WAITING ROOMS: Waiting for the Commission (devotion)

by Donna Arkell

Waiting for the Commission – Lord Send Me

 

Devotion:

The shopping cart goes flying as the wind gusts and it crashes into an unsuspecting vehicle.  Why doesn’t someone put those away?  Trash-lined sidewalk renders the scene unkempt.  Why doesn’t someone tend to that?  Windblown hair in a ragamuffin’s face, chocolate milk staining the corner of an adolescent mouth in a village with no name, a town around the corner, a family down the street.  Why doesn’t someone care?  Slow and aged, struggling with too many packages, counting change in the check out line.  Why doesn’t someone help?

 

On bended knee we take our pose – face to the ground in submission to the author of our calling.  Life’s not fair, we cry in despair only to be reminded that the promise did not include fairness or ease.  Heal me Lord, we shout with vigor; change my heart we plead as we go our own way once again, ignoring the very thing that brings the change.  Blinded eyes fail to see, ears refuse to hear, and hearts, calloused and hardened by selfishness stand face to face with God unable to understand.

 

Inadequate, we stare, we wait.  Row upon row we sit in comfort as the word comes forth and rolls over us, seeking a heart softened by the Spirit’s gentle nudge.  The story told, the commission presented, the need evident.  Who will help?  Who will serve? Who will go? 

 

With sweaty palms and pounding heart, the light of understanding dawns, the callous softens and we whisper in a voice unrecognizable, as the seed of obedience takes root… “send me”.    Send Me!  In the answer of obedience our hearts turn, our eyes open, our ears hear and the light of God’s presence brings healing. 

Our series on Waiting Rooms concludes this Friday. Our online devotions resume on June 3rd.

In the meantime...

Join us at Hope on Mondays, April 8 & 15 at 6:30pm or Wednesdays April 10 & 17 at 9:30am for a life changing message from Beth Moore on "The Power of Words."

You are also invited to join our new Women's Sunday School class meeting in Room 223 beginning on April 21 at 9:30am as we study Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break, by Kelly Minter.

 

 

 

 

WAITING ROOMS: Waiting for Approval (devotion)

by Donna Arkell

Waiting for the Approval of Others - God, I want to please you.

Devotion:

The project submitted, the work done, the call answered… and we wait.  And we wonder while we wait, what are their expectations?  Will we measure up to their projections of who they want us to be?  And we wonder while we wait, is who we are enough when the task is laid out in front of us, the goal another’s dream.  And we wonder while we wait, for the nod of approval the smile of acceptance, the high five of a job well done.  And we wonder while we wait, why the look of disappointment when we’ve given it our all, when we fail against the plumb line of achievement.  And we wonder while we wait why it is that we work so hard to please another when we will never measure up against the perfection they desire that only Christ has achieved.  And we wonder while we wait, will we meet God with wounded pride and unmet expectations hanging in the air or will He see us for who our desire is to be?  Will we hear the sweet words of well done?  Will our ragged edges of the need to please make any difference when our earthly judges slip silently away and the King beholds His servant? 

 

Scripture:

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."  Galatians 1:10 (NIV)

Our series on Waiting Rooms concludes this Friday. Our online devotions resume on June 3rd.

In the meantime...

Join us at Hope on Mondays, April 8 & 15 at 6:30pm or Wednesdays April 10 & 17 at 9:30am for a life changing message from Beth Moore on "The Power of Words."

You are also invited to join our new Women's Sunday School class meeting in Room 223 beginning on April 21 at 9:30am as we study Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break, by Kelly Minter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAITING ROOMS: Waiting to Give (devotion)

by Donna Arkell

Waiting to Give – Lord help me to release my grip

 

Devotion:

Folded hands and grateful hearts rejoice in the blessings of heaven while treasures remain stored beneath shelves of dust and closets overflowing with yesterday’s must haves.  The choir sings to nameless faces as angel voices hide behind fearful bars of ivory.  Endless novels stacked unread on bedside tables, a gentle reminder of the frustration of illiteracy in someone else’s neighborhood.    Purses stowed outside of grasp while the basket of invitation beacons to be filled.   

Treasure chest wide open, we gaze into its depths and find a challenge to step in, take hold of the riches there, and give them all away.  May we find within the box wisdom and knowledge that we may be like Solomon and receive also wealth, possessions and honor.  May we grasp tightly to the reigns of opportunity to empty its contents quickly to anyone who should ask, without reserve, that our own generosity may be multiplied.  May we no longer wait in hopes that tomorrow we will be able to part with the idols we so dearly cherish.  Instead, may we trust in the Giver of all good things to take our meager faith and multiply our gifts into the lives of others.  Talents, time, love and money all belong to God.  An empty chest tells the tale of generosity as only in its emptiness can we continue to receive – pressed down, shaken together and running over, pouring into our laps. 

 

Scripture:

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." 

Luke 6:38 (NIV)

Our series on Waiting Rooms concludes this Friday. Our online devotions resume on June 3rd.

In the meantime...

Join us at Hope on Mondays, April 8 & 15 at 6:30pm or Wednesdays April 10 & 17 at 9:30am for a life changing message from Beth Moore on "The Power of Words."

You are also invited to join our new Women's Sunday School class meeting in Room 223 beginning on April 21 at 9:30am as we study Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break, by Kelly Minter.

 

 

                      

 

 

 

WAITING ROOMS: Waiting to Succeed (devotion)

by Donna Arkell

Waiting to Succeed - Running the race with endurance.

Devotion:

The call has come, the gift bestowed, the vision seen, the course set.  Be this, do that, go here or there.  But time ticks on and the door of opportunity remains unopened.  Hone your craft, develop your skill, for God does not call the equipped, but equips the called.  The ax must be sharpened before it cuts and so skill must be developed before it brings success.  After years of training, hours of practice, working to be proficient for one moment of glory, the crowd cheers, the athlete strains at the starting line – fully prepared to win.  We expect to run when we have not yet learned to walk, to eat when we are still nursing the milk of youth.  Practice makes permanent and yet we refuse to learn the proper way, to allow the words of truth to sharpen us.  Thinking we can skip the distance, the discipline and the mundane of practice and move straight into the arena of success, we run ahead of the Trainer, tripping on our own inadequacies and forcing blame on circumstance.  Pride is our master there and he calls with a silver tongue – enticing us into greatness before we are ready - holding before us a prize that is only temporary. And we stumble over its fleeting promise of victory.

Bruised and wiser, we go back again to the starting line, one toe over the edge, determined to wait, to practice, to listen for the voice of the One who calls.  Fully equipped we run this time with endurance, with strength to the finish line and wear the crown of success that can only be granted by the King.

Scripture:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Hebrews 12: 1-3 (NIV)

Our series on Waiting Rooms concludes this Friday.  Our online devotions resume on June 3rd.

In the meantime...

Join us at Hope on Mondays, April 8 & 15 at 6:30pm or Wednesdays April 10 & 17 at 9:30am for a life changing message from Beth Moore on "The Power of Words." 

You are also invited to join our new Women's Sunday School class meeting in Room 223 beginning on April 21 at 9:30am as we study Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break, by Kelly Minter. 

WAITING ROOMS: Waiting Room of Pain (Devotion)

by Donna Arkell

I can't fix it; I need relief


Fever spiking, chemo ravaging, memories dying.  On our knees in intercession, we continue to plead with the great Jehovah Rapha for relief.  Temporary relief just for now, just for today, tonight, this hour.  Relief to go to a place of exhausted sleep where even dreams can't penetrate.  Relief is our cry.  Relief for the ones who wait, relief for the one we love, the one suffering.  In the moans that have no words we plead with God. If this, then that; let it be quick Lord...the relief, the healing. Always praying for quick, for fast, for now, when the ultimate plan of God requires time.  Time to grow, to learn, to trust and ultimately to rest, not in the act of relief, but rest in waiting for the relief we know will eventually come. 

WAITING ROOMS: Waiting Room of Unforgiveness (prayer)

prayer pattern by Mary Ann Ruff

I've been wronged; I need to forgive

Scripture:

"If we freely admit that we have sinned, we find God utterly reliable and straightforward - He forgives our sins and makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil.”  1 John 1:9 (Phillips)

 

Ponder:

To confess means to say the same thing about our sin that God does.

Pray:

Father, I admit my sin to you and claim your promise to thoroughly cleanse me and completely forgive me.  Give me the joy of a clear conscience and the freedom of knowing my sin has been dealt with.

Response:

Read 1 John 1:9 again and think about the word “clean”.  When God forgives your sins there are no skeletons in your closet that someone can point a finger at because it’s been dealt with by God and it’s been wiped out.  Apply the word “clean” to your situation and walk in freedom today with the joy of a clear conscience.

 

 This week's Devotion, along with each day's Scripture and Prayer,

are all available from the blog archive to the right.

 

 

 

 

WAITING ROOMS: Waiting Room of Unforgiveness (prayer)

prayer pattern by Mary Ann Ruff

I've been wronged; I need to forgive

Scripture:

“See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble and by it many be defiled.”  Hebrews 12:15 (NASB)

 

Ponder:

Satan empowers a bitter believer but the Holy Spirit enables the believer because He lives in and through us.  Get rid of all bitterness.  If you don’t choose forgiveness or if you don’t choose at all, you will be bitter.

Prayer:

Father, I choose to forgive the person who has hurt me.  Enable me through the power of the Holy Spirit to get rid of all bitterness.

Response:

What do you do with the bitterness? Dig up the roots with the shovel of forgiveness.  Forgiveness is not denying or diminishing the sin because it was bad enough for God to die for it.  Forgiveness is a decision and a process and may include added opportunities to forgive in the process. Never forget that God chooses to interact with us based on Christ’s death on the Cross.  

 

This week's Devotion, along with each day's Scripture and Prayer,

are all available from the blog archive to the right.