Jesus Calling

“And He (Jesus) went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach…”-Mark 3:13, 14

“Come to Me (Jesus), all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”-Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst…the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”-John 6:35, 37

David prayed, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.”-Psalm 16:11; Psalm 63:3

How often do we run to other things to try and satisfy the deep longings in our soul that can only be satisfied in fellowship with the Lord Jesus?! Often the Lord will allow heartache or some type of trial into our life to draw us into a deeper, closer walk with Him, as seen in the words of the following poem.

"I bare you on eagle's wings, and brought you unto myself" (Exod. 19:4).

Fearing to launch on "full surrender's" tide,
      I asked the Lord where would its waters glide
      My little bark, "To troubled seas I dread?"
      "Unto Myself," He said.

Weeping beside an open grave I stood,
      In bitterness of soul I cried to God:
      "Where leads this path of sorrow that I tread?"
      "Unto Myself," He said.

Striving for souls, I loved the work too well;
      Then disappointments came; I could not tell
      The reason, till He said, "I am thine all;
      Unto Myself I call."

Watching my heroes--those I loved the best--
      I saw them fail; they could not stand the test,
      Even by this the Lord, through tears not few,
      Unto Himself me drew.

Unto Himself! No earthly tongue can tell
      The bliss I find, since in His heart I dwell;
      The things that charmed me once seem all as naught;
      Unto Himself I'm brought.
      -selected

Upon recognizing the great love of our God, and His desire to lavish that love upon us as His children, may our hearts echo the words of the following Hymn writer.

HIMSELF
     by A. B. Simpson
Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word.
Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.

Once 'twas painful trying, Now 'tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost.
Once 'twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast;
Once 'twas constant drifting, Now my anchor's cast.

Once 'twas busy planning, Now 'tis trustful prayer;
Once 'twas anxious caring, Now He has the care.
Once 'twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says;
Once 'twas constant asking, Now 'tis ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working, His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me.
Once the power I wanted, Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He's mine;
Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine.
Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored, Safe within the veil.

 

 

Whispers from God to a hungry heart

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6b (NIV)

I heard the whisper of God in, of all places, a nail salon. I was a young aspiring actor who’d come to Los Angeles with a dream. I barely knew myself and certainly didn’t know God. To pay my bills I worked jobs I despised, hearing they might help me in the entertainment world. But I soon discovered it was far from satisfying. I was living alone and terribly lonely. There had to be something more in life — something better. In the absence of meaningful relationships, I craved food, having struggled with an eating disorder for years. I’d sit at home alone, watch TV and eat. I began to gain weight and then dove into reading hundreds of self-help books on health and wholeness, motivation, well-being and alternative medicine. Still, I felt empty. I craved something more than fun, diversion and health … more than celebrity. But what? Looking back, I see my inner hunger drove me to search for ways to fill myself, but none of them worked. Soul hunger or not, a girl can’t live in Los Angeles without getting her nails done — especially a wannabe actor. So I religiously took my place in a chair at the nail salon. As I sat there, I read a Ladies Home Journal article which outlined a healthy eating plan with a spiritual understanding of our bodies and innermost person. The program incorporated daily prayer, confession, and — of all things — Bible reading. Something stirred in me. The article pulled back the curtain to peer deep into my soul, where my hunger originated. I knew I was reading truth. Daily, I began to keep a journal, pray and read Bible verses — all completely new to me. As I did, I felt a deep awakening in my heart, and power was flowing into me. One day, I started to panic about my upcoming car payment. My first instinct kicked in — I bolted to grab something sweet. Suddenly, I stopped and prayed, “God, if this prayer stuff really works, then I’m coming to You first.” The urge to eat passed. Within a day, a check arrived for a small job I’d recently done. Car payment covered! Whoa. There really was something to this spiritual stuff. Through prayer and Bible reading, I began to understand how empty my heart felt for the first time. I was hungry to be filled. Eventually, I got up my nerve and showed up to a local church small group. Most of the women there knew a lot more about God and the Bible than I did, but to my amazement, they were kind and welcomed me; I knew I’d be back. I’d never sat in a circle and had people actually pray for me. Tears ran down my cheeks. Their prayers made me feel cared for and encouraged, as if I mattered personally to them and to God. Wanting to contribute to the group, I started to read my Bible more. From reading, I finally realized I was hearing the whispers of God. God was accomplishing His purposes in me and whispering His love through two powerful means: His Word and His people. God had begun “a good work” in me and I knew He would “carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6b). Today, I treasure those memories as major milestones on my faith journey. Far before I knew God, He knew me and loved me. He placed His word in my life at a nail salon and then sent me to the dear ladies at church to sow seeds of faith into my life — seeds that have grown into a vibrant personal friendship with God and that continue to grow ever-deeper roots. Dear Lord, thank You for beginning Your good work in our lives and using Your Word and Your people to complete it. Stir our hunger for Your Word and stir our thirst for fellowship with others who carry Your love into our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. -Andrea Logan White (Proverbs 31 Ministries)

Loneliness

She was waiting for a procedure, and constantly checking her phone to see if anyone of her friends or family cared about her at that moment. Ever been there? I was her nurse. That very morning I had sent out a text message (as I normally do) to most of my contacts. It read, Good morning! Do you need a friend? Proverbs 18:24 tells us there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. His name is JESUS! “What a friend we have in JESUS, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!” My heart went out to her! I proceeded to tell her about my friend, my constant companion, the One who when, “Other helpers fail, and comforts flee, HE still abides with me!”

Whether you are single, widowed, divorced, or married and feeling alone, there is One who will never leave you or forsake you if you are His child. Do you know Him? My prayer for you dear one, is that you will reach out by faith to the One who has given you life. He is waiting for your call, and is always ready to answer! If you seek Him, He will be found of you! Hear the words of the Lord Jesus Himself, “…the one who comes to ME I will by no means cast out.” (John 6:37) Oh how HE loves!

 

One there is above all others,

Oh, how He loves!

His is love beyond a brother’s,

Oh, how He loves!

Earthly friends may fail or leave us,

One day soothe,

the next day grieve us;

But this Friend will ne’er deceive us:

Oh, how He loves!

-John Newton

 

 

Contentment

 Contentment is found in a person. His name is JESUS.

"I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content." (Philippians 4:11)

Be content with such things as you have, for he has promised, "I will never leave you nor for sake you!" (Hebrews 13:5)

 Friend, if you have JESUS, you have everything you need!

 

A Woman named Dorcas

At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. (Acts 9:36-42)

The above passage doesn’t tell us of her marital status. She may have been single. What stood out to me about this woman though, was how she used her time to serve others. As singles, it’s easy to become self-focused and complain about the circumstances we find ourselves in. What would it be like if we turned our focus outward to be a blessing to others?

I heard this quote, “When you were born, you were crying, and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life, so when it comes time to die, you are smiling, and everyone around you is crying.” I like that about Dorcas. I want to have the same testimony when it comes time for me to say good-bye.

“Others Lord, yes others! Let this my motto be! Help me to live for others, that I might live like Thee!”

                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                           -Jenny McKenzie