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Listen while you read: "At Calvary"1 (Lyrics) |
Colossians 3:23-24 – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (NIV)
At our early morning church service, calling out favourite hymns is part of the worship format, so the pianist never knows from week to week what he may be called upon to play.
One Sunday, several songs which the pianist was not overly familiar with were requested. As he searched for the music, he also said, "I'm happy to give it a try, but we may be missing some notes."
The congregation laughed, then sang with gusto and beauty even amidst some missing notes.
Pianists are not the only ones who sometimes miss notes. Each and every one of us also misses notes as we go about playing the music of our everyday lives. In other words, we do not live out our days perfectly, not even one of us, for none of us is perfect.
Living out our lives for Christ, choosing to work at whatever He puts in front of us each day with all our heart, doing the very best that we can, and looking to Him for strength and guidance are what count, though, rather than the missing notes. He knows that we are only human and that we each have our share of faults and failings. This is why He came to die for mankind, not because we were perfect, but because we are not. Our imperfections, however, must never keep us from trying to do our best in our service for Him, for when we do our best for the Master, He is able to turn it into something beautiful as it is laid before Him at the throne of grace.
Today, let each of us choose, in whatever we do, to work at it with all our hearts, as working for the Lord and not for men, for as we do so, the missing notes will not matter. What will count are the intention of our hearts and the faith that we display as we trust in the One Who loves us and died for us to make something beautiful, not only out of us, but also out of the works of our hands that we offer up to Him, the King of kings and Lord of lords, for the glory of His kingdom.
Prayer: Father God, we thank You so much for Jesus and His love for us. We thank You that when we work diligently for Him in this world, He is able to take even the most imperfect of our works and turn them into something beautiful for the encouragement of others, as well as for the glory of Your kingdom. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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Wednesday, January 22, 2025 – In Yemen — Pray for our Yemeni national church. We now have more believers than the rest of the Saudi peninsula combined. Pray for us to be bold and discerning as we share our faith. Pray for us to also be continually growing in our relationship with Jesus.
daughter: "Update December 30, 2024: And please touch her heart that she may turn to YOU.* November 12, 2024:..." 
Wow, that’s a challenge for the pianist!
Lynne, thank you for today’s message.
Blessings!
What an uplifting way of life you have described. I’m sure many will be inspired.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today.
Blessings.
Thank you, Lynne.
A great reminder for all of us.
Blessings.
This is so encouraging, Lynne. Lately, I’ve felt I’m missing some notes (not paying full attention to the sermon, etc.) A good prod from our Heavenly Father! Thanks.
Lynne, such a good thought! I immediately was reminded of Romans 8:26-28 and how the Holy Spirit plays the missing notes of my imperfect stumbling prayers. Your writing is always to the point and relevant. Thank you.
Thank you, Lynne, for another of your very special and positive messages. Our Lord surely is ever there to help us through whatever life situations we encounter, and He certainly is ever deserving of our praise and grateful thankfulness. Many blessings for these writings you deliver.
Lynne, I found your devotional so meaningful and encouraging. Once a month, I “attempt” to play the piano for a little service at 2 local nursing homes. I’ve always been aware that I’m not a great pianist but in reading your devotional, God has spoken to me!
I always ask Him to help me so I can help others worship Him. Your words just topped it off! Thanks be to God.
Good morning, Lynne.
Thank you for this reading today. It is a comforting reminder of how much God loves us even though we are not perfect, this is essential to remember when the devil tries to make us feel guilty!!!
Have a blessed week.
God bless.
Good morning, Lynne,
Just a little note to thank you for another timely message this morning.
As I am the pianist at our Presbyterian church here in town, there are some weeks that I just think it would be nice to just be part of the congregation instead of worrying about hitting all the right “notes” for every hymn. Mind you, once I am up there, I just love making music as it is also my way of worship as I improvise on the ivories.
I know this has been a hectic year for you and your family but sending along warmest wishes for a joyful Christmas together.
Good morning, Lynne,
I have never heard of this approach to the hymns, and it is wonderful that you have a willing pianist. It is a good example of doing our best for the Lord so that He can use it to encourage others. Being willing to try with God’s help is a great message for us to remember. Sometimes it is difficult to find that energy and if we pray, it does appear.
I am joining you with your prayer this morning and starting my week on a positive note of putting my whole heart for our Lord into everything I do so that He can use it to encourage myself and others. Hopefully, I won’t miss too many notes. Blessings.
Life is a struggle – only with Jesus will we be victorious. Amen.
Merci, Lynne,
This insight caught my attention. “Today, let each of us choose …”
Dear Lynne,
Thank you so much for this special devotional. The Scripture verse at the beginning is a real motivation to do all things for the glory of the LORD.
May the LORD continue to bless you and make you a blessing to others.