“He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will--” (Ephesians 1:5).
Holding her arm he guided her through the crowd looking for his next victim. He delights in the reaction his clever words ignite as he introduces the beauty by his side, “This is my daughter by another mother.” Puzzled by this greeting the guests murmur to themselves; wondering what does this mean. Has he just shared a family secret—perhaps a scandal?! Who is this daughter he proudly owns before the unsuspecting guests?
Such was the scene at my reception as my father introduced my adopted sister to our wedding guests. Dad often enjoyed shocking people; causing them to laugh in bewilderment. There was truth coupled with brilliance in his words for she was born by another mother (and father). Although not legally ours she considered herself to be. She nicknamed herself “the seventh Singer” the last to join us six Singer kids.
She was the girl across the street who lived with her legal guardians—her aunt and uncle. She never called them mom and dad, but always referred to my parents as such. My brothers and sisters were claimed as hers. In a willing act of conscious choice an adoption of the heart took place; she became the fourth Singer daughter and my third sister. Our family had a new member to nurture and love.
Out of His great mercy and love, grafting children into His family has always been God’s plan. We are named as His bloodline only through belief in the blood sacrifice of His Son, not by our own merit. In an act of obedience and trust we surrender our will to God’s. Once born of physical parents we are now reborn by the Holy Spirit into a spiritually united family. He loves us and instructs us; setting our feet on the path of righteousness. We become citizens of His kingdom even while our bodies reside on Earth’s soil.
As Christ’s bride I picture Him smiling at the heavenly wedding feast we’ll share one day. What jubilation there will be when the Father introduces us sons and daughters by other mothers! His pride and joy will not be contained, just as my earthly father’s could not be when he spoke of my adopted sister. Until then, let us lovingly invite others to share in our magnificent inheritance by sharing the love of Jesus with them. “He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will--” (Ephesians 1:5).
Your fellow sojourner and herald for Christ,
Mary
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Finishing Well
"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in your Master's happiness" (Matthew 25:23).
How did you do with your 2011 resolutions and goals? Did your enthusiasm carry you to a glorious celebration in December, or did you crash and burn by February after the exuberance died down? Mine was a mix of starts, stumbles and do overs. This was a hard year, the roughest I've had in awhile. Some resolutions were not kept except for one, the one that enabled me to finish stronger in December than I started in January.
A year ago I asked God to help me make His voice; His Word the first priority of my day. Instead of rushing out of bed and turning on the television to digest the local news, I met with Jesus quietly in an over-sized chair as I read my devotional and Bible. As I knelt and prayed before walking downstairs to begin my myriad of tasks, I asked the Holy Spirit to disciple and still my soul. Crowding out the demands of the world for precious time with my Savior gave me strength and courage for the day.
It's easy to say that God is good when life is smooth, but hard to remember God is faithful when testing comes. So I started to record my prayer requests and the Scriptures God revealed to me along the way. Some days He gave me a verse or two early in the morning. Other days it came from a friend, my husband, or our pastor's Sunday morning message. I wrote the verses in a journal and reviewed them on New Years Eve. What a blessing to see how much the Lord delivered me from and carried me through!
Like you, many of my prayer requests are still on going needs. Some have not been answered yet. But I am sticking with my 2011 resolution and taking it into 2012--making God's voice and His Word the first thing I hear each day. It's exciting to see Him change me and to watch my marriage grow. With each passing day I am increasingly thankful for God's mercy and grace that enables me to finish well.
As God's girl I know I am here for a bigger purpose than to see all of my goals and resolutions fulfilled. God wants to use me if only I will get out of the way and let Him work. How I want this to be my reality--a little light for Jesus in a dark and troubled world. Do you feel the same about your life? Let us pray for each other to take hold of all the power God provides. Remember, starting well is only great if you finish well! Here's to a fabulous 2012 in our service to our Almighty God and Father. Happy New Year! "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in your Master's happiness" (Matthew 25:23).
Your fellow sojourner and herald,
Mary
How did you do with your 2011 resolutions and goals? Did your enthusiasm carry you to a glorious celebration in December, or did you crash and burn by February after the exuberance died down? Mine was a mix of starts, stumbles and do overs. This was a hard year, the roughest I've had in awhile. Some resolutions were not kept except for one, the one that enabled me to finish stronger in December than I started in January.
A year ago I asked God to help me make His voice; His Word the first priority of my day. Instead of rushing out of bed and turning on the television to digest the local news, I met with Jesus quietly in an over-sized chair as I read my devotional and Bible. As I knelt and prayed before walking downstairs to begin my myriad of tasks, I asked the Holy Spirit to disciple and still my soul. Crowding out the demands of the world for precious time with my Savior gave me strength and courage for the day.
It's easy to say that God is good when life is smooth, but hard to remember God is faithful when testing comes. So I started to record my prayer requests and the Scriptures God revealed to me along the way. Some days He gave me a verse or two early in the morning. Other days it came from a friend, my husband, or our pastor's Sunday morning message. I wrote the verses in a journal and reviewed them on New Years Eve. What a blessing to see how much the Lord delivered me from and carried me through!
Like you, many of my prayer requests are still on going needs. Some have not been answered yet. But I am sticking with my 2011 resolution and taking it into 2012--making God's voice and His Word the first thing I hear each day. It's exciting to see Him change me and to watch my marriage grow. With each passing day I am increasingly thankful for God's mercy and grace that enables me to finish well.
As God's girl I know I am here for a bigger purpose than to see all of my goals and resolutions fulfilled. God wants to use me if only I will get out of the way and let Him work. How I want this to be my reality--a little light for Jesus in a dark and troubled world. Do you feel the same about your life? Let us pray for each other to take hold of all the power God provides. Remember, starting well is only great if you finish well! Here's to a fabulous 2012 in our service to our Almighty God and Father. Happy New Year! "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in your Master's happiness" (Matthew 25:23).
Your fellow sojourner and herald,
Mary
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Hark the Herald People Sing
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, as you are in me and I am in you” (John 17:20-21).
The following is an excerpt from a women's event (Holidays Fit For the King) I spoke at in November.
As God’s girl, do you ever think of yourself as His herald to the world? The angels were first to declare His birth, then the shepherds spread the news after they heard the story. As Christ’s disciples now it’s our turn.
Being God’s herald may intimidate you, but did you know Jesus prays for us, our ministries and He is with us? Shortly before His crucifixion John 17:20-21 quotes Jesus, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, as you are in me and I am in you.”
Christ’s last words before He ascended to heaven in Matthew 28:19-20 were “go and tell—make disciples of all the nations—I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus isn’t the Savior of “some” people. He’s for “all” people. The Nativity scene was very diverse. No one who drew near to Jesus was turned away. The poor shepherds and the rich wise men alike were welcome. The message is still the same.
If you died today would go to heaven? What makes you think you are good enough? If you were standing side-by-side with Jesus before our Holy Heavenly Father which one of you would be acceptable? Romans 3:22-24 says: “This Righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
We can joyfully celebrate Christmas because of Easter. The good news is not that Santa Claus is coming to town but that the Messiah was born in Bethlehem; He died for our sins, rose from the dead, is reigning in heaven and is coming back for His church!
As believers in Christ we are united in Spirit with Him. He has made His home in our hearts. We are His ambassadors, here to reflect His message. I pray we exude so much joy and kindness that people will ask us the reason for our hope in these trying economic times. May we smile and say we are thinking of Jesus; we’re too blessed by His love to be stressed by this life. Hark the herald people sing glory to the new born King! Go and tell sisters. Go and tell. Merry Christmas!
Your fellow sojourner and herald for Jesus,
Mary
The following is an excerpt from a women's event (Holidays Fit For the King) I spoke at in November.
As God’s girl, do you ever think of yourself as His herald to the world? The angels were first to declare His birth, then the shepherds spread the news after they heard the story. As Christ’s disciples now it’s our turn.
Being God’s herald may intimidate you, but did you know Jesus prays for us, our ministries and He is with us? Shortly before His crucifixion John 17:20-21 quotes Jesus, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, as you are in me and I am in you.”
Christ’s last words before He ascended to heaven in Matthew 28:19-20 were “go and tell—make disciples of all the nations—I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus isn’t the Savior of “some” people. He’s for “all” people. The Nativity scene was very diverse. No one who drew near to Jesus was turned away. The poor shepherds and the rich wise men alike were welcome. The message is still the same.
If you died today would go to heaven? What makes you think you are good enough? If you were standing side-by-side with Jesus before our Holy Heavenly Father which one of you would be acceptable? Romans 3:22-24 says: “This Righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
We can joyfully celebrate Christmas because of Easter. The good news is not that Santa Claus is coming to town but that the Messiah was born in Bethlehem; He died for our sins, rose from the dead, is reigning in heaven and is coming back for His church!
As believers in Christ we are united in Spirit with Him. He has made His home in our hearts. We are His ambassadors, here to reflect His message. I pray we exude so much joy and kindness that people will ask us the reason for our hope in these trying economic times. May we smile and say we are thinking of Jesus; we’re too blessed by His love to be stressed by this life. Hark the herald people sing glory to the new born King! Go and tell sisters. Go and tell. Merry Christmas!
Your fellow sojourner and herald for Jesus,
Mary
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Too Blessed to Be Stressed: Keeping Your Joy
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" (James 1:17).
Praising God for all the bounty He has bestowed on us through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Please visit my web site listed below to hear a 15-minute presentation on "Too Blessed to Be Stressed: Keeping Your Joy".
www.extravagantlife.net/site/
Have a great Thanksgiving celebration!
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary Singer Wick
Praising God for all the bounty He has bestowed on us through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Please visit my web site listed below to hear a 15-minute presentation on "Too Blessed to Be Stressed: Keeping Your Joy".
www.extravagantlife.net/site/
Have a great Thanksgiving celebration!
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary Singer Wick
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Venetian Blinds on My Heart
"Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales, rather, train yourselves to be godly" (I Timothy 4:7).
As we floated serenely on Venice's grand canal one warm summer evening, a gondolier told us the history of Venetian blinds. Blinds were added to the gondolas centuries ago to conceal the activities of the occupants inside. Venetians were known for their torrid love affairs that produced many illegitimate children. A crisis arose when the children of these unwed unions filled the local orphanages beyond capacity. Their vain attempts to hide their indiscretions was exposed; they could no longer deny the truth.
In an attempt to control the adulterous behavior, Venetian blinds were banded from all gondolas. The ordnance still stands today. But Venetians, like so many of us, became more clever in their disguises. They created lovely masks to cover their faces, assuming anonymity would allow them to cover their sins. As long as no one knew their identity, they felt free to parade their affairs in public without fear of consequence.
It wasn't that long ago I would have fit in well with the Venetians of today. My heart had its own set of blinds on it--shielding my heart to godly truth so I could remain in my sinful ways. I wore my own facial facade of a smile that hid the pain of the shame I bore for my own unholy unions. Wanting so much to be loved, I often settled for men who didn't really love me. Our relationships were as fleeting and meaningless as those Italian love affairs. I followed the myths and wives tales of the day, always leading me astray.
But Jesus saw through my sin and hurt, and lifted the blinds from the eyes of my heart. As I saw my sins forgiven beneath the cross of His sacrifice, I no longer hid from God. My heart was open to be loved and healed, so I could learn to love others as God intended. My relationship with my husband is pure, even though we are imperfect creatures. Praise Jesus we are His!
There is a new set of blinds on my life these days. It's one that shields me from evil, not closes out the light from heaven. It's the Word of God that keeps me safe, and helps me steer clear of superstitious myths and ungodly beliefs. As forgiven sinners, we no longer have to wear masks. Jesus has removed the shame of our sin and covered us with His radiance. We are still learning to tap into His light that makes us glow as we train ourselves to be godly. What's under your mask? What have you placed your faith in that is unholy? Will you let God remove and replace it? "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales, rather, train yourselves to be godly" (I Timothy 4:7).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
Friday, September 30, 2011
Deep Love
"Love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" I Peter 4:8.
Remembering how deeply Christ loves me and extending that love to my husband as we celebrate our 9th anniversary this September.
Thanking God for blessing us beyond measure!
Praying you know the love of Jesus in your heart that enables you to love deeply. "Love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" I Peter 4:8.
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
Remembering how deeply Christ loves me and extending that love to my husband as we celebrate our 9th anniversary this September.
Thanking God for blessing us beyond measure!
Praying you know the love of Jesus in your heart that enables you to love deeply. "Love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" I Peter 4:8.
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Alone Together
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).
Ever notice when your body is tired your spiritual zeal soon wanes? We make our plans to faithfully serve God when opportunities arise, but human limitations stifle our loftiest ambitions. The daily demands of life press in on all sides squeezing energy from us. Everywhere is a need so great beyond our capacity to satisfy. Fear grips us; we want to refuse when we sense we should help. Secretly we question “Lord, how can you ask more of me when I’ve exhausted my body, my finances, my time, etc…?” In the midst of depravity Jesus calls us to a place of serenity, alone together with Him, just as He did with His disciples long ago.
Life on the mission field with Jesus was always busy, but this season was exceptionally challenging for His disciples. Twelve were recently chosen as His Apostles. Christ granted them authority to heal the sick, drive out demons, and preach the gospel of repentance. Enthusiasm was high as they stepped out in faith eager to obey their Lord. Then mourning struck. John the Baptist was beheaded. Scattered, they regrouped to bury the body and to comfort each other. They had witnessed many miracles for those whose faith in Jesus was strong, but never a death until now. Following Christ was serious and costly.
Drained and hungry they huddled around Jesus, relaying stories of what they had done on their mission trips. Perhaps they were seeking encouragement for their weary souls; craving their Master’s delightful response. Bodily needs soon took precedence. Now all they wanted was a good meal and a nap! But as they looked around a crowd of five thousand was gathering, and they were hungry too. Sensing the disciple’s need for refreshment before they could serve, Jesus pulled them away alone with Him.
Have you expanded so much of yourself you need a break? God understands! Slip away for some quiet rest alone together with Jesus. Devour the savory morsels of Scripture whether in big or small bits. Let Him nourish your spirit as He did His disciples. Who knows how many hungry souls you will feed when Christ invigorates and equips you? “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
Ever notice when your body is tired your spiritual zeal soon wanes? We make our plans to faithfully serve God when opportunities arise, but human limitations stifle our loftiest ambitions. The daily demands of life press in on all sides squeezing energy from us. Everywhere is a need so great beyond our capacity to satisfy. Fear grips us; we want to refuse when we sense we should help. Secretly we question “Lord, how can you ask more of me when I’ve exhausted my body, my finances, my time, etc…?” In the midst of depravity Jesus calls us to a place of serenity, alone together with Him, just as He did with His disciples long ago.
Life on the mission field with Jesus was always busy, but this season was exceptionally challenging for His disciples. Twelve were recently chosen as His Apostles. Christ granted them authority to heal the sick, drive out demons, and preach the gospel of repentance. Enthusiasm was high as they stepped out in faith eager to obey their Lord. Then mourning struck. John the Baptist was beheaded. Scattered, they regrouped to bury the body and to comfort each other. They had witnessed many miracles for those whose faith in Jesus was strong, but never a death until now. Following Christ was serious and costly.
Drained and hungry they huddled around Jesus, relaying stories of what they had done on their mission trips. Perhaps they were seeking encouragement for their weary souls; craving their Master’s delightful response. Bodily needs soon took precedence. Now all they wanted was a good meal and a nap! But as they looked around a crowd of five thousand was gathering, and they were hungry too. Sensing the disciple’s need for refreshment before they could serve, Jesus pulled them away alone with Him.
Have you expanded so much of yourself you need a break? God understands! Slip away for some quiet rest alone together with Jesus. Devour the savory morsels of Scripture whether in big or small bits. Let Him nourish your spirit as He did His disciples. Who knows how many hungry souls you will feed when Christ invigorates and equips you? “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
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