A Little Child Shall Lead Them

By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady

And a little child will lead them. Isa 11:6


“Jesus loves you,” Four-year-old Abigaile told the woman who handed her a free sample. Thursday was “Evangelize with Abigaile” day.

“Awww,” said the woman as Abigaile took her food. “Jesus loves you too.”

“All have sinned and fallen short,” Abigaile continued. “The wages of sin is death. The gift of God is eternal life. All who call on the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved.”

Everyone listened to Abigaile. How could you not listen to an innocent child who loves Jesus with the purity of a whole and undamaged heart? We walked through Target, giving the gospel time after time. When the conversation turned serious, her four-year-old attention span kicked in and Abigaile ran happily back to Mommy.

I didn’t plan to make Abigaile an evangelist. She was born with that desire. I’ve evangelized in front of my grandchildren their entire lives. All three of my older grandchildren eagerly hand out tracts and are interested in the encounters. Abigaile is the one who begs to go out and tell others about Jesus. She asked to be taught the scriptures that convict the heart. At four, it is already clear that she has the gift of evangelism.

I’m fascinated by watching all of my grandchildren’s unique spiritual gifts develop. Each has their own response to the Divine Encounters we have. Abigaile wants to be right in the middle giving the gospel.

Noah has the spirit of generosity and when we evangelize, he enjoys giving money and food to those needing it. He was incredulous when he learned about the homeless. “Gi Gi,” he said firmly. “Let’s go buy all of them homes.” Made sense to me. I explained the concept of needing money and he is already planning on how to make that possible. He also has the gift of leadership and tries to direct our encounters and outings. To his credit, he takes into account the needs and desires of everyone as he plans what we do next. When we are giving out tracts, he is the first to suggest who we give them to. He also tells me where and how to drive. I look forward his gift of leadership maturing.

Ava has the gift of service. When we talk to people, she knows they get distracted so she keeps an eye on their children. She has been a part of more than one “wandering child” rescue. She likes to pick up dropped items for people and hold the hands of younger children when we cross the street. Her insights about people are so deep that I’m starting to suspect the gift of prophesy. She loves to memorize and quote scripture.

Both Abigaile and Ava have the gift of mercy and find the pain of others heartbreaking. Little Frederick is one and I am already seeing signs of leadership and mercy. That will be an interesting combination of gifts.

Yes, a little child shall “lead” them. What fascinates me is that even children “lead” people in their own unique way using their own unique spiritual gifts. God calls all Christians to the Great Commission – to go, teach, and baptize. One of the things I enjoy about helping others learn to share their faith is helping them discover their gifts and how they can be used for the Great Commission. As my grandchildren grow and mature in faith, I look forward to watching Abigaile evangelize, Noah lead, and Ava serve – all with the same goal of fulfilling the Great Commission. I smile when I imagine how those gifts will work together as they lead their generation to Jesus.

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I Believe

By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady


For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV

“How long have you been in this country?” I asked.

“Twenty years,” she said.

“Has anyone ever invited you to church?” I asked.

“No,” she whispered. “I would be afraid. Everyone know Bible. I would not know how to act.” Jody was from China. She was my nail tech when I was in Raleigh, North Carolina. In China, she had been Buddhist but she knew the difference between Christianity and Buddhism. She told me that Buddhism was a way to live and Christianity was about God. Guiltily, she added that she supposed Buddha a “kind of god.”

“Do you believe in Jesus?” I asked.

“Of course,” she said. “How could so many people believe and it not be real?”

“Have you heard the story of Jesus dying on a cross and being raised from the dead?”She nodded. I quoted John 3:16, stopping to explain the harder English words. Her eyes lit up.

“Do you know the word sin?” She shook her head. I explained that it was doing wrong things and making mistakes.

“I try to be good person,” she said quickly. “But I not so good. I do bad things.”

“We all do. In fact, the Bible says we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” I took a moment to explain what "glory of God" meant. She nodded eagerly.

“Do you know what the word wages means?” I asked. She did. I went on. “The wages of sin is death. The gift of God is eternal life with God. We do not do deserve it – it is a gift. Do you understand?” She nodded.

“My favorite line in the Bible says, ‘all who call on the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved.' Do you know what Lord and Savior means?

“Lord means God,” she answered.

“Exactly,” I said. “It also means you are agreeing to let God be in charge of your life.” I went on to explain what Savior meant. She was fascinated. We talked about heaven and hell.

"Would you let me lead you in a prayer asking Jesus to be your Lord and Savior? I will tell you what to say.”

I have no words for her eagerness. For 20 years, people in America had talked about Jesus. She had read about Him. She knew many of the details. She walked by churches but was afraid to go in. No one had ever told her how to meet Jesus or invited her to church. She already believed and really wanted to know him. It was so easy –it always is when the Holy Spirit has prepared the heart. All I had to do was tell her what to do. She boldly prayed to receive Jesus – confessing her sin emphatically and asking for forgiveness. She asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior and beamed at me because she knew what that meant.

I tried to get her contact information but Christian literature being mailed to a Buddhist home is not well received. We talked about Chinese Bibles and she knew how to get one. She even knew where to find a Chinese church. She was still afraid to go but now, she had the Holy Spirit to give her courage.

Pray for Jody. Invite people to church. Be aware of how frightened so many people new to this country are about going to church. Make it easy. Do not be afraid to explain Jesus to someone where English is a second language. Go slowly, speak scripture, explain the hard or confusing words, and trust the Holy Spirit to do the rest.

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God Used Zombies

By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady


John 3:19
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
KJV

“How about them?” My friend Susie asked. We were in the mall witnessing. I always coach the people I’m training, that if they notice someone or feel some kind of “drawing,” they should trust that and speak up. Susie was very good at hearing the Holy Spirit.

I looked over and saw two young men working a kiosk that sold protective screen covers for electronic devices. Both had hair spiked in a Mohawk and holes in their ears stretched so wide that my pointer finger would have fit through them. Violent looking body art covered the arms of one.

“Sure,” I laughed. “Why not.”

“So,” I said, as I walked up to the kiosk. “What did your mother say about those ears?” 

They looked a little startled so I repeated my question.

“Mine hated it,” one said as he gave a cheeky grin.

“My mother was cool with it but my grandmother hated it,” the other said.

“What about the body art,” I asked the one covered in permanent color.

“Same thing,” he said. “Mother was cool. Grandma hated it.”

“What if you change your mind?” I asked. “The holes don’t look like they will grow back together.”

“Oh,” one said. “You can have surgery.”

“How long have you had it?”

“Five years.”

“I guess you must know if you like it,” I said. “How old are you guys?” They were 24 and 26, old enough to know what they wanted.

“Tell me about your body art,” I said. “You have some interesting pictures there.”

He pulled up his sleeve. It turns out that the bloody pictures were Zombies. He started to explain Zombies but I stopped him.

I always wonder what God is going to use to get someone's attention. This time, it was Zombies.

“I know all about Zombies,” I said. “I’m a writer and I talk about them in one of my books. I actually did research on them.” That got their attention.

“I travel the country helping people find faith in Jesus,” I said. “I run into people living on the streets, miserable and alone. I call them the walking dead. Their heart is beating. They walk, talk, and sleep, but their eyes are dead and they are dead inside – just like from Night of the Living Dead.” I also call them the night people because they want to hide how they live under the cover of darkness.

“Wow,” one said, impressed. “That is exactly what a Zombie is. They are the living dead.”

“I meet them all the time,” I said. “Jesus is the only person who can bring them back to life. When they pray to receive Jesus, I see the light come back into their eyes.”

That comment launched us into a discussion. These young men were philosophers. They had been friends for a while and thought alike. According to them, the afterlife had to do with intellect and was more complicated than we could comprehend as humans. One of them hoped that he might actually make it heaven but he had no idea if that was possible. They both had some church background and had a vague belief in Jesus. They had given the antichrist a lot of thought. One asked if I thought it was President Obama. The other stated that since the antichrist was someone who attracted everyone, it was most likely Jesus.

They pretty much believed in everything and nothing all at once and took great delight in trying to draw us into an intellectual debate. They had all of the cockiness and swagger of young people who thought they could figure out the answer to everything but were proud of themselves for being comfortable with not having to know for sure.

I couldn’t help laughing out loud. I was completely enjoying these impudent young men. I knew better than to debate – they would have happily taken me apart.

“Sounds to me like you are attracted to Jesus if you think he could be the appealing antichrist,” I teased. “I’ve heard people suggest that the President was the antichrist but I have no inside information on that. I have to admit that Jesus being the antichrist had never occurred to me. That was a new one and I’ve heard a lot on the road. I probably have opinions about everything you just asked and said, but it doesn’t matter what I think. It only matters what the Bible says. The Bible says Jesus is the Light of the World and the truth and the way. It calls Him the Good Shepherd and says that the only way to the Father is through him. He is certainly my light and the light for the former Zombies that choose that light. The Bible says we have all sinned and fallen short and that the wages of sin is death, so I’m not surprised when I meet the people I call Zombies. The gift of God is eternal life and my favorite line in the entire Bible is that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

I paused for a minute and added, “You know, Jesus himself came back from the dead.”

“I know,” one of them said softly.

I felt it. "It" was the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I could tell that Susie noticed it too. I never lose my awe of watching what I call the Holy Spirit hook – that moment when the Holy Spirit grabs them.

“You only need faith the size of a mustard seed to call on the name of Jesus,” I whispered. “I suspect you have that much. You admitted that you believed. I’d like to ask you to call on Jesus right now. There is a line in the Bible that says, ‘I believe. Help me in my unbelief.’ We could include that in the prayer. You have no idea of the wonder that waits for you at the other side of that prayer.”

“Ok,” the tattooed wonder said eagerly. “Wait! I should probably make sure he is OK with this.” He turned to look at his friend.

“I am,” the other young man said. “Why not?”

Together, they said they believed in Jesus – that he died on a cross and rose from the dead. They prayed, asking God to help them with any part of them that didn’t believe. They confessed their sin and asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior.

When they finished praying, all of the cocky confidence was gone. They were stunned into silence. I let the feeling settle over them.

“Thank you,” one of them finally said.

“What you are feeling is the Holy Spirit,” I explained. “Believe me, you have only just begun on this journey. The Bible says all of heaven is rejoicing and there is no party like an angel party.”

They gave me their names and addresses for follow up. I gave them a tract that told them what to do next. They let me take their picture so people could pray for them. They were respectful and gentle as we said goodbye – forever changed.


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Let's Go Witnessing

By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Luke 10:1-2 NIV

“What percent of time are people with you when you are evangelizing?” Steve asked. He’d just spent a day following me through a mall, watching and praying for me as I shared the gospel. Ten people prayed to receive Jesus and a couple more took The Jesus Challenge to ask the Jesus they don’t believe in to reveal Himself to them. It was a good day.

“Not much,” I said. “I’m by myself most of the time.”

“Think about it,” he pushed. “What percent?”

I counted. It was six months into the year and I’d evangelized with 8 people. Some had spent multiple days with me. I compared that number to the total days I’d evangelized and estimated I’d been alone 90% of the time.

“That is a waste!” Steve said. “You should be with someone 90% of the time. People need to see what you do.”

“I invite people to come with me,” I said. “I think it scares them. I encourage contributors to go because I want them to enjoy what they make possible. Now that I think about it, I lead more people to Christ when someone is with me. I don’t know if it is because the Bible says go two by two, because someone is praying, or because I’m more focused.”

“It’s probably all of the above but I’m not talking about the efficiency of more salvations or even blessing people. I’m talking about people waking up to how simple and straightforward it is to lead someone to Christ. I enjoyed seeing what you did today but it was more than that,” Steve said. “I needed to see how simple it is to lead someone to Christ. There were no tricks, no manipulation - just straight scripture and an invitation. I guess I thought talking about religion was private and people might get offended. These people today seemed to want to hear what the Bible said.”

“They do,” I said. “God made us that way. Everyone is born with a need for Jesus. Evangelize simply means to give good news. I often introduce myself as a ‘Good News Christian.’ Everyone wants good news. People mix up evangelizing and proselytizing. It is not my job to manipulate or talk anyone into salvation. I simply share good news and invite people into the Kingdom. For many, the invitation is too good to pass up. Did you notice that if someone didn’t want to talk, I affirmed their privacy, handed them a tract, and pointed to the prayer. Most of them were reading it as we walked away. Many accept Christ just by reading tracts.”

“I did notice,” Steve said. “Today wasn’t scary for me. You just let me watch and pray. That is what I want you to offer to others. Just invite them to follow you, watch, and pray. Anyone can do that. I needed to know how easy it was to fulfill the Great Commission and maybe next time, I’ll want to take a turn talking. If I hadn’t watched, I might have thought it depended on my words. I still can’t believe how simple and straight forward it is.”

Within 48 hours, my phone rang and Steve said excitedly, “I just got a Father’s Day gift. My family took me out to dinner and I led my waiter to Christ. I plan to go out witnessing tomorrow night.” Steve is beginning a journey that is going accelerate his spiritual intimacy, awe, and faith in a way that nothing else will.

So, let’s go witnessing. Invite me to your area. All you have to do is follow, watch, and pray. You can do that. If you want to take a turn talking, ask and I’ll let you, but all you have to do is follow, watch, and pray. Evangelism may not be your primary spiritual gift but you can learn to use your spiritual gifts to fulfill the Great Commission. If you go witnessing with me, I promise you a day of watching the Holy Spirit work. I promise I won’t push or make you uncomfortable. You’ll leave with a fresh understanding of just how much the world wants to know Jesus. Let’s go witnessing.
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Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road leading people to Christ, you can donate at

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Team Jesus

By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady


I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
KJV Phil 4:13

“You guys sure are a great team,” Ron Fuller with the Sojourners Fellowship said.

“We are,” I agreed. “We used to work together. We’ve been family a long time.”

Louise Milligan is my sister-in-law, friend, sister in Christ, and the mother of 2 of my 4 four nephews. Louise joined me at the annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. We both like many kinds of music but we were there to tell concert attendees about Jesus. We heard several times what a great team we were. Team Jesus is the best!

Each morning, Louise and I grabbed a cup of tea, read our Bible, and prayed together. Team Jesus is prepared.

“I hope you are careful,” I told one young man. “You probably have a mother who wants you safe.”

My mother told me to party my “A..” off,” he replied. (You’ll have to fill in for yourself the word he really used.)

Louise walked around behind him, looked, arm bumped him, and said, “It’s still there.” Team Jesus has a sense of humor.

“What is that?” I asked a couple. They were lighting a 4-inch colorful piece of glass and puffing.

“It’s a bowl,” they explained.

“I assume it is for pot,” I said. “How does it work?” They explained the technology and then went on to teach us about how and why people ate poison mushrooms. Louise and I listened without commenting when they said, “It’s natural so it is safe.” Team Jesus just loves.

After they finished sharing about pot, we shared about Jesus. They listened to our good news and invited Jesus to be their Savior.

“I can’t believe what people tell you,” Louise said as we walked off. “Thank goodness they didn’t offer us a puff.” Louise and I have never smoked pot and plan to keep it that way. Team Jesus lives in the world but is not of the world.

“I was worried about that too,” I said. “I always ask when I don’t understand things. It helps me in my work. That information will come in handy for leading someone else to Christ.” Team Jesus wants to know.

A couple of days later Louise and I were walking across the Bonnaroo field when someone called us over. It was our pot smoking friends, clear headed, relaxed, and excited to see us. Team Jesus is effective!

Louise and I walked around for four days in 90 degree plus weather, sharing Jesus. While we were together, 49 people prayed to receive Jesus as their personal Savior. Team Jesus in unstoppable!
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Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road leading people to Christ, you can donate at

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In the Garden

By Cheryle M. Touchton

My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. Matt 26:39 NIV

On Holy Week, I think about Jesus praying alone in Gethsemane. His soul was overwhelmed to the point of death. He took His disciples to the garden but they had to sit and wait outside. Imagine the emotion as Jesus begged, “Daddy, if possible, take this cup from me.” Then, my sweet Savior modeled acceptance and obedience by finally saying, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

What sends you to the garden alone? Because of my oldest son, David Paul Touchton, I got into the habit of going into the garden regularly. Bob and I met our adorable David when he was six. He moved in on this 7th birthday. God gifted David intellectually and musically and for a few years, it seemed like his future was bright. When his future fell apart, there was no putting it back together. I begged God to take the cup of David’s mistakes from us but my poor troubled David, broken before I ever met him, used his free will to ruin his life and break my heart. David found God again the last year of his life and when he died of AIDS in 1995, the only place for me was in the garden.

I had to go alone. I wanted my family and friends to enter the garden with me but all they could do was sit outside and pray. At first, I was mad to be there alone but God taught me that there are times when I have to enter alone. I had begged God to heal my son and had to accept that God gave David His perfect healing in eternity. I left that garden finally saying, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

In the Garden* is my favorite hymn is. I love it. I understand it. I’ve told my family to sing it at my funeral. I ignored nephew Bill when he asked, “If you’re dead, why do you care what we sing?” I’ve warned everyone that they are not to leave out any of the verses because together, they tell a story. I’ve tried to get my family of singers to learn it for me while I’m still alive but they don’t seem as excited about it as I am. Anytime there is a hymn request, I ask this hymn to be sung. I include it in conferences that I lead. I have many different recordings and when I listen to In a Garden, I feel God telling me that I am His own.

Verse 1- In the Garden*

I come to the garden alone.
While the dew is still on the roses.
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The son of God discloses.

I no longer wait for tragedy to send me to the garden. My special time with God is early in the morning. I enter that holy time alone. If I’m still, quiet, and listen carefully, the voice I hear falling on my ear, the son of God discloses. Don’t misunderstand. I’ve never been blessed to hear the audible voice of God. I had an aunt who heard voices and we locked her up so if I heard voices, I wouldn’t admit it anyway. Nevertheless, I do hear God’s voice in the early morning while the dew is still on the roses.

Verse 2- In the Garden*

He speaks and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing.

As soon as my eyes open, the rush of anticipation of my time with God washes over me. I awaken hungry so I rush through my breakfast, quickly make my coffee, and trot upstairs with my dog Belle to my special vibrating recliner and kneeling bench. I kneel before the window and the sweet sound of God’s voice rings in my heart. I sit in my chair, open my Bible, and read the melodious words of God. If weather permits, I go outside. At first, I listen to the birds but the voice of God is so sweet that, to my ears, even the birds hush their singing.

Verse 3- In the Garden*

I’d stay in the garden with Him.
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go, through the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling.

I want to stay in the garden but the work of the day beckons. If what I hear in garden is difficult and the day ahead of me dark, I beg to stay in the garden but God bids me to Go, through the voice of woe. When I beg for my cup to be removed, I wait in the garden until I can pray, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Chorus- In the Garden*

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

As I leave the garden, the chorus stays with me. God walks with me and He talks with me throughout my day. When I’m frightened or uncertain, He whispers that I am His own. The joy we share as God and I walk together in the garden surpasses anything I have ever known.

*In the Garden – Words and Music by Austin Miles

Copyright: Pocket Full of Change Ministries

The Eyes of the Christ Child

Day 2: The Eyes of the Christ Child



Meditation (3-5 Minutes)

Begin by being still before God. Read Isaiah 9:6 and meditate on the words.

Isa 9:6 (NIV)
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

1) Be still and know he is God.

2) Think about Jesus as a child.
a) What can you imagine him doing?
b) Do you think he enjoyed getting and receiving gifts?
c) How do you think the Christ Child would experience Christmas?
d) View this Christmas through the eyes of the Christ Child.

3) Let him be your Wonderful Counselor.
a) Surrender your problems.
b) Seek his wisdom.

4) Let him be your Mighty God.
a) Feel his power.
b) Surrender to his power.
c) Claim his power.

5) Let him be your Everlasting Father.
a) Bask in his love.
b) Feel his arms around you.

6) Let him be your Prince of Peace.
a) Release all contentious thoughts or worries.
b) Experience his peace.

Prayer
1) Ask God to speak to you during this worship time.

2) Requests of the Christ Child

a) Pray specifically for those that need to experience Christmas through the eyes of the Christ Child.
i) Specifically name those in emotional or physical pain.
ii) Specifically name the non-Christians in your life.
iii) Add them to the list.

b) Prayerfully update the list with new requests and any answers from God.

c) Praise God for his answers.

3) Gifts from the Christ Child
a) Praise God for his blessings.
b) Update the list.

4) Gifts to the Christ Child
a) Ask God to give you his spirit as you give gifts to others.
b) Prayerfully, update the list.

5) Ask God for knowledge of his will for you and the power to carry it out.

6) Ask the Holy Spirit to interpret the scriptures you are about to read.

Bible Study


Jesus came to earth as a baby. Like other babies, people gave him gifts and celebrated his birth. As far as we know, he had to learn to walk, talk, and dress himself. He grew up loved by his earthly mother and father. As an adult, Jesus loved children. He instructed us to let children be our teachers.

Background Scripture
Matthew 9:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, and Luke 18:15-17: Read the background scripture carefully. Jesus took time to be with children. How did he treat these children? What did he do for them?

What lesson was Jesus trying to teach his pious and impatient disciples?

The Faith of a Child
Lauren is eight years old. “I can’t wait for Christmas. It is my first Christmas as a Christian.” Earlier this year, Lauren asked Jesus to be a part of her life. “I was baptized,” she excitedly told me.

Lauren lives in a Godly home. She has been in church all of her life. Jesus has always been part of her life in some way. I questioned her further. “You already knew about Jesus. Why is this Christmas different?”

“Christmas has to be different because everything is different now. Jesus is my friend. I need him this year because two of my other friends moved away. Jesus will never move away.”

“What do you do with Jesus?” I asked.

“I talk to him. My brother is sick so I ask God to help him. My Daddy needs a job. I tell Jesus.”

“What is your favorite part of Christmas?” I asked.

“Church is fun at Christmas. I love singing the Christmas Carols. I get to go upfront and light a candle.” I asked about her favorite Christmas service. “Christmas Eve,” she said. “We turn off the lights and light candles.”

“What about the Bible? Do you have favorite verse?” I prompted.

Without hesitation, she answered, “Genesis 1:1. I can say it. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. This was the first verse I memorized. It reminds me that God made me. My favorite verse in the New Testament is John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” I wondered if she understood and asked her about it. “This tells me I will live forever with Jesus.”

Read John 3:16 and Genesis 1:1.

Since Lauren is just eight, I knew there had to be more to Christmas for her. “What about gifts?” I quizzed. “What was your favorite gift?”

Her face lit up. “I love gifts. When I was three, I got a toy car that fit over my legs. I sat the ground and pretended to drive. It had a steering wheel and a gearshift. Driving this car made me feel like a grown up. When I got older, what I liked changed. I gave that toy car to a girl in my church. Now I like Barbie Christmas gifts. Wearing a Barbie nightgown makes me feel pretty. I want a new Barbie for Christmas.”

“Lauren, why do you think we celebrate Christmas?” I was expecting her to say we celebrated the birth of Jesus. Her answer was better.

“We celebrate God’s gift to us. Christmas reminds me of a song I sing in church. This song says that we do not have to go looking for the gift of Christmas. Jesus is the gift that comes to us.” In what way does Lauren have the eyes of the Christ Child?


Luke 18:17: How are we to receive the kingdom of God?

A footnote to Lauren’s story is that her brother got well and her father found a job.

Application (5-10 Minutes)

1) Making It Personal
a) Name and pray for your favorite Christmas celebration.
b) Write your favorite Bible verse.
c) What was your favorite Christmas gift? Thank God for it.
d) Think of a child that you know well. Pick someone who is sweet, innocent, and bright with the joy of a child.
e) How will this child react to life today?
f) What areas of your life need the eyes of the Christ Child?
g) Ask God to help you have a childlike spirit throughout the day.

2) Praying Continuously (1 Thessalonians 5:17):
a) Stop and briefly pray when you feel strong emotions (i.e. impatience, anger, excitement, frustration, or joy).
b) As you feel each of these emotions, ask yourself this question: “If I were experiencing this with the faith of a child, how would I be reacting?”
c) Ask for the faith of a child.

Ending the Day

a) Thank God for the children in your life.
b) Did you have the eyes of the Christ Child today?
c) Confess if necessary.
d) Ask God for the eyes of the Christ Child.

Start At the Beginning

By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV

Have you ever wondered if the person sitting next to you knows the basic Jesus story? Do they know that He was born to a virgin, died on a cross, and rose from the dead. Do they know that He is the promised Messiah from the book of Isaiah? Do they know that He loves them and will forgive and forget anything they did wrong? Do they know that no one could or needs to work their way into heaven – that heaven is a gift to those who ask? Never assume the answer is yes. Sometimes, we have to start at the beginning – even with the person sitting next to us at church.

“Oh, I’m not religious. I Buddhist but not much,” Jade said. Jade was from Viet Nam. She was standing on my right removing my nail polish. I was in a massage chair with a young man working on my feet. Women filled the chairs next to me. Everyone could hear every word.

“How long have you been in the U.S.?” I asked.

“6 years.”

Were you Buddhist in Viet Nam?”

“She Buddhist,” the man working on my feet said as he frowned.

“You must be Catholic.” I said. The people I’ve met from Viet Nam are usually Buddhist or Catholic.

The young Vietnamese man working on the woman next to me said, “We both Catholic. She Buddhist.”

“Do you go to church?” I asked. They both nodded eagerly. “Have you prayed and asked Jesus to be your Savior and Lord?” Again, they both nodded.

“I nothing,” Jade said. “Not religious. What are you?”

“I follow Christ,” I said. “That makes me Christian. I love Jesus and asked Him to come into my life.”

“My husband Baptist,” she said. “What difference between Christian, Catholic, and Baptist?”

“Is your husband from Viet Nam?” I asked, surprised.

“No,” she said. “He American. He Baptist. His brother prays at everything – Christmas and Thanksgiving.”

“Does your husband go to church?” I asked.

“Some,” she said.

“Do you go with him?” I asked.

“Yes,” she said.

“Do you like Baptist church?” I asked. “Do you like the preacher?”

She shrugged. “I no understand preacher.”

“You asked the difference between Christians, Baptist, and Catholics.” I said, struggling to find words for someone who had no background in religion or Christianity. “Christians believe that Jesus was born to a virgin, was murdered on a cross, and came back from the dead. A Christian has admitted mistakes and prayed to ask Jesus to come into their life. A Christian has a personal relationship with Jesus.”

“He born to virgin?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said. “God was His father. It is hard to understand because Jesus is God. God saw how bad we were living on earth so He came to earth to save us. God has several faces or roles. Just like you – you do nails, are a mother, and a wife. God the Father is our daddy. He made us. He made the flowers and trees. God the Son is Jesus. He came to earth as a man to teach us and to save us so we can go to heaven. When we pray to ask Jesus into our life, Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the part of God that lives inside of us."

“Do you know about Buddha?” she asked.

“I do,” I said. “Buddhism isn’t really a religion. It is a philosophy or a way to live. It is a peaceful way to live. Buddha was a teacher and he came up with 4 Noble Truths about how to live. The people that I know that follow Buddha are very good people. The difference between Buddha and Jesus is that I have a personal relationship with Jesus. He did not just teach truth – He is truth. He rose from the dead. He is alive. No one that is Buddhist tells me they have a personal relationship with Buddha.”

“He is alive?” she said, clearly surprised.

“Yes,” I said. “The world killed him but He rose from the dead. He is God. He is alive in us when we ask Him to come into our life. He teaches us. You said you did not understand the preacher. If you had the Holy Spirit inside of you, the Holy Spirit would help you understand him. Jesus is also the way to heaven. Do you believe in heaven?”

“Yes,” she said. "Buddha say if you live good you go to heaven. I try to live good.”

“That is another difference between Jesus and Buddha. Jesus doesn’t tell you that you have to live good to go to heaven. He says you have to believe in Him and follow His ways. Heaven is free – all you have to do is believe in Jesus and ask for heaven. If you tell Jesus what you did wrong and ask Him to forgive you, He does. He does not even remember your mistakes after He forgives you.”

“He does not remember?” she asked in awe.

“No,” I said. “It is as if it never happened. We call that grace. It is free. You cannot work your way into heaven.”

I pulled out a laminated card that had 4 simple steps to becoming a Christian. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find my Vietnamese tract. “Do you read English?” I asked.

“Yes,” she said.

I walked her through each step and read her the words from the Bible scriptures.

“Jesus loves you,” I said gently. “He said so right here. The Bible is God talking to you.”

“It is?” she said.

“Yes,” I said. “I love the Bible. I can read God’s words any time.” I read her more words.

“I think I believe in God,” she said.

“I can tell you want to believe in Jesus. You do not have to understand everything to be Christian,” I said. I read her a sample prayer to ask Jesus into her life. “Do you want to pray this now?”

“No,” she said. “Can I have this card? I want to read it to my husband. I want to ask if he did this. I want to know what he think. What is difference between Baptist and Catholic?”

“They are both Christian religions. They worship in a different way and they believe a few things differently, but they both claim to follow Christ. Remember – a Christian in someone who has prayed to invite Jesus into their life. Not every Baptist or Catholic has done that. They are both Christian religions but a Christian is a person. You cannot become a Christian because your parents were Christians. You have to decide that for yourself.”

“How old were you when you did this?” she asked.

“8. My parents are Christians and took me to a Baptist church but I was not Christian until I prayed this. I do not care what church you go to as long as they teach you to follow Jesus but if your husband is Baptist, you should go to the Baptist church with him. It will be wonderful for your son for both parents to be Christian.”

My time with her was over. She clung to the card as I walked over to dry my nails.

Just before I left, she came over to me. “I want to say thank you. No one explain this to me before. I did not know what Christian was. You taught me about Buddha. I did not understand difference. You good person. Thank you.”

“Jade,” I begged. “Please, go home, talk to your husband, and pray that prayer. Go to church with him and tell the church your good news. Let them help you understand.”

As I walked out of that nail salon, I thought of all of the hands Jade had painted. Surely, some were Christian. Had none of them told her that Jesus loved her? She was married to a Baptist. Why hadn’t he started at the beginning and explained that Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead? She went to a Baptist church. Why did no one figure out that she needed them to start at the beginning? I’ve learned to never assume people know about Christ. I always ask, even in church. I visited a church and led a woman to Christ while sitting in the middle of an advanced Bible Study she’d attended for weeks. The Christian women around her had assumed she was already Christian and were trying to teach deep Biblical truths to someone who needed to know that Jesus died for her. They sat stunned as she prayed to invite Jesus into her life. They all apologized for not starting at the beginning. Please tell the story of Jesus everywhere. Start at the beginning.

==================================
Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden at 904 316-5462.

This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road leading people to Christ, you can donate at Donate

Copyright: Pocket Full of Change Ministries

Journey to the Cross - It is Finished

Have you ever known when something was finished? I have. I remember the moment my first book was finished. I’d been working on Pocket Full of Quaters for almost 2 years and as I typed those last few words, relief flowed through me because I just knew.

I needed to tell someone so I called my sister-in-law, Susan, and said, “I just finished my book!” Technically, the book was a long way from complete. There were many edits and drafts and it wasn’t published until almost a year later but those were just clean up. I knew when it was finished. Finishing my book was the beginning for my readers.

Jesus' work was harder than anything we have to do on earth. He did it willinging and knew when it was finished. He shared it with the world by saying, "It is finished." The finish for Him was the beginning for us. The sixth message of the Seven Last Words of Christ is about being finished.

Morning Meditation

Read John 19:30.

John 19:30

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. KJV

• Let yourself wonder what the world would be like if Jesus hadn’t finished.
• Quietly bow your head and enjoy what He finished.
• If you are struggling with anything, bow your head and “give up the ghost.”

Morning Prayer

• Thank Jesus for finishing His work.

• Ask Jesus to help you finish your work.

• Tell God your joys, fears, and needs. Praise Him in everything.

• Pray for knowledge of God’s will for you today and the power to carry that out.

• Ask the Holy Spirit to interpret the scriptures you are about to read.

Morning Bible Study

Lest you think that Jesus’ words were a silent whispering, read Matthew 27:50-51 and Mark 15:37-39.



Matt 27:50-51

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. NASU



Mark 15:37-39

And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!" NASU



• How did Jesus utter the words?

• What happened as He breathed His last?

• What impact did it have on people watching?



Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could get to the end of our life knowing we’d fulfilled our assignments? When Paul was close to dying, he knew he was finished.



Read 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

2 Tim 4:6-8

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. KJV



• What did Paul say he had done?

• What was he anticipating?

• How could he have such confidence?

• Why do you think he shared that confidence?



Often when the work of others is finished, our work begins. As the ancient Jacob lay dying, he charged his sons with their assignments. Jacob was dying and the work of his sons was beginning. Read Genesis 49:33.



Gen 49:33

When Jacob finished charging his sons, he drew his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people. NASU



Perhaps more importantly, often when God finishes, our work has begun. While Jesus breathed His last breath, the disciples were being prepared to spread the gospel message. We see examples throughout the Bible of our work beginning when God’s work is finished.



Read Exodus 31:18.

Ex 31:18

When He had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God. NASU



• What did God do when He finished speaking?

• Think about what you know about the Ten Commandments. What did Moses do with them?

• How are the Ten Commandments being used today?



As you probably know, after breathing His last, Jesus returned to earth 3 days later. Before returning to God, He left us with orders. His work was finished but ours had just begun. Read Matthew 28:18-20.



Matt 28:18-20

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen KJV



• Who had the power?

• Where are we to go?

• What are we to do?

• What is Jesus’ promise to us?

Application

For 17 years of our life, my husband Bob and I ran a custom software development company. I was the Chief Executive Officer and Bob was the Chief Technology Officer. Bob was famous for asking the developers, “Is it done yet?” Over the years, I grew to understand that Bob and I had different definitions of done.



In the role as CEO, my definition of “done” meant the software was ready to deliver to the customer. When we were “done,” I hoped to hand working software over so the customer could “begin” their work with the software. I understood little about the nuances of the development phases but I understood finished.



To a Chief Technology Officer, “done” meant ready for the next stage of development. When technologists said the software was “done,” they really meant that it was ready for the next software developer to complete their phase of development. The final delivery of the product could be weeks or months away. Bob, who did understand all the nuances of the development phases, celebrated every completed victory as finished.



After being disappointed with software delivery timelines, I began teaching a class about what “done” meant. I found that if we communicated our definition of finished, everyone’s expectations were met. At our company, when developers were asked if something was done, they learned to ask what you meant by “done.”



The interesting thing about being finished with software is that the work is never really “done.” If a software developer has “finished” their task, the next software developer’s task may be just beginning. If our company delivered “final” software, our customer’s work was just beginning as they learned to use and apply the software in their business environment. As the customer’s business environment changed, the software had to change right along with it and often they handed the software back to us for changes.



When Jesus used the word “finished” on the cross, He was referring to His “pre-resurrection” work - the fulfillment of prophesy and the sacrifice He made for the sins of the world. He had other earthly assignments, which He fulfilled during the 40 days following His resurrection. When He ascended into heaven, He left assignments for us to fulfill during our time on earth.



Every earthly assignment we have connects to another assignment. When I talk to people on the streets of America, the words may or may not have a visible impact but I have a feeling of completion at the end of every conversation. I know that I am one small part of what God is working out for each person. God may have to send many more people and circumstances before someone surrenders to Him or they may never surrender. My work may be finished and someone else’s is just beginning.



The only thing that is important for us to know is our own personal assignment. We don’t have to know why or how it all fits into the grander plan for creation. If we don’t know our assignment, we can’t know when we’re finished. Each assignment has a beginning, middle, and an end. Like the differing definitions of “done” Bob and I used in the software world, perhaps our definition of “done” is different from God’s.



If, when I travel, I used a global definition of “done” for my ministry, I would be constantly disappointed. Personally, I want the people I meet to turn their life and will over to the care of God by the end of our conversation. I would like to see the results of the finished product. But alas, I’m like the software developer who has to hand their work over to someone else. My task may be small but it’s necessary. I may never see the results but I have to trust that they’re there. God is my CEO and His definition of “done” is bigger than mine is and it is the only one that counts.



What is your assignment today? Are you frustrated because you’re not “done?” Perhaps you need to redefine the word “done” and accept that your assignment may be smaller than you imagined. Ask God for knowledge of His will for you today and the power to carry that out. He will answer that prayer.

Journey to the Cross - I Thirst

Have you ever been really thirsty? When my nephew Bill was 4 years old, he made what we all called “The Bill Noise.” Bill could whine better than any child I’d ever met. He also could negotiate. One day, he said, “Aunt Cheryle, why don’t you take me on the trips with the other nephews?”

I said, “Sweetheart, you’re still pretty young. Besides, I have a couple of rules before I take children anywhere. You have to be able to swim and I don’t allow whining. You haven’t learned to swim and you love to whine.”

Bill pondered the words carefully and finally said, “I’m not ready to swim yet but I think you should take me on trips where there is no swimming if I promise not to whine.”

I agreed. The next trip we made was to Cypress Gardens in sunny central Florida. We were standing in line for a ride when Bill said, “Aunt Cheryle, I’m thirsty.”

I said, “I’m thirsty too but we’re going to ride first.”

Bill repeated, “I’m thirsty.”

“I know honey but this is a long line. We’ll buy a coke right after we finish the ride.”

Bill struggled with this news and paused for a few seconds. Finally he said, “Aunt Cheryle, I’m really thirsty and it’s making me want to whine.”

I hugged him as I said, “Yes but you’re not going to.” He didn’t whine and as soon as the ride was finished, we bought drinks for everyone.

None of us likes to be thirsty. When Jesus was on the cross, baking in the hot sun, his body cried out for a drink. The words, “I thirst,” both indicated his physical need and fulfilled prophecy.

Morning Meditation

Read John 19:28-29.

John 19:28-29
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. KJV

• Imagine Jesus, on the cross in the hot sun.
• Imagine the feel of vinegar on His cracked parched lips.
• Let yourself thirst for God the same way Jesus thirsted for water on the cross.

Morning Prayer

• Thank Jesus for fulfilling the scriptures and being our Savior.

• Ask Him to help you thirst for Him.

• Tell God your joys, fears, and needs. Praise Him in everything.

• Pray for knowledge of God’s will for you today and the power to carry that out.

• Ask the Holy Spirit to interpret the scriptures you are about to read.

Morning Bible Study

If you read the above scripture carefully, you will notice that both the thirst and vinegar had a purpose and fulfilled prophesy.



Read Psalms 69:20-21.

Ps 69:20-21

Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. KJV



• How was David feeling?

• When he asked the world for help, what did the world give him?

• How was this foreshadowing of the cross?



Throughout the Bible, thirst is a metaphor for needing God. Read Isaiah 41:17-18.



Isa 41:17-18

When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. KJV



• What happens when the poor and needy seek water?

• The people want a drink. What abundance is God promising?



In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He used the same metaphor of water. Read Matthew 5:6.



Matt 5:6

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. KJV



• What are we to thirst for?

• What is the promise?



Jesus is our Living Water. Read John 4:14.

John 4:14

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. KJV



• What is the promise?

• Describe the water Jesus gives.



Perhaps the most exciting part of this Living Water is that it flows through us and on to others. Read John 7:37-38.



John 7:37-38

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. KJV



• What is the invitation given?

• What is the promise if we accept this invitation?



The people who crucified Jesus were His enemies and yet He offered them Living Water. We are to do the same. God gives us specific instructions for dealing with our enemies.



Read Romans 12:20-21.

Rom 12:20-21

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. KJV



• What are we to do if our enemy is hungry and thirsty?

• What happens to our enemy when we return evil with good?



We look at the cross to see how difficult our world can be. Disappointments, loss, and confusion threaten our peace. Often, like Jesus, we cry out in agony, “We thirst.”



Read Revelations 7:16-17.

Rev 7:16-17

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. KJV



• What will heaven be like?

• Who will feed us and lead us into fountains of water?

• What will happen to our tears?



Read Psalms 42:1-2 and offer it as a prayer.

Ps 42:1-2

As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; NASU



Let yourself pant for the living God as a deer pants for water. Feel your soul thirsting for God and fill it with Living Water.

Application

While on my first missionary journey across America, I decided to walk a trail at Hovenweep National Monument. Hovenweep is the site of six Puebloan-era 1,000-year-old villages that run along the rocky cliffs of the Utah/Colorado border. I didn’t know it then, but the park covers about a 20 square mile area.



It seemed easy enough. I looked at a map and marked out a trail that led past some ruins. I thought about going into the Visitors Center and getting directions but it looked straightforward. While the terrain was rocky and rugged, it was also flat. The temperature was well over 100 degrees but it was late in the afternoon and hopefully cooling off. There were at least 3 cars in the parking lot so I shouldn’t be alone on the trail. I grabbed 1 small bottle of water and set off on my journey.



The first hour was lovely as I meandered past the multistoried crumbling buildings perched on canyon rims. As I passed the ancient kivas or Puebloan ceremonial buildings, I imagined the people that worshipped and lived there. I read the signs, hungry for information about this primitive society. I sipped the water slowly, hoping to make it last. I regretted not wearing my newly purchased hat as the western heat beat down on my head.



Suddenly I realized the trail should have only been a mile long. I normally walk a 20-minute mile but had stopped along the way to look and read so I wasn’t surprised it had taken longer. Still, I thought about where I was and realized I should have been back to the Visitor’s Center by now. I panicked. Where was I? I looked around but couldn’t see anyone. By now, the water was gone. I was hot, thirsty, and ready to be back at the car. Where was the car?



I looked at the map and calmed down as it looked like all the trails were linked. I wasn’t sure what trail I was on but hoped that if I made all right turns, it would eventually lead to something familiar. I was in a rocky desert so I could see for miles and the trail looked endless. As I trudged across the rocks, my hiking shoes grew heavy and in my weariness, I stumbled. I was thirsty and dreamed about the water in my small refrigerator. Why didn’t I bring more? I wondered at what point I would start seeing mirages. My head ached from heat so I rested a moment trying to cover the top of my head with my hands.



Ruins lost their charm as my need for water grew desperate. How had the Pueblo people lived in this hot, rocky, barren land? Now that I thought about it, I wondered what I was doing there. God, give me wisdom, I prayed.



I felt Him whisper back, You should have asked for wisdom before you left with so little water, no hat, and no directions. Or maybe that was my guilty conscious talking. I reminded God that He protected the foolish and felt His sigh as His hand gently guided me. If I’d had the energy, I’d have danced a jig when I finally came to a sign that said “Visitors Center” and pointed left. I still had quite a walk in front of me but at least I had hope.



I arrived back at the Visitors Center, after a 2.5 hour walk in 105 degree weather. I felt foolish as I gulped the tepid water from the fountain. Nothing had ever tasted so good. I reminded myself to drink slowly. Never again would I leave my car without enough water, good directions, and a hat. When I got to the car, I opened a bottle of the deliciously cool water and thanked God for leading me home.



Our souls long for God the same way my body was longing for water. In our search for God, we often find ourselves suffering on the wrong trail. Our God longings may be masked by our insatiable cravings for more – more money, fame, attention, alcohol, drugs, food, love, or what ever. When we get what we thought we wanted, it is never enough. A popular saying is that we have a God shaped hole in all of us where nothing else fits. We may try to put other things in that hole but until we fill it with God, we don’t get that satisfied sigh of relief that comes from relaxing into what our soul craves.



Today when you find yourself dissatisfied, forget what you think you want and assume that dissatisfaction is a longing for God. Fill that hole in your soul by seeking God. Follow the longing to the Living Water of the cross.

Journey to the Cross - Why Have You Forsaken Me?

Have you ever felt forsaken? Perhaps you were left “at the alter” or your best friend betrayed you. Maybe you bravely spoke the words of God to an unfriendly crowd or defended truth and righteousness in a world where evil was more popular. When the world forsakes us, it can seem eerily like God has forsaken us.

Morning Meditation

Read Matthew 27:46.
Matt 27:46

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? KJV


• Imagine Jesus hanging on the cross, nails in His hands. What would it feel like to have the world’s fears, doubts, guilt, and shame on your shoulders?
• How would it feel to have your beloved children hate and reject you?
• Now imagine yourself at the foot of the cross. As the blood of Jesus drips on your face, allow it to wash away your fears, doubts, guilt, and shame.

Morning Prayer

• Pray for the lost people in the world – those that feel broken and forsaken.

• If you feel forsaken, let yourself pray Jesus’ prayer, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? Listen to His answer.

• Tell God your joys, fears, and needs. Praise Him in everything.

• Pray for knowledge of God’s will for you today and the power to carry that out.

• Ask the Holy Spirit to interpret the scriptures you are about to read.

Morning Bible Study

While Jesus was dying, He used the words of the Bible for comfort. As He cried the words, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me, he was actually quoting the ancient worlds of Psalms 22:1.

Read Psalms 22:1-4.

Ps 22:1-4

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

KJV

• How was David feeling at the beginning of his prayer?
• As he doubted God, what did he remind himself?

Throughout the Bible, we see places where people felt abandoned. In their despair, they offered their honesty to God and He faithfully answered. Read Isaiah 49:14-16.

Isa 49:14-16
But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. KJV

• What did Zion say?
• What was God’s answer?

Poor Gideon was discouraged. He knew God had been previously faithful but surely, God had forsaken them now. Read Judges 6:13-14.

Judg 6:13-14

And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? And where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? But now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? KJV

• What did Gideon say to God?
• How did God respond to Gideon? What was His promise?

Psalms 9:9-11 makes a promise and then gives instructions about what to do when we feel forsaken.

Ps 9:9-11
The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings. KJV

• What does God promise to be for the oppressed?
• When we feel forsaken, what 2 things are we supposed to do?

In Genesis, God separated the light from the dark. He will do the same in our life if we allow His light to shine upon our hearts. Read 2 Corinthians 4:6-10.

2 Cor 4:6-10
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;



Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. KJV



• What light has God shined on our hearts?

• What are we to expect while living on earth?

• What is the promise we have in the dying of Lord Jesus



Troubles may surround us but we never have to be demoralized. We may not have answers, but God does. On those days when we are spiritually terrorized, we can take comfort in the knowledge that God has not forsaken us. The world rejected, tortured, and killed Jesus and yet, He rose from the dead. The same power that overcame death, will overcome our doubts and discouragement.

Application

Children can be cruel. As a child, I had problems with my feet. When every other girl was wearing dainty black shiny “Mary Jane” shoes, I had to wear heavy, ugly brown, corrective ones. My ankles turned over and I naturally walked with my toes pointing inward or “pigeon toed.” As my shoes clodded across the wooden floors, children snickered and pointed. As I listened to the words “pigeon, pigeon, pigeon” being chanted, I wanted the dry unvarnished floors of the classroom to open up and swallow me.



If that wasn’t bad enough, I also had bucked teeth. There was a gap between my protruding teeth large enough to blow bubblegum through. Words like “chipmunk” and “can opener” haunted the dreary reality of my school days and dreams at night. Each day as I left school, I couldn’t wait to reach the comfort of my mother’s sympathetic arms. As I cried out my pain to her, she would tell me how beautiful I was.



My mother did more than just listen to my cries. She took action. A little girl named Gloria was everything I wanted to be. Beautiful and dainty, she dressed well and glided when she walked. Gloria always wore a strand of delicate white pearls around her neck. I told Mama, and she bought me a strand of pearls and made sure my clothes were stylish and beautiful. Mama took me to doctor who taught me how to walk with my toes pointed outward and Mama and I practiced daily. Mama put a book on my head and encouraged me to cross a room proudly. When I was old enough, she and Daddy had braces put on my teeth. The corrective shoes came off at the end of sixth grade. In Junior High, I looked in the mirror and knew I looked as well as anyone else. I remember deciding to believe Mama when she said I was pretty. The world may have forsaken me but my loving parents never did.



Those difficult times in my early childhood taught me valuable lessons. I learned to see with the eyes of the heart. I felt compassion for those who were different and made a point to befriend and defend them. The wisdom of that pain led me to take the five dirty lonely neighborhood children to church, much to the chagrin of my parents. At age 12, I talked a group of my friends into sponsoring a foster child. We babysat and used our money to buy clothing and toys for an abandoned child. Our afternoons and weekends were spent visiting her crowded foster home, taking her shopping and to the movies, and making her the center of our world. That early recognition of the loneliness of feeling forsaken helped me recognize it in the eyes others. When I thought God had forsaken me, He was preparing me for His call in my life. Glory to God in the Highest!



Today, if you feel forsaken, cry out to God, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me. Then, like the words of the ancients, remind yourself that God never forsakes those who put faith in Him. Sing praises to His name and declare the works of God to others, always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Journey to the Cross - Hearing Aids - Good Night God

Every night before my 2-year-old grandson, Noah, goes to sleep, he and his parents say their prayers. Noah ends this precious time by saying, “Goodnight God. Goodnight Jesus.”



The Bible tells us to talk to God evening, morning, and at noon. The hearing aid we are going to put on today is the hearing aid we need when we are tired and our defenses are down. In those last moments, before we retire for night, we have one more opportunity to hear God.

Morning Meditation

Read Psalms 55:16-17

Ps 55:16-17

As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. KJV



• Call on the name of God.

• Enjoy your salvation.

• Pray and cry aloud, knowing He shall hear your voice.

Morning Prayer

• Ask God to give you the energy to spend the last few minutes of your evening, listening to His voice.

• Thank Him in advance, for what He is going to say.

• Tell God your joys, fears, and needs. Praise Him in everything.

• Pray for knowledge of God’s will for you today and the power to carry that out.

• Ask the Holy Spirit to interpret the scriptures you are about to read.

Morning Bible Study

My Bum Bum was a spry little man with a twinkling grin. No one could have had a better grandfather. He could say the alphabet backwards as quickly as he could forwards and his ability to say words backwards kept me giggling. I would sit in church and listen to his booming tenor voice, knowing no one could sing better than Bum Bum.



My cousin named our grandparents Bum Bum and Nanar and no one seems to know why. Bum Bum treasured my Nanar throughout their 55-year marriage. I have the love letters and cards they continually wrote to each other. “Thet, I’m sorry,” he wrote after an apparent argument. “I love you and didn’t mean to scold.”



On our wedding day, Bum Bum walked up and whispered, “You may not believe it now but you’re going to get mad at that man. Just make sure you never go to bed mad at him. Work out all your arguments before you go to sleep.”



At the time, I didn’t know Bum Bum was speaking the words of God. When Bob and I decided to take this advice, we had no idea how hard it would be. In those early years, when two strong willed people were trying to learn how to become one with each other and God, that commitment made for some very long nights. The advice, that I attributed to my grandfather and later learned was from God, has served us well for 35 years and I now give the same advice to newlyweds.



Read Ephesians 4:26-27.

Eph 4:26-27

Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry — but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. (THE MESSAGE)



• Does God say not to be angry?

• What does God warn us about our anger?

• What happens if we go to bed angry?



After God tells us “don’t go to bed angry” in Ephesians 4:26-27, He continues with some questions and instructions. Read Ephesians 4:28-32.

Eph 4:28-32

Did you used to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.



Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.



Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.



Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk.



Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. THE MESSAGE



• What are the instructions for the dishonest?

• What are the instructions about how we are supposed to talk to one another?

• How are we supposed to feel about God?

• What does God have to say about mean behavior?

• How are we supposed to treat one another?

• Why do you think these questions are right after God tells us not to go to bed angry?



Read David’s evening prayer in Psalms 141-1-4.

Ps 141:1-4

O LORD, I call upon You; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to You! May my prayer be counted as incense before You; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering. Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice deeds of wickedness with men who do iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies. NASU



Note how much of this evening prayer revolves around David’s longing for God to help him refrain from sin.

• How do we know this is an evening prayer.

• What is David asking of God?



And finally, read Daniel’s evening prayer.

Dan 9:20-23

Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my God, while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering.



He gave me instruction and talked with me and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you insight with understanding. At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision.” NASU



• What does Daniel say about his physical state when he had a visit from Gabriel?

• What elements of confession do you see in this prayer?

• Do you think Daniel’s weariness made him more open to hearing the message of God?



As we close this series on hearing aids, I urge you to turn up the volume on your hearing aid. Open your ears and listen. Listen in the morning, throughout your day, and at night. Listen to the Still Small Voice as He gently urges. Listen to the God of Fire as He speaks through mighty acts. Listen as you pray without ceasing. Finally, listen when you are tired. Confess before you lay your head down at night and sleep the deep sleep of the innocent. Read Acts 28:27. Hear with your ears and understand with your heart so God can heal you.



Acts 28:27

For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. KJV

Application

The 12 Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous has a step that encourages daily prayer and meditation. It also has a step that suggests taking daily inventory, promptly admitting where they have been wrong.



The book Alcoholics Anonymoussuggests that alcoholics constructively review their day nightly, looking for places where they had been resentful, selfish, dishonest, or afraid. It goes on to ask a series of questions like:

• Do we owe and apology?

• Have we kept something to ourselves which should be discussed with another person at once?

• Were we kind and loving towards all?

• What could we have done better?

• Were we thinking of ourselves most of the time? Or were we thinking of what we could do for others?



The book suggests that after reviewing the day, we ask God’s forgiveness and inquire what corrective measures should be taken. (p 86 Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Addition)



What members of Alcoholics Anonymous have discovered is that at night, when they are tired and their defenses down, they are more likely to get honest with themselves. They’ve also discovered that sin puts a barrier between them and God and makes them more likely to drink again. For them, nightly confession of sins makes the difference between life and death.



Tonight, before you go to bed, review your day. Use the above questions from Alcoholics Anonymous or use Ephesians 4:26-32. Put on the hearing aid of nightly confession and listen to God in the openness of weariness. Say, “Goodnight God, Goodnight Jesus,” with a clean conscience.