“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18
I was listening to the radio in my truck recently and heard Joel Osteen giving a message that centered upon the ‘garbage in – garbage out’ philosophy. If we are spending the majority of our time watching the flat screen we are spending less time in His Word. If we are spending more time feeding our bodies at the all-you-can eat counter we are probably taking away precious hours from our life of serving our Heavenly Father.
The girl in the attached photo attends one of the Lutheran schools in Gonaives and she has a cloth next to her face, not to wipe away tears of boredom as she listens to my devotion on this particular day, but rather to wipe away perspiration on this typically hot early afternoon in March. Her idle time is not spent in front of a television at home but is spent studying her homework because that is what is most important to her. Her meal comes because of somebody just like you who has shared a portion of their tithe on her life so she could eat a meal of beans and rice for lunch. Please take time today to consider how our Heavenly Father is either using your life today or is nudging you to go in one of His directions instead of the ways of this world. I am closing today with the words from the Hymn “Forgive us, Lord, for shallow thankfulness” that was written by William Watkins Reid, Sr. We sang this hymn a few weeks ago and its words seemed like a powerful message.
“Forgive us, Lord, for shallow thankfulness, for dull content with warmth and sheltered care. For songs of praise for food and harvest press, while of Your richer gifts we're unaware. Teach us to thank You, Lord, for love and grace. For life and vision, for a purpose clear, for Christ your Son, and for each human face that shows Your message ever new and near. Forgive us, Lord, for selfish thanks and praise; for words that speak at variance with deeds. Forgive our thanks for waling pleasant ways unmindful of a broken brother's needs. Teach us, O Lord, true thankfulness divine, that gives as Christ gave, never counting cost; that knows no barrier of "yours" and "mine," assured that only what's withheld is lost. Forgive us, Lord, for feast that knows not fast; for joy in things that meanwhile starve the soul. For walls and wars that hide Your mercies vast and blur our vision of the Kingdom goal. Open our eyes to see Your love's intent; to know with minds and hearts its depth and height; may thankfulness be days in service spend, reflection of Christ's life and love and light.”
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay