Notes From Vacation

1 John 1:1
New International Version (NIV)

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes,which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

Lord Jesus- John had an immediacy that was present in all his writing. It was a result of interacting with you during your ministry. There are times when it seems as if there is that same sense of being right in the mix with you in my life. I have heard. I have seen you work...my hands have touched what you have done. There is a cutting edge to life in the spirit...and then there are those times when it all appears to be past tense.

Even in those times John reminds me that there is proclamation to do. He has worked. He will work again. This is not the place where His work ends. This reminds me of the beginning of the John’s gospel, pretty sure he meant that to be the case.

Don’t let me miss that this is about the "word of life...the word of life" Life is the theme. Life where your word has cutting edge application.

ISA 55:11 ESV

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

This is the word of life it will not return to You empty.  Even when it seems like there is no impact that is visible.  Your word changes all it touches. It changes me...inside and out, It changes those who hear it just by washing over them one more time.  Sometimes they just feeling like words....but that is just how it looks from where I am sitting.  I can't be fooled anymore. There is power that is released in each hearing.

Romans 10:17 ESV

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Don't let me forget that it is the word of life...it needs to be heard and lived out in my life in a way that shows first to those closest to me and then outward...the word of life that we touch...the word of life that is lived out today...the word that faith comes as we live it out day by day.

So Lord Jesus how do I live it out today? In this place with little ones surrounding me and the lady  that you gave me looking on? How do it make it all work...how does it become the word of life today in my little world. That is the job for today...to wrap little ones in your love and to live out the word of life today.  Jesus help me. Help when I feel like sighing...help me when I get distracted...help me when my frustration rises to know that the word of life is with me no matter how I feel. Let me enjoy that time that passes so quickly....almost before I know it.