No Respecter of Persons

For the Lord your God God is no respecter of persons! This is good news! I have found myself in an ongoing discussion about equal rights…actually special rights and benefits for those who seem to have the cards stacked against them…specifically affirmative action laws, entitlement programs, etc. As I thought about the many variations of views on the topic, I realized that you can’t please everyone. The more you try to, the more people you find who are not satisfied.

I personally believe that there should be no actions, laws or programs that give special benefits to people. Of course, the argument will inevitably be that without the help there will always be some who suffer from not having a fair chance due to these “cards” they were dealt in life.

I asked myself how God sees the whole issue and remembered that He is not a respecter of persons. Every single man and woman is on equal footing with God. It might not settle the debate of legislating special rights, but it’s comforting to know that in His kingdom, there truly are equal rights.

God has the same unconditional love for each and every one of us and will never play favorites with anyone for any reason. I love that. I love that it doesn’t matter what home you were born into, what culture you were raised in, or what time period or geographical location you happen to live in. It has nothing to do with your intelligence, how many years you’ve trained in a seminary, or how skillful you are at communicating with the Almighty. You could be a model citizen, or a criminal. You could fit the world’s mold of beauty or be completely disfigured. Got disabilities? It makes no difference to God. You don’t need any references. You don’t have to have your “i”s dotted or your “t”s crossed on an application. He makes Himself accessible for anyone at any time to come to Him just the way they are.

On the flip side, no one will get into the Kingdom as a result of their credentials or because they’ve had a much more difficult life and should get some sort of break. He does expect everyone to make their own effort to come to Him, and their own choice to follow Him. He gives every single individual a chance to accept His forgiveness after they humbly confess that they’re a sinner without giving excuses for their sin such as, “Well, it’s not my fault that I have so much anger in me. Just look at what’s happened in my life,” or, “I know I shouldn’t act this way, but this is just the way it is in my family, so I can’t help it.”

Bottom line, God gives everyone the choice to choose Him and make Him their Lord and Savior, but He expects them to make that choice by their own free will. He does not make it for them, and likewise, nobody can make the choice for anyone other than themselves. Everyone will stand before Him on their day of judgment…even the ones who don’t believe that they will.

What a wonderful aspect of God that He does not show partiality or favoritism to anyone. I may not live in a perfect world, and more and more it seems that the laws of my own country are further and further from what I’d like them to be. Don’t we all have certain inalienable rights endowed by our Creator such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Doesn’t that mean that the pursuit of happiness is a right given to us by God not by government? I suppose that we’ve strayed quite a bit from the original intent of our Founding Fathers in the area of rights. Progress in equal rights is good, but “special” rights go over and above what is necessary. Never the less, I’m only here for a little while. My eternity will be spent with a God who is equal and fair in all areas.

is God of gods and Lord of lords,

The great God, mighty and awesome,

who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.”

Deuteronomy 10:17

Amie Spruiell 4/8/2011

Psalm 23

Devotional for 4/8/11

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David

Amplified Bible

THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake. Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

Shared by Beverley A. Napier

Psalm 23

A David Psalm

Message Bible

God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I'm not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.  You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.

A Mommy Mind Game and “Rest for the Weary”

Devotional for 4/7/11

In my neck of the woods birds twitter all day long and pesky squirrels dash along fence tops teasing neighborhood dogs. Grass, flowers, and weeds: all signs of the winter’s end and a new season begun.

A fresh start is sometimes just the thing we (wives, mothers, friends, sisters, coworkers) need. I find I need it in my mind. Have you ever been in traffic, on your way to work, and pretended just for a moment that you were going someplace else? Perhaps you’ve looked around at an intersection with renewed interest instead of staring straight ahead because you’ve passed this way a thousand times?

When I was up to my waist in young children, diapers, laundry and dishes with no end in sight I was, to put it mildly, exhausted. While out running an errand, and stuck at another light, I started wishing I was anywhere but here. I was tired of my life, my home, my job, my routine! Yes, I was even tired of being a mother and a wife.

Then I asked myself, where would I go? I fondly pictured my grandmother’s neat little home and tidy kitchen. She would insist on feeding me. A smile slowly appeared on my face. I sighed as I looked about me with fresh eyes and imagined I was looking at streets in another town and state. All of a sudden the breeze felt fresher and the sun shined a little brighter. Yes, I was still running errands on a hot day in a busy suburb. But my mind had taken a mini vacation and my body had felt the refreshment of it for those few moments. I had tasted rest and it was good.

We could all use more refreshment but the kind that comes from a vacation or a weekend doesn’t last. Jesus knows what we need; we just need to ask for new energy with faith and confidence in Him

“I'll refresh tired bodies; I'll restore tired souls.”

Jeremiah 31:25

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Matthew 11:28-30

I desire to live freely and lightly. Walking the path God has laid out for me without whining, complaining, or feeling like I need a nap all the time. I will choose to keep company with Him by reading, thinking about, and loving His Word.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

"In His Time"

Wednesday, April 6, 2011 Devotional

There is a song I used to worship to awhile back, and the chorus went like this; In His time, in His time, He makes all things beautiful in His time. I find those words to be true in my life and others in many ways. For there have been many times in my life I have wanted to say to the Lord, "Can you fix this person or this situation right now Lord?" Wouldn't that make life just a bit easier if our Lord would do that "quick fix" every time we asked Him too? Fortunately for our good, our prayers are not always answered instantaneously.
Many times during our trials and tribulations,God has much He wants to show us. He wants to show us His ways and teach us some deep truths as we walk the process out with Him. He wants us to call out to Him and put our ear to His mouth, so we can hear His voice and allow Him to give us wisdom and understanding on what we need to do.


A portion of the scripture out of Micah 4:2 says "Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in his paths." God will be faithful to teach us His ways in every situation we face. And we can be assured that He will speak to our hearts and strengthen us along the way. We know God will take care of all things "In His Time."


Blessings,
Written by Sandy

THE MINISTRY OF SMILES

Monday, April 4, 2011 Devotional

Many Christians today do not have time to serve in formal church ministries. Sometimes they cannot find an organized ministry which is a good fit for them. However, we can all participate in what I call the "ministry of smiles." A long time ago I felt the Lord prompting me to make any contact I have with outside world a mission of love.


San Jose, California, where I reside, is a large sprawling metropolis. While touted as a relatively safe big city, my experience is that is short on friendliness and love. Simple shopping trips can be extremely stressful as you battle huge crowds in the stores and compete for precious parking spots in the lots and multistory garages. I pray for grace, patience and love on each marketing excursion. I make it a point to give an amiable smile whenever it is appropriate. I let others go ahead of me in grocery lines if they have a limited number of items to check. I refrain from participating in the grumbling and complaining which takes place by customers waiting their turn in line. I pray for and compliment new clerks who are "learning the ropes." I pick up and return to the shelves clothing etc. which others have dropped on the floor in department stores. I take advantage of any opportunity which presents itself to show kindness and love while I'm "out in the jungle." At the risk of sounding like a "goody two shoes" I just want to share what I feel the Lord has called me to do. I sense it is important to Him. I believe it grieves God's heart that people's lives are so overextended that they do not have time or the grace to be kind to one another.

It seems like a simple task but I think it has a great impact in changing the emotional and spiritual atmosphere around us. Who knows what problems a smile and simple courtesy may prevent in a congested store or parking lot. Negative emotions escalate easily especially in stressful situations. Some common kindness, pleasant words and peaceful body language can go a long way in bringing calm and even joy to a world in need of God's love.

There is a beautiful hymn written by Peter Scholtes called "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love." This song's title itself is an inspiration for "the ministry of smiles."

Written by CF

LIGHTED PATH

Sunday, April 3, 2011 Devotional

Have you ever stumbled around in the dark? I often get up before my husband, and so as not to awaken him, I do not turn on a light. I know my bedroom well enough to usually make it around a partial wall to the master bathroom without incident. However, if I am in an unfamiliar setting, I need at least a little light to guide me. It's amazing how the smallest little beam seems so much brighter in a pitch dark room!The same can be said for our life journey. Without God's guiding light we would be stumbling around in the dark, groping for some stable, sure object. And when life is darkest, His beam is even more vital, giving us that secure footing.


Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105 NIV

Just because he lights our path and guides our feet does not mean we understand where this particular course is going or why. Sometimes we never figure out the meaning of a certain part of our journey. We just trust that He knows what is best for our lives. But why does God shine a light on our path? It is not just to guide us on our way. It is also to guide OTHERS to Him. He guides us "for his name's sake":

...He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3 NIV


When others see our path and our faith, and how it guides and supports us through thick and thin, we pray they will be enlightened with the Savior's love just as we have been. May our lives be a reflection of Him, shining in the darkness.


The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Proverbs 4:18 NIV

"Lord, thank you for being a light shining in the darkness of my life. Help me to be a small reflection of your enormous love for the world, a conduit for your light leading others to your salvation." Amen
Written by Jan Andersen

THE EYE OF THE STORM

       Devotional for 4/2/11 

A blast of wind and swirling clouds

        The turmoil builds and the noise surmounts.

                              The pressure heightens till you cover your ears,

           But there’s so much noise that there’s nothing to hear.

Objects are spinning and thrown all about                   

                     Trees are uprooted and scattered throughout. Just when you think you can’t stand anymore

You find the calm in the eye of the storm.

There’s no denying the frenzy still surrounds,

But God’s Peace is our refuge and His Love is profound.

It’ll soon be time to again face the storm,

But for now, in His Presence you are safe from harm.

As you linger in the calm and find your rest

Realize you’re able to pass each test.

As you walk each day facing storms and uncertainty

                            Find Peace in the eye of the storm for eternity.

Linda Garrett

February, 2010

 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”