daily IMPACT by selahV today

When I Can't See

I have a feature on my computer that lets me magnify the type on a given page.  It's really nifty since I have difficulty reading small print.  Some books I keep shelved because I can't magnify the tiny lettering.

I hate reading labels for medicine, too.  It's a small wonder the whole world hasn't overdosed on cold medicines.  Who can read the warnings without a magnifying glass?  Seriously, I actually use one to read the labels on my meds; I could do a great deal of harm if take too much of something.

Such it is in the Christian life.  Sometimes we cannot see the warning signs of sin in our lives.  We overlook the tiny attitudes, ignore the words we utter in disgust.  We almost shrink the sins down so small we cannot see the harm they do to our lives as Christians.

When we cannot see right from wrong, it's imperative to magnify the righteousness of God.  When we look at Him in all His fullness and see His glory and majesty, it's clear to us we need His all sustaining power to stand against the evil in our world.  He is our deliverance.

Our sinful ways and thoughts and attitudes we give to God.  He is the refiner of our souls.  He is so pure, so holy, so merciful and full of grace.  He chooses to dwell among us and let us dwell with Him.  Just as I'd clean my house and break out the best china when company comes calling, I want to clean out yesterday's memories and failings, mistakes, and give them all to Jesus.  He cleanses me from all unrighteousness and talks to the Father on my behalf as I falter.  He lifts me up and washes off the day's dust.

Can we not praise Him for His mercy and grace?  Can we not exalt Him above all the earth and its temptations and temporal pleasures?

"Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together!" Psalm 34:3

So When You Give

...do so with humility.

How often have you seen a person give a great donation and expect accolades for their generosity?  Hospital wings are built; funds are collected for the needy.  Do we give to others with great expectations?  do we attach strings?  Do we seek status, power, position in return?  As Christians we know the Lord will reward us for what we do on earth.  We know when Jesus returns He will have a reward in His hand for those who are faithful to Him.  But it means more to Jesus that our hearts are pure in the process.   

Who are the faithful?  What will we receive?  Over and over Jesus spoke to the churches in the book of Revelation.  Again and again he commended the churches for their zeal, their enthusiasm, their sacrifices, their ministries.  However, He reminds each of them that it is not how much one does, gives, and says that matters to Him. They didn't really care about the people...they cared about the praise of people.  Jesus wants the heart that loves Him with all purity.  When we love Him, He fills our hearts and His love pours out naturally, without thinking about what we will get in return.

How can we know our desires are aligned with His?  How can we know that we give with the best of intentions, the highest motives?  He tells us:

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:2-4

Insecurity seeks the praise of men.  Self-centeredness craves the pat on the back, a pedestal to stand on, the head of the table.  Those things make us feel good for a season, of course, but they do not honor God.  Humility doesn't need to be thanked or lauded.  Humility doesn't seek credit, prizes, medals or trophies.  Humility merely walks as God leads and does so without fanfare or attention.  Then what is done in secret will be rewarded openly by our Lord.

Jesus washed dirty feet.  He touched the leper's hand.  He shared eternal life with a prostitute, and ate dinner with those considered scum.  He forgave Peter's betrayal.  What about us?  Can we honestly say our greatest joy is to please God by loving the unlovely and caring for those in need?  without reservation or recognition? selahV

by hariette petersen, selahV Today