by Larry Refsland
What would baseball be without umpires? Anybody who has ever played or watched a baseball game knows how important a good umpire is. They call balls and strikes, indicate whether a ball is in fair or foul territory and decide close plays by declaring a runner either “safe” or “out”. When a good umpire makes the calls, the game is fair and orderly. We may not always like the calls, but for the game to continue we abide by their decisions. The rules of the game are followed and we enjoy the competition. The Bible says that God has given us an umpire to help us live our lives according to the game rules. Here’s what Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The original Greek word for “guard” is the same word from which we get the word “umpire” today. In other words, the peace of God will be the umpire for our hearts and minds as we bring everything to God in prayer. How do we know if we should pursue that relationship, or change careers, or buy that house? Present it to God and follow the peace that he gives. If there is no peace, the umpire is saying, “That’s out of bounds, don’t go there.” If there is a very strong sense of peace, follow it. Don’t forget, the umpire of peace can only be relied upon when we have first brought the situation to God in prayer. I encourage you to be sensitive to God’s umpire of peace to direct your life today. Now, play ball! Under Construction by Larry Refsland
It’s exciting to watch a building under construction as it takes shape. I can’t wait to see how it turns out! It’s impossible to tell from a pile of lumber what the finished product will look like or what the structure will be used for. The further along the building is, the more evident the purpose and design becomes. Each of us is like a pile of raw building material. Jesus Christ is the master builder. He has a plan—a blueprint for our lives. The Bible teaches us that if we want the finished product to stand against the storms of life, we must build our lives on a sure foundation. That foundation is the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus told a story of a foolish man who built his house upon the sand and a wise man who built his house on the rock. He said, “When the storms came, the foolish man’s house was destroyed but the wise man’s house stood firm.” No one escapes the storms of life. Bad things happen to all people. The question is, will your house stand? Does it have a firm foundation? As we make Christ the foundation, he puts us together as a master builder and makes us into a building he can use. “He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until He comes” (Philippians 1:6). In other words, once he’s started building you, he keeps perfecting the work throughout our entire lives. One song-writer put it like this: “He’s still working on me, to make me what I ought to be; It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars, the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient he must be, He’s still working on me.” God is a People Watcher by Larry Refsland
Are you a people watcher like I am? I enjoy going to places where there are lots of people. It’s fascinating to watch and listen to the words and actions of children, parents, friends and lovers. Some will be having the time of their life and others are having a bad day. You can tell who’s in a hurry and who has time on their hands. Some people seem like they are on a mission and others look like they missed the boat. You know, God is also a people-watcher. “The eyes of the Lord are searching to and fro over all the earth, looking for someone He can help” (2 Chronicles 16:9). When I’m people watching, I don’t pay attention to the person who looks like they have it all together. Frankly, they’re boring. I’m more likely to notice the frustrated dad waiting for the kids to catch up to him or the mom that’s digging in her bags for something to keep the baby occupied. God’s eyes are drawn to those that need help as well. You can rest assured that God has taken notice of your situation. Whether you need help with a relationship, finances or a life-controlling problem, he is ready to assist you. The Bible says when we are in distress we should “seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). As I’m people watching, often I see situations where I can lend a hand, open a door or point out the missing person they’re looking for. God is able to come alongside of us and help us as well. Just call upon Him. He’s as close as the mention of His name. Look up to the Lord who is tenderly watching you. |
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