Those Who Help

1 Corinthians 12:28

"And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues."

Bobbi Rae Facebook Page

Helping. It's a big thing. It's one of the gifts God gives to His children. All His children should help when they can, but some of His children have been gifted specifically to help others. I'm sure a few names come to your mind of those who help.

In the days of the apostles, "the helpers may have been those who accompanied them, baptized those who were converted by them, and were sent by them to such places as they could not attend to, being otherwise employed." Studylight.org, Clarke's Commentary

 

Over the centuries Christians are encouraged to help those in need, and I've witnessed this during the crisis of snow and frigid temperatures we experienced last week and into this week. I've heard of a number of people who have been helped during this time of crisis. 

Hebrews 6:10

"God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to helop them."

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: "The works of love, done for the glory of Christ, or done to His saints for Christ's sake, from time to time, as God gives occasion, are evident marks of a man's salvation."

Godsbless.ing: This verse reminds us of the importance of our actions and how they are seen and remembered by God. When we serve others with love and compassion, we are not only making a difference in their lives but also leaving a lasting impact in the eyes of God. It's a powerful reminder that our deeds, no matter how small they may seem, are recognized and cherished by God."

Scripturesavvy.com: "Another valuable lesson is the call to serve others. We see that no role is insignificant; every contribution is vital to the overall purpose of the church. When we shift our focus from ourselves to the needs of others, we exemplify that love of Christ and fulfill our calling as His followers."

Helping others isn't always a physical thing. Sometimes people just need a listening ear or kind word or someone to sit with them for a few minutes. This kind of help restores connection with another person. If you are alone, this is a mighty big help.

"Help Somebody Today"

"Look all around you, find someone in need,

Help somebody today!

Tho' it be little--a neighborly deed--

Help somebody today!"

Chorus

"Help somebody today,

Somebody along life's way;

Let sorrow be ended the friendless befriended,

Oh, help somebody today!"

A GIANT thank you to all those who have helped others last week recovering from this storm. I am thankful for the help we were given by our neighbors.

Why not live these words from the above hymn: "Help somebody today."

By His Grace . . .

Snowly Recovering

Our doves were bravely facing the storm!

We are still nestled snug in our home from the snow that hit on Sunday. I haven't seen a blizzard like that in years. It took my mind back to another Sunday morning back in 2003, February 16. I remember opening the back door at 7 a.m. and listening. This is what I heard and wrote:

"When I opened the back door I heard it

Snow

I was amazed at the sound

A whisper different from wind

Yet, precise; like nothing else I've ever heard

Snow falling from the heavens

My heart rested and listened

I couldn't keep away from my back door

I heard snow falling and thanked God."

I love snow. I love to see it fall. I love to see nature covered in fresh, clean snow. I love to sit at the window, drinking a cup of hot cocoa, and watch it fall. 

Let's all eat together peacefully.

I'm going to miss driving around and taking pictures of the beauty. I just can't do that anymore. I'm not as daring driving around now that I'm older. 

But the thing I like the most about snow is seeing how pure and clean it is and knowing God forgives my sin and makes me pure once again. 

Isaiah 1:18: "Come now, let us settle the matter," says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."

Abby and Jo in earlier years in Maryland.

And I love to sing that wonderful old hymn, "Whiter Than Snow." 

Verse One

“Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;

I want Thee forever to live in my soul;

Break down every idol, cast out every foe—

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

Verse Two

“Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat,

I wait, blessed Lord, at Thy crucified feet,

By faith for my cleansing, I see thy blood flow—

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

Verse Three

"Lord Jesus, Thou knowest I patiently wait;

Come now and within me a new heart create;

To those who have sought Thee, Thou never said’st “No”—

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."

Refrain

Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow,

Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

I made snow cream late in the day. I don't remember if I ever made it before, but seeing a recipe online urged me to try it. Scooping the pure and sparkly snow was exciting! So cold. With some chocolate syrup I think I could have ate a bowl. It was fun doing it. Almost like a child once again.

Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal taking a break from eating.

I know snow causes much hardship and and turns ugly quick. But I like to consider it a gift from God, urging us to slow down and be quiet. To rest our mind and body while considering His creation.

Yes, we're snowly recovering. We have to rely on others to help us get out. But I thank God for the beauty of His creation and the joy of resting in His care.

By His Grace . . . 

Double Good

 “Only to sit and think of God, Oh what a joy it is! To think the thought, to breathe the Name, Earth has no higher bliss.”

Frederick William Faber, 1814-1863

I love that I captured this snap when Abby decided she wanted to jump the fence!

This article was posted September 2024. I think it's worth posting again.

Recently, I was listening to Anthony George from First Baptist Church in Atlanta. His message was titled “Is There a Standard.” One of his illustrations included the numbers 3:16. We all know what verse he was speaking about. John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." 

Actually, though, he was talking about another 3:16 that is just as important to our understanding and learning of Scripture: “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 3:16-17

This was one of George’s points in proclaiming that there is a standard and it’s the Bible: all Scripture is God-breathed. The Greek word is “theopneustos.” God-breathed. Scripture just isn’t inspired by God, it is God-breathed.  God exhaling the ideas and truths into those who wrote the words. He integrated His divine revelation into their human limitations.

Jon Gleason, mindrenewers.com wrote: “The concept of the breath of God has important connotations in Scripture, referring to God’s creative and life-giving power.  The Bible clearly says the Word of God is living, life-giving, and life-changing, and the connotations of theopneustos match those characteristics.

“Those who translated theopneustos for hundreds of years using the words “inspired” or “inspiration” weren’t just making stuff up. There was a very real basis in the connotations of the breath of God for the translational choice they made. 'God breathed the Scriptures into existence, and God breathed life and vitality into the Scriptures.'”

This Greek word only occurs once in Scripture, but what a meaning it has.

2 Timothy 3:16 is a Scripture verse that tell us all of the Bible will help us through life, guiding and directing us, so that we can live with assurance and truth. I hope whenever you read or hear someone mention John 3:16 that your mind will remember there’s another 3:16 that teaches us the words in the Bible come directly from our God as He breathes the information to the writers and the readers.

Three sixteen. 3:16. Double good.

By His Grace . . .

 

Look Forward

 

A number of years ago I spoke with an elderly woman on New Year’s Day, and the thing I remember most about our conversation is her comment that “I have nothing to look forward too except good health.” When she said it my initial thought was “that’s sad.” I often think of that comment. 

A few days ago I read the following and it gave me a different perspective on having nothing to look forward too. It helped me remember that which I've been given and the difference it makes. We seem to easily forget all that God can do for us as His child. We have a lot to look forward too!

"When the Holy Spirit imparts the gift of eternal life to you, far more has transpired than the mere possession of unending spiritual life. That is because the Holy Spirit brings to every Christian an entirely new quality of life that is divine, supernatural, and godlike.

"Through the Holy Spirit, the born-again man or woman can enjoy a new way of living. Since the Holy Spirit allows you to share in the life of Christ, He opens up a radical new lifestyle that is conformed to God's commands and ways, not to culture.

"You must remember that much of worldly behavior and methodology is based on wisdom that is flawed and tainted by sin. The Spirit of God reprograms your mind and transforms your attitude with His wisdom, dramatically altering your habits, rearranging your priorities, and establishing new standards. 

"The Holy Spirit gives you a new power for living; the new lifestyle comes with the power to succeed. You are no longer limited to fighting your problems with your resources. You have God and the fullness of His Spirit to help you and deliver you." Unknown author

Sometimes it may seem like we have nothing to look forward too, but God has put the Holy Spirit inside of us to provide all we need to alter that view.

I think of Matthew 7:7.

"Ask and it will be give to you; seek and you will find; 

knock and the door will be opened to you."

By His Grace . . . 

A Little Heart's-ease

"You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth

 by the Master Craftsman."

Max Lucado

I've shared this story before. It's one of my favorite stories. It's simple and easy to understand. When I was a new Christian and felt God leading me towards writing notes to encourage, this story helped me believe I was doing something good for God even though it was something little. As it turns out, I did it faithfully for over 30 years and God rewarded me over and over in my heart.

Many people feel like they don't do enough for God when their gift seems small and insignificant. I learned if you are faithful with what God has given you to do, you not only will help others, but God will bring you joy in what you do.

The story is told in Volume One of "Streams in the Desert." I would share this story when I spoke on note writing. It's about a small flower that does what it was put here to do.

I didn't know what a heart's-ease was so I looked it up in the dictionary: a heart's-ease is another name for the viola tricolor flower, a hybrid plant derived from crossing certain species of the genus Viola and having small, spurred, variously colored flowers; is a common European wildflower, growing as an annual or short-lived perennial. The flowers can be purple, blue, yellow or white.

"A story is told of a king who went into his garden one morning, and found everything withered and dying. He asked the oak that stood near the gate what the trouble was. He found it was sick of life and determined to die because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine. The pine was all out of heart because it could not bear grapes, like the vine. The vine was going to throw its life away because it could not stand erect and have as fine fruit as the peach tree. The geranium was fretting because it was not tall and fragrant like the lilac; and so on all through the garden. Coming to a heart's-ease, he found its bright face lifted as cheery as ever. 'Well, heart's-ease, I'm glad, amidst all this discouragement, to find one brave little flower. You do not seem to be the least disheartened.' 'No, I am not of much account, but I thought if you wanted an oak, or a pine, or a peach tree, or a lilac, you would have planted one; but as I knew you wanted a heart's-ease, I am determined to be the best little heart's-ease that I can.'"

What has God given you to do? Are you doing it? Do you think what you do isn't noticed? Do you feel small and over looked? Some would think note writing isn't much. What does it take to write a simple, little note to someone. What difference could it possibly make?

"Others may do a greater work. But you have your part to do;

And no one in all God's heritage Can do it so well as you."

Unknown

God has given few people great gifts but He has equipped every one of His children to accomplish whatever He has purposed for them. As that little heart's-ease demonstrated, whatever God has give you to do, do it to the best of your ability. We all matter in God's Kingdom and must all use our gift(s) so that His perfect plan is realized.

"There is always a certain peace in being what one is, in being that completely."

Ugo Betti, Italian judge, author and playwright

"I am still determined to be cheerful and to be happy in whatever situation I may be, for I have also learnt from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions and not our circumstances."

Martha Washington

So whether you're a little heart's-ease, a Japanese maple or a mighty oak, do it! You will find satisfaction in your work and joy in your heart because you are using the special gift(s) God gave to you. I can testify to that!

"Now may the God of peace . . . equip you with everything good for doing His will,

and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him . . ."

Hebrew 13:21

In this new year be a heart's-ease. Be the best one you can be. Do it for God!

By His Grace . . . 

Being Worthy

 

In her book, Emmanuel, Ruth Chou Simons wrote: "We can’t truly encounter Christ the Messiah without the awe and wonder, the response of faith, the repentance, the thanksgiving, the love, and the worship He deserves . . . Jesus is worthy of worship, and because of God’s faithfulness through Christ, we are made worthy to worship Him. Joy to the world!” 

 “We are made worthy to worship Him.”  We are worthy to worship Him. I am worthy. You are worthy. Are we?

I gladly and faithfully write, sing and say, “You are worthy, Lord, of my worship, my service and my love.” There’s no doubt about it. My Lord is worthy. Our God is worthy.

I am worthy?  To worship Him? I have a hard time with that. I am willing to worship Him with all my heart, and I desire with all my mind to worship Him. I’m just having trouble with, “I am worthy to worship Him.”

Maybe it’s the definition of worthy that’s holding me back from this statement. The dictionary defines worthy as: deserving effort, attention, or respect; having worth or value.

“We are made worthy.” Does Simons mean we are worthy because we are children of God after accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, so we are destined, commanded, drawn to worship Him because of all He has done for us?

Maybe I’m making a big deal out of nothing, but my knowledge of the word “worthy” doesn’t compute with her statement. Or maybe I just don’t like saying, “I’m worthy.” What I do know is my God is worthy of my love, devotion, service, and work. Then I read a verse like this and I'm confused once again.

Colossians 1:10

"So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."

Biblerepository.com: "This verse from Colossians speaks volumes about our spiritual journey and responsibilities as followers of Christ. At its core, it encourages us to live in a way that brings honor to God. We are called to walk worthy of Him, which means aligning our actions, thoughts, and behaviors with His teachings and examples . . . Walking worthy of God's calling leads to pleasing Him and fosters a life rich in good deeds."  

Preceptaustin.org/Amplified, Lockman: "That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]."

What I do know is our God is worthy of our life as we serve Him, work for Him, honor Him, pray to Him, live for Him, and worship Him. I’m the fortunate one here. 

By His Grace . . . 

A Season for Singing

 

This is the season for singing! Once again we sing the Christmas Carols that bring us joy. Everybody has their favorite. Just listening to Christmas Carols puts a smile on my face.

In tune; out of tune. It really doesn't matter. There is such joy singing the Carols so special at Christmas. 

In David Jeremiah's magazine, Turning Point, he shared the story of who wrote the Christmas Carol "O Holy Night." "It was written by a nonreligious Frenchman, set to music by a Jewish man who didn't celebrate the Lord's birthday, and translated into English by a Unitarian preacher who would capture the hearts of us all." God uses whoever He wants to achieve His purposes. "O Holy Night"  may be one of the Carols you sing this Christmas. Sing it loud. Sing it everywhere. Sing it from your heart!

I love the words to this beautiful hymn:
 

"O holy night the stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

"A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new glorious morn.

Fall on your knees. O hear the angels' voices.

O night divine. O night when Christ was born.

O night divine O night, O night divine.

"Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hears by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

There came the wise men from Orient land.

The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger.

Behold your King; Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King; Before Him lowly bend!

"Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!

His power and glory evermore proclaim!

His power and glory evermore proclaim."

"'O Holy Night' reminds us that Jesus, holy Jesus, was born in a manger. Through His humble beginnings, we remember to love mankind through Jesus' example. We fall on our knees in awe and worship of Him. And we recall the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus underneath brightly shining stars. The same stars that pointed to the Savior of the world on that beautiful, holy night."

Christianity.com

Matthew 2:10: "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed."

Godsbless.ing: "The wise men were not just seekers of knowledge, but seekers of truth and purpose. Their joy at the sight of the star shows their belief in the divine plan unfolding before them, and their willingness to follow wherever it may lead . . . Imagine the sense of awe and wonder the wise men must have felt at that moment, as they realized that the star was leading them to the fulfillment of their quest."

"Let all within us praise His holy name." Sing, my friend! We have the answer! We have the song. Christ was born!

By His Grace . . .