Compassion

Matthew 14: 13-14 “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

Jesus just heard how His cousin was beheaded. What terrible news. I can’t image the horrible feeling of losing someone you love in this way. Jesus wanting to be alone, understandably, but He can’t even do that. The crowds follow Him. Can I be honest? I would have told the people to leave. I would have probably been angry that they had no consideration for what I was going through. Thank God I am not Jesus. Jesus does the unthinkable. He puts His feelings aside and takes care of their needs.

I am learning that I am self centered. Yup, I said it. Sure I love people and I do many different things. But genuine love for others comes when you are in great need and give anyways. Jesus compassion was not based on convenience. It was based on the great need of the people.

I have been truly blessed and I’m not talking about finances. I have a wonderful family, the best children, and an incredible husband. I have a great God who loves me. Today, I am so thankful that Jesus cares about me and that I can learn to love others the way He did.

Lord, You blow me away with Your huge love and thoughtfulness of others. Teach me how to be more like You. Amen

Savory

Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”

We have all heard people say,” I don’t go to church because they are all hypocrites.” It is hard to hear and not completely true. However, there are enough people who claim to be follows of Christ but their actions prove otherwise. Jesus was the real deal and yet we find that Christians have a difficult time doing what is right. We are not perfect, the bad thing is when we try to act like we are and fail. I will be honest; there is not a week that goes by that I do not question my example. I’m not swearing or doing some horrible sin, but I want my actions to glorify God in all things.

Have you ever eaten anything with no flavor? It’s edible, but not good. What about something too salty? When it’s too salty you can’t even eat it. Neither of these is a good. See either people can’t stand you because you are throwing scripture at them and the next minute blowing it. Or you are so neutral that they have no reason to desire Jesus.

Today, I am taking a good look at myself. It my life savory to sinners? Do I cause them to want what I have? What about you?

Lord, I see areas that need more salt in my life. Help me to not be a hearer of the word only but a doer in all things. Amen.

Thank You pt.2

I have being going through 25 days of thankfulness with Isaiah. Today, I asked him to name five people he is thankful for and why.

This was his list.

You Mom: your nice to me
Dad: he is fun
Leia: she is funny
Tino: cuz
Julian: because he's good

This morning I am thankful for Julian Contreras. Julian is twice Isaiah's age but has never devalued him. When Isaiah was four years old, I had to change jobs and Isaiah spent two days a week with the Contreras family. Julian was and continues to be a wonderful example, teacher, and friend. Thank you Julian, you are an awesome young man.

Thank You

2 Corinthians 8:13-15 “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."

We received a magazine from World Vision the other day and Isaiah was reading it. He showed me a page that said that $25 could buy chickens for a family in Africa. As he read through the book he became more excited tell me more things that could be bought and there price. He finally looked up and said I have $25, what should we get them?

If there is anyone who should be concerned about the poor it is the people of God. In a time when there is little, God desires that we are all equal. No one should have too little and no one should have too much. I am blessed that I can give of what I have.

I have a responsibility to care not only for my families’ needs but when possible the needs of those around me. Thanksgiving and Christmas should not be the only times when others are important. It needs to be all year round. Getting gifts can be fun, but the joy of helping someone else in true need….priceless.

This year Isaiah will be helping feed people in need on Thanksgiving and blessing a family in Africa. I am thankful for the blessings of God and even more thankful to teach it to my children.
Lord, You are awesome and I thank you for your blessings. I pray that I would be an example of gratefulness and generosity, in Jesus name. Amen

Who Knows Better?

Job 38: 19-21 "What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside? Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings? Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!

God’s conversation with Job is crazy. It’s like a parent talking to a child. I begin to shake as I read the words. God does not defend Himself in any way as He has no need to but instead questions Job authority to question God. It makes me realize how very small I am.

What causes me to think that I have any authority to question the Almighty?

“Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!”

Ouch! These words cut deep into me. What is 33 years compared to eternal? I have created nothing of myself, how could I think that I know better than the Creator of the Universe.
The fact that He even thinks of me is beyond belief. God understands our questioning. He created us with wonder. However, faith is not rational. But faith in an all knowing God is completely rational. Children are trusting, understanding that an adult knows more than them. Sin has caused distrust in our lives. I have no reason not to trust God. He is the only one who has always had the right answers for my life.

Lord, forgive me for trying to do thing my way and questioning when I do not see the results I want. I know You know everything and I trust Your lead. Amen

God's Permission

Galatians 1: 15-16 “But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man,”

Paul always knew he was created for something special and when he received Jesus Christ as Savior he became a Jesus freak. Let me explain. He went out with a passion and deep conviction to tell everyone. Not from emotion, but with fact and personal experience.

I remember my “first love” with God. I was willing to do radical things for Christ. See I was a shy girl with extremely low self esteem, but God changed all that. When it came to Christ I didn’t care about what other people thought about me. I only cared about what God thought. Paul didn’t wait for anyone to tell him it was ok to preach the good news of Jesus salvation. Neither should we.
I’m going to be very transparent. Lately, I have had this longing to go up to people with visible disabilities and pray for healing. It’s not a crazy thing and I know God can heal them. However, I realize that I have become more comfortable doing this in a church setting than on the street. It actually causes sorrow in my soul to even write this. With tears, I confess that I have withheld someone healing for fear of mans response.

God did not call us to church, but to Himself. Healing belongs on the street not hidden within a building and the only permission needed is Gods.

Lord, forgive me for holding back victory from people. Let me be passionately crazy for you once again. Let me care only about what you thing and no one else. Amen