Devotionals for the Heart: Magnify

A Heart of Praise
A devotional by Karen Lynn Marstaller

“Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!” 
–Psalms 34:3 (ESV)

According to my paraphrase of the Dictionary.com definition for the word “magnify,” to magnify means to “enlarge, or make bigger.”

I think that daily to-do lists that many people have may look something like this: Wake up, work, drive, cook, clean, babysit, study, wash, ad infinitum. Our to-do lists never end!

My tendency is to make my to-do list longer and more ponderous. A total of 15 or 20 items seems pretty normal. Surely I’ll get more accomplished that way, right? By the end of the day, that comfy recliner is looking pretty good.

David (a character in The Holy Bible) had a to-do list that was real simple—magnify the Lord, get together, exalt His name.

All through his psalms, David’s voice is loud and clear. He cries out his needs to the Lord, and then he praises God. He praises God, and then he cries out for deliverance. Threaded through his heart’s cries are his wonder and amazement at God’s great power and might, His tender mercy and grace, His forever love and radiant joy.

If David, who is described in the Bible as being a “man after God’s own heart,” chose to magnify the Lord, then I will too!

When I awaken, I sing for joy (Psalms 149:5). In John 12:12-13, the people went out to meet Jesus shouting, “Hosanna!” Nobody cares how loudly (or off-key) we sing our praises when we’re driving to and from work. The people on your mass transit commute might notice, but you’ll figure a way out to praise the Lord without disrupting the peace. While I’m in the privacy of my own home, I like to hum “Jesus Loves Me” while cleaning up the house or folding clothes. It cheers me up every time!

Isolated places to worship allow our hearts to soar as we unite with the Holy Spirit in praise, but David calls us into community worship, as well. This happens in our churches all the time and we are blessed by our moments in His house.

But what about all the other places where we come face to face with people who crave a gentle touch from the Lord?

The cashier at the grocery store is paid to be pleasant and courteous, but how often is he or she treated disrespectfully and unkindly? A simple smile, a gentle word or a prayer breathed deep inside share the Father’s love in ways we can never understand.

Who else would benefit if we decided that today that we will magnify the Lord? The hospital chaplain, who pours out his life for the people who come to him for answers? The beleaguered schoolteacher, who just spent $72.37 of his or her meager paycheck to buy paper, pencils, and pens for his or her 127 students?

A smile goes a long way in cheering a fussy baby. Deliberately holding the door for someone is an attention-getter. Magnify Him. Our servant heart offering a cup of cold water to someone who’s dying of thirst provides a taste of the abundant Life that we enjoy.

I have a friend who carries bottles of water in her car during the summer time. She never goes out to run errands unless she’s carrying a fresh bottle. And she never returns to her car with it. But that simple gesture (along with her genuine smile) magnifies the Lord.

Going for a jog is great exercise. Make one tiny little difference. Wave at that neighbor of yours who is housebound, but who struggles out to her front porch every morning to watch her world wake up. Magnify the Lord with her.

Jesus met the needs of ordinary people when He walked on this earth. He stopped, He spoke to them, sometimes He fed them, and He touched their lives. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 tells us to continue what Jesus started. Even though 2,000 years have passed, the message is the same: go, disciple, baptize, teach.

While we’re going about our Heavenly Father’s business, let’s do what David did: Magnify the great and mighty name of the Lord!

~*~
Author Bio:

Karen Marstaller is a retired high school teacher who spent most of her career challenging creative students to write. 

Her heart is for her readers. She writes to encourage them, to make them laugh, to show them that life is a beautiful journey, and regardless of their past, to show them that there is joy ahead if they will just keep looking.

Karen and her husband live in central Texas in a sweet little home that they completely remodeled. They enjoy spending time with their family, which includes seven precious grandchildren.

Most of all, Karen writes in obedience to the command to love your neighbor, to offer a cup of water to those who are dying of thirst, and to comfort others with the comfort she has received.

Devotionals for the Heart: Football, Scripture and Our God-given job

Do Your Job
A devotional by Amanda Wen

Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” –John 21:22 (ESV)

Those of you who know me know how much I love football, especially my team, the New England Patriots. And I’m no bandwagon Pats fan, either; it’s in my DNA. My mom has rooted for the Patriots since the 1970s, and I’m told I watched (or, more accurately, slept through) my first Patriots game the night I was born. (They lost, something they did quite reliably back in those days). My husband and I bonded over our mutual love for the Pats—he’s a Boston native—and one of our first dates was to a Patriots game in Indianapolis. (They won that one).

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is known for telling his players, “Do your job.” It’s a simple mantra, but a profound—and obviously very effective—one. In any given play, there are a total of 22 guys on the field, each with a different assignment. With all the motion, noise and communication, it would be very easy for any individual player to get distracted, and many do. But Belichick coaches his players to not worry about what anyone else is doing, or supposed to be doing, just do what you’re supposed to be doing. If you’re supposed to cover the wide receiver, cover him. If your assignment is to block a player, block him. If you do your job, and the guy next to you does his job, so the theory goes, everyone’s jobs get done and the team is successful.

Believe it or not, this idea resonates with Scripture. After Jesus’ resurrection, when he reinstated Peter and prophesied both Peter’s key role in the church and his eventual martyrdom, the disciple’s response was not to ask for more details, but to ask, “Okay, so what about that guy?”

Let's read John 21:20-22 (ESV): Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them…and said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

In other words, “Don’t worry about him, Peter. It’s none of your business. Just do your job.”

In our age of social media, when we’re bombarded with images of everyone else’s highlight reels dozens of times every day, it’s so very, very easy to compare, and we Christians are not immune. We make think thoughts like these: Lord, why can’t I have a house like hers? Lord, why can’t my ministry impact as many people as hers does? Lord, why can’t my children behave as well as hers do?

I believe He’d say the same thing to us as He did to Peter. “If it’s My will that she have (fill in the blank), what is that to you? You follow me!”

Our job—our only job—is to follow Jesus. To lock in with laser focus to Him and what He is calling us to do. He has a unique role in His kingdom for each and every one of us. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are His workmanship, created to do good works He’s prepared for us in advance. 

In other words, God’s drawn up the game plan. He’s given us each an assignment. Worrying about what He’s assigned someone else to do is wasted energy, and it takes our focus off where it needs to be. Trust your Coach. Spend your time and energy on what He’s called you to do.

Go out there and do your job.

~*~
Author Bio:

Amanda Wen is an award-winning writer of contemporary inspirational romance and split-time women’s fiction. 

A first place winner in the 2017 Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest, she also placed first in the 2017 Phoenix Rattler Contest, the 2017 Great Expectations Contest, and the 2016 ACFW First Impressions Contest, among others. In addition, she was a finalist in the 2018 ACFW Genesis Contest.

Amanda is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and regularly contributes author interviews for their Fiction Finder feature. She’s also been spotted onstage with the worship team at recent ACFW conferences. Amanda is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

In addition to her writing, Amanda maintains an active and rewarding career as a freelance cellist, frequently performing with symphony orchestras, string quartets, and her church’s worship team. She lives in the Midwest with her amazing husband and their three adorable and hilarious Wenlets.

~*~
Connect with Amanda:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authoramandawen
Twitter: www.twitter.com/authoramandawen
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authoramandawen
Website: www.amandawen.com

Words of Faith: Positivity Inspires shares her story on trusting God's plan

A Test of My Faith
A Words of Faith story by Positivity Inspires 

Talking the talk and walking the walk are two very different things. I can say I have faith all day, but if I do not act on it, what good is that?

A Test of Faith

My faith has been tested at many points in my life – many, many, many times. And there was one time I distinctly remember when my faith was really tested. I was fresh out of graduate school and was planning to stay in the same city and state in which I graduated. Little did I know that in just a few months, the Lord would instead lead me to an area that was clearly out of my comfort zone. This area was new territory (literally). It was far from family and friends, and I knew no one there. What’s more is that although I knew God was guiding me to this new place, I did not know how I was going to get there because I was working with limited funds. When I considered the amount of money it would take for me to move (and then looked at the amount of money I had in my bank account at the time), what I had would not be enough to cover the expenses of relocating.

Departing from the Familiar

Whenever I tell this story, I think of two people and two stories in the Bible – Abraham and of course, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In Genesis 12:1, God told Abraham to leave his father’s country and make his way to an area that He (God) had appointed so the Lord can “make of thee a great nation”. Abraham had to leave what was familiar to him because God had set up his (Abraham’s) blessings in a different area. In other words, Abraham had to leave his comfort zone. Abraham was obedient to God’s instructions, and because of his obedience, he was blessed.

Insufficient to the Normal Eye, More than Sufficient in God’s Eyes

Another story that comes to mind is the one in which Jesus feeds the multitude (approximately five thousand people according to what is recorded in the Gospels) with as little as five loaves of bread and two fishes. Although this story is recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, I will refer to Mark 6:31-44 in this blog. In Mark 6, one can read how Jesus took what seemed to be an insufficient amount of food and fed a very large crowd.

Sometimes we look at what we currently have, thinking it is not enough to accomplish something. We make the mistake of looking at it with natural eyes verses our spiritual eyes. Sometimes we fail to realize that whatever God has given us (no matter how small of an amount we consider it to be), He can multiply it. He can turn what we consider to be a shortage into a surplus.

Walking the Walk…of Faith

Now, back to my story, it was time for me to step out on faith. I made plans to make the big move, despite how my bank account was looking and despite the fact that I was traveling to unknown territory (remember, new place, no family, and no friends). Now, if you read carefully, you will notice that I went ahead and made plans to move before I received the money required to make that move.

Okay, I must admit that I experienced a few moments of uneasiness prior to that move. There were a couple of times when I was thinking of how I was going to get to the place God was leading me with a very small amount of money. Our “flesh” will act that way at times, and we must pray, remember God’s promises, and be obedient to Him, regardless. So although I had a couple of “moments”, in my spirit, I was confident the Lord was going to provide for me, and He did. God made a way. He opened a door, just in time. I acted on faith. I walked the walked, and everything worked out wonderfully for me.

Now, you may be wondering what the significance of this “new territory” I often referred to in this blog is. Well, it was there where my relationship with Christ thrived and my ministry began. As with Abraham, I had to leave what was familiar to me and travel to an unknown land to receive my spiritual blessing (my ministry). I walked the walk of faith, despite how my finances looked. I was obedient to God, despite the few moments of fear I experienced, and because I did these things, I was blessed.

~*~
Author bio:  

Better known by her pen name, Positivity Inspires (trademarked) is a writer, speaker, and servant of the Lord. 

She was introduced to Christ at a very early age and was raised in the church. Her ministry focuses on encouraging Christians to continually strengthen their bond with Christ, study His Word, and live His Word daily. 

Although Positivity Inspires writes in more than one genre, she is best known for her Christian/Inspirational works. Her blogs can be found on several websites, including the “The Christian Post”, a major online Christian newspaper based in Washington D.C. She also is currently writing a couple of books with the hope of publishing them soon. 

Positivity Inspires has spoken at several churches and has been interviewed by the hosts of the “Morning Show” on Missions Radio. 

As a successful career woman who has earned a doctorate in her field, she also greatly understands the importance of placing God first and cherishes her relationship with Him. She is one who is appreciative of her career and passionate about her ministry, and she possesses a strong love for Christ and for others.

~*~

Connect with Positivity Inspires:
Twitter - twitter.com/pinspires
Instagram - Instagram.com/positivity_inspires
Facebook - Facebook.com/positivityinspirespage

The World is The Mission Field

JESUS CHRIST commands His disciples, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 
-- Matthew 28:19-20.

The Great Commission

Dear blog readers,

Did you know that you have a mission in life?

It's known in Scripture as "The Great Commission" and it's from Jesus Christ!

Originally given to His disciples of Bible days, it's a message that still holds true today for all of God's disciples (those who profess faith in Him and are baptized, seek Him and want to do His will).

You can read all about it in the Bible book of Matthew, Chapter 28, verses 16 to 20.

Here's what it says (read in King James Version): "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

~*~

An excerpt from the "true identity: The Bible for Women...becoming who you are in Christ" (New International Version)...

"At Issue: Purpose in life": Jesus' "Great Commission" has four simple points:

1) Go and make disciples.

2) Baptize them to show they belong to God's family. 

3) Teach them to obey God's commands.

4) Know that Christ is with you as you do this. 

This was Jesus' final charge to the followers-- including us. Is this your mission in life? This is God's purpose for you with your children. It's your purpose in your workplace. It's your purpose in your neighborhood, with your friends, in your world. Ask God to show you what part you can have in fulfilling his call.

~*~

Multimedia Message:

Steven Curtis Chapman- For The Sake of the Call

~*~ 

Uplift from Alexis:

A New Year is on the horizon. New opportunities to grow in your spiritual journey with Jesus Christ happen every day. May we learn to truly "carpe diem" ("Seize the day") when it comes to finding, growing and sharing our faith in God. 

The Bible says, "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;great is your faithfulness." -- Lamentations 3:22-23 (New International Version, www.biblegateway.com).

May God bless you and keep you in 2011 and always!

Sincerely,

Alexis