What's My Purpose?

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalms 100:4

I’ll admit it. I struggle with public worship. I like to sing and sit and listen but raising my hand, standing alone, and other forms of worship that make me noticeable also make this introvert uncomfortable. Then I think, haven’t I been given something, something very special. What’s should be the reply? “Thank you!” of course. God’s reply is  “You’re welcome.” Here the conversation begins. Fellowship begins.

When God created the heavens and the earth and all the plants, birds, fish, and animals, there was no one with whom He could fellowship. So God created man in His image, someone with feelings, thoughts, and most of all voice that could praise and fellowship with Him. God wanted someone who would give worship and with whom He could have fellowship. That was God’s purpose for man. Man was a reflection of God. He had body, mind and soul. I think, how thankful to be in a perfect garden with perfect weather, perfect food, and friendly animals. Adam and Eve could take a deep breath and enjoy talking with God about the wonderful, beautiful world he created just for mankind.

Man was created perfect for worship and fellowship. But when man made the choice to disobey, sin and death entered into the world. Adam and Eve broke fellowship with God. Man lost his purpose and he has been searching for it ever since. The problem is the world doesn’t want to admit we are out of fellowship with God. We keep searching for a purpose.

So how do we find purpose again? Take a mirror. Hold it where you see yourself. Now hold it where others can see a reflection of you. The purpose of the mirror, regardless of where you hold it, is to reflect whatever is in front of it. If we are in right fellowship our lives will reflect the image of Christ to the world. Thankfulness, praise and blessings will reflect His image to the world. It will also reflect back to God who will fellowship with us.

But how can we reflect? First we must realize that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Second we must turn to Him in repentance (a change of heart about our actions/sins) and ask forgiveness. God will always say “Yes.” That begins the conversation. How about a “Thank you, Lord”? How about praise and blessings. Worship then begins and the fellowship of a new life in Christ. We should now be a reflection to God and a reflection of God to the world.  

God sent me to an awesome conference this weekend. I praised and worshipped and learned with fellow believers. My prayer is that as I go into next week, I can reflect Christ to the world I will be in.

How’s your mirror working?  Are you entering into his gates with praise and into his courts with thanksgiving?

Won’t you let us know what God is doing in your life to help you fulfill your created purpose?

Don’t Throw Out the Bacon Drippings!

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Matthew 6:26

The snow was falling and the ground began to cover. Breakfast needed to be comfort food; whole grain waffles, maple syrup, bacon, strawberries, and of course coffee. As I started to clean up, I thought, I hate to throw out all this good smelling bacon drippings but I also don’t need to eat all that grease. You know, Grandma used bacon drippings to flavor everything, but she worked the fields all day with Grandpa. They needed the energy the grease would give. Idea! The birds out in the snow need energy to stay warm in the freezing weather. God created us in His image and gave us a mandate to care for His creation. Genesis 1: 28b tells us have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. That doesn’t just mean use them, but care for them.

 The squirrels had destroyed my bird feeder but surely there was a way to use what I had around the house to take care of my beautiful birds. Let’s see. I had seeds, little paper cups, a mesh onion bag, and bacon drippings. Put it all together and voila! Suet feeder.

Is God really caring for me? I can think of a hundred things I want. Want, now there’s the key. I want, not I need. I need to make a gratitude list of a hundred things. I have a warm house, a comforting breakfast, warm clothes, the power is on, family, etc, etc, etc. I do believe God is taking extra special care of me.

Lord, help me focus on being grateful rather than longing for all the things the world tells me I deserve. I deserve nothing.  I am grateful for Your mercy and grace. I am in need of nothing. You have even provided me with technology to share Your gospel. Help me, dear Lord, to share Your love with the world and demonstrate my appreciation for all You have created by lovingly having dominion over it. In Jesus name. Amen

P.S. In case you need a little bacon dripping recipe:





Don’t throw out the Bacon Drippings!

Many backyard birds such as woodpeckers, titmice, nuthatches and chickadees love suet.

You can make your own suet feeders with a few simple items you probably have around the house.

Materials:

            Bacon drippings

            Seeds and nuts (bird seed from the store works well)

            Paper cups

            Mesh bag recycled from oranges or onions

Directions:

            Scoop the paper cup(s) about ¾ full with seeds and nuts. Pour bacon drippings over the seed/nut mix until the cup is almost filled. Place in the fridge or outside in the cold until the bacon drippings are firm. Remove the paper cup and place the suet in the mess bag. Suspend the bag so raccoons and dogs can’t get the suet before the birds.

P.S. Be sure to keep your binoculars and camera close by.

           

God’s Got Something Special for You

…Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

Daniel 2:20b

“I got something for you at home,” one of my little four year olds told me just before Valentine’s Day. Sweet child. She just couldn’t hold the surprise any longer. Her love was showing just a bit.

Many of my students really can’t afford to get something for the teacher, but they make cookies, or notes or just little things that are uniquely from them. Those are the things I cherish most because they come from the heart. I don’t need things that cost money. But I do like knowing I am appreciated. Taking time to make a little something truly shows appreciation. It also shows we have built a unique relationship.

How do I show God my appreciation? Am I plunking down my tithes in the offering plate and thinking, “Well that’s done.” or am I taking time to study His Word, to speak to others about the good things God is doing for me? Am I sacrificing my time to draw closer to the One I say I love? 

Daniel found himself in a bad situation. First he was captured and taken from his homeland. Then he was told to eat food that was not in accordance with God’s Word. The worst was not over. He had to tell the king’s dream or he and his friends would be killed. But, Daniel had prepared himself. He had sacrificed his time to study God’s Word and build a relationship with God that would see him through tough times. He stood boldly for God when he had to make hard choices about food. A choice we probably wouldn’t have given a second thought. Then, when Daniel needed God’s help in a major way, God preformed a miracle by telling Daniel exactly how to interpret the dream. Daniel seems beside himself in praise to God for all He has revealed. (Daniel 2:19-23). All Daniel’s study and sacrifice paid off. Daniel was overwhelmed.

Want to get excited about something God is doing? Get involved up to your eyeballs. Sacrifice a little time to study God’s Word. Don’t just read it. Study. Know what it means and think how it applies to you. Follow through by standing true to God’s Word when everyone else is caving in to peer pressure. Then watch for God to come through in a mighty way for you!

Won’t you let us know what great and mighty things God is doing for you?



The Sharp-shinned Hawk

 www.utahbirds.org

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:16,17

I heard the call the sharp-shinned hawk this morning. The kids ran out on the deck to look for it. They watched as the hawk called from the top of a tall poplar. Then they suddenly ran back into the house. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

“We heard something way off that sounded weird.”

“Maybe it was the mate calling.”

“No, it was different.”

“Well, sometimes the call of the female sounds a little different.” They went back outside. This time there were two hawks in the top of the tree, watching the open ground and woods around them. The kids watched until the hawks flew off together. Then they needed to know more. They searched their bird book to find when hawks nested. They wanted to know if they were just here for the winter or were they permanent residents. The more they learned the more they wanted to know.

Who would have thought that listening and watching hawks on a cold Saturday morning would have caused so much interest in learning? I don’t know how the knowledge the kids gained from researching hawks will help them, but if nothing else it helped research skills and it was fun. I often find that listening and watching for what God is doing will cause me to search the scriptures to find words of comfort, of peace and instruction.

Lord Jesus, may my eyes be open to the things You are doing in my life, my church, and my community. May it cause me to search the scriptures to know more about You and how I fit into Your plan. Help me to be obedient to those things You are willing to show me. In Your name I pray. Amen.