Messy

I once heard it said that there is nothing friendlier than a wet dog.  Why?  Because a cold and wet pooch is just looking for a friendly face to comfort them and help get them warm and dry.   

I would guess that no matter where you are today, you’ll run into people.  And while many will not openly admit it... some of them will be looking for hope.  A smiling face.  A friendly disposition... or maybe something more.  Some of them will be looking for the hope that only Christ can bring.   They’ll be seeking the warmth of His embrace.... the affirmation of His presence... and the clarity of His wisdom.  And the great part?  We get to represent Him to those around us.  

We must never forget that if we claim to have a heart for God...we must also have a heart for His people... even the “wet dogs.”  Those that inconvenience us...challenge our patience...and make our lives a little messy.  Remember, if God sends someone our way for help, it’s because He trusts us and our ability to represent Him in their lives.  Rather than spending our lives trying to stay clean, let’s embrace the messy.  Jesus did.   And that’s why we get to spend eternity in Heaven with Him.  

Joyful Heart

It’s been said that laughter is like changing a baby’s diaper... it doesn’t permanently solve any problems, but it makes things more acceptable for a while.   So true!  When we are upbeat, positive, and keep our sense of humor... good things happen.  Doctors tell us that happy people decrease their chances of heart attack, high blood pressure, and hypertension.  And those are just the medical benefits!  

The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 17:22 that “A joyful heart is good medicine”  But how can we remain happy throughout our trying days?  Psalm 16:11 answers that by saying that we can find joy in God’s presence.  So that’s the key!  Stay close to God... and He will give us the joy that allows us to laugh when others are anxious and have peace when the world seems dark.  When we deliberately stay in God’s Word, talk with Him consistently through prayer, and worship Him through our actions... we draw closer and become filled with more joy in the process.   Want to be happy and healthy but find yourself stressed and worried?  Get closer to the One who gave you both the reason and ability to smile!

4 Rings

The bewildered family removed and read the mysterious note from the envelope left at their door... it read: “I am truly sorry for any pain or heartache that my actions may have caused your family.  I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me.  As an adult, I realize how sentimental items like this can be.  Sincerely regretful, a dumb kid who wants to right a wrong.”  Inside the envelope was four gold rings that had been stolen from the family 15 years before.  Long forgotten.  

A letter from a remorseful thief that was a decade overdue...  Although the act of returning the rings brought closure... why the delay?  Far too often we act the same way... we wait before we seek forgiveness.  Sometimes too long.   The Bible tells us in Matthew 5 that if we have something hanging over our heads, we should reconcile the situation quickly.  Offer the apology... seek forgiveness...and then move forward.  Don’t let too much time pass between the offense and the opportunity to make things right.  Not only will our conscience be clean... we may save or even strengthen an existing relationship!

Art

Leonardo da Vinci spent hours in deep meditation and prayer as he worked on his famous painting of the Last Supper.  It has been said that he spent hours just reading God’s Word or days on his knees with hands lifted skyward in between his moments of genius with paint and canvas.  He spent so much time away from the project, at one point, the monks that lived in his community became concerned.  They asked him, “Why do you spend so much time with us in prayer when you have come here to work?”  His answer was simple:

“When I pause the longest, I make the most telling strokes with my brush.”

Today we’re are going to have a lot going on.  Deadlines, appointments, sandwiches to pack in lunch boxes, and tests to take.   If we’re not careful, busyness, fatigue, and worry will try to rob us of the joy that Jesus wants us to have.  How can we counter the frantic pace?  By following Jesus’ example (just as da Vinci did)... and take time out to pray.  Purposefully get by ourselves for a few minutes and talk with our heavenly Father.   These aren’t just moments of rest... but a time to reset.  To remember our priorities... think through our decisions... bring our troubles to the feet of the One who gave us our own.  And when we do, at the end of the day, we will look back and see the last twenty four hours of our life as the work of art that it was designed by the Lord to be.  

Breathtaking

It has been said that one of the greatest evidences of God is His breathtaking creation.  A sunset over the deep blue waters of the ocean... the smell of a colorful spring flower.... the way the earth glistens after an afternoon rain... All beautiful and all on purpose.  We serve a God who values magnificence.  “The beauty of the cosmos,” one writer penned, “is God’s signature.  He could have made an ugly world and a loathsome universe.  But He is a God of beauty, and we must worship Him in the beauty of His holiness.”

Maybe while you are reading this, you are in front of a mirror.  If not, take a second and find one to stare into.  Stare into the image you see.   You know what?  That face is beautiful.  Exquisite.  Those eyes... hand made and color tinted by God.  The hair... each strand placed (and counted) by the Lord Himself.  Ephesians 2 tells us that the image you are looking at right now is the best work God can do.  He says it Himself...You are His masterpiece...you are loved... and you are more stunning than the brightest star in His sky.  God made you beautifully (and he knows and values beauty!).  Today, if the world tries to make you feel less than exquisite, remember what you see now... and keep in mind that God’s words to describe you are far more accurate than those of your peers.  

Weak

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  James 4:7

I once heard about a man who was listening to a weather report on the radio in Kansas.  As he sat watching the gathering storm clouds outside, the man heard the radio report say that “weak tornadoes” were on their way through the area.  Weak tornadoes?  The man had never heard of such a thing...  The weather report went on to advise that these weak tornadoes would pass over and that they were nothing to worry about.

It almost sounds contradictory.  Weak tornadoes.  When most of us hear the word tornado, we run to the strongest area of our house to protect ourselves.  It’s kind of like when we hear about the devil.  The mere mention of his name makes many shake with fear and dread.  But the devil is just like a “weak tornado”.  His name might make people afraid... but his power is limited.  In fact, James 4:7 tells us that if we resist him... he will run away.   Don’t give the enemy that much emotional control in your life.   Stand up to his advances, fight his challenges with the truth of scripture, and remember... ultimately this “weak devil” is defeated.  

Boasting

Lee Dye, a columnist for ABC News, told a story about a rather interesting former colleague.   He said, “A reporter I once knew sashayed across the newsroom one day with his colossal ego draped across his chest, just as an old veteran mumbled, ‘I’d like to buy him for what he’s worth and sell him for what he thinks he’s worth.”

There’s a fine line between confidence and ego... in believing in yourself and believing yourself better than others.  And if left unchecked, we can begin to believe our own hype.  The Bible warns us against this in Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”   Scripture tells us to check our arrogance.... and if we feel the need to boast, we should choose to do so about God’s greatness and not our own.  Why?  It’s not because He has a desire for affirmation...He is far from insecure.  Instead, we should praise God because He is worthy of our praise.  He gives us everything... every talent, opportunity, and resource... why not take those same hands we use to pat ourselves on the back... and lift them toward Heaven praising the One who makes all things possible.