Handmaidens - Christian Issues

Christian Issues

Topics

Just a Thought...
By Staff Writer Sharon Barrett
Today is a new day, a new way we can show the Lord how much we love him, we can also show others how much we love them if we do not hurt them. Sometimes we get in a hurry thinking we are helping others when it fact it was time to be silent and let the Lord do the work. We don't see others doing more in the Lord so we talk to them. When the word is given by the Lord it works for the best. But when we take it upon ourselves and say something to another, and it comes from us, it can, and usually does deter another. We accidentally make them fall, we take away their joy, hurt them. Show love to others and pray before you open up and say something that could really hinder their growth in the Lord.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Phil 2:3, NIV

Cover Page
Christian
Comedy
Education
Essays, etc.
Health
Home
Letters
Marriage
Parenting
Poetry/Art
Sites to See
Stewardship
Work
Extra

In the past six weeks, my live has changed 100%. Amazing how a little eight-pound person can disrupt a household so thoroughly and yet bring such immeasurable job! When Casiday Hope Underwood entered this world on February 17, 2000, my entire view of everything changed. Suddenly I was called upon to provide this tiny new life with nourishment, comfort, protection, companionship – every need she has must be met.

Becoming a mother is absolutely one of the most beautiful experiences in life! The joy and peace and love Casiday has brought into my world are unmatched. As I have considered my newest role and prayed for wisdom in raising my daughter one verse of Scripture has come to me time and again:

Her children arise and call her blessed. Proverbs 31:27

Wow! How can I ever raise Casiday in a manner that will cause her to call me blessed? What a remarkable mother that lady in Proverbs must have been.

And yet as I pondered this verse and what it would mean to me for my children to call me blessed, I realized that is what our Heavenly Father wants from us too. How much it must touch the heart of God to hear His beloved children bless Him – to know we recognize His provision in our lives, His love for us, and His desire for companionship with us.

PROVISION
David’s psalms are excellent examples of acknowledging the multitude of ways God provides for us. Far too often we fail to praise the Lord for the blessings in our lives. Sure we say "grace" before meals and even remember to thank God generically "for all we have." But how often do we, like David, stop and just bless God?

As you read the following blessings recorded by David, consider how the Father has given you the same.

Psalm 18:2 – The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 3:5 – I lie down and sleep; I awake again because the Lord sustains me.

Psalm 23:2-3a – He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.

Psalm 30:2 – O Lord my God, I called to you for help and You healed me.

Psalm 40:3 – He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

Psalm 56:17 – Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.

In these few examples we find an honoring of God for provision of so many things – protection, rest, restoration, healing, new joy, comfort.

Just as we provide for our children with no demand for something in return, so our Heavenly Father provides for us. And yet He too delights in the blessing and thankfulness we display just as we do with our own children.

LOVE
The love of God is so amazing!! When we consider the depth of love it took for the Father to give His only Son to die for us and the love of the Son to give up His place in Heaven and follow the Father’s plan – we can only be awed!

Paul gives a beautiful description of the love of Christ in Philippians 2:6-8.

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

But made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!

Jesus Christ willingly and sacrificially gave Himself – WHY? John 3:16 tells us exactly the answer:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should have eternal life.

God loves us – do we take time to express to Him our recognition and thankfulness for that love?

COMPANIONSHIP
One of the most amazing things about God to me is His desire for an intimate relationship with us. A perfect, holy, all-powerful, all-knowing God wants to be my companion, my friend. What a reason to bless Him!!

God has chosen us (1 Peter 2:9). He wants to ease our burdens (1 Peter 5:7). He has given us the Holy Spirit to help guide us (John 14:16).

As the old hymn says, "What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer." I urge you to do just that – let Him be your closest friend, the one with whom you share your deepest hurts, your greatest joys, and your most mundane daily routine. Then bless Him for His willingness to walk with you every day.

Since Casiday was born I pray every day that I will be a Godly mother, that I will be faithful to the Lord, and that she will learn to be faithful through my example. But I also pray that God will continue to teach me how to be faithful and that as He teaches me, I will grow. Part of my faithfulness is calling Him blessed – I hope it is for you too!

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being a Teacher. Thank you for honoring my desire to learn. Continue to show me ways to bless and honor You. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

One day, a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told him, "I always park there. You took my place!"

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit. You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.

Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?"