Angels Watch

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:10 ESV

When a wolf watches a flock of sheep they see a desirable target and a good opportunity to exploit. But to the shepherd  those sheep are precious and worth defending and worth being cared for. The Bible tells us that God sends his angels to watch especially over the small and weak because He is the Good Shepherd.    KIMG0874

Our Father sees behind nursing home walls,  He aches for children who are abandoned and He longs to shelter the tiniest babies as He knits them together in their mothers’ wombs. To our consumer culture,  these seem to be of little use, beyond whatever economic advantage that could be gained from them. But to God they are of infinite value.

So why not make plans to make a difference right where you are? The holidays are on the horizon; and I know at the nursing home where I serve there are lots of opportunities to serve. Or in your community you may be able to donate gifts that are given to foster children at Christmas. (We know this is special because our son has four). Or you could seek out your local maternity center. God has blessed all of us with so many different ways to allow the light of the love of Jesus to shine. The small things that we do for God’s little ones may not seem like a lot; but they matter more than we know. It is never too late to  start. Remember angels are watching; and they are sending back new reports to God every day!

Lift Up Those Hands!

Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord! Psalm 134:2 ESV

Those are the opening lines from a chorus I love to sing. God’s word tells us to lift up our hands but do you ever stop to wonder why? Here are the four reasons that I came up with. Maybe you have some other ideas of your own and I would love hearing them.

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A) Praise -We lift up our hands when we worship with other believers. And in this psalm it tells us to do this at night but any time is the right time to praise God.

B) Surrender – When the police officer draws out his gun and yells, “Show me your hands!” we lift up our hands to show we are surrendering. This might not be in church in fact when the disciples left their nets to follow Jesus; they surrendered their careers right in the middle of a work day.

two police men standing near another person beside white and blue police vehicle on road

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C) Availability – When my teacher called my name it was usually wrong (who can pronounce Caligiuri?) but I knew she was calling on me so I lifted up my hand. “Here!” I shouted. Isaiah answers God in much the same way; “Here I am Lord: Send me.

 

photo of four girls wearing school uniform doing hand signs

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D) Love – At the end of long work days I would trudge home from the job, completely exhausted, in need of a shower and a meal. But when I opened our apartment door our two little boys who seemed to have no sense of smell raced up to me with their arms up shouting; “Daddy’s home! Daddy’s home! Pick me up Daddy!”  P1030050

Jesus calls to each of us to come to Him and we will find rest. We are not only welcomed into His presence; He loves to hear us run to the door when He knocks crying; ” Abba’s home! Abba’s home! Pick me up Father I need you again today!”

Abiding in Christ

Have you ever seen a branch deciding to become part of a tree? Or is a leaf staying up late at night worrying about whether they have picked the right twig to grow on?

We laugh at the silly notion of these ideas but in the same way we miss out on what Jesus is telling us. Jesus has already joined us to Himself by the ultimate sacrifice of His life. Abiding is not recruitment, spiritual boot camp or mere religious duty. To abide in Him is simply to gratefully enjoy the part we are given by grace. We are only fruitful as His life blood flows through us. No matter how small or weak we are through Him we can do anything He asks!

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5 ESV