Your Actions are Weighed

I woke up with a word upon my heart today. That word was action. When I looked it up in my Bible, it took me to 1 Samuel 2:3, which says, “Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.”

Did you catch that last part? It didn’t say that our actions are measured by man or by the world. The Bible says our actions are weighed by Him.

Over the weekend I attended a Bible Study that expounded on the Last Supper. We talked about self-examination. When thinking about this verse and then self-examination, I couldn’t help but wonder if I come across as arrogant. Are things I’m saying or doing coming across as proud? If they are, God certainly isn’t getting any glory from it.

The more I thought about this verse, the deeper I wanted to go into that word action. I looked in the concordance. The word actions in 1 Samuel 2:3 comes from “the sense of effecting; an exploit (of God), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense”. It also mentions the words “deed, doing, invention, occasion, and work”.

Wow, a performance! I don’t know about you, but I can think of a couple people off of the top of my head who seem to be constantly putting on a performance. Oftentimes it seems like they just do things to be seen, to get recognition, etc. That isn’t what God wants though. That doesn’t please Him. Our actions shouldn’t be a performance for others, and our actions shouldn’t be to draw attention to us. Our actions should be works and deeds for the kingdom and glory of God. Everything else is meaningless. I suppose that is harsh, but it is reality.

So, in closing, the next time you do something, question why you are doing it. Are you doing it for God? Are you doing it because others are watching? Are you doing it to receive praise? Do you even know why you’re doing what you’re doing? It’s something to think about. I know that it often feels like you are being judged by the entire world. Just remember that isn’t really the case. In the end, it is by God and God alone that your actions are weighed.

A visit with Moses

Okay, this isn't much, but I know Moses has captured many of your hearts; just as he has captured mine. Here is what I know. Gracie went to Tegucigalpa Monday to IHNFA to see Moses. She and Carol Treder-Mallasch of Arrow Ministries in Honduras (See http://mallaschmeditations.wordpress.com/ for more info on that ministry) met with the director of IHNFA, the doctor, and several other officials. While there they also met with the sister of the first lady of Honduras.

Here they are from left to right: The sister of the first lady of Honduras, Gracie, Carol, and baby Moses.

Just to clarify, Moses is still in IHNFA. Pray that whatever tests and proper procedures get done quickly, so Moses can be brought to the mission where he will be loved and adored! God Bless!

Moses

What a blessed week this has been. God has been better to me than I deserve. So much better than I deserve! Thursday evening I got on Facebook to see the latest posts. I saw a post that really blessed me. It was a post by Gracie. This is what it said: “God is blessing us with a 6 month old baby named Moses. (Moises in Spanish) This is a very special case. He is in IHNFA and nobody wants him because he is dying of cancer. We do not know how much time we will have with him before he goes home to the Lord. But each minute he is going to be loved outrageously. Will report when he comes. Has to have one more test first.”

My response was, “Amen, Gracie! Love Love Love! That's what it's all about!” Within two minutes, Gracie called from Honduras. She was/is so excited about this precious baby boy; as am I. I so wish I could be in Honduras to be a part of this gift from God. She explained to me how no one wants this baby. IHNFA has tried to find a home for this baby. They have tried Honduras families, American families in Honduras, etc. No one wants him because he is an inoperable tumor and is dying. Gracie has been told that this 6 month old sits alone all day in IHNFA without receiving any attention or love. When Gracie’s friends heard about him they immediately sought to find placement for him. Apparently this precious little guy is very responsive when he receives attention. Below are some photos that Gracie emailed me this morning.

Part of what really blessed me is when Gracie asked Cindy and Karla about what they thought about bringing Moses to the mission. The mission is meant to be a place for girls and their babies, not just babies. Both girls agreed though that Jesus had rescued them and brought them there. Jesus had rescued them and loved them. They had to help do the same for little Moses. What a blessing!

Gracie is going to Tegucigalpa Monday morning to see Moses. They will do some paperwork and hopefully be able to bring him home to the mission next week. We have no idea how long he will live, but it doesn’t ultimately matter. He is in God’s hands and he is a blessing. Until he goes home to the Lord, he is going to be cared for and loved tremendously. Oh, how I wish I could be there!  Please keep, Gracie, Lee, Cindy, Karla, Alejandro, and baby Moses in your prayers. 

 

John 15:12 says, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” I think taking this precious baby is a perfect example of keeping this commandment! So often, people don’t want babies that aren’t healthy or “perfect”. It’s so sad. Praise God that His love isn’t like that! His love is perfect and unfailing. He sees past our physical appearance and our disabilities. He is our encourager. He is our strength and our hope. Praise God for His unfailing love!

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” ~ 1 John 4:16-18

Speak Boldly!

I've had something on my heart the past few days that I want to share it.. I ran across Ephesians 6:19 over the weekend and it really convicted my heart. The scripture says, "And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel".

That word boldly really caught my attention, so I looked it up in the concordance. It comes from the Greek word parrhēsia. It means to have confidence, be out-spoken, to be able to speak publically, freely, openly, and plainly. I think we all know that I'm not out-spoken and that speaking boldly is not in my repertoire!

I suppose it sounds dumb, but I want to be able to speak boldly. I've always shied away from speaking on the phone simply because I falter when I speak. I am not well- versed at all, and I know it. Even in person, I get extremely nervous speaking. I get nervous just talking to friends and family. I will think one thing and say another. Half the time, I'll go back and apologize and say what I really meant to say. I know that sounds silly. Usually my brain has half a dozen things going on at once, and what comes out of my mouth just isn't what I had hoped for, lol; especially when it comes to any sort of public speaking!

Here is where my heart is really at though. I desire to be able to speak boldly for Christ! I want to be able to open up my Bible or an evangecube in Rwanda and talk about the saving grace of God. I want to be ready and willing at any given moment to share what God has done for me and my life (at any time and in any place). I want to be prepared. I want to be ready, so when the spirit moves my mouth will open, and I will boldly speak for Him!