Gold Star Chart
June 7
Are gold stars even given out anymore? As a child at my church, you were given one to put on the Sunday school attendance chart when you arrived. My favorite gold star was a big one given to me by my gynecologist at my final surgery follow up appointment. About fifteen years ago I had been very sick and suffering from acute anemia due to a problem in my uterus which required a hysterectomy.(Just what you wanted to read about today). This precious surgeon, who was battling health issues himself, was and still is the most encouraging, compassionate physician I have ever met. That star remained in my wallet for at least ten years and brought me joy each time I saw it. It must have attached itself to a dollar bill and been given away accidentally.
Flipping ahead in our Bibles to the New Testament book of Colossians (which is only 4 chapters and worth putting down our summer novels and reading the whole thing today) we could easily read chapter 1:10-12 and get the feeling God has a chart with four categories and is scoring us in each one to see if we please Him.
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Whew, in addition to doing the wash, cleaning the house, weeding the yard, cooking, caring for the kids and going to work what if we had to wonder if we did enough fruit bearing, knowledge growing, bell ringing endurance, patience and joyful thanks giving. Hmm, actually all those God pleasing areas have the opportunity to be exhibited each day don't they?
The only way we can please God is through a personal relationship with his Son and that requires faith. Hebrews 11:6 says:
It is impossible to please God without faith.
The measuring stick for our faith is found in our hearts and while it is evident to the world, its true depth is known only by God. It only takes a tiny bit, as much as a mustard seed, to move a mountain and live a life pleasing to God. Faith is much easier to grow than any plant in your garden. The Word of God, watered with listening prayer causes it to flourish and receive gold stars!
Lord, You came up with an amazing plan for our lives. Forgive us when we do not follow directions and we miss out on Your best for us. Give us a desire to increase our faith today and feed upon Your Word. May we surrender to the Holy Spirit and let Him have his way with us today and when we put our heads down tonight, may we say..."Wow, the Lord was with me today and we joyfully and patiently endured all the obstacles which came flying at us. Seeds were planted and I know fruit will come. Thank You Lord for the knowledge I gained from You this day." In Jesus Name, Amen
Are gold stars even given out anymore? As a child at my church, you were given one to put on the Sunday school attendance chart when you arrived. My favorite gold star was a big one given to me by my gynecologist at my final surgery follow up appointment. About fifteen years ago I had been very sick and suffering from acute anemia due to a problem in my uterus which required a hysterectomy.(Just what you wanted to read about today). This precious surgeon, who was battling health issues himself, was and still is the most encouraging, compassionate physician I have ever met. That star remained in my wallet for at least ten years and brought me joy each time I saw it. It must have attached itself to a dollar bill and been given away accidentally.
Flipping ahead in our Bibles to the New Testament book of Colossians (which is only 4 chapters and worth putting down our summer novels and reading the whole thing today) we could easily read chapter 1:10-12 and get the feeling God has a chart with four categories and is scoring us in each one to see if we please Him.
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Whew, in addition to doing the wash, cleaning the house, weeding the yard, cooking, caring for the kids and going to work what if we had to wonder if we did enough fruit bearing, knowledge growing, bell ringing endurance, patience and joyful thanks giving. Hmm, actually all those God pleasing areas have the opportunity to be exhibited each day don't they?
The only way we can please God is through a personal relationship with his Son and that requires faith. Hebrews 11:6 says:
It is impossible to please God without faith.
The measuring stick for our faith is found in our hearts and while it is evident to the world, its true depth is known only by God. It only takes a tiny bit, as much as a mustard seed, to move a mountain and live a life pleasing to God. Faith is much easier to grow than any plant in your garden. The Word of God, watered with listening prayer causes it to flourish and receive gold stars!
Lord, You came up with an amazing plan for our lives. Forgive us when we do not follow directions and we miss out on Your best for us. Give us a desire to increase our faith today and feed upon Your Word. May we surrender to the Holy Spirit and let Him have his way with us today and when we put our heads down tonight, may we say..."Wow, the Lord was with me today and we joyfully and patiently endured all the obstacles which came flying at us. Seeds were planted and I know fruit will come. Thank You Lord for the knowledge I gained from You this day." In Jesus Name, Amen
