Interest of Others

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Each should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

I have two daughters and they have a five year age gap between them, so most days they like each other one second and then want to go their separate ways the next, mixed in with a few tears or sighs of frustration. One day my youngest daughter wanted her big sister to play with her. My oldest groaned and complained about having to play with her little sister AGAIN!! God used that moment to give me this verse.

I told my oldest daughter that sometimes we do things because we love the person, not necessarily the action. She should play with her little sister because she loves her – not necessarily playing princesses over and over.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for showing us the perfect example of humility by leaving Your perfect home and all its splendor to become a man among us. You lived a life serving others showing us the fullness of grace and mercy. You put our interest before You own, knowing it would take You to the cross. You died for the sake of others.

Please help us Lord to live our life following the example You left. Help us to look to the needs and interest of others. Help us to fight off the temptation of selfishness and excuses for not fulfilling the task You set before us. Allow us to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

May we love others the way You love us.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Charity O

Lady of Love

“The elder,”

“To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth – and not I only, but also all who know the truth because of the truth which lives in us and will be with us forever.”

“Grace mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.”

“It has given me great joy to find some of our children walling in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”

2 John 1-6

Being a Lady of Love is not an easy task. We need the Lord’s help by asking the Holy Sprit to prompt us to see ways we can act in love and live a daily life of obedience.

Let’s start this season with a new perspective – being a Lady of Love

Dear Lord,

Thank you for giving us fresh words each day that we can live by. Thank you for showing us examples of how to live a life that shadows your character. Help us to be a model for our children as we walk in obedience to your commands. Allow us to be trusted by our friends because we are women who put our faith into action. Lord, we are asking that you show us areas where we need to grow. Open our eyes to see people and circumstances the way you do. Please give us a heart for your people. We desire to be the servant you intend us to be and that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit we can be a Lady of Love.

In Jesus’ Loving Name,

Amen

Charity O

Love your Brother and Sister

“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God”, yet hates his brother he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command; “Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

1 John 4:19-21

Do you have a sibling? Do you have a close friend that you would consider a brother or a sister? How is your relationship with them? Do you love them like Christ says we should?

The Bible tells us before we come before God we must first reconcile with your brother. The Lord does not want you to have broken relationships with your brother or sister. It was all apart of his plan for your life that you would have a brother or a sister. To turn away from them, to talk bad about them or to ignore them is also doing the same to Christ.

I know friend it can be hard when your brother and sister have done you wrong. When they have hurt you over and over again. How can you trust them, how can you forgive?

I love the story of Joseph and the forgiveness he gave toward his brothers. Realizing that the harm his brothers caused him was used by God to do great and wonderful things.

Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”(Genesis 50:19-21).

Dear Forgiving Father,

Please help us to have a heart change toward our brother and sister, who have done us wrong. Help us to forgive them, the same way you have forgiven us time and time again. Our flesh is weak and our hearts our broken. Give us the strength to take the next step, whether it is picking up the phone, speaking to them in person or writing a note. Help us grow in our faith as we display the love of Christ toward our brother and sister. We know that only you can heal our broken heart and disappointments. Holding on to anger and resentment only draws a wedge between us and you Lord and we will never be able to experience true fellowship and worship with that gap in the way.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Charity O

My Father and My Friend

“I cry aloud to the Lord, I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him, before him I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who knows my way.”

Psalm 142:1-3

Women love to talk!

We love to get with our friends and just share our lives up and downs, heartaches and challenges, love and romances, compliments and complaints. We just love to talk.

We can sit for hours with our girlfriend and just pour out our heart and emotions. Those sweet times with our friend can leave us encouraged, uplifted and rejuvenated.

However, I wonder how much of what we share with our friends, we share with God first? You see, we may share with our friend hoping for the right answer, or the right words of encouragement, when all the while God who is All Knowing, All Powerful, and All Loving is there waiting for us to share it ALL to Him.

So, let’s remember that when we have news to share, not to call, text or email a friend first, but kneel before God and telling Him your news. After all He is not just Your Heavenly Father but also Your Friend.

Dear Loving Father and Friend,

Thank you so much that You desire to be our friend. You want to know what burdens us, what brings us joy and what blesses our spirit. Help us to remember to turn to You first whenever we have news to share. We pray that You will continue to draw us close to You knowing that nothing can separate us

Thank you for the story of David and his transparency with You. David shared his deepest burdens and desires and You were always there to see him through.

We are so thankful to serve a God who cares for us. What a beautiful testimony that we can sing with assurance that – ‘I Am A Friend of God!’

In Jesus Name,

Amen,

Charity O

Not Meant To Be A Loner

“The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Genesis 2:18

“Two are better than one, because they have good return for their work; If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12

Do you realize that we are not created to go through life alone?

God never meant for you to be a loner but to be in fellowship with others, serving and loving each other.

Heavenly Father,

Help us during our time of isolation. Help us not to just focus on ourselves but on those around us. It is easy to live life alone when we have been hurt and lied to. Help us Lord to turn those emotions into motivation to reach out to others.

Lord, you command us to love others around us. Help us to step out in faith as we reach out to people around us. Be patient with us as we slowly make our way back to trusting people again.

Lord you promise that you will “heal the brokenhearted and bind up our wounds.”(Psalm 147:3). Allow us to lean on that promise as we step out into the world and minister to others. Give us assurance that you can heal our heart that have been broken by those we thought were close to us at one time. We trust that as we walk in obedience to your Word that you can give us Your vision for people around us.

I Have A Friend In God!

Amen

Charity O

Sweet Surrender

Take your everyday, ordinary life...and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.

Romans 12:1 MSG

I’ve read that verse many times in different Bible translations. I find myself saying, Yes! I want to do that!

I am reminded of Jesus asking the sons of thunder, James and John, if they would be willing to endure the same sufferings that he would be going through. “Sure!” they replied confidently. However, they had no idea what that entailed.

Like James and John, I am eager to offer myself to God - as long as what he wants is in my comfort zone. Start moving beyond that and I get a little resistant.

I’m comfortable behind the scenes, away from the focus. A line in the movie The Princess Diaries pretty much sums up this sentiment. “My expectation in life is to be invisible. And I’m good at it!”

I received an email from someone who asked to interview me on camera for a show. No way! The same day God led me to today’s verse.

Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Did I really want to be living sacrifice?

But, God, does it have to be on TV? You know that’s not my personality. You made me this way.

Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, ‘Why have you made me like this? (Romans 9:20).

I agonized over this decision for a couple of days before choosing to submit to what God wanted to do in and through me. Since my Father opened this door, I am willing to take a step and see where it leads.

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a child-like ‘What’s next, Papa?’ (Romans 8:15 MSG).

Papa, may I embrace the wild ride you have for me in this wondrous, resurrection life!

Terri

What Was I Thinking?

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

I was reading the Bible one day about people who didn’t believe what Jesus said. I thought, I believe the Bible.

In my spirit I heard, “No, you don’t.”

I countered. But Lord, I believe the virgin birth, the resurrection, that You’re God’s Son - all those things people have a hard time believing.

“You don’t believe what I say about you.”

Oh, how true! I believed them about others but not for myself. I could quickly spiral into depression and self-loathing from others’ comments, actions or looks. I had a very poor self-image - that is, until I saw myself like Jesus sees me.

Paul wrote, we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. He states it as if it’s common knowledge, something we are all doing.

I certainly wasn’t! I was believing whatever thought popped into my head or whatever feelings I felt.

I searched hungrily for verses that I didn’t really believe about myself. I wrote them, read them and compared them against my thoughts. Wow! Many of the thoughts I had believed for years didn’t line up with God’s word.

Now the real work began. Falling into old thought patterns and feelings was my default action. I had to make a concerted effort to believe the truth. God has the ability to change our thinking in a moment but for me it took time. As in other areas of my life, the more I practiced, the more skilled I became. One day I was set free.

I’m not done. I still have other areas I’m working on, but I am determined to choose life!

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live, and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20).

Terri

Who’s On First?

We each carried out our servant assignment. I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow.

I Corinthians 3:6 MSG

Batter up! I watched many baseball games over the years because my son played. In all those games, I never saw one player carry the whole team. The games that were truly exhilarating to watch were those in which the team played as a well-oiled unit.

One lesson I learned from baseball is that God doesn’t expect me to carry the whole load. He asks me to just do my part. I’ll have to admit that sometimes I think the weight is mine to bear. When I do, I become frustrated and stressed. That is a sure sign I’m not relying on Jesus and am trying to do it all in my own strength. He says, For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:30). When I allow Him to work through me, the load is so much easier to bear.

We don’t have to do it all alone. God provides us helpers. If the baseball team consisted of only pitchers or batters, not many games would be won. I am part of a ministry that was started by one woman who just wanted to bring a little sunshine into a few girls’ lives. Had she tried to carry the burden all alone, she may have burned out and the ministry would have remained small. She voiced her need for help. God promptly answered the plea with more people to carry on her vision.

A good baseball team is made up of players that are skillful at their positions, whether pitchers, catchers, outfielders, basemen or batters. The players work together to make a play. Wherever the ball goes, the fielders are prepared. As more people were added to my friend’s ministry, the girls were touched in ways she never dreamed possible. With a variety of gifted people working together, all the bases were covered!

Jesus, thank you that we can work with each other to accomplish your mission.

Terri

Well, Bless His Heart!

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Luke 6:27-28

After a couple of days of pampering and self-indulgence vacationing in a tropical paradise, I was feeling a little guilty. I said a quick prayer, Lord, help me to bless your people today.

My husband got a wild notion to rent a scooter to explore the island. We were enjoying the scenery when we came upon a sign that read “This road is for bicycles only.”

“Should I go on the other road?” my husband asked.

“No,” I said, “the concierge said we could take this road all around the island.”

A short time later, two uniformed policemen blocked the road. The $30 bribe was not included in our all-inclusive vacation. But we were again on our way. We made it to the national park. As we rounded a turn on the bumpy caliche road, we lost control.

Since the scooter now donned a few additional scratches and broken plastic, the man we rented it from charged us an inflated return fee. Ugh!

We were assured by the concierge that we were legally allowed to ride on the road we had been on. The policemen were just taking our money.

Though hardly thrilled, we were grateful that things were not worse. I sensed that God wanted me to do more than thank Him.

Lord, this wasn’t what I was thinking when I prayed that prayer this morning.

“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord (Isaiah 55:8). Love your enemies...pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:27, 28).

I began praying for the two policemen and the gentlemen that rented us the scooter. For reasons only God knows, He arranged for us to cross paths at His appointed time. I am now excited to pray for God’s salvation and blessings for these men.

Lord, thank you for loving me when I was your enemy. Help me to love all people.

Terri

The All-Inclusive Cross

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

My husband and I recently vacationed on a beautiful tropical island. The trip was all-inclusive. Once the price was paid, we didn’t have to worry about paying for anything.

The round-trip flight was included, as well as transportation to and from the airport and resort. Even the customary tips had been paid.

When I wanted to enjoy the sparkling pool, I was provided with chairs, umbrellas, and clean towels. If I wanted to read, reading materials were available. Free shows, dance lessons, and other activities were at my fingertips. I snorkeled right outside my resort where colorful fish darted to and fro.

After sunning on the beach, I was thirsty. A waiter promptly brought me a drink. When I was hungry, I could select from several restaurants in which to dine. I think we tried them all! I was free to order as much or as little as I desired.

Whatever I wanted, I could have because the price had already been paid. We have access to all we need because Jesus paid the price for us at the cross. Everything we could ever want or need was purchased for us through His death and resurrection! That is a mind-blowing thought for me!

Do we need a little peace? It’s been paid for! Forgiveness? Yes! Rest? Paid! Even wisdom, financial help and health. These - and so much more - are available to each of us! God will meet all your needs! (Philippians 4:19)

Just think - you don’t need a thing! You’ve got it all! All of God’s gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus… (1 Corinthians 1:7 MSG)

All we have to do is ask! Our Father will graciously give us all things (Romans 8:32). He’s excited to shower us with the good things that Jesus bought for us!

Jesus, thank you for your costly and extravagant all-inclusive gift!
Terri

The Surpassing Greatness of Knowing Christ … Becoming Like Him

I want to know Christ…becoming like him in his death.

Philippians 3:10

As my seasoned pastor friend Paul Powell wisely said, “I want to live as long as I live.” Like the apostle Paul, he has a thorn in his side; but that’s not stopping him. Like the apostle Paul, he will give it his all exactly as Jesus did till the very end. Seems to me, that’s what it means—becoming like Christ in His death.

You see, the apostle Paul knew it would be a pleasure to see Jesus face-to-face: to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). But he’s talking to his Philippian friends about living rather than dying: it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body (Philippians 1:24). He’d live till he died, as Jesus lived till He died: to live is Christ (1:21).

How does one become that resolute? There are two intertwining statements of Jesus which should propel you and me in the direction of becoming like him in his death.

The first, as He predicted His death for the first time: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

The second, as He agonized in Gethsemane: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

The standard for living as Christ was set. To follow Him, the apostles—you and I—we must deny ourselves daily. It is obvious that Jesus denied Himself the rights and privileges of deity from birth all the way to His death.

And, to get to the cross, to do the job He’d come to do, Jesus had to drink the cup of redemption. He had to make the conscious choice to do the will of the Father, even if it tore Him apart, body and soul. My choice then is to do the will of God daily. That is how I can deliberately follow Jesus, pointing others to the cross.

The bonus: intimacy will blossom as I get in step with Jesus every morning, seeking and doing God’s will. As long as I live, I want to live.

Nancy P