Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:2 (NLT)
There was a man who shared with me that he left his church being quite upset due to some changes in the leadership. The music director, who did a good job according to him was let go, and due to that, his Sunday school teacher whom he really liked had left the church. Furthermore, he was unhappy that they had both already been replaced, and the new music director did a lot of songs that he did not know. As a result of all this, he had left the church and had not found one yet to attend.
Change is inevitable! There will be good changes, not so good changes, changes in methods, music, styles of worship, leadership and on and on. These things will happen and there is nothing that we can do about some of them. However, there is a change that must take place in our hearts in order for us to be able to seek the will of God amidst all this.
God wants to make us “new” inside. This does not mean we are born again in our mother’s womb or that we get a whole new body (wishful thinking). God wants to be first place in our lives and allow Him to direct us and help us be obedient to Him.
The customs of society will always change. But one thing we can know for sure is that we serve a God who does not change. He will transform your life and make you a new person in Christ, and will help you adapt when change does come your way. It surely will! Our utmost desire should be to please Him in the way we react and think no matter what goes on around us.
©Rev. Dr. Jeanne McIntosh June 26, 2011. All rights reserved.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Chaplain Jeanne
While my husband and I were visiting a couple who were considered (shut-ins) we were having a wonderful conversation when the hostess stopped the conversation to offer us something to drink. She brought me a tall glass of cold water. Her hospitality was not elaborate, expensive, nor did it take a lot of time in preparation. It reminded me of the scripture in which Jesus tells us from Mark 9:41.
“For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” (KJV)
Once while talking with a man in the hospital, he shared how he went to church once time and was called a bum. What a tragedy and missed opportunity for someone.
As servants of Jesus Christ, we are to reach out and offer this water whenever we are see the opportunity to make someone comfortable and at ease. We are to show them “Jesus” in our words and actions. Jesus reached out to the poor, the lame, the lepers, and those who no one wanted to associate with.
Hospital is a word derived from “hospitality” and it is a place where the sick are made whole. It is a place of comfort, love, kindness, and great care. As a member of the Body of Christ, let us reach out to those around us. We do not have far to look and God will present opportunities our way if we are looking, listening, and opened to learning how we might give a cup of cold water in the name of Jesus.
© Rev. Jeanne McIntosh June 26, 2011. All rights reserved.
Chaplain Jeanne
One patient expressed his displeasure in his doctor. The doctor had walked into the room asking one question and walked out. The patient was not happy. I convey this with the nurse’s station. They showed concern and were willing to record this message. I am glad that we serve a God who is never too busy to listen to us.
A woman were distraught and emotionally upset. She shared that the police had came to her door, knocking it down while she was in the hospital. Her father said they also came to his house and asked where she was. She said she had always paid her rent and could not understand why she was treated this way. She lived right across from the police department. I did not know the whole story, but the One who does and can help her. I had prayer with her and referred her to Social Services to see if they could make sense of her story. God understands when we do not.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
I Go To Prepare A Place for You
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:3)
During the heart attack that my brother had, the family grew close together as we reminisced good and bad times. Our brother, who had lived a reckless life, yet with a heart tender toward God, suddenly had a heart attack taking his life. The hospital placed him in an induced coma to freeze the brain and body. As he was taken out of the coma, his body would move, eyes open, and hands would close slightly. Not knowing what the medical field did, we sat in hope day after day waiting test after test seeking anything good that would come out of it all. We talked to him, prayed with him and sang to him. He never did come out of it, and they took him off the ventilator allowing his life to be taken naturally by God.
We are waiting for One to return some day who will not disappoint us. He is preparing a place for us and has promised to come again someday and take us to be with him forever and ever. In the meantime, we do need to wonder if we are ready or question in our minds if our heart is right with God. He loved us so much that He gave His only Son that whoever believes on Him will have eternal life (John 3:16).
Although my brother is gone in spirit, He is still here with us. Christ gave him many opportunities to seek him and respond to His Spirit. In times like these, we have to place our trust in God knowing that He will be fair and just with our loved ones. He understands so much more than we do and knows the heart. I rest assurance in His mighty care and leave all the questions to Him.
©Rev. Jeanne McIntosh 2011
During the heart attack that my brother had, the family grew close together as we reminisced good and bad times. Our brother, who had lived a reckless life, yet with a heart tender toward God, suddenly had a heart attack taking his life. The hospital placed him in an induced coma to freeze the brain and body. As he was taken out of the coma, his body would move, eyes open, and hands would close slightly. Not knowing what the medical field did, we sat in hope day after day waiting test after test seeking anything good that would come out of it all. We talked to him, prayed with him and sang to him. He never did come out of it, and they took him off the ventilator allowing his life to be taken naturally by God.
We are waiting for One to return some day who will not disappoint us. He is preparing a place for us and has promised to come again someday and take us to be with him forever and ever. In the meantime, we do need to wonder if we are ready or question in our minds if our heart is right with God. He loved us so much that He gave His only Son that whoever believes on Him will have eternal life (John 3:16).
Although my brother is gone in spirit, He is still here with us. Christ gave him many opportunities to seek him and respond to His Spirit. In times like these, we have to place our trust in God knowing that He will be fair and just with our loved ones. He understands so much more than we do and knows the heart. I rest assurance in His mighty care and leave all the questions to Him.
©Rev. Jeanne McIntosh 2011
All Things Work Together for Good
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (NIV 2011 © Romans 8:28)
John was one of the workers of the largest churches in the area. He worked with children, played the guitar in the worship service, and did maintenance work. He loved his job! It was not until he began to have back trouble, and was told two weeks later that he would probably be in a wheelchair the rest of his life that his world was turned up-side-down. Some time before that, his wife had a stroke which left her faith weak toward God’s workings in her life. Now, he was concerned that his wife would not regain her faith. He shared his devastation about giving up his church job that he loved so much. Listening to his grief expressed so deeply, I thought, “What if that were me?”
He expressed that he did not know if he believed God in all this, but that he did have a small amount if faith. I shared my deepest concerns over his pain, and told him that faith no matter how large or small was faith. God had a plan in all this although he could not see it and would not allow anything to happen to him that he did not want to use as a blessing in his life. With tears in my eyes, I shared that if he were to go into a wheelchair the rest if his life, according to if that was God’s will, God would use him to be such a blessing to others. There are so many people attending our churches who are in pain of all sorts. He was quiet, and finally said that is what he has always told others about trusting God, and now he was in that position. We had prayer together and he asked for a return visit.
Oh may God help us to trust Him in all circumstance of our lives. It is so difficult at times, but He is God and will not bring upon us any more than we can bear. I am confident of that! All things work together for good to them that love God and are called by Him. Paul was placed in jail for doing good, yet he sang praises at midnight right there in the jail. God had a plan for Paul, and he was not to stay in a jail. When God has work for us to do, He will make a way. It may not be the way we think, but God ways are mysterious. We can trust Him!
© Kidzministry.net Jeanne McIntosh May 2011
John was one of the workers of the largest churches in the area. He worked with children, played the guitar in the worship service, and did maintenance work. He loved his job! It was not until he began to have back trouble, and was told two weeks later that he would probably be in a wheelchair the rest of his life that his world was turned up-side-down. Some time before that, his wife had a stroke which left her faith weak toward God’s workings in her life. Now, he was concerned that his wife would not regain her faith. He shared his devastation about giving up his church job that he loved so much. Listening to his grief expressed so deeply, I thought, “What if that were me?”
He expressed that he did not know if he believed God in all this, but that he did have a small amount if faith. I shared my deepest concerns over his pain, and told him that faith no matter how large or small was faith. God had a plan in all this although he could not see it and would not allow anything to happen to him that he did not want to use as a blessing in his life. With tears in my eyes, I shared that if he were to go into a wheelchair the rest if his life, according to if that was God’s will, God would use him to be such a blessing to others. There are so many people attending our churches who are in pain of all sorts. He was quiet, and finally said that is what he has always told others about trusting God, and now he was in that position. We had prayer together and he asked for a return visit.
Oh may God help us to trust Him in all circumstance of our lives. It is so difficult at times, but He is God and will not bring upon us any more than we can bear. I am confident of that! All things work together for good to them that love God and are called by Him. Paul was placed in jail for doing good, yet he sang praises at midnight right there in the jail. God had a plan for Paul, and he was not to stay in a jail. When God has work for us to do, He will make a way. It may not be the way we think, but God ways are mysterious. We can trust Him!
© Kidzministry.net Jeanne McIntosh May 2011
Be Ready
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:44)
The doctor told the patient (who has no legs) that he did not have long to live. He would not give a time limit when the patient asked him, “How long?” It was suggested for him to take care of what he needed to do. The patient attempted going to several hospitals, and even to one out of state seeking help. He was seeking help for his sores that would not heal. There was no one who would give him any kind of hope. He went out of state on a trip and went fishing. He revealed that he was not ready to die - meaning emotionally. He wanted to see his family grow up. When I asked him if he was ready to die spiritually, he did not really know. I shared his need of Christ walking with him through this difficult time, and that is was important to be ready when that time comes for us to die. It is difficult enough walking through it alone than without Christ by our side. I had prayer with him; he was non emotional during this time toward spiritual matters as we spoke.
Hopefully, he will settle his heart issues with God before it is too late. It is our duty to share the Gospel, but we cannot make anyone forsake their sins and turn in faith to God. We do not have a promise of tomorrow and need to do what needs today. Tomorrow may never come.
© Rev. Jeanne McIntosh 2011
The doctor told the patient (who has no legs) that he did not have long to live. He would not give a time limit when the patient asked him, “How long?” It was suggested for him to take care of what he needed to do. The patient attempted going to several hospitals, and even to one out of state seeking help. He was seeking help for his sores that would not heal. There was no one who would give him any kind of hope. He went out of state on a trip and went fishing. He revealed that he was not ready to die - meaning emotionally. He wanted to see his family grow up. When I asked him if he was ready to die spiritually, he did not really know. I shared his need of Christ walking with him through this difficult time, and that is was important to be ready when that time comes for us to die. It is difficult enough walking through it alone than without Christ by our side. I had prayer with him; he was non emotional during this time toward spiritual matters as we spoke.
Hopefully, he will settle his heart issues with God before it is too late. It is our duty to share the Gospel, but we cannot make anyone forsake their sins and turn in faith to God. We do not have a promise of tomorrow and need to do what needs today. Tomorrow may never come.
© Rev. Jeanne McIntosh 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
