Happy 21st Birthday, Jacob!

I've heard it said many times, "You better not blink, because your kids will grow up and be adults before you know it."  Over the past few years, I blinked several times.  My kids are growing up into adults, but I am so thankful to God for them!  Jacob, you are growing into an awesome young man, and we are so proud of you!  I remember the days of you sitting in my lap watching ESPN until we both fell asleep.  I remember you clinging to your mom at home, at school, at church, and pretty much anywhere we went.  But most of all, I remember your smile and your laugh.  Keep smiling and laughing, son.  We hope that you have a great 21st birthday, and we hope you know just how much we love you!  We pray that God will continue to bless you and make you a blessing to others for His glory.  Amen!

It's Not the Grumbling in My Tummy!

A few days ago, I was sitting in my office and my stomach would not stop grumbling.  I was hungry, and that was the only cure for my grumbling.  Today, I was reminded in Scripture that there is a grumbling way more serious that needs to be addressed in my life.  The king of grumbling I'm talking about is not the grumbling in my tummy but the grumbling in my heart!  

In Philippians 2:13, Paul says, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose."  Let's stop and think about his verse for a moment.  As a Christ follower, I have died to SELF and now live in CHRIST.  God is working in me according to His will so that I might act according to His purpose.  Before I move forward in Scripture, I need to realize this truth: I belong to God in Christ Jesus.  I am His vessel, His ambassador.  Then Paul goes on to say this in Philippians 2:14-16a, "Do everything without GRUMBLING or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, 'children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.'  Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky."  I have to remember that Paul is talking to the church; he is talking to Christ followers; he is talking to me!

I saw a quote recently that made me laugh until I evaluated my own heart: "The worst person to be around is someone who complains about everything and appreciates nothing."  Yes, at first I laughed and even agreed.  However, I began to think about my own heart.  I have found many times in my life that when I don't like something or when I disagree with someone, I grumble (inside and out).  It is almost like grumbling is my default response.  In my sinful nature, that is understandable.  However, in my new life - my Christlike life - that is no excuse.  I need to put to death my old self; I need to turn from my sinful nature; I need to repent, and I need to rely on the love of God that is found in Jesus Christ!  Before I respond or say anything in those tough circumstances and/or conversations, I need to filter my heart and my mind through PRAYER.  I need to go to God with my emotions, with my mouth, with my actions, and with my heart.  I need to listen to God's voice as He speaks to me.  I need to remember what God says through Paul in Philippians 2:13.  It is God who works in me.  I need to humble myself before Him and obey Him, living my life in order to fulfill His good purposes, not my own.  I realize now that it's not the grumbling in my tummy that is the problem; it is the grumbling in my heart that is the problem.  If I spend more time grumbling and complaining about circumstances and about people, then maybe it is because I'm not spending enough time humbling myself before God.  Maybe I'm not spending enough time praying.  Maybe I'm not spending enough time worshiping and praising God, giving thanks to Him for all things.

Lord, help me today to embrace Your words to me and for me.  Help me today to be a person of THANKS and ENCOURAGEMENT.  When I am disappointed or hurt, help me start in prayer and help me to listen to Your voice first before I speak out and act out.  Help me, Lord, to understand and to obey You in all things.  Help me to surrender to Your will and to act according to Your purposes in my life.  Thank You, Lord, for the Holy Spirit in me, for enabling me and empowering me to glorify You...in every circumstance.  Amen.

The Way I Respond

 

On may way to lunch today, I listened to my "2021 Worship" playlist.  I was able to listen to a couple of songs before I reached my destination.  I listened to "RATTLE!" by Elevation Worship and "House of the Lord" by Phil Wickham.  And yes, I did get loud in my truck singing to my Jesus!  Before I got out of my truck, I thanked God for His presence in my life.  I asked Him to use me for His glory in any way possible.

After I sat down, the waitress told me the kitchen was a little slow, and she asked me to be patient with them.  I told her not to worry about a thing.  After I ordered, it took a little while to get my sweet tea.  It took even longer to get my appetizer.  I heard some grumbling around me, and, no, it was not stomachs grumbling for food; rather, the grumbling I heard came from the mouths of people because they were frustrated with their service.  And I do understand, it was taking a lot longer than it should have taken for us to get our drinks and our food.  However, my waitress was just as nice as she could be, and I had already decided in my heart that I was going to treat her with respect and be patient with her.  

A couple entered after me and sat at the table next to me.  As you might guess, they received their food before I did.  I have to be honest with you and say that I was not happy about that.  I was curious how they could receive their food so quickly, but just then my food came out of the kitchen and was placed on my table.  As you might guess again, there was a piece of my food missing from my plate.  As the waitress came out, she asked if everything was fine.  I politely showed her my plate and told her that one of my items was missing.  She apologized and corrected the problem.  

I thank God for the praise and worship session I experienced in my truck on the way to lunch today.  There is no way that I would have been patient and respectful had I not been focused on the Lord, had I not prayed and asked Him to use me for His glory.  I thank God for enabling and empowering me to live Colossians 4:5-6 out loud today.  Paul says, "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."  Did I have a right to upset about the service? Maybe so.  Did I have a right to grumble and complain about the service?  Maybe so.  Just because I may or may not have had the right to do those things doesn't mean that I had to do those things.  I made a choice in how I responded to my circumstances.  The way I respond to my circumstances not only impacts me, but it also impacts those around me.  Another couple on the other side of me must have been watching and listening.  They told me that I showed great patience and was very polite.  I told them that I had prayed about honoring God before I ever walked in and that God gave me the opportunity.  

I wish I could say that this is the way I have always responded or that this is the way that I always will respond.  I have blown it in the past by being selfish and disrespectful.  I am thankful for God's grace to me and for second chances.  I am thankful that God has shown me in His Word that the way I respond really does matter...in the big things, in the small things...in all things!  Do what you have to do today to be God's funnel of grace, mercy, and love to others.  Have a praise and worship session in your truck, in your house, at your desk, or wherever you are.  Pray for it.  And be ready, because God will give you the opportunity!  Make the most of it!