God is so good! He has blessed us in so many ways and He continues to shower us each day with His tender mercies! "Great is Thy Faithfulness!" Praise the Lord!
It has been an amazing journey this past year with many mountain top experiences and many low valleys! Through it all I can say “To God Be The Glory." I have seen His hand prints everywhere in my life and I know that He's still working on me to make me what I ought to be!
Many of us at the beginning of each year make "New Year" commitments that we are determined to keep. Some accomplish their goals they set for themselves and some don't do so good! I have been there, believe me!
In 2012, I would like to challenge each of us to make a difference by letting our lights shine so brightly that those who are lost will be led to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ! It's not impossible to do. As a matter of fact, we are commanded to do just that. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
I believe we are living on the threshold of Christ's Second Coming and 2012 could be the year for His return. It behooves each of us to let our light shine, and even more so as we see this day approaching!
Today I want to talk to you about your lifesong. "What kind of "lifesong" are you singing?"
O.k., so now you are probably wondering, "What is a lifesong?" It is our testimony of faith; our daily walk with the Lord. Each and every day we are singing a song that people are listening to.
Sometimes we don't think about how the little things affect others watching our lives:
"A new minister moved to Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, "You better give the quarter back, it would be wrong to keep it." Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter! who would worry about this little amount of money? Anyway, it's a gift from God." When his bus came to a stop, he paused momentarily at the door, and then handed the quarter to the driver and said, "You gave me too much change," the drivers said with a smile, "Aren't you the new preacher in town?" I've been thinking about going to worship somewhere. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday. When the preacher stepped off the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest pole and held on and said, "O God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter!"
OUR LIVES ARE THE ONLY BIBLE SOME PEOPLE WILL EVER READ!!
Have you ever been touched by someone whose testimony or "lifesong" impacted your life forever? I have and her name was Lyle Howard.
The Howard's were our neighbors for several years when we first moved to Michigan. From the first time I met Lyle and her family, I knew there was something very special about them. Lyle had three beautiful children and a wonderful husband. One thing that set the whole family apart was their love for Jesus Christ. Lyle in particular caught my attention. It wasn't just her talk, it was her actions or should I say her “lifesong” that touched my heart every time I was around her. The presence of the Holy Spirit was so evident in her life.
One day she got the news that none of us want to hear. She had cancer and the outlook wasn't good. I remember one particular time I had made some cookies for her and the kids, thinking I would cheer her up and to my amazement she sent me back one of the sweetest cards I have ever received. It was a note encouraging me in the Lord and to assure me that that her strength and hope rested in God completely!!! She wrote this verse,
Isaiah 40:28-31 "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
I couldn't believe what I was reading! Here she was facing the toughest trial of her life and yet her faith was unshakable and her strength was mighty in the Lord! Her "lifesong" touched me that day in ways I can't even begin to tell, and many more would follow before she would go home to be with the Lord.
I believe that All things are working together for the good to them that love God. (Romans 8:28) Many times we want to question Him "why" but we must remember that God's ways are so much higher than ours. (Isaiah 55:8) We will never fully understand His will for our lives until we see Him face to face, so until then we must put our trust completely in Him and know that He is in control over all.
One thing I do know, God was working on my heart through Lyle Howard and through her "lifesong" my life was forever changed. She never knew the impact she had made and how her life would affect mine, but I do believe that she now knows! I will never forget her faith in the God of her Salvation! It was unmoveable in the midst of the storm of her life.
In her darkest hours, her lifesong was singing to me and so many others.
Her memorial service was like nothing I had ever seen before. Hundreds of people came out and filled the auditorium to capacity. The outpouring of family and friends was another testimony of the life she had lived and the song she had sang to so many!
Lyle left a legacy that will live on for many years to come. Many lives have been forever changed because she chose to let her light burn brightly for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
II Corinthians 3:2 "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:"
Henrietta Mears said, "Living epistles are read when Bible epistles are not.
REMEMBER..."Your life is an open letter. Christian lives are about the only religious books the world reads. They do not study God's Word, but they do study church members."
The fact is people are watching us. They are watching everything we do. It is so important that we as Christians walk worthy of His calling. I have made many mistakes in my lifetime and my "lifesong" hasn't always been what it should be, but I have a renewed commitment to love the Lord with all my heart and let my “lifesong” speak to those around me.
If we will begin by making a commitment to love the Lord with all our heart and with all our soul, and with all our mind, and with all our strength, we will not only leave an unshakable testimony for the next generation but we will also help lead many to Jesus Christ!!
In closing, I want to ask you three simple, but tough questions:
What kind of "lifesong" are you singing to others?"
When God calls you home, how will people remember you?
Are you making an impact in the lives of others around you?
It’s up to you and I to make a difference starting right now! It's never too late! Let your “lifesong” sing today a melody that will be pleasing to others around you and most importantly, to the Lord!
Encouraged in Heart. . . United in Love
Jenny
II Timothy 1:12
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