Scott, Teresa 4

Scriptures: Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 (NIV) – “For everything there is a season, and time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time pluck up what is planted;”

Ecclesiastes 3:11a (ESV) – “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

Message: Solomon is accredited with writing these words as he was looking back over his life considering how God was with him in all circumstances. He observed that life consists of a series of beginnings and endings and God is the ultimate authority over them all. He acknowledges that from the start to finish every moment in every season of the cycle of life is appointed by God.

I can relate to Solomon. Our family is fortunate to have four generations alive. There is the joy and anticipation of a new grandchild being born in February. Babies remind us of how much they rely on others for their needs. They need a Caregiver. Then we have a two year old grandson that brings us back to the wonders of discovery. He needs a Caregiver to teach him and keep him safe. The oldest generation are my aging parents, who increasingly need to rely on others to provide care for them. Currently, they are making the transition from “care giving” to “care receiving”. They need a Caregiver.

Don’t we all need a Caregiver? God is our Caregiver. He is not just there for us at the beginning and the end of life; He is with us for every moment in our lives. From the day of our birth until the day we die, God is designing and guiding us towards our destiny.

No matter what season of life in which you find yourself, just as Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He has made everything beautiful in its time”. This is a reminder that we are to live by faith in the Word of Truth, and to trust God in all things.

Prayer: Dear Father: You are the ultimate Caregiver. Every season of life is a time to celebrate what You are doing in our lives – and through our lives – as we touch others. We thank You for Your presence in all moments in our lives. Life is Your gift, and I pray we use it wisely and, regardless of what may come, help us remember Your unending caring love as we journey through life’s experiences. Amen.

Teresa Scott

Scriptures: Mark 9:36-37 (ESV) – “And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.’”

John 3:16 (ESV) – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Message: Recently I have heard people exclaim, why would a person bring a child into this world?

As a recent proud grandparent I couldn’t disagree more. Even before I was a grandma I have always felt drawn to children. Children are the greatest hope for this world. The potential of each child is like a beautifully wrapped gift. I want to be a part of helping them unwrap their gifts and purpose for their lives.

As excited as I get about children, I have to remind myself that God sees me as his child. I am His Hope for this world. He is excited to help me find my gifts and purpose for my life. We are never too old that there is not another layer of wrapping paper to reveal another gift that the world needs. God is so good. Let us go out into this world and be a light.

And for the naysayers that ask: “Why have a child today?”. I would respond I am so grateful God did not share their views – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (ESV).

Prayer: Dear God, I thank and praise You that as a Christian I have hope for my life and for this world. Even though the world is full of negativity and darkness, I pray that I will be a light to others. I am especially grateful of the reminder that a child is a hope for tomorrow. You know the hearts of Your people and I pray that I never stop finding ways to live out my life for Your purpose. In Your precious holy name. Amen.

Teresa Scott

Scripture: Isaiah 6:8 (ESV) – “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me’” Galatians 6:9 (ESV) – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.”

Message: What do these two verses have in common?

If you ever want to ask me to do something all you have to do is play the song “Here I am Lord”¹ by Daniel Schutte which is based on Isaiah Chapter 6. The song makes me feel as if I am recommitting my life to the mission of Christ. My heart and hands are lifted to the Lord. I am willing to do whatever He has called for me to do. So why would I ever grow weary?

If you look at the context of Isaiah 6:8, you discover that Isaiah was asked to deliver a difficult message of accountability to the Israelites. God tells Isaiah that the people liked how their lives were and they would not change. They would not receive God’s message Isaiah would give them.

If I was Isaiah, I would have grown weary before I had begun. Can you relate today’s society to the Israelites of Isaiah’s time?

Even in our current rebellion, God cares for His people. He desires to reach us with His Love. God is calling each of us today to some task, big or small, to be done in His name. Answering His call, we will know the joy of walking with God.

However when you are pursuing God’s Plan, you may experience doors that are closed and people that don’t seem to be listening. Remember to not grow weary while doing good, do not lose heart because God is using you for His good purpose.

Prayer: Lord of love and life, who calls us each day to do tasks for You, speak so we may understand. Bless our faltering efforts when we strive for obedience and yet are afraid. For we will say: “Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord. I have heard You calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart.” In Jesus' name. Amen.

Teresa Scott

1. “Here I am Lord” by Daniel Schutte, Michael Pope and John Weissrock. © Copyright. OCP Publications. Permission not required for use of Title only.

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