When I was teaching I always had students with a heart to help, a student that wanted to pass out papers, arrange things on my book shelves, clean the room in general, or those that wanted to help grade papers. It always interested me as to which ones were interested in helping compared to those that were not the least inclined to help anyone. Looking back I can still see the faces of those eager to help me. They were not always the students with the highest intellect,the student with the best grades, the most popular student, or the student from the highest socioeconomic standing; but they always had a heart of availability.

On Sunday our pastor spoke of the difference between Saul and David. Saul was the one with all of the apparent strengths and characteristics of a king, while David possessed little that would give indication he would be chosen as king. Yet we read where God referred to David as a man after His own heart.

“But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.” 1 Samuel 13:14

Many times through my life I have felt inadequate for a task that God asked me to do. There have been times when I argued that I was not enough, that I was not talented enough or eloquent enough; yet, God always shows me that it’s not about my ability. He is able, I just need to be available then He will supply the ability. It’s for His Glory, not mine. All I need to have is a heart of availability !!

“The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.” Psalm 104:31

“Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.” Psalm 72:18-19

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” Matthew 2:1-2

Since I was a child I’ve thought of what it must have been like to kneel in the presence of baby Jesus knowing He had come as the Savior of the world; knowing He had come down from Heaven to live among us.

In my mind I could see them worshipping before Him, bringing Him precious gifts to express their heartfelt reverence. Every Christmas as I set up the nativity, I once again ponder and consider this image in my mind.

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11

In my pondering I am reminded that I have the opportunity to worship Him now, just as they did so many years ago. I have the ability to come before Him, knowing Him as my Savior, the one who fulfilled the prophecy as Messiah, the one who came to seek and to save that which was lost.

As beautiful a picture as it might be to think of that first Christmas morning, or the night the wise men knelt before Him, the same sense of wonder can still occur within me as I come before Him to worship Him today. It’s a matter of how I view Him, it’s a matter of how I come before Him.

”But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” John 4:23

I need to come before Him with a true heart ready to worship. I need to worship Him in the true knowledge of who He is, my Lord and Savior. I need to come before Him in true worship, then will I be able to experience Christmas as it was meant to be experienced in true worship.

“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.” Psalm 96:9

This morning I’m thankful it’s Tuesday.

Mondays have a way of compounding what might be less of an issue if faced on a Friday. It is something about looking forward that is more overwhelming than looking back upon a week that is coming to a close.

So, what is it that gives us the perspective to wake up on Tuesday and give it another try?

“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knows them that trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8

In the promises found in God’s Word, I find something to hold on to. I find the strength to try again on Tuesday, as the struggles of Monday are put into perspective. God is my strong hold !! Jesus Christ is the same on Monday as He was on Friday, and He will be the same today. He is my Savior, my Redeemer, my Friend; and today, He will make a way.

“And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

We all have things we love to think back upon, and then things we would rather forget; but often we forget things that God has told us to remember.

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me” Isaiah 46:9

I know that often I get busy with the activities of life, becoming encumbered and stressed with all of the things that are going on around me; so much so, that I forget the God that has brought me through so many stressful situations in the past. I forget to remember how He has worked in my life, how He has brought me out of situations that threatened to destroy me. I fail to remember burdens that He has lifted and joy that He has restored, all through His power and direction. I fail to remember and not to forget.

“That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:” Psalm 78:7

“He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalm 111:4

“I will remember the works of the Lord : surely I will remember thy wonders of old.” Psalm 77:11

When I remember all that He has done for me, how could I ever forget ? How could I ever turn from His side or fail to keep His commandments? How could I allow my eyes to focus upon this world, when I have experienced within me and around me the magnificent work of my Lord and Savior? How is it that I fail to look upward? How is it that I fail to remember? How is it that I forget?

“When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.” Psalm 42:4

As I contemplate all that He has done, all that He has provided it is with a heart of thanksgiving that I remember Him and the works of His hand.

“The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.” Psalm 111:2-4

When I think upon Him and all that He has done, it becomes easy to remember and not to forget.

I’ve often thought about the lame men that were healed in the Bible, the two that were instructed to “Rise up and walk”.

“Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” John 5:8

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6

If we read further in Acts, we see that the second lame man was so excited he was found praising God for what he had done in his life. “And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God” Acts 3:7-9

I can’t help but wonder just how long he continued to walk, leaping and praising God for what He had done for him. He had been lame, unable to walk for so long. Just how long did the excitement of being able to do what he had always longed to do keep him moving before he grew tired and sat down? How long did he continue to praise God ? All the days of his life? Or was there a point when he grew weary with it all and lost the fire of remembrance ?

This thought then turned my mind inward as I thought about the healing power of Jesus in different areas of my life. The very fact that Jesus saved my soul. Do I still carry the fire of remembrance? Do I continue to praise Him for what He has done in my life? Do I still answer the call to “Rise and Walk” or do I sit down from time-to-time?

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

And then also, if we do remain steadfast and we do continue to “Rise and Walk”, do we continue in the same love for Him that we once had? Or have we lost that driving force that sent us forth to do the work He instilled within our heart to do? Has our walk become more of a formality than a sincere desire to do the work we once loved to do?

“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” Revelation 2:2-4

They lost their fire of remembrance. They lost their first love, their zeal of compassion from a heart of love for Jesus and what He had done in their lives. My prayer is that I will remember my first love for Jesus, for all that He has done for me; that I will continue steadfast, answering the call to “Rise and Walk”.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

The walk may not be easy, our labor may seem to be in vain from time to time, but God had promised that there is a purpose for all that He has called us to do. Even when we do not see results, even when we grow weary, the Lord is doing His work through our efforts. We need only continue to “Rise and Walk”.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“Rise and Walk” . . . The Journey isn’t over yet !!!

Most mornings as I sit contemplating God over His word and my cup of coffee, I’m reminded of who I am in comparison to Him and I feel so very small. I see myself in all of my inadequacies, nothing about me is prideful in that moment. I clearly see His ask of me, knowing how I should walk throughout the day.

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8

It’s the difference that occurs in me between those quiet morning moments and the events of the day that alter my course. It’s how I respond to that person to whom I should show mercy, it’s how I respond to the child that needs my full attention, it’s how I respond to the unpleasant news I receive, it’s how I respond to temptation that comes before me, it’s how I respond to moments that should be for God’s glory.

It’s the difference that occurs in me, that’s where the problem arises. He has commanded me to walk humbly, not just to come before Him humbly in the morning. I am to continue that attitude of humbleness throughout the day, within my thoughts and actions. Humbleness occurs within my mind, my thoughts, and is evidenced in my actions toward others.

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;” Colossians 3:12

When I walk humbly, I am able to continue my walk throughout my day knowing God hears me, knowing He is there to give me strength when my mind struggles from the demands of the day.

“Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:” Psalm 10:17

When I walk humbly before Him, He has promised to hear me. He has promised to listen to me as I call unto Him, guiding me throughout my day. In Him, not within myself, there exists the power to walk humbly; so it is that in Him alone will I boast for He is Lord of all.

“My soul shall make her boast in the Lord : the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:2-3

“Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” Psalm 78:19

I always chuckle when reading this verse, as I think of the sequence of miracles that God had performed to get them to this point and then they question His ability to feed them. He who brought about the plagues across the land of Egypt that resulted in Pharaoh releasing them from bondage, He who parted the Red Sea where they walked upon dry land and watched as their enemies were engulfed by the very waters He parted for them; could He now prepare a table for them?

The lack of perspective of the true extent of what had just happened in their lives seems to be lost; it was as if they were saying yeah that’s all great and good, but can you provide for our needs today? Can you feed us today?

Sounds so familiar, and my chuckle soon fades as I think back to times in which I have seen God do a miraculous work in my own life; yet find it oh too soon followed by my question of, but what about today? Can you solve this problem for me today? Can you prepare a table in the wilderness for me today?

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Psalm 23:5

There will be time spent in the wilderness. There will be times when we face the enemy. There will be times when there seems to be more questions than answers, but we always know He will prepare a table for us in the wilderness. Our vision is so limited, we exist within such limitations; our focus is on the moment, the now. If only we had eyes to truly see the magnificent power of what God can do, possessing the ability to hold on to that memory without wavering.

“For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.” Isaiah 64:4

We can not comprehend what our God is truly capable of doing, but we can hold on to the fact that even in the wilderness He will prepare a table, He will make a way.

“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.” Isaiah 43:19-20

Each day I find a darkening across our land, hatred and strife. No regard for what is good and right, continual pursuit for that which pleases the sinful soul. Generations of children that shall come may grow up in a land that no longer recognizes God, a land void of Biblical truth, but I am reminded that His testimonies will forever remain true.

“And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord our God hath commanded you?” Deuteronomy 6:20

What will we answer? Will we give up in defeat? Will we forget to teach them the testimonies of God? Will we become discouraged by the forces at work around us? Will we lose sight of the magnificent power of our Lord?

No !!! We will rise up, we will remember!! We will keep His testimonies and never forget the works that He has done !! We will continue the fight!! Our children will know of His testimonies!!!

“And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:” 1 Kings 2:3

We will remember, we will remain focused on Him, knowing that He has already won the war !! His testimonies are forever, they will not falter nor change.

“Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.” Psalm 119:152

“The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.” Psalm 119:144

By the understanding that He gives, we will continue in His testimonies. We will live steadfast by the power of His might, seeking Him in all that we do!! We will not live in defeat!!

“Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17