The Lamp of the Body

“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”  Matthew 6:22-23

Today a man is coming to measure my windows in order to replace them.  Here in Alaska, double paned windows are a must.  The effects of time, moisture and temperature change eventually create a situation when your newly washed window is still foggy because the seal has broken.  That is when you know it is time to replace them.  

I am thrilled at the prospect of seeing my front yard clearly.  Last summer we had the boy’s room window replaced.  When I came into the room I initially thought the job wasn’t completed because there was no glass.  To my surprise the window had been replaced with beautiful clear glass that was so transparent it was hardly noticeable.  I remember looking out onto the back yard with fresh eyes and marveled at how accustomed I had become to a hazy view.   

How we see the world around us is a choice we must all make.  Through what kind of eyes or windows are we going to view our lives?  Jesus puts it very simply when he tells us in Matthew that our eyes are windows to our hearts.  Do we open the windows wide allowing a joyful light to come in or are we drawing the room darkening shades?  Has the haziness of sin habituated us to seeing life dull and disappointing? 

Through good eyes we can see the working of God around us.  Through thankful eyes we can fully live in the blessings God has to show us.  Even when we face challenging, heart-rending times we can see God at work if we open our eyes and give thanks.  

As I write this, outside my window I see my two boys playing in the newly greening grass with their dog.  I listen to laughter and the occasional raised voice.  When I crack open the window a cool Alaskan summer breeze comes through with the scent of the Mayday tree…and I am thankful. 

Dear God, thank you for all the many good gifts you give us every day.  You are the Father of Lights and every good thing comes from you.  Help us to have good eyes, even when times are difficult.  Help us to daily count the blessings.  Amen.   

Dana Jaworski

Anchor Point, Alaska

In Everything

Colossians 3:16-18 …..And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Below is a song (and its lyrics) that I recommend you to listen to.  It’s a song that helps encourage and convict me all in the couple of minutes it plays.  Scripture gives us instructions for how to live, act, think, pray and ‘be’ Christian.  But its null and void if we fail to put it into action in our daily lives, every moment of every day.  This song helps me keep in perspective the daily tasks of life and living for Jesus.  Each of us can relate to the song in some fashion, at some point in our lives.   

My favorite part of the chorus is “ Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you, Cause He made you to do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face and tell the story of grace with every move that you make and every little thing you do” God is with us every moment of every day, not just when we want Him there.  This means we should ACT in such a manner to reflect our faith in everything we do.  We have to trust in His perfect plan and commit ourselves to choosing to be a reflection of Jesus to others.  I hope you enjoy Steven Curtis Chapman’s song “Do Everything”.  You can listen at the link below and fast forward through his various songs to hear “Do Everything”.

Father, thank you for being my Creator and making me in your image.  Please help me be a reflection of Jesus all of the time and do everything to bring you glory.  Thank you for your abounding love and grace!  Most of all, thank you for Jesus.  In His name, amen.

Michelle Tittor

Grapevine, TX

http://stevencurtischapman.com/

DO EVERYTHING

You're picking up toys on the living room floor

for the 15th time today

Matching up socks and sweeping up lost

Cheerios that got away

You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips

and head out the door

And while I may not know you I bet I know you

Wonder sometimes does it matter at all

We'll let me remind you it all matters just as long as you

Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you

Cause He made you to do

Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face

And tell the story of grace

With every move that you make

And every little thing you do

OOoh ooooh oooooh

Maybe you're that guy with the suit and tie

Maybe your shirt says your name

You may be hooking up mergers, cooking up burgers

But at the end of the day

Little stuff big stuff in between stuff

God sees it all the same

And while I may not know you I bet I know you

Wonder sometimes does it matter at all

We'll let me remind you it all matters just as long as you do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you

Cause He made you

To do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face

And tell the story of grace with every move that you make

And every little thing that you do

Well maybe you're sitting in math class

Maybe anekatips on a mission in the Congo

Maybe you're working at the office

Singing along with the radio

Maybe you're dining at a five star

Or feeding orphans in Myanmar

Anywhere and everywhere you are

Whatever you do it all matters

So do what you do and don't ever forget

to do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you

Cause He made you to do

Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face

And tell the story of grace as you do

Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you

Cause He made you to do

Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face

And tell the story of grace with every move that you make

And every little thing that you do

Ooh oooooh

Every little thing you do

"I Won't Forget You" - God

Forgotten anything lately?   

He was a widower and she a widow. They had known each other for a number of years being high school classmates and having attended class reunions in the last 20 years without fail. This 55th anniversary of their class, the widower and the widow made a foursome with two other singles. They had a wonderful evening, their spirits high, the widower throwing admiring glances across the table. The widow smiling coyly back at him.

Finally, he picked up courage to ask her, “Will you marry me?” After about six-seconds of careful consideration, she answered, “Yes, yes I will!”

The evening ended on a happy note for the widower. But the next morning he was troubled. Did she say “Yes” or did she say ”No”? He couldn’t remember. Try as he would, he just could not recall. He went over the conversation of the previous evening, but his mind was blank. He remembered asking the question but for the life of him could not recall her response. With fear and trepidation he picked up the phone and called her.

First, he explained that he couldn’t remember as well as he used to. Then he reviewed the past evening. As he gained a little more courage, he then inquired of her: “When I asked if you would marry me, did you say “Yes” or did you say “No”? Why you silly man I said, “Yes. Yes I will’, and I meant it with all my heart.” The widower was delighted. He felt his heart skip a beat. Then she continued. “And I am so glad you called because I couldn't remember who asked me!”

We have gadgets aplenty to aid us in the “remembering department”.  And, yet, we still forget stuff don’t we?  It so very…human. 

Have you had one of those days – weeks! – recently when you wondered if your faith battles, service, the things you do in the nooks and crannies of daily life are remembered by the Almighty?  A passing thought can evolve into a full-blown trip down “discouragement lane.”    

Hebrews 6:9-12 says, “God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.”  

That's good news isn’t it!  

We need that reminder everyday.  And, the great thing about it is it’s true!  God sees us.  He remembers His promises toward us.  He takes notice of what we do in His honor everyday.  Scripture gives us this assurance.    

O Lord, thank you for being near us and aware of what we do for your purposes.  We need this encouragement.  When the Enemy comes against our minds and presses our hearts with thoughts of insignificance and meaninglessness may your word rise up against such thoughts and renew our resolve to serve you with strength and joy.  Amen.

Randy Daugherty

Stephenville, Texas

Beware the Danger

Home is a blessed haven for our family, with this blessing also comes threat.  Recently while cleaning around shrubs, a snake roused and began to slither into view.  Thankfully, our son offered help. He destroyed the snake, a copperhead-only a baby-yet poisonous all the same.
Before the morning passed, another snake was disturbed.  Two baby copperheads only yards away from a favorite family gathering spot.

Thinking about snakes of any kind, brings dread and fear.  The snakes remind me of temptation that slithers into my mind, into my heart.

Jesus was sinless, though tempted in every way.

Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

Jesus cautioned His disciples about temptation.

Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.

Paul gave encouragement for every temptation we face.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

In the wilderness, Jesus quoted Scripture to battle temptations presented by the devil.  

Luke 4:2
where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

Jesus will assist us when we are tempted.

Hebrews 2:18
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

These scriptures give us hope for resisting temptation. Jesus modeled the way…

Know God’s Word.  

Know the truth, our enemy can lead us astray by twisting the very words of God.  If we are not familiar with His Word, how can we dispute the lies of Satan?  A snake entered Eve’s world with tempting ideas and twisted the statements of God.  She was tempted and succumbed to that temptation, a deadly decision.

Pray. 

Jesus prayed, alone, in a crowd, with His close followers.  He prayed throughout the day, all night at times, on the mountaintop, and in the garden.  Jesus taught His disciples to pray that they not fall into temptation.

Temptation too quickly leads to sin when we do not follow the example of Jesus- the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.  Just as snakes bring dread and danger to people, so should the grave danger of temptation inspire us to watch and pray.

Holy Father and God,
Strengthen us through Your Word and Your Spirit when we face temptations.  Thank You for the example Jesus left us. Thank You for a way out when we are tempted, give us eyes to see it and a heart to seek it. Through Jesus, amen.

Mischelle Oliver, Stephenville TX

Sharing Jesus

This might surprise you – but God did NOT call us to bring people to Jesus.   God called us to take Jesus to the people.   You might be asking, "What's the difference?"   Well, if you think about it, there is a BIG difference.

Modern-day Christians have spent millions and millions of dollars building elaborate church buildings, and then they spend millions and millions of dollars creating detailed worship programs.   Then... they do their best to bring people to this place where Jesus is supposed to be living – the church building.

I'm not saying this is wrong, but it is NOT what God called us to do – and it is NOT working very well.   We would do well to do what Jesus instructed us to do.

Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.   Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.   And surely I will be WITH YOU always, to the very end of the age."   (Mathew 28:18-20)

Jesus did NOT say, “Build me a building so I will have a place to live.”   That would be a waste of time and money because Jesus does NOT live in buildings.   Jesus told us to GO, and that is exactly what the early Christians did.   It did not take them long to spread the gospel of Christ throughout the entire known world of the first century.   Wherever they went, they took Jesus with them.

Modern-day Christians should do no less.   Everywhere we go, we should be taking Jesus and the gospel of Christ, and we should be sharing Jesus with everyone we come in contact with.   That is how we can BE the church – which is precisely what we were called to do.

That does not mean that we should try to cram Jesus down everyone's throat.   That would not be very productive.   Rather, it should be plainly evident by the way we live and by the things we say and do that Jesus is with us.   If Jesus really is with us, the people around us will want to get to know him.   Sharing Jesus is much easier than we have been led to believe.

The world is full of Sunday-morning Christians who GO to church and leave Jesus at the church building when they return home.   If you are a Christian, I challenge you to take Jesus everywhere you go this next week – to work, to school, to ball games, to the coffee shop, to the sale barn, to the parts store, to a neighbor, to a friend, to a family member.

Don’t just GO to church; BE the church

Kit Pharo

Cheyenne Wells, CO