Mary’s Willing Heart

By Carin LeRoy –

Christmas is a time of busyness: shopping, gift-wrapping, parties and family time. I love to decorate the house, put up my nativity scene and celebrate the season with many past traditions. But in all the season’s activities, do we give ourselves time to reflect on the events that occurred for Jesus to be born of the Virgin Mary? Do we stop to think about what birthing Christ meant to her?

She was probably a teenager when she became pledged to Joseph. This pledge meant she belonged to Joseph even though they were not yet married, and it was more binding than our modern-day engagements. Only a written divorce could separate their agreement. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Mary to tell her she would miraculously give birth to Jesus, her response was, “May it be as you have said,” (Luke 1:38 NIV).

She was willing to take on public humiliation as an unwed mother, to risk Joseph misunderstanding or not believing her and to let others in the community look down on her. God had looked on her with favor and selected her for a task that many others might have rejected. She chose to let God use her to accomplish a much bigger purpose – even though it meant personal suffering for a time.

Do we have the same submissive spirit as Mary? Will we respond with the same quick answer? As we celebrate this Christmas season, let’s also remember that Christ could only come to earth through the willingness of a young woman, named Mary, who chose to suffer for a time for God’s greater purpose. “May it be to me as you have said,” should be our response, too, to a Savior who might ask something difficult of us. May we have a heart as willing as Mary’s to heed the voice of God.

PRAYER: Lord, give me a heart that is willing to heed Your voice, even if it might mean personal suffering. Help me to see that You may have a greater purpose and desire an impact far greater than my own comfort.

BIBLE VERSE: “‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.’ ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her” (Luke 1: 34-38 NIV).

The Little Things Do Count: Integrity

By Carin LeRoy –

Recently I went through a drive-thru and ordered lunch. When the clerk handed my food to me, I said, “You returned too much change.” Then I handed him the extra money. Surprised he said, “Wow, Ma’am, thank you very much.” Only after I called it to his attention did he realize his mistake. It would have been easy to drive away with the extra money. Certainly, over the years, I have been shortchanged on poorly prepared or missing food. No one would have known, and I would have $5.00 more in my pocket.

But God would have known. Doesn’t that matter?

Do our lives display integrity? The world has influenced God’s people in many ways: Are we diligent at work, or are we a slacker? We inform the clerk if we’ve
been short-changed, but do we return it when given too much? Do office
supplies end up at home and we fail to return them?  Have we called in sick when we really plan a day off? Do we borrow a book or item from a friend and never return it? Do we make a habit at work to check Facebook throughout the day or text family and friends?

In a culture that chooses to think nothing of these indiscretions, have we, as believers, lost our sense of integrity that the little things do count? In the Old Testament, we see a description of Job as “blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil,” (Job 1: 1 NIV). It wasn’t that Job was without sin, but his life was marked by honor and truth. He lived his life by God’s standards, not man’s. People in the community couldn’t fault how he lived his life. He was loved and respected. His fear of God kept him reaching for the highest standard.

A person of true character is the person who chooses to do right, even when no one is looking. It is a life is ruled by integrity and fear of God. His standards are high – even if it goes against cultural norms. Let’s be people of integrity as we live our lives, not only because others are watching but because we have a God that desires us to be blameless and upright people.

PRAYER: Lord, make me a person of integrity. Let my life be marked by character even in the small things I encounter each day. Keep me mindful that I don’t live by cultural norms but by the standards You have set forth in Your Word.

BIBLE VERSE: “My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread” (Job 23: 11,12 NIV).

 

 

Opinion Versus Fact

By Carin LeRoy –

Sitting in a courtroom recently as a prospective juror, 24 of us were asked questions and expected to give truthful answers. Both the prosecuting and defense attorneys were seeking  people who would give an impartial judgment on the case.

In the courtroom, the judge over the proceedings was seated high above everyone, giving him an aura of authority and control. His words were to be heeded, and when he spoke, everyone listened. We were to judge the case by the facts – not opinion or bias.

How many of us live life by our opinion, how life appears to be, or what others think of us, rather than the facts God presents to us in scripture?

Opinion: God can’t forgive me for all the things I’ve done.
Fact: “As far as the eastern horizon is from the west, so he removes the guilt of our rebellious actions from us” (Psalm 103:12 NET).

Opinion:  It’s okay to tell a little white lie.
Fact: “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful” (Proverbs 12:22 NIV).

Opinion: I don’t have gifts God can use.
Fact: “Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ” (I Peter 4:10 NET).

Opinion: God doesn’t have a purpose for my life.
Fact: “For I know what I have planned for you, says the Lord. I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope” (Jeremiah 29:11 NET).

Opinion: I can’t forgive what that person has done to me.
Fact: “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength,” (Philippians 4:13 NIV).

Let’s remember to look at what God says. He has the final word, and His truth can be trusted. We look at the facts of scripture and take God at His word, by faith.

PRAYER: Lord, Help me to check my thoughts, attitudes and actions against scripture so that they are consistent with the truth of Your word. Help me to learn how wrong thinking can affect my life. Give me a heart that follows after You.

BIBLE VERSE: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105 NIV).

A God of Details

By Carin LeRoy –

When Jesus lived on earth, he did many miraculous things – turning water into wine, healing the sick, driving out demons and walking on water, to name a few. As we read about his life in Scripture, we sense that he is not ordinary; He is someone with power and authority.

While reading John 21 recently, I was struck with something else: God loves details. In this chapter, we read about the miraculous catch of fish. Eight of the disciples had fished all night, but caught nothing. This was their livelihood, so it could be the difference of not putting food on the table for their family.

Early the next morning standing on the shore Jesus calls out, “Friends, have you caught any fish?”

“No.”

“Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some,” Jesus said.

Obeying, they threw the net on the right side and brought in a huge haul of 153 fish – so heavy that seven strong men were unable to haul it in the boat. Although this is miraculous in itself, there is one detail that popped out at me: “…but even with so many the net was not torn,” (John 21:11 NIV).

Repairing torn nets was a necessary job of fisherman because even one hole would ruin the net’s integrity and limit the next catch. They could be torn by fish, rock or debris and hours could be spent each day repairing a damaged net to insure optimal results for the next time fishing.  This probably was their biggest haul of fish ever, yet God made sure that it did not tear. This wasn’t coincidence.

I love that God included this in Scripture. He not only provided them with more than enough for the morning catch, but he made sure they didn’t spend all day repairing a torn net. He wanted them to sit around the fire with Him.

Another detail I love? He provided breakfast. He sat on the shore cooking food for their return. He gave them bread and fish, (verse 13). They were exhausted and hungry after a night of fishing. Jesus fed them. Jesus took care of his disciples. He will take care of us, too. We have a powerful God that loves us – even down to the smallest details.

PRAYER:  Lord, thank You that even the details don’t escape Your attention. Help me not to take for granted all the ways that You look after me each day.

BIBLE VERSE: “Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ None of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are You?’ They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish,” (John 21: 12,13 NIV).

The Privilege of Giving

By Carin LeRoy –

Years ago, when we were missionaries returning home for a furlough with our three children, we planned to live in upstate New York, near our sponsoring church. Coming from a tropical climate, we only had summer clothing and nothing for a cold, northern winter. Unknown to us, a lady from our church had taken it upon herself to shop at yard sales for sweaters and other warm clothes for our children. She arrived with several bags of clothes; in the bags were beautiful sweaters, coats, mittens, etc, for them to wear. What a blessing it was that this sweet lady was concerned enough to do something so kind for us. That winter, the kids had all they needed to stay warm.

Several years ago, I knew an abandoned single mom that was struggling to pay rent and keep food on the table for her three children. A couple decided they wanted to help by taking this young mother shopping every week to buy her groceries, diapers and formula. For a year and a half, this couple paid for her shopping until she no longer needed the help. Through this generous couple, help was given during a difficult time. What a blessing they were to someone in need.

We see an example of generosity toward others in 2 Corinthians, Chapter 8 by the Macedonian churches. “…Their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability” (verses 2-3).  Verse 5 says that they gave themselves “first to the Lord.” In their giving, they wanted to serve the Lord.

In these bad economic times, there are many around us that need our help. Whether we offer that help in a monetary way or through the gift of time, there is something that each of us can do to help someone. Perhaps we can babysit for a single mother, cut an elderly person’s lawn, or find another way to volunteer. We might have the ability to buy groceries or give financially.

The Macedonians gave because they viewed it as a “privilege of sharing in this service to the saints,” (verse 3). To them, it was not a burden, but a joy to share. It should be ours, too. If you see someone in need today, consider it a privilege to help.

PRAYER: Lord, give me a heart that is willing to give to others. Help me to see that generosity toward others is a privilege and way to serve You.

BIBLE VERSE: “But just as you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us–see that you also excel in this grace of giving” (2Corinthians 8:7).

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