A COURAGEOUS PRAYER?

 

APRIL 5, 2022

John Calvin called the Psalms “an anatomy of all parts of the soul.” It’s an apt description. The Psalms contain the whole range of human emotion—from grief to joy, from hatred to compassion, from doubt to praise.

I have always found the Psalms to give me words that seem to address where I am in my faith journey, or unpack an attitiude or action that I have suppressed that I need to deal with, or, perhaps most importantly words to help me in my prayer life as I engage in communication with the Creator of all things. Psalm 139 is one of those Psalms, lets reflect on this one today.


Psalm 139

23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

David seems so courageous to me in this prayer above. He wanted to analyze his motives and behavior, asking God to guide him and help him see what thoughts or actions did not align fully with God’s thoughts and desires for him. He is so brave, don't you think? Why would David ask God to do this? Well, I believe it is that David understood the way that life and our response to life's experiences, our actions, attitudes and decisions can result in a separation from God. I believe that was the last thing David wanted.

I call David courageous and brave, because at many times in my life, see if this true for you, I fear what God might point to in my life, to ask God to search me (US) can be an uncomfortable prayer. You see, what I note in David's prayer and what challenges me, is that he seems to know that he has nothing to fear in allowing God to search his heart. That isn't because he thinks he has things spiritually together, and that he felt there was nothing offensive in him, but he can pray these words and open himself up to God's searching because of his knowledge and experience of God as a loving, merciful, and gracious creator.

I wonder if the "faith lesson" from these verses in Psalm 139 are to remind us to not be afraid to invite God to explore our heart, mind, and spirit. God loves Us, and longs for a more intimate and close relationship with all of us. 

TAKE AWAY

Ask God to search you. Then, sit and wait long enough for God to point out what you need to see and work on. God will lovingly help you transform and will lead you along the right pathway, bringing hope and joy to your journey through life.


LET'S PRAY

Lord, you know me better than I know myself. Search the deepest parts of my heart for anything that is hindering who you created me to be. Examine my attitudes and actions. Show me what needs to be transformed and help me to change it so that I will not only be closer to you, but will also be able to go where you lead me and do what you are calling me to do. Amen.

 

 ACT 24: GENEROUS: Final Thoughts

APRIL 4, 2022

We have spent the last several weeks on the theme of GENEROSITY. We have looked at 40 different "Acts" that we deemed as Generous Acts we could put into play in our lives. From a simple smile to organized collections to meet needs around us. 

Today I would like to share a Video with you that offers a excellent Biblical overview of some of the things we have been discussing here about being generous. This is a way to wrap up our series of reflections. May you be encouraged by the message in the Video below.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

APRIL 1, 2022

I was reading an article the other day about the spaghetti harvest in Europe, and I was amazed at the careful and diligent care these trees are given so that they produce. Apparently, this year is going to be one of the best crops in years. “This is the product of many years of patient endeavor by growers who succeed in producing the perfect spaghetti,” the article said.

Believe it? APRIL FOOLS!!

Today is April Fool’s Day. We do not really know where it came from. One theory is that it came into being when the Julian calendar, which placed the new year around the March equinox, was replaced with the Gregorian calendar, which placed the new year January 1. People who did not know about the change or refused to accept it and continued to celebrate the new year in the spring were called April fools. Most of us have played April Fool’s jokes on others, or have had these jokes played on us.

I love to laugh. Maybe you know that about me. I love a good joke, ask my kids I have a repertoire of Dad jokes, you know the good ones, that make my wife roll her eyes each time. I love a funny story from real life experience, and to be honest since I was a child, I have enjoyed April Fool’s Day. A good ole harmless joke or yarn, that people for a moment believe to be true. 

Laughter is good for us. A hearty chuckle releases endorphins, those feel-good neurotransmitters in our brains, that have an effect like narcotics, and endorphins are part of the reason laughing is so contagious. Laughing also has many health benefits such as increasing blood flow and improving mental and physical resilience. In fact, some researchers suggest that it’s not unlike the benefits of a vigorous workout session. Now thats the kind of workout I could get into ..... a good laugh!!

Laughter is important in the scriptures too.

Job 8:21

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.

Psalm 126:2

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

Ecclesiastes 3:4

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

Luke 6:21

“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

Genesis 21:6

And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.”

Psalm 37:13

But the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.

I really believe that God loves a good laugh; 

humor comes from God. 

It’s God who says to us, “a joyful heart is good medicine” Proverbs 17:22. We would all be healthier and happier and, very likely, holier if we had more good laughs. For laughter is more characteristic of God than weeping.

One of my favorite Old prayers begins like this:

Thou art the blessed God,

Happy in thyself,

Source of happiness in thy creatures.

God is not the sad God, but the blessed (happy) God! And God’s happiness is eternal and rooted in his unchangeable, unshakable, glorious nature. That means our source of lively happiness is never-ending! Sometimes I think that in the age to come we are going to be surprised at how much and how hard God makes us laugh!

Listen to these words “One of the great tragedies of the fall is that we lost so much of our capacity to laugh with God. This sin-sick, evil-infected world became a place of serious sorrow, and our sin-diseased fallen natures became seriously distorted and unreasonably prideful.”

The Gospel’s tell us that Jesus came to change all that. The cheerful God became the “man of sorrows” (Isaiah 53:3) for us. But this was only for a short time. And like him, our sad tears are only for a short time — a short lifespan. We may weep for the brief night, but Joy is coming in the eternal morning (Psalm 30:5).

And the “man of sorrows” himself said, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh” Luke 6:21. Hear that: You shall laugh! That is a promise of a happy God 1 Timothy 1:11. Crying is going to go the way of death and someday will be no more Revelation 21:4. But joy full to overflowing and pleasure pure and rich will never end Psalm 16:11.

April Fools’ Day is not about celebrating what the Bible defines as a fool. Many writers think it is. Maybe I am missing something, but I feel April Fools Day is about good-natured, lighthearted, innocent “shenanigans” and some heart-healthy laughter. Enjoy it! Pull some pranks! God loves a good laugh. Could it be that we are like God when we laugh good and hard.

A time to weep and a time to laugh;

                         A time to mourn and a time to dance.

Ecclesiastes 3:4

 

ACT 23: AT YOUR TABLE

APRIL 1, 2022

Let's begin today with a song. Have a listen to the words, and the song's message and then read on into today's post.

Imagine a long, beautifully prepared table where everyone has a seat. You find your name card and sit between two people you’ve never met before. The cutlery glistens in the light of flickering candelabras, as the slowly building chatter of conversation begins. After introductions, bread is broken and passed around. Gradually, laughter and easy conversation flows.

As you eat, the woman beside you, a recent refugee, tells a story about her young daughter’s first day of school and how she cried while watching her enter the building.

Over dessert, the man on your other side talks about growing up in Ghana, West Africa. He says he remembers the smell of home—cocoa and bonfire smoke—and tells you how much he misses it.

You share your story, too, finding it easier than you anticipated to tell two strangers your thoughts and feelings, your hopes and dreams.

It’s an odd experience that even though you’ve just met them, they do not feel like strangers. 

This is the table. This is the kingdom of God at work.

The Bible describes such a table in it's beautiful invitation to all of humankind to come to His table. The message that confronts us over and over in scripture is that through Jesus, we have a seat at this table, but not because we’ve earned it. Rather, because it is the table of grace.

As Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (New Living Translation).

So it is the gift of God's generous grace that invites us to  "Pull up our chair"  and come to his table.

On Sunday, April 3, 2022 we will as a community of faith at Ambassador take our place at the table as we celebrate Communion together. The Lord's Supper is our frequent reminder of our communal life as Jesus' followers. 

The Apostle Paul wrote, "though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:17

Communion helps us recognize that we’re bonded together through Jesus, and He’s why we each have a place in the kingdom, a place at his table. 

When we participate in communion as a community, we’re able to reflect on all that God has brought us through while also pointing each other to the eternal freedom, hope and joy that Jesus’ life and sacrifice brings!

Yesterday, (Thursday) on social media, people around the world posted photos and tagged them #ThrowbackThursday (or #tbt!). Have you seen this? These might be photos from a person’s childhood or memories that were captured as recently as a few weeks ago. The point in posting something with
#ThrowbackThursday is to remember—to think about where we’ve been, and how we’ve grown and changed along the way.

It’s in our nature to want to share stories and memories with those around us. Doing this helps us see how far we’ve come. Communion is just as much a celebration as it is a solemn act of remembrance. When we take communion together, we have the opportunity to rejoice in the life we have through Jesus. That celebratory act connects us more deeply than anything else as a body of believers.

So lets prepare to come to the table of grace this Sunday, in person @ 11:00 am or by our online video. Let's have a #throwbackSUNDAY and together enjoy community with Jesus and one another.

See Ya Sunday!!

 ACT 22: POWER of STORY

March 31, 2022

Some of you reading this will remember years ago in Church life a regular event called Testimony Time in a worship service. They were moments during a service in which people would stand up and share their experience of God, and the signs of God at work in their lives, the overwhelming kindness and generosity of God’s miracles. I don’t know if this is still a practice in some churches or not, but I wonder if something has been lost to the community of faith by not hearing each other’s story.

Our testimonies (Stories) are often the best advertisements for Jesus. Here is the profound part of our stories, you don't have to have a perfect life. You don't have to have everything together. But being able to articulate how God changed your life is a generous act because it offers others hope. It says to them, “If he can do it for me, he'll do it for you too.”

Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. (Psalm 66:16 NLT)

You have a story to tell. 

You might not think so, but you do.

Maybe it’s an adventure story, packed with excitement and suspense. Or maybe it’s a drama. The lost phone. The relationship crisis. The car that wouldn’t start when you were already late. Maybe it’s a tragedy. The dreams you lost – or never had. The addictions. The betrayals. The grief. Or maybe it’s a love story. The parents who believed in you when no one else did. The friends who stuck with you, through thick and thin. The one that got away. The one who stayed.

Probably, your story is a mixture of all of these things. But whatever it is, it matters. As we speak of God’s work in our lives, we are reminded, "God is for me and he’s for you too. We’re all in this together."

You don’t need to be strong or brave to have a good story. God has used my weaknesses to speak to others and your words will do the same. I want you to know, please take this to heart. In God’s hands, your story can pierce darkness and rekindle hope. It’s a gift and he calls you to share it!

Sharing our story is not about shining a spotlight on ourselves, but rather it becomes a sign that points to God. You are never the hero of your story; Jesus is. This is the reason, we speak. We speak of the God who made us and faced ultimate suffering to bring us life. We speak of the arms that carry us, through the fiery furnace and through the sudden squalls and storms. We speak of beauty, and we speak of brokenness. We speak of his story, and we’re awed by the fact that it’s our story too.

THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS


Day by day, Jesus taught and enlightened,

Day by day, Jesus healed and enabled,

Day by day, Jesus asked and listened,

Day by day, Jesus mentored and discipled,

Day by day, Jesus forgave and Jesus freed.

Day by day, help us, Lord, like you to be ready to serve those who are in need.

On the cross, Jesus gave his life as an offering,

On the cross, Jesus offered forgiveness to all,

On the cross, Jesus bore all our suffering,

On the cross, Jesus paid the price of all our sin,

On the cross, Jesus overcame selfishness and greed.

Help us, Lord, to take up our cross, and by the power of your resurrection, to offer life to those who are in need.

 

ACT 21: DYNAMITE?

MARCH 30, 2022

Some of us are great at memorising Bible verses. Some of us get them mixed up with Disney and Shakespeare quotes or even hymn texts. All of us, though, can probably remember a time when a Bible verse was a “light unto our path.” A moment when it seemed like God spoke directly into your life situation a word of hope or understanding.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11)

I love the Bible! Does that surprise you? It is the inspired word of God and to be honest I don’t know how I would get through the experiences of life without its teaching and truth. People have risked life and limb for this book. I can remember reading the words of Mahatma Gandhi, who said this: “You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilisation to pieces, turn the world upside down and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. But you treat it as though it is nothing more than a piece of literature.”

Perhaps Gandhi was right, if so, then we need to start treating the Bible like the dynamite it is, and recognize that it’s so much more than just a book, more than a piece of literature! IT IS THE LIVING WORD OF GOD!

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints, and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 DYNAMITE!

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16 DYNAMITE!

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24 DYNAMITE!

So is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 DYNAMITE!

Therefore, say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord.’ Ezekiel 12:28 DYNAMITE!



He sent out his word and healed them;
he rescued them from the grave. Psalm 107:20 DYNAMITE!!



What’s your favourite Bible verse? One of Mine, is the line from Romans 8:31: ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ (NIV). I’ve always found it to be a huge encouragement that brings perspective regardless of all that’s going on around me. What is yours?

Sharing a verse of scripture with others can encourage and help them too. Consider what verse you could share, who you could share it with and the best way to share it today. Give that gift of light, life, freedom, and hope to someone today.

Share a favourite verse, tell the story of how it came to you, and how it changed your perspective. You never know who might be in a similar situation.

Go on. Share your verse today! Take out your phone and message, tweet, Instagram, or TikTok to the masses your verse. Send it to an individual. Generously, let us bless someone else today, right now with the comfort of God’s word.

ACT 20: LAST SMARTIE

MARCH 29, 2022

 

It's often said that the way to tell whether someone loves you is to see whether they'll give you their last Smartie. Whether it's our last Smartie (the red one) or our favourite something else (fill in the blank), sometimes we get a bit clingy about the possessions we have. When the stuff we own starts to own us, it's time to re-evaluate the situation.

Let us begin today with this. What are you holding onto too closely? Could it be your favourite articles of clothing, your second, third or fourth guitar, or a piece of jewellery, _______________? Or perhaps you have something smaller, a book(s), movie or music collection that has grown out of hand.

[Jesus] said to them, ‘… life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’ (Luke 12:15)

My Dad had a set of tires in our attic from an old vehicle, He kept the tires because they were still good, had some descent tread left, you know “Never know I might need them” kind of thing. One night at supper he talked about giving these tires to a United Church minister that he knew. I was, flabbergasted, astonished, amazed, even a bit angry that my dad just gave the tires away, did not ask for any money, did not trade the tires for anything. Just gave the Minister the tires. “Why, would you do that Dad?” My Dad’s response was I had the tires, and this man needed them. My Dad was teaching me what Jesus was teaching, that life is more about living with an “open hand” in generosity, than it is holding tightly to “an abundance of possessions.”

When Jesus encounters a man who loves his possessions (in Mark 10, The Rich Ruler), he tells him, ‘One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor…’ He doesn’t say this to everyone he meets, but he’s very clear about the prescription for this young man. My belief is that this was the specific remedy for the greediness that afflicted him. At times I have really struggled with letting go of some of my stuff in the same way. Can you relate?

I wish I could say that the lesson my dad taught me that day really stuck to me, that from that day forward I lived with an “open Hand”, I held all things loosely, but it was not the case. There will likely be a moment today when I will need to decide whether I will choose to live by the “open hand” or the closed gripping fist.

While I struggle with this kind of generous living, I can tell you that anything I have ever released to assist someone else, I have never needed or been without when I did need it. I don’t know if my father’s generosity is the reason but until his last day of life, he had good tires with descent tread on his vehicle.

Live today with an open hand. Live today with eyes and heart wide open to the opportunity that just may come your way, to give what you have as an act of generosity to assist someone’s life. I can promise you this, when you do, they won’t be the only ones that receive a blessing.

ACT 19: WAGE PEACE

MARCH 28, 2022

At the conclusion of 2021, there were 27 ongoing military conflicts in our world, the conflict in the Unkraine makes 28. Truth is, I was shocked to see that number, as we tend to only hear of a few of the conflicts in our daily news.

According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), (2021)
Violence against civilians resulted in over 5,000 deaths worldwide
Battle related deaths numbered over 18,000
Explosion/remote violence led to more than 4,000 deaths
Riots resulted in over 600 fatalities



Beyond the Ukraine, wars and conflicts exist in South Sudan, Yemen, Libya, Afghanistan, Syria, India and Pakistan, to name a few.

It goes without saying, I suppose, our world needs peace, "the peace of God that transcends our understanding."

For our Act of Generosity today lets reflect on the Bible's viewpoint toward peace, and then let us pray for peace. Let's "Wage PEACE".



Philippians 4:6-9

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

1 Timothy 2:1-6

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

James 3:13-18

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

A PRAYER FOR PEACE

‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’ says the Lord,

‘for they will be called children of God.’

In peace let us pray to the Lord.

We pray for the leaders of the nations,
that you will guide them in the ways of freedom, justice and truth.


We pray for those who bear arms on behalf of the nation,
that they may have discipline and discernment,
courage and compassion.


We pray for our enemies, and those who wish us harm,
that you will turn the hearts of all to kindness and friendship.


We pray for the wounded and the captive,
the grieving and the homeless,
that in all their trials they may know your love and support.


Most holy God and Father,
hear our prayers for all who strive for peace
and all who fight for justice.
Help us, who today remember the cost of war,
to work for a better tomorrow;
and, as we commend to you lives lost in terror and conflict,
bring us all, in the end, to the peace of your presence;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

ACT 18: DAILY GRIND

 

MARCH 25, 2022

Matthew 25:45

He will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

 

This verse in Matthew 25 has always hit me hard. I do not want to be on the receiving end of these words. I would rather have said to me, the verse from Matthew 25:40 that reads “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Whichever verse we use, the message is the same, that we encounter Jesus in the people that we meet everyday, and how we treat them matters. Jesus drives home the message doesn’t he in these words? Matthew 25:42-43 “For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’”

Let’s acknowledge the fact that our lives are often built around routines. People factor highly into those routines, but sometimes they become nameless and faceless as we concentrate on our own tasks and desires. It is so easy to be so entirely self focused that we can not see the needs around us. It is not that we are uncaring, because we are not, it is just as Jesus put it, the cares of life can choke us, and blind us. We miss the thirsty, hungry, lonely, the wounded, ill and the captives around us.

Today, this weekend, let’s take the time to get “off the hamster wheel”, as we say, and show some gratitude towards the ones we are most likely to overlook.

We might see a lot of people day in, day out. It can become easy to take them for granted, and forget to greet them with affection, or even just to say a simple thank you. Be mindful of how you treat your nearest and dearest; they deserve your courtesy and kindness just as much as anyone else.

There is TV series I came across with the title “DAD, DON’T EMBARRASS ME.” I have not watched it, so this is not an endorsement, however my DAD used to embarrass me at Restaurants. He would write a note on the bill before laying his cash down. A note that would read “thank you for your great service,” or if the server shared something of their story, he would put something like “I’ll be praying for you, and then he would put the servers name.” I really don’t know why these gestures embarrassed me, but they did. As I mature, I realize what he did was speak generosity and gratitude into that person’s life. Let’s give that a try, leave a note to explain that you're thankful for people around you. Maybe they fit the “least of these” that Jesus is talking about in Matthew 25.

ACT 17: WHEN YOU'RE SMILING

 

 MARCH 24, 2022

 

I don’t know how many of you are willing to date yourself to say you remember the TV show FANTASY ISLAND. If you do remember it, you likely remember that as they were getting ready to welcome new guests each week, Mr Rourke, would say to his staff, “Smiles, Everyone Smiles!” A smile is a great greeting isn’t it.

A Smile – it’s free, it's contagious, and it brings feelings of warmth and happiness. Share your smile with everyone you meet today. Even smiling on your own is known to release endorphins and bring a sense of joy, so “flash those gnashers and get your grin on.”

I read an article recently that talked about the personal benefits of a smile. Here are a few benefits it mentioned.

Relieves Stress - A simple smile will help keep you from looking drained, worn out, and overwhelmed.

Helps You Remain Positive - Smiling can impact your feelings of positivity, it sends a signal to your brain and, eventually, the rest of your body.

Elevates Mood - The actual demonstration of smiling activates pathways in your brain that affect your emotional state.

Reduces Pain - Several studies found that smiling discharges endorphins, serotonin, and other regular painkillers, these can cause you to feel better from head to toe.

May Reduce Blood Pressure - A smile can have a beneficial influence on your blood pressure. Studies have revealed that laughter appears to bring down blood pressure after causing an underlying expansion in pulse and breathing. While smiling has appeared to decrease your heart rate.

Boosts the Immune System - A simple smile can also improve your overall health by supporting your immune system to work more efficiently. It is believed that when you smile, immune capacity improves since your body is relaxed, releasing certain helpful neurotransmitters. 

Perhaps the #1 Benefit

Makes You Attractive - People usually are attracted to individuals who smile. Not only that, but smiling can also make you look younger. The muscles used to smile likewise lift the face, causing an individual to seem more youthful.


I have always believed that a smile has the power to improve the day of those around you. I have seen, and you have too I am sure, the power that a smile, a joke, or a compliment can bring to yourself and to others.


A smile is a gift you can give anyone, even a stranger. It costs you nothing. In fact it will probably cheer you up just doing it. But this cheapest of gifts can be priceless for the recipient as it lights up their day.

And you never know, they might smile back.

So it appears that maybe Mr. Rourke was on to something for the staff on FANTASY ISLAND to adorn their faces with smiles.

For our Act today 

lets just smile as much as we can.

Apostle Paul understood this I believe for he encorages us to 

Be full of joy always 

because you belong to the Lord.

Again I say, be full of joy! 

(Philippians 4:4 NLV)

 ACT 16: OFFERING

MARCH 23, 2022

Here is a prayer I have been using lately that I believe helps us offer ourselves to God and leads us to "Doing Lent Generously." 

Let me suggest you read the prayer slowly, and let the words sink in, and listen to what the Holy Spirit says to you. Perhaps, pray it a few times. 



PRAYER

Loving God, here are my hands.
What do you want me to create or build today?
Who do you want me to serve?
What activities should I keep my hands away from?
May these small hands help build your kingdom.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 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)


Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)


Loving God, here is my voice.
I commit to only speak words of life today. Words that build up and not tear down.
Always speaking the truth, and always speaking it in Love.
Please help me to be a voice for the voiceless today.
Please show me when to stay quiet.
O God, may my voice make this world more like You've made it to be.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 NIV)

Loving God, here is my heart.
You know the deepest longings of my heart. I humbly hold them out before You. Amen.

ACT 15: WILDERNESS BREAK

MARCH 22, 2022

So far, our Lent Devotions have offered, if my count is correct 28 Acts of Generosity. Here is what I want to suggest let’s take today and tomorrow and put one or two of those suggestions into play. That’s OUR challenge.

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Since the First Sunday in Lent, when we looked at Jesus in the wilderness being tempted, I have been doing a good deal of reflection on the “Wilderness” theme in the Bible. We generally view times in life of experiencing the wilderness or desert as negative, as a time of barrenness, difficulty and a lack of growth, but that’s only half the message in scripture.

In Hebrew, the word for wilderness is "midbar." It is interesting that the root of midbar has the meaning of “speak” or “word.” God speaks to us in the wilderness. We saw this in Jesus story in Matthew 4:1-10. My reflection has resulted in my thoughts wondering if the wilderness times in our life are not a discipline for sin, you know a kind of a being sent to your room for disobedience kind of thing, but more a place without the usual distractions, to help us hear God’s voice and guidance.


Let me cite a couple of examples, One of the Women in scripture whose story I am drawn to is Hagar. She runs from Sarah, remember where? The wilderness, a dry and barren place, and there we read she encountered in all of her fear and worry and disappointment, “the God who sees me.” What a discovery!!  

In Deuteronomy 32 there is a beautiful description of God’s relationship with his people:

“For the people of Israel belong to the Lord; Jacob is his special possession.

10 He found them in a desert land, in an empty, howling wasteland.
He surrounded them and watched over them; he guarded them as he would guard his own eyes.

11 Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young,
so he spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions.

12 The Lord alone guided them; they followed no foreign gods.

13 He let them ride over the highlands and feast on the crops of the fields.
He nourished them with honey from the rock and olive oil from the stony ground.
14 He fed them yogurt from the herd and milk from the flock, together with the fat of lambs.
He gave them choice rams from Bashan, and goats, together with the choicest wheat.
You drank the finest wine, made from the juice of grapes.

In the wilderness God speaks to his people. To you and me as his special possession too! There is some awesome news for us today.



Here is a Prayer for us today.


God’s Word in the wilderness

When our route is confused and we look for clarification

Your Word is a lamp to our feet

When our vision is impaired and we seek a way forward

Your Word is a light to our path

When we experience temptation and trust in the mirage

Your Word is a lamp to our feet

When we gaze into the darkness and wonder where to place the next step

Your Word is a light to our path

When we need to take our bearings and the compass is unsteady

Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path

 ACT 14: MORE

MARCH 21, 2022

I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfil His purpose – I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

(Philippians 4:12–13 Amplified Translation)

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It is easy to do the bare minimum, isn't it? Or even to simply “just” get the job done. I have worked with people that live their lives this way: Just doing the bare minimum. Even when doing a little extra would help a co-worker or family member. I have been that person too.

Our time is precious, after all, and our energy is limited. But there's a universal principle to delighting others: unexpected and generous undeserved abundance. Going above and beyond. Putting in 110%, as athletes always say. Walking the extra mile. Our reading today suggests that “Going the extra mile” is a lifestyle. Philippians 4:12–13, suggests to us that we can go above and beyond what we think we are capable of, because of the God that we serve. In this way, going the extra mile isn’t extraordinary; it becomes the norm of our lives. That is a great way to live don’t you think? Romans 15:2 says “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” Jesus said “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” “Going the extra mile” is the “Jesus Way.”

I suspect we have all been on the receiving end of the generosity that such a life style produces. So how does going the extra mile impact on our lives? I have found, as you have, that as we give to and invest in others generously, God has poured his abundant blessing into our lives, often in the most unexpected places, and from the most unexpected of sources!

So our reading today reminds us, that even though going the extra for someone feels to much to us, physically and emotionally, it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfil your purpose] for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13 AMP)


Find small ways to delight someone today. For example, if you are in a restaurant, leave an extra-generous tip or a glowing review online. Forget the cost and find your joy in the smile on someone else’s face. I recall that one day I was standing in the line at FreshCo, and with out much thought I just blurted out to the cashier, “How is my favorite Cashier today?” her face lit up, it changed my relationship with her, not only in the store, but when I saw here elsewhere, she always had a smile for me, a hi. I am sure I made her day by my words from the reaction, but she also made my day.

Think of the most outlandish, extravagant act of generosity you could feasibly do today wherever you are, and then go for it. Whatever you choose, do it cheerfully.