Author: astherainandsnow

“The people quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’ And Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?’  But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?’” Exodus 17:2-3

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?’  And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden,  but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.”‘ But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'” Genesis 3:1-5

“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” Psalm 29:2

These are days where opinions aren’t only passionately derived and tenaciously held, but vocalized as broadly and publicly as possible. We comment, we post, we elbow our way into conversation to make our voice heard. When led by the flesh, we can make all sorts of chaos and mayhem and distort truth. When we speak without a holy filter, our words can disparage others and dishonor our Maker. But a right view and love for God produces words that befit Him, whether toward others or Him directly.

What and whom do we ascribe with our words? They either honor the Lord or they do not. Language is important, and lofty language that reflects the Creator’s beauty and common grace is more appropriate than crass, coarse talk. The content of what we say also bears much weight in whether it glorifies God or not. He is truth, and therefore is honored when we speak truth, with no distortions. He is love, and therefore our words must never be empty, but laced with mercy and backed by love in action. When we speak out of impetuous anger, caustic criticism, puffed pride, or a negative outlook, we draw attention to ourselves, often shamefully. But when we are taken with the Lord’s infinite worth, and the immensity of His goodness toward us, we will ascribe to Him His due glory. (John 14:6; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Ephesians 4:25,29; 1 John 3:18; 4:8)

How do we assure that our words align with scriptural truth so they can be used to build up others and magnify God’s greatness? What opinions and attitudes are best kept to ourselves, forever, rather than uttered to another’s hurt, or detriment of character or reputation? If it is our habit to whine, complain, fret, gossip, or curse, will we acknowledge and repent of the dishonor these bring to Christ’s purity and name, and praise Him instead? (Psalm 119:11)

Father, less of me, more of Thee. Captivate me with the splendor of Your holiness, that I may ascribe to You, with word and deed, the glory due You.

“When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him;
When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him.
 But He knows the way that I take;
When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:9-10

“A thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me… Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

A predawn storm growled, grumbling thunder and pelting rain. The front trudged by, leaving dawn’s early light in its wake, beams poking and streaming through leftover wet charcoal-smudged clouds. Pools of light and grace always shine hope in drenching wet and fleeting shadows.

And don’t we live in a day of darkened confusion and consternation? Storms of violence, physical and emotional, growl and pelt. Testing through spiritual attack, confusion, grief, and loss take their toll, but bring glorious ends. We, as well as gold, are refined in fire. In the heat of burn and weakness, of caustic words, angry threats, and roiling doubts, is where God shows up with magnificent, indescribable grace. Pools from above spill and soothe, cool and glisten. His lovingkindness enfolds and holds us without letting go, proving once again that He is enough for our every trouble, and trustworthy.

What casts a foreboding shadow on our life today? What enemies lurk and plot, what affliction assails, what hurts won’t stop stinging? God envelops them all in His sovereign plan and effulgent grace. We need not fear the storms, nor flee forecasts of opposition. The Lord penetrates each with His ineffable light, and bids us forward– for we are not alone– to do the next right thing. Will we venture out, and go deep and far in His pools of grace, so He can complete all He intends? (Isaiah 14:24)

“We rest on thee, our Shield and our Defender!
We go not forth alone against the foe;
strong in thy strength, safe in thy keeping tender,
we rest on thee, and in thy name we go.

Yea, in thy name, O Captain of salvation!
In thy dear name, all other names above:
Jesus our righteousness, our sure foundation,
our Prince of glory and our King of love.

We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
and needing more each day thy grace to know:
yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
‘We rest on thee, and in thy name we go’.

We rest on thee, our Shield and our Defender!
Thine is the battle, thine shall be the praise;
when passing through the gates of pearly splendor,
victors, we rest with thee, through endless days.” ~Edith G. Cherry (1895)

My Defender and Redeemer, keep me immersed in Your grace, drinking from Your fount and taking refreshment in Your sufficiency. Fill me so I may go forth in strong, righteous living and overflow in bold, joyful praise, for Your sake and glory.

“I will hope continually
    and will praise you yet more and more.
My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
    of your deeds of salvation all the day,
    for their number is past my knowledge.
With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come;
    I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone

O God, from my youth you have taught me,
    and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

So even to old age and gray hairs,
    O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
    your power to all those to come.
 Your righteousness, O God,
    reaches the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
    O God, who is like you?
You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
    will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
    you will bring me up again.
You will increase my greatness
    and comfort me again.

I will also praise you with the harp
    for your faithfulness, O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
    O Holy One of Israel.
My lips will shout for joy,
    when I sing praises to you;
    my soul also, which you have redeemed.
And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long.” Psalm 71:14-24a

Life here below is a continuum entwined with our Lord’s life without end. His infinite goodness punctuates our daily experiences and trials again and again, so that from morning to evening, from earth to heaven, from youth to old age, from this generation to the next, He is faithful and worthy of knowing and exaltation. If His righteous deeds and might and salvation never end, then neither must our hope and praise and telling.

The more we look for, count, and recite God’s deeds, the more indistinguishable they are from everything else we perceive. As we rejoice in His providential presence and attention to what concerns us, it becomes natural to trace His sovereign hand in all we encounter. His wonder and power leave their mark everywhere, and we cannot help but sing of His grace in reviving, raising, and redeeming on our behalf. Our breathing becomes a melody of praise that is ongoing, and growing. (Psalm 138:8)

Do I go about my days immersed in God’s goodness and thought? Do I fit on His lenses of grace and expectancy each morning, and secure the helmet of His salvation, so I detect what happens as from Him, and act on His behalf? Does my praise of Him issue only in staccato phrases when things go well, or as an overarching, joyful chorus through my days? Whatever responsibilities or confrontations, choices or difficulties I face, there can flow through all continual hope and gratitude. (Ephesians 6:17; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Trusting God, and exalting Him more and more, comes by act of will. The more we hope, the more we see, the more we sing. Will praise and joy be my theme today, and always, and increasingly?

Lord, let me never separate daily life from a continual mindset of marveling and hope in Your redemption and kindness. Keep me captivated with You, High and Holy One, ever singing for joy and blessing Your name. (Psalm 72:19)

“The Lord said to me:
‘Go, set a watchman;
let him announce what he sees.
When he sees riders, horsemen in pairs,
riders on donkeys, riders on camels,
let him listen diligently,
very diligently.’
Then he who saw cried out:
‘Upon a watchtower I stand, O Lord,
continually by day,
and at my post I am stationed
whole nights.
And behold, here come riders,
horsemen in pairs!’
And he answered,
‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon;
and all the carved images of her gods
he has shattered to the ground.’
O my threshed and winnowed one,
what I have heard from the Lord of hosts,
the God of Israel, I announce to you.” Isaiah 21:6-10

“In the path of your judgments,
O Lord, we wait for you;
your name and remembrance
are the desire of our soul.
My soul yearns for you in the night;
my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.
For when your judgments are in the earth,
the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.” Isaiah 26:8-9

“To whom will he teach knowledge,
    and to whom will he explain the message?..
And the word of the Lord will be to them
precept upon precept, precept upon precept,
    line upon line, line upon line,
    here a little, there a little.” Isaiah 28:9,13

“He will be the stability of your times,
abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge;
the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.” Isaiah 33:6

The tyranny of the urgent controls most of what occupies our thinking and doing. It is certainly Satan’s ploy to distract us from what matters more. We fluster and flurry and fret, making and talking much of what we think is important, only to find ourselves worn out, lacking hope, or envious of others who’ve ‘succeeded better.’

Significance and spiritual wisdom are rooted in eternal foundations and vision, not daily busyness and material concerns. To understand the times, we need spiritual perspective, a holy mindset, and these are not wrought by restless living. It takes time, intention, and effort to watch, pray, and develop the mind of Christ. (Psalm 73:2-3,16-17,24,28; Mark 13:33; 1 Corinthians 2:16)

The blessing is that once we’ve developed a default manner of spiritual perception, we can go about our days with lighter loads, more cheerful demeanors, and unshakable hope because we know the end! The big picture always covers the immediate one with grace and security.

In the middle of a hectic world and lives, are we making it a priority to earnestly seek the Lord? If we do not make and take time, it will not get done, because the world sucks us into its vortex of insignificant, transient concerns. What can we adjust in our schedules to make this happen? If we are presently apathetic, would we ask that God give us the want to want to, because it matters to Him? When we understand His eternal perspective on our finite issues, we will gain confidence to speak, to announce His name and intention, and of His immutable righteousness in changing times.

Lord, give me spiritual eyes and patience to watch and understand Your ways, then boldness to proclaim them. May my life be a witness to Your goodness and glory in all the earth.

“‘What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.”  And he answered, “I will not,” but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, “I go, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?’ They said, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.'” Matthew 21:28-32

We say we want to follow Jesus, but we really just want to do what we want to do. If we really want to know what it is the Lord wants us to do, and be, and say, we must immerse ourselves in His word to know. That’s where we discover how He thinks, behaves, and works in different situations. We must seek Him diligently in prayer to affirm His Spirit’s insight and guidance. We must yield our affections and impulses to His authority and power. Left to our own doing, in our strength, we would please the flesh with every effort, every time. Fully surrendered to Him, we are continually sanctified from the inside out, changed from glory to glory. (Matthew 26:41; 2 Corinthians 3:18)

When is the last time we asked the Lord to do through us what is contrary to our nature, but so fully His that only He could do it, and He’d receive all the glory? What would change if we really wanted what He wants? What impossibles could become possible? (Luke 1:37; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Where would God have me initiate in a relationship, start a conversation, hold my tongue and listen better? How might He have me change my scheduled priorities, improve health and entertainment habits, or disconnect from devices? What if I was willing, and determined, to stem the flow of bitterness, stop comparing and complaining, forgive from the heart as well as lips? Where might He have me speak boldly, reconcile, or help with monetary support?

How would my thinking, my planning, my bank balance change if I were truly to die to self and have Christ living through me? Would I pray more, produce more, serve more, spend less, or differently? With whom would I converse, with written words or conversation? How would I fill leisure hours? Where would I serve? Would I spend less time sitting and more time kneeling? Less time talking and sighing, and more time singing? (Galatians 2:20)

As stewards of God’s grace, we are called to live fully for His will and glory. Are we? Would we so delight ourselves in the Lord that His desires becomes our passion? (Psalm 37:4; 1 Peter 4:2,7-11)

Lord, expose and convict of words that are lies, and default thoughts and practices that dishonor You. Transform my want-tos into Yours, and give me the holy gumption to match word with action, and trust Your full sway with my will, so You are exalted.

“For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,  but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.  He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” Titus 1:7-9

“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” 1 Peter 5:2-6

Bellwether: leader; one that takes the lead or initiative; pacesetter, front runner, trailblazer; someone or something that shows how a situation will develop or change

When God lays out in the Scriptures the characteristics that describe a godly leader, they are all undergirded and marked with humility. The origin of bellwether is from a wether or other male sheep that leads the flock, usually bearing a bell. Sheep are rather humble, senseless animals, yet the one donning the bell would attract and lead the flock- even if aimlessly . We are sheep who have gone astray, yet by God’s grace returned to the Shepherd of our souls. As His children, we are to lead out and upward in our current day. Following our Good Shepherd is vital if we are to be a worthy bellwether for others. (Isaiah 53:4-6; 1 Peter 2:25)

Jesus led the way in His example, and beckons us to follow. When He had every right to dominate and be honored, He humbled Himself to the lowest place. He was not driven by reactive emotion or present comfort, but by the joy that awaited in accomplishing His Father’s will. He returned temper, cruelty, accusation, and violence with silent self-discipline and serene peace, giving clear testimony to His holiness and the control of the Spirit. He was a divine bellwether for all who would follow by faith, and we can emulate Him as heavenly trail blazer. (Isaiah 53:2-3,7-11; Matthew 27:14,54; John 4:34; 13:15; Philippians 2:3-8; Hebrews 12:2)

In a culture rife with dissension, hot with passion, and drunk with greedy self-indulgence, the Lord’s bellwethers are to stand apart and lead out as He did. It is subversive to love and cherish what is good when those around us are concerned only with what is good for me. When others clamor to castigate, gossip, be noticed, or get ahead, God’s leaders speak truth in love, take the low place, and serve willingly as examples. (Ephesians 4:15)

Is our view of God high enough that we are daily humbled before Him? In present surroundings, how do we ring a bell for uprightness and so lift sights, and elevate thought and speech? What kind of example do we set in discipline and service?

Lord, make me a bellwether for all that is good and holy so I lead others to You.

“You shall present them before the Lord, and the priests shall sprinkle salt on them and offer them up as a burnt offering to the Lord.” Ezekiel 43:24

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” Matthew 5:13

“Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” Mark 9:50

“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Luke 14:34-35

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6

Jesus says salt is what we are; there is no choice in this identity when we are His children. But we have a lot to do with how effective that salt is, how well it does its work in and through and around us, and whether its properties remain robust. Just as it is true that we are in fact saved from and dead to sin, and yet are to reckon ourselves as so, we both are salt, and commanded to be salty, so the human will is involved. (Romans 6:6,11-14)

And the human will can be a restless, fickle enigma, at once wanting all that is good, yet turning inside out and upside down by a pesky flesh that says No Way or Not Now. We are warned again and again to watch and pray, to fly to Jesus the Overcomer when in need. Our very holy desire and diligence trigger saltiness in a world that is given to heinous violence and degradation at worst, and flabby commitment at best. If salt retards decay, preserves the good, heals, cleanses, and enriches flavor, then every time we persist against the world we scatter salt where others would not have that strength. (Matthew 26:41; Romans 7:15-25; Hebrews 4:16)

In our homes, workplaces, churches, and communities, how salty are we in speech, conduct, and attitude? Are we willing to speak truth, sting, or walk away, or are we a benign, tasteless, impotent add-in? Do our ideas and responses put a stop to the corruption of gossip, falsehood, and cattiness, and instead enhance lofty thinking? Where and how might we interrupt degradation and add heavenly taste and consideration to the atmosphere of our gatherings?

While salt has an indefinite shelf life, it must not stay on the shelf. The Lord calls us up and out to make a difference and season our world with His peace and truth. Where are we intentionally going, what flavor are we adding and what good are we doing, with all the Lord has entrusted to us?

Father, keep my spirit stable and at peak quality to season the places You plant me. May I never lose my taste and thirst for You, and so sprinkle salt that others long for You too.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:3-9

Peter, writing to exiles, turns their attention to bless God for the small word of mercy and the magnificent effects of its greatness. The God and Father of their Lord Jesus, according to His great mercy, has let flow and abound its glorious effluence in measureless goodness toward His own. We cannot help but be drenched in and transformed by its thunderous swells.

By His mercy, we have been born again and welcomed into a living, breathing, certain hope, our salvation. Here we reside and adventure, here our hearts pulse with effervescent, expectant life in the present, undergirded by sure hope of our eternal inheritance. Heaven’s perfection and glorious inevitability prods and protects us in the day to day to live by God’s power and within His good will. It sheds light on this little while as a beacon to forever. His mercies flow upon our grievous trials to swell our faith and result in praise as we trace His guiding, loving hand. Their blessing is increased love for the One who loves us, and inexpressible joy.

When was the last time I meditated on God’s mercy? It is His hallmark, the source of His work on our behalf and His involvement in our lives. It is the lens through which He looks upon us, and the filter through which He orders every difficulty. (Psalm 86:14-15; 145:8-9)

And by His grace, it will identify the way we strike out, move forward, look ahead, and interact with others every day. Where is mercy’s evidence in my speech and behavior? How has it affected my perspective toward trials and judgment of those who wrong me? How does it shape my responses to and prayers for the lost? How will I become a conduit for Christ’s great mercy to those who need it most? (Lamentations 3:22-23; Matthew 5:7; Luke 6:36; Ephesians 4:32; James 2:13)

“Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount I’m fixed upon it
mount of God’s redeeming love.” ~Robert Robinson (1758)

Lord, as one who, by Your mercy, is chosen, royal, and holy, Your possession, may I ever proclaim Your excellencies to the praise of Your infinite, indescribable worth. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:13-18

“Get wisdom; get insight;
    do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
    love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
    and whatever you get, get insight.” Proverbs 4:5-7

Most would not say that jealousy or conceit in itself describes wisdom, yet much of what is promoted or passed as worldly wisdom today finds its roots there. Inflated view of self begets rants, opinions, and pronouncements that are a far cry from godly wisdom. Thinking from this dark earth has little resemblance to wisdom from heaven.

For the Christian, wisdom from above is just that: it has its foundation on a different and higher plane than what is puffed and strutted out by the world. As God’s thoughts and ways are far above ours, so His wisdom both comes from, and resides in, the heavenlies where He reigns in righteous splendor. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

How do we attain it? We must train ourselves to seek God’s wisdom in the recesses of His word through regular, focused reading. In earnest, adoring, surrendered prayer, ask for it, with genuine desire and willingness to procure. Then cultivate it by guarding purity of thought and practice. Exercise gentleness as a fruit of the Spirit, and be open to reason, approaching discussions with civility and Bible study with a teachable mind. Practice mercy, generosity, and compassion, looking upon and loving others as Christ does. Implementing what we know forges truth, understanding, and wise ways deep into our habits. (Psalm 119:9; Luke 6:38; Galatians 5:22-23; James 1:5; 1 John 3:2-3)

The Lord makes available His word and Spirit, but we must search as for treasure and yield wholly to their fill. We have not because we ask not, and apply not. Godly wisdom stands out in our day, and may not be popular, but its benefits are innumerable and protections broad. (Proverbs 2:1-15; Ephesians 5:18b; James 4:2b)

What steps will we take to put away vile practices forever, and replace earthly and unspiritual influences with those from above? How will we cultivate a scriptural mindset? Do we value godly wisdom enough to make necessary changes to attain it?

“Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of your holy word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness…
Cause our faith to rise
Cause our eyes to see,
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of power that can never fail;
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.” ~Keith Getty and Stuart Townend (2018)

Good Father, may I daily seek and practice Your wisdom from above, and so make a heavenly difference here below.

“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:

‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

‘Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.

‘Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

‘Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!  Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.'” Luke 6:20-23

Jesus spent his days with individuals and crowds, teaching and healing and taking advantage of every moment of public ministry to display the works of God. But His special attention was to His chosen twelve, and removing Himself from the crowds, He lifted his eyes on them and blessed them. It started with a knowing look, seeing them inside and knowing their thoughts and needs, then looking to heaven from where all blessings flow. The beatitudes He then pronounced in turn lifted His beloved disciples from pressing concerns to heavenly joys in a buoyancy of benevolent care and favor.

We have opportunity everyday to see those God has put around us, or to turn a blind eye. God in His providence has particularly assigned individuals to our sphere in the world, and enlists us to make a difference as His servants. Their burdens of heart and reality are heavy, and not so unlike ours. If they know not Christ, the cloud of present ills may be suffocating, and the despair of a dark or uncertain future unbearable. They are ripe for a look of love, and a look above. The compassion we offer and the words we speak may be the only refreshment they receive. We never know how God will use His truth to plant seeds of hope, or to penetrating fears and doubts with light, but we can trust it will not return void. (Isaiah 49:1-3; 55:10-11)

What do we actually know about the people with whom we work, or among whom we live? Do we take the time and attention to stop, look them in the eye, ask questions in love and interest? Have we let assumptions build walls between us? Do we retreat from differing views to our safe comfy places, or are we prepared and willing to connect with their experience and relate to their souls? How could we, this day, look into, then up, to give out a blessing to people we know? (Romans 12:9-16)

“Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.

Tell the sweet story of Christ and his love,
Tell of his pow’r to forgive;
Others will trust him if only you prove
True, ev’ry moment you live.

Give as ’twas given to you in your need,
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed,
Unto your mission be true.

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray.
Make me a blessing to someone today.” ~Ira B. Wilson (1909)

Lord, keep my eyes and hands lifted to bless others in Your name.