on the team to try to grab your broken hand and hurt it so you would not be able to play the rest of the game.” She continued. “I just couldn’t do it. It was wrong. I just wanted you to know.” My daughter gave her a hug and said “thank you.”  

            I find it hard to believe that there were no other girls on that team who also believed that what their coach had told them to do was wrong. There had to have been more than just one. And there might have been.

And yet, only one had the courage to stand up for what was right and take the chance that her coach might punish her for not obeying what he told her and the other team members to do.

I cannot help but apply the details of this ball game to my life. Have there been times when I ignored “the good” that I knew I should be doing? The person in front of me in the checkout line who didn’t have enough to pay for her groceries? The elderly neighbor I knew was longing for company? The tithe that I should have given to a missionary but I spent on yet another item of clothing that I didn’t need? I hate to tell you but my answer is “yes.”

What about you? Can you relate? Today’s Scripture from James 4:17 quietly but firmly speaks to our hearts. “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” Period.

My encouragement to each of you – and to me – is to keep this Scripture before us every single day. The Lord Himself will give us courage as He shows us many opportunities to do “acts of good” everywhere we go.

Father, you are very clear in your Word that when I do not do what I know is good in your eyes, I am sinning. Please help me to be bold and to be a positive influence in the lives around me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.  

R.A.P. it up

Reflect

• Can you think of a situation where you knew the positive action – the “good” - you should do but you did not speak up?

Application

• Look over situations over the last week when you should have spoken or acted as the Lord commands. How did you react?

• Journal each situation and the response that the Lord wants you to have. Ask Him to nudge you the next time you have an opportunity to “do good.” And do it.

Power Verses

• James 4:17 (NIV) “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”

• Romans 12:21 (NIV) “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

• James 1:22 (NIV) “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

• I Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV) “Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” 

• I Peter 3:14 (NIV) “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.”