The Road That Leads to Joy

Trusting, Leaning and Acknowledging Him

2010-07-19T10:50:00.003-04:00

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5,6).

Perhaps, like me, you have memorized this scripture and it is one of your favorites. Yet, as we struggle in our Christian walk to apply the scriptures we know so well it becomes a different story.

Do we really trust in Him? Are we leaning on our own understanding? In all our ways are we acknowledging Him? We are faced every single day with decisions. Some carry more weight and consequences than others, but yet there are decisions every day that we need to make: e.g., how can I discipline my child and show the love of Christ, how can I talk to my husband or wife about this delicate matter, how should I relate to this person who has offended me, which house should we buy, which job should I take, should I run errands today or do some things at home that need my attention?

Many times we lean on our own understanding or what someone else has to say. We do not acknowledge Him in all our ways. We acknowledge Him in some of our ways some of the times.
If we trusted in Him, leaned on Him and acknowledged Him in all our ways we would be thanking Him more often, praising Him more often and asking wisdom of Him more often. I would say that we go through our days much of the time without acknowledging the Lord and showing a complete trust in Him.

As you look to your day and the decisions that need to be made, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

Difficult Circumstances

2010-06-16T14:41:00.003-04:00

I recently read the book of Habakkuk. It was one of those bittersweet experiences. Bitter because the book is about the stubbornness and hard-heartedness of God's people and His using the Babylonians as a chastening rod against them. Sweet because of the faith the prophet had in the salvation of the Lord. Life was tough for God's people because of their own rebellion. Life for us at times is very hard. Sometimes it may be our rebellion, or maybe not, but certainly because the Lord is sanctifying us and making us more like Him.

I exchanged an email with a dear friend this morning. Esther is very faithful to the Lord, yet she has some difficult circumstances that are surrounding her life. She has had many difficult circumstances over the years. Our family has had many difficult circumstances over the years and many of you know what it is like to go through difficult circumstances. Esther concluded her email talking about God's word bringing her comfort. She said, "He is the stability of our times."

The prophet Habakkuk knew that truth. He was very sorrowful over God's chastisement of His people. He had no idea when this difficult time would end. Many times we do not know how long we will be in difficult circumstances, but we can declare as Habakkuk did, "Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls - yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation" (3: 17, 18).

P.S. I will be traveling for a few weeks and will not post again until Monday, July 12, 2010.
Abide in Him and remember "He is the stability of our times."

It's Not About Us

2010-06-14T10:29:00.002-04:00

I was having a conversation with someone recently about the struggle of building a child's character and helping them not be so self absorbed. We were honest with each other and concluded that we are pretty self absorbed as well. It is very easy to see selfishness in our children. Left to themselves without discipline or instruction, most children would spend all their time playing computer games and watching television or movies. Left to ourselves without discipline, we would be absorbed with our favorite pleasures. The point is, it doesn't matter whether you are male or female, 6 or 60, we are all self absorbed. We want to do what pleases us.

People have been self absorbed since the beginning the time. It was Eve's selfish thinking that caused her to eat the fruit off the tree she was specifically told not to. She wanted to do what she wanted to do, regardless of the instructions she had been given. When we really grasp that life isn't about us, we begin to make a shift in our behavior.

God sent His Son to die for us. We are not our own. We were bought at a price and therefore, we are to glorify God in our bodies (1 Corinthians 6: 19, 20). Paul tells the Galatians, "I have been crucified with Christ: it is no longer I who live but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Because of sin, selfishness is a struggle for all of us. Let us remember the forgiveness we have been given in Christ for our sin (1 John 1:9). As we try to help others with the struggle of being self absorbed, we need to show them Christ's love and forgiveness. Help them understand life is not about us. We are not our own. We belong to Him who bought us and paid the price with His blood.

God Is a Forgiver

2010-06-07T16:13:00.005-04:00

When you are around those who do not know the Lord, how do they see you? Do they see someone who keeps the Lord's precepts? I'm asking myself the same question. Would these people know we belong to Him? If our behavior does not show obedience to the Lord, we defame His name.

Daniel knew this. In Daniel 9, he is praying for God's people. He first starts his prayer by praising God who Keeps His covenant with those who love Him. "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments" (v.4). Then Daniel confesses his sin and theirs. "We have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments" ( v.5). Daniel knew the rebellion of God's people made them a reproach to all those around them (v. 16). Daniel was ashamed for himself and God's people because of their sin against God and what it looked like to the people around them. He put it this way, "Oh Lord, to us belongs shame of face, to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness though we have rebelled against Him" (vs. 8, 9).

The same message is ours today. We should feel ashamed before others when we are disobedient to the Lord, because it defames His name. Yet from Daniel's day in the old testament through the writers of the new testament, we see the promise of the Lord's mercy and forgiveness. This wonderful message of mercy and forgiveness is not new - it began with Adam and Eve and God's promise when He told the serpent, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel" (Genesis 3:15). The fact that God did not kill Adam and Eve after they ate the forbidden fruit that would surely bring them death, we see His mercy and forgiveness. Man is a sinner - God is a forgiver. Let us walk in the joy of His mercy and forgiveness to us in Christ.

P.S. I will not post until Monday, June 14, 2010.

His Ways

2010-06-07T10:09:00.003-04:00

There is a Christian elderly couple that lives on my street, who recently sold their house after only being on the market for two weeks. The thing that makes this unique is that the housing market in this area is definitely not good. There are many houses in our neighborhood that have been for sale for two to four years.

I know a sweet Christian family out of state who have been trying to sell their house for about two months. The housing market in that area is much better. Because of particular circumstances, they need to sell their home as soon as possible. Many have come through and looked at their home, but have not put an offer on the house.

The longer I know the Lord, the more I realize His ways are so different than ours. What we think makes sense and the direction we think things should go just doesn't always go the way we planned. Many times it leads to discouragement. This morning I was reading the song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32 and in verse 5 Moses says, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all of His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He." Then in Isaiah 55 the Lord is calling His people to call upon Him and that He will abundantly pardon( vs. 6, 7). Then He says in verse 8 and 9, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

We know the Lord loves us because He gave His only Son to die for our sin. We know He has a plan and purpose for our lives, but it is often not abundantly clear to us. What we do know, is that He has called us to glorify Him. As we struggle with God's plan and purpose for us, we must remember that our ways are not His ways and that His ways are always perfect and just. It is understanding this, that will keep discouragement away when we find ourselves wondering why the Lord has not worked as quick as we would like or in the way we would like.

Awesome!

2010-06-04T10:22:00.004-04:00

We went through a time when people were using the word "awesome" to describe something. It could range anywhere from clothing attire to food or events. To me, it was well overused. I agree with Joe Stowell, writer for "Our Daily Bread",

"If we call earth-side stuff awesome and then call God awesome, we diminish how truly awesome He is."

Psalm 66 gives praise to God for His awesome works. "How awesome are your works through the greatness of your power" (v.3). "He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men. He turned the sea into dry land; they went through the river on foot" (v.5, 6). Awesome is a form of the word "awe" and one of it's definitions is "profound and humbly fearful reverence inspired by deity or by something sacred or mysterious." When you think of it that way, describing food, clothing or every day events using the word awesome is like looking at the Grand Canyon and saying it's cute.

God is our heavenly Father who cares for His children, but we must remember His awesome works and ways toward "the sons of men" (v.5). He is truly worthy of all our praise.

Rich Mullins wrote a song called "Awesome God." Take the time to listen to it and be reminded of our awesome God. You can find it on the computer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lvTsn32pWg. The Lord and His works are awesome!

Contentment

2010-06-02T10:02:00.004-04:00

Contentment on a regular basis is pretty hard for most of us to have. We do well at times, but not so well at others. Some people have chronic illnesses that keep them from having the energy and strength they need for their daily tasks and they long to be healthy like others. Some people live in small modest homes and if they would admit it, they would love to have a larger, more beautiful place.

When our daughter and her family lived in the Florida Keys and we would drive by a large, beautiful home that probably cost over a million dollars, we would slow down and gawk or more honestly, covet. I remember one time as we were looking at a place like this, our daughter said "But we have the Lord." It is true, the people living in that place may have known the Lord and had the joy of owning a home like that. However, my daughters point was well taken.

In Hebrews 13:5, Paul says "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have, For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you." Paul is wanting us to understand that knowing the Lord and Christ whom He sent is where true contentment is. Jesus said,"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul" (Matthew 16:26)?

If you belong to the Lord, you already have the best thing you will ever have - in this life and the next. What is perfect health or a million dollar home if He is not with us. These things can never bring the lasting peace and joy that having Christ will. When we allow the hope of worldly things to influence us, it causes us to behave contrary to the commitment we have to the one who says "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

If you have a chronic illness, find some peace knowing He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will sustain you. If you find yourself, as I did yesterday morning, coveting a beautiful home, remember He will never leave your nor forsake you. Let us learn to be content with exactly where the Lord has us today.

Tie a String Around Your Finger

2010-05-24T10:40:00.005-04:00

I have heard people say they are going to "tie a string around their finger" so they will not forget something. I admit I have never seen anyone with a string tied around their finger. With the use of BlackBerry's and other technology, we have better ways to help us remember. Let's face it, we are so busy we do forget things if we don't use ways to help us remember. I'm still stuck in the "old days." I have a tablet that sits by our phone that I use to jot down everything I need to remember for that day or the week to include things to do, people to call and food to buy. It works for me.

In Numbers 15 the Lord instructs the children of Israel to make tassels on the corner of their garments and a blue thread in the tassels of the corners (v.38). Notice He says to do this "throughout their generations." This was to be done so they could look on the tassel and be reminded to keep the commandments of the Lord and do them (v.39). He wanted them to remember to be holy as He is holy (v.40). He also wanted them to remember "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; I am the LORD your God" (v.41).

We shouldn't need to be reminded to remember the Lord and keep His commandments, but we are just like the children of Israel and prone to forget His commandments and holiness. Perhaps it is a good idea for us to choose the color blue as a reminder to us of these things. Should we hang a "tassel with blue" from our key chains as a reminder at all times of God's holiness and His instructions for us to "do His commandments?" It is easy for us to get busy in our day and forget His holiness and commandments, as well as His forgiveness, grace and love to us through Jesus Christ. Maybe the color blue can have a whole new meaning for us. Look at it and be reminded!

You're Just Like Your Father

2010-05-21T10:24:00.002-04:00

My parents divorced when I was 5. Sometimes when I would do something wrong or something that made my mother angry she would say "You're just like your father."

Ephesians 5 opens with Paul telling the Ephesians that they were to be imitators of God as dear children. He goes on to say that if we are imitators of God, fornication, covetousness, foolish talking, and course jesting is unfitting for us. Because our children spend so much time with us, there are ways in which they imitate us. Little girls like to help mom clean and bake. Little boys like to help dad build and fix things. This is why the retail store sells products for children such as toy vacuum cleaners, ovens, dishwashers, lawn mowers and tools. However, children not only imitate what we do, but who we are. Many times we see ourselves in the strengths and weaknesses of the behavior of our children.

What does it mean to be "imitators of God?" 1 Peter 1: 15, 16 says "but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy'." We know we will never be completely holy until we go to be with Him in the final resurrection, but we are to strive to be holy as He is holy. No one has ever seen our holy Father except Jesus, but He became flesh to dwell with us and show us who He is (John 1:14). In John 14:9 after being asked by Philip to show him the Father, Jesus says "He who has seen Me has seen the Father."

If we want ourselves and our children to be imitators of God, we must spend time with Him actively in His word. Can you imagine my thoughts today if my mother said "You're just like your Father."

Aimless Conduct

2010-05-19T10:17:00.004-04:00

In 1 Peter 1:18, 19, Peter is telling the Jews they were redeemed from their aimless conduct received by tradition from their fathers.

Just as the Jews had to forget the traditions of their fathers that were not the Lord's traditions, we need to forget the traditions that lie behind us - those traditions and values that would not support the teachings of Christ. If you were not raised to know the Lord, like me, you probably have traditions, instructions and values in your background that did not uphold the teachings of Christ.

When we come up against trials, we often fall back to the "aimless conduct" that was taught to us by our parents. Instead, we need to remember that we were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ and that we now belong to Him. Our conduct now is not aimless. We are guided and led by the resurrected Christ who dwells in us. We have a tendency to forget this. Let us gird up the loins of our minds and rest our hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 13).

Strength from the Lord

2010-05-17T10:38:00.002-04:00

If you go to the grocery store and purchase several bags of groceries, chances are you will take them out to your car in a shopping cart. You probably would not think about trying to carry them out in your arms all at once, nor carrying a couple at a time until they were all placed in your car. You would use the strength of the grocery cart to carry them.

When we are faced with difficult times or people who may be our enemies, how quick are we to depend upon the strength of the Lord? Many times we struggle and depend on our own strength to help us through. Yet, there is the Lord always ready to help in our time of trouble (Psalm 27:5). I have this picture in my mind of us struggling in our difficulties while the Lord is standing right there ready to carry them for us (Psalm 25:22). It would be like saying to the "bagger" at the grocery store, "Oh, don't put them in the cart where it would be much easier to carry. Just let me take them out a couple at a time and come back for more." You may think my thinking is a little warped, but I think it makes the point.

"For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places" (Psalm 18: 31-34). These are Davids words when he is delivered from the hands of his enemies. Just as you would let the strength of the cart carry your groceries, let the strength of the Lord carry your burdens. He is a shield to all those who trust in Him and His way is perfect (Psalm 18: 30).

The Pot Calling the Kettle Black

2010-05-14T10:01:00.003-04:00

The phrase "The pot calling the kettle black" is an idiom used to accuse a person or thing of being marked with or guilty of the very thing they are pointing out.

This is what was taking place in Romans 2 when Paul tells the Jews they are as guilty as the Gentiles. The Jews in Rome were blaspheming God through their behavior. The Gentiles heard the Jews teaching the law, yet their actions were no different than the pagan Gentiles. Paul says "You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, Do not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples" (vs. 21, 22)?

We do the same today. As believers (spiritual Jews), we have His name upon us, yet our behavior does not square up with what we teach and believe. Marriages are falling apart and believers are bailing because they don't want to work at the commitment. We gossip and judge others without all the facts. We complain about our spouses, children, jobs, houses, and many times do not have a spirit of thankfulness to the Lord for who He is and what He has done for us. Yet, we are quick to teach others God's law.

"But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God"(v. 29). Let us be the Christian whose inward thoughts and desires reflect God's character, and whose outward appearance squares up with what we teach and believe.

Blood

2010-05-12T12:20:00.003-04:00

"Blood" is a word that brings different kinds of thoughts to us and I would be right in saying most of those thoughts are frightening. Blood is the lifeline of our veins and when someone is bleeding and losing blood their lives are slowly dying. Some faint at the sight of blood, while others may get sick at their stomach.

Exodus 12 is where the Lord institutes the Passover. As you know, the Lord requires His people to kill a lamb without blemish and take the blood and "put it on the lintel of the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it"(v.7). The reason is that He intends to kill the first born of every living creature to bring judgment on the Egyptians. The blood over the doorposts of the Israelite houses will be a sign that He will not destroy them while He is striking the land of Egypt. In other words, the blood of that lamb saves them.

In 1 Peter 1: 18, 19 we find these words, "knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." This passage refers to the Exodus 12 passage.

Regardless of what you thought of the movie "The Passion", it did a terrific job depicting the horror, pain, agony and bloodiness of Jesus' crucifixion. It is easy to gloss over Jesus' death on the cross and it's details. Thinking about the "blood" gives us a better picture of what had to happen for us to be forgiven and saved by God's grace. Just as the Lord passed over the doorposts, He passes over us in judgment because what He sees is the "blood" of Christ, shed and placed upon us for redemption.

Take some time today to give praise to our Lord for His plan of salvation through the shedding of the blood of the precious, spotless lamb which He provided for us - His Son.

Why Go to Church?

2010-05-05T09:05:00.002-04:00

"PRAISE the Lord!

I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation" (Psalm 111:1).

Some people say they don't have to go to church to be a Christian. This is true. However, if you are a Christian growing in the knowledge of the Lord, you will desire to be in church with God's people. All too often we do not clearly understand the reason for church membership or participation. We go because of what we can get out of it not what we can put into it - our praise and worship of the Lord.

If you have trouble finding reasons to praise the Lord, here is a list from Psalm 111 that will give you a wonderful guideline of reasons to praise Him. His works are great, His works are honorable, his righteousness endures forever, He is gracious and full of compassion, He will always remember His covenant with us and He has sent redemption to His people. As you spend time in His word, there are more reasons than you can possibly count to praise Him.

If you have a church home, be there as often as it is possible with you to give praises to the Lord. If not, find a church home that teaches the truth of God's word and be there to worship and praise Him with His people!

Bloom Where You are Planted

2010-05-03T10:52:00.005-04:00

The title of this blog is a quote from Mary Engelbreit. Perhaps you have used this quote before in conversation with others. Recently, I was having a conversation with someone about this quotation and what it means. We both concluded that because it is used so often it is viewed as somewhat "trite." However, the more I thought about, it the more I realize it is pretty rich with meaning. The conversation we were having had to do with serving the Lord in the workplace as well as on the mission field.

When Jesus called the fishermen to be His disciples in Matthew 4:18-22, we see that these fisherman immediately left their nets, their boat and their father to follow Jesus. In other words they gave up a lucrative career to go on the mission field. Many times we think that to serve or follow Jesus full-time, we have to be in a labeled full-time ministry. The Lord does call some to that type of work, but He calls all of us to live each day for Him no matter what our duties or jobs are. I know many people who are in the workplace, and they are aware every day that the Lord has placed them there not only to be a diligent and hard worker, but to take every opportunity to be salt and light in that environment (Matthew 5:13-16). Whether we work as a missionary, a vice president in food service, carpenter, business analyst, manager of a restaurant, real estate agent, teach computer in college, olympic skater, or a homemaker, etc., we are called by the Lord to use that work to further His kingdom - to show others to know the Lord and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. As salt and light, we are to be a reflection and proclamation of the gospel of Christ.

The Lord may not be asking you to leave a lucrative career to follow Him, but He calls us to follow Him wherever we are working. Joe Stowell, a writer for "Our Daily Bread" says, "We are tempted to think that we should make something of our lives and at the same time follow Jesus. Wrong! He calls us first to follow Him, and then he makes something of our lives."

Place of Refuge

2010-04-28T10:36:00.003-04:00

Most everyone has a place of refuge they like to retreat to when stress and trouble seem to become overwhelming. It may be a cabin by the lake, cabin in the mountains, condo on the beach or even just the solitude of your own home.

Many times in the Psalms the Lord is referred to as a refuge or hiding place, rock or dwelling place, for His people (Psalm 9:9, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 71:3, Psalm 31: 2, 3, Psalm 91: 1,2).

David knows well the days of deep trouble and stress. He speaks of them many times in the Psalms. David was raised to know the Lord from his childhood. In Psalm 71, he speaks of the Lord being his hope, rock and refuge (vs. 3-5). David says, "For you are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth. By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother's womb" (vs.5,6). Because of this truth, David says "My praise shall be continually of You."

David knew he could find refuge in the Lord continually. The Hebrew word translated refuge means "dwelling; a place to live." When we are faced with the stress and trouble of life, we need to remember that He is our hiding place and He is our dwelling place. We do not have to go far to find this refuge. He is there if we will, as the Psalmist does, cry out to Him.

I was reminded of that as I traveled this morning in traffic that was beginning to frighten me and cause me great stress. I cried out to Him and He brought me relief.

Having the cabin on the lake or condo at beach is a great place to visit from the stresses of life, but it can never take the place of the refuge we have in the Lord. Let us resort, continually, to the Lord who is our strong refuge.

Are You Generous?

2010-04-26T10:59:00.003-04:00

Generosity comes easy for some, but is difficult for others. I can think of three reasons why a person would be generous. One, they hope to give thinking they may get something in return. Two, they give out of duty because they know it is the right thing to do. Three, they give out of thanksgiving to the Lord because of what He has given them. This kind of giver understands the gospel message. Christ died for them and has forgiven their sin, and now walk in the mercy and grace of the Lord. Because the Lord has been merciful to them, they show mercy to others. They also know that all they have belongs to the Lord. It is His to give away.

We have some close friends who are givers of the third category I described. They are consistently generous with their money, time, and material things. They are overjoyed to be able to help and serve others with the blessings the Lord has given to them. Consequently, the Lord continues to bless them financially even in an economy where many are struggling. They don't take that lightly. They thank the Lord every day for His generosity to them.

Proverbs: 22, 9 says "He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor." Paul tells the Corinthians, ".....He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver"(2 Corinthians 9:6.7).

When we give cheerfully, we are blessed. Not that we necessarily receive monetary things in return, but we are filled with joy. That is the blessing.

Let's examine our hearts and see which of the three categories we would place ourselves. May the Lord in His mercy help us remember all He has freely given to us in Christ, so that we may freely give what is His to give to others.

The Day of Trouble

2010-04-23T11:04:00.006-04:00

When we find ourselves pushed into a corner with serious decisions to make, we often look to different people or ourselves to help us get out of those situations. We turn to doctors for hope of healing, teachers to help our children in school, good friends who will give us counsel, credit cards because we think that is the answer to a financial issue, etc. In other words, there are many areas we look to in a "day of trouble". Even if the people in all these areas were the best at what they do, it is the Lord who delivers.

In Psalm 20 David has the assurance of the Lord's help and strength in the day of trouble. In verse 7 he says, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. There are several places in scripture where horses and chariots are referred to in terms of strength. Psalm 33:17 tells us a horse is a vain hope for safety..." Proverbs 21:31 says, "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is of the LORD." Isaiah 31: 1 says, "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor see the LORD!"

The Israelites had a tendency to trust in the strength of their horses and chariots in the day of trouble. We may not trust in those things today, but we do trust in people and things just as they did. The more intimate we are with the Lord, the easier it is to look to Him first in the day of trouble. I didn't say it was easy, but easier.

Our trust in those areas listed above should come first from our trust in the Lord who is in control of these people and uses them to bring about His plan and purpose for us.

What Have You Done For Your Marriage Today?

2010-04-21T09:47:00.002-04:00

There is a billboard on interstate 75 that says "What have you done for your marriage today"? I am convicted every time I read that sign. We do many things in a day for us or for our children, but what have we done for our marriage.

My husband and I have spent a lot of time teaching marriage overseas. I want to begin with what Paul has to say about marriage in Ephesians 5. Wives are to submit to their own husbands realizing that her husband is her head as Christ is the head of the church. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ has loved the church and sacrificed Himself for her. He does this to sanctify her - to make her holy without blemish (Ephesians 5: 22-27).

Now let's look at some specifics. Are we kind and tenderhearted, forgiving our spouse as Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32)? Do our words build up and impart grace to our spouse (Ephesians 4: 29)? Are we concerned more with our spouse's interest than we are our own (Philippians 2: 4)? Do you look your spouse in the eyes when he or she is speaking with you? Do you pray for your spouse for their physical struggles, mental struggles, areas they work in and more importantly their growth in the Lord?

If I asked "Do you love your spouse?" what would you say? There are those who love their spouses but they are not in love with their spouses. That is a topic for another day. Either way, we are to love our spouses and Paul shows us how to do that in I Corinthians 13.

What have you done for your marriage today?

A Light Bearer

2010-04-14T09:10:00.002-04:00

As you go through your daily routine do you ever wonder how other people see you? Think about your response when someone cuts you off on the highway or messes up your order at a restaurant. Usually when we are with those we know, whether it be with family or our work environment, we are careful about our behavior. We want them to see us in a positive light. We may behave differently with those we don't have to impress.

When Paul writes to the Philippians he tells them they live "in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation." He tells them how to behave so that they will be light bearers. He says "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the mist of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights to the world" (Philippians 2: 14, 15).

As I began my day today, I asked the Lord to help me focus on those who do not know the Lord and that I would take every opportunity to share the salvation given to us through Christ. I seem to fail pretty regularly in that area. I was reminded of this passage in Philippians. Paul spoke those words a very long time ago, but we know sin is still in the world. Because of the ruler of this world (John 12:31), we live in a perverse and crooked generation. We don't have to look far. Between magazines, television, movies, etc. we see the work of the ruler of this world. Rather than have this thought bring us to despair, let us think of the privilege we have been given through Christ to make a difference and this difference comes through our behavior as light bearers to those who are outside of Christ.

As you go through your day today, remember you are a light bearer.

"If Only..."

2010-04-12T11:21:00.004-04:00

"If only I would not have married that man, my life would not have been so difficult." "If only I had not become a Pastor, I would have had more time for my family." "If only we would not have left Pennsylvania to move to Mississippi, I would have more friends." Many of us can identify with falling into the trap of "If only..."

In Numbers 14, the children of Israel are frightened because of the report they received from the spies who went to check out the land of Canaan. They had been told that the people were stronger and they were afraid to take the land. So now they go back to Moses and Aaron and complain. "If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!(v.2)" God is the one who lead them there and promised this land to them after taking them out of Egypt. How easy it was for them to turn around and complain because the job of taking the land was going to be a more difficult than they thought. God would be with them but they wanted it to be easy.

My husband and I moved to Mississippi from Pennsylvania so he could attend a seminary that gave housing assistance to families. We prayed and asked the Lord's guidance in that decision and went believing it was what He wanted us to do. After getting there, it was tough. We and our children left friends we loved, a church family we loved, and a job I had which I enjoyed.
I was miserable after we got there. I began to think "If only..." By the Lord's grace and counsel from some Godly people, I realized we were right where we needed to be even though it was hard.

As the Israelites took their eyes off the Lord, they focused on their difficulties. We do the same thing even today. Let us remember what the Lord told Joshua, "Be strong and of good courage, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)"

I Will Not Go With You!

2010-04-07T10:44:00.003-04:00

Psalm 139 speaks of God's spirit and presence being with us no matter where we are. He is always there, leading us and holding on to us (vs. 7-12).

What if (some very vain speculation here), the Lord said to you this morning. " ________,
(fill in the blank with your name) I will not go with you today because you are a stubborn person." I don't know about you but I find that to be a very frightening thought. Yet, this is what He told Moses in Exodus 33 when He said he was to depart from Sinai and take the people to the land that He swore to give to them through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He tells Moses He will send an angel to go with him but He said "for I will not go up in your midst, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people" (v. 3). Moses converses with God and the Lord then tells him "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest" (v.14).

God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. We know He never changes. However, before Christ came things were different. The way sin was dealt with was different. Praise be to God for His unconditional love in becoming flesh to live with us and show us who He is. Praise be to God that He sacrificed His only begotten Son for our sin, bringing us forgiveness and the promise of His Holy Spirit to dwell in us. There is no place we can go from His presence.

Like the Israelites, we are stubborn, stiff-necked people. We are still people who want to go our own way. The good news is because of Jesus Christ we know He will never leave us or forsake us. He is always there to forgive and cleanse us as we confess our sin to Him.

Go today in the joy of the presence of the LORD!

Fruitful Growth in the Faith

2010-04-05T10:35:00.002-04:00

"For if these are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:8).

Now I know you are probably thinking "what things" is she talking about? I'm talking about virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance or patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love (II Peter 1: 5-7). If these things are yours and abound you will be fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. II Peter 1:9 says that if we lack these things we are shortsighted or blind and that we have forgotten that we were cleansed from our old sins. Notice he is writing to believers. He isn't talking about losing our salvation or an issue of unbelief, but he says "we have forgotten that were were cleansed from our old sins."

C. John Miller, who is now with the Lord, began New Life Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia in 1974. He had a heart for Christians to understand the grace that has been given to them through the gospel. He started World Harvest in 1983. This movement was primarily for us to focus on the power of the gospel and it's leading us to constant renewal as believers. You see, we do forget that were were cleansed from our old sins. Peter knew that. When we forget that were were sinners, cleansed by the blood of Christ and His sacrifice for us, we become "ho hum" in our walk with Christ. In other words, barren or useless.

If you are feeling "dry" and "ho-hum" in your walk with Christ maybe you need to be renewed in your understanding of the gospel and what God has done for you in Christ. If we are in Christ, we have been cleansed from our sins and we must not forget that.

Peter is preparing Christians to deal with false teachers and their destructive doctrines. Understanding the gospel of grace and forgiveness is the only way to fight the trials that are sure to come your way. We celebrated Easter yesterday. Let us celebrate it every day by remembering that we have been cleansed from our old sins.

He is Risen!

2010-04-02T10:37:00.004-04:00

Since I woke up this morning I have such a strong sense of Christ's resurrection. No doubt the coming of Easter this weekend has heightened my awareness and freshness of His resurrection.

Death is not an easy thing to think about - ours or someone we know. Yet, without Christ's death and the shedding of His blood there is no forgiveness (Heb. 9:22). We know that Christ has come to take the sting out of death. Death is swallowed up in victory (I Corinth. 15: 54, 55).

Jesus, in all His perfection, took the horrible suffering on the cross for my sin and yours. It was a dreadful death. If we knew someone personally who suffered this way it would give us great sorrow. Still, somehow we look at Jesus' death as more of just a historical event.

I think of Jesus having breakfast by sea with his disciples after His resurrection (John 21). What a totally glorious day that had to be for them. The horror of His death was behind them and now they could look forward to the final resurrection when they would be with Him. It should bring great comfort to those of us in Christ to know that the sting of death is gone. He has taken the sting out of death. Death now becomes a journey to be united with the resurrected Christ forever.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this ? (John 11: 25, 26)"

Happy Easter!

Forgiveness

2010-03-31T10:49:00.005-04:00

In all of the commands the Lord has given to us, forgiveness is probably the hardest to do. It is for me and as I speak with others it is for them. Many may not admit it, but the resentment and anger with which they speak of someone is a clear indication of unforgiveness.

Ephesians 4: 32 says "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." In Dan Hamilton's book "Forgiveness" he says that a practical step to forgiveness is to absorb the cost yourself. That is an interesting thought - absorbing the cost. He uses the example of a friend breaking your lamp. You forgive them and you don't require them to replace it, but yet someone has to absorb the cost of replacing the lamp. You absorb it yourself. He says when we replay the videotapes of what happened in our mind, we stay angry. Therefore, do not remind yourself of the "videotapes." Remind yourself of the cross and what Jesus did for you. He, also, says we are to come to the point of praying for the offender and ourselves. Praying for my offender is very hard for me to do even though the scripture clearly says we are to love our enemies and pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us (Matthew 5:44).

Jesus' words in Mark 11:25, 26 says, "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But, if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

There will never be true joy in our lives if we allow unforgiveness to fester in us. Let us remember that when Christ died for us, He absorbed the cost. The consequences of our sin had to paid. He paid it for us. Therefore, we must forgive others as He has forgiven us.

A Feeling of Insignificance

2010-03-29T10:38:00.003-04:00

When you look at the moon, stars and the sun as you gaze into the heavens do you ever feel somewhat small and insignificant as a part of God's creation? Do you ever think, "Who am I but a small creature compared to the glory of the heavens?" David felt the same way. In Psalm 8 David opens by praising the Lord's name for the work of His hands and His creation of the heavens, moon and the stars. Then he sees the comparison. "What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit (give attention to or care for) him? For you have made him a little lower than the angels and You have crowned him with glory and honor (vs. 4, 5)."
Then David goes on to speak of the wonderful privilege God has given to us. He has given us dominion over all the works of His hands.

Sometimes life's hardness and trials make us think we are insignificant to the Lord and to others. We are not small and insignificant to the Lord. We are so significant to Him that He sacrificed His own Son to redeem us from our sin. This should also enable us to see how significant others are to Him and, therefore, they should be significant to us as well.

The next time you gaze into the heavens in awe of the power and majesty of God's creation let it be a glorious reminder to you of your significance to Him. We are more important to Him than we could ever imagine or think. "Oh LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!"

Be Careful What you Ask for!

2010-03-26T11:03:00.003-04:00

I'm sure you have heard that statement many times with respect to praying. I like to use the Psalms to personalize prayers for myself. In fact, all of scripture is great for just using the same words to personalize our joys and struggles as we speak to the Lord.

Psalm 26: 2 says "Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my mind and my heart." This morning as I read this Psalm I found myself focusing on this verse. I want the Lord to show me things in my mind and heart that I would not see because of my own selfishness. It is good for the Lord to show us these things so we can seek His ways and His forgiveness. I was about to pray it for myself and when I discovered that another translation for "prove" was "test", I put on the stops for a second. I really thought of the impact of what this prayer would mean. Honestly, I was afraid of the "testing." I wanted to learn but I wanted the easy way. As I pondered for a moment I realized that this "testing" is out of love for me to show me His ways for my good and His glory. I want to be like Him so I moved on to praying that the Lord would indeed show me what was in my mind and heart.

How about you? When was the last time your asked the Lord to prove you and try your mind and heart? It is a scary prayer because our God is Holy and perfect. However, the good news is He has given us the Holy Spirit to do what we could never do to please Him. We can say with David "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting"(Psalm 139: 23, 24).

Guard Your Affections

2010-03-24T12:07:00.002-04:00

In I Kings 11 we have the account of Solomon's heart turning from the Lord because he had allowed the love of women to take first place in his life. He began to serve their gods. This happened when "Solomon was old" the scripture says in verse 4. We see how Solomon's commitment to the Lord fell by the way because of his affections for many wives who were serving other gods even though he started out with a tremendous commitment to the Lord and a desire to keep His statutes.

This passage is appropriate for all of us. We must guard our affections. While this teaches us to be sure to marry believers in Christ, it moves us even further in our relationships with others. It is possible for us to meet friends, co-workers and employers that we all look up to because they have a lot of positive qualities and we get along very well with them. We may even find ourselves spending a lot of time with some of these people. If they do not know the Lord we must be careful. We can begin to allow their thinking to influence us and take us in directions we should not go. The next thing we know our other Christian family and friends can begin to see a change in our behavior subtle as it may be. Then it may even come to a place where they realize we are not walking with the Lord and keeping His statutes.

Verse 9 says the Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned from Him after he had been commanded that he should go after no other gods. We are saved by grace and it is all of the Lord but we can know for sure that we will be chastised if we forsake Him to chase after other affections (Deuteronomy 8: 5, 6).

Julie Ackerman Link, a writer for "Our Daily Bread" says "It is difficult to make good decisions if our allegiance is to someone who does not know and love God." Guard your affections.

"Just tell them"

2010-03-22T12:38:00.002-04:00

"Go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how He has had compassion on you." These are Jesus' own words in Mark 5: 19 after He heals the Gadarenes demon-possessed man.

When the Lord brought saving faith to my husband and me we were living in Hawaii. We had not seen our parents and friends for almost two years. When we returned we were very different. While we were waiting for our things to return from Hawaii we stayed between his parents and mine. We were so excited about the great change in our lives and all the wonderful things the Lord had done for us. We took every opportunity to tell others. My parents definitely didn't understand it but yet couldn't deny that I was different than I was when I left. I kept trying to tell them that difference was Christ's work of salvation and sanctification in my life.

We struggle at times with telling others about salvation and forgiveness in Christ. Either we think we are not eloquent in our speech or we think we need to know a lot more than we do.
We should study the bible and look for ways to help people understand the scriptures, but being able to share the Lord's goodness and mercy with others should be in our every day experience. His active work of salvation and forgiveness is in our lives every day. Take notice and then tell others the great things He has done and is doing for you.

Broken is Good

2010-03-19T10:10:00.002-04:00

It is hard for me to say which Psalm is my favorite but Psalm 51 ranks pretty high on my list. It can be used almost word for word as a prayer to the Lord when dealing with sin in our lives. Usually we think of David and his horrendous sin with Bathsheba and having Uriah killed when we read this Psalm, and rightly so. He probably wrote this after he spent quite some time trying to avoid his sin until the prophet Nathan came to him to show him his sin.

All sin is an abomination to the Lord. We often want to rate or place sin in the better or worse category. We may not have committed adultery or had someone killed but we sin in word and deed daily. This Psalm is such a clear picture of the forgiveness of the Lord and the restoration of His salvation to us. Restoration doesn't mean He takes it away and gives it back, but sin causes us to break fellowship with Him and there is a need to be restored. Verse 17 says "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart - these, O God, You will not despise."

Broken is good. When we are broken by our sin, our hearts are truly feeling the pain and sorrow of our sin before the Lord. He loves it when we are in this place. We can sacrifice our time and money to serve Him but if we do not have a broken and a contrite heart these sacrifices mean nothing to Him.

At your next opportunity read and pray through Psalm 51 and be reminded of your sin, your need for forgiveness and the joy of the Lord's restoration to you.

Hungry/Thirsty?

2010-03-15T11:12:00.002-04:00

When we are hungry we go to the refrigerator or pantry and get something to satisfy our hunger. When we are thirsty we get something to drink to satisfy our thirst.

Jesus said "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). If we hunger and thirst for righteousness we will seek to satisfy that desire. We will be in the word, spending time in prayer, reading books that encourage our faith and walk with the Lord and spending time with those who do the same. Jesus tells us we will be filled if we hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Many would admit that they do not hunger and thirst for righteousness as they should. Just as our salvation comes from the Lord, our growth in righteousness comes from Him as well. We cannot do it ourselves because our nature is not turned toward Him. Thanks be to God that He does it for us. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:13 "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

If you find you do not hunger and thirst after righteousness, confess that to the Lord and ask Him to change that in you. "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it" (I Thessalonians 5:24).

Sweet Smelling Aroma

2010-03-05T10:26:00.002-05:00

What is that wonderful smell? We may smell the aroma of flowers in the spring or a dinner cooking that causes us to look ahead to a delicious meal. On the other hand, there are those odors that cause us to recoil and react just the opposite.

When my husband and I have been in Africa teaching, there have been many parts of these countries that are very poor and very dirty. I have struggled with the odors of what is called "slit trenches" that are used as bathrooms.

II Corinthians 2: 14, 15 speak of an aroma that to those who are being saved is an aroma of life but those who are perishing it is the aroma of death. For those of us who have been saved, we are to God the fragrance of Christ. We are to "walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma" (Ephesians 5:2). I asked myself, "what is the aroma I give off?" Is it the aroma of Christ or the aroma of my own selfishness and sin? Let's not let covetousness, unforgiveness, selfishness, anger or resentment be the aroma that comes from us. Instead of smelling like "slit trenches" that causes others to recoil, let the aroma we give off be" the fragrance of His knowledge in every place" (v.14).

Lord, take from inside of me those things that produce an aroma that is not the fragrance of your knowledge in every place. Fill me with your knowledge as I look to Your word.

P.S. I will be a way on a trip and will not post until March 15, 2010. May the Lord continue His blessings on you.

The Joy of Forgiveness

2010-03-03T10:24:00.003-05:00

You know the feeling. You have sinned against someone in thought or deed and you're trying not to think about it, but it won't leave you alone. Maybe it was losing your temper, gossiping, pornograpy or adultery. Perhaps your sin was directly against the Lord. You make excuses thinking it wasn't that bad, or everyone does this from time to time, but it won't leave you alone. The bottom line is that any sin done to anyone is a direct violation against the Lord's statutes.

David experienced the same thing. In Psalm 32, he describes how his sin affected him. He said his bones grew old and he groaned all day long. He felt the hand of the Lord heavy upon him. His vitality was gone and felt more like the drought of summer (v. 3-4). Then he confesses his sin to the Lord and the Lord forgave him (v. 5).

There is restoration and a feeling of joy when we confess our sin to the Lord knowing He will and does forgive us of all our sin (1 John 1:9). It is in this feeling of joy and knowing forgiveness, that David writes "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit" (Psalm 32:4).

If we are in Christ we know our sin has been forgiven - past, present and future. Yet, because we live in these bodies of original sin we still struggle with sin and will until we go to be with Him in glory. If you find that unconfessed sin is weighing heavily upon you today, do not let the day pass without confessing your sin to Him. If there is confession to be made to someone you have sinned against, seek the Lord's guidance for an appropriate way to do so. There is restoration and joy in the forgiveness of sin.

Do You Compare?

2010-02-26T11:13:00.002-05:00

Have you ever noticed there are some people who live in beautiful homes, have great jobs, big boats, take cruises, have wonderful children and everything certainly looks pretty good for them? The interesting thing is that many people we know who fit this description do not know the Lord or even think about Him at all, yet they prosper. I have found myself somewhat envious of this kind of person. I understand why some of my Christian friends have been blessed with much but sometimes I struggle when I see those outside of Christ prospering while other Christians struggle.

The writer of Psalm 73 struggled with the same question. He admitted to being envious of the prosperity of the wicked. He noticed they didn't seem to have any problems. He says, "there are no pangs in their death, their strength is firm, they are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride serves as their necklace" (Psalm 73: 4-5).

I have looked on people and felt the same way as I know you have too at times. The Psalmist says, "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end" (Psalm 73:17). He finally sees that these people will be brought down to desolation in a moment. He then goes on to say that his heart was grieved because of his foolishness and ignorance. He knows these people will eventually be brought down to destruction and they will perish but because of his faith in the Lord he will be guided by the Lord's counsel and received to glory. He says, "I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works" (Psalm 73:28).

If you find yourself asking the same thing, read Psalm 73 and be reminded of the blessedness of those who trust in the Lord. A day in the presence of the Lord is worth more than years of living with worldly possessions without Him.

Obedience Unto Death

2010-02-24T13:35:00.005-05:00

Isaac, who is a pastor in Uganda, has worked with my husband and I to train church leaders and their wives. In the 70's Isaac was shot and left for dead by President Idi Amin Dada during his military coup because Isaac would not deny that he was a follower of Christ. He was thrown on a pile of dead bodies to wake up and realize the Lord had spared him. He fled to Kenya where he spent two years trying to contact his wife and children in Uganda to let them know he was alive. They were reunited.

Isaac was willing to die rather than deny his faith in the living God. The Lord spared Isaac and he speaks freely about this experience. He gives glory to God and believes the Lord spared him for the purpose of continuing his ministry and starting a home for orphaned children where he and his wife now take care of about 80 children.

Daniel 3 tells us of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego who were threatened to die in a fiery furnace because they would not bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's image of gold. They knew their God was able to deliver them from the fiery furnace and the hand of the king but they made it abundantly clear that even if He chose not to save them from this fiery furnace they would not bow down to this gold image (Daniel 3: 17, 18).

These three men were willing to die in the fiery furnace rather than denounce their faith in the living God. They were tossed into a fiery furnace that was made seven times hotter and not only lived through it but came out not having the hair of their head singed, their garments affected and did not even smell of fire (Daniel 3:19, 27). The king was so impressed by their obedience to God that he praises God and then causes Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon.

When I am made aware of people like Isaac and these three Jewish men I stand in awe of their obedience and faith unto death. I would only pray you and I would be willing to die because our faith and trust in the living God is worth more to us than our lives. The good news is...to die for Christ is to be taken into His eternal presence where we will live forever with Him! Isaac, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego knew this truth.

From SAD to GAD

2010-02-22T11:42:00.003-05:00

I have shared with you my struggle with SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder. If I am not careful, a few days without sunshine can change the way I handle difficult situations. I am more easily given to discouragement. I just found out there is another condition that is recognized today as GAD - Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It involves anxiety and worry that is excessive and unrelenting.

I was reading 1 Peter 5: 6-11 this morning. Peter talks about humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God and casting our cares upon Him because He cares for us. I made a connection this morning in these passages I had not thought of before. After Peter tells us to cast our care upon Him he warns us in verse 8 "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." If we allow ourselves to wallow in our worry and anxiety we are prime targets for the devil who takes every opportunity to tempt us and weaken our faith. It is during these times the devil will cause us to question God's care and love for us. Just this morning I exchanged an email with someone who was struggling with this very thing.

Peter then goes on to say "Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world" (1 Peter 5: 9). There is no new persecution, sorrow or pain that others have not experienced. There is no new temptation ( 1 Corinthians 10: 13). The suffering we do is to perfect, establish, strengthen and settle us. This is done by the God of all grace who called us to His eternal glory (1 Peter 5: 10).

Let's not use the excuse of SAD or GAD to keep us from living in the power of His love and care for us. Let's go to GOD.

Weariness Leads to Giving Up

2010-02-19T11:16:00.002-05:00

If you have tried the regiment of exercise and dieting, perhaps you have suffered with not seeing the change as quickly as you would like and therefore, grow weary and give up. It is a common thing with all of us in one form or another. We are going great guns and when we don't see the fruit of our labor we grow weary and give up.

Being a pastor's wife I have had to struggle over the years with growing weary when I do not see the fruit of my labor and wanting to give up. I have taught Sunday School classes, lead women's bible study groups, tried to encourage women whose marriages were falling apart and prayed for many people to know the Lord or grow stronger in the Lord. Many times over the years I have gotten weary because of not seeing the fruit of my labor in some of these situations. I know I am not alone. I know many of you reading this have experienced the same type of weariness.

The Galatians were experiencing this as well. Paul wrote "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Galatians 6:9). What happens when we grow weary? Paul answers that. We lose heart. What does it mean to lose heart? We begin to find all kinds of excuses to just "give up" and think we have every right to do so. After all "I tried." What I have had to focus on and encourage you to focus on is when he said "for in due season we shall reap." We have to wait until it is just the right time. His time. We have been wanting to plant an orange tree. I have to remind myself that I will not have delicious oranges immediately. We have to plant the young tree, see that it gets plenty of sunshine, fertilizer, water and then wait. It takes time but it will bear fruit "in due season." The Lord does have His due season and His timing for absolutely everything but it may not be as quickly as we would like to see it happen. Paul knows how easily it is for us to grow weary but challenges us to not give up. "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6: 10).

I Can Do that?

2010-02-17T11:06:00.002-05:00

When we lived in Georgia I was a "DJ" at a Christian radio station. I did not have any formal training for the position. My husband found out about the position and encouraged me to apply for it. In my wimpy little ways I said "There is no way I can do that." "Yes you can", he says. It truly seemed an impossible task to me. Long story short, I applied for the position, got it and worked in Christian radio seven years before moving to Florida.

I was reading Matthew 21 one morning going through the account of Jesus cursing the fig tree and how it immediately withered away. The disciples were marveling about this as I am and asked why the fig tree withered away so soon. Jesus said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive"(Matthew 21: 22). Wow! It leaves me speechless.

I am not a theologian and will not get into all the particulars about whether or not one could wither a fig tree or cast mountains into the sea. However, I do believe Jesus is teaching us to have faith and believe in the power of prayer He has given to us as believers in Him. I believe we could accomplish a whole lot more than we do with respect to answered prayer. At times we probably spend more time thinking of reasons our prayers would not be answered instead of just praying. Our problem is not so much unanswered prayer for the big things we asked for. Our problem is praying for them and believing He can and will do it. I asked myself as I marvel at this passage if I am battling with unbelief and lack of faith? Is it Jesus' way of showing us that we can ask for things that seem impossible and then believing God can and will do them because we asked? We can do that!

Jonathan Is Losing His Life

2010-02-15T10:53:00.005-05:00

"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lost it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it (Mark 8: 34, 35)."

As my husband and I dropped Jonathan off at the airport in Uganda to send him home to Wisconsin, he had tears in his eyes. They were not tears for missing us. They were tears of compassion for the pastors and church leaders he was training. He had a profitable law practice that had been in his family for years. Within about a year or so he announced that he was leaving his law practice so he could travel to developing countries to train church leaders who could not afford a seminary education. He not only left his practice but sold it. Jonathan understood what it meant to lose his life for Christ and the sake of the gospel. There are many stories out there of men and women who have done what Jonathan did.

Whenever I read those verses I ask myself "Do I really deny myself to follow Christ?" I am sure most of us have not done this as we should and probably don't think much about it. For those who have stable jobs, a comfortable income and the privilege of living close to family it would be very hard to do what Jonathan did even if they felt the Lord calling them to do it. The Lord uses us wherever we are and sometimes His calling enables us to stay where we are. But the question is are we denying ourselves and following Him with a willingness and obedience to give it all up should He have plans that would drastically change our lives? Many would try to push these thoughts away hoping they would disappear and live miserable lives because of choosing to save his life instead of losing it for the sake of the gospel. To make a choice that would drastically change our lives would be hard for me and for you, yet this is one of those exhortations in scripture we must wrestle with if we say we are followers of Christ.

At the end of Jesus' exhortation to take up the cross to follow Him he says "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels (Mark 8: 38)."

Our Compassionate High Priest

2010-02-12T10:15:00.004-05:00

It is hard to understand that during Jesus' time here on earth He was fully God and fully man. In Matthew 14 we see a glimpse of His human side. He has just been told that John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod. We are told in verse 13 that after He heard this news, He departed by boat to a deserted place - by Himself. He withdrew so He could be with the Father and perhaps deal with His sorrow over John. John had a vital part in preparing the way for Jesus' ministry. Not only that, they were relatives (Luke 1:36). I could even imagine as children they played together.

There is another time in this same chapter Jesus departs by Himself to pray (v.23). Following this, the disciples are in a boat being tossed by the sea and the disciples were afraid. He comes to them on the water and tells them not to be afraid. I can certainly believe He came to them because He knew their distress and had compassion for them.

We must clearly understand that Jesus is compassionate. We see His compassion demonstrated many times in the scriptures. This should bring great comfort and peace as we suffer because of sorrow, whether over sin or the loss of someone or some thing. Hebrews 4:15 tells us "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."

One of the devil's ways to tempt us is to try to make us believe that Jesus doesn't care about us. Let's never think that Jesus doesn't understand or care about our struggles because of His deity.

Heavenly Father, it brings us great comfort to know you are compassionate and care very much about our struggles and sorrows. Thank you for giving Jesus as our High Priest to intercede for us because He understands and sympathizes with our weaknesses.

Have a Good Day!

2010-02-10T10:03:00.003-05:00

We often hear this from people who are in customer service. Everyone of us wants to love life and see good days. For many, life is bitter and every day is a dread - even many who are Christians. In 1 Peter 3: 10-12 Peter gives a formula for loving life and seeing good days. He quotes it from Psalm 34. "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." He says this on the heels of reminding us to be of one mind, being compassionate for one another and not returning evil for evil.

We read over verses like this and pay little to no attention to their meaning and promises attached to them. We are slow and stubborn to see God's way for us. His word guides us in every area of our lives, yet we read it and move on. James spoke of this. Many times we are simply hearers of the word but not doers. It's like the man who observes himself in a mirror, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was (James 1:22, 23). Sometimes we pay attention to what we think the bigger issues are in our lives and others. We may think one who commits adultery is worse than one who speaks deceit. All of God's word is given to us to obey and whether we realize it or not, it is for our own peace and happiness as well as His glory. Let's not just gloss over any portion of scripture the Lord has given to us. We are instructed to bless others and therefore inherit a blessing ourselves - the blessing of loving life and seeing good days.

Missing the Best Part

2010-02-08T10:06:00.003-05:00

Have you ever visited someone for dinner or overnight who is busy doing things the whole time you're there? They may be a wonderful hostess from the standpoint of working hard to serve you and make delicious food preparations but you really wish they would just sit down, drink that second cup of coffee and visit for a while. I have been in homes like that and I often think I am missing the best part which is just to be with them.

A similar thing took place in Luke 10:38-42. It is the familiar account of Jesus visiting Martha and Mary in their home and Martha fretting because Mary was not helping her. Over the years poor Martha has received a lot of criticism. She may have had one of those type "A" personalities whose ducks all have to be in a row. You know the type. Perhaps you are one of them. This is not all bad because this person usually accomplishes quite a bit but when it becomes more important than the relationship it is out of balance.

Perhaps Martha was trying to fix a more elaborate meal than was necessary. Meanwhile, Mary sits at the feet of Jesus fellowshipping with Him. I believe Jesus was tender in His rebuke as He said "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things." He understood her desire to please Him but she was missing the best part. He then goes on to say "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

Do you allow the things of your day to take precedence over your time spent with Jesus? If we are not mindful of this it is easy to happen. We have so many things to attend to and accomplish today that we neglect "that good part, that cannot be taken away from us." As you prepare to have company in your home be mindful of this as well. Remember, people are coming to spend time with you - not to have an elaborate meal and be showcased in an absolute meticulous home. Let's not miss the best part.

Copper Bottom Pans

2010-02-05T10:33:00.003-05:00

When my daughter was young we gave her the responsibility of washing dishes a few times a week. I have copper bottom pans and was always so persistent about the copper bottoms being cleaned after every use. She probably thought cleaning the bottoms did not change the effectiveness of their ability to cook our food. I'm sure she thought I was a fruitcake and truly I made more out of that chore than I should have.

In Matthew 15 Jesus is chided by the Pharisees because His disciples did not follow the tradition of washing their hands before they ate. Jesus went on to point out areas of sin in their lives and yet they were so concerned about the tradition of clean hands. Jesus quotes from Isaiah 29:13. "Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men." Jesus then goes on to teach that it isn't what goes into the mouth that defiles man; but what comes out of the mouth that defiles a man. The things that come out of the mouth are from the heart and those are the things that defile a man. He lists some of those things. I love how direct Jesus got with His disciples when they asked Him to explain what He was talking about. Then He says "Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?" It may seem kind of crude but He was interested in making the point.

We are like the people Isaiah spoke about. We honor the Lord with our lips but our hearts are far from Him. I know this to be true by the things that come out of my mouth.

Traditions can be meaningful and useful but we need to be careful of the motives behind them. Obedience to tradition should never take the place of obedience from our hearts.

Lord, show us those places in our hearts that are disobedient. Cleanse us within so that our mouths will speak of things that do not defile.

"Piece of Work"

2010-02-03T10:33:00.003-05:00

,My son uses a phrase when he is teasing someone about their behavior or attitude in some area. "You are a piece of work." He may not realize it but he is absolutely right. I am a "piece of work." God's "piece of work."

We are all familiar with Ephesians 2: 8, 9 where Paul tells us we are saved by grace through faith and that it is a gift of God. These verses are favorites with most of us because they do remind us that we did nothing to deserve His grace. It was a gift. This is one of those places we sometimes leave off a key part in our memorization. Verse 10 says "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

If someone ask you completely unaware of the reason for the question "why were you created?", what would your answer be? We may be quick to say "for His own glory." Do we really think about what that means in our day to day lives? We often forget He created us to be what we are and who we are. It is hard to understand this but if we believe in the sovereignty of God we know this is true.

He didn't create us to play and have a good life of nice things. He created us for good works. His good works. What do these good works look like? Everything we do and everything we say is to promote His kingdom and His coming - our marriages, school work, jobs, attitudes and relationships. God prepared these things beforehand that we should walk in them.

Wherever God has placed you and whatever He has called you to be, remember you are His "piece of work."

"Smile, It Isn't That Bad"

2010-02-01T10:53:00.003-05:00

Several years ago I worked the circulation desk at our local library. One morning a man came in, looked at me and said "Smile, it isn't that bad." I was embarrassed. As a person who claims to love the name of the Lord, I did not appear to be very joyful. I realize we cannot walk around every minute of the day with a silly smile plastered on our faces. However, the comment this man made was like a slap to my face. I was reminded of the lack of joy on my face more times than I am willing to admit. I am sure you have noticed people who claim the name of Christ whose faces register very little joy.

Joy is one of the key aspects to our relationship with Christ. The scriptures speak of it many times in many ways. It is one of the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). In John 15:5 Jesus speaks about being the vine and our need to abide in Him. He tells us these things so that His joy will remain in us and our joy may be full (John 15: 11).

David in Psalm 5 prays for the Lord's guidance in his life. He could find joy even in the midst of enemies pursuing him. He finishes the Psalm with "Let those who love your name be joyful in you (verse 11). Perhaps we do not have joy in our lives which is why many times it does not reflect on our faces. I am sure the pressures of life weigh heavily upon us at times and it shows on our faces. Do we really trust the Lord to guide and protect us as we seek Him?

David says "My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord: in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up (verse 3)."

Lord, let me place my trust in you so that I will rejoice from my heart, reflecting Your joy on my face.

Exercise Yourself Toward Godliness

2010-01-28T14:56:00.004-05:00

I have been running/walking for the last twenty-one years. I let very little get in the way of my exercise. Many times people compliment me on my commitment to walk or run. The truth is...I love it! It isn't as much a discipline as it is something I love to do. The only thing that keeps me from exercise is a commitment to an appointment. It is the same with my time in the scriptures. I start every morning as best I can with Bible reading and a time spent in prayer. I don't do it out of duty because I know it is good for me. I do it because I love it! It is my lifeline to this life and the next.

Have you ever noticed we usually find time to do the things we enjoy? Whatever it is, however busy the schedule, there will always be room for this activity with some regularity.

In 1 Timothy 3, Paul is writing to Timothy warning him of the great apostasy that will take place and those who will depart from the faith. Paul is teaching Timothy the importance of doctrine and his instruction to others in his ministry. Paul tells Timothy he is to exercise himself to godliness (1Timothy 3: 7). Paul goes on to say, "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come (1Timothy 3: 8)."

How do we exercise ourselves toward godliness? The Lord has given us music, literature, teachers and preachers for this purpose. However none of that should take the place of our time in the scriptures and prayer with the Lord. If your exercise toward godliness is limited because of your busy schedule be sure the scriptures are your first choice of exercise toward godliness. Pray that the Lord would cause you to love his Word. If we love it we will stay in it. Let us say with the writer of Psalm 119: 97 "Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day."

How Can He Do That!

2010-01-27T10:21:00.003-05:00

He can do that because he is a sinner like all of us! How many times do we wonder how a Christian can do the things they do, say the things they say and yet truly be a Christian. Many ask that of themselves as they wrestle day after day with sin in their lives. I know pastors who have been addicted to pornography, setting up meetings with young teenage girls on the internet, having affairs with their secretaries etc. I have known several Christian women who have had affairs. I knew a pastor's wife who left her husband a note and took off never to return as his wife. I couldn't even begin to list the sinful things people can do and the evil that is still present with all of us at times because sin runs that deep in this world and still is a struggle in us. Yet, when we are personally affected by these types of situations we stand back and say "How can they do that!"

Romans 7: 13-25 is Paul's explanation for this question. This very fine Apostle who was theologically educated, saw Jesus face to face, lived a life of dying to himself so he could live for Christ, still struggled with sin. As he is explaining his struggle with sin he speaks of how sin dwells in him. In verse 21 he says, "I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good." He uses the word evil. It is a strong word which depicts the total depravity in each one of us. Therefore what we say and do is effected by sin. Here is the marvelous, wonderful, awesome good news. We can thank the Lord as Paul does that it is through Jesus Christ our Lord we have been delivered from this body of death! "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1)."

When we have been "shattered" because someone we love has sinned against us let us remember that except for the grace of God in our lives we would do the same thing. When people behave as evildoers instead of the Christians they profess to be pray for them and remind them with humility that Christ died so they can be free from the power of sin over them.

Let us not be surprised by the sin that dwells in us but amazed by the grace of God and His forgiveness to us through Jesus Christ.

Love Covers

2010-01-25T11:09:00.006-05:00

If you have grandchildren have you ever noticed how quickly you will cover for them? My eleven year old grandson has been given the task of emptying the dishwasher in the mornings. As with many eleven year olds, he has a tendency to procrastinate and take more time doing his task than is necessary. One morning his mom had already given him the ultimatum of what would happen if he continued to procrastinate. She left the room and a few minutes later I walked into the kitchen to find him playing with his cat. I spoke to him about the importance of obeying his mom and than said "Please stay with your task until it is done. Your mom will be very disappointed if she finds you playing with the cat." He continued and finished. I love him and did not want to see him paying the consequences she would set out for him. I covered for him. I could have told her but I dealt with it and he finished.

When someone we love does something wrong or sins against us do we counsel them to help them see what they have done or are we quick to tell others, therefore stirring up trouble?

In 1 Peter 4 Peter talks about Christ's sufferings and ours and then he says "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8)." Peter quotes this from Proverbs 10:12. "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins." This does not mean that we condone sin or that we turn our backs to a person's sinful behavior but it does mean we are to correct others out of love and not hatred. Quoting from Tyndale on this passage of covering sin it says "It is ready to forgive again and again. It finds a way to shelter the wrongdoer from exposure and condemnation. This is how God has treated us."

If we find we do not look for ways to help others cover sins, forgiving them, chances are we are not acting in love as Christ taught us to do. "Love covers a multitude of sins."

Communication That Encourages

2010-01-21T11:49:00.005-05:00

One of the definitions of communication is "a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs or behavior." We usually rely on words or body language for communication. Our body language and tone of our words can very often cause miscommunication.

In seeking effective communication skills between you and your spouse we should focus more on our own communication skills. Do we come across as arrogant, bossy, judgmental, looking down our noses as we speak to our spouses? It is very difficult to communicate with someone who is not a communicator at all. One of the best ways to help someone else to strengthen their weaknesses is to look at our own weaknesses first (Matthew 7: 4, 5). We cannot hope for change in our spouses until we have adequately sought the Lord to change us. This takes prayer, prayer, prayer.

Thanks to the Lord there are many scripture verses we could "camp out" on to help us communicate more adequately. I am using Ephesians 4:29 for this post. "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." If we want to communicate effectively we need to choose words that are not unwholesome, degrading or immoral to the hearer. People will miss the positive point you are making if it is surrounded by words they find offensive. If we truly want effective communication with our spouses we need to be sure the words we chose are encouraging and will build them up. The whole point to this verse is that everything we say is to impart grace to those we are speaking to. It is to build them up and encourage them. Paul says we are to speak the truth in love. We don't need to falsely sugar coat our statements for our own gain but we should certainly look for every opportunity in our communication to be sure we are encouraging them while we are speaking the truth in love.

We can usually be pretty effective in communicating with those outside of our household. It is our spouses and children who may suffer sometimes because what we say to them does not build them up but in fact tears them down. If your spouse tears you down with his/her words continue to encourage them with your words. "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32)."

Plethora of Praise!

2010-01-19T12:17:00.005-05:00

Every time I read the Psalms of David I stand in awe of his flow of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. He gives Him praise for who He is and thanksgiving for what He has done. As I go before the Lord to pray, it is my desire to give praise and thanksgiving to Him. It all sort of dries up in a hurry. I get a few things out and sit and think and then move on to the rest of my prayer which is full of petitions, petitions for others mostly, but full of petitions.

Then there are those times when we are invoked to give praise and thanksgiving to the Lord during times of worship or any gathering of God's people to pray. How often do we see that the room becomes quiet and all of a sudden our tongues are tied. When invoked for prayer requests we can go on and on. Those are very uncomfortable times for me because many times I find myself just as quiet as others.

James McDonald in his book "Lord, Change My Attitude (Before It's Too Late)" gives an exercise in his chapter on thanksgiving in which you take a little notebook and list five things you are thankful to the Lord for at the end of the day. He suggests doing it nightly. With excitement I bought a 4"x4" notebook to do this exercise. I used the first 5 pages and now confess this little notebook has turned into a place where I keep my passwords. Is praise and thanksgiving difficult for us because we are so full of ourselves and continue to look for what we can receive from Him?

This morning I read 1 Chronicles 16:7-36 where David gives a plethora of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord after the ark is placed in the Tabernacle. "Oh give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples!" If praise and thanksgiving does not always come easy for you, read these verses and give Him your own praise and thanksgiving. He ends with "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And all the people said, "Amen!"and praised the Lord."

Offering Willingly

2010-01-18T11:07:00.004-05:00

When I was a little girl my grandmother would say, "What's yours is mine and what's mine is mine." I could never figure out what she meant and in my timidity I never asked.

In 1 Chronicles 29 we see David getting the people together to prepare to build the temple that would be built under Solomon's reign. David and the various leaders were collecting together all that would be needed for the building of the temple - gold, silver, bronze and iron. Here is the exciting part. It says three times they "offered willingly." How often do we struggle with giving what we believe is our tithe let alone giving above and beyond that? Yet these people gave willingly to build the temple which David says "is not for man but for the Lord."

The key to giving willingly was the fact that David and his people understood all they had to offer was really God's in the first place. In verses 10 through 18 David is praising God and says, "For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;" and then he says "For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You." Verse 14 says, "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willing as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You." In verse 18 David asks the Lord to "keep this forever in the intent of the thoughts of the heart of Your people, and fix their heart toward You." David wants them to remember forever that all we have belongs to Him. It is my prayer all of us would remember this truth.

I believe as we understand all we have is His we will be able to offer willingly. As the Lord brings opportunities in your life to give, remember you aren't giving things that belong to you but already belong to Him. It is very humbling in that when we do give, we cannot give ourselves credit for giving what is ours but give glory and praise to Him for giving what is His.

My grandmother had it right as I can hear the Lord saying "What's yours is mine and what's mine is mine." Let us praise and honor Him by offering willingly what He has given us.

Same Shirt Different Day

2010-01-15T12:01:00.003-05:00

I saw a young man wearing a t-shirt that had this slogan on it. We know it was the cleaned up version of what is normally said. I know it was meant to be funny but as with all humor there is an underlying truth. This slogan indicates to me that this person has little hope of getting up in the morning and finding things to be better than the day before. Unfortunately, I know Christians who have this same attitude. They may not say it as crassly but they feel the same. Life is tough for them in some fashion and it just doesn't get any better and they don't think it will be any better tomorrow.

There have been times when I have awakened in the morning with these same thoughts. Reading Lamentations 3: 22-24 I can hear the Lord saying "why do you wake up with no hope? My compassions fail not and they are new every morning including this morning". You may be thinking "Yes, I know the Lord is compassionate to me and I know He is faithful but is He going to change this difficult situation I am in"? In this 3rd chapter of Lamentations we have the prophet Jeremiah telling us "For the Lord will not cast off forever, though He causes grief" (Lamentations 3:31).

God in His mercy and compassion for us does not let us stay in difficult situations with no hope. He may not change the situation. If He does it may not be the way we expect or would like but we can always believe that He will do what brings glory to Him and is best for us and our growing sanctification. Somehow we mistake God's mercy and compassion for indulgence. We think for Him to be compassionate and merciful He has to give us exactly what we want. Just as we do not always give our children those things they want because it may not be the best thing for them, the Lord does not always give us exactly what we want, but what He chooses to give to us will always be good for us.

It is because of the Lord's mercies this day can be different even if the change is in you. The t-shirt should say "Same Mercies Different Day".

New Things

2010-01-13T11:01:00.003-05:00

We all like to get new things - new home, new car, new furniture, new clothes etc. However, these things eventually become old. There is no way they will stay new no matter how well we take care of them. They will eventually grow old.

If you are in Christ, you are a new thing or as Paul says "new creation". "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). I find such joy in this promise. I was 21 when I came to faith in Christ. I really was a picture of old things passing away and all things becoming new. I understood the "junk" that filled me and defined who I was. I came to understand that I am not filled with "junk" because I am a new creature in Christ. The old sin patterns that were so much a part of my life had been replaced by the newness I had in Christ. It felt so good to be brand new at 21 years old. You may have grown up always knowing the Lord but hopefully at some point you became aware of your sinfulness and newness in Christ.

The good news is that we continue to be brand new every day. Many times we don't feel that way, myself included. As the difficulties of life "ping" at us we don't feel like new creatures and many times do not behave like new creatures. God has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18). Our trespasses have not been imputed to us but to Christ (2 Corinthians 5 19). He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). We need to realize every single morning when we wake up we are new creatures in Christ. We continue to have forgiveness for our sin by confessing our sin to Him (1 John 1: 9).

Unlike the new furniture or car we will always and forever be new creatures in Christ. Say to yourself right now "I am in Christ, therefore I am a new creation."

Go Practice His Righteousness!

2010-01-11T12:29:00.004-05:00

Perhaps you have said or had said to you "Go practice your piano, flute, violin, etc. It is pretty safe to say that those who were coerced or forced to practice probably did not become professional. Those people we see in concerts who play instruments so well they receive standing ovations are those who have loved the instrument. They probably practiced for many, many hours. Practicing was not as much of a chore as it would be for those who are just doing it because they had been told to do so. They did so because they loved what they were doing.

John in his first epistle tells us we are to practice righteousness (1 John 3:10). However, his way of saying it is if we do not practice righteousness we are not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. In verse 6 John says "Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him." This does not mean we do not sin once we come to faith in Christ because in the first chapter of 1 John he says "if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1: 8)". Paul himself speaks of our wrestling with sin in Romans 7 and this is after coming to faith in Him. I believe what John is saying is that if we are abiding in Him we will not be practicing sin. Instead, we will be practicing righteousness knowing we have forgiveness in Christ even though we still sin.

Just as the musician who loves his instrument will spend more time practicing to be more proficient, the believer who practices righteousness out of love for the Lord will be more proficient with the wrestling of sin in his life. It is interesting that John also says if we do not love our brother we are not of God. Practicing righteousness and loving our brother is the test as to whether or not we are abiding in Him. Keeping His commandments is the key to pleasing Him. How do we keep His commandments? By hiding His word in our hearts that we may not sin against Him (Psalm 119: 11). God gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to do in us what we cannot do ourselves but we have a responsibility to practice righteousness so that we can be pleasing to Him. Please read 1 John 3 and go practice His righteousness.

Checking the Fruit

2010-01-06T10:45:00.003-05:00

One of the things I enjoy living in Florida is the oranges. We live close to a "u-pick" fruit place and during the season we will buy at least three 1/4 bushels of oranges that we often pick ourselves. Since I eat them more regularly than my husband does, I find I need to rearrange them around almost daily to keep them from becoming soft in spots which leads to their deterioration.

I was thinking about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. Paul tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I love this bag of fruit, however, sometimes I neglect it or certainly do not check it often enough to make sure that each one is staying fresh. I find I need to run through a "spiritual" fruit check to make sure they are not sitting in one spot going soft, therefore deteriorating.

We are to walk in the spirit so we do not fulfill the lust of the flesh. The works of the flesh are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, drunkenness, revelries and the like. What a list! Most of us would read through this list quickly and assume we are not guilty of any of it. But if you really look at them slowly meditating on what they mean and their different forms we could probably see at any given time that we have fallen somewhere in this list. That is why Paul tells us that we are to walk in the Spirit. Then he goes on to tell us what that is.

Memorize Galatians 5: 22, 23 and check your fruit daily.

P.S. We are leaving tomorrow for a short trip. I will not be posting until January 11, 2010.

2010

2010-01-02T11:46:00.004-05:00

For many people 2009 was not a very good year. Many suffered because of illness, family deaths, poor relationships and the economy.

It was not a good year for me. After having a serious car accident in December of 2008, I spent the first four months of 2009 in occupational therapy for a bad hand injury that was not promised a 100% recovery. I confess, I spent a lot of days weeping and worrying that my hand would never be the same. I kept asking the Lord "why" it happened and what purpose it served. Because of the Lord's unchanging faithfulness and His constant hold on me I was able to praise Him for His faithfulness to me in spite of my faithlessness in Him.

I think it is biblical to say we shouldn't look back to the difficult times except to praise the Lord for His work of mercy in our lives. So let us look forward to 2010. Because we are not sovereign we do not know what 2010 will hold for us but we do know who holds 2010. God is faithful to His promises.

I was reading Psalm 103 this week and it gave me great hope as I go into 2010. Hope that focuses on Him and not circumstances. David said we are to bless the Lord and forget not all His benefits. He forgives all your iniquities, heals all your diseases, redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies and satisfies your mouth with good things. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. Many times we fall short of His holiness yet He continues to be faithful and He certainly does not give us the punishment we deserve. We deserve nothing but eternal death and separation from Him. "For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (v. 11, 12)." David tells us in verse 17 "the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children."
Find comfort in this. His mercies are from everlasting to everlasting - in other words from one year to the next. He is merciful and His righteousness goes to us, our children and our grandchildren.

As we look to 2010 let us mediate on the words of this Psalm. If 2009 has not been a good year for you, be comforted about the future and not worried about the circumstances that will come in 2010. The title for this Psalm is "Praise for the Lord's Mercies." Let this year be a year of praise to Him for all His mercies and benefits to us.

More, More, More!

2009-12-21T10:16:00.002-05:00

Did you ever notice when some children open Christmas presents they hardly get it opened and really look at it before they are moving on to the next present and the next until they are finally all opened and paper trash looms in the room? However, a week later they don't even know where their Christmas toys are and even if they do they have no interest in them.

We try to teach our children to be thankful and satisfied with what they have. We don't want them to be greedy, yet we are like children in many ways. Think of how excited we are when we get a new home, new appliance, new furniture, swimming pool, boat, car, clothes, etc. For a while we notice and take care of these things, then they become routine - old hat and we are looking for some other thing to bring us pleasure. Often it is the desires of the flesh - eating, sports, sex, etc.

The Apostle John knew this about people. That is why he wrote in 1 John 2: 15, 16, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world."

Things do not bring us lasting pleasure. Only God in Christ can bring us lasting pleasure that satisfies keeps us from wanting more. The deeper we grow in our understanding of Him, the more we shall be satisfied. Jesus has taught us that we are to love the LORD with all our heart, soul and mind and love our neighbors as ourselves. We are to love the LORD and people not things.

If you struggle with love for the world and it's pleasures, confess it to the Lord and He will forgive you (1 John 1:9). Praise be to Him for His continued forgiveness.

As Christmas draws nearer let us focus on what is important. God has given us all we need in Christ. All that we have in this world He has given to us and should be received with much thanksgiving. If we are truly thankful the worldly pleasures become less satisfying to us and we will not be saying "more, more, more."

P.S. We are traveling this week to Georgia and Virginia to spend Christmas with our children. I will not be posting until January 4, 2010. "May the Lord strengthen you in the inner man through His spirit and that you would know the love of Christ and be filled with all the fullness of God. May the knowledge of His presence be with you this Christmas season.

A very Merry Christmas to you and your family.

The Word of Life Manifested To Us

2009-12-18T10:17:00.003-05:00

Sounds like the Christmas Story. It is!

In 1 John: 1 the Apostle John speaks as a witness to what he has heard, seen and touched. Of course, that being Jesus Christ. John bears testimony concerning the Word of life. Verse 2 tells us "the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us." He speaks of the fellowship we have with each other and our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. He writes these things so that our joy may be full.

He continues in verses 5 through 10 to say that God is light and if we walk in the light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. Even though Christ has saved us from our sin we know that sin still exists in the world and in fact still exists in us. We have been forgiven once and for all yet our sin is not completely gone (v. 8). John is telling us to be on our guard. He continues with the good news that we have our advocate, Jesus Christ to forgive and cleanse us (v.9)

I believe we can see the meaning of Christmas in this chapter. Christ who is the Light and the Life came in the flesh to save His people from their sin.

Joy to the Word! The Lord is come.

Do You Talk To Yourself?

2009-12-16T13:51:00.002-05:00

Okay, admit it. When you're alone you do talk to yourself sometime. I find when I am alone in the house doing the routine things that don't require much thought I sometimes talk to myself. Living in the age of cell phones, it is quite normal to see people in their cars talking even when they are by themselves. Before cell phones I would always hope if someone saw my lips moving perhaps they would think I was praying.

In Psalm 1: 2 the psalmist speaks of the man who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on His law day and night. I turned that into a prayer. I asked the Lord to cause me to delight in His law and meditate on it day and night. Is it practical to meditate on God's law day and night? My bible gave a little note in the center that said another way of understanding the word meditate is "ponders by talking to himself." I laughed at first because I thought of those times I ponder and talk to myself. Webster says meditate is to "reflect on or ponder over" but doesn't say anything about talking to yourself. I think it is possible to meditate on God's law day and night. I know we have responsibilities that require other thoughts but I do believe that there is a sense in which we can always have a general awareness of His word.

As I have shared many times scripture memorization is very important to me and my spiritual health. Therefore, I encourage others to memorize scripture. Having His word in your heart and mind daily is the thing that enables us to meditate on it. Then when we are driving, exercising or doing mundane things around the house we can meditate on God's law. I use scripture as prayer sometimes. Many times I use scripture to talk to myself so that I hear the right things rather than listening to myself where I will hear the wrong things.

Life and schedules are very demanding. It is easy to get through a day without spending any time at all in the word. I know it is hard to find time to pick up your bible, sit down and spend time with the Lord. That is why I am so focused on memorization because you can take it with you. The key word in verse 2 is "delight." If we really delighted in His word we would spend more time with it.

It doesn't matter how you meditate on God's word - reflect, ponder or even talk to yourself. The important thing is that we delight in it and meditate on it day and night. The psalmist says "Blessed is the man..."

I Have Seen Your Salvation!

2009-12-14T11:20:00.003-05:00

Our pastor's sermon yesterday was taken from Luke 2. As it spoke to my heart I thought I would pass on some of those thoughts.

He began with a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Lutheran pastor executed in Nazi Germany.

"We have been shielded from the awful nature of Christmas and no longer feel afraid at the coming near of God Almighty. We have selected from the Christmas story only the pleasant bits, forgetting the awesome nature of an event in which the God of the universe, its Creator and Sustainer, draws near to this little planet, and now speaks to us. The coming of God is not only a message of joy, but also fearful news for anyone who has a conscience. It is only by facing up to the fearfulness of the event that we can begin to understand the incomparable blessing. And while He judges us, He loves us, He purifies us, He saves us, and He comes to us with gifts of grace and love."

In Luke 2: 25 we see the man Simeon whom we are told was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel. He came by the Spirit into the temple and took the Child Jesus into his arms and looked into His face. Simeon said "For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel."

It is good to try to grasp the human side of this baby so we can fully understand He became flesh to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we cannot do this without grasping His deity. While He was a baby, cried tears (in spite of a popular Christmas song that says "no crying He makes") and had the same needs any new born has we must understand this baby had a special plan and purpose for His life. That plan was to bring salvation and redemption to a fallen world.

We need to see the Child Jesus through the eyes of Simeon. As he held the baby in his arms he saw the Lord's salvation. This baby came to bring us hope, to show us the Father, to bring division among those who would believe and would not believe, to bring us the words of life and most of all to die for our sin. He came to be our salvation.

As we continue our celebration this Christmas and enjoy all the warm, happy things that surround our celebration of Jesus' birth, let us not forget the awesome nature of this event in which the God of the universe draws near to us and speaks to us. Let us face the fearfulness of this event so that we can understand the incomparable blessing of His coming.

In God We Trust

2009-12-10T10:22:00.004-05:00

What is the first thing that comes into your mind when you see the words "In God We Trust?" I immediately think of the words printed on our currency. Even on the newest coins this statement is still being engraved. How interesting! A country that has taken prayer out of schools, banned manger scenes in front of some public buildings and refuses to recognize Christmas as a celebrated holiday has "In God We Trust" on it's coins.

In Psalm 56 David was praying for relief from those who were oppressing him. In verse 4 he says "In God (I will praise His word), In the Lord (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Here in America we face the dangers of those who would oppress us. Events of September 11, 2001 changed our lives and our comfort zones. As a nation we must remember our roots are grounded in the God of the scriptures. We are very blessed in this country and there are many people who still believe in the statement "In God we Trust." Let us pray (without ceasing) for our country and those authorities that govern decisions that would deny God. In the meantime we must take heart in the fact that God is for us -not as an American nation but those who are His people. There will come a day when only the righteous will inherit the earth. The wicked will be cut off and we will finally be with the Lord to worship and praise Him without opposition.

Even David was looking forward to the heritage of the righteous and the calamity of the wicked. "For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, but those cursed by Him shall be cut off (Psalm 37: 22). "In God We Trust."

Talker or Listener?

2009-12-09T11:01:00.002-05:00

Recently I was talking to someone or more accurately listening to someone who I confess was really beginning to irritate me. When you are with someone like this your eyes begin to glaze over and you begin to look for any possible way to get out of the conversation as graciously as possible. Unfortunately, I realized this is the way with many people. Webster says a conversation is an"oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas." The key word here is exchange.

I happen to be a people person. My husband says I can talk to someone for five minutes and find out more about them than he would after many conversations with them. I don't know why I am like that but I am. I ask a lot of questions and am truly interested in learning about you. My son teases me and has told me I'd make a good reporter because I am nosy. I would like to think it is because I do have a genuine concern for people.

Philippians 2: 4 says "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

Even though I like to ask questions, I also like to talk to someone who is showing an interest in me. I am sure many of you feel the same way.

Here is where I am going to get nosy. How about you? Truly stop and evaluate your behavior when you are in a social setting. Do you dominate the conversation talking about your work, spouse, kids and anything of interest to you? When someone speaks to you do you just go into non-stop verbiage or do you see the person and have a genuine interest in their interests? Notice this verse in Philippians doesn't say we are not to look out for our interests. It says "not only" our interests. We should first and foremost look out for the interest of others. In verse 3 of this passage we see we are to each esteem others better than ourselves.

The road that leads to joy is one where we are following the Lord in His ways. He has given us His word to teach us how to live before Him and others. If we are so wrapped up in ourselves chances are there will be little or no joy. Joy comes as we live for Christ and others even to include the simple conversation.

Their Good Example

2009-12-07T10:37:00.003-05:00

Paul's letter to the Thessalonian church was to encourage them in their newfound faith. Acts 17 gives us the account of Paul preaching at Thessalonica. Some came to faith but the Jews who were not persuaded attacked many of the believers and brought persecution on them. Paul knows that these people came to faith in the midst of difficult times and persecution.

In chapter 1 of I Thessalonians we see Paul giving thanks for their faith. He tells them that he remembers without ceasing their work of faith, labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. They received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit. They became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. The word of the Lord sounded forth through them in every place. They had a good reputation in terms of their faith and commitment to Christ in the middle of trials. Paul was longing to see them again. He had such a heart for these people and wanted to know that they were still holding up in the faith in difficult times. Paul sent Timothy to check on them. He was encouraged because Timothy returned with good news of their faith and love and that they, too, had good memories of Paul, Silas and Timothy and desired greatly to see him again.

Many of us have not been persecuted because of our faith but we have had difficult trials that could weaken our faith. I have experienced first hand and know others whose testimony dims after long periods of tough times. How would those people who have been instrumental in your coming to faith in Christ see you today? Even if you have always known the Lord because of being raised in a Christian home there have probably been people who have been instrumental in your growth in Christ. How would those people see you today? Would they rejoice in seeing your continued faith as Paul did over seeing the continued faith of the Thessalonians? Would they still see your work of faith, labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father?

What a joy it would be for those who have taught us be able to say with Paul "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy" (I Thessalonians 2: 19, 20).

Long Life and Riches

2009-12-03T14:31:00.006-05:00

If you could have two wishes what would they be? Many people would say "I would like to live a long life and have plenty of money." It sounds quite hedonistic. However, Solomon, the writer of Proverbs in chapter 3 speaks about having length of days and riches. The Proverbs seem confusing at times because they make declarations that we often do not experience in our day to day lives. Before we question the writer of Proverbs, we should seriously look at the conditions the writer gives us to experience these day to day things that seem so far from us.

The verses I will be speaking from are Proverbs 3: 13-18. It starts off with the heart of the matter. "Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding." Proverbs 9: 10 says "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." You see, before we can even think about having long life and riches there is a condition. That condition is first and foremost seeking the wisdom of God. That is what the writer of Proverbs drives home to us constantly.

It is not wrong to want long life and riches. It is how we spend our life and our riches. There is a correlation in these promises. Get wisdom - have long life and riches. I understand that many who seek wisdom and understanding never experience long life and riches but what they do experience is a peace and fulfillment in the Lord that is far better than life and riches. Others never experience long life and riches because they have never understood what it means to fear the Lord. That is the beginning of wisdom.

It all comes back to an intimate relationship with our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. It is to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6: 33). It is hiding His word in our hearts (Psalm 119: 11). It is keeping His commandments and walking in His ways (Deuteronomy 8: 6). It is acknowledging Him in all our ways (Proverbs 3: 6).

None of us can do this perfectly which is why God gave us Christ to bridge the gap between us and a Holy and perfect God. He is able and He is the one who causes us to seek His ways.

Solomon finishes by telling us " Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her."

Jesus Is Here

2009-12-02T11:06:00.003-05:00

When my grandson was just a little over two years old we were sitting together in the backseat of our car going to dinner. At one point I said to him "I'm so glad you are sitting back here with me so I wouldn't be all alone." He quickly said "Momma, you're not alone. Jesus is here." It was a great and quick reminder that we are never alone. It was even more precious to see this truth coming from him.

As the Christmas season draws near we begin to hear over and over again the Christmas story - our Holy God becoming flesh to save His people from their sins. In Matthew 1: 23 we are told "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."

About 8 years ago this truth had significant impact on my life and even more so during the Christmas holidays. I had been a Christian for many years but somehow was finding the Christmas celebration stale. I had become numb to the Christmas hymns and stories and struggled to be excited about this celebration. God in His wonderful mercy impacted me with the truth of His presence with us in the person of Jesus Christ.

This past Sunday the assistant pastor of the church we visited spoke on Matthew 1: 18-25. His main message was "God with us." He reminded us of God's presence with us in everything. You go to the doctor and receive bad news - God is with you, you receive news of the death of a family member - God is with you, your marriage is falling apart - God is with you, you're struggling with parenting - God is with you, you lose your job - God is with you. In all of these difficult situations the thing to cling to is God's presence with us. God became flesh to redeem us, save us from our sins and help us live in a fallen world. He did not just wind things up and let it run. He is here! He loves us! He will never leave you nor forsake you.

As the Christmas holidays come upon us and all the celebration that comes with it, it is my prayer for all of us that we would remember the truth of what the name Immanuel means - "God with us."

Wiles of the devil

2009-11-23T11:54:00.003-05:00

In the travels my husband and I have had throughout Africa we have been made keenly aware of the powers of the evil one. We have run into those who are witches or those who were, but have been set free by the gospel of Christ. In our western culture we Christians give lip service to the fact that the devil is real but I don't think we realize how much havoc he can place in the lives of believers.

Ephesians 6: 11,12 says "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

Another word for wiles is schemes of the devil. This is what it means - a trick stratagem intended to ensnare or deceive. Peter 5: 8 tells us "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

The devil is not omnipresent. We know he cannot be in all places at one time. He does have demons that are in various places to do his work for him. His work is to keep those who do not know the Living God from knowing Him and to keep those who do in as much turmoil and chaos as he can so that they will be powerless to further the kingdom of heaven, which is our calling as believers in Christ.

Think about it. You can be sure that when you commit to serving the Lord in some capacity there will be trials that come up to threaten your commitment. When you are going through trials, whether they are direct persecution because of our faith in Christ, financial matters, chronic illness of a spouse, Christian relationships that are badly broken, loved ones dying of cancer, marital issues that seem beyond reconciliation etc. how do you respond? Many times when going through these things we think God has left us or has not heard our prayer of deliverance. We began to wonder if all this Christianity "stuff" is real. What we should be doing is realizing that many times we are up against the wiles of the devil to pull us down. We must keep in mind that God is sovereign. I cannot explain God's plans and purposes but I do know that how we handle these things is key to fighting against the wiles of the devil who would want us to give up and give in to despair instead of seeking God's face and direction even in the middle of the worst circumstances.

One of his favorite schemes is to keep us from remembering that he is real and that he is just waiting for the chance to devour us. We need to put on the whole armor of God to stand up against the evil one. We need to resist him and his schemes. We need to talk to him and cast him out in the name of Jesus Christ. Stand firm on the word of God, fight the devil and he will flee from you.

Find comfort from these words in 1 John 4: 4 "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

P.S. Our daughter-in-law has a family member that is dying of Leukemia. My husband and I will leave in the morning for Richmond, Va. Please pray for the Morgan/Strittmatter family.
I will not be posting for about a week.

Fault Finder or Restorer?

2009-11-20T10:47:00.006-05:00

My unmarried daughter is pregnant. I found out my son is gay. My pastor is having an affair. My husband is addicted to pornography. I am having an affair. All of these people may not be believers but many are.

What is our response when we are given this kind of information? Outwardly we act sad and say "Oh my, I will be praying for you." Inwardly we may be finding fault with the bearer of this news. In fact we begin to find fault with who they are and what they could have done or shouldn't have done that would help this situation. Our thoughts are not about restoration.

We live in a broken, fallen world. Even believers are susceptible to these kinds of temptations. Paul is speaking to Christians when he writes to the Corinthians warning them about sin in their church. In I Corinthians 10: 12 he warns them "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."

Galatians 6: 1-5 speaks of our restoring a person who is overtaken in a trespass in a spirit of gentleness, considering ourselves lest we be tempted. We are called to bear one another's burdens. For most of us, myself included, our goal is not so much to restore an erring brother or sister in love, but to judge and condemn them. Let me be quick to say, we are not to overlook these things or just try to shuffle them under the rug. There is church discipline to be done in some cases that are without repentance (Matthew 18: 15-20). However, it is bringing the erring brother or sister to restoration with Christ and the church that should come first. If we are intent on doing this out of love for one another, it would avoid unkind gossip that often comes from news like this.

One of the reasons many people will not share this kind of burden with us is because they are afraid we will find fault with them or their loved one caught in the sin. We need to create a safe environment for others to share these burdens - an environment that is eager to restore, not find fault. Remember, temptation comes to all of us.

"Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ."

A Glimpse of Heaven

2009-11-18T11:18:00.002-05:00

My husband and my daughter share the excitement of being in heaven one day. I must be honest. I do not share their enthusiasm about being in heaven. Kenny Chesney has a song titled "Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to go now."

I believe many of us in Christ are not excited about heaven because we are not quite sure what it will be like. We know we will be with the Lord as He tells us in Matthew 14 that He is preparing a place for us and He will come again to receive us and that where He is we will be also. Yet for some of us it still does not generate the joy and excitement about heaven that many feel.

This past weekend my husband and I participated in a missions conference in Georgia. We stayed with some long time friends that are more like family than friends. On Saturday evening their son and his lovely wife prepared an exquisite meal for us and others who were visiting. There were about 8 of us sitting around the table enjoying one another, enjoying the Lord and giving testimony of His goodness to us in many areas of our lives. Richard and his wife, Katy, were busy preparing each course with perfection and serving us in love. They topped the meal off with a homemade cream puff with a chocolate swirl and a cappuccino, caffe latte or expresso tailor made for each person. After the meal we all continued for hours to enjoy one another as we spoke of the things of the Lord.

When my husband and I went into our room for the night we both said "The time together and the delicious food was such a blessing and a glimpse of what heaven will be like." The next morning it was reported to me that Richard had said the same thing to someone else.

I read in Revelation 21 about the new heaven and the new earth. We are told God will dwell with His people and He will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from our eyes, no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain. All things will be new. I got to thinking about Jesus' words in Matthew of the Lord preparing a place for us and His dwelling with us. I can believe that in the new heaven and new earth we will be eating and feasting on the most wonderful delicacies we could imagine and we will be doing it in His presence and the presence of other believers - people we have loved here on earth.

That meal was a very small glimpse of what heaven will be like and I praise the Lord for that glimpse.

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." I Corinthians 2:9

My Soul Melts from Heaviness

2009-11-11T10:35:00.004-05:00

There are some circumstances in my life that cause me to worry and stress over them from time to time. Yesterday and today I have found myself focusing on those situations. In fact, I woke up with a heavy heart today and said to the Lord "My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word." Perhaps your soul is heavy today.

There are are a lot of books written today to help us manage worry and stress. We know this problem leads to various illnesses. Some folks seem to manage these things well. If we are honest, many of us would admit to allowing worry and stress to wear us down. Henry Ward Beecher said "It is not work that kills men. It is worry. Work is healthy...Worry rusts upon the blade."

The Lord has an antidote for this problem found in Philippians 4: 6,7. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

We know the verse, in fact I have it memorized so why do I find myself worrying? Because I don't apply what it says. I don't take everything to the Lord in prayer as soon as the worry button is pushed and certainly not with thanksgiving. Even yesterday as I worried over circumstances I neglected this command from the Lord. I just didn't do it and it rolled over today into a morning that has zapped my strength and joy.

Let's be doers of the word, not hearers. Take your worry and stress even now to Him. Take everything to Him. The peace of God will guard your heart and your mind. Then let us move on to verse 8 in that passage. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - mediate on these things."

Life is loaded with difficult situations. Worry will never change them. Let us pay to our heavenly Father who then gives us His peace.

Heavenly Father, enable us to place all our worries and fears upon you. Thank you for your peace and for guarding our hearts from these things. Lord let us think upon you for You are praiseworthy.

P.S. My husband and I are going out of town. I will not post until November 18, 2009. May the Lord richly bless you.

I Won the Jackpot!

2009-11-09T10:55:00.003-05:00

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to win a $23,000,000 lottery jackpot? I have and if you're honest you have too. We speculate how it would change our lives or how much better life would be with so much money. We may even get to the point of thinking about various ways we would spend it, even to include giving it to ministries and worthy causes.

The Israelites were being placed into a position to have a lot of material possessions. Take the time to read Deuteronomy 8 for the background. They went from being slaves in Egypt to wondering the wilderness for 40 years. The Lord fed them and took care of them. The Lord was bringing them to a land of brooks of water, fountains and springs, wheat and barley, fig tees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey. They would have plenty. They would be able to build beautiful homes to live in and would have herds and flocks and silver and gold in abundance. Yet the Lord had to warn them. To paraphrase these words He said that they were to be careful that in receiving all these material blessings they would not forget Him. It gets even worse. Not only does He warn them not to forget Him and keep His commandments but also warns them about being proud and "lifted up" thinking that it was their own power and might that had gained them this wealth.

God knows us well. He knows that we are much more dependent on Him when we do not have the abundance of things. Think of the economy today. Unfortunately many people are out of work and are financially hurting. I believe we could say people pray and seek Him much more in these kinds of circumstances. When our lives are difficult whether it be financial, marital problems, rebellious children etc. we have a tendency to look to Him and depend much more on Him. When these things are alleviated by His hand and grace we may forgot where it came from and we do not seek Him as we did.

If you are so blessed by the abundance of material possessions remember the Lord your God to serve Him and keep His commandments. It is by his hand that you have them. If you are struggling to put food on your table don't lose heart. The righteous are not forsaken nor do their descendants beg for bread. (Psalm 37:25)

"And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day." (Deuteronomy 8:18)

Hope in God's Mercy

2009-11-06T09:29:00.006-05:00

The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. The Lord preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. (Psalm 145: 17-21) Do you believe this?

Some who read this may say "Yes, I believe it although it is not always my experience." Others may say "I thought I did at one time but now I am not so sure."

My answer is the first. There are many times I read scriptures that speak of the Lord answering our prayers and giving us the desires of our heart and at least for today those things have not been seen in some particular areas I look for them. God does not lie. He is truth. Therefore we have to believe His promises to us in scripture. If we don't then we would say He is a liar.

Again, it is our experience that causes us to doubt. We know we walk by faith and not by sight. (II Corinthians 5:7) However that is difficult to do - for you and me. When we have been praying for friends and loved ones to know Him and as of yet it hasn't happened we can and do become discouraged and find ourselves wondering what verses like this mean.

Psalm 147: 11 says "The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy." What is hope? "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

Write Psalm 145: 17-21 on a 3x5 card. Keep it before you. Study these verses. Cross reference them and mediate on them. Remind yourself constantly that the Lord takes pleasure in you. That is, those who hope in His mercy.

Oh No, I'm Lost

2009-11-04T10:15:00.005-05:00

A couple of years ago I dropped my husband off at the airport, got on the main road, drove for a few miles, and realized it was not the direction I needed to go. I was lost. I drove around for a short time and then decided I wasn't going to be like some people who never ask for directions. I was on a toll road and as I came to the ticket booth I asked the woman directions for the turnpike heading south. It wasn't long before I was in familiar territory.

I started thinking about many people going through life looking for the right direction. They are looking for meaning to life in various religions, philosophies and relationships. Many seek and search to find the right way and find themselves more lost and confused.

Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Jesus gives directions that will keep us from losing our way. It is through Him. There is no other way we can come to the Heavenly Father, find true meaning in life, forgiveness of sin and eternal life except through Jesus Christ.

This past Friday I wrote a post about our responsibility to share the gospel with the lost using I Thessalonians 5. This past weekend our church had their annual mission's conference. The speakers not only talked of our responsibility to spread the gospel abroad but also right here in our own neighborhoods. One speaker said she didn't know any non-Christians and decided to join a garden club to be a witness to those who are lost. I was convicted. I have forgotten those who are lost. Sometimes it is easier to support foreign missions than to be a missionary in our own neighborhood.

If you share my struggle, we can pray together that the Lord will indeed open our eyes to those who are lost and give them directions for finding true meaning in life.

That's Not Fair!

2009-11-02T10:54:00.002-05:00

Remember when you were in elementary school and the teacher would step out of the room giving this warning - "If I come back and find anyone out of their seat or talking the whole class will have to write sentences. " Sure enough there was always that "class clown" that would would ruin it for everyone. We would say it wasn't fair that we should suffer because of this person's disobedience.

There was another incident similar to this in the Garden of Eden. The Lord told Adam and Eve that they could eat of every tree in the garden but not the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He said "for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." You know the story. Eve ate, shared with her husband and consequences had to be paid. Because of Adam's sin we all payed the consequences. We all faced death even though we were not physically there. I had someone tell me one time they didn't think it was fair that all men should suffer because of Adam's disobedience. In fact, this person said " I wouldn't have done it if I was there."

What is hard for us to understand is that the elementary teacher made very clear the consequences of disobedience. It was her or his classroom to make the rules and instructions. It was up to us to obey them.

The Garden of Eden and all that is in the world was created by Him for His own purpose. Romans 9 tells us He is the potter and we are the clay. Who are we to reply against God?
He was the one to set the rules and boundaries for His creation. From this very beginning we see that man is bent on disobedience to the Lord. For those who would say "it isn't fair" the Lord's instructions was very clear as to what Adam and Eve could partake of.

Romans 5 speaks of death in Adam and life in Christ. Verse 12 "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned." Verse 18 "Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life."

I think when we can truly grasp our disobedience and sin we can better grasp the perfect, Holy God who emptied Himself to become sin for us. It wasn't fair that Christ should suffer for us but He did and He did because of God's mercy to us who deserved His wrath but received His mercy.

Let us not be guilty of thinking it isn't fair that all should suffer for one. Let us rejoice that One suffered for all.

Wake Up! Wake Up!

2009-10-30T11:53:00.002-04:00

A friend of mine along with her family was taking a Sunday afternoon nap when someone started pounding on their front door to tell them that their house was on fire. If this person had not awakened them they probably would have been killed in the fire. The flames were already so far gone that by the time the fire department got there the place had basically burned down. The person who awakened them was a stranger who happened to be driving by their house and noticed the fire. She could have just driven past but she felt compelled to do what she could to help these people and in this case she saved their lives.

As I was reading I Thessalonians 5, I was reminded of the incident with my friend and her family. Paul is speaking to the Thessalonians about the day of the Lord and His return. We do not know when our Lord will return but we do know that He will. The writer of Acts says to the people as they witnessed Jesus' ascension "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." Paul says "the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night." (I Thessalonians 5:2)

For those of us who know Christ as savior and Lord that day will not overtake us as a thief. However, Paul says "Therefore let us not sleep as others do but let us be sober." He also says, "But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation." Paul speaks those similar words to the Ephesians in 6:17.

Let us be keenly aware that Christ will return and there will not be a second chance to know Him as savior and Lord. This should incite us to have a burden for those who do not know Christ - those who are sleeping. I am speaking to myself as much as I am to you. I do not take the opportunities I should to tell people of the impending danger they are facing. Just as this stranger felt so compelled to knock on my friend's door, we should be so compelled to say to those who do not know Christ "wake up! wake up! Christ will return". Our job is to wake them up and tell them about Christ and the forgiveness that He extends to those who believe in Him. Let us desire to save them from the fire that is to come.

PRAISE THE LORD!

2009-10-12T11:34:00.004-04:00

It's Monday morning. Some wake up on Monday mornings and do not look forward to going to work, going to school, packing lunches and getting children off to school or just the routines Monday mornings bring. By the end of the day we are usually back into the routine and able to do Tuesday much better.

Over the weekend I read Psalm 150. It has six verses. Verse 1 speaks to where we are to praise the Lord. We are to praise Him in His sanctuary (church) and praise Him in His mighty firmament or heaven (everywhere). Verse 2 speaks to what we are to praise Him for. We are to praise Him for His mighty acts according to His excellent greatness! Verses 3-6 speak to the form or ways we are to praise Him. We are to praise Him with the trumpet, lute, harp, timbrel, stringed instruments, flutes, cymbals -clashing cymbals. It even says we are to praise Him with dancing. Wow! Think about our worship services and lives in general as we worship and praise the Lord. I don't want to get into the various theological arguments about what is or is not appropriate in a worship service. The point is, and I don't know how we can get around this, praise is to be happy and joyful and it is to be done with everything we have to use to glorify God.

Since we struggle with the Monday morning blahs sometimes, I thought this was a very appropriate Psalm to write about. Instead of waking up struggling with the routine of the day we should focus our attention on Him. C.S. Lewis said, "The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in."

In other words let us wake up to praising Him. Praise Him for His excellent greatness and mighty deeds. Be specific. As far as the music, think of a favorite hymn or song to praise the Lord. We may find Monday mornings or any morning is more welcomed.

There are two times to praise the Lord, when you feel like and when you don't. "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!

P.S. I will not be posting until Oct. 30, 2009. My husband and I will be away on a fund raising/family trip. May the Lord continue His blessings on you.

Treasures in Heaven

2009-10-09T11:06:00.002-04:00

I was heading to a doctor's appointment for a checkup, traveling a country road that is quite picturesque. Along the way I came upon a curve in the road where horses are usually grazing. As I looked where I normally saw the horses they were replaced by a beautiful, large, white house with pillars along the front. There is a pond that sits in front facing the morning sun. I took a long look or should I say a longing look and just basked in the beauty of it placing myself in that setting thinking "I will probably never have a house like that one."

After a brief pity party, (that did not include God's thoughts) I thought of the rash of hurricanes our state has had over the last few summers and realized how those storms could have leveled that house.

Jesus speaks in Matthew 6: 19-21 of the importance of laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven. His words in this passage tell us to "lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys."

Paul's message in I Corinthians 3: 11-15 is that we are to build on the foundation , which is Jesus Christ. If we build with gold, silver, precious stones, wood , hay or straw these things will not last when tested by fire. Our work is to be those things that will last if tested by fire. Only the things we do to serve others for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ will last when tested by fire.

Jesus tells us that we are to give things away, leave things behind, follow Him and we will have treasure in heaven. (Matthew 19:21) "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)

Lord, when I find myself longing for the things of this world, quickly cause me to think of laying up for myself treasures in heaven by giving things away and leaving things behind for the sake of following you and seeing others come to faith in Christ.

Detour

2009-10-07T11:09:00.002-04:00

When I am driving alone and come upon a sign that says "detour" I generally go into a complete panic - particularly if I am driving someplace I have not driven before. With my head I understand that I just need to follow the signs and I will generally get back out onto the direction I was going. But because of my fear I begin to think of all the "what ifs". What if the the sign is marked wrong, what if I just miss the sign, what if I end up going in a direction I've never been, etc.

I was talking on the phone with someone the other morning and we were remarking about how life has twists and turns we do not plan on. You are very contentedly going one direction in your well planned life but then all of a sudden there is that "detour" sign. Sometimes we have to leave the well planned direction to travel someplace else for a time.

Joseph found the same happening to him. Joseph is rocking along in life as the favored son with perks the other sons didn't have. Detour - his jealous brothers sold him into slavery. The Lord was with Joseph and he becomes quite successful in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Detour- Potiphar's wife tries to entice him and when he wouldn't give in, she lies and says he did things he didn't and he ends up in prison. The Lord was with Joseph and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. He was there two years and became ruler over Pharaoh's house and people after he interpreted a dream Pharoah had. After all these detours in Joseph's life we see that he is able to save his family from famine because of the position he held in Pharaoh's house. Joseph told them that God sent him before them to save their lives. In Genesis 50:20 "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." Genesis 39-50 will give you the account of Joseph's successes and detours. In all of these twists and turns in his life, the Lord was with him and guiding him because He had a plan for him. Joseph remained faithful to the Lord even in the darkest times and the twists and turns in his life.

We all face those times when our direction in life seems to take a "detour". Many times I respond in these circumstances the same way I do when I come upon a "detour" sign - fear of the unknown. Instead of panicking and being fearful as I do when detours come into my life, we need to remember that God, who is faithful, is leading us. He will indeed show us the direction we need to go to place us where He wants us to be. The same promise He gave Israel when they were to possess the land is true for us "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Kind and Tender Hearted

2009-10-05T11:02:00.003-04:00

My husband and I went to church in Winter Haven yesterday where he preached a sermon on communication. He used Ephesians 4 as his main text. I thought a lot about it yesterday and as I slept last night I woke up a couple different times with Ephesians 4: 32 on my lips. I was convicted in his sermon yesterday as he spoke of speaking the truth in love from v. 14 of Ephesians 4. I know that many times my words are sharp or with a tone of judgment rather than "love." I went to him this morning to ask his forgiveness.

The scriptures have a lot to say on the use of our tongues from things we shouldn't say to those things we should say. Proverbs 21:23 says "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles." That is one of those passages that caution us to guard what we say to people. Ephesians 4:32 says "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God in Christ forgave you." While this verse does not speak directly to the use of the tongue, to be kind and tenderhearted usually involves the words we say.

When we are with friends or just acquaintances we are quick to say "thank you, please, no thank you, excuse me etc." Somehow we neglect to offer the same courtesies to the people in our household. A few years ago I came to the realization that my husband and I were not being kind and tenderhearted. We were not being courteous. I shared that with him and he agreed as well that we were not speaking with one another as we should. By God's grace we are much better in using those courtesies with one another and heeding the words in v. 32.

Our families in our household are the people we love the most yet many times the people we treat with least kindness. These courtesies should be extended to our children as well. Hopefully they will learn to extend those same courtesies to family and friends.

Communication is the glue that holds us together - not just any communication but that which is helpful to those we communicate with. The lack of communication, or proper communication can destroy our relationships. As Ephesians 4: 29 tells us, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."

Perhaps this is not a struggle for you but if it is, ask forgiveness where it needs to be and begin speaking by being kind to one another and tenderhearted. We must also be willing to forgive others even as God in Christ forgave us.

Testimony for Christ

2009-10-02T11:04:00.002-04:00

For some of us it is difficult to share our faith in Christ or share the gospel message with those who do not know Him. There are many approaches that have been designed over the years such as Evangelism Explosion and the Four Spiritual Laws. These have been designed so that those of us who struggle sharing the gospel can have a system to work from. I have no problem with this if it helps people share their faith. I have seen quite a few people come to faith using the Evangelism Explosion approach. But for many it is still a struggle, I myself included, even though I've had the Evangelism Explosion training.

In the Gospel of Mark chapter 5 we have the account of Jesus crossing the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. (Please read Mark 5: 1-20) There he meets a demon possessed man. In fact even the demon said his name was Legion because there were many. The man was so tormented by these demons that even though he was bound with chains he would pull them apart and no one could tame him. Jesus calls the demons out of him, restores him and sends the demons into a large herd of swine. They run headlong over a cliff upsetting those people who fed them. The story was told in the city and many came out to see the man who had been healed and there he was "sitting and clothed and in his right mind." The people were upset with Jesus and wanted Him to depart. The demon possessed man begged Him to let him go along with Him. Mark 5: 19 says "However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion you." He departs and began to proclaim all that Jesus had done for him and all the people were amazed.

What a testimony! Now we do not know if this man came to faith in Christ but we do know this newly healed man didn't know anything about sharing the gospel or a system of how to do so. Jesus told him to go tell his friends what the Lord had done for him. When we go about our day and routine there may be opportunities for us to tell others what Christ has done for us. It could be in the form of how we came to faith in Him or a testimony of a particular answer to prayer or work of grace the Lord has done in our lives. Think of those things the Lord has done for you. Thank Him for them and let that refresh your spirit of His grace in your life. Then take every opportunity to tell others of God's grace.

Pray for courage and boldness to share the message with others of Christ's death, resurrection and forgiveness of sin. But in the meantime let us use every opportunity we can to heed Jesus' words "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you."

Some may be amazed and it just might make them thirsty enough to ask more about the Christ in your life.

Time for a Nice Juicy Steak

2009-09-30T11:48:00.003-04:00

Infants are fed milk and usually only milk for quite some time. Milk gives them what they need in the early stages to grow and become healthy. As infants we would not give them solid food for two reasons. One, they have no teeth to chew so that it can be swallowed and two, their bodies are not quite ready to digest the intake of solid food. At some point we introduce solid food to them. It is interesting the look on their faces many times when we do. They are not so sure they like it but eventually they look forward to being able to chomp down and eat the solid food much to their enjoyment.

Our spiritual growth is the same way. In fact I can think of three places in scripture where spiritual growth is likened to milk versus solid food and the importance of both of them.

Peter talks about desiring the pure milk of the word so that we can grow. (I Peter 2:2) As new believers we do start out on the elementary or essential spiritual trues for faith and salvation.
But we are encouraged and warned that we cannot stay there. Just as a child, teen or adult could not live on milk only, we cannot spiritually grow with just the elementary principles of the word.

Paul tells the troubled Corinthian church that he could not speak to them as spiritual people but as carnal, as to babes in Christ. He says "I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal." (I Corinthians 3: 1-3) He goes on to tell them that this is evident because of the envy, strife and divisions that are among them.

The Hebrew writer speaks of spiritual immaturity when he tells his audience they ought to be teachers but yet they need someone to teach them again. They had come to need milk instead of solid food. He says "For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5: 12-14)

Sometimes the envy, strife and difficulties we struggle with are because we are unskilled in His word just as Paul warned the Corinthians. Let's take those who have been fed milk and move them on to the solid food - deeper meaning and trues of His word, ourselves included.

It is time for a nice Juicy Steak!

Children Learn What They Live

2009-09-28T11:13:00.003-04:00

When we lived in Pennsylvania there was a picture/poem hanging in the office of our pediatrician. It was the familiar poem "Children Learn What They Live" by Dorothy Law Nolte. I remember sitting with my children, waiting for the doctor many times reading that poem. While I may not have agreed with all of its points, I think the principle is true.

Do your children see you reading the scriptures with some consistency? Do they hear you talk to your spouse or others about those things you have read and learned. Do you talk to them about what you have learned? Do they see you serving others out of love and not duty? Do you go to church for worship with an attitude of joy? Do your children hear you complain about these things? Jesus tells us if we keep His commandments and abide in His love His joy will remain in us and our joy will be full. (John 15:10,11) Do you experience a joy in your walk with the Lord? Our attitudes toward reading the scriptures, going to church for worship, attending church functions, and serving others should be reflective of joy. Many times we do not realize that our words of complaint or inconvenience about these things reflect a joyless attitude that will easily be picked up by the youngest child.

It is hard to keep children focused as we teach them the things of the Lord. Children would much rather play and do what they want to do than learn scripture verses, study the Children's Catechism or go to church. That is all very normal. In fact, we all struggle with that at different times and we need to be honest with them about that. However, I believe our attitudes about these things can have a positive or negative effect on them. If they think the Christian walk is a chore for us it will become a chore for them. If they think it is a joy for us it will become a joy for them.

Even our daily attitudes toward our spouses, children and tasks can have an effect on our children. If we cannot find joy in our daily tasks and remember that we are doing them to the glory of God, how can we expect them to find joy in them and not complain as we give them their own tasks?

Deuteronomy 6: 6,7 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart, you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."

These words will have more impact on our children as they see us walking in the joy of His word.
I believe as our children see this joy in us, it will become part of their lives - something we'll share together.

Welcome Enemies!

2009-09-25T11:15:00.003-04:00

This morning while I was walking, I past a house that was very nicely landscaped and had a lovely sign sitting in the middle of the flower garden that said "Welcome Friends." I began to laugh to myself thinking about it saying "Welcome Enemies" because it was just yesterday that I read a passage from Matthew 5: 43-48. It is the familiar passage of Jesus' words that we are to love our enemies. He says "And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others?" In other words, most everyone loves their friends and those who love them but do they love those who are unlovely or an enemy to them?

It is very difficult for all of us to show love to someone who curses us, hates us, spitefully uses us and persecutes us. Hopefully that doesn't describe too many people in your life but Jesus is making the point that we do have those people in our lives and we are not to shut them out and turn our backs on them. Actually there may be someone who has not treated you wrongfully but you don't like them. Maybe you don't like their skin color or nationality if you are honest. Maybe you don't like the side of town they come from. Perhaps they are married to your son or daughter and you just don't think they are good enough for them and never will be.

There were many years when my own Father was my enemy. My parents divorced when I was 5 years old. He made my life miserable. Then when the Lord came into my life I realized I had a responsibility to be kind to him for the sake of showing him the love of Christ. I did not reach out to him in my own strength. In my own strength I hated him. It was Christ who did that work in my heart. By the time he passed away he had come to faith in Jesus Christ.

I realize we are not going to hang a pretty sign in our yard that says "Welcome Enemies" but our hearts should always be willing to open the door to our enemies for the purpose of showing them the love of Christ. We cannot do it on our own but the power of the resurrected Christ can and will do it in us.

In this passage in Matthew Jesus finishes out by saying "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."

Love the Lord with All Your Heart

2009-09-23T10:59:00.004-04:00

The first date I had with my husband was at a roller rink. After that first date I couldn't wait until I would see or hear from him again. When I would hear his voice on the phone or see him standing at my front door I was so very happy. It seemed it was never enough. The more time I spent with him, I wanted to spend more time with him. I could never spend enough time with him. It lead to marriage so that we could spend our lives together. By the way, I still love to spend time with him.

I am sure many of you have had that same experience. When you really love someone, you want to spend time with them and get to know them even better.

Our relationship to the Lord is similar or should be. We are told in Deuteronomy 6: 5,6 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart." This passage comes just after receiving the ten commandments. It goes on to talk of our responsibility to teach our children these things as well.

How can you love someone without spending time with them to know them? Psalm 119 is one of the most fitting passages to make that point. The writer of this psalm knew the intimacy and the joy of spending time with the Lord. We do it by being in His word. In verse 77 he says "Your law is my delight." In verse 97 he says "Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day." In verse 105 he says "Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light to may path." Psalm 119 has 176 verses and all speak of the excellencies of the word of God in our lives.

My son says it is "the analogy of an iv in a sick person's arm -- if i'm not hooked to the drip the life slowly drains out of me... gotta be tapped into the spirit all day...." I guarantee that the one who just shows up in church most Sundays and reads scripture using the overhead will never experience this bond of intimacy. It is true that the more time you spend in the word, the more time you want to spend. The more you know Christ, the more you want to know Him and you do come to that place where you cannot stay away from being hooked up to the drip - it is your lifeline. It would be like a person who abuses drugs - the more you take the more you want and in this case you are not satisfied. But with the word of God as the psalmist says "I will never forget your precepts for by them You have given me life." (v. 93)

God's word is my lifeline. It keeps me focused on Him in the tough times. It keeps me joyful when circumstances are not. It brings me comfort and I feel protected. I understand that there are times of illness or emotional weakness in our bodies which keeps us from being able to be close to the word. That is why it is important that in our healthy times and stable times as we hide His word in our heart He will sustain us in the difficult times. Psalm 119 is broken into 22 sections. Starting tomorrow I encourage you to read one section and meditate on the excellencies of His word for you. Let's be able to say we love the Lord with all of our hearts, our soul and our strength!

Pray for Your Church Leaders

2009-09-21T11:08:00.003-04:00

On March 10, 2009 I wrote about our responsibility to pray for our governing authorities using the passage from Romans 13:1. I was specifically talking about our President, Senators, Congressman - those who are the leaders of this country.

Today I would like to bring to our attention the fact that we are to pray for all men as Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2: 1-3. We are exhorted to pray for those who are in authority over us to include our elders or overseers. I chose this passage in Timothy because Paul instructs Timothy in the third chapter as to the qualifications of overseers. Depending on your church affiliation you have elders or deacons who are appointed officers over you. In most churches the congregation is the one who votes the officers into office.

Many times we are critical of our overseers. If we are honest, we can find faults in our officers and spend a lot of time dwelling on it. These men are human as we are. They are not perfect. They have the same struggles as we do. They will let you down at some point. They are to receive forgiveness as we receive forgiveness. The question is how often do we pray for these men and their families? This of course includes your Pastor. Paul tells Timothy that we are to pray and give thanks for all men - all who are in authority over us.

It is a hard responsibility to lead God's people. They need our prayers and we are exhorted to pray for them. Pray regularly for them. Our officers are called to rule well. 1 Timothy 5:17 says "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine." Paul says in verse 19 that we are "not to receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses."

I can hear you saying right now "But Merril you don't know this elder or that elder. You don't understand." I understand that there are elders and officers who will let you down and not follow through with the qualifications the Lord has for them but even so, we are to pray for them. More often than not our complaints are more a personal issue.

If you already pray for your church leaders, keep praying. If you do not pray for them consistently I would encourage you to do so. You will probably find that some positive changes will take place - both in you and in them.

Fast Lane...

2009-09-14T11:08:00.004-04:00

In this fast pace world it is hard for us to except "slow". We are caught up in fast food, fast lines and fast lanes. How do you react in a fast lane going slow? As Christians we would like to believe we would not react as impatient as others react, but we do. You know - you are standing in the grocery line that limits items to 10 or less and someone in front of you has a pretty full cart, you are standing in a fast food line and the ones beside you are moving right along but for some reason yours is hung up, or you are in the fast lane on the highway and someone in front of you is not going quite as fast as you think they should. These are all situations that test our patience. They also show us exactly what we are made of. Have you ever heard the saying "Christians are like teabags, you find out what they are made of when you plunk them into hot water"? I know there are those times when we are on a tight schedule so that when these situations arise it can be stressful, however, most of the time we become irritated because we are impatient.

In the first chapter of James he talks about trials and temptations, something we all face as believers. Remember he is talking to believers in this letter he writes. Trials are to test our faith and produce patience. In fact James tells us to "count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." (James 1: 2,3) Patience is a fruit of the spirit as Paul tells us in Galatians 6: 22,23.

James tells us in verse 19 and 20 that the qualities we will need to endure trials and become patient is to be swift to hear (seek to learn), slow to speak (think before speaking), and slow to wrath (anger can cause us to say and do things that will not produce patience) and he says the "wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." Patience is slow and the Lord uses this process to produce the righteousness of God in us.

The word "fast" is not what usually comes to mind when we think of patience. We say "Lord, teach me patience and teach me now"!

Meditate on verses 19 and 20. The next time you find yourself in a fast lane going slow, let it produce the fruit of patience in your life. Today you will have opportunities to exercise patience. Let the fruit of the spirit be visible in your life to others.

P.S. I will not be posting again until September 21, 2009. Our daughter's father-in-law past away and we are attending the funeral in Georgia. I would appreciate your prayers for the McKinney family. May you experience His joy and peace.

He is Just and He is merciful!

2009-09-09T10:34:00.005-04:00

Death is one of those things in life that is very difficult to deal with - the 17 year old boy who takes his life, the 8 year old girl who is raped and murdered, the 4 year old girl who dies of leukemia, the mother who takes her life leaving her 16 year old daughter, a father-in-law you have witnessed to for years, dies, and you are not sure if he is present with the Lord.

This is a very difficult post for me. With the exception of one, I knew every one of the people listed above. As I write I am fighting back tears because what I want to say is truth but in my frailty as a human being I am not sure I can understand it myself.

Our daughter has had to deal with death twice in the last week. She lost her father-in-law and received news this morning that her next door neighbor's son was killed in the military.

Death raises a lot of questions. Questions that are very difficult to answer. Questions that we may never know the answers to. Probably the biggest question is "why". Why does a 17 year who professes faith in Christ take his life? Why does an 8 year old of Christian parents die at the hand of a captor? Why does the 4 year old of a wonderful Christian couple die of leukemia? Why does a woman who loves the Lord take her life? Why does a father-in-law die without the knowledge of knowing for sure where he is in eternity after praying so fervently for him for years? Why does a young man who willingly went to serve his country die at the hand of his enemy?

I am making an attempt to answer these questions using the Lord's words. I begin by choosing excerpts from the book of Job in chapter 38 after his long suffering. "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? By what way is light diffused, or the east wind scattered over the earth? Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water, or a path for the thunderbolt? Who provides food for the raven, when its young ones cry to God, and wander about for lack of food"?
Excerpts from Isaiah 45 "I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things. Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you begetting?'" (Read Romans 9: 20,21) Why does the Lord make make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? Isaiah 55:8 says "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My way," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." There are many scriptures that speak of God's sovereignty but for lack of time I listed a few.

Deuteronomy 29:29 says "The secret things belong to the Lord but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." I believe the Lord is telling us that there are things we will never know because they are His to keep. However, what He has chosen to reveal to us He has chosen for our obedience. He has given us all we need in the scriptures. All of scripture from Genesis to Revelation He has given to us and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, throughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3: 16,17)

We must remember that we are born in sin because of Adam and his sin. We must remember that it is also because of sin that this world is not perfect and that we cannot understand the mind of our Holy God. But praise be to God who has redeemed us in Jesus Christ. He has given us His son to die for our sin and give us eternal life. This life starts now at the moment of spiritual rebirth. We do not and many times will not ever understand the pain He allows His people to go through. We do know He is just and we do know He is merciful. Let us ask for His mercy to sustain us when we do not know answers to questions that bring us such pain and let us rest in His plan and purpose. Job finally said to God in Job 42: 2 "I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You."

A Merry Heart

2009-09-06T15:35:00.007-04:00

Have you ever looked at someone's face and thought "they look like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders." I've even had people say to me "smile, it isn't that bad." What is sad is that I have seen this in children and teens. They are not exempt from anxiety or depression. I just heard an advertisement on the radio the other day offering free consultation and medicine for children ages 9 through 18 who are suffering from anxiety and depression. There can be all kinds of internal and external reasons for this.

We cannot necessarily always judge a person's heart by their face but even the writer of the Proverbs speaks of this truth. Proverbs 15:13 says "A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken." Proverbs 12: 25 "Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." Proverbs 17: 22 "A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." Proverbs 18: 14 "The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?" This kind of broken spirit is somewhat different than what the Psalmist says in Psalm 51: 17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit...." This broken spirit is linked to the heart that is contrite because of sin as David was after his adultery with Bathsheba. This broken spirit leads to forgiveness and restoration so that the heart will indeed be merry once again.

The broken spirit spoken of in the Proverbs verses are related to anxiety and depression.
Once again there are all kinds of reasons for anxiety and depression. One may be that a person has not yet come to the place where they know the truly living God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent for the remission of sins. Another may be that while a person has understood this truth to the degree that they know they have eternal life, they still do not understand the love God has for us (you) in Jesus Christ. He tells us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7)

There is a link between our health and depression. If our spirit is truly trusting in the Lord and understands His constant love and care for us it can have an effect on our healing when we are struggling with various illnesses. I know a christian woman who has been diagnosed with bladder cancer. They told her chemotherapy is not an option but that she has to have her bladder removed. She is quite frightened. I have spoken with her and prayed with her and I feel her fear. I perhaps would be as frightened upon hearing this news. She was told that rest and being able to think positively and not negatively can have an effect on her. Thinking positively does not necessarily mean that she is to think I can and will beat this but that the Lord is the one who is the great physician and healer and who loves her. If she can find peace in this truth and rest in Him it can sustain her in her illness.

I am sure all of us at some point or another have a countenance that reveals a broken spirit. I hope this is not where you are today but if so read Jesus' words in Matthew 6: 25-34. The Lord cares for us more than we will ever know and what better way has He shown it but by dying on the cross and taking away all of our sin and placing it on Himself.

Fading Away

2009-09-04T09:38:00.003-04:00

If you are anything like me you carefully apply your makeup in the morning and then dash on with your day. Later, you walk past a mirror, check your face and recoil as you realize your carefully applied makeup has now faded. ( If you are a man reading this, stay with it, there is truth for you too.)

Unlike our face, there is something that is ours that will not fade away - our heavenly inheritance. The Lord tells us through Peter in 1 Peter 3:3,4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible (imperishable) and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you."

Think about this for just a moment. Your inheritance is not subject to decay and will endure permanently. I cannot think of anything that is exempt from perishing. Fruit, vegetables, clothing and even those things that would perish more slowly would still perish by fire or other external circumstances. Our own physical bodies are perishing daily. The apostle Paul says "Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."
(2 Corinthians 4:16) Contrary to all that is perishable our inheritance is not. Nothing can destroy it or change it. It is reserved in heaven for you.

Life is tough and we are grieved by various trials as Peter tells us in this chapter. There are so many negative things that come into our day - things that can really weigh us down but the joy and good news if you know Christ as your Savior is that you "are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."(1 Peter 3:5)

So Ladies, next time you apply your makeup, be reminded of your heavenly inheritance. It will never fade away.

God is Good! All the time!

2009-09-02T11:08:00.007-04:00

When you say to an African christian "God is Good" their reply most frequently is "All the time."

As my husband and I travel around in various African countries one of the things that is consistent among the African Christians is their love for the Lord. You know this because their love and praise is outspoken. They are truly focused on His goodness and mercy.

Psalm 107:1 says "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
There are four Psalms that start off with exactly the same words - Psalm 106, 107, 118, and 136.
I am focusing on Psalm 107 because there are four times that it says "Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men"! (v. 8,15, 21, and 31) This Psalm is a thanksgiving to the Lord for His great works of deliverance. (Please take some time to read it.)

There is a difference between the statements "God is Good" and "God is good to me." While they are both true I do think the meaning slightly shifts. Many times because of difficult circumstances or sorrows we may wonder if good is good to "me." We know God is good because He is holy, perfect, righteous, just and truthful -He never lies. So our dear African brothers and sisters are absolutely right when they say "He is good - all the time."

In our christian experience we struggle with this difference sometime. Often when we pray for something and the Lord gives us what we have prayed for we will say "God is good." We may not realize that we may be thinking "God is good to me." What happens if we do not receive what we have diligently prayed for and oftentimes prayed a long time for? We may not think God is good and this is even truer if it seems that you are getting hit from all sides with discouragement and not receiving answers to your prayers - prayers that are unselfish and are meant to bring glory to God.

A dear precious woman, whose husband had left her, and I were praying earnestly for him to return. At the end of our prayer she said "God is good and God is good even if my husband does not come back to me." She knew the truth of God being good in His being and God being good to her. She knew that He loved her and that he would bring those things that were good for her. (Romans 8:28,29)

I tell the Lord frequently He is good. I must confess that I worry how I would respond in a dreadful situation. When I tell Him He is good I try to remember He is good - all the time. That means that regardless of my circumstances He is good and as I go through those difficult times I need to remember His mercy endures forever.

The next time someone says "God is good" tell them "all the time." It is a good reminder to us that in spite of circumstances He is good! - all the time!

Selfish Ambition

2009-08-31T10:55:00.003-04:00

Have you ever tried to examine your motives for some of the things you do such as your employment or volunteer work, service in the church, exercise and raising your children to know the Lord? What is the motive behind your "good actions" or "good works"?

Recently I was talking with some friends about a person who is quite knowledgeable in the word and teaches pretty well but we agreed that we were afraid this person's motives were more for selfish gain and conceit rather than caring about those he was serving and teaching.

We cannot and should not judge because it is true that only the Lord knows the heart and the motives. This is one of those places where we are the best judge of our motives and if we are honest with ourselves we can understand why we do the things we do. I believe that is why the Lord through Paul had to tell us in Philippians 2:3,4 "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself, Let each of you look out not only for his own interests. but also for the interest of others."

Just writing that convicts me. As I examine my own motives I know they are not always pure.
Many times I do things because I think it is expected of me or because I think it helps others think well of me and I realize many times I am not willing to give up my interests to help someone else with their interest particularly if I think my way is better. Ultimately everything we do is to bring glory to God and to serve others.

In verse 2 of Philippians 2 Paul says "fulfill my joys by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."

Spend some time giving yourself the test. Pick out some of the activities that are important in your life like the list I have in the beginning. Then honestly ask yourself "what is my motive for doing this or being involved in this?" If you find your motives are for selfish ambition or conceit - ways to make you look better, confess it to the Lord.

You're probably thinking "Wow, Merril this is not the most encouraging post." None of us want to see the real us. However, I do leave you with good news. If you do see areas of your life that are for selfish ambition, confess it to the Lord. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

Beware of Personal Favoritsm

2009-08-28T10:22:00.002-04:00

"You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!"(Acts 11:3)

This is how those of the circumcision reacted when they found out that Peter had gone to the gentiles to preach to them.

My husband and I are members of the Presbyterian Church in America. (PCA) We travel to developing countries to train pastors and their wives. Most of the groups we go to are Pentecostal. We do some Anglicans and a few Presbyterians but mostly Pentecostals. I am sure you are aware that some of the doctrines are different. Many don't understand why we are teaching Pentecostals. While they don't say so, it is as if they think we should only be teaching those who are Presbyterians and if not at least try to make Presbyterians out of them.
We tell people "When teach the word of God through the scriptures the doctrines will be in our teaching without using all the "buzz" words like predestination." We thoroughly enjoy the worship with our Pentecostal brothers and sisters in Africa. The music and joy of their worship to the Lord is such a blessing. It is very hard for some of us who are the "frozen chosen" to be "thawed and awed".

Whether we want to admit it or not the same attitude the Jewish believers had in the early church remain today across denominations. I don't know why God has allowed us to have different denominations but He has. I do know that the line shouldn't be drawn between Christians of different denominations but between believers and unbelievers.

Many Baptists will not tolerate Presbyterians because they believe in that horrible word "predestination". Many Presbyterians will not tolerate Baptists because they say they have a choice as to whether to receive Christ as savior and certainly there is a different understanding of Baptism on both sides.

I may be stretching the point because I understand that the Jews were God's chosen people.
I am sure it was difficult for them to understand the Lord now taking the gospel to the Gentiles.
However, even after they heard the Gentiles had received the Word they were upset with Peter.
They were more concerned about favoritism then they were rejoicing over the fact that others had come to know the Lord.

Peter explained the dream he had on the rooftop (Acts 10) and the instruction that had been given to him by the Lord in detail. He said in Acts 11:17 "If therefore God gave them the gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?" The Jews finally became silent after they heard this report and glorified God.

Let us glorify God and rejoice when we hear of those coming to faith in Christ as long as they are in a denomination that believes the God of the scriptures. Think about it. There will come a day when there will be no Gentiles, Presbyterians, Baptists or Pentecostals. It will be a day when we as believers will all be together in heaven eating and worshiping the Lord together.

People Can Change

2009-08-26T11:34:00.003-04:00

When my husband was the pastor of a church in Georgia there was a woman who visited our church. The first Sunday she came she expressed sorrow for the fact that her husband was not a believer and was pretty anti-God. He was a rough, tough carpenter that had no desire at all for the Lord. She wasn't even sure he was going to let her come to church with any regularity.

My husband and my brother-in-law went to visit this man one evening. It was one of these situations where my husband and brother-in-law had been working all day to clean our chimney and were tired and exhausted but after cleaning up my husband said to my brother-in-law. "Come with me, I want to visit someone." So off they went to this man's house not knowing what to expect. They shared the gospel with him and at the end of the visit this man accepted Jesus Christ into his life and became a believer that very day. He was immediately a different man. He stopped drinking and going out with his buddies. He never missed a Sunday at church or anytime the church doors were open and in fact became a deacon and one of the head people in building our church building when the time came. Needless to say, we were all rejoicing in the Lord for this new convert and that night was definitely what we call a "divine appointment".

There was another "divine appointment". There was a man whose name was Saul. This man was a zealous Jewish leader who was persecuting the Jews because of their belief in Jesus Christ. You know the story. Saul was on his way to Damascus with a letter from the high priest to bring believers in Jesus Christ to Jerusalem to be imprisoned or murdered. He meets Jesus on the way or should I say Jesus met him and you know the rest of the story. Read Acts 9 to refresh your memory and refresh your joy in the Lord's grace.

We all have special people in our lives who do not know Christ. It breaks our heart and we have been praying for them for a very long time, sometimes years. Yet we don't see any change. It becomes very disheartening. I have a list of those kind of people I have been praying for and am still praying for. I keep praying for that day when they will come face to face with the resurrected Christ and meet Him and understand forgiveness and repentance. My encouragement to you and me is "don't give up".

If the Holy Spirit can take a man like Saul breathing threats to God's people and turn him around to be the leader he became for the sake of the gospel, he can take our loved ones and turn them around. You might be thinking "but you don't know this person and how hard hearted he is." Well I don't, but the Lord does and can and will continue to change people as long as He tarries. We know that only He can change people. We must continue praying and never give up that hope.

Saul who becomes the apostle Paul says he is the chief of sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15) I encourage you not to focus on who these people are and what they have done but who Christ is and what He has done. People can change.

Love One Another

2009-08-24T10:58:00.003-04:00

To fall in love comes easy. I am talking about the kind of love you have for that special person in your life. You know what I mean. You look into those beautiful green eyes and handsome face and with a few kind and gentle words you are hooked. Romantic love has a way of capturing us many times before we understand the person to whom our affections are attached.

Biblical love or God's love is very different and is not easy. If it was the apostle John would not have spent so much time talking about it. 1 John 4:7,8 says "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

If we are honest, there is that one person or persons we do not like let alone love. They rub us the wrong way every time we are in their presence. For now I am focusing on those who are in our own christian circles. Many times we will go out of our way to go out of their way - you know, avoidance.

When we find ourselves in this situation we must go back to the gospel. "In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." (1 John 4:9) "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8) Notice we were very unlovely people when Christ died for us. We truly rubbed Him the wrong way and I am sure it was very difficult for Him to be in our presence. We were still sinners when Christ died for us. God loves us and shows His love by sending His only begotten son to die for our failure to love and to give us His Spirit enabling us to love.

I encourage you to read 1 John 4. When you are faced with the person you do not like - think, "Since God loves me, I can and must love you." You may not like him and he may rub you the wrong way but the Lord says you are to love him. Love is patient, kind and does not behave rudely. Love gives and thinks of others first. If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Submissive or Stubborn?

2009-08-21T10:57:00.004-04:00

I am very much like my grandmother. My mother and I lived with my grandparents during the years she was separated from my father and then later divorced. My grandmother had a lot of influence on me and I realized after I was grown that I was more like her than I was my mother.
That was good in a lot of respects. She was the kind of person who would not let circumstances hold her back. She was determined and focused in the middle of difficult times. However that determination was also stubbornness at times.

I had a very close friend who was a member of our church when we lived in Georgia. She was old enough to be my mother and we had developed a very close friendship. One day she told me I was like a dog with a bone - she said "you just won't give it up". She knew I was the kind of person who would hang on and push forward in difficult times. We both loved the Lord and she would use this expression as I would continue to pray for her alcoholic husband and beg the Lord for him to be relieved of this bondage.

This is true about me but there is another truth that is not pretty and that is where my determination becomes stubbornness before the Lord.

This morning I was reading Psalm 32 and focusing on verse 8 and 9. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you."

I am like my grandmother in terms of stubbornness and that is not good. I see my stubbornness as I read the words of this psalm. The Lord wants to surround me with mercy and take care of me but my stubbornness gets in the way many times. Now I know God is sovereign and does whatever He pleases but He also allows us to walk in our stubbornness many times to show us more of who He is. Often I know the Lord is leading me or correcting and guiding me but if it is a direction I don't want to go I will fight it. I am like the horse or mule who has to be harnessed so it can be brought into submission. Because of the Lord's sovereignty, I will be brought into submission but here is the thing. I can come submissively and enjoy the fellowship and mercy He surrounds me with or I can come kicking and screaming pulling against Him. Either way, His way will be done. It is like a child and we have all been there. You are taking them to the doctor because they are sick and they are kicking and screaming and you are almost dragging them. You are doing it for their good but they don't want to go and get that shot or have their ear poked. It is the same with us. We are just a little more refined about it. What the Lord plans for us is for our good and His glory but we don't want to go there. We have other plans. James 4:17 says, "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." Read the passage to get the context but I believe it is applicable.

If you are in the middle of decisions and know that you are wanting your way instead of doing what you know God would have you to do, repent. David in psalm 32 kept silent about his sin and he describes a miserable picture. Then he confesses his sin and receives the Lord's forgiveness. David is the one who says "he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him."

By the way, my grandmother did not know the Lord until shortly before her death when she was 91 years old. My friend in Georgia has since gone to be with the Lord. I praise the Lord for both of them.

Perfect, Sure, Right, Pure, Clean, True and Righteous - What is?

2009-08-19T10:47:00.006-04:00

God's Word.

If you are one to follow my blog with any regularity you will quickly learn that scripture memorization and meditation is extremely important to me and my healthiness as a follower of Christ. Therefore, I want others to make scripture memorization a high priority in their walk with Christ.

This morning I read Psalm 19. I am going to focus on verses 7-9.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandments of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

These verses not only uses words to describe the word of God but what it does - converting the soul, making wise the simple, rejoicing the heart, enlightening the eyes, and enduring forever.

Scripture memorization has often times been my lifeline to "hanging in there" when I felt like giving in to discouragement as well as shown me how to pray and praise the Lord at any time using His words. Often times I may not take the time to memorize a passage but I will memorize key phrases or words after reading and meditating on the passage. Then as I go through my day I am able to think on those things. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." Phil.4:8.

Read those verses a couple times meditating on them. You may not want to take the time to memorize them but memorize those key words: perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true and righteous. Then when you do think of those words you will be able to connect them to those things these verses do for us -God's word is right, rejoicing the heart.

Would you come over for dinner?

2009-08-17T11:20:00.003-04:00

In the second chapter of Acts we have the account of the Holy Spirit coming upon God's people and filling them with His presence. Peter preaches a great sermon and it says there were about three thousand souls that were added to them that day.

This was a very excited time for the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ. They had received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit which He poured out upon them. The apostles/disciples had come a long way and went through some very difficult times to come to this point in their lives. The resurrected Christ was now dwelling in them in the person of the Holy Spirit. Woo!Hoo! "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart." Acts 2:46 Some versions say sincerity of heart.

When my husband and I came to know the Lord we had been attending a wonderful bible study that consisted of about 30 people. It was a very exciting time in our lives. We were praising the Lord and getting together with people in our bible study group in individual homes for meals and desserts and fellowship. During these times of meals we would all share different kinds of things about our lives and it was all centered around Christ and our joy and relationship with Him.

Over the years I have noticed that people don't seem to spend as much time with one another in that same manner. We often use the excuse that times have changed and families are busy and people are working and when they get home they just want to spend time with their own families. For most of us we would say our church is full of fine people who love the Lord and care about one another and help one another. Yet, we all seem too busy for fellowship, breaking bread with gladness and sincerity of heart.

How often do you get together with other believers over a meal or desert or prayer together? I am very sorry to say that it doesn't happen much in my life anymore.
I don't pretend to know the answers but I do believe to some extend we have lost our excitement and joy in spending time with one another. The Tyndale commentary said "The joy that characterizes these gatherings was no doubt inspired by the Spirit and may have been associated with the conviction that the Lord Jesus was present with them." Maybe we don't recognize the presence of Jesus dwelling in us as we fellowship with one another, therefore He is fellowshipping with us.

Now before we go pointing the finger at everyone else who doesn't invite us into their fellowship let us take the first step. Call someone and invite them to fellowship with you. Think afresh of the truth that Jesus dwells with us through the Holy Spirit. Let us once again look for that joy and sincerity of heart as we break bread together and enjoy and celebrate Christ.

Credentials or Essentials?

2009-08-14T10:19:00.005-04:00

Often when people are asked if they are a Christian, they may respond in several different ways such as, "Yes, I was raised by Christian parents, I was baptized in the church, I teach Sunday School or I serve as a superintendent of the Christian Education Department". These people have given answers that are full of credentials and not essentials.

John the Baptist warned the multitude about relying on their credentials of being children of Abraham as a means to right standing with God. He told them in Luke 3:8 "do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones." They were using their relationship to Abraham as being their credentials instead of repenting of their sin and putting their faith in Jesus Christ as essential for remission of sins.

There is a difference between Christianity and "Churchianity". (my made up word here)
I have often spoken with people who seem to link being a Christian to their credentials or "work". They will go on and on about their involvement in their church yet say nothing about their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It breaks my heart. I understand that we cannot judge others and that the Lord is the judge of the heart yet I believe that what is in the heart will come out of the mouth. Romans 10:10 "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

We must individually put our faith and trust in Christ alone for forgiveness of sin and eternal life. No one can do it for us. The apostle John said "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." God does not have any grandchildren, only children. Let us not be guilty of relying on what we do or what we have done to feel we are in right standing with God. As Jerry Bridges says in his book "The Gospel for Real Life" we must preach the gospel to ourselves every day.

Be Joyful - Jesus Prays for You

2009-08-10T11:44:00.004-04:00

As you can see from my recent postings, I have been reading through the gospel of John. I am not sure why but it is my favorite account of Jesus' life. Perhaps it is because John seems to write with a tenderness, compassion and boldness that appeals to me. Certainly we know that John's epistles are full of explaining God's love for us and our love for Him and one another. It seems fitting when I think of John as he walked with Christ as one of His disciples. In fact it is believed that John was often called "the disciple He loved." (John 13:23, John 19:26)

It chapters 13 through 17 Jesus is preparing Himself, His disciples and all who would believe in Him for His death and resurrection. When my husband and I go on trips I start packing 3 days before I leave. I am not a "throw it in the suitcase at the last minute person." I have to have all my "ducks in a row". The newspaper needs to be stopped, the mail needs to be stopped and then there is always the chore of getting someone to take care of our cat - a cat that hates everyone but us and consequently no one is too thrilled about taking care of her.

As I read chapters 13 through 17, I realized Jesus was getting all His "ducks in a row." Because He loved His disciples so much, He was preparing them for His departure. In chapter 17 He prays for Himself. "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was."
He prays for His disciples. "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one." Then He prays for you. "I do not pray for these alone but also for those who will believe in Me through their word."

When I think that Jesus was praying for me before I ever knew Him, it brings me great joy. Hebrews 7:25 says "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them." Jesus prayed for us while He was here on earth and has continued to intercede and pray for His people - you and me after He went to be with the Father. That is why we are "kept" even though at times we may think life is harder than we can handle.

There is much to say about those chapters. I will not take the time to write about it but would encourage you to read John 13 through 17 all together. It is my prayer that you would be blessed and find joy in Jesus' preparation for you. Jesus wants us to have His joy fulfilled in us!

Please Don't Leave Me!

2009-08-06T10:28:00.008-04:00

Have you ever used those words before or have your child or loved one say "Please don't leave me!" Depending on the situation or the person this can be a very fearful place to be - to be left alone. It is interesting that a person can feel alone even in a room full of people because the people they care about the most or depend upon has left them.

When our son was in a kindergarten program in Pennsylvania he would cry every time I would leave him. He was not alone but he didn't want me to leave him. I would encourage him the best I could that I would return for him and take him home, but it didn't seem to stop his tears.

During the feast of the passover Jesus knew that His hour had come and that He should depart from this world to go to the Father. Even though the disciples had walked with Jesus for 3 years, they still did not fully understand what He taught them about His life, death and resurrection. He knew they would be afraid when that hour came and He left to go to the Father.

In John 14, two times Jesus tells His disciples to not let their hearts be troubled or be afraid. He was preparing them for His departure. He wanted them to know that He was leaving but He would be preparing a place for them to come to be with Him when that time came. He tells them that the Father will give them another Helper or Comforter - the Holy Spirit. He tells them that the Spirit of truth will dwell WITH them and IN them. In verse 18 He says "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." He tells them in verse 26 "the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." Then in verse 27 He says "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Jesus spends time at the passover with them washing their feet and teaching them what it means to be a servant and serve others. He is also teaching and preparing them for the time of His departure. Jesus knew the disciples and all those who followed Him would be fearful and troubled with His death. The disciples had spent 3 years of their lives with Him and had seen the miracles, experienced the blessings and been transformed into different people. Indeed it would be a fearful time for them. That is why He wanted to make it abundantly clear that they would not be left alone because they would have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them.

Sometimes we feel very alone, frightened and left behind. Because we cannot see Jesus, we do feel alone in difficult times. If you know Christ and have accepted His death and atonement as forgiveness for your sins you will never be left behind or forgotten. The Holy Spirit dwells in each one of us teaching us to remember those things He has taught us through His word. Isaiah 49:15 has brought me great comfort. "Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you." The Lord loves His people and will never leave us or forsake us. He will return and take us to where we can dwell with Him forever.

Safe in Christ

2009-07-24T10:45:00.006-04:00

My husband is the director of Equipping Leaders International. It is an organization that travels to developing countries to train leaders - pastors, teachers and business men. I have had the privilege of traveling with him on many occasions. I have traveled with him to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique teaching pastor's wives.

I was in Mozambique teaching a group of pastor's wives and there was a pastor who was translating for me. I was teaching from the first chapter of Ephesians about how the Lord chose us in Him before the foundation of the world. I was explaining about our eternal security in Christ because God was the one to place us in Him in the first place. It wasn't anything we did. I was, however, telling them that the devil can and will bring trials and tribulations into our lives to try to make us ineffective for the Lord. (We think we have trials but after spending time with these African women I gained a greater respect for what their daily trials and tribulations are.) The devil can never have us once we are in Christ but he can make it hard for us to bear fruit because we are so caught up in our trials. Then he gets what he wants because our testimony can be hindered.

As I continued speaking about eternal security I was in John 10 where Jesus is talking about being the Shepherd and the sheep hearing His voice. He said His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. Then in verse 28 He says, "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."

My translator was one of the fortunate ones to have some Bible training and as I quoted that verse my translator stopped, looked at me and said "huh"?. He then continued the translation through the end of the lesson. As the ladies were leaving he asked me about that verse and asked if I would give him the reference again. I believe this was the first time he really thought about his eternal security in Christ.

Many believers do not believe in eternal security. They believe they can fall from grace or backslide because of sin and therefore have to get "saved" all over again and place their faith and trust in Christ. The problem is that many think THEY are putting their faith and trust in Christ and do not accept the fact that God is the one who calls us and He is faithful. (I Thessalonians 5:24) He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

Yes, the devil can lead us into temptation and we can give in to it and it becomes sin but we still have forgiveness in Christ because He died once and for all our sin and when we confess it we know He is faithful to forgive our sin.(I John 1:9)

To finish what Jesus said in John 10, "My father, who has given them to Me is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one." John 10:29,30.

It is my prayer that you would understand the joy of eternal security just as my translator did. It is God who does it and He is the one who will keep us.

By the way, If you would like to know more about Equipping Leaders International, please click the link on the right hand side which will take you to our website. We would appreciate your prayers for Equipping Leaders International.