Git r done

My mom worked outside the house from the time I was a child. So being the oldest child, some of the household stuff fell to me. I remember once she told me to have the laundry done before she got home.

Well, it was summer and I wanted to be outside. But when I realized the time, I hurried into the house and rushed around frantically gathering dirty clothes and schlepping them down to the basement. I was hurrying and grouchy.

I remember my dad asking me, "Why didn't you get to it sooner?"

Why hadn't I gotten to it sooner? 

Because I had my own agenda. I wanted to do what I wanted to do. It was not a priority for me.

If I had gathered and started laundry first thing, I still could have been outside while the washer was running and then moved them to the dryer and gone back outside. I could have gotten it done without the rush and grouchiness.

And over time I learned to get to it early, Whatever IT is, and make sure that it got done.

The writer of Hebrews left us this message, See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; (Hebrews 12:15a ESV) 

And notice, the writer says, "see to it." They must have been aware that people may not take this seriously enough or make it their agenda. See to it means, Get to it, make certain, get started on this, be sure to.

So it is up to me, and you, to "make sure" that no one fails to obtain the Grace of God. It is our duty to share God's love with everyone. Time is running out. Are you getting to it?

The Bible

THE BIBLE

The B. I. B. L. E, yes that's the Book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God. The 

B. I. B. L. E.

Do you know this children's song? Probably everyone of you do. Do you really stand on the Word of God only? When you are troubled or sick or in need of help, do you seek His words and comfort? Is this all-time best selling book in the world your favorite book? Is He your favorite author? Do you use this book as a guidebook for your life?

The Bible is the written revelation of God, being fully inspired, absolutely inerrant in the original documents, infallible, and God-breathed. It is the only authority for all faith and practice (Psalm 19:1-14; Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 30:8; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16; Matthew 5:18; Matthew 24:34-35; John 10:35; John 16:12-13; John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; II Peter 1:20-21; Luke 24:27/, 44; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11).

Who's to Blame?

The comedian Flip Wilson had a saying, "The devil made me do it." Thus he thought could excuse any misbehavior on his part. 

We all like to shift blame when there are mistakes and bad judgements. That is human nature. None of us want to be less than perfect. So we blame others. Think of how Adam blamed Eve, "the woman that You gave me. Was he blaming Eve or God? Eve blamed the serpent. 

Scripture tells us that we are accountable for our own actions. We cannot shift blame on to anyone else or even circumstances. When we sin, it is because WE WANT TO.

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. (James 1:13, 14 ESV)

BE responsible and own up to your sin. You cannot hide from it. But God is sure to forgive those who come to Him with repentant hearts.

Jesus

Usually when a woman is pregnant everyone wants to know if she has names picked out. Names are important. It is who we are, how we are identified. 

We like to know if we are named for someone and what is the meaning of our name. 

When someone speaks your name you can tell if they are angry, scared, loving, or need something.

What does Jesus hear when you speak His name? 

Jesus, Jesus, Je-sus, sweetest name I know.

Fills my every longing,

Keeps me singing as I go.

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 ESV)

Tiny little words

Tiny little words can carry big meaning. The Beatles sang a song, Let It Be. A very popular song. When my mom said those words I knew what she meant. If I feel argumentative and the other person says, let it be, I know what it means. Small words, simple meanings.

Remember when President Bill Clinton said, "It depends on what the meaning of is is." The word "is" seemed pretty clear to me and still does.

But sometimes people stumble over the little words and often they are the key word of a sentence. Think of the word "if." If you remove the word if from any sentence, it changes the whole meaning. 

Think and ponder on 3 little words right now. 

1. Be

2. In

3. All

What do these words mean? If you changed or removed these words, how would it change the meaning of sentences. Read the scripture below and put particular emphasis on those small words. 

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13, 14 ESV)

Now reread the scripture, but say your name first and make it personal.

 ( Name), Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13, 14 ESV)

 Now pray the scripture asking God to help you BE watchful, stand firm IN the faith, to BE strong, and to let ALL that you do be done IN love.

Visualize

Looking at magazines give me a case of "the wants."

 I look at food magazines and I either desire to eat or I want to think the I am the next Rachael Ray. (We have the same initials.)

If I look at home and garden magazines, I want to remodel, tear up, then fix up.

If I'm looking at fashion magazines I wish to be thin and tall, and my clothes look shabby and outdated.

When we look at things it is easy to want them and visualize ourselves having them. I guess that's why magazines are a multi-billion dollar industry. I used to subscribe to several, saving each issue to look at again and again.

Visualization is a good tool to helping us get to where we want to be. Scripture tells us, Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18 KJV) people need a vision, a goal, the sight of the finish line. We need to "see" what it is that we hope for.

What is in front of you today? What is it that drives you? What are you looking at and hoping for?

I HAVE SET THE LORD BEFORE ME; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8 ESV)

Turn Your eyes upon Jesus

O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free!

Refrain:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.

Through death into life everlasting

He passed, and we follow Him there;

O’er us sin no more hath dominion—

For more than conqu’rors we are!

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;

Believe Him, and all will be well:

Then go to a world that is dying,

His perfect salvation to tell!

By Name

I met a woman the other day for the first time. She was lovely and we spoke for about 10 minutes. 

In that time I learned that she was a widow with two grown children. I know her children's names and that one of them is just getting home from a fishing trip in Florida and the other is about to go on a trip. 

I found out that she did not learn to drive a car until the age of 78. I know what kind of car she drives and which kind that she would prefer.

I know what neighborhood in which she lives and the style of her house. 

I also know what her husband had done to make a living. That is why they moved to this location and I know from where they moved.

I learned so much about this sweet lady during our chat. She is the kind that makes you feel special and part of the crowd. But one thing that I did not learn, her name. I would have asked her had I the chance but I never did.

That makes me sad because like I said, she was lovely and I like her. But how can I ever inquire about her to see how she is doing if I don't know her name?

Knowing someone's name is important. I like to know people's names. And I like when they know mine.

Remember when the teacher called your name?

Remember when your mother called you by your full name?

Remember when your daddy gave you a little nickname?

Remember when the bully called you a bad name?

How does it feel when the boss calls your name?

Does your spouse have a special name for you?

Do your kids know you by name or by Mom?

Names are very important and they say a lot about us.

Take the time to listen and learn people's names, like the store cashier or your waitress. Call them by name and watch how it improves the interaction.

How many of Gods names do you know? There are many names for him in the Bible? By which name do you know Him?

He also knows you and He knows you by name.