Remember Us~

TGFGF-Thank God For Good Friday~

Today we will look at one final example about coming alongside someone, and Jesus once again is the Hero of the story.

Luke 23 contains the details of Jesus' crucifixion. We learn in verse 32 that two other men who were criminals were also going to be crucified. Verse 39 says one of the criminals "hurled insults at Jesus." But verses 40-42 paint a different picture of the other criminal.

“Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

These two men represent the world today. There are two categories of people--those who want nothing to do with Christ, and those who realize their great need for Him. Has anyone ever told you you had something in common with a criminal? Well, I just did:)

But what I really really love about this passage is what Jesus answers him in verse 43: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”

So simple, really. No harsh words about a crime-filled life. No judgment, no condemnation, no criticism. The criminal genuinely wanted to be forgiven, and Jesus gave it. No questions asked.

Let's not gloss over this. Jesus was Himself in agony having just been nailed to that cross--depths of pain we will never comprehend, and yet, even in the midst of His suffering He takes a moment to reassure one of the poor lost souls next to Him.

Would anyone have blamed Him if He would have said, "I've got my own problems; I am busy saving the world?"

No, I wouldn't have.

This is such an inspiring story because it shows that even when we're going through a personal crisis, we can still come alongside others and offer words of encouragement. 

And when we do, amazing things happen.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Today we unite our voice with that forgiven criminal and say, "Remember us!" We look forward to being with You in Paradise. In the meantime, thank You that You are with us each step of the way on planet earth. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Drop Your Stones~

"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God." Philippians 1:3

What a beautiful verse that perfectly describes how I feel:)

Yesterday we saw how our trailblazing Jesus offered a woman something she desperately needed: Forgiveness and eternal life. In today's Bible story we see what it like for a real Man to take a stand.

John 8 tells the story of a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. She was brought before all the religious leaders and they, being so knowledgeable about religion (good for them!) actually picked up a bunch of rocks and stones and prepared to throw them at this poor soul.

Talk about ganging up on someone. Talk about being holier than thou. Talk about thinking you're better than someone. And by the way, where was the man she had been with? The Bible says he was no where in sight. Maybe he was at the back of the crowd with a stone in his hand. GAG ME!

So tragic...until Jesus shows up.

And what did He do? Very calmly, in the middle of that bloodthirsty crowd, He said the most precious words that woman had ever heard, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

Excuse me while I do a happy dance:) I love that Jesus didn't flinch. And He wasn't afraid to do what was right even though He was outnumbered.

Imagine the sound of all those folks dropping those stones. There would be no killing today--not on Jesus' watch.

And look at what He says to her at the end of the passage, "I do not condemn you, now go and leave your life of sin."

This is yet another perfect example of how to treat others. Come alongside and offer encouragement and even protection if necessary. Show concern for someone's soul--not nosiness about their sins. Keep your judgments to yourself. Keep your criticism to yourself. Keep your gossip to yourself. Empty your pockets of stones. But by all means, share Jesus.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, Thank You that You show such tender love and concern for our souls. Jesus wanted that woman to leave her life of sin so she could be blessed. You want the same for us. Forgive us and open our eyes to our need for You that we might daily invite You to come alongside us. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Have a Little Drink~

Today let's look at a perfect example of what it means to come alongside someone, provided by the One and only JESUS! Whoop whoop!

John 4 tells the story of a Samaritan woman who came to draw water from the well. Jesus was there and He asked her for a drink. Sounds so simple except that (A) Jews back then did not associate with Samaritans, (B) Men did not speak to women & (C) In asking her to get him a drink of water, it would have made Him unclean to drink from a woman's cup.

But that's not the kicker! The real story lies in the fact that this woman had been married five times and was currently living with another married man. Not good not good not good! She was a social outcast. Honestly, how many friends do you think a woman would have if her reputation were that of a prolific adulteress? And yet...Jesus did not scream, yell, or condemn her to hell. He invited her to drink water from a Well that never goes dry and quenches our deepest needs for forgiveness and peace.

Verses 13&14
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

What do you think happened after that? Was the woman depressed? Upset? NO!!!! That life-giving water welled up inside of her, and empowered by her new-found forgiveness she went straight to the town and shared with all the people how her life had just changed. Skip down to verse 39 and it says that, "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony."

How does this story apply in 2013? It teaches us that we should cross cultural divides, be willing to speak to anyone and everyone, share with them without thinking we're better than they are because we aren't, and offer them our support and encouragement so they too are drawn to the Well. What can we expect as a result? Many will believe in Him because of the testimony of even one person who was treated with love and respect. As a footnote, let me just point out that Jesus was all about treating women with equal dignity and respect way before anyone else ever did. We serve a trailblazing Jesus! AMEN~

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, Fill us today with that life-giving water. Thank You that we do not have to thirst for or long for joy, peace, and hope. It's ours already. We receive the "gushing fountains of endless life," that You offer us today. Help us bring those we love in closer for a little drink. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Come Alongside~

I have a message for you directly from Jesus: "Peace be with you." Luke 24:36

No matter where you are, right this very second, say, "I RECEIVE IT!" I can't hear you!!!

"I...RECEIVE...IT!!!!!!"

That's better~

Over the past several days I have noticed a trend among my buddies, and it's an excellent and beautiful one.

One of you lovely beings was talking with a buddy about some issues, and rather than criticize or give your high and mighty opinion, you talked it out and over and then you sent her some encouraging words that made a difference.

Another of you magnificent creatures has done about all you could possibly do to embrace and love and accept the young person dating one of your children--even nursing them back to health when they came down with an ear and throat infection--because this poor child can not depend on the biological parents.

And perhaps you knew this or maybe you didn't, but you are living out the life-affirming, life-giving gospel of our precious Lord and Savior.

This coming weekend we will all celebrate Easter. And way back when He died and rose again and prepared to ascend into Heaven, Christ told the disciples, "And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever."

That Comforter, Who is also known as a Helper, Friend, Advocate, Counselor, and Redeemer, is the Holy Spirit. If we break it down, abide with you literally means Someone Who comes alongside and comforts, helps, advocates, counsels, and redeems.

This is really powerful stuff because what we have in a nutshell is how to live our lives. We are to come alongside those we love. We are not told to come at, attack, scream at, preach at, belittle, condemn, criticize, or accuse. We are encouraged to come alongside and help them work it out, just like the Holy Spirit does with us.

Those of you who have kids know that yelling doesn't work. Losing your temper doesn't work. Pointing a finger doesn't work. Sitting down next to them and taking their naughty little hand in yours and reaffirming your love for them as you escort them to time out does. Driving your teenager around for three weeks until they felt confident to get behind the wheel after a car accident does. Helping them type an assignment even though they waited until the last minute to do it does.

Think about a time when you came alongside someone you loved and helped them work through something as opposed to freaking out and making it worse.

Allow me to confess that I have not always done that myself. When I should have hugged someone and forgiven them, I yelled. When I should have done something for someone who was wearier than I, I retreated. Many many times I overreacted. But then, praise the Lord, there have also been many many times when I got it right.

One day when Rayray was five years old, she decided that the only solution to her problem was to run away. In her kindergarten mind, leaving her family was a more appealing option than staying and facing the consequences of a certain misbehavior. I went with her to her room and helped get her tiny pink Sesame Street suitcase down from the closet. And as we filled it with all the stuff she thought she would need, I knew she was waiting for me to beg her to stay. I did not. Instead, as she stood by the front door, I grabbed my suitcase and asked her where we were going to go. She was kind of shocked as she did not expect mommy to run away too. But God knows I would have if that's what would have been necessary.

To this day whenever I tell that story I get all choked up. It's not a picture of a mom coming alongside her baby that gets me. It's the fact that no matter what we do, Christ is alongside us--always.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, Help us to live this out. We want always to come alongside those You put in our lives. Not browbeat them. We will need Your patience and goodness to flow through us as this is sometimes a very difficult thing to do. Thank You that You have enough strength for us all. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Nip it in the Bud~

When Hormone was eight years old, I became friends with another mom whose son played baseball with him. At first, everything was fine. She and I got along really well and enjoyed each other's company. The problem was that her little boy had a severe behavior issue. My kids were far from perfect, but honestly, they never once stared me right in the face and told me to "Shut up!" in public like my friend's son did to her again and again. The first time this happened I was too stunned to speak. But it was a regular pattern with this child, and one day he turned to my husband and told him to shut up in front of Hormone. That's about as close as Jorge ever got to slapping the chiggers out of another person's child. And I found myself in a dilemma: Do I end the friendship? Or do I stick around and try to help?

I ended the friendship. Shame on me:( But back then as a younger mom I was a little overwhelmed by it all and did not know what else to do. It hurt her tremendously. But if I could get a do-over I would have told her that in God's kindness, He let these things surface early so that we might have an opportunity to address them BEFORE things get out of hand. Plus, He would give her the best plan of action. Yet her life was defined by wasted opportunities. Not once did she correct her boy, and she was always making excuses for him. Things did not work out well for her family.

On the other hand, when Rayray was in kindergarten she quickly discovered that if she told the teacher she had a tummy ache, the teacher would call me and I would come running. At first I thought poor Rayray was destined to have a life of intestinal ailments. It truly wasn't until about the fifth time that it dawned on me that Rayray wasn't aching at all; she just wanted to go home. I did not know what to do to her, or say to her. I certainly did not want her to think that I thought she was straight out playing me. "Jesus," I whispered, "How can I get the point across that lying is dangerous?"

I did not want to ignore the matter, hope it would go away on its own, or overreact and alienate my baby. So God, Who promises in James 1:5 " But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous to everyone and will give it to you...," answered my plea for help. The next time I picked her up early I told her the story of Peter and The Wolf. My version was more graphic, and it provided a detailed description of the wolf ripping poor little Peter's limbs apart one by one. I made my point, and little Miss Rayray was content to stay in school until 2PM like the rest of the children from that point on.

Every day we have a fresh start to get it right. The Bible is our guide to living, and we know He is here to help. Let's not waste any opportunities of our own to nip stuff in the bud. Let's ask God for the courage and wisdom to face things as soon as they arise.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, Let's face it: We all need wisdom to handle our lives. Thank You that are generous in giving it, and we receive it right now in order to know what to say and what to do. Your wisdom is the best approach any of us could ever apply; we are grateful that You generously pour it out when we ask for it. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Jesus is the Way...~

"Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you." Luke 1:28 (The Message)

What a lovely greeting straight out of God's Word!

Today I will share with you the truth that settled me down in the middle of one of the greatest struggles I faced as a mom. As you recall I was ranting and raving and walking around all herky jerky when suddenly our precious Lord whispered to my heart this verse.

John 14:16

"I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Ask Rayray and she will tell you that I transformed instantly. Suddenly it became very very clear to me that if Jesus is the Way, He can show anyone in our lives the way they should go If He is the Truth, then He can show those we love the truth about their lives so they can make wise choices. And if He is the Life, then He can give life and show those we love how to live.

All responsibility to change the person who was causing me such grief immediately left. Because, DUH!, I neither had the power to change them nor the responsibility. What a huge and liberating relief!

I promise I promise I promise that praying this verse will dramatically change the life of the one whom you are praying it over.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, Your Word is so rich and powerful. I do my thing by praying and You do Yours by answering. I call upon Jesus now to show ________ the way. This person is headed in the wrong direction. Set them on course. Show _______ the whole truth so they make excellent and beautiful choices. And because You are Life, dear Lord, fill my life and the life of ______with yours so we can live in peace and blessings. In Jesus' name, AMEN~

Before You Know It~

Before you know it...


I love it when a Bible verse really soothes one of your souls, and yesterday's verses did that. Let's go back for second helpings.

Philippians 4:6-9
6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Do that, and God, Who makes everything work together, will work you into His most excellent harmonies.

When we follow those verses above the end result is that God will work us into His most excellent harmonies. God's harmonies is another way of saying that everything in our life will be in balance--even keeled. Nothing outta whack!

Do you know what it's like to be outta whack? Have you ever lived with someone who is outta whack? It's stressful and no fun. But if instead of fretting and worrying we transform our concerns into prayers, before you know it, God's wholeness will settle you down.

Have you ever needed to be settled down? Have you ever craved for Christ Himself to show up and take the place of your worry? Have you ever been desperate for everything just finally working out for good?

What is the precursor for all of the above to take place? I know you all know this because you are each beautiful, faithful, and faith-filled children of the most high God!

There have been so many times when I have gone to God, better said, I have gone RUNNING to God with a worry. And the one that immediately comes to mind must be kept private between Him and me out of respect for the other folks involved. Suffice to say that the first few prayers were sloppy, practically grammatically incoherent, and desperate. I was not even sure what to ask for.

Me, whose nickname my senior year in high school was "Mouth of the South," found that words failed me. And yet, slowly but surely, God settled me down. I found that as the days passed I became better--not perfect--at shaping my worries into prayers. And then one day I was in the middle of the outlet mall in Orlando with Rayray when an amazing truth from God's Word hit me between the eyes and Voila! God's wholeness came and rested on me.

Rayray remembers the moment well because in the moment leading up to that precious truth, I had been upset and angry and whispering frantic prayers to our Lord. And then I calmed down dramatically, and Rayray thought I was psycho.

I will share that truth tomorrow. In the meantime, think about all that has you worried; transform them today into prayer.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, We invite You to settle us down today because we are turning our worries over to You. Rather than worry about ________, I turn this concern into a prayer for ________. We desire to be whole, and we desire those we love to be whole as well. Thank You that we have the assurance that because we are praying this out that You are working us into Your most excellent harmonies--nothing missing and nothing out of balance. In Jesus name, AMEN~