The kids asked for a new app this week that is similar to the Guitar Hero video game where the goal is to simply click on the moving notes as the game played it's melody for you. The songs it plays however are the classics such as Beethoven and Mozart pieces. Of course, the kids are not well rehearsed in classical music and have no idea what the melody is. It was sad to me that they didn't know the beauty these notes held when played according to their intended rhythm and placement. It was also very annoying to hear what seemed like a Banging on the Keyboard-Garage Band version of such beautiful songs.
I couldn't stand listening to it anymore and in my Mommy Teaching Mode, I headed straight to ITunes and pulled each song up for them to listen to. They could hear the original song, the way it was intended to be played. These composeers were intentional in their harmonies, setting each note in perfect unity and harmony, creating what in the end was a glorious melody. The only way my kids could have know how to play the songs correctly, is if they knew the original. They must know the example before they could be expected to copy it. Otherwise, there are only going to copy copies.
God reminded me that this is why it is important to be aware of my life's example in. I don't live my life in fear of or to please another, but we are to be Light and Salt to a watching world. It's on thing to tell our kids about loving and serving others, and actually showing them what it looks like. It's one thing to explain worship and another to display it. We can talk all day about making right choices and using wisdom and discernment, walking in grace, offering help and hospitality, showing compassion, forgiving others but until we show it, they won't know it. But, I fail often at doing all that well.
God knew we'd need a tangible example and that is why He sent us His Son. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and that is why we were given the gift of Christ Jesus, to dwell among us and teach us, showing us, start to earthly finish to the forever eternal life, our original example. Following Him, we can taste and see that the Lord is good. We understand the original value of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, forgiveness, surrender, trust, hope, faith, wisdom, and honor.
Through His birth, life and death, we can know what The Creator of Life intended for His creation. He is our ultimate example on living life to the glory of our Father. He taught us how to love one another, turn darkness into light, surrender and trust, reflect God's heart to the broken-hearted. He taught us by showing us. We identify ourselves as being like Him when we say we are Christian, but are we representing the original well? Are we a beautiful melody or are we just making noise? I pray that we are found at least making a joyful noise on days our pitch is off!!
How humbling and strengthening to know this imperfect girl has been intentionally placed with a specific value, to a glorious, original, masterpiece, with a specific note, volume, and duration. We will only know that value when we listen to the Composer's original. This is why spending time in His presence is crucial. We must be seeking Him in His Word. Otherwise, who's example will you follow? Who's song will you be singing? Who will you be in harmony with?
Thank You God for Your written Word given to us as our reference guide. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that dwells in the Believer to lead us into harmony and unity with You. Teach us our value in Your masterpiece. Temper us into You perfect rhythm and sync us to Your heart that our life may be a pleasing sound of worship for You. Cleanse our hearts from clanging noise and reveal the sound of Your voice with clarity and precision. May we be found faithful to lead others well as we follow You. Thank You for those You have placed in our life that stand strong for You. They are such a sweet song to our soul. Keep us instep with You Lord God and forgive us when we just bang around on the keyboard of life and make annoying sounds. It is our heart's desire to worship You with purity, making a beautiful and pleasing sound in Your ears. May our life be a glorious melody of praise for You! Thank You for gifting us Your Perfect Son, who walked among us teaching us by Word and by revelation. We especially celebrate His birth and the Gift He is to us during this Christmas season. Jesus is the very reason for this season of giving! Thank You Lord! Blessed be Your Holy, perfect Name, amen.
Ever have those days or sometimes months where you feel attacked and overwhelmed. The little things in life seem so much bigger and you feel the weight crushing you? I'd like to share a prayer woven through the scripture with you that I am praying in my own life. It is the protection instructed to be worn in Ephesians. The actual scripture in ESV is in italics and my words are the rest.
I pray you will find strength and a renewed hope as you remember Who Your victory and Strength are in. It is not within you to overcome. It is Christ in you that gives you the victory.Trust Him. Prepare yourself for battle and pray endurance till the end!! Gird up your faith and hang on! Saturate yourself with His Word and hide it in your heart!! It's a crucial weapon you must have with you!!!
If this isn't you and you know someone who needs to be encouraged today, please pray this over them. Jesus is our healing, our victory and our hope. He is the answer! Blessings in His name, Michele
Father God, today I lay my broken and weary soul at the crown of Your Holy and Healing feet. My spirit cries out to You Lord God that I Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Help me Father God, Warrior King Jesus to Put on the whole armor of Yours God, that I may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore help me Lord to take up the whole armor of God, that those of us who serve You may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Lord Jesus, as both a witness to Satan and his evil destroyers and as a witness testifying to Your Conquering Victory, I Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, refusing and rebuking all the lies he tells me that I am weak and defeated, worthy of death, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, that in my anguish I will choose good over evil, guarding and protecting my heart in Jesus' Name that my heart will remain fully and completely consumed by the Love of my Savior. Steady my feet Lord to walk and witness to Your Love in a manner worthy to honor You above all others, wearing as shoes for my feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
In all circumstances, especially those that are difficult, leaving me to feel exhausted and weary, help me Holy Spirit take up the shield of faith, with which I can extinguish all the flaming darts of1the evil one as he seeks to devour me day and night; and take my permanent helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is Your word God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Recall to me Your Word hidden in my heart that I may not sin against You and encourage and strengthen me with fervor in your Word each morning and throughout the day.
To that end it is my deep desire to keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, getting outside of my own troubles and intercede for those God has placed in my world to stand alongside, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Lord open my eyes to see what You see before and around me and grant me strength and endurance to persevere through each and every circumstance, escaping the schemes and traps of the enemy laid out to destroy me. I am Yours Lord God and I trust in Your strength. Guard me in Your Name King Jesus. May my courage be a bold witness to the enemy and rebuke him to his crushed place under my feet and lift my eyes to where You are so my heart and mind may be restored. Cleanse me and revive me Lord for You are my God! I worship and adore You alone. It is with eager anticipation and holy determination that I count it all joy today as I stand on the battlefield. No weapon of the enemy shall proper where You are so Lord today, keep watch over me that I may not give the enemy a foothold! I stand in You! Thank you and Bless you Faithful God. AMEN!
Ephesians 6:13-43
