Some One is Watching

 “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

Titus 2:7 (NIV)

 

The student nurse stuck out her hand and introduced herself. “Hi. I’m Sarah Stephens. I have been assigned to follow you around today. And I’ve got to be honest with you. I’m really nervous!”

         

I shook her hand. “Don’t be nervous,” I smiled back confidently. “It’s going to be a great day!” But inside my mind was yelling “YOU are nervous? What if I mess up in front of you? What if I give the wrong med? What if I can’t answer your questions? The nervous one here is actually ME!”

 

As the health services director for our school district, I had the privilege of being a preceptor for nursing students and showing them the duties of a school nurse. But Sarah Stephens was my very first student nurse to come to me for the training.

 

As she followed me around all day and watched over my shoulder, I found myself being more careful when listening to lungs or looking in ears. And I double-checked the medications I gave more than once, to make extra sure I was correct in each dosage.

 

Just as I was about to comment negatively about a student I saw multiple times a day with nothing physically wrong, I glanced to see Sarah, listening intently for what I was about to say. And my comment was left unspoken. All because Sarah was by my side, watching me all day.

 

Oh, how I am convicted by Titus 2:7. It makes me think, what if. What if Jesus followed me around all day? Would my actions or comments be different? Would I turn off the music I normally listen to? Would what I watch on television or at the movies change? 

And then there’s language: would I still have the same conversations that I usually have if Jesus was listening intently over my shoulder? How would I speak to my spouse? My children? The slow cashier in the checkout line at the supermarket?

 But wait. Jesus DOES follow you and me around every day! The Holy Spirit lives in us and is with us day in and day out. And He hears what we say and He sees what we do. Some One is watching. May He be pleased by the example of our lives to others.

 

Father, forgive me for only trying to be like you when someone is watching me. Guide me as I choose to reflect your character every single day. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

 

Reflect

• Have you ever acted differently because someone was watching what you said and did?

• If so, why do you think you did that?

 

Apply

• Every morning for one week, ask the Lord to speak to your heart every time you say or do something completely opposite of Titus 2:7.

 

• Throughout the day, place His presence beside you no matter where you are or what you are doing. Confess anything that is not an example of Jesus.

 

Power

• Titus 2:7 (NIV) “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

 

• John 13:15 (NIV) “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

 

• Philippians 4:9 (NIV) “Whatever you have learned or received or heart from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

 

 

Word for Word

 “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.”

Matthew 12:36 (NIV)

 

It’s amazing to me how changing just a letter or two in a word can give it a completely new meaning. For example, a student came to my school nurse’s office and wanted to go home. I saw her on a daily basis and questioned whether she was truly sick.

 

 “What exactly is wrong with you,” I asked her.   I could tell by her face that she was searching for a terrible ailment that would allow her to leave when she suddenly grabbed her tummy and said “I am having pains in my stomach and have to go to the bathroom a lot.  I have loose vowels.” Forgive me but there was a part of me that wanted to ask “A, E, I, O or U?”

 

I also remember a former student who was helping me load my car with some heavy purchases. “Did you know, Nurse Nancy, that I have secret powers?” he asked. I responded “Oh, really, David? I never knew that about you.” He slammed my car truck and gave me a knowing look. “I can predict the future. I . . . am . . . psychotic.” Lord have mercy.

 

Both of those comments were just an innocent mistake, and no one was hurt. Both people simply used the wrong word. Matthew 12:36, however, talks about something totally different. Now, before you say “Well, yes, I know that I shouldn’t gossip or tell a lie,” Let me share what I believe “careless word” also means.

 

We can hurt people by comments that we make when we are trying to pass judgment on them. I’m sure that we probably don’t see it that way. Maybe we just think that we are giving an opinion. But careless comments truly can damage a heart and chip away at God’s promise that we are priceless to Him. Here are just a few that come to mind:

 

“He will never be the athlete his brother was.”

“Everybody else seems to have learned the math concepts but you.”

“Dating only 2 months after his wife passed away. Isn’t that interesting.”

“Yes, I know she was baptized this week. We’ll see how long that lasts.”

“Are you really going to wear that dress?”

 

Let me ask you: are you guilty? In all honesty, I am ashamed to admit I have been guilty of making careless comments without thinking about the impact they could have on that person. And I am so thankful for the forgiveness that Jesus offers each of us when we sin (Romans 4:7-8).

 

But I must also keep in mind that the words from my mouth were first formed in my heart. We must ask the Lord to examine our intentions and to show us where we fall short so we can ask for forgiveness. That will encourage us to want more than anything to replace the careless with the caring . . . word for word.

 

Father, forgive me for those words that I have spoken that were hurtful and did not glorify you in any way. Help me to control my tongue. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

 

Reflect

• Have you ever made a questionable comment and then realized that the person was within hearing distance?

 

• How did that make you feel? How do you think it made him/her feel?

 

Apply

• When you are in conversations with people and are about to comment, picture the person who is being talked about standing next to you.

 

• Now decide if what you are about to say would hurt or help them and respond accordingly.

 

Power

• Matthew 12:36 (NIV) “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.”

 

• Psalm 39:1 (NIV) “I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth, as long as the wicked are in my presence.”

 

• Proverbs 10:19 (NIV) “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.”

 

The Missing Puzzle Piece

“. . . He has also set eternity in the hearts of men . . .”

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)

 

 “What’s da matter with dis ting?” I heard the frustrated little voice ask. I turned around to see what “dis ting” was and bent down, face to face, with one of the 4-year-old boys in my Joyful Noise Sunday school class.

 

He could not get a piece of his puzzle to fit where he thought it should go. He had repeatedly twisted the puzzle piece at every angle but while it was similar in shape, it was not the right one. He finally took his fist and began pounding on the puzzle piece, as if he could somehow beat it into the hole. And yet, it still did not match up.

 

I knelt down beside him and quietly shared “The reason that puzzle piece won’t fit in that space is because it isn’t the same shape. We need to look around and find one that is the very same and see if it will fit.” But he shook his head. “Nope. I think I just need to keep hittin’ it with my fist ‘til it goes in,” he responded.

 

I looked through the remaining pieces on the table and found the correct one. “Only one puzzle piece is exactly like that space. Why don’t we try this one and see if it will work?” I asked him. Grudgingly he took it from me but instantly smiled as it fit perfectly in the puzzle. “Thanks,” he told me, “but that other one would have fitted if I hit it a few more times with my fist.”

 

Sound familiar? That’s exactly us when it comes to life. We all have a void inside and nothing will fill it except Jesus. Oh, we can try to fill it with other things – and we do. We try money or a career or relationships. We may even try to put family in that spot and push and shove to make it fit.

 

That might result in the appearance of “fitting” and temporary happiness, but it will never be the exact fit that will bring us joy and peace for all eternity. Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes 3:11, understood. He wrote that God “has also set eternity in the hearts of men.”

 

Solomon had it all: wisdom beyond compare, wealth with no equal, every pleasure that money could buy. And yet he knew that his heart was not complete – that the pieces of his life did not fit together – without God.

 

God has placed an empty spot for a puzzle piece in our hearts. What puzzle piece will you choose to fit in that space? I choose Jesus.

 

Father, thank you for giving me your son to fill the longing in my heart for a place in eternity with you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

 

Reflect

• Have you ever felt a longing in your heart for more than just what the world offers?

 

• What worldly solutions have you tried to satisfy that longing? Did anything work?

 

 

Apply

• Journal those things in your life that are puzzle pieces you have used to try to fill the void in your heart.

 

• Read Ecclesiastes 3:11 aloud, replacing the word “eternity.” with each of those things. Compare them with the gift of eternal life with Jesus.

 

Power

• Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV) “. . . He has also set eternity in the hearts of men . . .”

 

·  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 42:1 (NIV) “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” 

 

Written Just for Us

  

“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. The 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 through your Word.  In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

 

Reflect

• Have you ever felt like the Bible was written only for people who lived a long time ago?
• Why do you feel the Bible does not apply to your life today in whatever situation you may be facing?

 

Apply

• Read the Scriptures in Power 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?

 

Power

• 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 prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giving Your . . . Some . . . for the Team

  “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” 

Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

 

The town that I live in made some incredible football history a few years ago. The season ended with a win at the state championships - the first time our high school football team had ever gone all the way to the state level and won!  

This was not the result of half-hearted working out at weights early in the mornings or learning part of the plays at each practice nor was it because of luck. Rather, several young men heard the words of their coaches loud and clear: “We will lead you where you need to go but you have to give your ALL in everything you do off the field as well as on the field.”

And because they listened and obeyed, the young men gave everything they had to become the best football team that they could possibly be . . . they gave their all.

Have you ever noticed in God’s Word that He demands your all? In Jeremiah 29:13, He says “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with ALL your heart.” Proverbs 3:5 reads “Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart . . . ” (My emphasis on the ALL). Why is that? Simply put, He refuses to compete for your love. And He shouldn’t have to. His death on the cross for each of us proves that He should be first in our lives.

  But wait! What if His words to us were a little different? In Matthew 11:28 (NIV), Jesus says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” What if, instead, Jesus said “Come to me, a few of you who are weary.”  What if Jesus really didn’t mean it in Mark 10:27 when He spoke these words: “all things are possible with God.” but really meant to say “SOME things are possible with God.”

But He didn’t. He spoke Truth in all He said. If you are going to follow Him and allow Him to direct your life, you have to empty your heart of anything that does not glorify Him or focus on His love for you.

What is in your heart that is crowding God out? Let’s see: a career, hours searching on the internet, exercising, a hobby. Or what about fear, anger, worry, or pride?  Let’s be clear: ANYTHING that pushes God to the back of your heart will prevent you from finding Him at the front of your life. Ask Jesus to show you what is keeping you from seeking Him with ALL your heart and throw it out. You will meet Him face to face when you give your all. 

 

Lord, please search my heart today and show me what you find there that does not honor you. Forgive me for giving you “some” of my life. I give my all to you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

  R.A.P. it up . . . 

Reflect

• Do you ever feel like you have to “make room” for the Lord in your schedule because you have so much going on?

• What do you give your 100% all to in your life as your main priority?

 Apply

• During your prayer time, ask the Lord to clearly show you what you are storing in your heart that is crowding out His voice.

• Make a list of everything that comes to mind and, one by one, hold each thing up to Him and allow Him to remove anything pushing Him off the throne of your heart.

 Power 

• Proverbs 3:5 (NIV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

•  Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV) “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

• Psalm 51:10 (NIV) “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

 

Who Is Really on the Throne?

 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NIV)

         When my daughter began teaching school, she wanted more than anything for each of her students to know how precious they were to her so she had her dad build a throne to place in her classroom – and not just any throne. This one was huge, with a high ornate back, padded arms, and a soft maroon pillow to sit on. When one of her first-grade students did something especially kind or funny or read more books than assigned or simply was polite, that student was selected to sit on the throne.

Since all her students were extraordinary to her, she said it was easy to find something special about each one so that they all got a turn sitting on the “Throne of the Room” at least once during the school year. I can only imagine the delight of each first-grade student at being selected to sit on the throne because of something that he or she did.

  As much as I love my daughter’s way of honoring her students, I cannot help thinking about another throne: the throne of my heart. And, honestly, I don’t believe that anyone has to select me to sit there – because I do that all by myself. I sit on the throne of my heart when I am selfish, prideful, or more concerned with me and mine than with you and yours.

  I plant my will right on that maroon pillow when I get my ugly on and do not care how you are feeling or whether or not my words and actions will hurt you. I call myself king when I feel the need to always be in control and have the last word instead of allowing Jesus to have it all.

  Jesus should be the only King on my heart’s throne. Period. I need to step down with my wants and desires – in other words, my SELF – and invite Jesus to sit there instead. There is room for only one. One King. One will. One focus. And it should not be me.

  One died for me. Only one. One came out of the grave three days later. Only one. One today sits on the throne in heaven. Only one. And that One, that King, should be the only one to sit on the throne of my heart. Only Jesus.

  Where are you sitting today, my friends? Have you settled in on the throne of your heart and refused to allow Jesus in? Please take a moment to examine who is in charge of your life and if it is not Jesus, decide today to make a big change on the “Throne of the Room” in your heart.

 

Father, for the times that I try to put myself on the throne instead of Jesus, forgive me. Help me to clean out my heart to make room for you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

R.A.P. it up . . .

 

Reflect

• Do you ever feel that things in your life push in and crowd out Jesus from your heart?

• Why do you think you have allowed some of those replacements for Jesus on the throne of your heart?

Apply

• Journal a list of all the things in your life that battle to take control of your heart’s throne as king.

• Beside each one write a Scripture that encourages you to give Jesus the only throne seat of your life.

 Power

• Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NIV) “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”

• Matthew 6:24 (NIV) “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

• Psalm 84:1-2 (NIV) “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul years, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”

 

I Really Want to Know

 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

  I learned a great lesson from a foreign exchange student at our high school several years ago. Franco was staying with my son’s best friend and family so my son got to know him, too. The three boys were in my office after school one day and I couldn’t help but listen to the conversation.

 “You Americans,” Franco said, shaking his head and smiling. “I don’t get you. I see you in the hall and I ask how you are and you say “fine” to me. You always say “fine” even when you are not “fine” at all.” The boys shrugged: “That’s just the way everybody is here,” they replied.

But Franco continued “In Italy when someone asks how you are, you tell them the truth. But not here. When you ask me how I am, I want to tell you the truth. But you only want me to say that I am fine.” Then he asked a pointed question: “So why do you ask how I am doing if you really don’t want to know?”

What a great question, not only for them but for us as well. Why are we content with a simple one-word generic answer to such an important question? There are probably several reasons. First, I think we are a society of people who are always in a hurry. Hurry to the store. Hurry to shop. Hurry home. Always on the run with a list of twenty things to do . . . in a hurry. A quick, noncommittal answer like “fine” suits us just (forgive me) fine.

But I also think there is a deeper, more concerning answer. If I ask you how you are doing and you honestly share with me, you are forcing me out of my comfort zone and face to face with your heartache or health issues, or tough situations. And that in turn begs for a response from me. So I long for that one-word short answer to my question: fine. I have acknowledged you. I have been friendly. I can move on and not focus on the tough issues. And everything is (sigh) fine once again.

In Galatians 6:2, Paul explains exactly why it is important to truly listen to each other.  When we ask how someone is and take the time to look them in the eye and listen, we are showing them that not only are THEY important but what they are facing is important to us as Christians and to Jesus.

And – hold on – but that in turn places us in the position of helping them. Maybe we can offer to mow a lawn or babysit. Maybe their need is deeper than that. Perhaps they are battling spiritually and need someone to agree to pray over them. Maybe a temptation is so strong that an accountability partner is desperately needed. That is how we carry each other’s burdens as sisters in Christ. That is how we fulfill the law of Christ to love one another.

I would like to say that I always stop and take the time to find out how people are doing rather than have an “I’m fine, you’re fine” kind of conversation and hurry on my way. I still fail miserably from time to time. But that is when Franco’s question “Why do you ask how I am doing if you really don’t want to know?” is repeated in my heart and I just have to ask “How are you doing? I really want to know.”

Father, help me to never be content with a “fine” answer when I see someone hurting and in need of your love. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 R.A.P. it up . . . 

Reflect

• Have you ever asked someone how they were doing and were relieved when they simply answered “fine” and went on their way?

• If so, why did you not want to take the time to see how they were really doing?

 Apply

• The next time you are shopping, mentally keep track of the number of times you either asked or answered “fine” when speaking to other people.

• Ask the Lord to speak to your heart if any of those people need to have someone help carry their burden by stopping to listen. Then obey.

Power 

• Galatians 6:2 (NIV) “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

• Matthew 18:33 (NIV) “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?”

• Proverbs 14:13 (NIV) “Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.”