Person of Interest…

Verse:

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, who the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him.  You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you (John 14:16).   

Personal Thought:

Well CSI: NY has been moved to second place, my new favorite TV Series is Person of Interest.  For those of you who don’t watch the show, it’s about a man, Harold Finch, who developed a computer system that watches and sees everything.  A number comes up for a person in danger.  So Finch, hires a man to intervene, Reese, and help those when their number comes up.  Each week unfolds a dilemma of yet another person (usually unaware of their own danger) and the obstacles Harold and Reese have to go through to save the one in danger.  

Interestingly enough, God has His many “persons of interest”.  However, it is not by a number but a name, a name written in the book of Life.  He does not leave us as orphans, in fact He lovingly runs after His prodigals.  He desires abundant life for us and that we would be living in His will.  So, first and foremost He gives us his Holy Spirit to instruct us along the way, to lead us in truth.  And He brings other people into our lives to help guide and steer us along the way.  It maybe a word of encouragement or comfort that comes from another.  Perhaps even a pair of helping hands in a time of need.  Sometimes is word of guidance or correction He wants us to heed.  Regardless of our circumstance or situation, whether we feel it or not, He is very interested and cares about His children.  

Prayer:

Dear Lord Heavenly Father, thank You.  Thank You for not leaving us as orphans.  Instead You chose to run after us and seek us for relationship with You.  Praise You Lord for Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, directing us every day because You are very interested in our lives and care for our wellbeing.  Lord I pray we gain hold of how much we mean to You.  I pray today for the awareness of Your Presence which dwells with us and in us.  May we be listening closely for direction from You, knowing full well, You are very interested in Your children.   In Jesus Name, Amen. 

At His feet…

Verse:

And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he (Jesus) was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.  Luke 7:37-38

Personal Thought: 

A woman, who was known as a sinner, walks into the house of a Pharisee.  She was uninvited and most likely unwelcome.  Yet she humbly comes in with an alabaster jar of perfume and begins to weep at Jesus’ feet and anoint them.  The courage it must have taken for her to show face in spite of what the others would think of her.  It’s obvious she was not there for anyone’s acceptance, except Jesus.  

In Ruthless Trust, by Brennan Manning, he writes:

The great weakness in the North American church at large, and certainly in my life, is our refusal to accept our brokenness.  We hide it, evade it, gloss over it.  We grab for the cosmetic kit and put on our virtuous face to make ourselves admirable to the public.  Thus, we present to others the self that is spiritually together, superficially happy, and lacquered with a sense of self-deprecating humor that passes for humility.  The irony is that while I do want anyone to know that I am judgmental, lazy, vulnerable, screwed up, and afraid, for fear of losing face, the face I fear losing is the mask of the imposter, not my own! 

Sometimes it's hard to show up and be vulnerable before others for fear of what they might think.  The easier path is to ignore it, run from it, or hid from it. However evading it only keeps us from coming to Jesus feet and the blessing of His acceptance of our “true” self.  

Prayer:

Dear Lord, praise You Father for accepting us just as we are, in our vulnerability, weakness, and failures.  Lord I pray for the courage to come humbly to Your feet, without the masks or without the fears of what others may think.  I pray for the courage not to seek the approval of others, but to seek Your approval and acceptance in all areas of life; the wisdom to say nothing when my insecurity arises and I become defensive, and to speak up when I should without concern that others might think I’m arrogant; for the humility in Your strength, not pride in human weakness; the pride that either over promotes ourselves or the self-degrading pride that tears ourselves down.  I pray we honestly put our true self before You accepting our brokenness, and trust You each day for love and acceptance.  In Jesus Name, I pray Amen.   

Year End Assessment…

Verse:

Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.  Matt 25:19

As last year comes to an end and a new year begins, it seems a perfect time to evaluate our lives.  Our lives here on earth are for one main purpose, to bring God glory.  With the talents He has given each of us, could we prove we invested them or would we be proved as wasting them.  The parable related the talents as money, but it really accounts for everything He has given us.  Our money, time, relationships, skills, and our health would be included as the “talents” He has blessed us with. 

Although there were good areas, my year end assessment still proved many areas of waste.  Excess groceries never eaten or cooked and therefore wasted money; time doing nothing or just unproductive in front of the TV or computer; lack of conversation or quality time spent with those I love; failure to use the skills God has given me due to procrastination; choosing to be a glutton instead of eating healthy; and laziness over exercise.

One day there will be a final assessment of our life before God.  According to last year’s review, would it prove more invested or more wasted?  What changes should be made this year? 

Prayer:

Dear Lord Heavenly Father, thank You for this life You have given us.  I pray for this coming year; to spend money in a way that honors you, to make time count for something instead of nothing, to spend more quality time in building stronger relationships with those I love, to use the skills You’ve given, and make healthier choices in diet and exercise this coming year.  I pray to be more faithful with what You have given.  In Jesus Name, Amen.