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Keys to Being SO HAPPY, (part 2) Join Jesus in His Work
Have you found your sweet spot with Jesus: that moment when everything comes together, you know you’re in the center of His will, and feel His joy?
My sweet spot is when I’m teaching the Bible. It’s what I love to do. When I’m teaching, I experience God’s joy.
If you’re attempting to better learn what it means to experience Christ’s joy, you may want to consider whether you’ve found your sweet spot with Him.
Sweet Spots in Unusual Places
Jesus’ disciples surely must have been surprised when they discovered their sweet spots. When Jesus appointed and sent them out, their assignment sounded ominous. “Go,…I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.” Now, that doesn’t sound fun, does it? But, it gets worse. “Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes, and greet no one on the way.” I’m confused. I thought we were talking about having a fun time with Jesus. Maybe singing Kumbaya and roasting marshmellows around a campfire.
What’s all this talk of being a lamb around wolves and not even having enough money to call home? And, I can’t imagine not taking my carry on and an extra pair of shoes. “NOT FUN” is written all over this assignment.
However, perhaps if you and I were with Jesus on the day He was handing out this assignment, our ears might have perked as He continued, “Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’” At this point, we might be thinking, “Well, healing people sounds fun; but then again, being around sick people doesn’t.”
With mixed emotions and quite a bit of trepidation, we head out. You and me – in two’s; just like Jesus said. We entered a city. We greeted people, “Peace be to this house.” We healed the sick. Then, it hit. Joy struck our innermost being. We felt it. No, better, we experienced something deep within us that was better than “fun” or “happy.” It could best be described as joy.
The Seventy Returned with JOY
Luke 10:17 tells us, “The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”
The seventy went on their assignments. Dusty roads, insects, no airplane snacks or drinks. They went to work; to do what Jesus told them to do. The word “fun” was not apparent in the assignment. If you read Luke 10:1-16, you’ll find Jesus’s additional warnings about their mission venture. So what happened that caused them to return with joy?
I think the only explanation is they experienced something beyond their natural selves and capabilities and it was exhilarating. Note again what they said and Jesus’s response. “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” In other words, they experienced miraculous power to heal. But they also experienced miraculous power over demons. Bottom line, the disciples experienced God’s power and it was a rush. It was invigorating and thrilled them.
Asleep at the Wheel or Spiritually Charged?
Did you know that many times we’re probably “asleep at the wheel” spiritually? We may sludge through our day, perhaps look about us and thank God for His blessings and offer prayers for others to get well and travel safely. But we’re not in the sweet spot of service. We’re not actively joining Jesus in His work. If we were, we would be around wolves, but we’d also be experiencing His joy.
Join Jesus in His Work
Christ’s Spirit is power, love, joy, and more! When we do as Galatians 5:25 advises, and “walk by the Spirit,” there is a dynamic working within us that is beyond our natural self and ability that causes us to experience joy. Recall what the disciples experienced: power beyond themselves…and joy.
Why not consider if you are living in your sweet spot with Jesus. Or, if you are going through your day in your own energy and strength. What we consider “down” emotionally may be a simple case of boredom. God created us to be in communion with Him. That is a pretty amazing reality: that we can to talk to the Maker of the Universe and Him talk back. That we can be on assignment for God.
No, being squished between two people on an airplane enroute to lead my P.R.A.Y. with Passion Conferences isn’t fun. No, layovers aren’t fun. No, being away from my husband isn’t fun. But, standing to serve Christ, to open His Word, and pour out His heart is a joy. So for me, it’s back on an airplane, or maybe a drive across town to teach. What is it for you? In what arena of serving God do you experience your spiritual sweet spot and joy?
Find Your Sweet Spot
If you’ve lost your sweet spot or maybe never found it, it’s not too late. Jesus has a gazillion assignments. Here are a few suggestions to help you find your sweet spot in serving Christ.
First, kneel if you can. If not, bow your head and tell God you want to join Him in His work.
Second, look around for a need. Are volunteers needed in your church nursery? What about delivering food? Or, collecting canned goods for the hungry. Does your church have a prayer ministry? Is there a clothing collection with which you could help? Are you involved in a Bible study? Would it help if you arrived early and set up the chairs? Can you sing in the choir? Do you have faith? Then actively encourage those around you. Put your computer to good use and email Scriptures. Ask your pastor and others what you could do to help. As you see or hear of pleas for help, respond rather than assume someone else will do it.
Third, be intentional about daily reading the Bible and listening for God to speak to your heart. As God prompts you and brings ideas to your mind, respond. For instance, I let the Hill Country Ministries prayer team know that we’re going to celebrate the completion of taking the P.R.A.Y. with Passion Conference to the 25th state by hosting a P.R.A.Y. with Passion Conference in Kerrville in 2012. Friends are already offering to help. Not only does their offer bring me joy, I know they will be filled with joy as they help.
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as unto the Lord. (Col 3:23 Find your sweet spot and experience God’s joy!
Father, thank You for allowing us to join Christ in the work He is doing on earth. Help us be sensitive to areas in which we can serve Your purposes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keys to Being SO HAPPY, (part 1)
“Mimi, we go on Polaris?” big blue eyes asked. “Yes, put on your shoes.”
Quicker than a bolt of lightening, our almost three year old grandson was out the door and seated on our green utility vehicle. “Logan, do you want to feed the fish or go see our neighbor’s horses and cows?” “Feed fish!” he picked.
After buckling Logan into his seat, we headed toward the pond. After stopping, he crawled into the back and pried the lid off the orange bucket which held fish food. Taking an old coffee can, he scooped up the brown pellets, then reached for me to lift him to the ground. According to ritual, we walked the few steps to the water, Logan grabbed a fistful of pellets, then tossed them with all his might while we called, “Fish! Come here, fish!” As the nuggets sprinkled the pond, four, ten, then twenty huge black catfish gathered. Thrilled, he watched them gobble every bite.
After deciding the fish were full, I again presented Logan with a choice, “Do you want to throw rocks in the pond or go find the tractor that just went by?” “Tractor, Mimi!” he exclaimed, running back to the Polaris. After taking his seat close beside me, three little words flowed from his mouth and grabbed my heart: “I so happy.” Time froze.
I SO HAPPY
Looking at Logan’s innocent little face I longed, “If only he could always be so happy.” Later, as I thought about Logan’s words, I realized how it must bring our Heavenly Father pleasure when we’re happy.
Although Jesus warns us that in the world we have tribulation (Jn 16:33) and trials and problems aren’t fun, He also speaks of joy and happiness.
Over the next few e-devotionals, we’ll be exploring keys to joy and happiness.
In the meantime, ponder John 16:24, “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.”
Yes, there are seasons when we mourn and grieve. But God also wants us to know His joy. Why not take Jesus up on His offer and ask Him to teach you how to experience the joy about which He speaks?
Father, thank You for creating us with the ability to laugh, smile, and experience joy and happiness. Teach us how to know true happiness and joy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Peace of Mind?
What’s Gnawing at You?
“Debbie, have you seen the trees out front?”, Keith asked. “It looks like they’re dying.” In the process of hand watering our trees, he’d noticed bark missing on the upper trunks. Concerned about what kind of pest might be attacking the trees, Keith began checking into it. A friend mentioned it might be a porcupine. Late that night after I was snug in bed, Keith got a spotlight and went to check on the trees. At midnight, the gnawer moved in for his nightly feast, climbed one of the trees, and began gnawing at the bark. After spotting him, Keith took action with a .22 rifle.
The next morning when I woke, Keith told me that it had been a porcupine. Following Keith to the front yard, I looked at the tree trunks where the night feaster had stripped the bark and noticed for the first time what Keith had observed days earlier, shredded bark at the base of the trees. Then Keith took me to see where he had laid the porcupine to “rest in peace.”
“That porcupine would have gnawed the tree to death if you hadn’t stopped him,” I told my husband, grateful that he had been observant. Then, God spoke to my heart about how things can “gnaw” at us and the importance of paying attention rather than ignoring what’s “eating” at us.
“It’s important to pay attention rather than ignore what is “eating at us”.” |
Night and Daytime Gnawers
Other People. Is there someone you don’t like? Are they “driving you up the wall”? As school begins, I’ve thought about how my children always wondered who their teacher would be and if their friends would be in their class. Seldom did we go through a whole school year that there wouldn’t be something I would notice was “gnawing” at me. It might be a teacher who gave what I considered to be too much homework or the “click” of students that looked down on those who weren’t like them.
Tapes in Our Minds Others Have Said. Sometimes the worst gnawers are “tapes” of what others have told us about ourselves. A parent may have repeatedly told you, “You’re no good.” Or, “You’ll never amount to anything.” A spouse may have nagged us, “You never make enough money.” Or he may have criticized us, “I don’t know why I married you.”
Tapes in Our Minds We Say About Ourselves. We can often be our worst daytime gnawer. We have perceptions about ourselves, lives, and families, and compare that with how we perceive others are. “Why can’t my spouse be like him/her?” “I’ll never be as good a Christian as I’m supposed to be.” “I’m a failure as a parent, spouse, friend.” “I’m fat, ugly, of no good.” Of course the worst night time gnawer is, “Everyone would be better off without me.”
Action Steps When Something is Gnawing at You
First, spotlight the gnawer. In other words, pay attention if you’re agitated in spirit, mind, or emotion. Don’t ignore it. Take the gnawing thought to God’s throne room where there’s plenty of Light and ask Him what you’re thinking is true, honorable, and right. Ask Him if it’s lovely and of good repute? Consider if there is any excellence in the thought or anything worthy of praise in what you’re thinking? If not, “lay it to rest.” Get rid of it once and for all. Release the negative thought or tape to Jesus who died and was buried for our sins and others. Leave the negative buried and walk in newness of life with Jesus. Philippians 4:7-9
Second, recognize that perceived enemies and thoughts that bring harm to relationships or bring you down are sometimes due to what the Bible calls “world forces of darkness; spiritual forces of wickedness.” (Ephesians 6:12) The Bible is clear when it tells us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places,” Ephesians 6:12. So when you can’t stand the drug culture, the gangs, the bullies, all the negative and harm that you see going on in our world, look beyond the damage on the “tree”. Turn your spotlight on the darkness that is bringing out the night creature that is doing the harm. It’s not that the child is a bad child. It’s that there are world forces of darkness that want to enslave our children to drugs, alcohol, sport sex, and ruin them. Our responsibility is to pray! We may not have children in school any more, but we can pray for the teachers, coaches, principles, and aids. We can pray for the children and teens. We can pray for the parents and day care workers. We can love others and stand with our spotlight.
I would never have noticed our trees until they were so severely damaged that they were beyond restoration. It took my husband’s watchful eye to see what I ignored in my very own front yard. What’s going on in your “front yard”? Are you letting it gnaw at you and others? Or, are you doing something about it?
Heavenly Father, there is so much evil in this world. In addition, I come up with my own wrong thoughts. Help me dispel the darkness in my heart, mind, and emotions in prayers as I shed your light on my thoughts. Help me be faithful to pray for others whom the enemy is gnawing at. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Are You in a Dry Spot?
One, then two raindrops fell on my windshield last week. Excitedly, I looked up at the heavens and began praising God. Barely were the words, “Thank You, God,” out of my mouth before the rain stopped. Yet, I was grateful. A few drops meant more might come.
Yesterday, I glanced out the window and saw several raindrops. Running outside, I knelt, again looking heavenward, thanking God for the raindrops and praying He mercifully continue to pour down rain on our parched earth. It only sprinkled for a few minutes. But those few minutes were praise worthy. They were a reminder that God sees. God cares. God hears. He is sovereign. If God wanted to pour rain upon our land, He could and would. So we look heavenward and ask, “God, what is your purpose in withholding rain?” Although none of us can answer for God, I can’t help but wonder if it isn’t to cause us to humble ourselves before Him.
“Whether we’re in a dry spot physically or spiritually, humbly kneeling in prayer with praise on our lips never hurt anything and always helps everything.” |
Rather than doubting God’s goodness because He doesn’t immediately send rain in response to our prayers, might it be more appropriate for us to kneel and acknowledge that although we have intellect and some power and control on earth, we have no power to make it rain? We are humbly dependent on our Lord and God. Might we also, while asking for rain, thank God for the gifts He has rained on us? We might praise God for our health. If our health isn’t good, we can praise Him for equipping doctors to help us. We might praise God for family. If relationships aren’t good, we might thank Him for the opportunity to pray and seek His wisdom for how to restore harmed relationships. There is no end for what we can thank God.
I can’t help but wonder if we began praising God for the few drops He sends our way instead of complaining that it was “barely anything”, if He might send more. Or not. For it’s really up to God and His sovereign will, which is ultimately our good, whether we understand it now or not.
Whether we’re in a dry spot physically or spiritually, humbly kneeling in prayer with praise on our lips never hurt anything and always helps everything.
“If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Father, thank You for Your perfect will and for being in control. Forgive us for arrogantly disregarding our behavior and thoughts that are an offense to You. May this be a time we humble ourselves before You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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# 4 from “75 Pointers for a Sane Family” The Plan A MOM in a Plan B World
# 4 Be in the moment with the person you’re with rather than thinking about something else.
When Keith and I were just starting our family, my sister, Vicki, gave me a framed quote that said, “When you work, work hard. When you play, play hard.” That advice made all the sense in the world to me. I immediately thought of the times that I had been with one of our children, but been thinking about my ministry. Or, I had been with Keith and thinking about chores I needed to do at home. Taking to heart the advice to be mentally and emotionally present made a huge difference. First, I relaxed and enjoyed the one I was with. Second, knowing that there was a time to work and a time to play, I gave myself the freedom to play when I was Keith and the kids. Then, when it was time to settle down and work, I was more efficient.
Jesus modeled the ability to “be in the moment” with the one He was with. He never came across as rushed or rude.
What difference might it make in your family if you took to heart the advice to be in the moment with the person you’re with rather than thinking about something else?
“There is an appointed time for evertying. And there is a time for every event under heaven, Ecclesiastes 3:1.
In Christ’s Love,
Debbie
Raising Faithful Kids in a Flawed World
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# 3 from “75 Pointers for a Sane Family” The Plan A MOM in a Plan B World
# 3 Attend church together.
In our home, church wasn’t an option. It was as normal a part of our weekly routine as going to work and school. Apparently, it was a normal part of Jesus’ routine. Our only account of Jesus as a boy is of Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. Later, as an adult, we find Jesus in the synagogue quoting and reading Scripture. We find Jesus teaching us that His Father’s House is as a place of prayer.
If we want to raise our children to be faithful to God in the midst of our flawed world, is it not reasonable that we would do everything possible to attend to our children’s spiritual lives?
Why not commit today to attend church with your children and raise them with them with God’s teachings and wisdom?
“After three days they found Him (Jesus) in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions,” Luke 2:46.
In Christ’s Love,
Debbie
Raising Faithful Kids in a Flawed World
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# 2 from “75 Pointers for a Sane Family” The Plan A MOM in a Plan B World
# 2 Apologize if you do something wrong.
We’re all going to mess up. The question is, when we do, are we going to be repentant and apologize for our bad behavior or words?
Just as it is important for moms and dads to model saying the three words, “I love you,” it’s important to model saying the two words, “I’m sorry.” Need we be reminded that it was the repentant man whom God heard praying and who went home to his house justified; and not the self-righteous one? (Luke 18:10-14)
“He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion,” Proverbs 28:13.
Blessings to you as you model before your children a humble, repentant heart. Your example will serve them well.
In Christ’s Love,
Debbie
Raising Faithful Kids in a Flawed World
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#1 from “75 Pointers for a Sane Family” The Plan A MOM in a Plan B World
# 1 Always say “I love you” when you part for the day.
Today, Keith and I are celebrating 36 years of marriage. It’s no wonder that when I began compiling a list of things that I consider important for a healthy family, this is the first point that came to mind.
If it isn’t a practice in your home to say the simple words, “I love you” when family members leave or you part for the day, why not begin? It will alter relationships for the better.
And, if Jesus felt it important to tell us that He loves us, certainly it must be important to follow His example and tell one another.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another,” John 13:34.
I’ll be anxious to hear how your relationships have changed for the better at the end of our 75 days!
In Christ’s Love,
Debbie
Raising Faithful Kids in a Flawed World
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What Was I Thinking?
Driving down I-10, I glanced at the clock on my dashboard and noted “10:20”. “Good. I’ll get to the airport about 11:40 and have time to get a salad before I board my plane,” I thought to myself. Then I did a double-take. “No, wait! My plane LEAVES at 11:40!” That’s when panic set in. “There’s no way I can make my plane to the Iowa P.R.A.Y. with Passion Across the Nation Conference! What was I thinking?” I scolded myself as I thought back to before I left the house. Thinking I had plenty of time, I had watered the plants, tidied the house, visited with the men working on our home, patted our dog, Abby, goodbye, and Keith had prayed for me as he always does before I head out to teach.
“What was I thinking?” I again scolded myself. Being a seasoned traveler, I have a well rehearsed travel schedule; leaving myself ample time to get to the airport. But this morning I clearly wasn’t thinking. I had the information I needed to get to the airport on time, but processed it incorrectly.
“Christ has given each of us an entrustment. He expects us to serve Him while He is away..” |
Have you ever done something similar? Have you ever “missed it” in relation to what you thought someone was saying when in reality they were saying something totally different? Have you ever had it “in your head” that something was a certain way and you later found out you were wrong?
Jesus warns us about something He wants us to clearly “get”. He doesn’t want us to have it wrongly in our head. It was nearing Holy Week, when Jesus would be arrested and crucified. His time was short and His message important. The disciples were wrongly thinking: “He was nearing Jerusalem, and they supposed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately.” (Luke 19:11) So Jesus told them a parable to help them understand that the kingdom of heaven wasn’t going to immediately appear. Rather, He, like the nobleman in the parable, was going to a distant country to receive His kingdom and would then return. In the meantime, He gave entrustments to His servants to do business with until He returned.
One of the main points in Jesus’ parable is that He expects us to faithfully use what He has entrusted to us. In other words, if we think, “I can’t see Jesus. He’s not here. I don’t know when He’s returning. I’m timid to attempt to serve Christ and His purposes,” then we are thinking wrong! Very wrong! Christ tells a dramatic parable to make the point that He has given to each of us an entrustment in the form of being able to contribute to other’s needs, teach, encourage, serve, help, exercise faith, or some other gift. We’re not to be like the servant in the parable who hid what he had been entrusted with. (Luke 19:20) The nobleman, Christ, upon His return, didn’t sympathize with the fearful servant. Instead, He judged him for being disobedient. The nobleman (Christ) had specifically said, “Do business with this (His money) until I come back,” Luke 19:13.
To make sure we are clearly thinking, let’s summarize.
Christ is returning.
Christ has given each of us an entrustment.
He expects us to serve Him while He is away.
What entrustment has God given to you? Is it to raise your children to know the Lord? Is it to model kindness to your family? Is it to teach by example Christ’s ways of relating to one another at your workplace?
When plans don’t go our way, when our husband doesn’t do what we expected, or our children don’t behave like we wish they would,or our co-workers aren’t kind, it’s easy to get discouraged. However, often God has another plan; one that involves growing us and others.
If we’re thinking, “I don’t like my life. I don’t like my responsibilities,” maybe we should think again and consider them as entrustments from God. Maybe instead of burying our head in the sand, we should acknowledge that the Lord has entrusted us with our family, friends, and responsibilities, and we should get busy about the work of modeling Christ to them in anticipation of His return.
Lord, it’s so easy for us to think self-centeredly and not think correctly on Your words and commands. Help each of us today to “get it” and not miss the point. You’re the nobleman who has a heavenly kingdom. You’re coming back. You hold us accountable for what we do with what You’ve entrusted to us. May each of us be alert to ways we can faithfully serve You in our homes, churches, and places to which you’ve called us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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