The Lord Hath Need of You

And they said, The Lord hath need of him. Luke 19:34

Friday is ladies' prayer meeting for the women of Gospel Lighthouse. For nearly thirty years, our ladies have met on Friday mornings and bombarded Heaven. Today we were praying for one of our precious young mothers, who had come to pray with us. It was apparent that the Lord is moving in her life in a new and fresh way. And that He wanted to use her to bring Jesus to her generation. Oh, the sweetness of the Lord's manifest presence! As we prayed, the words "The Lord hath need of him..." rang in my soul.

I'm sure you remember the familiar story found in the nineteenth chapter of Luke's gospel:

And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.

And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.

And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.

And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?

And they said, The Lord hath need of him.

And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.

And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

I've heard ministers thunder from the pulpit that God didn't need anyone or anybody. I think I might have even spoken those words myself. God forbid, but I think I have.

But I see in these Scriptures how Jesus needed a colt to accomplish what His Father wanted Him to do that day. He also needed two of his disciples to go and fetch the colt.

God has a divine plan for each one of us. He wants to use our homes, cars, kitchen tables, teacups, teapots, our very lives, everything we have to help reach others for Him.

The Lord has need of you today. May He use your hands filled with the love of Jesus to help mend a broken heart today.

Mom's Bible

I didn't really know what to expect when I signed up to review Mom's Bible, but I am delighted to report I love, love, LOVE this Bible. It is the New Century Version, which makes it easy to understand and tucked in the pages are inspirational devotionals. Our third daughter Beka just became a first-time mom and our oldest daughter Rachel is expecting a baby boy next month. I have already called our local Bible book store and placed my order for another copy of Mom's Bible. Motherhood is challenging enough and I believe God can use His Word and devotional in my daughters' lives to help shape the little ones in their lives. I can't say enough good about this Book. Thank you, Thomas Nelson for such quality literature.

Sins of the Spirit

The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. Luke 15:28a NLT

Lord, today I was hurt and angry. When the one who hurt me extended friendship, I responded coolly. I was justified. After what “she” said, I had a right to treat her that way. After all Your Word does say people will reap what they sow. Who does “she” think “she” is making such condescending statements? And you know, Lord, what Your Word teaches about pride. She just oozes with her uppity ways. I haven’t done anything to deserve her cruel comments. In the long run, distancing myself will teach her a valuable lesson! Her behavior is unacceptable. I refuse to reward such dysfunction. After all, her attitude doesn't bring honor to You. I certainly don’t want to enable her. I’ve settled it once and for all. I am right. No doubt about it. There is no need in discussing it further. I am positively... positively... positively miserable.

Why am I in such unrest, Lord? How is it possible that I can I be right and yet be so wrong?

In the depths of my soul, I discern “I” am part of the problem. “I” am like the prodigal son’s older brother, who wouldn’t go in because of his heart was diseased with anger and hurt. The Holy Spirit gives me a much-needed diagnosis -- sins of the spirit; a spiritual malady, which can render the patient powerless to love. Many times manifestations can be masked and difficult to detect, but only for a short time. Eventually, everyone will notice their lovelessness. If not given a biblical antidote of love and humility, the disease can spread to vital organs of the soul.

Symptoms include:
• Polite coolness when friendship is available
• Consumed with proving your point
• Touchiness, sensitivity
• Needing to persuade others to embrace your point of view
• Loving your opinions more than you love people


“Forgive me, Lord. I’ll righten my wrong. Life is too short for me to nurse this grudge. Help me to not be like the older brother and refuse a relationship. Help me respond in a way that brings glory and honor to You.”

Holy Deafness

But Jesus, not heeding the word spoken…. Mark 5:36

My friend hurt my feelings. She spread “her view from the pew” to several other friends. Her comments waltzed their way into my house and infuriated me. I was sure I had been fatally wounded. Falling to my knees I wailed, “Speak to me from Your Word.” I opened my Bible to the gospel of Mark.

“But Jesus, not heeding the word spoken…”

It was soul food. I knew I needed “holy deafness” or I would become part of the problem rather than part of the solution. I sat quietly and began to pray.

Lord, give me holy deafness when hurtful words are said. Help me to continue to be about my Father’s business and not be shipwrecked because of cruel comments that have pierced my soul. Help me to pray as You prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Sometimes, Lord, those You have called me to serve sting, and I find it difficult to wash their feet, but You, Master, washed Judas’ feet and called him, “Friend.” You knew, from the beginning, what was in his heart. Yet You humbled Yourself and ministered to him just hours before he would betray You.
I openly admit, Lord, that my heart sometimes resists and screams, “I can see through them.”

But You, Lord, plead with me, “See them through.”

My stubborn will resists. “I’m not budging an inch.”

But You, Lord, entreat me, “When they ask you to go one mile, go with them, two.”
I can go the second mile, as long as You go with me, Lord. You make the bitter sweet.

Lord, grant me holy deafness so I can obey Your Word. I’m in earnest when I say I want to be like You. I place Your cup to my lips, Lord, and I drink. I realize it’s the only way our world will ever come to know You. If You, Savior, live out Your life through Your children.

Lord, give us holy deafness to the careless conversations with those we come in contact with, but give us keen hearing to Your Holy Spirit.

He who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Happy Wife Happy Life

Jim and Cathy Burns have written a book filled with "timeless truths" in their new book "Closer."

This inspirational devotional for couples is overflowing with wisdom and practical advice intended to draw couples closer together. There is something about their "down to earth" simplicity, coupled with the longevity of their own marriage, that resonates pure authenticity on every page.

My favorite chapter "Reactions Speak Louder than Words" will forever stick to my marriage ribs!

Our three daughters were married this past year and you can be sure they will be getting "Closer" for a Christmas gift this year.

If there was a button I could push for TEN STARS I would.

Jim and Cathy, I've never met you, but thank you for this much-needed resource.

Until next time,
Dixie

Heaven's Accent

When I first met and fell in love with my husband Paul, we had a communication problem. He was from the deep south and I was a northern gal. His thick southern accent and my Yankee tongue sometimes gave us problems. There were quite a few -

"What did you say?"

"Could you repeat that?"

"Pardon me?"

We've been together now for over 31 years. I'm glad to say our communication is much better.

Today, as I sat in the Lord's presence, I wondered if I had Heaven's accent on my tongue and His light upon my heart. As I live my life before my family and community, I pray they would desire the One whom my soul loves. Now that I am west of 50, with more years behind me than ahead of me, I don't want to speak my own words or think my own thoughts. My heart burns within me for Jesus to increase in my life. I pray every day He will stamp His image on my heart.

When I speak with my natural, fleshly accent, I soon discover a very self-absorbed person, but when I speak with Heaven's accent, Jesus is first. His Holy Spirit leads me give the Living Water to those who are thirsty and to bind up the broken hearted.

Yes, Heaven's accent is best.


Y'all come back now y'hear,
Dixie

This Little Light of Mine

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV

Our four children are grown. Two are married and our baby daughter will be getting married this summer. My husband and I have spent the past two years adjusting to our "Empty Nest Syndrome."

When the children were at home, their father and I were constantly reminding them to turn off the lights whenever they left a room. Today I realized that we were teaching them wrong. We don't want them to ever turn off the "lights" again, but our prayer is that each one of them will keep the "lights" burning brightly in every room of life.

Let my life be a light shining out through the night.
May I help struggling ones to the fold.
Spreading cheer everywhere to the sad and alone.
May my life be a light to some soul.

Thank you, Lord, for our children. We pray that the Light of the World would shine brightly in and through them. Amen