My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. Psalm 71:8.
I have found it is easier to praise the Lord when good things are happening, don't you? What about when times are tough though? Do you still praise Him in the midst of your storm or do you ask "where are you now God?"
Not just a few moments ago I got some bad news, stinky news, the kind of news you wish you could turn the clock back and make different choices about. I had a choice to either praise God for the choice I made or praise Him for the choice I have to make restitution on and praise Him for providing all my needs. It wasn't easy though. As I walked my dog, Sadie, down the road I mumbled and complained about my recent choice that got me into some financial hot water. In the middle of my complaining and disliking of myself, I realized I had a choice to change my outlook.
I just couldn't give in to allowing the spiritual warfare around me take over. In that split moment I asked for forgiveness for my financial decision and praised the Lord that He already knew it was going to happen. I then turned my life and will over to the care of God. Yet, as I turned the corner I took it back; I found myself complaining again. Have you ever tossed to and fro on your decisions of surrendering to God?
I believe it became a love/hate issue. I hate what I did to myself, and I love the God who promises to prosper me not to harm me, to give me a hope and a future.
I then asked myself, "whom do you seek?" I replied within "Jesus of Nazareth." I'm not religious, but I am in a relationship with Jesus Christ. To say that I seek after His help is a huge statement in my life. Some people would rather seek after fixing the problem themselves through a financial institute or going deeper in debt through a credit card. If that is what they chose, it's all right with me; it's just not for me.
I am now surrendering to God with this dialogue and waiting on an answer:
"so Lord, where are you at work in my life that I can join you and restore my finances to sanity?" I'm still waiting on an answer like I said. I believe this to be a God size answer because I don't have the answers nor am I out looking for one. Why?, you ask. Well why should I? If I trust in what I cannot see and have the faith of a mustard seed then I don't need to go looking for the answer, right? Wrong. It is better for me to keep a close watch on what is happening around me because you never know what the Lord or "who" the Lord will put into my path to help me.
I choose to praise God in my valley as well as on my mountain top. I consciencously choose to trust in the Lord's words and believe in his promise. God has a hope and a future for me and I must see where my mistakes are and deal with them rather than mess up and have someone else clean the mess.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
To God's glory and not my own.
~Marjorie
Everyone needs encouragement and I want to encourage you today. I hope you will enjoy today's write up.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
What a Legacy....
Recently I had the opportunity to witness the most unique Memorial Celebration Service. A friend of mine, Marty Faw, passed from this temporal life into eternity on Friday, November 4, 2011. On Wednesday, November 9, 2011 was Marty's Memorial Celebration Service and what a celebration it was!
In my past experience of memorial or funeral services they were dismal and blah, but not this one! Marty left memories of laughter after laughter and the dedication he showed and shared of Jesus' love with others was remarkable. Marty always had a scripture or story from the Bible that would relate to your situation that you were going through. He would make you laugh when you were making streams of tears fall from your eyes. He was quick with jokes and shined with God's love from his smile. He was a dear, gracious, giving and loving man. He was a rich man by God's standards I am sure.
This made me think long and hard about my own obedience to the Lord and those around me. I want to be a better servant for the Lord as Marty was. I desire to be used in ways that are God size and not of my own strength or power. Marty had such a humble heart and you knew it through his prayers. I miss hearing him on Monday mornings when we gather here at work to pray.
Marty would always be found reading a book or the Bible when he had down time here at the office or at home. Sometimes Marty would read a book more than once when it was really good.
One day, Marty and I sat here at the radio station and talked about his stroke. He had tears in his eyes because he was frustrated that he couldn't move and talk smoothly like he use to. Marty cried because he wanted so much to be able to play the piano or his trumpet for the Lord again. He talked about how he enjoyed playing with Linda at the nursing homes because it brought joy to Jesus and others. He expressed how he was mad that his body wasn't able to do all the things that he could do before. We talked about how God would still use him and it was only a surprise to Marty not to God.
Marty wowed me with his love for the Lord. At that time that we talked, I remember thinking how I wanted to have that love, admiration, and joy for the Lord as Marty did.
God did use Marty all the way up to the last moments of going home to Jesus.
He touched the lives of the pastor, his wife, his daughter and son through those passing moments. I am almost jealous of Marty not in a malice way but in the fact that he is sitting at Jesus' feet and asking all the questions he once had while he was here with us. Marty is in his new body with no pain, no worry, no sorrow, no regrets.
After the memorial service, I began wondering what can I do to be more obedient to God, to be closer and deeper in my relationship with Jesus. I want to be so close to Jesus that when I am at my last breath all I want is to see is Jesus; not my parents, siblings or friends.
I wondered what people would say about my walk with the Creator? Would I be remembered for my relationship with Jesus and his glory shining through me like it did Marty? Would there be someone that I helped lead to Christ?
Then my mind shifted and realized it doesn't matter.
What does matter is my personal relationship with Jesus; as it is for you too. I have only thought about what I was leaving behind just once before. I recently found out that my daughter and grandson are moving away. This means that my influence in their life is limited, but none the less prayer works. My son, whom I love very much, and I do not talk to much; I miss terribly. I know God has a plan and purpose for their life and will watch over them as He did in Marty's life. I trust in the Lord with all my heart that the legacy I now have in Jesus Christ will overflow to my children and grandchild. I do not worry what I leave behind, but who I leave behind.
I pray that through my relationship with God others will see it and want their relationship to grow just as much.
♪ People get ready Jesus is coming soon we'll be going home...♪
~Marjorie
In my past experience of memorial or funeral services they were dismal and blah, but not this one! Marty left memories of laughter after laughter and the dedication he showed and shared of Jesus' love with others was remarkable. Marty always had a scripture or story from the Bible that would relate to your situation that you were going through. He would make you laugh when you were making streams of tears fall from your eyes. He was quick with jokes and shined with God's love from his smile. He was a dear, gracious, giving and loving man. He was a rich man by God's standards I am sure.
This made me think long and hard about my own obedience to the Lord and those around me. I want to be a better servant for the Lord as Marty was. I desire to be used in ways that are God size and not of my own strength or power. Marty had such a humble heart and you knew it through his prayers. I miss hearing him on Monday mornings when we gather here at work to pray.
Marty would always be found reading a book or the Bible when he had down time here at the office or at home. Sometimes Marty would read a book more than once when it was really good.
One day, Marty and I sat here at the radio station and talked about his stroke. He had tears in his eyes because he was frustrated that he couldn't move and talk smoothly like he use to. Marty cried because he wanted so much to be able to play the piano or his trumpet for the Lord again. He talked about how he enjoyed playing with Linda at the nursing homes because it brought joy to Jesus and others. He expressed how he was mad that his body wasn't able to do all the things that he could do before. We talked about how God would still use him and it was only a surprise to Marty not to God.
Marty wowed me with his love for the Lord. At that time that we talked, I remember thinking how I wanted to have that love, admiration, and joy for the Lord as Marty did.
God did use Marty all the way up to the last moments of going home to Jesus.
He touched the lives of the pastor, his wife, his daughter and son through those passing moments. I am almost jealous of Marty not in a malice way but in the fact that he is sitting at Jesus' feet and asking all the questions he once had while he was here with us. Marty is in his new body with no pain, no worry, no sorrow, no regrets.
After the memorial service, I began wondering what can I do to be more obedient to God, to be closer and deeper in my relationship with Jesus. I want to be so close to Jesus that when I am at my last breath all I want is to see is Jesus; not my parents, siblings or friends.
I wondered what people would say about my walk with the Creator? Would I be remembered for my relationship with Jesus and his glory shining through me like it did Marty? Would there be someone that I helped lead to Christ?
Then my mind shifted and realized it doesn't matter.
What does matter is my personal relationship with Jesus; as it is for you too. I have only thought about what I was leaving behind just once before. I recently found out that my daughter and grandson are moving away. This means that my influence in their life is limited, but none the less prayer works. My son, whom I love very much, and I do not talk to much; I miss terribly. I know God has a plan and purpose for their life and will watch over them as He did in Marty's life. I trust in the Lord with all my heart that the legacy I now have in Jesus Christ will overflow to my children and grandchild. I do not worry what I leave behind, but who I leave behind.
I pray that through my relationship with God others will see it and want their relationship to grow just as much.
♪ People get ready Jesus is coming soon we'll be going home...♪
~Marjorie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)