Inspired BY...or Inspired TO...?

There is much to be inspired BY in this world.

Whether it is something you see in nature--a sunset or sunrise, the colours of fall, the intricacy of a snowflake--the list could go on.

Or maybe it's the actions of another:  I love reading about or watching stories from WW2 -- there are so many heroic and inspiring stories!

Today I was thinking about what inspires me in other people and I started jotting things down like:  "great faith, great sacrifice, unusual love, generosity, dedication, perseverance in trial, boldness in the face of adversity, purity in the midst of corruption..."

As I looked at the things I had listed I asked myself -- "I know I am inspired BY those things, but am I willing to DO those things?"

Honestly, the things I listed all take HARD WORK.  It's one things to be inspired BY them...but it's another thing to be inspired TO DO them!

I am too often inspired BY and not inspired TO.

I want to DO the things that inspire me, and perhaps in so doing inspire others--not just to be inspired BY, but to be inspired TO DO likewise.

ENJOYING God's gifts...

This morning I came to God asking to receive from Him and this is what I "heard" Him say:

(Heavenly Father) --"Receive my child--this gift is for you!"

As I heard this, my initial joy quickly turned to a question:

(my response) 'Father what would You have me do with this gift?'

As I waited to hear a response in my spirit--expecting (even hoping) for some clear task to be shared I heard this:

(Heavenly Father) -- "ENJOY!"

O how I needed to hear that from God today!  His gifts are given to His children because He loves them!  Though they are useful gifts for the work we have to do they are given to bring us joy, not to place a burden on us.

For example:  The gifts I have requested from Meghan the last year or so have been mainly tools of different sorts:  A Stihl Chainsaw, a Sliding Compound Mitre Saw, a Table Saw etc.

If these had been given to someone who was not seeking them; and had no work to do with them--they would be burdensome tools--perhaps even creating a pressure to do something with them.

But for me, I had work that I desired to do--but I knew I needed these gifts to do the work well.  So receiving these gifts wasn't a burden--it was exciting, and I have enjoyed not only receiving them, but more so, using them!

Moses sang a song to the people of God before he died--and at the beginning of that song He sang of God's teaching coming down "as the rain" and that God's speech may "distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass."

We are that grass, we are the land that God's rain is falling upon--through His Word He pours out gifts to His children.

What kind of land will you be?

Will you drink in the rain falling on you--will you enjoy that drink--and produce useful crops?
or
Will you be land that refuses to drink and produces thorns, and burdens?
(see Hebrew 6:7-8)

Your Father wants you to enjoy the gentle rain of His Word everyday!  Remember that next time you open your Bible--say to God "I am hear to receive and enjoy the gifts that you give to me!"  And then drink in deep and enjoy!

Stay thirsty my friends!  ;-)

Walking Around NAKED!

Would you knowingly walk out your door in the morning without any clothes on?

Even the boldest of us probably will answer that question--NO!  Putting on clothing is such a natural habit of our morning that most of us can't imagine forgetting to put on clothes and walking into our day without them.

Yet, many of us who love Jesus, walk into our days without Jesus.

In his letter to the Romans Paul says:  "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ..."  (Rom 13:14)

It's such a simple statement we often just gloss over it without much thought.  But what if you made "putting on Jesus" as much of a morning habit as putting on clothes?

What might that look like? -- perhaps you can even combine it with actually getting dressed:

-As you put on a shirt remember:  "He has clothed me with garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness!"  (Isaiah 61:10)  You are a new creation, filled and clothed with the very righteousness of Christ!  O what an amazing gift!  BE who He has created you to BE.

-As you put on your socks or shoes remember:  "how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"  (Rom 10:15)  Commit to being a "bringer of good news" today!

-As you pull your pants up:  "Gird up your loins and arise, and speak to them all which I command you.  Do not be dismayed before them..."  (Jeremiah 1:17)  Go into your day with confidence!  You have the Spirit of the Living God within you--do not be nervous or afraid to let Him have control of you today!

As you glance in the mirror before leaving the house PRAY:  O Father lead me in the train of Your robe, for I am one of the captives that You have set free and are leading to salvation!  May I display your glory as plainly today as the clothes I am wearing!