daily IMPACT by selahV today

WHEN WE LABOR IN VAIN

Three-year-old HayJae invited me (rather commandingly) to join her in building a giant Lego tower.  Each time I would add something to the tower, HayJae would take it off and reposition it, or tell me, "No, Grama, it doesn't go like that."  Finally I decided not to place anymore blocks on the tower and began building one of my own to attach to hers later.  HayJae informed, "Grama, you are suppose to help me build a tower.  You know?  Like they tell us at church.  We are workers together.  It is in the Bible."

"Yeah, well, you aren't letting me work with you."

"Yes I am.  You just need to work with me, like they tell us at the church."  I want you to know, this was hilarious.  I'd add, she'd dismantle.  I'd try another Lego in another way and she'd remove it.  Again and again, over and over, HayJae rejected my efforts.  I offered to just hand her the blocks, but she wanted me to "work together" to build it.  I was in a quandry as to what she wanted from me. 

"For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God; you are God's garden and vineyard and field under cultivation, [you are] God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:9

HayJae's insistance to build the tower her way eliminated any opportunity I had to help.  It also destroyed the desire for me to help.  It wasn't fun.  I could have added a great deal of expertise to the Lego tower: bridges, ramps, extensions.  And I am certain HayJae sincerely wanted me to be a part of the experience.  Yet, her penchant for controlling her little world circumvented the help I could give, or the joy we could have in the end product.  I wonder.

Do we get so controlling over the vision we have for a tower that we unwittingly reject the help we want from fellow Christians?  Does our criticism of their efforts create defeat in their spirit?  Does our insistance on our way to micro-manage the projects that it leaves no room for the gifts and insights of others?  Can we truly be laborers together if we are not willing to allow others to help us?  to delegate responsibilities? and then be satisfied with the other's efforts---even if they aren't exactly like what we had imagined?   selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]   

PLAN TO PRAY

Each morning we waken with expectations.  Some of us have our day all planned.  We've scheduled each and every hour and prepared for every contingency.  Others wait-and-see what comes along and follow the path that presents itself with each step they take.  Some are a combination of the two scenarios.  One day you've got it all planned out, another you are open to all possibilities.  Then there are those who plan their days and remain open to what God's Spirit guides them to do no matter what they'd planned.

Do you ever plan and prepare your prayers?

Yesterday I cried unto the Lord.  I so wanted to know what He wanted of me.  I so wanted to understand His purpose for my life.  I longed to know the steps I should take with so many things:  Witnessing.  Teaching.  Serving.  Praying.  Giving.  Yielding.  Writing.

Ever feel that way?  You have so many desires within your heart that you don't know which way to go with what, when or how?  It's like the Voice of Heaven is shut up inside a soundproof closet of cotton.  And you wonder, does God hear me?

"In the morning You hear my voice, O Lord, in the morning I prepare [a prayer, a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart]."  Psalm 5:3

So you prepare and plan your prayer.  You offer to God all that you are and commit your tongue, your mind, your heart, your soul, your strength to Him for His good pleasure.  And then you watch and wait for Him.  You go about your day and you watch for Him in every situation in which you find yourself placed.  And you wait for Him to speak to your heart, go here, do this, say that.  But sometimes all He wants is to be with you.  He wants you to see Him in all His glory.  He wants you to rest in Him and see Him move, Him act, Him work.  Communing with God takes stillness, not movement.  "Be still and know."  Stand with Him and let Him move your mountains today.  Watch and wait till He speaks to your heart.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

BETTER DAYS AHEAD

He was faced with tremendous criticism and met jealousy face to face.  Rumors spread like wildfire.  Leaders took action and he lost his position, his security, his home.  Faced with the uncertainty of life he turned to the Lord, His constant stay in every storm.  Though life had confronted him with arrows of anger and rebuke, his hand was securely held in the Hand that matters.

"He brought me forth also into a large place; He was delivering me because He was pleased with me and delighted in me." Psalm 18:19

This happened to David.  He was the annointed King but Saul was not happy with him.  Saul didn't like the thought of David becoming more popular, and having the support of the people.  Saul wanted to get rid of David.  The same thing happens to us.  We are doing our best to serve the Lord and walking faithfully in His way.  We are obedient to what He tells us to do.  Then someone doesn't like what we are doing and we are faced with the criticisms of man.  They think they are in charge.  But they are not.

Just as Joseph came from a pit to a kingdom, David a cave to a palace, disciples from an upper room to the world, God is delivering.  In the midst of all the chaos and uncertainty, God is delivering.  And He will bring you "forth into a large place."  Why?  "Because He Is pleased" and "delighted" in your faithfulness to Him and His word.  Don't waver.  Stand tall next to the Stay of Life.  He is delivering.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

NO CAUSE TO BE ASHAMED

There are times in my life I have been extremely ashamed.  I’ve been ashamed of things I’ve thought.  Things I’ve allowed myself to dwell upon.  Bitterness I’ve held.  Anger I’ve exhibited.  Remarks I’ve made.  Deeds I’ve done and deeds I have not done.  I do not want a cause to be ashamed anymore.  I want to be ready and able to stand in the righteousness of Christ and run the race He has set before me with patience and endurance.  How does one accomplish this?

“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing  [rightly handling and skilfully teaching] the Word of Truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

I’ve been studying.  I am eager.  But I fail many times to do my “utmost” to present myself to God.  Many times I do my utmost to present myself to man.  And now that I consider this verse very carefully, I realize if I were to present myself to every man, woman and child as if I were actually presenting myself to God, I could be a much better presentation for all the world to see.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

THAT I MAY WALK

While I've been here at my granddaughter's awaiting the birth of her second son, she has been teaching me a bunch of stuff. She's taught me how to meet Conner's needs. She's shown me his little habits and clued me into the way to handle his temper tantrums. She's warned me of all the little things he likes to get into--the stove drawer that he opens and he periodically shuts on his fingers. The cabinet doors with baby-locks that he pulls and jerks till they open for his attacks on tupperware. His undying temptation to push the television button. His fascination with any door that gets left open to a bedroom, bath, closet or laundry room---he loves to explore. Bethany has covered each and every aspect of little Conner's schedule, routine, likes and dislikes. She's informed me of exact measurements for all his food choices. She's taught me alot in anticipation of a midnight trip to the hospital and a couple of days away from her son. She wants to be certain every need is met, and every contingency is covered. I've really listened and heeded and even participated in following through on most every thing she's taught me. I think I'm ready.

Wouldn't it be great to be counted so apt a student in the Lord?

"Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk and live in Your truth; direct and unite my heart [solely, reverently] to fear and honor Your name. " Psalm 86:11.

I am nearly 60 years old. I've been raising children, caring for grandbabies and meeting the needs of others for a very long time. For the most part, all has gone well. I could do things my way with Conner when Bethany goes in to have her baby. I could feed him what I think is best and put him to bed when I think he needs to go to bed. I could let him play in the cupboards and give him more freedom to explore. But that is not Bethany's ways. As I try to care for her son, it's Bethany's desires and instructions I seek to follow. I want to walk in her way so that Conner's life is not interrupted by my ways. To do otherwise would not unite our hearts or honor her trust in me. I love my granddaughter. And she is doing a great job raising this little tyke. She's a disciplined young lady. And when I consider her trust in me, I also consider God's trust in me to be what He has chosen me to be and how to follow Him. To do less would not honor Him, nor would it unite my heart solely and reverently toward His Truth. "Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk and live in Your truth." selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

THE WISE MAN WAITS

Why do we seek the favor of man?  Why do we crave the attention of others? In society, it is who you know, and what you know that seems to place folks in higher regard than others.   In politics it is who has the greater promises, and offers the most to constituents that seems to gain the votes.  When some seek to ascertain an advantage with a situation, they pull out all the stops; they bear gifts, use flattery, and bend over backwards to be noticed.  Some sell their very integrity as if it were a bowl of Esau’s porridge.

“Many crave and seek the ruler’s favor, but the wise man [waits] for justice from the Lord.”  Proverbs 29:26

“But the wise man waits.”  He doesn’t seek the favor of rulers.  He doesn’t spend his birthright on a bowl of stew.  He doesn’t use deceit to gain front-row seating.  He doesn’t use people to gain an advantage.  He doesn’t bribe, beg, borrow or steal to climb to a pedastal of importance.  He waits on the Lord to render justice, in His time, in His way.  And he is wise because he does.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008] 

 

FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD

I want to be fit for the kingdom of God.  I want to make a big difference in the Kingdom of God.  Not in a way that brings any notoriety to myself.  I don't want to be an Elijah, a Peter or a Paul.  I couldn't hold a candle to those men.  But I want to be a Mary, a Ruth, a Rahab, Naaman's servant-girl.

They lived like they knew God.  Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and drew as much Water from Him to last her lifetime.  She poured out her best on Him and gave it all--not just a dab.  She prepared Jesus for His burial.  He appeared first to her after He'd risen from the grave.  Don't you wish we had more stories about her service in the Kingdom after the resurrection?

Ruth showed such love for her mother-in-law, she had to have known the love and goodness in Naomi's God.  Ruth lived out what she'd learned.  Don't you wish we knew more about her after she married Boaz?

Rahab, the prostitute, was willing to risk her own life and by faith was spared the destruction of those who refused to believe.  She received God's spies in peace [without enmity]. Hebrews 11:31

Naaman's servant-girl spoke with boldness and persuasiveness.  Had it not been for her persistence, Naaman would not have been healed of his leprosy.  And what a blessing that story has been to us all in the way of humbling ourselves before God.

"...No one puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to things behind] is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:32.

I have an opportunity each day to serve Jesus, to follow His commandments, to heed His Spirit's voice.  I don't want to make excuses for why I didn't follow immediately.  And I don't want to answer for my procrastination or disobedience.  I want to be fit for the kingdom, don't you?  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

     

MY HEART IS FIXED

We've all faced it.  We've all had a time in our lives when it seems no matter what we do, people are bent on making our lives miserable.  We even wonder what possessess them---what controls their hearts.  Do they have a heart?  Is there no compassion at all in their soul?  Is their no reason or understanding in their minds?

"Their poison is like the venom of a serpent; they are like the deaf adder or asp that stops its ear."  Ps. 58:4

When met with such people in our lives we want to call down heaven to "break their teeth, O God, in their mouths; break out the fangs...". {vs.6.

I have found in my life of multiple times of battling such people that God is not blind.  He knows those people are in my life.  He does not sleep.  He isn't the least bit concerned with their attitudes and actions.  "Behold, they belch out [insults] with their mouths; swords [of sarcasm, ridicule, slander, and lies] are in their lips, for who, they think, hears us?  But You, O Lord, will laugh at them [in scorn]..."Ps.59:7,8a.

God knows my adversaries.  God hears their taunts.  And while they may be a burden to my soul, to God they are nothing.

"I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]!  He will send from heaven and save me from the slanders and reproaches of him who would trample me down or swallow me up, and He will put him to shame.  Selah.  God will send forth His mercy and loving-kindness and His truth and faithfulness." Psalm 57:1,2.

I take such comfort in knowing my God is watching over me.  I have such peace in joining the psalmist with these words:

"Be exalted, O God, above all the heavens!  Let Your glory be over all the earth!  My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident!  I will sing and make melody." Ps. 57:5, 7.

Sing with me my friends.  Make melody to the King.  His glory is over all the earth.  He is above all the heavens!  Let your heart be fixed, steadfast and confident.  He will not fail you.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

A FASHIONED HEART

 

“HE fashions their hearts individually…” (Ps33:15a)  “The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men.  …He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.” (Ps.33:13-15)

Can you imagine?  Millions and billions of people. And the Lord fashions each and every heart individually.  Such care He takes with each of us.  Such attention He pays to our needs. 

When my granddaughter and I squashed playdoh into a flat blob and cut out the shape of hearts, we each left our fingerprints on each heart.  We impressed our index and pinky fingers into the soft clay.  Today they are hard.  We will make magnets the next time she comes over.  These hearts were just what my granddaughter wanted them to be.   She wanted different colors.  Some she pushed her finger clear through them.  But none were made without us leaving an imprint of some kind upon them.

As the Lord “fashions hearts individually” in man, He also leaves His fingerprint.  None are formed without His knowledge or His input.  And sometimes it’s hard to imagine anyone not knowing the purpose of their Creator’s mind when they are fashioned by His fingertips.

He says He is going to write on our hearts what we need to know…not on tablets of stone.  As children of God, we hear His voice, we heed His Word, and we yield to His Spirit’s direction.  Our Creator takes infinitely more time in designing our hearts than we do filling them with Him and His Word.   And we so often wonder why life is difficult.   

Lord keep our eyes upon You and our hearts fixed upon You and Your grace.   May we live each day in keeping with Your divine plan and will for our lives.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

CAUGHT OFF GUARD

 Have you ever been caught off guard? The doorbell rings and you aren’t dressed. You are asked a question you are unprepared to answer. You are delivered an assault that pierces your heart. You are driving on a country road of peace and tranquility and you turn a curve and are met with a cement truck with no where to turn. Fear grips your heart, mind and soul.

Sometimes it is a lesser thing with equal effect.

“That’s the way it was with the prophet Elijah. He confronted 400 priests in one of the most dramatic showdown battles in all of history. And then, a caustic, snippy remark by Jezebel, Ahab’s wife, got to him: “You go tell that prophet that I’ll make his life so miserable that by sunset he will wish he were dead!” (see 1 Kings 19:2)

That’s where it all began: “If you’re not out of town by sunset…” Elijah was feeling so good that the sniper’s bullet caught him off guard. He was drained from hours of prayer, struggle, and fatigue. When Jezebel’s sniping hit him, he went into suicidal depression. Then God used the emergency rooom technique on him. First, he sent the ravens to feed Elijah some protein; this was followed by some much-needed sleep. Then God reoriented Elijah’s perception: “You’re not the only one, my friend; there are 7,500 who are with you. You forgot that.” Before lon, Elijah’s emotions and spirit had been restored to normal. [David Seamands, Healing for Damaged Emotions]

Sometimes we soar to the heights of glory. God so blesses us with the manifestation of His presence and provision that we are emptied totally of ourselves and filled with His all-encompassing Presence. Then the sniper’s bullet, arrow, ambush comes. And we are left undone. Yet, even in our weakness, God sends His ravens, His Living Water to restore us to our former and now stronger faith. When this occurs, we are able to help the 7,500 that are with us.

“Imagine the immeasurable joy of heaven in the ongoing work of grace among the multitudes.” selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]