— From the distaff side —

Full-Timer

The scene outside my kitchen window seemed peaceful enough.  I was really enjoying the sight of blue sky, sunlight filtering through the green leaves of our fruiting apple tree and a hard-working woodpecker tapping for edibles up and down its trunk.  Standing at the sink cleaning up from the morning’s meal of scrumptious summer fruit, I wondered what other good things this day would bring.  Suddenly I heard within, “What ‘good things’ will you bring to this day?”

I sensed the Lord was lovingly prodding me to rethink my priorities.  My heart began to break as I recognized my growing complacency from having lately focused more on the good things in my life rather than the good Christ wanted to do through me.  My focus had gotten skewed.  Somehow I had allowed that old self-centered nature to take charge again.  Ugh!  (Yes; I’ve repented!)  God’s wise chastisement and correction is never fun but priceless in the eternal picture and proves that He truly loves us (Heb 12: 5-11).  As a child, my mother would confront me at times, charging me with acting like a “bump on a log”; inferring I was not doing what I should be, or doing it in a timely manner.  (She loved me too!)

Our heavenly Father indeed gives His children all things to richly enjoy (1Tim 6:17) and He is good and the Giver of all good things (Ps 34:8; James 1:17).  He wants us to expect good things from Him, to find pleasure in what He has provided and be thankful.  But too much of my attention had drifted to myself and basking in God’s “good things”.  For the Christian, life is more than just its enjoyment.  It is to be a continual expression of Christ in us; His love, wisdom and power flowing through us to others.  "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephes 2:10).

Thank You, Lord, for showing me Your perspective (again!).  Indeed, I am to enjoy with thanksgiving every good thing you bless me with.  But most importantly, I am to look to You, living out by joyful faith every good thing You have ordained and created me for in Christ Jesus (Ephes 1:3; Phile 6; Gal 2:20).  Thank You also for reminding me that I am a “full time” daughter of God and minister/servant of the Most High.  Ever keep me in Your truth that:  "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.  If any man serve me, let him follow me" — Jn 12:24-26.

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

DP08-09