Encouragement for Today

It is easy in our world to become discouraged in our work at home. There are so many things we are told we could or should be doing and yet we remain here, where God has called us to be, keeping our homes, loving our husbands and children, serving the Lord on the home front.

This problem seems to grow, especially this time of year, when housewives are prone to get "cabin fever". All you can think of are the days when you could walk out of your house without having to call some one to dig you out first. And you start to feel like the walls are closing in around you.

But I have a confession to make; I love the snow. And since this is the first year since I was 17 that I don't have to drive in the snow to get to work or school, it is even more beautiful to me. I love days where all you do is snuggle down with a cup of hot tea or chocolate, a blanket and a good book. Today in fact is one of those days.

And as I was snuggled in safe and sound, I started thinking about Psalm91:1-2. These verses say:

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:
my God; in him will I trust.

And as I was thinking about them, I realized that that is why I like snow so much. I feel like I'm in a "secret place...under the shadow of the Almighty." I am protected, loved, surrounded by the security and peace, knowing that God has me right next to Him and He is watching out for me.

So next time you are feeling overwhelmed by the walls closing in around you, whether they be made of snow or wood or anything else, think of God's love and how He will let nothing choke you or hurt you or come between Him and you. He is our security and He wants to protect those He loves. Rest in Him and He will give you peace and rest.

Politics

With all of the hype buzzing around us concerning the upcoming election, I found this blog a refreshing perspective on what is really important for us to remember. Not only now when there is a change coming in our nation's leadership, but always. I hope you are as encouraged by it as I was. And may God's will be done in our nation again.

Thoughts on Ephesians 5:15-16

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16

When I read these verses just the other day, I started wondering what some of these words really meant. So, I went to Blue Letter Bible and this is what I found.

To walk circumspectly means to walk “carefully” or “diligently” or “perfectly”. We need to watch our step at all times, making sure we are doing what God would have us to do.

Redeeming means “to buy up for oneself’” or “buying up the opportunity”; in other words, it means taking every chance you get to use your time for the Lord. “Time” here simply means “the opportune or seasonable time”. We are not to waste our lives, not just as a whole but in each and every part of it. Our pursuit should be to find every opportunity possible to use our time wisely and for the glory of our Lord.

This does not mean that you are wasting time unless you are at church or on the mission field every minute of every day. For some of us who work at home, taking time to teach our children the things of the Lord is one way to redeem our time. Or maybe we are making our homes a place of peace and rest for our husbands; that can be redeeming the time. But some of us may not have a husband or children of our own yet. Are we making the most of the times God gives us to minister, both in our homes and out; whether we live with family or roommates? At school, at church, at work, anywhere that God has you right now? God calls each of us to make the most of what time He has given us. He knows where He has placed you and why He has you there. As His servants, our job is to make sure we are fulfilling that purpose, remaining devoted to seizing every opportunity we can of doing good and pointing others to Jesus.

The word “evil” in this verse means “full of labours, annoyances, hardships”. Jesus told us in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” We know that our lives as Christians are going to have, not “might” or “maybe”, but will have hardships, troubles, annoyances, and labours. We can’t escape them. But we are told that we need to make the most of the time God gives each one of us here on this earth. Our responsibility is not to get out of trials or to make the easier, but to use the time as we are going through them, to benefit God’s Kingdom. We are here to bring Him glory, honor and praise, both in word and in deed.

So let us be encouraged to start now looking for ways to make the most of our time here. Our time is short and full of trouble; let’s start taking those opportunities to do the will of the Father. Let us watch our steps; each move we make, each word we speak, each thought we have with a focus on pleasing our Lord. What a blessing to our Saviour, if we are willing to do as He has asked us to!

The Essence of Servanthood

The story of the Lawrenson family has hit me hard today. (For more about them, see the post below, Faith in Action.) Being almost 34 weeks along our own little blessing, I can't imagine what it must be like to have to watch our baby, covered in plastic tubing and casings, and not even be able to touch him or her with my own hands.

So much of our lives we spend focused on things, even those who are not materialistic about their stuff. But think about how much of our time and effort we spend thinking about hanging out with our friends, going to school or work, cleaning our homes and apartments, busing our children from one activity to another, all those little chores that fill each day. And to a certain extent, we need to do those things. Maybe we do too many of them, or maybe we let them consume our thoughts but that doesn't mean that they don't need to get done. But do we take the same care in planning time for the other things the Lord would have us be about?

Now if you are a wife and a mother, for example, part of what God would have doing is caring for your family; making meals, cleaning, loving, disciplining, etc...But do you take the time to spend caring for the Lord? Do you reach out to those God places in your way? Do you, even in the middle of your busy life or in your hour of pain and need, take the time to minister to those who are also hurting around you? I know I have a hard time with that. When I am in pain or things are particularly rough, my first thought is taking my own needs to the Lord. And I should. But sometimes I forget that if I will focus on others, my pain will lessen and I will be better off for having helped someone else instead of wallowing in my despair.

That is the essence of servanthood, to which we are all called. A servant isn't asked if this is a convenient time to serve, he is given a job to do and told to complete it. By focusing on myself, I open wide the door to self pity and I become useless to the Lord. If I will stay focused on Jesus and the work He has for me to do each day, I will be joyful in the knowledge that I am a useful servant in the Hands of God.

Faith in Action

Too often we take a stand with our words but are unwilling or unable to continue once the pressure really starts. This family is an example of true faith; being willing to stake your all on Christ and what He demands of each of us as believers in a time of trial.

The first blog is written by a husband, whose wife and baby girl are fighting, even now, for life. The second is written by his father.

Nathan's Blog
Rick's Blog

Please remember this family in your prayers. And I pray that they will be a light and symbol of hope to the world and all of us who call ourselves Christians.