Tag Archives: servant

Do You Hand God a Bill?

Leave a reply

Do You Hand God a Bill?

by T.L. Wiens 

Bill-to-God

I wonder how many times we invite our Heavenly Father for a meal, a time of fellowship and hand Him a bill for showing up?

I was invited to a friend’s house for dinner. Her children wanted to serve the meal and I thought it would be a fun evening. Our plates were empty, the meal very much enjoyed, and my friend and I prepared to clear the table when one of the children handed me a bill. Their mother turned red, snatched the bill from my hands and chastised her children.

I wonder how many times we invite our Heavenly Father for a meal, a time of fellowship and hand Him a bill for showing up?

We live in the time of nothing is free. So many times we put our list of wants at Jesus’ feet like a bill—I spent time with you and now you must do this for me. We forget who He is and who we are in His Kingdom.

I know for me, it’s something I need to keep in check
—I serve Him, not the other way around.

John the Baptist had it right.

“He (Jesus) it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.” (John 1:27, KJV).

Jesus Christ is our King. He and the Father are One. (paraphrased from John 10:30, KJV)

We need to remember that in every aspect of our relationship with Him.

Tammy Wiens

Tammy lives in Saskatchewan with her husband. They have four children. She enjoys gardening, walks along the beach and being on the farm. She has a passion for her faith, studying the Bible and prayer.

She has published two books; Where a Little Rain Comes Down and Making the Bitter Sweet. A short story, “May’s First Christmas” appeared in Christmas Chaos, a collection of stories about Christmas experiences that don’t make the fronts of Christmas cards. “Careful What You Whisper” is another short story about Tammy’s experiences after breaking her back. It can be found in A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider. Visit T. L. Wiens for more information about Tammy’s books and workshops.

Related articles

HOW CAN I HEAR FROM GOD?

Leave a reply

How Can I Hear from God?

by Jan Cox

I wanted to get closer to God. I wanted to hear Him speak.

I realized that my mornings had not been a time of intentional worship and prayer.

I chose to change – I wrote about the 4 NOWS.

Now I had to live them.

Here is what happened:

While in Arizona I had taken a course called SEED by Priscilla Sheer. During this course I learned to read a Bible verse and listen to God speak. I decided to try that again.

But which verse? How?

I listened and heard God give me two passages.

The first one was Isaiah 6:8.

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!””

The next Ephesians 4:12.

 “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up”

The method, the 5 Ps, briefly, is:

        • Position your self;
        • Pour over the Scripture;
        • Pull out spiritual principles;
        • Pose questions:
        • Plan

I did.

Here is what I found.

I know my work for God is to believe in Jesus.

I heard that and knew it – my job is to prepare God’s people to serve so that the body of Christ is built up – always being submissive to the will of the Father.

I looked up servants and found they all trusted God, delighted in Him. They were from all walks of life. Jesus took on the nature of a servant.

Prayer:

This week I start to lead a new Bible Study using these 5 Ps. I pray for His leadership, guidance, enthusiasm and strength. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.

While thinking of faith, belief and Jesus I am reminded of Faith of Our Fathers. I have started to practice this hymn on my new piano.

Here is Bing Crosby singing Faith of Our Fathers. I remember so well listening to this record – who can forget that cover. What a voice!

My Gratitude List for this Week

        • prayer time at the Pregnancy Care Centre
        • great driving prayers
        • sweet grandkids
        • hard Eucharisteo – saying goodbye to a 14 year old dog, Freeway
        • a helpful son-in-law who drove me to pick up a used digital piano
        • a new digital piano

My new piano.

        • juice oranges (but so messy)
        • juicy peaches (even messier)
        • sticky hands
        • very warm days for the end of August
        • leaves changing colour
        • reflections of an awesome summer
        • a tour of Highlands East; a flea market; a friend and a new friend
        • moved my blog to my self-hosted blog – www.janiscox.com
        • a soak in a tub
        • long chats with my daughters
        • hard Eucharisteo – my hubby’s Dad is not well
        • “justification” – Just as if I had never sinned.
        • “we are more than conquerers in Christ”
        • great sermon (The work God requires of us) – John 6:28
        • a game of Scrabble on the boat

Playing Scrabble on the boat.

        • chatting with Internet friends – and praying for some of them
        • playing hymns on my new piano (well trying to play them!)
        • a reorganized den and art room and the energy to do it

My New Office

        • cute message from 5 year old granddaughter on the answering machine
        • rainbow trout – yum
        • a dream with Christian symbols
        • anticipation of a new Bible Study
        • Word of God – speaks
Related articles

Contributors

Jan Cox

Janis Cox - Author and Illustrator

Janis Cox

Jan, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She also writes at A Better Way. Jan has completed a children’s book called Tadeo Turtle. She is the watercolour illustrator. Word Alive will be publishing this story and it will be available later this summer. See more about Tadeo at Jan’s Website.