Divine Appointments

He loves His children so much and gives us each day just what we need for that day. 

One afternoon, a young man came to our home to install a new “high-tech” thermostat. Little did I know, or he, it would turn into one of those precious “God moments”. 

As soon as the contractor entered our home, I felt an instant connection with him, and he confirmed that connection within only a few minutes. He was a brother-in Christ. So we enjoyed our faith discussion on and off as he worked. 

After about an hour, he wrapped things up and prepared to leave, and with a deep sigh he added he still had a long trip ahead of him to another customer. He was tired. I felt I needed to ask if I could pray for him before he left. He eagerly accepted and removed his hat. 

I will admit to you that asking to pray for someone is still a bit difficult for me, and it truly is an act of obedience. However, it does seem the more I do it, the easier it becomes, and the more I also begin to see that it’s not so much about my words, but about God speaking through me if I allow Him. He can’t speak through a closed mouth. 

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27) 

The words began to flow out of my mouth with ease, and it actually shocked me a little. I continued until I felt it was time to stop. 

“Amen and amen.”  So it is, and so it shall be. 

I looked up and the young man was wiping his face. He went on to share that the prayer confirmed what he felt the Lord was calling him to do. In addition, it gave him a peace and comfort regarding his life right now. He revealed that he had just lost his wife, the mother of their young children, two months ago to an aneurism, and times were very difficult for them. Now the prayer made sense. Once again, I stood in awe of the goodness and faithfulness of God and how He can use someone as flawed as me to bring a word of encouragement to someone in need.

Making yourself available to God can align you with some of the most awesome experiences.  With God, there are always hidden blessings. Just when I had begun to wonder if I was doing anything, or if I was making any difference at all, God assigned an appointment, giving me a booster shot, so to speak. Glory to God!

Give God permission to use you to comfort others and I promise you, He will provide the opportunities. Ask Him for the desires of His heart and He will give you those desires for your heart. And when He brings it, be obedient, and allow the Spirit of God to minister through you, and you will be blessed indeed. 

"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak." (Col. 4:2-4, KJV)

Stay alert. Keep your eyes open. Watch with eagerness for those opportunities which the Lord brings into your day and often right into your path, even when you least expect it. Fine tune your spirit with prayer and a hunger to fulfill God's will for that day. There is an appointment coming with your name on it.

Lord of Glory, God of all comfort, thank you for Your goodness and lovingkindness. Thank you for the Prince of Peace who guards our hearts and our minds in difficult times. Help us Lord, to receive all that is ours in Christ today, for our specific needs. Use me, Lord, to comfort others as You lead. I give You permission now, in Jesus’ name, Amen and amen.

Do you see what I see?

Today, they are called “Retro” trees, but in the 60s and early 70s, silver aluminum Christmas trees were quite the rave.  Our family had one that was full and bushy, adorned with dark pink shiny glass ornaments.  My grandparents’ aluminum tree was more slender, but filled with royal blue satin ornaments easily seen from outside passersby through the large livingroom picture window.

Many years ago, when our kids were small, times had gotten tough for several months. The 80s “oil boom” had gone “bust” while businesses and families struggled to make ends meet, including us.  Christmas time was soon approaching, and my stomach began to ache knowing that the Christmas tree would not have as much under it that year. 

Then it hit me….the Christmas tree!  We had always purchased live trees in the past and just did not feel like we could afford one that year. My husband remembered putting away boxes of decorations for his grandmother a few years before, including a box containing their old aluminum tree.  I was excited at the thought of a nostalgic Christmas tree and relieved at not having to purchase one.

The moment arrived as my husband placed the old box in the center of the room, and the kids immediately began to pull the branches out of the crumbling paper sheaths. Enthusiasm soon turned to disappointment as we slowly began to erect what we later called “Charlie Brown’s Aluminum Tree.” The branches looked more like foil rods with a shiny wild frazzle clinging desperately to the ends. We were hoping against hope the ornaments would miraculously fill in the huge gaps. 

As we stood gazing at our Charlie Brown tree, tilting our heads first one way, and then another. And though I tried to hide it, gloom began to overtake me. Then, the words of my four-year-old son shook me from my trance, “If you do this, it looks really bushy!”

I turned to find him standing with his head tilting backward and his eyes squinting nearly shut.  So, I tried it.  He was right!  With the help of the overhead track lighting filtering through the eyelashes, the tree appeared to be gloriously full.  It all depended on how you looked at it!

Oh to have the faith of a child who still lacks the jading of mankind regardng material goods.  So simple. So profound. 

I wish I could say it turned out to be the best Christmas ever that year and that Chuck landed a job that exceeded his previous salary, but I cannot. Looking back however, I can say that it is the Christmas I think of most often.  Not because of the emotional pain or the lack of gifts under the tree, but because of the greater lesson that day from the perspective of a child. 

“Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?”(Psalm 10:1, NIV)  I am sure I have posed this question myself a time or two over the years. In fact, after going through trials, we discover that God never hides, but was there all along. He Himself has said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, ESV).  

When allowed to go through the dark places, we begin to see light we did not know existed.

Painful times can have a particular objective for us in that they bring us to the end of ourselves enabling us to discover the treasure hidden in the darkness. It is there we find we have the ability to see through spiritual eyes to behold what we had missed all along. 

Father, I thank you for the gift of Your Son, that whosoever believes in Him would not perish but have eternal life in Christ Jesus.  Lord, when times are tough and we feel frazzled, help us to direct our thoughts and prayers toward You, rather than trying to fill in the huge gaps in our soul with the shiny trinkets that offer only temporary fulfillment. You have promised to supply all our needs according to Your riches in glory. And thank you Lord, for those moments in our lives that reveal a greater message, and for using the words of a small child to snap me out of my self-centered gloom. In Jesus name, Amen.

Have you ever experienced those moments when light shined through your darkness in a way you'll nver forget?  Share it below in the comment section. I'd love to hear it.

State of the Heart Address: From the Word of God

(Mouse over scripture links for full verse. May not work on mobile devices) 

Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you, today and always. ( John 20:19)

The more things change; the more things stay the same. (Eccl. 3:15) Nothing takes Me by surprise. (Is. 46:10)

I know the times are difficult, and there are times you feel like giving up, but I will show up and take care of you as I promised. (Heb. 13:5) I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. (Jer. 29:11)

God won’t give us more than we can handle…really?

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

1 Cor. 10:13

Have you ever found yourself stumbling over your search for the “right words” to say to someone after tragedy, loss, or devastating news of any kind?  I know I do, and I’m not sure there truly are the “right words”. However, none of us are comfortable in that awkward silent moment, so we say things like: 

“This too shall pass.” 

All Things for Your Sakes

“For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.” (2 Cor. 4:15)

When my children were young, I remember wanting to protect them of any harm that may come to them. And that was easy… until they learned to crawl! 

Then reality slapped me in the face and I realized that even with my best efforts, I could not shield them from everything. 

Prepare Him Room

On a crisp night, over two-thousand years ago, the air was cool and the stars were bright. To most, it seemed just like every other evening. Suddenly, a bright light pierced the darkness announcing that Earth received her King.

Another night, many, many years later, the air was cool and the stars were bright. It seemed just like any other evening when suddenly, a bright light pierced the darkness.

But, this night had nothing to do with three magi traveling from the Far East. It had nothing to do with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This night was about the miracle of new birth in the lowly place of an empty soul. On this night, the King of kings and Lord of lords appeared in the heart void of the light of Christ. On this night, my heart received her King.

Just as the Word of the Father was born in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes so long ago, He is born today in the repentant heart swaddled in the receiving blanket of faith. From the heart once laden with sin, error and confusion, emerges the light of the bright Morning Star. (Rev. 22:16) When He appears, the weariness of the burdened soul rejoices along with the angels in renewed hope and restored life. 

This is a holy occasion—the moment of our personal salvation, the miracle of new life in Christ. For me, it was over twenty-five years ago, for others, even longer—and for some, only recently.

Most acknowledge that December 25 is most likely not the actual date of Jesus’ birth, and it doesn’t really matter. Likewise, many may not know with certainty the actual date of their “spiritual birth”, a few, however, do. Again, the date does not really matter. What matters is that a new birth did indeed take place.

The Christmas season brings so many opportunities to share the message of Christ with more people than any other time of the year. Much of our Christmas music, cards, and programs present the stories of salvation and deliverance woven throughout the Old and New Testament, along with the foretelling and birth of King Jesus, Immanuel—“God with us”.

It is also an opportunity to tell our own story of salvation. 

Isaiah prophesied the Messiah’s birth in Isaiah 9:2, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light and it will shine upon all who live in the land of shadows.” 

Luke recorded Simeon’s words, “A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel” (Luke 2:32).

John tells it like this. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…and we beheld His glory…full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14). 

Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12.  

For me and for others, we can say, “I once was lost and now am found, was blind but now I see.” (Luke 15:32, Mark 10:52)

In a world saturated with sin, and stumbling around in a spiritual darkness, Christmas reminds us of Christ’s appearing. Not just as a swaddled babe in a hallowed manger, but as the Risen Savior, the Deliverer to all people, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace.  

He is Peace and Provision to the one recently laid off. He is Hope and Promise to the parents praying for a prodigal child. Whether an oppressed nation or an enchained soul, He is Mighty God opening barriers and tearing down walls, allowing us to cross over into new territory and new life. 

From the homeless person on a cold, darkened street corner to the despondent executive crouched in the dark corner of an expensive office, the feelings of hopelessness and desperation are the same. Both are in need of a Savior, and He is Eternal Father to love us with a love that will never leave us nor forsake us. 

The message of Christmas is a message of hope, peace, and goodwill. It is the message that brings light into the dark places, opens the blind eyes, and sets the captives free. It IS the message of Christ. It is His story, and it can be yours. Let your heart receive its King. 

Father, we thank you for the gift of Jesus. Give us a fresh boldness to share the message of Christ not just at Christmas, but every day of the year. It began, Father, when You said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, bright and beautiful. Oh, come and let us adore Him now. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.