Monday , October 17th 

Tuesday, October 18th 

I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.  Philemon 1:7

A few months ago I asked a very talented writer to develop a series that would provide “instantaneous joy” for you women on the move.  It would be inspiring yet also give the reader Scripture they could meditate on during their busy day.

And “voila”,  here you have it, “A Closet Full of JOY”.   That talented writer is Myrna Jean Hart and she is my big sis.  So we invite you to our closet, a Closet Full of JOY.  Why joy?  Because God’s Word, spoken through His Holy Spirit, will enlighten and delight you, even in the midst of your trials.

We also invite you to “hang up something cute” in our closet. (We even take other clothing pieces that might work for our ladies–shoes, hats, and other accessories.   Before you know it, we will be trading “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” (Isaiah 61:3).  I share with you three (3) garments from the closet to keep you clothed  for the rest of the week.   Help us grow our closet with God’s lovely joy.

September 11 will be known as one of the most horrific days in our countries’ history.  Like the assassinations of  President John F. Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King, we clearly visualize where we were when we heard the news.

Psalm 90:12 reads:  “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” With that Scripture  in mind and as we approach the tenth anniversary of 9/11, I have three (3) questions for the WordBytes audience.

1.  What has changed about your faith walk since September 11th?
2.  How did experiencing 9/11 affect how you ‘number your days’?
3.  Describe your relationship with God since 9/11?
   

When Jesus left this earth, He left many things for His new found followers to ponder.  Through His Great Commission, He instructed us to make disciples.  Through His teachings,  He taught us how to live our lives until either He returns or He calls us home.  The greatest lesson, however, was included in His Great  Commandment.

First, “love the Lord with all you heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  Second, love your neighbor as yourself. (Matt. 22:37-40) Therein lies the real opportunity for Christians, especially the church, with its spirtual and financial resources, to show our love and compassion in a world that believes only in “me and mine.” This is the opportunity for churches to contribute to their communities–communities beyond their three (3) mile radius of ther church.

As a nation, we are facing enormous financial and social challenges.  All “indicators of life” are operating at  “record” levels—the highest unemployment, the greatest number of homeless and the largest increase in crime (which includes the cost of food and gas), just to name a few.  But where is the care and concern for the needy, the weak, and the unprotected.  The proverbial “crack” people fall into is already full of the first casualities of our fragmented and fractured society.  I’m not surprised by the “society”–it’s a fallen, sin-sick place doing what it does best–endulging itself.    BUT WHAT ABOUT THE CHURCH, ITS MINISTRIES AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS?  Jesus told the “masses” (similar to today’s  church congregations of believers, seekers, and ‘others’)

• Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (Matt. 5:13)
•  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matt. 5:14-16)

So what’s the problem with the “salt and the light”? What do you think about the findings in the Barna study? I really want to hear from you “good church folk!”

Why would someone choose weak things?  Do you remember childhood games that required you to “choose” your teammates?  Do you remember the kid that was not the first choice?  They were too slow, too small, or simply not good at the game.  Sometimes that kid was you.  Do you remember how humiliated you felt as you were the last to be chosen?  But God chooses differently.  He looks beyond our faults and weaknesses as He chooses us as instruments to accomplish His purpose. (2 Tim. 2:21)

The world sees weak things as objects of scorn and distain.  Therefore, it disregards and marginalizes the old, the poor, and the disenfranchised.  But God, increases the power of the weak. (Isa. 40:29) His grace is sufficient for His strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9) Sometimes we forget that fact and try to do His work in our own strength.  But God, after several unsuccessful attempts on our part, gently whispers in our ear, “You can do nothing without Me.” (John 15:5) 

When you rise in the morning, do you expect to hear from the Lord?  As you walk into the office, do you look for signs of His presence? Let me tell you that God speaks each and every day.  The question is, “are you  prepared to hear Him?”   If you haven’t heard from Him lately, ask yourself these questions. Be brutally honest.

1. Have I spent time in reading and meditating on God’s Word?
2. Is there sin in my life that I refuse to confess?
3. Have I placed other priorities ahead of God?
4. Am I harboring bitterness, anger, or unforgiveness for someone in my life?
5. How much time do I devote to prayer?
6. Am I grieving the Spirit by being willfully disobedient?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may have found the source of your communications breakdown with the Lord.  We are told to constantly examine our Christian walk  (2 Corinthians 13:5)  What are questions you ask yourself when you feel God is silent?