It’s another work day so here’s a little nugget of motivation to keep you focused on the right things. For lots of reasons this will be on my mind today.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24(ESV)
Serve Well!
Recently, I have been listening a lot to an song from Hillsong United called Oceans. In the middle of the song there’s a bridge with these words are repeated seven times.
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
This song reminds me so much of the story of Peter and his faith and how it was was tested and expanded so much.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:27-31 NIV
I think the Lord still stands today,arms outstretched, saying “come”. Remember, Peter walked on water. His faith was that big. So we stand here today with Peter’s example in front of us. I am sure the Lord has a test of faith for you. Will you go to where your trust has no boundaries? Why the world would you doubt?
It’s one of those mornings where I have a lot of my mind, but not a lot to write about. So I thought I would just share this interesting comment that was evidently shared at the Orange Conference this week, and that I happen to see on the Twitter.
“Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.” Anne Lammott #OC14
— Emily Watson (@emwats03) April 30, 2014
That’s a pretty cool thought. Make sure you are shining today in a way that your light will provide direction to those who might just be relying on you!
35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness Luke 11:35 (NIV)
And finally, since we are talking about light and therefore light sabers, May the Fourth be with you, as you head into the weekend to spend that marble ! There’s only 34 left.
Today is the National Day of Prayer, and to commend that event, how about a prayer attributed to the father of this nation, George Washington. Somehow this prayer still feels like something all of us could pray every day.
O eternal and everlasting God, I presume to present myself this morning before thy Divine majesty, beseeching thee to accept of my humble and hearty thanks, that it hath pleased thy great goodness to keep and preserve me the night past from all the dangers poor mortals are subject to, and has given me sweet and pleasant sleep, whereby I find my body refreshed and comforted for performing the duties of this day, in which I beseech thee to defend me from all perils of body and soul….
Increase my faith in the sweet promises of the gospel; give me repentance from dead works; pardon my wanderings, and direct my thoughts unto thyself, the God of my salvation; teach me how to live in thy fear, labor in thy service, and ever to run in the ways of thy commandments; make me always watchful over my heart, that neither the terrors of conscience, the loathing of holy duties, the love of sin, nor an unwillingness to depart this life, may cast me into a spiritual slumber, but daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy son Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time attain the resurrection of the just unto eternal life bless my family, friends, and kindred.
–An undated prayer from Washington’s prayer journal, Mount Vernon
In my occupation looking for patterns and following them is a really good thing. But when it comes to living a life as a follower of the Christ, maybe patterns are not so good?
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Paul tells us here to break the pattern of the world. Be different. Let your life stand out against the pattern. Be transformed be changed. And then notice starting on this May Day how God’s will for you, the will he created for you delivers good that you could never imagine.