Service with a Smile

                                                             Service with a Smile
                       “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

                                John 15:12

A Facebook message from a young teen read as follows:

“ I just wanted to say that this is the first year of my life I actually feel that I'm actually loved by people! I appreciate it. Thank you”

Ashley’s story

Ashley walked onto the new campus reluctantly.  She was not comfortable with crowds and that's what high school is—crowds of unfamiliar people. They all appeared confident and well liked—nicely dressed and successful. She was afraid.

Oh, they’re not going to like me. They’ll probably hate me. If only someone would just smile at me!
 
Rachel’s story.
Rachel transferred to a new school.She said" hi" to everyone. Many times Rachel

Rachel

had no response. But she wasn't daunted. She kept on smiling and saying “hi”! By the end of the year she had plenty of friends. She joined clubs and got involved. She was friendly!

The Bible has great advice on friendship.

“A man who has friends must himself be friendly.”
Proverbs 18:24a

Have you ever heard friends say?

I’ll never forget when you smiled at me."
                                                  
Or
                  
I felt so alone until you smiled at me”
                                              
 Or
                                                          
“Out of all those people, you are the one who encouraged me.”

You're great when you serve God with a smile. So many like Ashley feel uneasy when they're around strangers. But someone said "hi" to Ashley. Someone smiled.  That's right! She's the teen with the happy Facebook message.

Ashley

Do you have a story to share? Please share. I’d love to hear from you!

Greatness - Rejoices with Those Who Rejoice

                                  

             Greatness – Rejoices with Those Who Rejoice

Sue and Shirley had the inside scoop. They had helped count the votes for the senior superlatives—they knew!

They couldn’t wait to share this news with Elizabeth. The three of them had been friends for a long time.

“Hey Elizabeth, we know who got the senior superlatives. So and so got Most Likely to Succeed and so and so got Cutest Couple and so and so got Wittiest.”

On and on they went. Elizabeth was impressed but she wasn’t surprised at the choices. But—she was amazed when smiling Shirley piped up with, “And, Elizabeth, you missed getting wittiest by only a few votes.” 
“Me…really?” Elizabeth’s jaw dropped, but Sue looked as though she had just swallowed a canary. Sadly, Elizabeth realized that the girl she called her best friend didn’t want her to know! 

“Why, Lord? Why would she keep such happy, such encouraging news from me?” To be certain, Sue was no friend, not a true blue friend. Not a friend she could count on when it really mattered.

A great friend shouts hooray when others succeed. Jesus always cheers for you. When you succeed He says, “I’m not surprised. I knew what was in you all along. I created you!” He is your best friend, your greatest friend. This is what He says about Himself.

                       “Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends”
                                                                       John 15:13

Elizabeth has become a cheerleader for her friends. I watch people run to Elizabeth and hear the whoop go up. Oh, yes, there’s another win for a child of God. One that Elizabeth had a part in. I watch her face, so glowing so alive she is!

Does Elizabeth see what God sees? Probably not. But the Almighty sees a girl who is light and free. He sees a girl who is great because she serves others with the love of God. He sees a daughter who looks a lot like Him and He shouts,

                               “She is glorious and beautiful. Her clothing is fashioned with gold 
                                                      and her name is engraved on my palms. She is mine!”
                                                                    Psalm 45:13 and Isaiah 49:16

Greatness...Found in a Closet?

                           Greatness…Found in a Closet?
 
  
 Father fixed His eyes on a young teenaged girl named Joy. His face was beaming. I love that! Love her heart! Love her desire to serve her parents. She really does look a lot like me. She’s some girl! Even her closet is in order…that she may bless her folks. Wow, she could have just shut the door! Who would know?

                        What’s happening? What’s the big deal?

Joy’s parents were returning home after a five day jaunt to NYC. She had missed them. She wanted to bless them. And so…Joy rolled up her sleeves and cleaned the house.

The dog was walked, the dishes were put away, but the task of hanging up her clothes took the most time. It was not until everything in her room was back in order that she breathed more easily. But of all she did, her closet was the most amazing. Why so amazing? If anyone knew, who would care? If anyone saw, would they say, “Wow, this is greatness!”? 

                                                                   So what? 
                                                 So your shirts all hang together, and your jeans
                                                         and shoes are in their proper places.
 
Once the closet doors were shut—no one would see—no one but God. The Lord saw beyond an uncluttered closet. He saw a heart of gold. He saw a girl He could trust, a girl He could use to impact the world. He saw a girl like another teen named Mary who said yes when the angel told her she would bear a son named Jesus. Just obedient, just a heart for God…a heart to please!

There remained one more task.  With broom in hand Joy swept the kitchen and dining room floors. Joy felt peace, and God said,  

                              'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things;

                                                              I will put you in charge of  many things…”
                                                                             Matthew 25:23

Joy!

Serving  God

Pray for Others...Even When It 's Hard
“When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person.”
Luke 6:28 (MSG)

  
 The school was buzzing with the news. Students to perform in the special Christmas ensemble choir had been chosen. Beth's name was not to be found on the selected list.  Her heart sank. Not chosen...Why?

Beth hung her head. Didn’t she have a gift? Didn’t others say so—besides her parents?  She felt like a loser…hurt like one…acted like one.

Rehearsal was every day. Until the night of the Christmas program,  Beth would have to sit with others in the school wide choir and watch the special ensemble practice. She was crushed. Her friends in the ensemble  choir were rather prideful about their superior position and Beth could feel their snubs, their coolness toward her.

One day she shared her disappointment with her very wise grandmother. “Pray for the choir, Beth. Start praying for them and their performance. Love never fails. Love isn’t proud. Love is kind, and it never thinks evil of others.”

It was perfect advice. It came from the Bible…of course it was good!

And that’s what Beth did. As she watched the ensemble practice she prayed for them. As she prayed, God changed her heart. She genuinely cared for their success. The anger she once felt melted away and joy came on its heels.  On the night of the Christmas program Beth’s face beamed. Smiling, she told her grandmother, “Didn’t the ensemble do a wonderful job?”

Great people pray for the success of others.

They are not afraid to serve God with their prayers.

Two years later Beth was awarded the school’s music award. Only one student was selected for this prize. Beth had learned a secret. Serving by praying for those who fared better than herself brought joy—brought peace—brought reward!

Dear Lord, Who needs my prayer today? Show me...I will pray for them!

Serve God--At All Costs

  Serve God—At All Costs!

"You rejected the Lord's command, and he has rejected    you as king of Israel."
I Samuel 15:26b (GNT)
   
      
Samuel whispered in King Saul’s ear. “God's given the order. Time to destroy the Amalekites. God remembers how cruel they were to His people."

“Sure, I’ll do all God’s says,” boasted Saul. “ Get rid of the Amalekites, their cattle, their king. I’m your man. You can count on me!”

But when the time of battle came, Saul eyed King Agag. He had an idea.

What a feather in my cap if I can capture this king and hold him for ransom. Just watch the man tremble. Oh, yeah, I’m the lean, mean, king!

While Israel was tramping all over her enemy, King Saul spied the cattle. Some of them were perfect. He had another idea.

Well now, who would fault me for taking the beautiful cattle and sacrificing them to God? I know God would like that…no, He’d love it!  Old Samuel, he’s out of step. I’m king, not some child. Besides… God’s on my team!

But God, who never slumbers, saw it all. “Wake up Samuel. Saul has served me poorly. I have rejected him. Read Saul his rights…but tell him—it’s over!” And so it was.

Then God commanded a very sad Samuel, to smile again and anoint David as Israel’s next king—and he did!

People, filled with fabulous promise, start out great but when they disagree with God, they walk away. It makes me sad. I’ve watched men leave their families saying, “I just want to be free.” Oh, the pain!

I’ve seen teens scoff their parents. Suffering comes with that choice.  It’s a slippery path spiraling downward. Oh, the regret!

You—are chosen for greatness. Run your race. Don’t doubt God. He’s in step with you. He’s for you.

                                     You’re not a Saul. You know the secret to greatness
                                             and so you follow, you serve—at all costs!

Dear Lord,
I’ll put my hand in yours. I will be great for you…when I walk with you today!

Called to Greatness--That's You!

The light in darkness

Day One - Called to Greatness—That’s You!

“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet,

you also ought to wash one another's feet.”

John 13:14 (ASV)

I remember him as a first grader who never shirked from helping in the classroom. No matter how small the task, Domenic would jump at the chance to help his teacher. I began to realize that before me was a picture of a leader—a leader in the making. Domenic was a servant.

One of the world’s greatest women washed the sores of the rejected and dying in the streets of Calcutta, India. This one we deem as great, held the dying in her arms despite their stench, and comforted them in their final moments. Mother Teresa was a servant.   

The Creator of heaven and earth washed the feet of those who would betray Him, deny Him, and sleep through the night during His bleakest moments. The scriptures declare the Son of God was given a name above all names because He humbled Himself to die for the world! Jesus Christ was the purest and truest picture of a servant.

I have seen precious youth gathered around their church altar giving support and love to a weeping friend crying out to God. I have seen other priceless teens walk arm in arm and kneel before God committing their lives to His service.

These are the ones God calls great. These are the ones who begin and remain as servants before their God. These are the ones who turn their world upside down. And—this  is you, called and separated to serve the Master who first served you.

You hear His voice calling you to a different kind of life…a different sort of kindness. Go for it! Don‘t be ashamed to shine—don’t be ashamed because He goes with you. Remember—this is your destiny.

Walk through the hallways and into the classrooms of your school and ask the Lord Jesus to show you where you can help, where you can serve. Walk into the cafeteria with a smile and ask again, “Lord, who needs my smile?”

                                             You’ve got the goods. You’ve got the light.
                         You have Your Savior walking with you and living in you! Go!

Dear Lord,
I want to be great for You. Make me Your servant Thank you!

Asigned to Shine

  Assigned to Shine

“They called Peter and John and ordered them never to teach about Jesus or even mention his name... ‘We cannot stop talking about what we've seen and heard.’"
Acts 4:18 & 20 (GW)

 

The Creator, Maker of heaven and earth, says you’re His kid. He declares you’re mighty, you’re great and you are His witness! Ready—get set—go!   Jesus has an assignment for you. Don’t be afraid. All of heaven is cheering you on. The Lord has already told you that He is for you—so who can be against you? 

                                                                       Searching world

Your friends need Jesus! They are searching for purpose, searching for love, searching for significance and you’ve—got the goods! The popular cheerleader or muscular quarterback is lost, empty without Jesus. Laughing classmates in the lunchroom may seem to have it all together. They don’t. Without knowing how much Jesus loves them—they can’t. You have more privileges as a student to shine the love of Jesus on your campus than anyone else. Don’t let any bully tell you otherwise.
                                                                          
                                                                         Read your rights!

1. You may personally pray before you eat, take a test, or attend a sporting event.
2. Christian messages on T-shirts, other clothing or jewelry may be worn unless your     school has a uniform requirement.
3. You may pass out Christian literature between classes and after school hours to your teachers and friends.
4. You may gather on your own time before or after school hours for prayer and     devotions.
5. You may share a Christian viewpoint in a classroom discussion if it is appropriate.
6. You may bring your Bible to school and any other Christian literature and read     between classes.
7. Bible clubs may meet (if voluntary and student-initiated) on public secondary school premises during non-instructional time. This is applicable when other non-curriculum                            student groups are also permitted to do so.
8. A student may pray or speak of God, without being judgmental, in a student address for graduation anywhere in the country.
   
                                                                                No fear

Peter and John were not afraid. They couldn't keep quiet. God was with them, and they followed Jesus—no matter what! The early disciples were few in the beginning.  But they turned the world upside down everywhere they went.

Are you tired of seeing your friends fail and fall into trouble? Sometimes you may watch them die.  Are you mad because no one is telling them or allowed to tell them how much God loves them? Peter and John were ordinary men who just believed God. They made the difference. So can you… So must you!

“But Peter and John replied, ‘Judge for yourselves.

Which is right from God's point of view? Should we obey you? Or God?’”
Acts 4:19 (NIRV)
       
        Dear Lord,
        Here I am. I put my hand in Yours. We will go… We must go. I love You