by Nan Jones @NanJonesAuthor
Guest Blogger, Rose Chandler Johnson @rechanjo
You’re in for a treat today as I share my friend, Rose Chandler Johnson with you. Like most of us, Rose has lived through some difficult moments in her walk of faith. But in those difficult places she has found the Lord to be faithful. Today she is sharing a page from her devotional, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea. Sit back and relax a moment and allow the Lord to quench your soul with refreshment from His word. Rose joins me in praying for you, our readers, as we ask the Lord to give you strength for the journey.
Welcome Rose!
For whoever wants to
save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Matthew
16:25 NIV
save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Matthew
16:25 NIV
Well I remember the time, some twenty
or so years ago, when my little children revolved around me like the planets
circle the sun. I felt like I was holding them all in place, but God was
holding us all. He was ever present.
or so years ago, when my little children revolved around me like the planets
circle the sun. I felt like I was holding them all in place, but God was
holding us all. He was ever present.
One
especially exhausting day, as I was changing a diaper and hurriedly juggling
many tasks, I said aloud in exasperation, “I don’t have a life!”
especially exhausting day, as I was changing a diaper and hurriedly juggling
many tasks, I said aloud in exasperation, “I don’t have a life!”
Without
hesitation, in an instant, the Lord responded emphatically to my words. In my spirit, I heard, “No, you don’t have a
life. Didn’t I tell you that whoever
will save his life shall lose it, and whoever will lose his life for My sake
shall find it?”
hesitation, in an instant, the Lord responded emphatically to my words. In my spirit, I heard, “No, you don’t have a
life. Didn’t I tell you that whoever
will save his life shall lose it, and whoever will lose his life for My sake
shall find it?”
These
words came directly to me, personal and real—interjected into my train of
thought by a voice of authority.
words came directly to me, personal and real—interjected into my train of
thought by a voice of authority.
At
that moment, I knew the Lord had spoken to me.
I realized I was doing exactly what the Lord wanted me to do; I was
taking care of the needs of my family. My
service to them was not an obligation, but a holy calling, a vocation to serve
the needs of those in my care.
that moment, I knew the Lord had spoken to me.
I realized I was doing exactly what the Lord wanted me to do; I was
taking care of the needs of my family. My
service to them was not an obligation, but a holy calling, a vocation to serve
the needs of those in my care.
Jesus
became a “servant to all” taking on the “form of a servant” in his earthly
life. His service was love in
action. His selfless love, for our
redemption and God’s glory, is a model for all believers. It is with this same spirit of service that
we can dedicate our lives to His service.
By so doing, we are strengthened to give of ourselves to others, in our
families and beyond, as we go about our everyday lives.
became a “servant to all” taking on the “form of a servant” in his earthly
life. His service was love in
action. His selfless love, for our
redemption and God’s glory, is a model for all believers. It is with this same spirit of service that
we can dedicate our lives to His service.
By so doing, we are strengthened to give of ourselves to others, in our
families and beyond, as we go about our everyday lives.
Suggested readings: Matthew 16:24-26; Matthew 25:31-46;
1 Cor. 9:19; Philippians 2:7-8.
1 Cor. 9:19; Philippians 2:7-8.
Journal Considerations:
Can you
think of times when your service to others causes you frustration? Self-pity?
think of times when your service to others causes you frustration? Self-pity?
What
encouraging words would you like to hear at those times?
encouraging words would you like to hear at those times?
In your own
words, describe what Paul means in 1 Corinthians 9:19.
words, describe what Paul means in 1 Corinthians 9:19.
Prayer:
Dear God, I want to be at your
service, doing whatever it is that you have called me to do this day. Strengthen me to serve. Give me the love I need to put into my
actions. Show me the tasks you have
called me to do, that I may live my life for Your glory.
Dear God, I want to be at your
service, doing whatever it is that you have called me to do this day. Strengthen me to serve. Give me the love I need to put into my
actions. Show me the tasks you have
called me to do, that I may live my life for Your glory.
Today’s Sweet Tea Moment:
What would Jesus do?
What would Jesus do?
Prayer Focus:
Those who devote their lives to God’s service by serving others.
Those who devote their lives to God’s service by serving others.
A Tweetable to Encourage Others
****************************************************
Meet Rose:
Rose Chandler Johnson’s devotional journal, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments won the
Georgia Author of the Year Finalist Award in 2014. It was also awarded the
Selah Finalist Award in 2014. Rose enjoys writing for her blog, Write Moments with God and engaging with
her readers, who have inspired her to write another devotional, presently a
work in progress. Rose is a native
Georgian, and has lived in a suburb of Augusta for the last thirty years. She
was a French and English teacher for twenty years. Currently she works as an
outreach specialist for a public library. In addition to reading and writing,
Rose enjoys baking, gardening, and spending time with her six children and
their families.
Georgia Author of the Year Finalist Award in 2014. It was also awarded the
Selah Finalist Award in 2014. Rose enjoys writing for her blog, Write Moments with God and engaging with
her readers, who have inspired her to write another devotional, presently a
work in progress. Rose is a native
Georgian, and has lived in a suburb of Augusta for the last thirty years. She
was a French and English teacher for twenty years. Currently she works as an
outreach specialist for a public library. In addition to reading and writing,
Rose enjoys baking, gardening, and spending time with her six children and
their families.
God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea
In the South, nothing is more refreshing than a glass of sweet iced tea. Nothing, that is, except experiencing God in those small, everyday
moments. God, Me, and Sweet Iced
Tea is a deeply personal collection of spiritual treasures designed to help readers experience new mercies each morning. Seasoned with insight and grace, this tender
Tea is a deeply personal collection of spiritual treasures designed to help readers experience new mercies each morning. Seasoned with insight and grace, this tender
devotional points to the divine presence of God in everyday moments. Whether purchased as a personal resource or given as a heartfelt gift, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea will help readers develop a daily habit of turning to God in those quiet moments of reflection.
Connect with Rose:
Blog: Write Moments With God
Twitter: @rechanjo
Pinterest: Rose C. Johnson
Facebook:Rose Chandler Johnson Author
Goodreads: Rose Chandler Johnson
God,
Me, and Sweet Iced Tea is
available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart.com,
Christianbooks.com and through your local independent book stores in paperback.
Kindle and Nook versions are also available.
Me, and Sweet Iced Tea is
available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart.com,
Christianbooks.com and through your local independent book stores in paperback.
Kindle and Nook versions are also available.
Note: Did you enjoy this blog? If so, I would love for you to subscribe my entering your email in the subscribe space in the above right corner beneath my photo. I post on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays and am starting a quarterly newsletter with recipes, praise, a devotion, and special info about my ministry. It would thrill me to stay connected with you and encourage you in the difficult places.
Thank you so much Nan for having me on Morning Glory. I pray our words bring encouragement to others and shine forth His light to His glory. Blessings.
It's a joy having you here, Rose. Thank you for sharing your heart with my readers.
Rose, it is an absolute pleasure to read this devotion again. Thank you for reminding us the joy of serving the Lord no matter where we are in our journey today. Blessings, Marcie 🙂
It really does make a difference, doesn't it Marcie? Understanding that I am doing something as unto the Lord helps me keep my work in the correct perspective. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Thank you Marcie.
We should never think the place where God has put us is not the absolute best place for us. Thank you, Rose! You are always a blessing!
I agree Norma – Rose IS a blessing 🙂 I find comfort in the knowledge that God is sovereign and He orchestrates our lives according to His will that we can trust is for our good. So glad you stopped by Norma.
Such wise sweet words. Much appreciated. Thanks Norma Gail.