October 31....the hungry

Luke 1:53 “The hungry he has given every good thing, while the rich he has sent empty away.” (NAB) “He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.” (NIV) “He has satisfied the hungry…sent the rich away with empty hands” (Phillips) “God gives the hungry good things to eat, and sends the rich away with nothing” (CEV)

Heavenly Father, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled”. (Matthew 5:6) Over and over in scripture we see images of people being “filled” when they are hungry. Jesus used numerous banquet images, he fed the 4000 and the 5000, he taught during meals, he blessed us with a final meal of remembrance. Only those who are “hungry” will be satisfied! Only those who seek the Bread of Life! Only those who know that “man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the Father!” Jesus is the Word! Jesus is the Bread! Jesus filled us with these images to carry, to ponder, to learn from, to dine on. Unless we see Jesus as our source of life…the bread that feeds our heart, mind, soul, spirit…we will still be hungry. He is all that satisfies and we can be filled if we choose. And what we dine on are “good things”. There is nothing that doesn’t taste good, that doesn’t satisfy, that doesn’t nourish us. It’s all good! But the rich go away hungry and empty. If we already have all we need or want, we have no desire for the food that will give us Life. Grace is only amazing to those who have a hunger for it, who recognize their need for it, who want it more than life itself. Worldly food leads to death. The rich diet provided by the world is empty calories. Only Jesus Christ and the gift of salvation is real food that produces growth. Like the “rich young ruler” we walk away empty and unsatisfied, until we trade our “riches” for Christ’s poverty. When we become “poor in spirit”…repentant, humble, giving up our will, we find what we seek. Being poor, being hungry make us open to your love and mercy and grace, until we are able to die in Christ and be reborn in Christ as sons and daughters of the King! Thank you! amen.

October 30....Jesus, God's right arm

Luke 1:51-52 “He has shown might with his arm, he has confused the proud in their inmost thoughts. He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places.” (NAB) “He has shown the strength of his arm, he has swept away the high and mighty, he has set kings down from their thrones and lifted up the humble.” (Phillips)

Heavenly Father, We sometimes use the expression, “I’d cut off my right arm for you” to indicate complete devotion. You, O LORD, “cut off your right arm”…Jesus Christ…for us! We talk about it metaphorically, but you actually did it. Jesus Christ, your only Son, was given to us as a sacrifice. You show your strength in this “arm”, Jesus Christ. He is the exact representation of You, the Father and he came to save us. His might was in the cross and the empty tomb! His might was in victory over sin and death! He “confused the proud” or “swept away the high and mighty”. We easily identify those terms with the Pharisees and their self-built, self-satisfying, law-focused religion, but we too are the “high and mighty”, the proud. We may show it differently than they did, but we are still trying to write the script our way, and take control of the rules and the plan. Jesus sweeps that all away! We can’t bring about our own salvation. Only through him will we get there. He has “confused” our plan! He has “swept away” our will and our self-control as means of coming to You. He has “deposed kings”….”set kings down from their thrones”. Jesus is King of Kings! Before him “every knee will bow”! There is no other ruler above him. He has “raised the lowly to high places”…”lifted up the humble”! Through Jesus Christ we are raised up. Through him we gain eternal salvation, home in heaven, son-ship in your family. We can’t be raised any higher than that! But it only comes to those who humble themselves before him. “Humble thyself in the sight of the LORD, and he will lift you up!” Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Mary’s prayer of praise is a vision of her Son’s future and our salvation through him. Amen.

October 29....mercy

Luke 1:50 “His mercy is from age to age on those who fear him.” (NAB) “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” (NIV) “His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe of him.” (MSG) “His mercy rests on those who fear him in every generation.” (Phillips) “He always shows mercy to everyone who worships him.” (CEV)

Heavenly Father, “His mercy”….that’s what it is all about. Your mercy is the reason we come to you. Your mercy is what draws us home to you. Your mercy is what allows us to see God Almighty as our loving Father. Dennis Jernigan wrote a wonderful song called “Mercy Me”, that is an expression of our need to be “mercied” constantly…..when we are falling, when we are calling, when we are dirty, when we need you. Our sin is there and though we give it to you to wash clean in your mercy, we still know that we will continue to battle the urge to sin. Our hearts know we are saved and forgiven, we don’t want to sin, but our fallen nature lets us down at times. I like the verbs used in each translation with “His mercy”:…..”is”, it simply exists always as part of You….”extends”, it stretches outward toward us, reaching to pull us in….”flows”, it is a wellspring of Living Water always ready to renew us, revive us, refresh our lives….”rests”, it is the peace that we seek, the abiding nature we need brought about in your mercy….”shows”, it is always evident to those who seek you and search for you, and is given freely to those who want it. Who may have this mercy? “Those who fear him”…”everyone who worships him”….”those who are in awe of him.” Mercy is free and flows from the throne of grace through Jesus Christ, but we must seek it, take it, allow it to wash over us, accept it into our hearts. We have to come to You, the source. Repent, change, desire mercy, receive it. Give up our struggle, give you control of our life, bathe in your mercy. Once we have it, no one can take it away from us! This is an everlasting promise from generation to generation. It is an “always” condition. Your mercy will never cease to exist, the only barrier to not having it, is not taking it from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Mercy me! Amen.

October 28....Almighty God

(Mary's song continued)

Luke 1:49 “God who is mighty has done great things for me, holy is his name.” (NAB) “The one who can do all things, has done great things for me…O holy is his name.” (Phillips)

Heavenly Father, I always begin these prayers by addressing them to You, as my Heavenly Father. I guess that’s the “name” I find most comforting…the Father who loved me enough to send his Son to save me. The One who resides in heaven and waits for me there with the wide open arms of a Father waiting for the prodigal sons to come home. Home is where the heart is, and my home is waiting for me in the house of my Father. You have many names we can call You by, and that help us see who You are and to know more about You. Mary calls upon “God who is mighty”….”God Almighty”….”the One who can do all things”. I think sometimes I get so wrapped up in the loving Father image, that I forget that You are indeed, God Almighty! The One True God, the Creator, the Lord of all, the Everlasting Father, the LORD of Hosts, the I AM! Mary acknowledges the Almighty God, the only God who could do something so great as to place his Son inside her by his Holy Spirit. She praises the One who has “done great things for me”! Not only are You, Almighty but You have used that all-powerful greatness on her behalf. She sees You as her God, the One she loves and serves. She praises your name as holy. Holy only describes the One True God! Holy is what You are, who You are….it is your character. “Holy, Holy, Holy, LORD God Almighty, early in the morning our song shall rise to thee! Only Thou art holy, there is none beside Thee, perfect in power, and love and purity.” This song has been sung by countless Christians through the ages! Mary too sang of your holiness. I thank you! I praise you! I love you! amen.

October 27....God has blessed me

(Mary's song continued)

Luke 1:48 “For he has looked upon his servant in her lowliness, all ages to come shall call me blessed.” (NAB) “God cares for me, his humble servant, from now on all people will say God has blessed me.” (CEV)

Heavenly Father, Mary’s heart is full of praise for You, the One who looked at her “lowliness”….her humble state…and chose her for this part in your plan. It is hard from this point in time to know what it must have been like to be always expecting the Messiah to come. Knowing that some day someone would be chosen to be the mother of the Savior who was to come. Did they understand that the Messiah would be God as well as man? They sought someone to save their nation, to lead them once more out of “slavery” and oppression by other countries. Israel always seemed to be a nation under attack…physically, spiritually. As your chosen people, Satan would lead the world in creating hatred for them. Mary understands that she is blessed to have been chosen by You. She understands that You are God and that she is but a servant. She understands that You care of her and look upon her favorably. To still be humble in the face of the role thrust upon her shows why You would choose her. She obviously was a very devout believer…obedience, acceptance of your will, worship all fall easily from her lips. I chose the CEV translation for my second one because it occurred to me that placing a comma between “say” and “God” would give an interesting twist of meaning and insight. Because of your care for Mary, and her humble acceptance of your will, from now on “all people will say, “God has blessed me”….meaning we have been blessed and not just Mary. All people on this earth can now say to You, “God has blessed me” and know it is true. Your blessing was poured out for all of us in this child, Jesus Christ. Grace has blessed the world and all mankind! Amen.

October 26....joyful spirit

Luke 1:47 “My spirit finds joy in God my Savior.” (NAB) “And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (NIV) “And I am glad because of God my Savior”. (CEV) “My soul is full of joy in God my Savior.” (Phillips) “I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.” (MSG)

Heavenly Father, I have a lot of trouble remembering exactly what is soul and what is spirit. I’ve always sort of lumped them together as one thing. My soul is my being, my life but I think the spirit is more….it’s the God connected part of me. I meet You, O LORD, through the spirit You breathed into me creating me in your image. Mary’s spirit responded to You in joy. She rejoiced, she was full of joy, she was bursting with godly happiness and “connectedness”. Her spirit was touching your spirit. She held within her your holy Son. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to have something that holy inside of me. Mary rejoices in “God, my Savior.” Her child, the Savior of the world is not yet born, but she acknowledges his presence as Savior already. She had been told that his name would be Jesus…Savior. Every mother rejoices in the baby growing inside of her, the miracle of birth, the unexplainable feeling of what it is like to carry life and feel it grow day by day. A mother’s connection is a unique thing that men can never experience, never understand. They can never hold and grow another life other than their own inside of them. This child growing inside Mary was special and different…a man child, but also a God child. How amazing and also how confusing for Mary…the baby who was also God…her Father, but also her Son…her responsibility but also her Savior! My mind boggles. But Mary had a spirit full of joy that embraced this great blessing. She didn’t understand all it would mean, but her joy and happiness were overflowing at the possibilities of the future and serving her God. Amen.

October 25.....Mary's praise song part 1

Luke 1:46 “My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord.” (NAB) “My soul glorifies the Lord.” (NIV) “My heart is overflowing with praise of my Lord.” (Phillips) “I’m bursting with God-news”. (MSG) “With all my heart I praise the Lord.” (CEV) Heavenly Father, The next few days focus on Mary’s song of praise sung at Elizabeth’s house. Right before her song, Elizabeth says to her: “Blessed is she who has believed that what the LORD has said to her will be accomplished.” Mary has accepted her role as “servant of the Lord” and is to be blessed for believing all the angel declared to her. I always wonder how this song came to us. Did she sing it often? Was she a “poet” who sang songs of praise each day? Is it an older song? Obviously it was remembered and recorded as important. Mary’s song is of praise for God’s past faithfulness to the people of Israel. She sings of God’s holiness God’s actions, God’s mercy. The different translations give a variety of word choices….”my being”….”my soul”…”my heart”….to describe how deeply this praise soars from her. This is a young girl about to face a scary time of pregnancy without first having a normal marriage and normal relationship with a husband. A girl who has heard angels and faced possible scorn from others. A girl who must have been chosen for her great faith and great strength of character. You, O LORD, saw her as “highly favored”. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, acknowledges Mary’s roles as one “blessed” and as “she who has believed” that what You say will be accomplished. Mary’s praise is for You, for your greatness. She isn’t focused on being chosen for the task, but on the One who chose her. She wants to “glorify” You. Her being is “overflowing “ with praise. With the Son of God inside her, sharing her body and life, how could her entire being be anything else but a temple of praise! Amen.

October 24....son of the free woman

Galatians 4:21-31 “The son of the free woman was born by God’s promise” (NIV) The two births represent two ways of being in relationship with God” (A slave life or a free life) “We are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.” (MSG) Heavenly Father, I’m not sure I can sort this one out….give me your wisdom and discernment. Abraham and Sarah were promised a son who would be the beginning of a nation of God’s chosen people. This was God’s promise, God’s ordaining, God’s plan. But when things didn’t happen right away Sarah, with Abraham’s approval, took matters into her own hands and attempted to start this family through a slave woman…Hagar…who she gives to Abraham to bear a son for her. She didn’t trust in God’s plan or God’s provision or God’s promise. So the son of the slave woman is born, not by God’s promise, but by man’s decision based on lack of faith and lack of trust in God. Eventually Sarah has the son God promised, born in freedom. This was God’s plan and happened as he promised. Now Abraham has 2 sons…one born of promise, one born of mistrust. God creates a nation through each of them because they come from Abraham his chosen “father of nations”. God did not choose the nation born of Hagar but blessed it anyway. However this nation would always be opposed to the nation that God did choose through the son that God promised…Isaac and Israel. Jesus Christ was to be a descendant of this child. Jesus was to be born of promise and not trickery, free not slave. We too are born of promise through Jesus Christ. God ordained that we are to come to new birth through him alone. We can’t choose a different way. We can’t make our own plan. We can’t stop the covenant he gave. One way…Jesus Christ…son of the promise. This is our way into right relationship with our Father. His will for us. Thank you for your promise, your provision and salvation through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

October 23....lost treasure found

Luke 15:8-9 “Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it and when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and say, “Rejoice with me, I have found my lost coin.”

Heavenly Father, This unnamed woman goes through the steps of faith we all need to follow. First she recognized that something of value was missing, lost. She wants to find it. Then she “lights a lamp”….”Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105) Your holy word in scripture and the spoken Word, Jesus Christ, these are our light. If we turn the light on…expose the problem to Jesus Christ and his healing saving power….than we will find what is missing. Next she “swept the house”. We can’t find the lost if we don’t clear out the garbage. We have to get rid of all the filth and dirt….our sins…if we want to find our lost treasure. It takes effort….sweeping every corner, confessing it all, desiring to change our lives. When the confessing and sweeping are done, we “search carefully” until we find the treasure. Jesus isn’t hidden from the eyes of our hearts, only from our worldly eyes. Once we begin to search with eyes that expect to find and really desire your abiding presence, than the treasure is found. “You will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13) Her final step was to gather all of her friends and neighbors together to rejoice! And she wants them to rejoice with her. They too need to seek the treasure that is lost. They too need to find the source of all joy and happiness. Turn on the Light! Sweep out the sins! Search for the One always waiting to be found! Then rejoice in the Father God who loves you, who sent his son to save you, and his Holy Spirit to abide in you! amen.

October 22....Mary ponders

Luke 2:19, 51 “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” “But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.”

Heavenly Father, We have the early stories of Jesus because Mary treasured them in her heart and later told them to others. We can look at this lightly…a mother smiling at memories of her child….or we can look deeper. What Jesus said, what Jesus did became treasure for Mary and now for others to ponder in their hearts. Jesus told us…”where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” We have to choose what we treasure. We can choose money and things that money can buy…or we can choose family and friends….or we can choose ideas and philosophies….or we can choose God and all that he teaches and wills for us. We have to choose what things, what thoughts, what actions are of importance to store away in our hearts and “ponder” them. Ponder means to “turn them over in your mind”, think about them and what they mean, hold them deep within. It isn’t just a storing up of memories or facts, but deciding what is worth keeping and what has value. What is our treasure? Treasure is rich, important, worth something of value. Mary saw her son’s words and actions as treasure. She watched and listened and observed all he did. Not just as a mother, but as one of his followers. Mary was part of the early church because she knew where the treasure was and wanted to share this knowledge with others. She had spent years “pondering” what it all meant, remembering every word. We are richer, because she treasured Jesus and everything connected to his life. Your words are our treasure! Your Son, the Word, is our treasure! The Holy Spirit is our treasure! We must hold them in an abiding relationship in our hearts and ponder them day and night. Thank you, for your treasure. Amen

October 21.....mothers and children

Matthew 19:13-14 “The little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.” “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Heavenly Father, There are no women mentioned here, but you know it is their mothers who are bringing their children to Jesus for his blessing! It’s the sort of thing that mothers do. Mothers want any blessing they can beg, borrow or steal for their children. Mothers want all that their children can have of Jesus. Why do we baptize and bless infants? Because we can’t bear to think of them being lost and not in heaven! Because we want Jesus’ protection on them every single day, every year of their lives. A mother never stops being a mother. I would drag my children into Jesus’ presence if I could! I want nothing more in this world than that! They are grown now, but they still need to come to Jesus like children to receive his kingdom. How often in prayer groups I hear mothers lift the names of their children and grandchildren in prayer. Every Sunday mothers bring their children to Jesus to be blessed…..and we the Church must lean to do all we can to see that these children receive the kingdom of heaven….it ”belongs” to them! Jesus said so. I wish I knew what goes wrong, why some children don’t get the message or receive the blessing! I want every child born on this planet to receive Jesus’ blessing….beginning with my own. I dedicated my children to Jesus when they were baptized and I lift them constantly to Christ in prayer. Save them, O LORD! Call them! Open their hearts, their eyes, their ears to receive you! They are still children I need of your blessing. I’m bringing them in my heart today and always. Place your hands on them today and pray for them ! amen.

October 20.....the women at the tomb

Luke 24:10-11 “It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the Mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women because their words seemed to them like nonsense.” Heavenly Father, These women had followed Joseph to the tomb when Jesus was buried, making note of where it was and what was needed. They had followed Jesus faithfully during his ministry, serving his needs. Now they wanted tot do one final act and properly prepare and anoint his body. They are totally sure of his death and not expecting resurrection. They wait out the time of the Sabbath before doing this duty. When they go to the tomb, it is empty! They search and 2 angels appear to speak to them….”He is risen!” They remember his teaching ……”on the 3rd day be raised again.” These are women who have followed Jesus, served Jesus, devoted themselves to his needs. They also have listened to him and know the words he spoke during his ministry. I would imagine that they “hung on his every word” in the manner of star-struck women everywhere. Women see and hear and feel things differently than men. They single-mindedly zero in on what is important to them, and can show great loyalty once they engage their hearts toward someone. When the women rush excitedly to the disciples and report what they saw and heard they are disbelieved and considered to be speaking “nonsense”. I think that is how men often react. They believe that women don’t know what they are talking about. But these women were the first to see the empty tomb, first to hear the words…”He is risen!”, first to believe and go witness. Jesus understood women and still does. He uses them strongly in the church’s mission and ministry. We need to heed the women and listen to their witness. Jesus speaks to them and their ears and hearts are open to the message. Thank you, Lord, our risen Savior! amen

October 19.....annointing Jesus' feet

Luke 7:47-50 “Jesus said to her, “your sins are forgiven”. “Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.” “Her many sins have been forgiven…for she loved much.”

Heavenly Father, I’m confused about this story…did it happen once or twice? Was the woman Lazarus’ sister Mary or “a woman who had lived a sinful life”, as Luke calls her? Was Mary the one who lived a sinful life….the town harlot, in some versions? I don’t think these things are important, but they do confuse my understanding of Mary, the sister of Lazarus. The important facts are what she did in the story, what she felt. This woman was a sinner. Everyone is town knew it…the men especially. She was looked down upon. When she came to Simon’s house and anointed Jesus’ feet with her tears, she wept in repentance for what she’d done. She recognized that Jesus could help her. She saw that he was different. He didn’t want to use her, he only wanted to forgive her. Jesus sets her as an example to Simon and the others to show the difference between those who sin but don’t acknowledge it, and those who truly repent and gratefully change. We have to know how bad we are before we can appreciate grace. If we think we are OK and not such bad people, than we see no need to change and no need for a Savior. Until we realize who we are….sinners….we can’t recognize who Jesus is. Only an acknowledged sinner needs a Savior. This woman needed Jesus and he forgave her. She came to him to honor him, to acknowledge his worth and her sin, and he honored her faith. She “loved much”, because she knew how much he had forgiven . Grace covers all sin. If you see your sin as small your understanding of grace will be small, also. Our understanding of our own sin and of Jesus and his sacrifice is the key to how amazing grace is!

October 18....Mary

Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant, Mary answered. May it be to me as you have said.”

Heavenly Father,

I’m always very awed by this story. A very young virgin, betrothed in marriage, her life set and arranged, suddenly has it turned upside down by the visit of an angel. What must it be like to clearly hear an angel’s voice speak? How does it sound? Surely a voice from heaven sounds different from earthly voices! The angel promises great things….”you are highly favored. The Lord is with you.” Mary is “troubled” and confused. I think any young woman would be! The angel is very gentle with her…unlike some angel visits where the person is rebuked for being confused or skeptical. “Do not be afraid, Mary, for God loves you dearly.” What wonderful words! We all long to hear You speak these words to us! How often we beat ourselves up over past mistakes and inward knowledge of our sinful nature. How often we lack confidence and seek affirmation. To hear a messenger from God say “God loves you dearly” must be a balm for the soul that lightens the heart and spirit! Mary’s heart must have lifted at these words. The angel explains his message and Mary only asks one question…”How?” The angel explains more fully. Then Mary makes her beautiful pledge of faith and acceptance….”I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Complete acquiescence. Complete humility and obedience. No question of “how will I explain this to Joseph and my family?” No doubt or wavering. No worrying and fretting. There is a sense of simple peace in her acceptance of this once in a lifetime role. The normal reaction of a young girl about to have her world stood on its head isn’t there. Just peace…humility…obedience….trust. We should all have Mary’s peaceful spirit of acquiescence to your will. A servant’s heart chosen to raise the One who would be servant to the world. Amen.

“I am the Lord’s servant, Mary answered. May it be to me as you have said.” Luke 1:38 

 A Servant’s Heart 
 Mary was blessed with a servant’s heart 
Trusting, O LORD, in your perfect will, 
Chosen to bear the Light of the World… 
She acquiesced, obedient and still. 

How fitting it is for a servant’s heart 
To have nurtured the One, to be Servant for all! 
Mary's obedience set the example 
As her Son came to manhood, straight and tall. 

 For Jesus needed a servant’s heart 
To die for the sins of all the world. 
With a servant’s heart……obeying his Father….. 
The Suffering Servant, salvation unfurled.

(10-18-2007)

October 17.....Elizabeth

Luke 1:6, 25, 41 “Both of them were upright in the sight of God…”

“The LORD has done this for me. In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

"When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Heavenly Father, Elizabeth….scripture says that both she and Zechariah lived “upright” lives and did all God commanded. She was a priest’s wife and of a priestly family. She was barren, which was a great disgrace for women in that day. Women were suppose to bear children and produce heirs. There is no indication that she allowed this unhappiness to effect her life or her beliefs. She still worshiped God in an “upright” manner. Though Zechariah voiced skepticism about impending fatherhood….and lost his voice because of it….there is no indication that Elizabeth doubted. When she became pregnant she gave credit to God and praised him for taking away her “disgrace”. I wonder how much Zechariah had been able to tell her about what the angel said? He must surely have found a way to tell her that the angel had promised that their child would be very special, a prophet leading many to God, preparing a way for the Lord. She knew what his name was to be before Zechariah was able to speak again. She went into seclusion….an aged woman bearing her first child. When Mary arrived to tell Elizabeth her own news of her visit from an angel, before she could even speak, Elizabeth already knew. Her baby reacted to Mary’s baby. Her baby knew his Lord even in the womb! Wow! “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” This is the only mention I know of a particular woman being filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth’s own faith, her husband’s faith, her baby chosen for special work are all gifts of God. She was much blessed by God and he filled her with his Holy Spirit. You must have loved her greatly, because You blessed her faith greatly! She and Mary blessed women everywhere through their Spirit filled lives of obedience to You. They trusted and were available, waiting in faith for your Holy Spirit. Amen.

October 16....Lois and Eunice

2 Timothy 1:4 “I often think of that genuine faith of yours…a faith that first appeared in your grandmother, Lois, then in your mother, now I am convinced in you as well.”

Heavenly Father, This one is hard for me to write. Lois and Eunice, grandmother and mother to young Timothy, passed on their “genuine faith” to him. Family faith moving through the generations. I failed to pass my faith to my children. What I always felt was so strong in me, didn’t come through to influence them. I trusted too much to others….Sunday School and church….to give my children faith. I didn’t speak enough of my own beliefs or make them a daily obvious part of our lives. Now I suffer much anguish over my children’s lack of faith. How did Lois and Eunice do it? What did they do right that I did wrong? Paul was able to see evidence of this “genuine faith” that both Lois and Eunice had. He sees it being passed on to Timothy, who becomes a strong preacher, teacher, apostle. Lois and Eunice are examples to follow because they obviously not only lived their own faith to where it showed to others, but they made it a priority in their son’s life, also. Faith has to be passed from generation to generation. If any generation fails to do their part, than the Church begins to fail and the message of Jesus Christ doesn’t get through. Souls aren’t saved. Jesus did his saving work, but we have to see that each generation of children understands what he did and make it real to them through “genuine faith”. It can’t just be words. It has to be lived out of every beat of our hearts. We can’t leave it to someone else to do for us. It’s our responsibility as parents. Forgive me, LORD, for failing to reach my children with your love and hope and salvation. Please send someone they will listen to and reach them before it is too late. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. amen

October 15....Mary Magdalene at the tomb

John 20:18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!”

Heavenly Father, When Mary first saw the empty tomb, she assumed that someone had stolen the body. She had no thought that he might be resurrected. Even though she had followed Jesus for years and known him well and served him in gratitude for what he had done to change her life, she still had no idea of what his real purpose….resurrection….was all about. How often do we think we know Christ but don’t really understand his real message? How often are we distracted by what we expect to find…for Mary it was a body in a tomb….from what we really seek? Mary didn’t want Jesus to be dead and in that tomb, but because she saw things from a worldly human perspective, she couldn’t get past that idea to seeing the possibility of so much more. She loved and respected the Jesus she knew….the man who preached and who had healed her, who was Rabboni, teacher, but she did not yet know or understand that Jesus Christ was Lord of all, victor over death, resurrected hope, salvation over sin forever. Even when he first spoke to her, she couldn’t recognize him through the tears she was shedding for what she thought she had lost, what she thought was the end of her dreams. He had to speak her name before her vision cleared and she saw him. Jesus had to “call his sheep by name” and come as a personal Savior to her. Mary had to look beyond what she expected to higher possibilities. She had to seek him and to listen for Christ to speak directly to her. Her joy overflowed once she truly saw him and she wanted to embrace him as well as run to spread the joyful news…”I have seen the Lord!” Call my name that I might truly see you in your resurrected glory! Amen.

October 14.....Priscilla and Aquilla

Acts 18:26 “When Priscilla and Aquilla heard him (Appollos) they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.”

Romans 16:3-4 “Priscilla and Aquilla, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but the churches of the gentiles are grateful to them.”

1 Corinthians 16:19 “Aquilla and Priscilla greet you warmly in the word and so does the church that meets at their house.”

Heavenly Father, I can’t just write about Priscilla here, because she is never mentioned without Aquilla. Husband and wife acting as one for the Church, this devoted couple have a large role in helping Paul in the early church. Apparently they not only sometimes traveled with him and work with him, but they open their home as a church meeting place. There were no church buildings in those days…just groups of believers meeting together and sharing all they had. What a perfect picture of what Jesus’ church should be like! How we often distort this idea by creating huge fancy edifices and then becoming more involved in maintaining the building and its history than in drawing in those who need to know Christ. A church that is the home of Jesus Christ is his and not ours. It is there only as a gathering place, a place to serve. Priscilla and Aquilla are also mentioned for their role in teaching Appollos. He was preaching correctly about Jesus, but only what he knew through the baptism of John the Baptist. I take that to mean he didn’t have the knowledge and power of the Holy Spirit yet. Priscilla and Aquilla who were obviously strong believers full of the Spirit, took him home and taught him more fully to draw on this true power given to the church and those who believe in Jesus Christ as “the Way, the Truth, and the Life”. Their gifts and dedication are many….teaching, serving, working, providing a church home…and they work together as an example of Christian family teamwork. What a loving example of Christ’s followers we have in this couple! Thank you, Lord, for all the devoted couples who serve in the Church and in missions, abiding in unity with you and others. Amen.

October 13.....there were many women

Mat. 27: 55-56 “There were many women at the scene watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to look after his needs. Among them were Mary of Magdala, Mary the Mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.”

Mark 15:40-41 Mary of Magdala, Mary the Mother of the younger James and Joses, Salome. And there were many other women there who had come up to Jeruselem with him.”

Luke 23:49 “The women who had followed him from Galilee.”

John 19:25-26 “Jesus’ mother was standing near his cross with her sister, and with them Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.

Heavenly Father, “There were many women”….the women watched from a distance but some were also at the foot of the cross. Perhaps the soldiers see women as less of a threat. There is confusion with the few names that are mentioned as to exactly who some of these women are or even how many (where do the commas belong?). However the message here and the lesson we should follow has 3 elements….steadfastness, service, and witness. Steadfastness: These women stayed until the end. They didn’t run and hide out of fear. They didn’t give up and go home. They didn’t avoid the nastiness of the cross. They stayed to the end watching the One they loved die and they probably cried a million tears while it happened. Loyalty. Their love for Jesus kept them at his side through good times and bad.

Service: These women had followed Jesus throughout his ministry to care for his needs and now they are here to serve to the very end by preparing his body for burial. I’m sure they considered it a privilege to serve him both alive and dead. Some of them had been touched by his healing and by his forgiveness and now they responded in service.

Witness: These women who didn’t run away saw everything that happened. I’m sure they told their stories of Jesus…his actions, his words, his death, his resurrection….over and over to all who would listen until their own deaths. I can hear them saying, “I was there that day….”. These women were an important part of the beginning of Christ’s Church here on earth. They continued to show these 3 things….steadfastness, service, witness….by serving his church and by passing the stories to new generations. Thank you! amen.

October 12.....Martha

Luke 10:38-41 and John 11:1-44 “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” “When Martha heard Jesus was coming she went out to meet him.” “I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” “Yes, Lord I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

Heavenly Father, I wish I knew more about Martha. I think I always see in her a picture of myself and most of the women I know who are Christians. Martha….busy, busy, busy. Doing all the “right” things. Caring for her sister and brother. Showing hospitality to Jesus and the disciples. Her house is the one most often mentioned where Jesus stays. He must have felt very welcome there. We tend to concentrate on Jesus rebuking Martha for worrying about all the work while her sister sat at his feet to listen. I think that most of us, Christian sisters feel a bit of annoyance at this, even though we keep silent….”its all well and good to say, sit and listen, but somebody has to do all the work.” I can hear it echo in the minds of 1000’s of women. We see the work. We see the needs. We see the service that needs to be done, just as women have served throughout the ages….someone has to fix the dinner for the soup kitchen, bake for the bake sales for missions, teach Sunday School, tend the nursery, sing in the choir, clean up the church, print the bulletins, visit the widows, bake the casserole for the funeral service. (sigh)….We really want to sit at Jesus’ feet sometimes, but who will serve while we do?? How will it all get done? It’s really hard to stop being the Martha of Service!

Here in John, we see another side of her. Verse 5 assures us that “Jesus loved Martha...”. It mentions her name first and doesn’t even say Mary’s name in this verse. Martha is loved by Jesus….work, service, hospitality, the whole thing! Martha is steady and dependable and committed. Martha comes out first to greet him after Lazarus dies….Mary remains behind. Is this because Martha has “forgiven” Jesus’ lack of speed already and Mary is still upset? I don’t know. We have to guess much. Martha isn’t afraid to tell Jesus that she knows that if he had been there that Lazarus wouldn’t have died. Her next statement is harder to understand…”I know even now God will give you whatever you ask. “ Is she asking for a miracle even through Lazarus has been dead 3 days? I don’t really think so. Jesus tells her that Lazarus will rise again and she states her belief in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus makes one of his “I am…” statements….”I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Jesus wants to know what Martha believes, how much she understands about who he is, how much she trusts him. Martha has spent her time serving, but she must have learned to listen to Jesus also, and absorb through a relationship with him, and her devotion to him, the message that he came to give. Martha is committed to Jesus. “Yes, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” Serving Jesus can lead to knowing him, also. Being where he is, where his work is, teaches us about him.

We must be sure that our service is truly for him and his church and not just “busy work”. We have to stop worrying about the unimportant details and about who else might be helping or not helping us. We need to be where Jesus wants us and ready at all times. We need to listen to him most of all so that we will know he is the Christ. There are a lot of mixed messages in Martha, but I cling to verse 5: ”Jesus loved Martha...”. Jesus loves all of us and wants to lead us forward to new revelations and deepen our belief. Even in the face of death he wants us to see the possibility of resurrection and life…to see him at all times and clearly state our belief in him. Martha believed in Jesus. Thank you for all the Martha’s and Mary’s in the word. Amen.

October 11.....wedding at Cana

John 2:5 “Do whatever he tells you.”

Heavenly Father,

This story is considered Jesus’ first recorded miracle. He is attending a wedding in Cana with his mother and the disciples. It’s a look at Jesus as a “normal man” celebrating with friends and relatives. His mother, in a typical woman’s fashion, is concerned because they have run out of wine. I wonder if this was a family member’s wedding? Why else would she get involved? She takes the problem to Jesus. I guess that is what I want to focus on. We don’t know how much Mary understood about her son’s future. I don’t believe she knew exactly what being the Messiah would consist of any more than anyone else did. She certainly knew that her Son was special and that strange circumstances had surrounded him from birth. She and his brothers are among those “following” him at this point in time. When a problem arose she took it to Jesus, just like we take our problems to him. She tells the servants….”Do whatever he tells you.” Obviously she has complete trust in her son’s ability to handle anything and have the best solution. I think Mary must have experienced Jesus’ “power” while raising him. Just because we don’t have a written record of it doesn’t mean it never happened. Mothers know much that others never know about their own children. Whether she expected a human response or a miracle, we don’t really know, but she still trusted him as the source to go to. Jesus is always the one we need to go to with our problems. Jesus reveals his “glory” here…his powerful connection to his Father in heaven. He ignited the belief of his followers with this miracle. Jesus honored his mother, Mary trusted her son. Taking everything to Jesus is an abiding relationship. It builds trust. Amen.

October 10.....touching the hem

Luke 8:43-48 “She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak and immediately her bleeding stopped.” (NIV) “Seeing she could not go unnoticed, she came trembling and fell at his feet in the presence of all the people. She told why she had touched him and how she had been immediately healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

Heavenly Father,

I’ve been drawn to this story for several years. I seem to identify closely with the woman. I think I have always seen her as being too shy and afraid….like me….to boldly approach and ask for what she wanted and needed from Jesus. Once I saw a reference to this story that mentioned the “courage” in her actions and I was astounded. Courage? I always saw weakness and an attempt to “steal” what she was too afraid to ask for face to face. Which is it? Maybe some of both. She knew Jesus was her only hope. She had tried everything else and gotten no help. She had suffered a long time with a problem that caused great weakness and weariness. Years of bleeding certainly must lead to being anemic! Yet she is there in this crushing crowd around Jesus. Did she reach out in faith, in hope, in desperation? Women in those days had to be careful about approaching men. Women were “second class” citizens. A bleeding woman would be “unclean”. She took a great risk in trying to touch Jesus. I guess that is courage! But she also hoped to go unnoticed….fear. Jesus forced her into the open. Jesus threw her into the spotlight so that the entire crowd was focused on her and her problems…one of my greatest fears (being at the center of attention!) Jesus wanted her to tell her story. Her healing came in both the courageous touching and trusting in him, but also in the telling of her story. It took great courage for her to tell everyone what she did and why and how Jesus healed her. That is when Jesus blessed her with his peace. I have Jesus’ healing ….now I must learn to come forward and tell others in order to receive his peace. Help me, Lord. Fill me with courage and opportunity and draw me forward that I might find your peace. Amen.

October 9....Lydia

Acts 16:14-15 “Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home.”

Heavenly Father,

Lydia was a worshiper of God. Some kernel of faith was already present. When Paul and his companions found her at the gate to the river where they went to pray, she and the other women listened and spoke with Paul. “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” Lydia’s example to follow is that she responded. She didn’t just listen and continue with her normal life. She responded to what she heard and she and her household were baptized. Then she responded further by opening her home to Paul and his companions. This was important because Paul and the others depended on the hospitality of believers they met to take care of their needs. Lydia would have been a woman of means….she dealt in valuable purple cloth….so she would have a lot to share with the Christian brothers. She would also be a high-placed example to her friends and fellow dealers. Her faith resulted in a response. The Lord will open our hearts to respond when we listen in faith. Just listening isn’t enough. It is important to listen , but at some point a response will be called for. We have to open ourselves to be part of the continued spreading of Christ’s work. We must commit ourselves fully….be baptized….and then invite whoever God sends into our life and respond to opportunities for outreach. The Lord will open our heart to our mission, if we are attentive to those who speak with his power and listen to his words. We must respond! This is how we come into abiding relationship. Open my heart, Lord, and show me my ministry to serve you. amen.

October 8.....Anna at the temple

Luke 2:36-38 “She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”

Heavenly Father,

Anna, daughter of Phanuel, only merits 3 verses in scripture but they say a lot about her. She was a prophetess, one who spoke words from God to others. She was very old, but dedicated her entire life to God. She spent every minute in the temple! She worshiped night and day, she fasted, she prayed. Certainly an example to follow! Most of us toss off a few short words of prayer and consider ourselves “prayer warriors”. Anna knew how to pray correctily. True prayer is a lifetime’s work. It requires being “in the temple” day and night. Scripture tells us that we are God’s temple and that an abiding relationship means that the Holy Spirit is dwelling in us. Our temple is always inhabited by your presence. If our spirit communions with your Holy Spirit, than we are in prayer. We need that abiding awareness of your presence day and night. Anna recognized the child as the Messiah when she saw him. Because she knew an abiding relationship with You, and prayed constantly, and fasted, she was able to “know” the Christ. She prophesied to “all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” Anna spoke to those who were seeking, who were looking forward rather than back. Anna’s words were for an audience that was ready to hear. She and Simeon both were ready to find the Christ. They were prepared. They were seeking. They were in a holy place and an abiding relationship. I’m sure that Anna’s words echoed Simeon’s: “My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people. A light for revelation for the Gentiles and the glory of they people Israel.” Thank you! amen.

October 7.....praying women

Acts 1:14 “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”

Heavenly Father,

I read a book once titled “What happens When Women Pray?” I don’t know that anything special happens just because they are women, but I believe that many women have a strong heart for prayer. I think women can be more persistent and faithful in praying for people and things over and over with much heart-filled love. It’s a type of work that you have equipped women to embrace. We seem to have a great capacity for the attitude of “I will not let You go until You bless me,” and for having enough faith to believe You will answer if we keep praying. Women connect their hearts and emotions to their prayers. They shed tears along with words. Here in Acts we are told that after the ascension the disciples returned to the upper room along with the women who had followed Jesus, and his mother, Mary, and his brothers. They have now spent 40 days with the risen Christ listening to his final teachings. Jesus has told them to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. I’m sure they had no idea exactly what they were waiting for and why, but they did as they were told. They spent this time together and in prayer and they did this constantly. …..without stopping. Jesus had impacted their lives greatly….more than we can imagine. He did something they would never forget…rose from the dead! They are changed men and women, filled with this wonder and with an expectancy for what will come next. They trust Jesus completely and wait with enthusiasm. They wait prayerfully and united in one mind and heart. The women who were faithful are included. They are seldom named but they are always there….praying, serving. They are part of your plan and they persist in doing all they know to do…pray. Teach me to pray constantly and in your Holy Spirit. Amen

October 6.....crippled woman on the Sabbath

Luke 13:10-17 “A woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for 18 years. She was bent over and could not straighten up”. … “Should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham , whom Satan has kept bound for 18 years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”

Heavenly Father,

I looked at these verses several times trying to decide how this woman is an example to follow. Opportunity. She was in the synagogue on the Sabbath to hear Jesus. She didn’t approach him, but he saw her and called her to come forward. He chose her from those who were there. We have to come into Jesus’ presence, even if only on the outer fringes. I assume she believed in God since she is at the synagogue. Perhaps she came to hear the man everyone is talking about, or perhaps she always is present in the synagogue on the Sabbath….hopeful of healing and answers. Her affliction is caused by “a spirit”. For 18 years she has suffered so badly from this spirit that it physically bends her over and cripples her. Satan has somehow “bound” this woman for most of her life to the point of totally crippling her. She hasn’t been able to free herself. Satan tries to bind all of us. He wants us in his power and under his orders and crippled. I can’t imagine what sort of "spirit" has such a terrible affect on this woman’s whole life….manic depressive? schizophrenic? split-personality disorder? obsessive/compulsive? We have fancy names for non-physically caused problems. It is known that our bodies can be effected by our mental (spiritual) state. Some part of her still seeks God and has hope. Some part of her brings her near Jesus and the synagogue. Jesus can break Satan’s bindings. Jesus called her forward and spoke words of healing…”you are set free”….and then he touches her. She immediately straightens up and praises God. Even bound by Satan, she knew about God and understood who released her. The Sabbath and our churches should be a place where people find release from the bindings of Satan, a place to be set free in Jesus’ presence. If Jesus is present he will call and heal them. We must not interfere or keep anyone away from where they might meet Jesus. They have to be near where Jesus is. The Chruch should always be a place where Jesus will break the bindings of Satan. Amen

October 5.....woman at the well

John 4:1-42 “Come see a man who told me everything I ever did.” “Because of his words many more became believers.”

Heavenly Father,

The Samaritan woman is easy to hold up as an example to follow. She met Jesus, she listened, she believed, she brought others to listen and believe. Jesus was at the well…the place where this woman would come. He meets us all in a familiar place, a place where we spend time. He speaks first…”Will you give me a drink?” Jesus asks for his presence to be acknowledged by this unbeliever. We have to see and hear him for him to make a connection. She normally would not speak to a Jewish man. It would be as if he were not there. For Jesus to reach any unbeliever he must first get them to listen …to extend to him the kindness (a drink) that doesn’t show total resistance. “Openness”….he immediately offers his gift….living water and identifies himself through his words. Jesus wants one thing….recognition of who he is and what his mission is. Hearing Jesus’ words is what changes her and draws her in. Unless a non-believer will listen and have an openness to his message….even if they argue with him as she did….Jesus can’t reach them. This is what this woman shows us…openness to the possibility. She didn’t come to the well that day to seek Jesus or anyone else…but she was open to listen when the encounter happened. Jesus will step into openness. His words alone will convince the hearer. They convinced the woman and she sought others to tell them what she heard. They too were open to at least listen and decide for themselves. They came because of her words, but they stayed because of what Jesus said to them. It is his words that convince. We only need to find people “open” to listen. We don’t need our words, except to show our own excitement and wonder at what we heard. Jesus will explain himself to those who are open to listen. He is used to resistance. He will speak when we listen. How do I find listeners for Jesus? Amen.

October 4....even the dogs

Matthew 15:21-28 “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table. Jesus answered, “woman you have great faith! Your request is granted.” (NIV)

Heavenly Father,

This story always seems strange to me. Jesus usually healed every person brought to him, day after day. It must have been frustrating at times because he knew he wasn’t here to be some sort of “miracle worker”, doing nothing but heal physical problems and cast out demons. He had just wrangled with the Pharisees about what was clean and unclean. He wanted to make them think about their “heart condition” rather than their “physical” condition. He wanted to get them away from worrying about the letter of the law, and their additions to it, and instead look at their attitudes toward God’s intention in those laws. What did God really want from them….not blind obedience or side stepping but changed hearts that acted in love for God and love for fellow man. The “chosen people” were hard-headed and hard-hearted and even his disciples were dense in understanding his message. Now he is in non-Jewish territory and this wailing woman….a “drama queen”?….is crying out for help for her daughter. Once again someone wants him to be the “miracle guy” for their own benefit. He ignores her and says nothing. Why? Does he hope she will go away?….or does he hope that she won’t? She perseveres. She badgers the disciples. She kneels at his feet and begs. “Lord help me”. Her petition is for her daughter, but her mother’s love makes it personal. What helps her daughter, helps her. She is desperate and will not give up. Jesus insults her! How unlike him. He calls her a “dog”, just as the Jews would, and says he is only there for them. She is so desperate and so humble, she accepts the “label” and turns it into a clever reply….the dogs at least get the crumbs and she’ll take whatever she can get! She calls him Lord throughout these exchanges. I think Jesus smiled at this point and gladly gave her what her heart desired. Her faith out-shown the Pharisees! She valued healing over show, and she recognized the source of her salvation and help. She persevered against all odds and petitioned him until she was victorious. Thank you! amen.

October 3.....all she had to live on

Mark 12:41-44 “They gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything ….all she had to live on.” (NIV)

Heavenly Father,

You tell us that, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This unknown widow gives all she has “out of her poverty”. Not just out of her worldly poverty, but she must have had great poverty of spirit to give it all to you. When we give out of poverty of spirit, “all we have to live on” we gain your kingdom. When we recognize that all we have is yours and all we need will be found in you, we are rich rather than poor. We can give it all and not worry or count the cost. Giving it all requires hardship and trust. You never fail those who trust in you! You are faithful to those who believe in your ability to provide. This widow shows the contrast of how most of us give. We may give very generously, but it is always with the knowledge that we have enough left for ourselves. We never give so much we can’t pay our bills or buy food or prepare for our future. We give out of our wealth, never emptying our purse completely. That requires little faith and trust and shows a minimum of devotion. Until we can give “all we have to live on”, we aren’t equal to this poor widow! What a gift of true spiritual generosity she possessed! Her reward?…..the kingdom of heaven. We’ll never know her name, but Jesus Christ himself held her up as an example for his disciples to follow. He honored her gift with eternal recognition. We are humbled in her presence and she never even knew the recognition Jesus Christ gave her! True giving isn’t done for recognition. True giving comes from a grateful and full heart that wants you to have back all that you have given us. It’s all yours! Fill my heart with the same spirit as this widow, that I might give all to you for your kingdom now and forever. Amen.

October 2....Mary and Martha

Luke 10:42 “But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (NIV)

Heavenly Father,

Mary and Martha are mentioned several times in scripture and were devoted followers of Jesus along with their brother, Lazarus. Mary and Martha are a pair of women who challenge our mind to understand their roles and their actions. Jesus often stayed there at Martha’s house. Her sister, Mary, “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said”. Martha is the picture of service….”distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” She could represent the church today…busy with all the things that need to be done. She doesn’t understand why the Lord doesn’t care that Mary isn’t helping her do the work. Should Mary be helping her? Aren’t we all to be busy in service? Jesus tells her gently, “you are worried and upset about many things but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Jesus doesn’t tell Martha that the work doesn’t need to be done or make fun of her worry about the needed preparations, but I feel like he is telling her it is OK to stop sometimes from the busy work we fill our lives with….even when it is church work. What is needed most is to listen to Christ, to sit at his feet giving him our undivided attention. What Jesus says is more important than all the church committees, and fellowship dinners, and Christmas plays, and other things we allow to distract us from the main thing….the one thing that is needed….just listening to Jesus and getting to know him intimately. We have to listen first absorb what he says to us. We need time alone with him and time in prayer….always before we worry about the preparations and work. What is needed is Jesus….his words, his presence, his wisdom and spirit. The rest will get done in the right time. Help me learn to balance listening and service. Patience, priority and your presence…that is all that is needed. Amen.