The Eyes Have It–Looking Up

April 19, 2016

The Eyes Have It–Looking Up

National Geographic

Recently I have noticed more and more how those of us shopping in stores, standing in check-out lines, and meandering through airports don’t seem to make eye contact much anymore. We all seem to be looking down at our SmartPhones or talking on them. I am guilty of it also. Pitiful.

My Mom brought it to my attention. Mom loves to look people in the eye and smile. I observed her making this sweet effort repeatedly. When we have traveled together, as we made our way through the airport, to our gate, onto the airplane, then to our seats, she would smile at anyone who made eye contact with her. When we sat down, she made the comment that hardly anyone seems to look up anymore and notice what’s going on around them. Ouch. It’s so true. I’m often one of them.

Also, any military person or police officer in uniform Mom saw who made eye contact with her, she would thank him for his service to our country. What encouragement. I will do that from now on also. Encouragement was given in that brief moment when eye contact was made.

Who might we give encouragement to by making eye contact? Whose encouragement might we be missing by not making eye contact? Eye contact equals more acts of kindness.

“My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.” –Psalm 101:6 NIV

Years ago a pastor said he was reading an article while his child was trying to talk with him. Finally this child took her Daddy’s face in her hands and said, “Daddy, please listen with your face.”

May we all be reminded today to “listen with our face,” to look up, make eye contact, and smile. We may give the only eye contact and smile someone receives all day.

Reflect:

How does this message resonate with you?

Do you want to change any habits?

Renew:

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” –Psalm 119:18 NIV

“Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your Word.” –Psalm 119:37 NIV

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.” –Matthew 6:22 NIV

Recharge:

How will you change your habits to look up, “listen with your face,” make eye contact and smile at others?

March 29, 2016

He’s Working With Us

He is Risen, Indeed!

This Easter was my first away from my immediate family. It wasn’t easy, and as a result, I learned some valuable life lessons.

In preparation for the Easter weekend, my pastor encouraged the congregation to read Jesus crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection in all four Gospels. In doing that, there were many poignant details I had never noticed.

I parked for a bit at the end of the Gospel of Mark. Mark 16: 14a, 15 says: “Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating…He said to them. ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to ALL (emphasis mine) creation…’

The next part jumped out at me and encouraged me so much:“After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and He sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it.” –Mark 16:19-20

How refreshing! Jesus didn’t leave the disciples on their own to tell others about the resurrected Jesus. Pentecost was coming and they would have the Holy Spirit in them, through them, working with them.

Precious friend, if you are like me, sharing our faith or evangelizing may seem intimidating. May we be renewed and inspired today knowing that the Lord is “working with us” and “confirming His word” as we share the Good News of Jesus. There is no way we can mess up God’s plan.

May we have the courage and sense the urgency to tell others what Jesus has done in our lives and will do for them. We have a voice to use it for His glory to tell this Good News and encourage others to strengthen their faith.

I am reminded of the following story about using our voices to tell others about Jesus.

In the mid-1950s, the Rev. W.E. Sangster noticed a strange feeling in his throat and that his leg had begun to drag. He promptly went to visit his doctor. Rev. Sangster was diagnosed with an incurable disease that caused progressive muscle atrophy. His muscles would continue to waste away, including the muscles in his throat, and he would eventually be unable to swallow.

Knowing that his time was growing short, Rev. Sangster decided to use his time in writing for British home mission and in prayer. During this time, he wrote numerous articles and books, and organized prayer groups throughout England. His disease did progress. Eventually he was unable to talk, but he could hold a pen.

On Easter Sunday, just a few weeks before he died, he wrote a letter to his daughter. Barely able to control his pen, he wrote, “It is terrible to wake up on Easter morning and no voice to shout, ‘Christ is risen, indeed!’ But it would be still more terrible to have a voice and not want to shout.” Amen.

Reflect:

–What does sharing the Good News mean to you? Please comment.

–How does today strengthen your faith and how will you use your voice to tell others?

Renew:

–“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: He has risen from the dead…’ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell His disciples.” –Matthew 28:5-8

–“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Peter and then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than 500 of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.” –1 Corinthians 15: 3-6 NIV

–“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” –Galatians 5:22-25 NIV

Recharge:

–What will you do this week to spread the Good News? To bear fruit?

March 22, 2016

Journey to Easter: From Waved Palms to Pierced Palms, Part 2

This Holy Week is the most significant, most meaningful for us Christians. As much as I have prayed about what to write to inspire you, to help strengthen your faith, the Lord said, “From the mouths of babes.”

Please click on this link below to receive the purest Gospel message and “Pure Inspiration” from these precious children.

The sweetest Easter Story

Stay tuned for a special Easter installment of “Pure Inspiration” this week. Happy Easter, friend.

Reflect:

–How comfortable are you with telling others about Jesus?

–What can you learn from Levi and Lia in this video?

Renew:

–“‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.” –March 10: 14-16 NIV

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” –John 3:!6 KJV

Recharge:

–How may we live more deeply for Jesus and show love to others?

–How will we tell more people the Gospel message?