I recently had a conversation with a dear friend and young woman whom I have loved and mentored in the ministry and life. She came back to Baton Rouge and spent the week with us as she ministered to children in our church at VBS.  It was wonderful to hear how the Lord has opened up opportunities for her to use her gifts in her new ministry in North Carolina.  It was exciting to think that my investment in her life helped to equip her to now invest in the lives of many children and adults as she leads others into the heart of the Father in worship. She has been faithful to serve the Lord and body of Christ with the tremendous gifts she has been given in music, drama, and dance. We never know how our words will impact another. As I shared with her some of my heart and concerns about my future, she said, “It doesn’t matter what you do or where you are, you will have an influence because you taught me who I am in Christ and you will do the same for whoever your life rubs against…. wherever God leads you.” 
       Isn’t that like the Lord to turn around and bless your life by someone you poured your own life into just when you need it! It was such a beautiful reminder to me of the power of our words! Of course, many of the words I spoke into her life were words of truth that another had poured into mine. Her story has become part of my story and now Jesus has woven it into a multitude of lives. Our relationships, the words spoken, the transforming of our minds by His truth are all part of God’s story in our lives, like a beautiful tapestry woven together. I'm so grateful for her encouraging words when I needed to hear them.

In this series as we seek to discover how Jesus transforms us into the Masterpiece He created us to be it is vital that we bathe ourselves in the Word of life. As we submit ourselves to God and fill our mind and heart with His Word, His truth becomes a part of us. 

  “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man 
brings evil things out to the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart 
his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45

Consider the Scriptures about the tongue below:
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life. Proverbs 15:4

The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. Isaiah 50:4

The tongue has the power of life and death. Proverbs 18:21

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

       The life of Moses demonstrates how God can change the way an ordinary person speaks, thinks, sees and feels. When we yield our ordinary vessels into the hands of an extraordinary God amazing things can happen! God can train our tongues to speak with redemptive words as we yield to His guidance and bring glory to His name.
        Consider the words of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” 
Later in v. 14 Paul gives us specific instructions to warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak and be patient with everyone. 

        God has a Word for us and for the varying needs of His people. We will be called to speak different ways to different individuals at different times, depending on the state of their heart and God’s direction. All of our words must be seasoned with grace, filled with patience and rely on God’s power and the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

       It is the faithful, prayerful study of Scripture that will prepare and train our mouths to be used as God’s servants and instruments for His glory. 

        I’ve included below some Scriptures that have encouraged me as I have sought truth to meditate on. 
As we seek to speak words of life it is critical to fill our minds and spirits with God's Words of Life. 
I’ve only listed one verse as a reference for each topic out of countless verses available to you in Scripture. 
It could be that the Lord wants to speak something into your life through one or more of these verses or He may be preparing you to speak it into the life of another. If a verse or topic resonates with your heart then meditate on it in the days ahead. You may want to explore a topic in greater depth as the Lord leads you. My prayer is that these verses will strengthen and encourage you in your faith journey and transform your mouth to speak His truth into the lives of those He has chosen to weave into the tapestry of your life. You are an important part of God's story!
Please take a moment and listen to this beautiful song by Keith and Kristyn Getty to prepare your heart for the transforming and restoring work the Father wants to do by the power of His Word.

It’s funny to me in realizing that whatever God choses for me to write about and share with you, I end up living it or experiencing it in some peculiar way!  In my last writing, I conveyed the importance of using our hands in service to the Lord.  I also shared with you how God chose to meet a need that I had by using the hands of another to serve me!  Well, believe it or not, this week I needed FEET!  Or perhaps I should call them wheels!  I had scheduled a very important meeting with the superintendent of my school district and the air suspension motor on my car finally gave up the ghost!  The backend of my car was maybe five inches off of the ground.  There was no way I was going to be able to drive it an hour to the meeting and then another hour back and on already rough roads!  I would be bounced to death and probably damage my car.  What would I do?  My parents were out of town, Brian had to have his company car for work, and my in-laws are already down to one car and I could not ask them to be without.   Remember, last writing I said that I wasn’t very good at asking for help?  I decided the best way to solve my problem was to rent a car for the day!  That was taking matters into my own hands and solving my own problem no matter how much it would cost me to rent!  God had yet a different plan!  As God always does, He proved Himself faithful to me, yet again!  With much surprise, (why am I always surprised at how God works?) after I had already decided to rent and not bother anyone with my problem, my dear friend, surely prompted by the Father, offered her car!  It was a double fold blessing!  I didn’t have to rent and my time was spared, too!  I giggled to myself as I drove to my meeting knowing that I was going to write you about FEET.  

So what about feet?  How does this little story relate?

Remember that extremities are defined as:

• The farthest or outermost point of section
  
• The greatest or most intense degree
  
• The end part of a limb, as a hand or foot
  
• A condition of extreme need or danger

Hands and feet are located away from the center of our body (away from self-centeredness) and they are used in helping in a condition of extreme need or danger!

My friend was being the feet of Jesus to me!  She gave what she had, without reserve, in service to me, through Him!  And that is as it should be with Christians, to serve and love others with a willing heart, using hands, feet, words, or whatever means God provides for the moment.

Let’s take a closer look at our feet to discover spiritual truths about walking and running our race as a believer.

The Foot – It carries the whole of the weight – likewise; be the foot, carry one another’s burden.  

Fun Foot Fact -  Did you know that your foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments, and a whopping 250,000 sweat glands? That may seem like a lot of anatomy in a relatively small package, but then again, your feet are charged with the very important task of supporting the entire body.  How well do you help support the body of Christ?  I implore you to think of others more highly than yourself.  Be the feet of Christ and carry the Good News to the lost, walk with those who are going through a difficult season, or carry another's burden.

         “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

The Toes – They provide balance – we must have a life of balance before we can properly be the feet of Jesus.  (SCHEDULE) I just came across an interesting perspective that I thought I’d share.  In order to have a spiritually balanced life it is recommended that one should SCHEDULE!

S - Spiritual planning calls us to not only focus on what is on our horizontal viewpoint (i.e. earthly) but also to look upward at the spiritual world (i.e. heavenly). Like the shape of the cross.

C – Christ Centered planning - Is He directing your steps?  

H – use a “Helpful” planner – write times down!  Plan time that is open – space to allow for ministry

E - Edify and encourage one another

D – Disciplines – habits of prayer, Bible study, meditating

U – Useful hints: think about your growth, helping others, you spiritual calling, getting enough sleep, sacrificing, resolving relational tension, and rest.

L – Limit your scheduling – Don’t be afraid to say no!  Don’t take on someone’s else’s schedule, (ie David putting on the armor of King Saul) it’s not designed for you.

E – Elasticity – be flexible – change directions if necessary.

The Christian life demands much balance and we must think and act accordingly.  


Fun Toe Fact - A reoccurring turf toe injury, where a toe is hyperextended, forced Jack Lambert (NFL Linebacker) to exit the league in 1984. 

A simple sprang can put you on the sideline!  Don't over extend!

Fun Foot Fact -  The shape of the foot is no accident. It has many small bones, not because it’s weak, but because it’s strong, like a suspension bridge. Each of those pieces work together in unison to absorb shock, and spring back.

The Arch – Like a bridge, it provides strength.  Are we strong in our beliefs?  Are helping others cross the bridge from sin and death to new life?  Are we strong enough to help support others?  

                     Ephesians 6: 10   Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Also when we “feed my sheep,” that also strengthens others as we teach, encourage, and admonish them.  We are to build up or encourage one another, help make others strong.  Read 1 Thess. 5:11

The Sole – It is the foundation with which to stand firm.  It determines your posture!  What is the condition of your “sole - soul?”  Is it soft – can you feel every little discomfort from uneasy and rough roads, are there sharp rocks on your path causing feelings of woundedness, bruised, hurt, or brokenness??  Or, is my sole firm and calloused, able to walk through anything because the Lord works as your protector, keeping you from experiencing pain caused by hurtful words or actions imparted by others?  Or, is it so calloused that nothing calls attention to it.  Do I even care?  Am I tender-hearted?  Think about that one for a few minutes!  What does a calloused soul mean to you?  

Ephesians 6:11
          11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.…

During our women’s summer Bible study at church this week, the scripture from Hebrews hit home for me!  As I began to think about my blog topic, I realized that there is so much more to consider when writing about feet!  Yes, this scripture is about a form of feet and what they do…RUN! (I told you God seems to always put me into some circumstance before I write about it!)

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  Hebrews 12: 1-3 ESV

There are times in life that I find myself running away from something, running to something other than God’s best for me, and there are times when I no longer run at all.  I’m at a standstill…paralyzed!  It’s hard to be mobile or run the race when our feet are in pain.  Perhaps your heels are cracked or you have blisters.  These represent those random occurrences of painful events (wounds) in our lives.  You try to put a healing salve on them and they temporarily heal.  But after a period of time, they seem to crack in the same place again or other blisters occur. 

Maybe there is deep inner pain.  I have struggled with plantar fasciitis for many years.  Which, pretty much (when not taken care of early) is crippling.  You don’t really notice it when you are busy on your feet all the time and never stopping.  Once you finally rest or get "knocked off" of your feet, you realize that you should have not gotten yourself into this mess in the first place.  Staying on your feet, busyness, not taking time for REST or HEALING is dangerous.  You must take time to take care of your feet. When there is pain in my feet, I cannot concentrate on anything – I totally shut down!  It’s hard to be mobile with hurting feet; likewise, it is hard to be mobile for service when we have a heavy or wounded heart.  So I ask again, “What is the condition of your sole…(soul)?  Does it affect your posture? 

Look to Jesus, He is the perfecter of our faith.  Perhaps your posture should be that of kneeling instead of limping along.  Take your feet to a specialist!  When my feet are equipped with support from my orthotics (metaphorically: standing on the Word of God), and surrounded by thick cushy socks (prayer from trusted friends), and enveloped by a snuggly fitted shoe (empowered by the Holy Spirit), I find that my race, my journey, my goal, my mission, and my means of service to others becomes one that is attainable, joyful, and purposeful.  I must admit, there are times that I don’t feel like running, and the longer I stay off of my feet, the harder it is to get going.  If you have struggled with plantar issues, you can relate!  

Likewise, if I mope around, self-centered, and not intentional about God’s call or purpose for my life, I find myself as though my feet are stuck in mud.  Everything gets messy!  I need to be pulled out, cleaned up, and set on track yet again!  Sometimes I need the nudge from a friend to push me along or help in pulling me out!  

"He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD.  How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust..."   Psalm 40:2-4a  

I want to leave you today encouraged.  Run the race that He has laid out before you, keep your eyes on Jesus, and lay aside every weight that ties you up and pulls you down.  And lastly, consider Jesus, who has endured so much.  Consider Him so that you will not grow weary or lose heart.

God gave us 5 toes to help us walk and run.  He gave me 5 points (one for each toe) to share with you.

                                  1.     Big Toe – Walk in the Spirit – It’s the most important thing to do.  
                                          For it you are walking in the Spirit, you need not worry about many things.  Gal. 5:16-25
                                  2.     Walk NOT in the council of the ungodly – Ps.1
                                  3.     Walk in wisdom – Col.4:5
                                  4.     Walk the same way Jesus walked - I Jn. 2:6
                                  5.     Walk NOT alone – Ecc. 4: 9,10  Everyone needs another with whom they can journey and
                                          minister together!

Just my pondering: (a little Lagniappe) 
I had this thought the other day.  After Jesus' death on the cross and the resurrection, our sin is washed away and we are made white as snow if we trust Christ as Savior, making us ready to walk in step with Him, for service and Kingdom purposes.  Pre-crucifixion, Jesus washed the disciples feet.  They already "walked in step with Him" but He washed their feet...he prepared them to go...serve...minister...
And of course, He did this to set an example.
                              14 If I then, your Master and Rabbi, have washed your feet, 
                                   it is also your duty to wash one another’s feet. 
                              15 For I have set you an example in order that 
                                   you may do what I have done to you. (John 13)
I believe that the example was not only an example of humility, or that we should literally wash one another's feet, but that we should serve one another, with no thought to our standing or position...no one is greater than another! (vs 16) 

In the Old Testament tabernacle, we find a striking picture of this need for washing.  Before entering the Holy Place to represent the people before God, the priest would first stop at the bronze alter where an innocent animal would be offered as a sacrifice for his own sin and for the sin of the people.  Then he would move to a bronze basin – the laver – where he would wash his hands, returning to the laver throughout the day as he performed his sacred duties.
     What can we learn from this cleansing ritual?  Obviously, you and I do not always live up to our holy position and prospect.  We live in a corrupt world; we inhabit a contaminated flesh; we have a way of getting our spiritual feet, hands, and clothes soiled from the temptations and rigors of the day.  So we, too, when we come into God’s presence – though our sin has been blotted out by the blood of Christ – must come to the “laver” to wash our hands and feet of whatever may have defiled us, being purified by the pure “water” of His Word.
     That is why, as I open His Word and begin to read, I often pray:  “Lord, wash me with Your Word.”
     So let us frequently ask the Holy Spirit – before and after reading the Scripture, and throughout the day – to apply His Word to our hearts, cleansing and purifying us of all sin.  “Sanctify [us] in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).

What has His Word revealed in your heart recently?  Be quick to agree with Him, humbly confess any sin, appropriate His cleansing grace, and rise up to serve Him in the freedom and joy of a pure heart.  

Walk to honor God, walk to serve your neighbor, walk to tell the Good News of Jesus Christ, walk with confidence that He who has begun a good work in you will be faithful to complete it! (Phil. 1:6)

Walking with you for His Kingdom purposes,
Sherry

Resource for SCHEDULE: http://www.foundationsforfreedom.net/Topics/Disciple/Scheduling/Scheduling_intro_S.html
The Quiet Place by Nancy Leigh DeMoss (Cleansing Properties)

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       I had the privilege of spending several weeks during late April and May with my daughter, her husband and new grand baby. It was a beautiful time to be with them and celebrate the miracle of that new little life. I wrote about it in our Monday Musings blog on May 5 and that began this series of devotional entries called “Surrendering to the Work of the Master Artist in our Lives.” 

        What I am experiencing now in my life I didn’t anticipate as much though. During that time with the baby I had a single focus, to minister to my family and my responsibilities were fairly simple - rock, pray, change diapers, cook, clean, enjoy. 

         Yet, suddenly now I find myself thrust back into the more “normal” progression of my life which involves juggling time with family and friends, the responsibilities of managing a home, ministry and teaching voice, caring for my mom with Alzheimer disease, writing and planning for Restore Ministries………the crazy, multitasking life we all try to juggle. The details of our lives are different, but it seems the result is often the same.

         The voices and demands of my life have become very loud and complicated again. For me the contrast is great. Everywhere I turn lately the conversation revolves around the need to simplify and de-clutter our lives. It’s not a new conversation, just ongoing, as if we don’t know the answers.

          I wonder if you have been there too? As I seek to bring order to the days of my life, I am struck by the desperate need we all have to listen and discern the voice of Jesus above the clamoring voices that all want a piece of us.  

          If we are not careful, we may find ourselves answering the call of the most urgent sounding voice, the most demanding or pleasing phone call, email or text which may or may not be the voice through which the Father is speaking to us. 

          As God works on transforming us into the masterpiece He has created us to be, He transforms our hearing. 

                                   As the Lord paints the masterpiece He has designed for
                    our lives, the portrait He paints will have ears that listen and hear His voice.

In John 10:3-5 (NIV) Jesus speaks, 
“The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name
 and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

“When man listens, God speaks...We are not out to tell God. We are out to let God tell us...The lesson the world most needs is the art of listening to God.”  Frank Buchman

         God speaks. He speaks into our lives through His Word, by His Holy Spirit, in prayer, through circumstances and the church. He longs to have a deep, personal relationship with you as His beloved through the saving grace of His Son. As we yield to God’s transforming work in our lives, it is vital that we learn to recognize His voice and respond in obedience.  As I seek to bring order into the complexity and sometimes chaos in my own life I am reminded that I must be careful to listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit in my life.

Do you need a Counselor, an Advocate, a Comforter, a Helper, an Intercessor, a Strengthener, Someone to be with you always, a Spirit of Truth to guide you? I know I need that Person.

          These are all names in Scripture that describe the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus. He comes to us from the heart of Christ and bears and reveals Christ within us. 

        It seems to me that the cry for simplicity in our lives is really a cry to return to the basics of the faith in relationship to Jesus so that we might correctly hear the voice of the Comforter and Counselor in our lives and know how to live out our days as He has designed. Through certain principles we can learn to cultivate a more keen sensitivity to His voice. These are foundational truths that can lead us in simple faith and living.

In John 7:37-39, Jesus describes the Spirit like a stream of living water. It is constant. It is plentiful. It gives life. The Word of God is essential in the life of the believer, but we also need the ongoing “anointing” of God’s Holy Spirit, His presence, which animates the Word. 


• Establish a system of Authority and Accountability in your Life -                               the Witness of the Church                  

We all need people around us who can offer wise counsel and hold us accountable in our journey. 

        Steve Fry writes in his wonderful book
 Rekindled Flame, Each of us needs to be under some authority. We all need people who will tell us no. If our appetites are never curbed, our wills never crossed, we will never be able to trust that the impressions we receive are actually from God. If we are not accustomed to accountability, if we haven’t become comfortable with being told no, then we will not develop the ability to discern when our flesh is sanctioning our desires. It is easy to rationalize and convince ourselves that what we want is what God wants--when in reality we are doing what we want and slapping God’s name on it.

Do you have an inner structure in place in your life that holds you accountable to the authority of God’s Word as you seek to hear God’s voice and direction for your life? 

• Pursue to Live a Holy Life 
  

          As we humbly surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives we need to ask Him to reveal any sin that may be keeping us from hearing God’s voice. Sin can lead us down a path of deception.

 Psalm 66:18 says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear Me” KJV  Obedience to what we know of God’s will prepares us to receive the counsel and instruction of the Holy Spirit. A life of obedience is essential as we learn to surrender to the work of the Jesus, the Master as He transforms our ears to hear His voice.

It seems that for my life and perhaps yours the answer to simplifying and de-cluttering our lives
 is not so much How - but Who. 

Below is a letter based on Scriptures that have been personalized about the wisdom and the work of the Holy Spirit of Jesus within us. I pray that it will bless and encourage you in your journey as you seek to have ears that hear His voice.

It was in His hands that He took up the towel and served those men; those who trusted Him with their livelihood, their future, their purpose and of a hopeful promise of more to come. This Jesus, using His hands to serve those whom He loved, gave us the greatest example of servant hood.   He gave it for many reasons, but I also believe it was to help liberate us to do the good work He planned for us long ago!

Hands!  
Another wonderful part of the masterpiece God has created for you to serve. As I look at my hands, I ask… “what DO hands do?”

I think about Jesus’ hands.  In every scripture verse I recall about His hands or how he used them, I find that they are serving hands.    What first comes to your mind about His hands in scripture? 

These were the hands that healed the blind, bid the disciples to come, cooked on the seashore, overturned tables in the temple courts, provided comfort to those in need, fed the thousands, and then, ultimately they were nailed to the cross.

These few examples are during Biblical times.  Stop and ponder how He is still using His hands in your life today.

I just returned from a wonderful 20th wedding anniversary vacation with Brian….destination, Nova Scotia for 10 days!  Upon my return, I discovered that our electricity had been out for a long time due to a storm, and as I opened my refrigerator, I realized that nothing was safe to eat.  Everything had to be trashed including all freezer food!  I spent a good part of my first day home cleaning out the refrigerator.  I had nothing to send to work with Brian for lunch and no breakfast to serve!  Later that morning, I received a text message from a friend welcoming me home and offering me lunch.  She had no indication, at that moment, that we were foodless!  And I was really hungry!!  Sure, I could have driven to MacDonald’s but I wasn’t ready to stop the cleanout process!  I’m telling this story because it is a prime example of how a member of the body of Christ heard His prompting and responded.  When she arrived, she discovered my dilemma.  “It was a God thing!” she exclaimed.  You see, she really didn’t have time in her schedule to even have lunch with a friend…but she chose to obey the Lord’s tug and we were both blessed!  There was enough food for the evening and for Brian’s lunch the next day.  I didn’t have to rush to restock.  God used His hands of provision through the hands of a friend.  I’m forever grateful! 

Can you see how God is at work in your life?  How have you been blessed by the hands of others?  How long has it been since you even thought to serve someone?  Are your hands being used for selfish purposes or are they intentionally at work serving others?

After Jesus rose from the grave, that same day, he met the two on the road to Emmaus and walked and talked with them.  They discussed everything from Moses to Jesus’ suffering.  He then entered into their home and then served them with his hands by breaking bread.  These two, then realized that they had been with Jesus and they rushed back to tell the disciples what had happened! 
                   (read the account in Luke 24: 13-33) 

While these two were telling of the event, Jesus appeared. 

 36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.  
                                                 Luke 24: 36-40

I find it amazing that He was asking them to recognize Him not by His face or the sound of His voice, not even by the piercing of His side or the stripes on His back, but by looking upon His hands and feet!  Perhaps they were the part of His body that the disciples were most familiar.  His hands had served them and His feet had walked many paths with them.

After He met with them, He ate broiled fish (a healthy meal), He encouraged them, then led them out of the city, raised His hands and blessed them.  Then, He ascended into heaven. 

In the Emmaus Road account, Jesus:

• Found a couple - joined their walk
• walked with them – teaching them
• Developed a relationship – they trusted Him and invited Him to stay at their house
• Served them by breaking bread - revealed who He was
• Blessed them, and left them with encouragement that He would send them what the Father had promised.  
  

When He appeared to the eleven and these two from Emmaus, He instructed them to “See my hands and feet.”  Jesus used His extremities for service.  (I will discuss feet next time.) He was recognized by the hands that served and the feet that walked.

Do you notice other people’s hands of feet? Can you recognize them by their extremities?  Perhaps how they walk or how they serve?

Extremities are defined as:

             ~  the farthest or outermost point of section
                      ~  the greatest or most intense degree
                                  ~  the end part of a limb, as a hand or foot
                                             ~  a condition of extreme need or danger

Hands and feet are located away from the center of our body (away from self-centeredness) they are used in helping in a condition of extreme need or danger!  We ought to use them sacrificially, reaching out for the greatest needs of others.  God gave us 5 fingers to help us serve.  He gave me 5 more points to help us know how to serve.



1.     First finger!  Serve.  It’s the right thing to do! We are created in the image of God.  Scripture is  
         full of how “God gave and Jesus served!”

2.    Create – first you must create space in your life to serve.  Create a meal, time for helping someone out, write a note, hold another’s hand and pray with them.  Serve creatively…not so much “arts and crafts!” but think about it, Jesus served creatively.  He took what was around him and used it to serve another.  Fish/loaves, mud and spit to heal a blind man’s eyes, all were creative acts of serving.  Think creatively!  I once loaded my backpack with my china and crystal glasses, tablecloth, flowers and simple lunch.  I popped in on a friend while she was at work and we turned her desk into a beautiful dining table.  It was just the “pick me up” she needed for the day.  It was creative, not expensive, spontaneous, and was instructed by the Lord.  He knows just when to send showers of blessings…make sure you are listening!

3.    Serve with someone.  Think of the friends of the paralyzed man who served him creatively.  They gathered rope, opened the roof and let him down so that he could get to Jesus.  
Don't forget that two are better than one!

                 Ecclesiastes 4:9,10
                          9 Two are better than one,
                                    because they have a good return for their labor:
                                                   10 If either of them falls down,
                                                                       one can help the other up.

4.     Serve by a touch.  Touching is powerful.  Something that everyone can simply do, but it may not be easy for some.  A simple appropriate touch offers meaningful moments, feeling of security, concern & care, and love.   Research indicates that there's a reduction in the action of the hypothalamic area of the brain, which controls the so-called "fight or flight" response. The body's level of stress hormones decreases and the level of endorphins increases, leading to a minimized perception of pain and a greater feeling of well-being.  Touching can help heal…emotionally and physically.  Jesus stretched forth His hand and touched…people were healed.

5.     Keep it to yourself.  
Careful not to brag or speak much about serving or giving to others.  
                                                 It’s a heart attitude!

Look at your own hands.  Think of the times you have served others and received a blessing.  
Now read Exodus 17: 1-12.  It seems that Moses was always using his hands to serve God’s people.  Notice in verse 12 that his hands became heavy.  One of the common temptations as Christians is succumbing to the pressure of having to "have it all together."  We may be tempted to hide our fears and weaknesses, feeling that we need to be strong for others. We may find it difficult to trust others with our insecurities and doubts, believing that this would somehow compromise our integrity as mature believers.  Such tendencies are rooted in our cultural ethic of self-reliance, and they can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation that will ultimately handicap our effectiveness of ministering to others. To truly grow and do the good work He has called us to and planned long ago, we must, like Moses, be willing to embrace the support of trusted friends and advisors.  How often do you accept the assistance of others? Is there someone whose hands you help hold high?  Jot down any thoughts or feelings you have about hands in your journal or put them on a sticky note and place them where you can reflect on them throughout the day.

I’m the type of person that would rather struggle through things myself rather than ask for help.  This is not wise!  I’ll jump to serve others, but often, I find myself reluctant to receive help.  As I am maturing in my spiritual journey, I am realizing that God really does speak to the heart of others in order to help me out.  I must be ready to accept, and in doing so, I am blessed and they are as well!  Like Jesus, we must serve using our extremities, the part that is far way from our center...self centeredness!  Our hands were made for reaching out, unclenched. 

                                         An open hand is a universal signal = invitation! 
                                      It quietly speaks of a willingness to serve.


Won't you use your hands in service to Him today?  I promise that you will be blessed as you bless another!


From a servant heart,
Sherry

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       Over the last few weeks we have been looking at what it means to be transformed into the masterpiece the Father has created us to be. We’ve explored the promise of  transformation and restoration as we surrender to the work of His hands. Last week Sherry posted a beautiful video on how the Master Gardener works on our hearts for His purpose and glory. In the next few Monday Musings I invite you to take a journey with me through prayer and the Word to take a deeper look at the beautiful portrait the Father desires to paint with our lives. This journey will be a personal one for you and me and it will take some quiet time for reflection.

As the heavenly Father works on transforming us into the masterpiece he has created us to be, he transforms our sight. The portrait He paints will have His eyes.

        Please take a moment now in prayer and ask God to open your spiritual eyes. Praying the words of Scripture and making it personal is one of the best ways to pray.

Ephesians 1:18-20 (NIV) - (Personalized)
I pray also that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened so that I may know the hope to which You have called me, the riches of Your glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and Your incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, 20 which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,

        When we truly look at our lives through God’s eyes and ask Him to give us His perspective we become lost in wonder, amazed at His grace, astounded at the depth of His mercy and convinced of His unending generosity in our lives. 

        In our sin we often look at life with a sense of entitlement. Yet Scripture tells us in Genesis 3:17,19 that because of Adam’s sin and ours we deserve painful toil, eternal hell. But God in His grace sent His Son to save us and His completed work instead provides hope for eternity in heaven with Him.

Please take a moment now to pause and praise God for His goodness and grace and your salvation.

      Often we become so overwhelmed with the concerns, frustrations and stress in our lives that our eyesight grows dim. I’ve certainly been there at times. 
One helpful lesson I’ve learned when I feel overwhelmed is to just stop a moment and ponder the simple things that bring joy into my life. 

What are some of the daily blessings that are God’s gift to you?
I think it’s helpful to even write them down. 

It could be your family, a delicious meal, a conversation with a friend, a garden view, a home for shelter, the kindness of a neighbor, the love of your spouse. 

Here are some of the blessings and gifts I’ve experienced just this weekend.

       Today I attended a 90th birthday party for a woman I have known since I was a baby. She was the first person my mom met when we moved to Baton Rouge and we lived on the same street. I’m so grateful for the investment she and her husband made in my life, for the history I have with her children even though we see each other so rarely now, for the love that has spanned generations, and for the faith that we share in the Lord.

      Last night we attended a going away party for dear friends that we have known since high school and college. We ate and sang, shared laughter and sweet memories. What a blessing when the Lord chooses to weave our lives together in deep friendship that lasts through the years. Friendship - what a gift from the Lord!

       This blog will be posted on June 2, my 35th anniversary! I am so grateful for the blessing of my marriage to Ken all these years, for his love and faithfulness, for the joy and faith we share and for the children and grandchild that He has given us! I could never have imagined the adventures and challenges we would face in our life together. But the Lord has been faithful to renew our hope and faithfully give us a sense of His vision and purpose for our lives and ministry together. 

Ask the Father to fill you with a renewed sense of joy and His perspective on your life.

Now think of a situation, concern or frustration in your life. We all wrestle with struggles that can weigh us down.

       Sometimes in answer to our prayers, God does change our situation. He often chooses to heal, restore, provide and protect. But sometimes, He chooses to change our perception of the situation if we will let Him.
 Sometimes the frustration remains until we learn to have His eyes and His wisdom to understand. 

Ask God to refocus your spiritual eyesight, to adjust your vision. 
Have you ever offered your eyes to the Father and asked Him to pour His wisdom and perspective into your life and struggles? It changes everything.

Spend some time in prayer asking God to give you His vision, His wisdom and perspective. You might even want to journal your thoughts.

        I have found that asking for God-sight not only changes my perspective on my own life, but it gives me a vision to see others through God’s eyes of compassion. Over and over in the Scriptures we see Jesus looking at the crowds and having compassion on them. Matt. 9:36,14:14, 15:32, and Mark 1:41 are just a few examples. 

Is there someone in your life who needs the compassionate eyes of Jesus from you?

        When we are willing, He can transform us to become servants of His selfless love. Look again at verses 19 and 20 in Ephesians 1. "and Your incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,"

        Always remember that God doesn’t leave us powerless to respond when we learn to see with His perspective. As believers, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available and at work in you and me! When we see with God’s eyes, we see glimpses of hope at what is possible with God. We begin to see His purpose and His power as we surrender to His work to transform us into His image. Often, when we have chosen to yield, we become God’s eyes for those who are too blind to see clearly for themselves.  God is in the business of transformation.

Consider the verses below. Take a moment and offer a prayer to the Lord in response to these verses as they apply to your own life.

Training our eyes to see as God sees involves training our minds in Scripture so that we think more like Jesus, submit to God’s will, and depend on God’s empowerment. It also requires discipline and obedience to His Word. Otherwise we may find ourselves in spiritual blindness.

This week let me encourage you to take a praise and worship walk. Sometimes we get so busy with the rush of daily living that we lose our sense of wonder.  

In your praise walk focus your eyes on the wonder and majesty of your Creator God. 

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you a verse to meditate on as you go through your days this week. Perhaps one of the ones listed here.

     “ My eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord, 
                 in you I take refuge.” - Psalm141:8

        As you go on your praise walk and throughout the week consider God's attributes and praise Him for them. Observe the beauty and detail of God’s creation. Your incredible Creator is interested in the smallest details of your life. 

Listen to the sounds of praise in creation that surround you. The birds sing of the glory of God. 

Ask God to give you His eyes to see. 

Don’t rush this time. This is not an exercise walk, but a time of praise, reflection and wonder. Consider the order of Creation, the Sovereignty of God, His Faithfulness, His power, His grace and His beauty.
Our God reigns over all!

Offer up your prayers and praise to the Father as you walk.

May we grow this week in our understanding of what it means to surrender to the work of the Master Artist in our lives. And may we discover the joy and wonder of learning to see with the beauty of His eyes.

Blessings in your time in the Word and prayer,
Kathy



If you would like to receive the "Monday Musings" RESTORE blog each week via email, please sign up and enter your email address in the upper right hand corner. Instantly a box will appear for you to type in the security letters as you see them and press "submit."  It will tell you that you need to go to your email inbox and click the link to verify/activate. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE NEXT STEP TO RECEIVE THE BLOG!

•  Open your email. You should have mail from Google Feed Burner. LOOK IN YOUR JUNK EMAIL IF YOU CANNOT FIND IT!
  
•  Click the link and immediately you will see a message pop up that says "Thanks for Subscribing..."  YOU ARE DONE!!!
• If you have trouble, please contact us using "CONTACT US" in the menu bar or email us at [email protected] 

 We'd also like to hear from you, how God is blessing your life through RESTORE Ministries, and how we can pray for you.  Please fill out the form provided under "CONTACT US" in the menu bar.  

Resources for Scripture images - Pinterest