It's Your Turn

Today is the first entry for year number four of my weekly e-mail devotional, "Tuesday's with Jesus". Over the past three years, you have graciously and lovingly let me share my thoughts with you each week. I've heard from some of you faithfully about what a particular "Tuesday's" spoke to your heart. Others are occasional repliers, and some of you silently take it in without a response. Today, I'm feeling a little daring and want to mix things up a bit. Let me explain...

I know that I know that I know, that God doesn't just speak to me. Over the years He has spoken a word or two to you as well. And He's most likely speaking to you presently, during these hazy days of summer. I care deeply about each one of you, really I do. You are so important to me and I have considered it such a God given privilege to bring God's Word before you each and every week. But now...here it comes... brace yourself...I want to hear from you...that's right...you. And here's how I propose we do it...

During the next few days, think about what God has been speaking to your heart recently. It may be something from a series of sermons at your church. It may be something He's giving you in your daily quiet time with Him...Oh, how I hope you're taking that time! Maybe something in a devotional book you're reading that is penetrating the deep parts of your spirit, or in a Bible study that you're doing. Or perhaps you're going through a time of heartbreak or loss or emotional upheaval and God is ministering to you in some special way. Would you be willing to share whatever Word your Father is giving you with the likes of all of us?

Here's what I'd like you to do: Now that you're on the blog, click on the comment bar after the post and share briefly what God is speaking to you. There are a good many of you receiving "Tuesday's", so keep it to one or two paragraphs so we can read them all. Maybe it's just a word like "surrender" or "simplify" or "trust". Give your word and take a few lines to explain. It's that simple. And if you've never "blogged" before, just follow the instructions and you won't go wrong. Then check back often to read the replies for yourself.

I think that we all have something to share with each other and we are commanded in Scripture to encourage one another. Who knows? Perhaps God will sovereignly work through this simple act of sharing and speak a word in due season to another precious brother or sister in the Lord. That's what it's all about. We could all use a word of encouragement every now and then, don't you think?

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give us a spirit of unity among ourselves as we follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth we may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15: 5-6) I'm so glad you're here and I can't wait to hear from you!!

In His Eyes

Today we had the pleasure of attending the renewing of wedding vows for friends of ours from church who have been married for 30 years. First of all, 30 years is a long, long time to share a life with one person. In light of the state of our present world, dare I say that what we witnessed today was nothing short of a miracle? God's grace on glorious display right before our very eyes!

But what I want to write about today is the groom. Yes, the groom. Bridezilla would have us believe that wedding days and vow renewals are All About Her!, but I was taken with the groom. So was my friend sitting behind me. We were anxious to see Rita and how she would look when she walked down the aisle. But we both agreed that there is nothing like watching the face of the groom when he first lays eyes on his bride walking through the door.

It was like watching a tennis match. Glance at the door. Glance at the groom. Glance at the bride (of 30 years) coming down the aisle. Glance at the groom again. And we were not disappointed. We saw the sweetest smile come across his face when he caught a glimpse of his wife in the doorway. That smile gave way to eyes that sparkled with just the slightest hint of tears. A quiet whisper in the pastor's ear. I wish I knew what he said. Maybe that she looked even more beautiful today than 30 years ago. Maybe that he'd do it all again in a hot second. Maybe that he wouldn't have missed her for the world.

Did you know that every time Jesus Christ, your Bridegroom, looks at you, He thinks those same things? He remembers where you were and exactly what you looked like the day He found you. He remembers the day you made your vow to follow Him forever. And He thinks you're infinitely more beautiful today than you were all those years ago. That's because you radiate the beauty of His Holy Spirit.

He has no regrets about choosing you to be His bride. He'd do it all over again in a hot second. For better or worse. For richer or poorer. In sickness and in health. Through laughter and tears. Until death and in eternity beyond. He would choose you over and over again.

Every time He sees you coming to spend time with Him ... Each time He hears your voice ... In each moment of joy when you praise Him, and in each dark night, full of tears. His eyes fix on you, His beloved Bride, and a smile comes across His face. His eyes well up and sparkle with happy tears. In Those eyes, you are the most beautiful woman in the world. He turns and whispers to His Father, "I wouldn't have missed her for the world!"

Take Proper Care

Isn't that the most amazing basket of petunias you ever did see? Chuck and I found them at a farmer's market this past Saturday, and every last one of them looked just like that. I asked the vendor what in the world he did to make them grow like that. He said, "I feed 'em and I water 'em." He said they should be pruned and that they love the sun."

Don't you just want to grow into the most amazing spectacle of color and beauty for your Lord, Jesus Christ? Feed on the Word every day. Drink from the Living Water that the Holy Spirit gives. Allow yourself to be pruned so that the dead areas in your life will be replaced by fresh, new growth. And by all means...Love the Son!!

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." (John 15:1)