Lodged As a Trust in the Hands of Christ

Today I read, "1 in 68 children are now diagnosed with Autism" (see link to article below). Whether or not we agree with this statement, I believe we can agree that our children are facing challenges that have the potential to destroy the very core of their mind, body and soul.  

As parents what is our role in the lives of our children?  Not just our biological children but ALL children ... biological ... adopted ... spiritual ... 

Bear with me a moment as I bring you into my personal devotions today:

In John 6:39 Jesus states, "This is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. (John 6:39 ESV)

The Greek translation for lose - render useless, put an end, ruin.  The Greek translation for nothing is no, not lest, no man.

Jesus himself renders no man useless.  No man, NO CHILD, no ONE is useless. In fact Jesus does all that is required for each one of us ... 

"... Let him do all that for them which their case requires; teach them, and heal them, pay their debt, and plead their cause, prepare them for, and preserve them to, eternal life, and then let him make his best of them...he pitched upon them to be the monuments of his mercy, and delivered them to the Saviour. Those whom God chose to be the objects of his special love he lodged as a trust in the hands of Christ.  (Matthew Henry's Commentary John 6)

Is there HOPE for your children, YES!  Our children are lodged as trusts in in the hands of Christ!  Yet, while in our care it is our RESPONSIBILITY to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our kids.  He has chosen YOU and ME to be the parent ... YES...WE ... imperfect as WE are ... WE are the chosen ones to be VESSELS that:

• TEACH - start with reading the Bible to your kids everyday.  Don't have time ... YES ... you do .. readjust your schedule... lay down your life for your child.  She is worth it.
• HEAL  - is your child injured - turn to GOD ... he is the ultimate HEALER and will put tools of healing in your hands ... Just ask HIM.  Let HIM rock Your world.
• ADVOCATE  - FIGHT for your child ... Get educated and KNOW your RIGHTS.  Last I read David defeated Goliath!
• PREPARE them - be their BEST role MODEL ... SHOW them ... WALK the WALK with THEM
• PRESERVE THEM -  PROTECT your child ... LOCK down that IPAD with parental controls.  It's OK to say NO to your child.  Really it is.  
• ETERNAL LIFE -  INTERCEDE for their SALVATION like a MAMA BEAR defending her cubs.  

Most importantly ... DON'T back down until VICTORY has arrived. NEVER EVER, EVER GIVE UP!

“O death, where is your victory?  

O death, where is your sting? 

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our 

Lord Jesus Christ.  (1 Corinthians 15:55-56 ESV)

~Jocelyn R. Williams, just another mama cheering you on!

Article referenced above can be found at:  http://heartruth.info/author/gianelloni/
Special thanks to editors:  Angel Omoruan and Erika Thomas

Oil of Gladness

.... the oil of gladness instead of mourning (Isaiah 61:13 ESV)

In spite of the emotions and sadness of my cousins going home ... there was a lot of joy.  I am leaving Florida full and ready for the next season of my life.   Why? Because at the burial site ... I watched as my aunt praised the Lord along with a choir made up of our family.  She declared God's sovereignty and majesty... she worshipped Him and praised Him for the victory the Lord gave her.  See ... she was a regular mom like you and me ... who had breathtaking moments of victory and mind blowing moments of despair ... yet she never lost faith and prayed tenaciously for her children.  The result... my cousin Joey, her beloved son is now seated at the right hand of the Father ... what more could a mother ask for?

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 1:1-2

Oil for the Lamps

Oil for the lamps ... Exodus 25:6

Beheadings, assaults, autism/vaccine crisis, riots ... all of this in just one week.

Does it make you want to crawl under a rock and hide with your children? Does it make you want to scream and shout? Does it make you want to fight?

I went to bed saddened by the fact that I felt like I had neither the resources, intelligence nor true gumption to do anything more then just veg out on social media reading about all of this.

Weeping may tarry for the night but joy comes with the morning (Psalm 103:11 ESV)

Then this morning, I woke up and sensed The Lord drawing me into His presence.  I began to have my devotion.  This is an excerpt of what I read:

"It was not every oil that might be used in The Lord's service...one oil only was selected, and that the best olive oil....The oil of gospel grace is pure and free ...Our churches are the Savior's golden candelabra, and if they are to be lights in the dark world, they must have much holy oil." (Spurgeon, Charles.  Morning by Morning, Nielson Royal Classics, pg. 223.)

My mind swiftly raced to John 3:16 ...

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

The light bulb went on ... this is what The Lord wants me to do ... to be filled with His oil that I might be a light in this dark world.  How that will look in a practical sense ... honestly I don't know ... but I know that my first step is to dwell in His presence that I might be filled with His fresh oil ... because...

"A man can receive nothing unless it is given him from heaven."  John 3:27.  

You might be asking how can I be filled by His oil ... I want to be a light in this dark world.  It's simple, first believe in Jesus Christ ... then spend time getting to know Him.  Talk to Him (prayer) then listen to Him (read the Bible).  Simply enjoying being with Him .  Then get up and live it out!  We are the Savior's candelabra ... we are His light of hope to a dark and fallen world.

A Jar of Oil

A Jar of Oil

“Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”  2 Kings 4:2b

Here is an email sent to a friend seeking God's heart as she endeavors to begin a new business with nothing "except a jar of oil"  ....

In the midst of having my devotion after a very long night.  Here are some thoughts I would like to share with you, you may have done this already and if you have perhaps this could simply serve as a confirmation:

If God has given you this task - then He will give you a vision for it.

Ask Him for the vision for it - write it out - Get His "Word" on it and write that down too.

This will enable you to withstand the distractions and discouragement that comes your way.

If this is just a passing fleeting great "idea" the Lord will also reveal that to You and pray that He does not give you a vision for it ... instead it would be distasteful and you would shut it down.  

I wish I had learned earlier on to catch the vision that God was giving me and stick with it through the difficult times.  I have learned that when I have a Word from God despite the storms that come I am able to stand.  

Here are some excerpts from Mathew Henry's Commentary that have greatly encouraged me this weekend.

• ... the best method of charity, and the greatest kindness one can do to poor people, which is, if possible, to help them into a way of improving what little they have by their own industry and ingenuity.
• but the God of the holy prophets is able to supply all her need; and, if she has a little committed to her management, her need must be supplied by his blessing and increasing that little.
• Elisha therefore enquired what she had to make money of, and found she had nothing to sell but one pot of oil,
• If she had not had this pot of oil, the divine power could have supplied her; but, having this, it will work upon this, and so teach us to make the best of what we have. 
• She must shut the door, to prevent interruptions from the creditors, and others while it was in the doing, that they might not seem proudly to boast of this miraculous supply, and that they might have opportunity for prayer and praise to God upon this extraordinary occasion. 
• The oil was to be multiplied in the pouring, as the other widow's meal in the spending. The way to increase what we have is to use it; to him that so hath so shall be given
• It is not hoarding the talents, but trading with them, that doubles them.
• it is in connexion with our own careful and diligent endeavours that we may expect the blessing of God to enrich us both for this world and the other. What we have will increase best in our own hand.
• She did it accordingly. She did not tell the prophet he designed to make a fool of her; but firmly believing the divine power and goodness, and in pure obedience to the prophet, she borrowed vessels large and many of her neighbours, and poured out her oil into them.
• they were all amazed to find their pot, like a fountain of living water, always flowing, and yet always full.
• Her first care, now that she has wherewithal to do so, must be to discharge that, even before she makes any provision for her children. It is one of the fundamental laws of our religion that we render to all their due, pay every just debt, give every one his own, though we leave ever so little for ourselves; and this, not of constraint but willingly and without grudging; not only for wrath, to avoid being sued, but also for conscience' sake. Those that possess an honest mind cannot with pleasure eat their daily bread, unless it be their own bread.
• The rest must not be laid up, but she and her children must live upon it, not upon the oil, but upon the money received from it, with which they must put themselves into a capacity of getting an honest livelihood. No doubt she did as the man of God directed; and hence, [1.] Let those that are poor and in distress be encouraged to trust God for supply in the way of duty. Verily thou shalt be fed, though not feasted. It is true we cannot now expect miracles, yet we may expect mercies, if we wait on God and seek to him. 
• Let those whom God has blessed with plenty use it for the glory of God and under the direction of his word: let them do justly with it, as this widow did, and serve God cheerfully in the use of it, and as Elisha, be ready to do good to those that need them, be eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame.

*Excerpts taken from Mathew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 4:1-7

Rising

      

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and
satisfy the desire of the afflicted,

then shall your light rise in the darkness and

your gloom be as the noonday.  
Isaiah 58:10

 

Dear Sister-friend,

I have been memorizing Isaiah 58:10 because today because it has penetrated my mind and soul in a fresh way.

Over the last several years I have been praying for a breakthrough concerning my own inner battle with gloom.  There had been a gloom that had hovered over my relationship with my two of my children.  I had become weary of trying to pour love, encouragement and help into hearts that seemed equivalent to pouring water into a basket.  Ironically, my own heart needed some sewing up.

As a result of not wanting to "mess up' anymore I withdrew and became silent.  Being an extrovert, silence can easily turn to distance and coldness.  However, this was not the answer and I knew that I was not to give up.

Due to the encouragement and the inspiration of my mom’s Facebook prayer group instead of withdrawing into myself … I withdrew into the arms of my loving heavenly Father.  Instead of striving … I sat at the feet of my Lord.  Instead of trying so hard to pour out … I took the time to allow the Lord to pour in.

With renewed spiritual strength, taking care of some physical issues and rest … today for the first time in years … I jumped into the pool with my kids and we had fun.   The noonday sun shone brightly upon us and the light of Christ penetrated the shadows. 

Your Turn

Ask the Lord to lead you to a group of sister-friends who will pray with you, encourage you and provoke you to a deeper walk with the Lord.  But most of all … as one of my favorite preachers Pastor Ben Krandell drilled into our mind and soul with his southern draw … “Never ever … Never ever … give up!”

Loving Father,
I praise You!  Thank you for endurance and the Holy Spirit given grit that doesn’t allow us to give up and for Sister-friends who inspire. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

"O death, where is your victory? 

O death, where is your sting?"

But, thanks be to God who gives

the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:55,57 ESV

 

 

 

 

Praying

As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, 

I will show them marvelous things.

 Micah 7:15 (ESV)

Dear Sister-Friend,

This week, due to minor surgery, I had the opportunity to crawl under my shield (my blanket) and indulge in the presence of the Lord through prayer, journaling, reading the Word, enjoying Christian literature, listening to sermons and "face-booking" with beloved sister-friends.  I love how the Lord will take something like surgery and turn it into a gift.

The greatest gift-lesson that I came away with is the reminder of the awesomeness of prayer.  I am by nature a mover and shaker, fix-it, let’s do it, kind of woman.  Even with my leg wrapped, I took a moment to get up and dance! 

However, this week the Lord reminded me that I can stop doing half of what I do as a mother and simply turn to Him in prayer.  That translated to less teaching (aka nagging), cleaning (oh yeah!), playing, running around to take kids to various activities, and even … our family devotion times.  For goodness sake does it have to be so long, I can hear my kids chide! (LOL)

Here is a very simple and seemingly trivial example, but for me it was profound:

One of my children has a habit of leaving the soap soaking in a small bowl of water.  With five children in our household we purchase lots of soap and shampoo so this innocent childlike behavior was “bugging” me.  My first reaction was to take time to teach (Ok …NAG) my child about being considerate, responsible, and blah, blah, blah.  Instead, each time I saw the soap soaking in the bowl of water I simple prayed that the Lord would lay it on his/her to put the soap away properly.  Today, after his/her shower I found the soap in its proper place.  To me this was a small but profound victory!

Your turn:

Take sometime today to hide under your shield and indulge in the presence of the Lord.  Here are two links that may inspire and encourage your prayer life to a greater depth beyond soap J:

Myranda Morales

http://musingsofamssionary.blogspot.com/2013/05/musings-on-burn-out.html

The Power of Spirit Lead Prayer - Tim Williams | Times Square Church Sermons

www.tscnyc.org

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Holy Lord,

We were created to fellowship with You, each of us has a unique place in your heart that only we can touch.  If we are to busy that can not take place.  Father, cause us to live within the healthy boundaries that you have set for us, not doing to much and not doing to little … but simply listening to Your gentle voice and following your leading as we raise our children for Your glory.  

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Note:
A special thanks to my dear friend Erika of  Erika Thomas Typografix who taught me the concept of "my shield aka my blanket." 

After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. 

And after the fire the sound of a low whisper…

And behold, there came a voice to him …

1 Kings 19:12 and 13b

Longing

Never again will you be called

"The Forsaken City" or "The Desolate Land."

Your new name will be

"The City of God's Delight" and "The Bride of God,"

for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as his bride.

Isaiah 62:4 (NLT)

Dear Sister-Friend,

Here is an excerpt from a journal entry written to my adopted children before we officially met almost eight years ago.

The Lord has not forsaken you even though the world has!  The system has called you forsaken but the Lord claims you as His own!  You have a mighty and godly spiritual inheritance awaiting  you.  I am so excited for you. This has been a long process.  I have found myself becoming impatient but, it occurred to me that you are waiting too!  Your waiting must be seven times harder.

During the time of this journal entry my heart ached for the thousands of kids stuck in foster care or an orphanage that were waiting and have continued to wait for years.  Their waiting is painful and filled with hopelessness.

Sister-Friend … has the Lord called you to adoption.  Does it feel long, invasive, and downright frustrating?  Embrace your feelings, acknowledge them because they are real, they are legitimate.  Now, I’d like to encourage you seek the Lord for Scriptures that you can turn into prayers for your soon to arrive child or children.

***********

Father,

I praise you for the miracle that is about to take place.  For those who wait upon You will never be disappointed.  We will never be disappointed because You are faithful.  You fulfill the longings of our hearts!

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)