A Sign of Readiness

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Mother Teresa once said, “To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.” The same applies to our spiritual lives. If we stop learning, growing, and drawing near to God, our lamps begin to dim. We may still look fine on the outside, but inside, we become like an empty lamp waiting to be filled.

Scripture often uses lamps as a picture of our relationship with God. Proverbs 31:18 says of the virtuous woman, “Her lamp does not go out at night.” In ancient times, a lamp burning after dark signaled a welcoming home for weary travelers. The lamp was more than a source of light; it was a sign of readiness. The woman described in Proverbs was prepared to serve, to care, and to offer hospitality when needed.

Psalm 18:28 reminds us that we are not responsible for producing the light ourselves. David writes, “For You light my lamp; the Lord my God illumines my darkness.” What a comforting truth! God is the One who lights the lamp and sustains its flame. As we walk with Him and mature in our faith, His light shines more brightly through us. Ancient lamps could be fitted with additional wicks to increase their brightness. In much the same way, God continues His work in us, expanding our capacity to reflect His light to the world.

Jesus used this same imagery in the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Five were prepared with extra oil, and five were not. When the bridegroom arrived, the prepared virgins entered the wedding feast while the others were left outside. The lesson is clear: followers of Christ are to live in a state of readiness. We cannot borrow someone else’s faith or wait until the last moment to seek the Lord. We remain ready by staying close to Him, filling our minds with His Word, and allowing His Spirit to work within us.

One day, all who belong to Christ will be welcomed into the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. Until then, God faithfully does His part. He lights the lamp, supplies the oil, and tends the flame. Our part is not to manufacture the light but to remain close to Him. We do that by filling our minds with His Word, obeying what He teaches us, and keeping our hearts ready for His return. As we walk with Him day by day, His light shines more brightly through us, becoming a sign of readiness to a watching world.

Heavenly Father, how humbled I am when I realize that You are the One who fills the lamp. Lord, fill mine to overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Let my lamp continue burning brightly until I am finally admitted to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. In Jesus’ perfect Name, make it so. Amen.

I’m sharing this article at 5-Minute Friday. We’re a group of bloggers who wait each Friday morning for a new word to use in a post. Jump on over and enjoy the posts with me. I hope you’ll be blessed in the process. Marie

When Gratitude Becomes Worship

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Giving thanks for who God is, what He has done, and what He will continue to do for us should be as natural as breathing. Yet, if we’re honest, we often need reminders.

Every book on prayer I’ve ever read encourages believers to include thanksgiving in every prayer. More importantly, Scripture does the same. Passages such as Philippians 4:6-7 and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 call us to live with grateful hearts and offer thanks in all circumstances.

During a past worship service, we shared what was called a “Wave of Thanks.” While it wasn’t the same kind of wave offering described in Exodus 29:24, the idea was similar. One by one, people offered words of gratitude before the Lord.

Many of the blessings mentioned were familiar and precious: family, new babies, new homes, faithful friends, our church family, and, of course, Jesus and the salvation He freely gives. Others spoke of God’s faithfulness through difficult seasons. We have witnessed cancer in some of its ugliest forms, yet we have also seen God intervene with His healing touch.

One expression of thanks, in particular, captured my attention: the miracle of life.

Within our church family, we have seen life-threatening traumatic brain injuries, including one that resulted in a coma. Humanly speaking, the outcomes could have been very different. Yet both men survived and are living life to the fullest today. What a testimony to God’s sustaining grace!

The words of an old hymn came to mind:

“Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving
To God the Creator triumphantly raise,
Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us,
Who guideth us on to the end of our days.”

Even more amazing, our Creator has offered us more than physical life. Through Jesus Christ, He has made eternal life available to all who believe. The greatest miracle is not simply that we live today, but that we can live forever with Him.

Prayer

Lord God, Creator of Life, thank You for the gift of every breath and every day. Thank You for sustaining us through trials, healing us when we are broken, and reminding us of Your faithfulness. Most of all, thank You for the eternal life found in Jesus Christ.

Give us the desire and courage to live fully for You. Let us never lose our sense of wonder. Help us never to take Your blessings for granted, and never let us forget the greatest gift of all—the life we have through Your Son. Make it so in Jesus’ name!

The hymn “Let All Things Now Living” was written by Katherine K. Davis and set to the traditional Welsh melody “The Ash Grove.”

This is an edit of a post originally posted on 11.23.2011.

God-Gifts in Disguise

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I rarely welcome criticism with open arms. Usually, I try to explain or defend my reasons and actions.

God’s Word has taught me a better way. Proverbs 15:31 speaks loudly to me on this issue: “Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.”

Life-giving correction is the key. It’s not criticism, condemnation, or shame.

There have been many times in my life when correction has been a God-gift in disguise. Times when my BFF says, “You’re not thinking clearly, Marie.” Times when my pastor’s sermon steps on my toes. Times when God’s Word convicts me of sin or a bad attitude. At those moments, I have a choice. I can cling to my pride and a haughty attitude, or I can listen.

One of the toughest life lessons I’ve learned is that I’m not always right—and God refuses to let me think I am. He never corrects me to reject me. He corrects me because He loves me and wants me to keep the Number One goal in my life front and center: becoming more and more like Him.

Abba, Father, give me ears to hear Your voice and a heart willing to obey.

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Interruptions

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Most of us like having a plan. We schedule our days, set goals, make lists, and decide where we think life should go. Yet life has a way of interrupting even the best-laid plans.

Sarah probably didn’t expect to give birth at ninety years old. Mary likely wasn’t planning to become the mother of the Messiah. Paul certainly wasn’t expecting to meet Jesus on the road to Damascus.

Again and again, Scripture reminds us that God often works through interruptions.

Proverbs 19:21 tells us: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Every one of us has experienced interruptions. Sometimes they come in the form of a friend who needs help when we already have a full schedule. Sometimes they arrive as an illness, an unexpected move, a job change, a financial challenge, or the loss of something precious.

In the moment, interruptions can feel frustrating, inconvenient, or even painful. Yet God often uses those very moments to accomplish His purposes.

A conversation we didn’t plan to have may become an opportunity to encourage someone. A struggle we never wanted may become a testimony that gives another person hope. A difficult season may teach us to depend on God in ways we never imagined.

Looking back, many of the most significant moments in my life began as interruptions.

What if we viewed them differently? What if, instead of resisting every interruption, we asked God what He wanted us to learn from it? What if some interruptions were actually invitations? Invitations to trust Him. Invitations to serve others. Invitations to become more like Christ.

The next time your plans are disrupted, remember that God is never surprised. His purposes are still at work.

Prayer

Abba Father, when my plans are interrupted, help me remember that Your purposes are greater than my own. Give me eyes to see the opportunities You place before me and a willing heart to follow wherever You lead. Interrupt me when necessary, and use my life for Your Kingdom. In the precious name of Jesus, make it so.

I first wrote this post on September 11, 2011. Today, I’ve revisited it and made a few updates.

The Smell of Sheep

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I don’t know about you, but smell is one of my strongest senses.

I love the smell of coffee shops, carnations, freshly mowed grass, good perfume (no musk, please—I’m allergic), freshly baked cinnamon rolls, Christmas cookies, vanilla, and Ray’s cologne.

What I don’t enjoy are farm animal smells, skunks, cigars, waste, spoilage, sickness, or death. Yes, death has a smell.

Over the years, God has gently reminded me that relationships are often more important than comfort. Sometimes He places us in situations where we have to look beyond what we find unpleasant and focus instead on the people He loves.

That brings me to sheep.

Like it or not, sheep smell.

Our Great Shepherd knows that. Yet He still chooses to walk among us and call us His own.

John 21:15-17 tells us that after His resurrection, Jesus gave Peter a simple but profound command: “Feed My lambs. Tend My sheep. Feed My Sheep.”

First, he was to feed the lambs.

Lambs are young and dependent. They cannot survive without care and nourishment. In the same way, new believers need loving Christians who will come alongside them, teach them God’s Word and how to apply it in their lives, answer their questions, and encourage them to become more like Jesus.

Next, Jesus told Peter to tend His sheep.

Adult sheep require a different kind of care. Sheep are known for wandering, and so are we. Left to ourselves, we can easily drift from God’s best for our lives. Throughout my journey, God has placed faithful shepherds around me—friends, family members, pastors, teachers, and mentors. They have lovingly corrected me, challenged me, and occasionally used their shepherd’s staff to pull this stubborn sheep back from the edge.

Then Jesus said, “Feed My sheep.”

Adult sheep no longer need milk, but they still require steady nourishment to remain healthy and strong. The same is true spiritually. We need a regular diet of prayer, Scripture, worship, fellowship, and encouragement from other believers. These are the things God uses to sustain us and help us grow.

As I think about sheep, I’m reminded of something important. The shepherd knows His sheep. He knows where we’ve wandered. He knows our weaknesses. He knows our stubbornness. And yes, He knows we smell like sheep.

Yet, He still calls us His own. The Gentle Shepherd does not turn away from us because of our flaws. He is always near, He cares for us, and through it all He faithfully leads us home.

All we need to do is follow.

Gentle Shepherd, come and feed us. Give us the wisdom to learn from those You have placed in our lives and the humility to accept their guidance. Lead us in the paths You have prepared for us. May our lives bring honor and glory to You in all we say and do. In the precious name of Jesus, our Shepherd, make it so.

I first wrote this post on October 26, 2011. Today I’ve revisited it and made a few updates.