nan2sing's Blog

                 Nan’s Devotional…The Songs of Our Hearts

I’m always humbled and amazed at what God provides…Did you know He gives us gifts? It’s true… There are gifts through the body of Christ…Some of us might have a gift to teach or serve, encourage or contribute to the needs of others…some of us are good leaders or compassionate…These are some of the gifts God gives to show Himself to us…He created us and He knows the plans He has for every one…

Do you ever feel you don’t have a lot to offer? God doesn’t see you in that way…He is a loving Father who is proud of His children. He gives us choices to know Him, discover His presence and be blessed by the abilities He has chosen for us…I believe He desires that we share His gifts with others… Maybe that is why He is generous about giving gifts of the spirit to those who believe...

It’s taken me awhile to realize what God has given… Don’t ask me why but He has chosen for me to write songs… It has to be a gift from Him…only by His grace could I be deserving of what I have received… I realize I’m not worthy…I’m shy about singing and will never have a strong, bellowing voice…I have no desire to be a singer yet there is something within my soul that motivates me to share God’s words in this way… He sees something in me that I do not even see in myself…

Songwriters say it takes time to craft a song… Although I know this is true, I'm certain I could never have the ability to hear a melody in my head and write lyrics so quickly on my own…surely this is God! I believe His spirit is the tool that allows me to complete His songs…the songs of my heart which show me His purpose for my life.

Sometimes it’s hard to use the gifts that God gives…We have to be obedient to follow those tugs of our heart as we hear Him calling…When this happens we come to understand the plan He has for our lives… He knows our weakness and gives us abilities anyway…We are not capable of doing great things to share our faith but God is capable of doing great things through us… He has a way of allowing us to feel the “peace that passes all understanding” when we open our hearts to Him.

Has God given you a gift He wants you to share? Are you ready to accept it or are you feeling shy and wondering why God might have chosen you? Can you let go and let God show how to serve Him? Can you step out in faith knowing that the gifts that He chooses for you may fulfill you and show you His presence and purpose for your life?

I pray in this New Year that God will continue to show you His will…I pray that you will see the gifts He has given…Now more than ever we need to show God to the rest of our hurting world…He can use us in ways we can’t even imagine…God can use even the simplest songs of our hearts to touch others and show them His love…

May you see the blessings God has in store for you in 2009…May you find what He is waiting for you to receive and may you experience true joy and peace as you share yourself with others.

God is near...

Nan

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father… Thank you for this day...Lord, thank you for creating me in your image…Help me to realize I am special to you…You know my weakness and you love me anyway…Help me to see the purpose you have for my life and realize that you have given me abilities to serve you and show you to others. Help me to find opportunities in this day to share your love and accept the gifts you want me to receive. Help me to remember that I am not alone…You are near…You are here…You carry me Lord… I will feel the tugging of my heart and realize it is you Lord…It is you!

Scripture: There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in men.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Morning Prayer: Dear heavenly Father….As we say goodbye to 2008 and look ahead to the New Year help us realize that you are in control. Show us your presence Lord and surround us with those who know you so that we can know you more…Help us to see purpose for our lives and hope for our futures… Thank you God for those you have chosen to share your love and strengthen our relationships with you…Thank you for the impact that they have had on our lives. Help us to find joy as you use us for your will. Amen

Scripture: For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength. Ephesians 1:15-19

                 Saying Goodbye

I had hoped to write a devotional to encourage all of us in the New Year ahead but my plans changed when we heard that our dear friend died the day after Christmas. She fell and hit her head and suffered a fatal stroke...My heart is aching so today I am writing about saying goodbye…

I realize as we face a New Year some of you may have said goodbye...maybe it is goodbye to a loved one or goodbye to a job...goodbye to something in your life that is making you say hello to something new...maybe it is an attitude or a frame of mind...maybe it is a longing to know God and feel His presence as we say goodbye to our old selves and consider what we must become as we say hello to our Father and see what He has in mind for us.

I'd like to share about my dear friend Carole and use this time as I write (the day of her funeral in Wisconsin) to reflect on the life of someone who made a difference to many young people...someone who was devoted to sharing Christ and someone whose spiritual touch has been felt in my life.

Carole…“mom” to those who knew her was our Church Youth Leader when my husband and I were young. We remember many camp outs and youth trips and simply spending time with her and her family each Friday evening as we shared hot chocolate and learned about God in her home. There was always a lot of laughter and everyone felt welcome and loved and happy just being together.

I wonder why some give so much of their time and talents to help others develop a love for the Lord… Carole and her husband were not paid for the many hours that they spent with each of us...Their summer vacations were never relaxing...They were always spent traveling with our youth group to a destination that would inevitably require much travel. More often than not our trips would include loud, whining teenagers and require patience of a saint from our leaders. Often there would be mechanical adjustments when the church van would break down…Once we even had to stay overnight at a church along the way….Through it all Carole always had a smile on her face. She taught us to have faith, make the best of our situations and pray…remembering to thank God as He provided for our needs…

As I say goodbye to Carole I reflect on her life and realize that her time on earth was well spent. It wasn't always easy and there were many struggles that she endured...the death of her husband, challenges with family and every day obstacles that were sometimes overwhelming. Through it all she always showed faith and a deep love of God in her life...love for her Savior… the one who would sustain her...the one who has called her home.
 
Our time on earth is short...The compassion and kindness that we offer others really does make a difference. Do you ever wonder about the influence that you might have on those around you? What do they see in you that make them see God? What would they have to say about the spiritual impact that you have had on their lives if it was time to say goodbye to you?

My prayer is that we can continue to seek God and share Him in a way that is pleasing to Him…I pray there might be a Carole in your life...someone who can show you how to grow in your faith and share with others...I thank God for my dear friend and for the spiritual influence that she had on my life...She loved me and taught me to say goodbye to the things that were holding me back from having a relationship with God. Her time on earth was well spent in the offerings that she had for others...

God bless you in the New Year ahead…Can you say goodbye to the old and hello to the new? Will things really be fine in 2009? I am praying that they will. I am praying for you and asking God to help you say goodbye to those things that are holding you back from  the one who will give you purpose and hope for your future…How do I know? Because a long time ago someone named Carole took the time to share Christ with me…Thank you Carole…May you rest in peace as you hear Him say …"well done my good and faithful servant!"