November 11 - Focus

Things happen. Our day never seems to unfold as we plan. These interruptions can be frustrating or fun and almost always pull our focus away from the immediate moment. A change in focus is not always a bad thing, but it could be. The most important task of each day is to remember to bring God along. Having Him beside you in every decision will help you choose each direction wisely.


Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. - Luke 17:1

November 8 - Light

Today is an amazing weather day where I live.  I love wearing my fall clothes and am enjoying the brisk air.  Yet, when I turn on the news, I watch one of the largest storms on record crashing into the Philippines. The people there would welcome one of Texas' scorching hot days right now.

There are many moments in our lives, when we find ourselves basking in the light while another faces severe hardship. Why is this so? Hard work, perseverance, tenacity, all of these contribute to a better quality of life, but the bottom line always falls to God's Grace. But for His Grace, I would be living in the Philippines and not Texas. But for His Grace, the cool may have never arrived, and we would still be enduring our 3-year drought.  But for His Grace, my home could fall apart and I find myself on the streets. The list could go on forever.

We must give God thanks for His gift of light, and hold on to Him during the times of darkness. The storm will pass in the Philippines, but it will be a long, hard journey for all who live there. Our prayer is that God has prepared them in mind, body and spirit to face their journey and that He will hold them in His mercy through the storm and beyond. 

Whenever we are in the light, let us use this time to give thanks. Let us praise God's Name and the works of His hands. Call on Him to enrich our hearts; build our strength; and instill Grace, tenacity and perseverance within our spirits. For there will be days of darkness and we will need the strength of Faith. And we hope that when it is our time to search and struggle, that all children of God whose moments rest in the light will be praying for us and sharing their gift of Faith and Hope.


For you were once darkness, but now you are light of the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. - Ephesians 5:8-9

November 7 - Difference

We are all placed on earth to make a difference. God has set us above all creation and has given us the ability to look within ourselves to find our passion and outward to others to help them achieve theirs. We are never to sit idly by while another struggles, for God spits out lukewarm. Each endeavor we embark on is presented to us by God to achieve for God. We are called to step beyond our own needs, leaving our own comfort zone and step into the lives of another.  As you seek for God's direction, recall the words of Haley Scott DeMaria, keynote speaker for the 2012 Notre Dame’s 167^th University Commencement. “My advice to you is this: Love what you do. Believe in a cause and make it your passion. Find your passion, and make it your career. In doing so, you will make a difference because life is too short to do otherwise”.

And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. –Ezekiel 44:23

November 6 - Mercy

God places many in our path that are there to help us get to heaven. Sometimes these people are not recognizable. These are the ones who cause us to grumble and complain. These are the hard to get along with, the irritators. They rub us the wrong way, make our skin crawl, you name it. These are the ones that are our true test of worthiness. For when we look into the eyes of the beggar, the sick and dying, or the irritator, we sometimes fall short of the goal of our Lord: to welcome all into His Kingdom.  When we align ourselves with Christ, taking on His compassion and mercy, we will be able to look at all who stand before us with love. This is the true test of worth for all of us. In Christ’s mercy, we will all join together in Heaven.

 

But you are the ones who play the enemy to my people. From the inoffensive man you snatch his cloak; on those who feel safe you inflict the damage of war. – Micah 2:8

November 5 - Peace

Within our hearts lay an indescribable essence; more than a substance of its own, it is an absence of another.  We long for peace, to be free from anxiety, pain, worry.  It is not an absence of a chore or responsibility, but the absence of worrying about it.  Peace at the feet of Jesus does not bring an easy, playful life.  It brings us a structured life that can be met with a playful attitude.  My prayer for you today, is that you will enjoy the moments that God places before you.  Be they challenging, demanding, physically draining, etc., they can still be faced with hope.  You may not face a carefree day, but a day free of stress, anxiety and doubt will end in peace.  

  

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

November 4 - healing

I just came back from a doctor visit. I had been experimenting with one sinus medicine after another and my symptoms kept getting worse. It turns out that in receiving quick, temporary fixes, I was masking my true illness and allowed infection to set in. The doctor wrote a prescription and I will be back to normal in just a couple of days.  And this is life. There are many times that we cannot fix ourselves, no matter how much the world promises. We experiment with this and that, yet never get better and often get worse. Unless we place our lives trustingly in the hands of Our Father, we can never be healed. He is the one true Physician. He is the only one who can energize our minds, bodies, and spirit. So rather than wasting time experimenting with all of the worldly choices, why not go straight to the One who has all the answers? Once you place your trust in Him, you will be good as new.


And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:20

November 1 - Saints

Today we celebrate all of the Saints: those who have gone before us, those who walk the earth, those we entertain in our daily lives. As Christians, we are all a part of God's family and as His children we are wrapped in His holiness, even in those moments when we don't feel very holy. Our beautiful, redemptive Lord has made it possible for all of us to live the lives of saints. We are heirs to his Kingdom, sisters and brothers with Christ. Today, let us live in the Holiness God has given us and give thanks that He finds us worthy to walk the same path of those who glorify His Name. 


It is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint hears with Christ - if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. - Romans 8:16-17