Entries for April 2015

MY 'ISAAC'

"...The lad and I will go yonder and worship and we will come back to you." Genesis 22:5

April is my birthday month. Since it is on the second day, the celebration continues. I've had greetings, gifts and friends turning up all month long. It is heart-warming to be remembered over and over. I'm grateful to all of you and to God.

April is resurrection month this year. Jesus is alive! We have revisited His cross, His tomb and found Him again in the garden. As Mary heard Him speak her name long ago, I have heard Him speak mine again as we met in the garden of prayer.

This month my calendar is marked each week with a scheduled watercolor class. Through the encouragement of my daughter and my neighbor, Ellen, I have attended classes for two years with a well-known Southwest Impressionist artist, David Dyell.

At the age of 90 I picked up something I laid down over seventy years ago. Prior to my conversion at the age of 16, I dreamed of pursuing a career in art. Through the influence of my art teacher in junior high school, I won a three year scholarship to the Toledo Art Museum in my home town of Toledo, Ohio. My life was going in that direction when I became ill with a life-threatening kidney disease.

That crisis proved to be a turning point for me and my parents. In desperation, we sought help from the Lord and it changed our lives. Soon after my healing, I sensed a call from God to surrender my life to His service. Instead of attending the art course I chose to go to LIFE Bible College in Los Angeles. The rest is the story of my life in the service of the Lord.

When my art teacher, David Dyell, remarked to the class that I was his oldest student, I shared this testimony with them. David summed it up when he said "This is your 'Isaac'!

GOD REMEMBERS what we lay aside when we take up our cross to follow Him. Some things are not worth getting back, but the things He planned when we were born and born again, He is careful to restore. God sees when we love Him more than anything.

PRAYER: Lord, the years have not dimmed my vision of You.. You have my heart forever. May Your glory shine in the hearts of my children and their children eternally. Amen

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DAY BY DAY

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." II Co. 4:16

It is common for any of us to feel like giving up at times. But then, how could we? Even though outwardly it often looks like things are falling apart, yet on the inside God is doing a restorative work. We can draw daily renewal from His inner Presence.

The Apostle Paul learned the secret of lasting endurance in ministry. His ministry was itinerate and he labored under very difficult circumstances. He suffered terrific opposition in a culture hostile to the gospel. Yet, as he traveled he wrote his letters.

Paul cared for the needs of many young churches and tended to their growing pains. Although his struggles took their toll on his physical strength, Paul's spiritual vitality gave him the will to go on and to not give up.

He lived life on two levels at the same time. While he talked to those around him, he also talked to God. When he walked with others on his long journeys, he also was aware of God within.

Communion with God taught him to evaluate things in a different way. When faced with problems he handed things over to the Lord on a regular basis. What happened on the outside did not alter his awareness of God's action within him. His spiritual discipline developed a dual perspective that renewed him constantly.

BE RENEWED DAY BY DAY. No matter how you feel, don't let a day go by without awareness of God at work within. Daily inner renewal overcomes weakness and weariness due to outer circumstances and prevents loss of spiritual strength.

PRAYER: Lord, develop in me a dual perspectives. While I walk with others, I walk with you. While I talk with others, I talk with you. When I listen to others, I listen to you. Our partnership renews me day by day. Lord, In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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SECOND CHANCES

"But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." Luke 22: 31-34

Ever since the women who discovered the empty tomb ran to tell everyone, "He's alive. He is risen!" the resurrection of Jesus Christ has changed countless lives.Those first witnesses could not suppress the news. They felt obligated, more than obligated, they were eager to go and tell the disciples. Their real joy and genuine excitement delivered a message to dispel doubt and produce faith.

It was hard to believe, but the disciples wanted to believe. It was a message they needed to hear. The room was full of men who had failed. Among them was Peter, full of shame for what he had done. When he thought about it, he wept.

Depressed, he could have become suicidal. Except for one thing; Peter could not forget the words Jesus said. Jesus forewarned he would deny him three times before the rooster crowed that early morning. And it happened. Peter had denied him and the precision timing of the rooster's shrill alarm broke his heart.

But Peter remembered other words Jesus spoke..."....I have prayed for you." He realized he had a second chance because Jesus prayed for him and he received it!

Forgiven, he became stronger and stronger, able to strengthen others.

Remember: Jesus prays for you and for me. Through his intercession he gives us a second chance to enter into the joy of his resurrection.

Prayer: Lord, I have failed. I humbly ask forgiveness. Take me to your cross. I receive the chance you offer me now. I am grateful for your faithful love. Make me stronger to help others who need a second chance. In Your Name,Jesus. Amen

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