Turn on the Music!

By Carin LeRoy –

Listen to any song and you will get multiple responses from all of us. We clap, tap our feet, dance, sing along—sometimes all of the above! Music has a way of engaging our emotions and bringing out our rhythm. When my 18-month-old grandson, Logan, hears music he starts shaking his shoulders and dancing around in little circles. The sound of music puts a little jig in his heart, and his body demonstrates his pleasure. We watch in delight at his cuteness.

The Institute of Creation Research recently had an article on their website which states we are uniquely designed for music. They said, “Humans have a unique capacity to experience music. Dogs, for instance, hear the sounds of music but do not recognize them as music, and do not derive a similar pleasure from listening to them. This solely human characteristic…makes sense if people were originally intended to enjoy their Creator through pleasurable activities ordained by Him.”

Although I love all types of music, I prefer to listen to Christian music. To me, it keeps my mind focused on something positive and helps me to worship God as I listen. My heart is encouraged and uplifted through hymns, praise and contemporary songs. I listen and am reminded of God’s greatness. Discouragement, depression, fear and any number of emotions dissipate as we listen to words of encouragement and praise through music.

The pleasure we derive from music is God’s gift. It’s one of His ways to connect with us. Many Scriptures express how His people need to worship Him with song and music. Feeling down or discouraged? Turn on Christian music to praise and worship God. It will do wonders with your outlook on life.

PRAYER: Thank You for the gift of music and that through music, I can praise and worship You—for You truly are a great God!

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all else” (Psalm 95: 1-3 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale, mother of three grown children and one high school teenager. She has served as a missionary with PIONEERS since 1982. Her passions are family, playing and teaching piano, missions, and writing stories that show glimpses of God.

The Power of Encouragement

By Carin LeRoy –

Encouragement is important in everyone’s life. While living as missionaries overseas, my husband and I went through some discouraging trials in our earliest years on the field. During those difficulties, the director of Pioneers, Ted Fletcher, wrote us letters of encouragement. His words gave us the boost we needed. He even came to where we lived for a visit. Without his inspiration and support, I wonder if we would have made it through the obstacles we faced.

One of my favorite Bible characters (among many!) is Barnabas. His name means “son of consolation,” or “comfort.” In Acts 13-15, we read the story of Paul and Barnabas and their missionary travels to spread the gospel. On the first part of their journey they took John Mark along as a helper. But during the trip, he deserted them. Later when planning other places to visit, Barnabas wanted to give John Mark a second chance and take him along. Paul disagreed. Their sharp argument separated them, and they departed for different areas of ministry. Barnabas took John Mark, and Paul left with Silas.

Both were great men of God, but Barnabas was a mentor. He saw something in John Mark that he deemed valuable and worthy of his time and effort. After spending time working with John Mark in ministry, he soon became an important asset, even to Paul. Later he said, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help to me in ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11 NET). I wonder if Paul would have said that had it not been for the encouragement and mentoring that Barnabas invested in John Mark’s life.

It is interesting to know that in Acts 9, the disciples rejected Paul because they feared he wasn’t a believer and might persecute them. Barnabas became his advocate and supported him. He not only mentored John Mark, but also Paul! Both became great missionaries in spreading the gospel.

We underestimate the power of encouragement. Each day we encounter people who need a word of praise, a kind word, or time from us. Who are they? Maybe they are within our own family, in the work place, or a neighbor across the street. Let’s also take heed of God’s reminder to “encourage one another and build up each other” (I Thessalonians 5: 11 NET). Be a Barnabas in someone’s life today.

PRAYER: Father, help me learn to be a person of encouragement. Keep me mindful that people are more important than my goals and schedule. Show me today how You can use me to build up and show kindness to others.

“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else” (I Thessalonians 5: 14, 15 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale and mother of three grown children and one almost-grown teenager. She has been a missionary with Pioneers since 1982. Her passions are family, missions, piano, and writing to challenge others to live faithful lives for God.

Diligent Walk

By Carin LeRoy –

As a piano teacher for 15 years, I see all types of students—ones who diligently practice, those who hardly place a hand on the keys from one lesson to the next and ones who struggle to learn but put forth effort. I see some who are half-hearted at practice, and those who hate it but do it because Mom makes them. Over the years, I’ve had several students who had ability to be proficient at piano. They were great note readers, had good finger control and caught on quickly learning with ease. Sadly, after a year or two they quit because they did not have the desire to learn piano. Their potential as a talented musician will never be realized.

To be a good pianist takes years of hard work, diligence and time. I remember many times while my friends were out playing, I sat on the piano bench preparing for my next lesson. I wanted to join them, but a price had to be paid if I wanted to learn.

We can be the same in our spiritual walk with God.

Some are diligent about their faith in following God and being obedient. Others put forth effort, but don’t understand what a real relationship with Christ is and how He can create change in their life. There are those who claim to be Christians but hardly open their Bibles for study, and there is no evidence of faith in their life. Then there are the half-hearted efforts of some who don’t like the constraints of the Christian life and would rather go their own way, and those who feel like they are forced to be a Christian by family tradition or expectation. But the saddest of all is to see those who have the knowledge and ability to make a mark for Christ, but walk away from it all to pursue selfish gain and worldly pleasure.

Where does each of us stand?

It takes diligence, faith and obedience to be the Christian that God wants us to be. I am reminded of the verse in Psalm 119:30-32 when David says, “I choose…I am committed…I hold fast…and I run.”  Even after times of failure, his heart had a desire to follow after God. He was focused on his relationship with God. I hope we will be too.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to be diligent in my walk with You. Give me a heart that is determined to follow after You.

“I choose the path of your faithfulness; I am committed to your regulations. I hold fast to Your rules; O Lord, do not let me be ashamed! I run along the path of Your commands, for You enable me to do so” (Psalm 119: 30-32 NET).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale and mother of three grown children and one almost-grown teenager. She has been a missionary with Pioneers since 1982. Her passions are family, missions, piano, and writing to challenge others to live faithful lives for God.

Caregiving Lessons

By Carin LeRoy –

As we climbed in the car to drive back to where my mother-in-law lived, she told a story that I’ve heard many times before—how she first met her late husband. I listened, once again, nearly able to repeat the story verbatim. Many times over the last several years, I’ve learned to listen to the same stories and answer the same questions, sometimes only minutes apart. Alzheimer’s disease has robbed her of her short-term memory. When we arrived back at her apartment in the assisted living facility, my husband and I cleaned her room and tidied up her things—something she can no longer do for herself.

According to the National Family Caregiver Association, there are presently over 65 million Americans providing some form of care to someone in their family. If you are not a caregiver now, at some point in your life you may be.

As difficult as it is to be in a caregiver role, I believe there are many things God can teach us as we tend to another’s needs. I know I am learning patience, compassion and a lot about selflessness. It takes patience to hear stories and answer those questions…again. I become more compassionate as I realize she is no longer the independent person she once was. Still, she deserves love, respect and care. As I plan my day I think of how lonely her days are. Selflessness enlightens my heart as I consider how connecting with family will bring her joy. I put my day on hold.

Life isn’t just about us and our needs, but about serving the needs of others—especially those in our own family. If you find yourself in a caregiver role, then use it as a time to serve as Jesus did—a time when you can be a blessing and encouragement to another. I am reminded of the verse in Proverbs 14:31 that says, “…whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” If you are struggling as you care for someone today, remember your care and kindness honors God. He also says, “…blessed is he who is kind to the needy,” (Proverbs 14: 21 NIV). Who more should we care for than the needy within our own family?

PRAYER: Lord, keep me mindful that helping others, even those in my own family, honors You. Help me to be a blessing and encouragement to someone today that needs me.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (I John 3:16-18 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale and mother of three grown children and one almost-grown teenager. She has been a missionary with Pioneers since 1982. Her passions are family, missions, piano, and writing to challenge others to live faithful lives for God.

The Ultimate Cost

By Carin LeRoy –

Many claim he was a genius. He knew eight languages fluently—English, Spanish, French, Italian, Hebrew, Greek, Latin and German. Some say he spoke each one so well that they all sounded like his native tongue when spoken. He earned a master’s degree by the age of 21. He had a love for language and was considered a great linguist. But his life’s work cost him greatly.

William Tyndale was born in 1494. His great passion in life was to translate the Bible into the English language from the original text of Hebrew and Greek. He believed the Bible should be in the hands of every person, even the common ploughboy. His worked tirelessly to translate even though he encountered great opposition. Forced to leave England and go in exile for years, he continued his work. Relentlessly, he carried on until betrayed by a friend who handed him over to authorities. He was thrown in jail and accused of heresy. He suffered for over a year without light, enough food or sufficient clothing for warmth. He was burned at the stake and died as a martyr in 1536 at the age of 42.

From the ashes of his burnt body rose a great monument to commemorate his life’s work. In 16ll, the complete Bible was printed in the English language. About 90% of the King James Bible is Tyndale’s work. His translation and the way he crafted words into English are said to be literary genius. Many of his phrases are still in use today.

This year marks 400 years since the completion of the King James Bible. Even though it cost him his life, Tyndale’s dream came true. Every English-speaking person has the opportunity to open Scripture and read it for himself. As I think on the hardship and ultimate sacrifice of Tyndale’s life, I wonder if we don’t take this for granted. At our disposal every day we have the ability to read, to study and to understand the Word of God. Thousands of other languages of unreached peoples still have no Scripture in their language. Let’s be thankful today for our ability to have and read God’s Word. Let’s pray for those who still do not have it in their languages.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You that we have the Bible in our own language and the freedom to read and study Scripture each day. Help me not take this great privilege for granted. Send out workers into areas of the world that still need Your Word translated into their language.

“How sweet are Thy words to my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth. Through Thy precepts I gain understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,” (Psalm 119: 103-105 KJV).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale and mother of three grown children and one almost-grown teenager. She has been a missionary with Pioneers since 1982. Her passions are family, missions, piano, and writing to challenge others to live faithful lives for God.

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