2/12/2026
Starting each morning with worship lifts my spirit and always encourages my day. Lately, there have been some mornings when I open my eyes, I sigh, not wanting to begin a new day. I've had so many things pressing on my mind, and I just can't think straight. It's exhausting. Immediately, I repent, thanking God for good sleep, rest, and waking up to the new day He has given me. I repeat Psalm 118:24, "This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Those words and the prayers that follow are enough to brighten my day, but when I put on worship music and pick up my Bible, that's when my real day begins. Although I've had a lot on my plate lately, I have not forgotten who makes all things possible, the Author and Perfecter of my faith! As I am writing these words, the song Amazing Grace is playing, and I think "How like You, Father!" His grace is amazing, that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I'm found, and I was blind, but now, thank God, I see!
The little devotional I received from Guidepost Magazine in the mail is obviously for caregivers who are taking care of loved ones who are more senior than I am, but they do remind me of the sweet people I provided care for when I was a home health caregiver. I really enjoyed helping people, even when it could be uncomfortable at times. I've met so many wonderful family members and dedicated non-family members who selflessly give of their time and rapt attention to those they love. When we give of ourselves to others, we are the ones who receive the greater blessing, I feel. We all have gifts and callings God has given to us, and knowing where we fit in His plan for mankind is what makes things as they should be.
I was watching one of my favorite movies, Ragamuffin, about the life of Rich Mullins, as I love to re-visit old friends to glean wisdom and fresh revelation. Each time I watch this movie, watching the intense struggle Rich had in trying to find peace and fulfillment in his life, it helps me as I try to encourage others who may be going through similar challenges or struggles. Rich was an amazing talent, and although he may have been criticized for his talking at concerts more than singing, I don't think anyone minded one bit. It's rare to receive such insight from an artist who was only interested in pleasing God rather than man. When he was asked how he came to faith in Jesus, he made the following statement:
"I'm not a Christian because of a song I heard or a book I read, much as I love to read. I came to experience the realness of Christ through going to church. I'm not a Christian because somebody explained the nuts and bolts of Christianity to me, but because people were willing to be the nuts and bolts."
I know that in my life, it was by the actions of others in the church that I learned what true Christianity, being a true follower of Jesus Christ, was all about. I also learned that to be His disciple we are to be servants to all. The example He set was that of someone who preferred others to Himself. This is why He told His followers that they would be known by their love for one another. I wonder if the younger generation is desirous of seeing true love witnessed through our behavior to others. I know that they want to see truth, and not in our words so much as in our actions. Right now, much of the confusion has been so meticulously planned out and planted into the hearts of these impressionable young people by sinister hosts of darkness working in our world, that they don't know who to believe. The devil comes as an angel of light, weaving his deceit, and many are falling for the lie. Where are the nuts and bolts of the church today?
I have experienced my own share of frustration with the organized church, but that's not as important to me. What is important is that we wake up and do better, as many lives are at stake. Confusion regarding Israel and her place in the end time church is not being explained, and this is the case mostly because of the ignorance in the church. Again, a sign of the times about which Jesus taught. This is an exhaustive subject, and I have already spent much time trying to clarify it, but tonight I don't want to gum up the works, so to speak. I would like to see more hunger for the things of God, just like Rich. In response to a question posed to the church by the pastor one evening where Rich was ministering, "Would Christ be pleased with your life?" Rich was silent, considering the question, then spoke saying that being a Christian wasn't about perfection. He felt that the most profound words of teaching were: "Yes, Jesus loves me; yes, Jesus loves me...." I agree, but I would also add the words "For God so loved the world that He gave...." Without the mandate from heaven, Jesus would not have responded to this sinful situation for all mankind. But, as the scripture says in Hebrews 12:1-2: "Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
The joy set before Him of entering His glory, giving His life for ours, reconciling us with our Father in Heaven. When we decide to follow Jesus, He tells us the requirement is to being His disciples is "let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23). Jesus never promised easy, but He promised He'd always be with us. And He is true to His word. In Paul's letter to the church at Philippi in Philippians 3:12-14 he said:
"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
He continued his thoughts in verses 20-21:
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself."
Let me close with the words of a faithful friend, found in an old hymn:
"All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. I surrender all, I surrender all; all to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender, Make me, Savior, wholly Thine; let me feel the Holy Spirit. Truly know that Thou art mine. I surrender all, I surrender all; all to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee; fill me with Thy love and power, let Thy blessing fall on me. I surrender all, I surrender all; all to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all."
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