Keep Your Eye on the Goal

 
I don't know what kind of tree these two are, but every spring I love to see the leaves! The green is bright and shining, and leaves a lasting impression in my mind of God's creation. These lovely trees were found on Roseville/Sigel Road.

In the office of the pastor at my home church in Maryland was a large sign that he referred to often: "Keep Your Eye on the Goal." 

So many things happen during the course of a day that it's very easy for me to lose sight of what's important. Ups and downs and challenges; defeat and victories, laughter and fear, we can all relate to the avenue of emotions we go through in the course of a day.

What is the goal? Maybe each of us have different goals in life, but there should be one goal that's universal in every Christian's life: live for Christ.

If we live for Christ, everything we go through in a day will take us back to our purpose: live for Christ. Our emotions and mental thinking can be changed in an instant if we call upon and remember who we live for.

I think of the hymn: "Living for Jesus." The first line says: "Living for Jesus a life that is true." That means through every day, every hour, every minutes being aware of who you live for, "striving to please Him in all that [you] do."

Pastor Crowley passed a number of years ago, but I still remember the training and knowledge I received from him as a new Christian. God placed me in an environment where I could grow and learn. One of the things Pastor Crowley did was teach a nine month class on the "Sermon on the Mount." He did it especially for new Christians.

I had all the tapes of those classes and listened to them through the years. Somewhere during those years the tapes were lost. As a mature Christian I would still listen to those tapes if I had them.

Philippians 314 says: "I [Paul] press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Matthew Henry wrote: "He who runs a race, must never stop short of the end, but press forward as fast as he can; so those who have heaven in their view, must still press forward to it, in holy desires and hopes, and constant endeavors. Eternal life is the gift of God, but it is in Christ Jesus; through His Hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by Him."

"Keep Your Eye on the Goal." Don't let all the distractions in this world mess you up. It's worth the effort.

By His Grace . . .

Who Are You Considering?

 
The other day on my walk I saw the resident horses on the property on the far side of the pond. When they saw me they started heading my way . . .

“Who are you considering today?” That’s the title of a devotion by Rick Renner in “Sparkling Gems From the Greek.” It caught my eye quickly.

The Scripture text he wrote about is Hebrews 10:24: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

Renner wrote: We must remember that although the local church is to be a place where we can come to worship and hear the Word of God preached and taught, it is also a place where believers should 'consider one another' as this verse commands. the writer of Hebrews uses this word to convey the picture of a loving community where people are vitally concerned about each other's welfare. In fact, they are constantly observing and contemplating each other to know how to encourage and provoke each other to love and to good works."

I enjoyed watching the horses slowly trot over to me . . .

What are you doing in answer to this Scripture verse? For those folks you know best in your fellowship, are you considering the things that are going on in their lives? Sometimes the entire fellowship is aware of a concern. Other times, only those closest to the person or family are aware of concerns.

It's easy to tell ourselves that someone else will handle the concern -- someone closer to the person, has ore time, more money, more anything. But it doesn't always happen like that. Sometimes all it takes is a word from an acquaintance to bring a smile. To forget a pain. To give hope.

They slowly walked along the fence line to say hello . . .

It is easy to give a smile, a word, a note, a call, a moment of interaction with another. Let’s remember these words from Renner: “The local church should be a place of victory where faith is built up, the soul is encouraged, and wisdom and strength are imparted. It’s a community where faith lives and triumphs through a family of believer’s love and concern for another.”

I enjoyed talking with them. Don't they look great in the field of buttercups!

Who are you considering today?

By His Grace . . .

Be True to Your Word

I have always been touched by Jesus' words in John 17, beginning at verse 20: "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message." Jesus prayed specifically for you and me. In verse 26 He continues: "That the love you have for Me may be in them and that I Myself may be in them." What joy to know Jesus prayed for us and loves us!

It's so comforting when someone tells me they prayed for me! and to know that Jesus prayed for me, too. Well that's encouraging!

Telling someone "I'll pray for you" is a very serious statement. I've found in writing encouraging notes that making that statement puts a "burden upon my heart." If I write it, I better do it.

I've always felt strongly about doing what I say I'll do, whether it's 'I'll call you," "I'll have you over," or "I'll send you" it weighs heavy on my heart until I have fulfilled my promise.

When someone says they will call you and they don't, it hurts. Making idle commitments for conversation's sake has the potential to hurt someone who is already in need.

It's important to me that my word is true. Not only for the person to whom I give it, but it's important as a mature Christian. I'm reminded of Psalm 34, verses 12;-13: "Whoever of you love life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies."

Knowing Jesus prayed for me is awesome! I want to have that reputation.

Verse Four of "I Am Praying for You."

“When He has found you, tell others the story,
That my loving Savior is your Savior, too;
Then pray that your Savior may bring them to glory,
And prayer will be answered- ’twas answered for you!”

By His Grace . . .

Let's Take Your Picture

 

I love magnolia trees. One day on our way to Lancaster I saw this beautiful tree. I had Jerry pull over and I ran across four lanes of heavy traffic so I could take some pictures of it. Let's say that was definitely a few years ago. Maryland had the right season for the magnolia tree to blossom in full glory. We planted three magnolia trees when we moved to PA, but the buds open too soon and were always affected by the lingering frosts. I'm glad I had the opportunity to take many pictures of this beautiful tree. I'll share two more pictures below.

In a book I was reading recently by Valerie M. Bodden, it told of a pastor giving a sermon about a picture that was recently taken of him. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a message quite like this before. I found it to be interesting and hopeful.

“We had a great photographer, but I can tell you that there’s one thing about the picture I’m not going to like. Wouldn’t like no matter who took it.

“The pastor patted his somewhat rounded middle and said: ‘The picture is going to show this.’

“I’m hoping maybe she can do some magic with Photoshop to make me look better Maybe give me a body-builder body.

“What about you? What do you see when you look at a picture of yourself? Do you see your wrinkles, maybe your thinning hair? Your scars?

“And those are just the physical imperfections. We can go deeper too. What about mental imperfections? Are you bad at math? A terrible speller? Not so great at geography?

“And let’s go deeper still. How about the spiritual imperfections? Is all you see when you look at yourself your sins? All the times you’ve done what you know is wrong? The times you’ve failed to do what was right?

“Makes a pretty ugly picture, doesn’t it?

"You ever wonder why God chose you? I mean, surely there are people out there who are prettier, smarter, kinder, better than you, right?

“I mean, He’s God. He could have anyone He wants. So why would He pursue you? Why would He want me, with all my faults and failures, my flabby abs and bald head and terrible spelling and filthy sins?

“Oh beloved. Don’t you see? God doesn’t love you in spite of all of those things. He loves you because He has erased all of those things. He didn’t just go in with Photoshop and touch you up a little here and a little there. No, he changed your whole picture with the blood of Jesus. He has erased every last trace of sin, every last imperfection, and he has made you perfect in Him.

“The next time you look at a picture of yourself, do me a favor and see it as God does—an image of His masterpiece, redeemed from sin, created to love and serve Him. Like clay in the hand of the potter, so you are in God’s hands.”

Pictures. Sometimes we look good and sometimes we look bad. But when God looks at us, we are lovely in His eyes.

By His Grace . . .