A Time for Restoration

     As the New Year fast approaches, many of us take the time to reflect on the events of the past year.  Of course, the year 2020 will long be remembered because no one expected a Pandemic, rioting in the streets, and damage to the economy.  Change of any sort grabs our attention, and wakes us from complacency.  Certainly this was true for the remnant of Israel that had returned with Ezra to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the Temple.

     They returned after living in exile 70 years in Babylon.  We can only imagine their grief at looking at the ruins of their city and Temple but also they were told about
the Law of the Lord which they had not obeyed. Yet Ezra encouraged them to remember that their joy and strength would come from the Lord as they walked in obedience to His Word (Nehemiah 8:10b).  They were not to grieve as people with no hope, and this message is one we need to embrace as we enter the New Year ahead.

     No one knows what the coming days have in store for us, but we know that God holds the future.  He is our source and provision.  He knows the plans He has for us (Jeremiah 29:11), and is our Good Shepherd (Psalm 23).  With His guidance, we can experience the fullness of His joy.  In John 15:10-11, Jesus said: "These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full".  So how should we respond to the words of encouragement we hear from the Lord?

     First, this is a great time to reflect on the past year.  Prayerfully, we need to think on our lives and ask the Holy Spirit to show us the areas where we have missed God.  This is what the people of Israel did.  They heard God's Word read to them and repented of their sins.  Then, they sought to be obedient to His Word once again.  As they stepped out in faith, they trusted God to give them strength and restore their joy.  We need to do the same both individually and as a church fellowship.

     After reflection, we need to come to a place of true repentance. As the Holy Spirit shows us areas where we have not lived in obedience to the Lord, we need to seek His forgiveness.  I John 1:9 assures us of the Lord's total forgiveness when we confess our sins to Him.  Both sins of commission (things we know we have done) and omission (things which we may not even be aware of at the time) are areas we need to ask for the Lord's forgiveness.  Keeping our account clean before the Lord and with our neighbors allows His joy to fill us completely.

     Following repentance, we can enter into His complete restoration and renewal.  Every morning brings new opportunities just as every new year does as well.  The old has passed away and all things are made new in Christ.  When the Lord is at the center of our lives, we find real joy and peace. Certainly, the remnant of Israel found great comfort in their restored relationship with the Lord and in obediently serving Him.  They rebuilt the Temple and the city to His glory.  In the same way, we can rebuild our lives to be more conformed to His image by immersing ourselves in worship, Bible study and prayer.  Let us enter the new year ahead with a greater resolve to seek Him in all things that we may glorify the Lord and find His joy and strength in all we do.  Selah!

At Just the Right Time

      At this time of year, so many fond memories come flooding back into my mind.  Funny things as well as those touching moments that we hide deep in our hearts.  For example, there was the Christmas when we were eating at my grandparent's home.  Redi Whip was a new product on the market for whipped cream which none of us had ever tried before.  We were seated at the table and my mother decided to add some whipped cream to her pumpkin pie.  My father was seated across from her.  Since this was a new product, she did not know how to get the cream to come out.  She pushed down on the nozzle and instantly covered my father's new suit coat with whipped cream.  She was shocked as was my father and we all had a good laugh!

     Then there was another occasion when my mother had not gotten all of her gifts wrapped before a family get together; so she sat in the back seat of the car and wrapped presents as we drove along.  She stayed in the car until she was done.  Talk about last minute!  This was not the only time this happened and those of us who are busy can most likely relate.  However, God's timing in all things is perfect.  He is never too early and never too late.

     In his letter to the Church at Galatia, Paul wrote these words (Gals. 4:4,5):  "But when the fulness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law."  We do not know why God chose this time period, but it was right time according to His plan for our salvation.  The long awaited Messiah was born into the world.

     Thirty three years later, God did another amazing thing on our behalf.  Romans 5:5-6 tells us:  "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  He became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God through His sacrifice on the cross.  The entire story of the birth and death of Jesus Christ, our Lord, is all about being "at just the right time."  

     Almost two thousand years later, many are wondering, even as Jesus' disciples did, when will He return?  He is our strength, our hope who will one day rule and reign over our messy, hurting world.  Only the next time He comes, Jesus will not be a babe in a manger but He will return to judge the world as our conquering king.  We do not know when this will take place.  He gave us hints in the Scripture as to what things to look forward to happening but of the exact hour, we do not know.  In 2 Peter 3:8-9, we are told:  "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”   These verses tell me that when the time is just right, our Savior will come again in glory.  Until that time, we are to stand in faith against the wiles of this world.  We are to preach the good news of Jesus Christ, be obedient to His commands and never forsake the assembling of ourselves together.

     While my mother may have been time challenged in wrapping her Christmas gifts, we are to be ready because "at just the right time" Christ will come again for His church.  Like those Bridesmaids in the parable whose lamps were filled with oil and ready for the Bride Groom to come, we must also be ready (Matthew 25:7).  

     On this Christmas, may we find joy in the preparation of our celebration and be ready for our Lord's return at any moment.  He will come like a thief in the night, and we shall be with Him forever.  Selah!

     

Its the Little Things that Count

      In this season when we think about gift giving, we often think of the big things we can buy or do for the ones we love; yet, in reality, the love of Christ is best demonstrated in the small acts of kindness we do for others.  Let me give an example.

     This year, Thanksgiving was different for us.  Having had knee surgery, I wasn't able to stand for hours working on pies and various side dishes. So, our children volunteered to make all the sides, get the desserts and cook the turkey.  They took care of the dishes as well, and as an added bonus, they got out our Christmas decorations and put them up for us.  This was such a blessing!  This is the type of gift that money cannot buy.  We often overlook these little things but Jesus reminded his disciples in Luke 16:10a:  "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much..."  Character is often revealed in the many small acts of kindness we show to others.

     During this time of celebrating the birth of Christ, what are some of the little things we can do, then, to bless others?  Some are so simple, we might overlook them.  I belong to a Post Polio Support Group and a member once mentioned that she felt overlooked when she was in a store because she was riding a scooter.  She said that people rarely take time to look at her since she is
seated when passing them.  I picked up on this, and now, when I am in a store, I take the time to look at those in a wheelchair or on a scooter and look them in the eye.  A smile and a kind word go a long way.  Acknowledging someone rather than ignoring them is a gift of love to that person.

     Another little thing we can do is to call someone and ask how they are doing.  Phone calls are the next best thing to an actual physical visit.  At this time, many are uncomfortable with in person get togethers, but we have things like FaceTime, Zoom, Facebook Messenger video chat and other possibilities.  When God lays a person on your heart, take it as a reminder to contact them and pray with them.  It could make their day!

     Sending a card or a note in the mail is also a blessing.  I often think of Berdene Johnson (now home with the Lord) who had a faithful  card ministry.  Every year, she sent my husband and I a card on our anniversary.  Few people even remember your wedding day so its a treat to receive a special card.  Being remembered by Christian friends can lift a heart.

     Finally, we can offer a helping hand if someone is moving or needs some cleaning done.  This is a blessing if the person is ill or just needs assistance with a big job that needs to be completed.  While we are helping them, we can be sharing the love of Christ with them as well.  Fellowship and work often go hand in hand.  Proverbs 3:27 tells us:  "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it."  This is a great reminder to all of us to do those little things we often neglect.

     Our lives keep us busy with so many activities daily that it is easy to overlook the little things that could make the lives of others so much better.  We take it for granted that friends and family know we love them, but when we show them by blessing them in a simple manner, it enriches not only their life but ours as well.   Let us look for ways to shine the light of Christ into the hearts of those around us this Christmas season.  We will never regret the time we spend in doing the little things for others.  Selah!

In His Time

     When 2020 began, we all had high hopes of what the new year would bring.  For me, I was looking forward to a partial knee replacement on January 29th so I could enjoy going for walks again.  The surgery went well, and I completed my rehab feeling confident  I could again enjoy the outdoors.  However, as we all know, March came rolling around with the threat of COVID and this curtailed much of our activities.  Still, I was able to get out for walks on a regular basis.

     Something happened during the summer though which changed the picture for me.  I don't know how it happened but the outside of my post op knee became damaged and extremely painful.  When I returned to my doctor, he told me the only long term fix would be to take out  the partial replacement and do a full knee replacement.  This isn't exactly what I had hoped for, but God does work all things together for good.  I began the pre-op work up in August for a possible September surgery date.  Then the roadblocks came along with heart testing and a biopsy on my lung.  All checked out well after several months of tests and I am now happy to say I had the full knee replacement on November 2nd.   Yes, I have to go through rehab again and "no" I do not like it, but it is part of the process of healing.  Like all things in life, there are some things we love to do and some things we "must" do whether we like it or not.

     In my many years of walking with the Lord, I have discovered that when I make time daily for the Lord my entire day goes much more smoothly.  There are, honestly, days when I
do not feel like taking the time to be in prayer or Bible study.  So what happens to us if we choose to make this our routine?  Let me suggest that it is very much like having knee surgery and not doing the exercises afterwards.  Following the procedure, the muscles are swollen, traumatized and weak.  They need exercise to prevent scar tissue from forming that makes movement painful.  I have talked with people whose family member went through knee surgery and refused to exercise on a regular basis.  Their loved one eventually was limited in range of motion and movement.  To me, that defeats the purpose of going through the surgery.  Joint replacement is painful, but living with chronic pain and not being able to walk very far is a greater limitation.  The same is true in our spiritual lives.

     There are days when we must give the Lord a sacrifice of praise because it may be hard to rejoice in that moment.  Perhaps reading Scripture is not something we feel like doing, but when we apply ourselves, God speaks to our hearts.  Even prayer may be strained on some days due to the burdens we are carrying.  Yet, when we push through the excuses, the feelings and lack of enthusiasm, we find that making time for the Lord is like sitting beside a refreshing stream.  We come away blessed and filled with the bread of life.  By the same token, if we ignore our duty to God, our days become emptier and our spiritual muscles weaker.

     Probably within this next week, I will begin regular rehab appointments with a physical therapist.  Does it hurt?  Yes.  Do I want to do it if given the choice?  No.  But...I want to grow strong so I can walk again and enjoy the world around me.  This will take time but I am reminded of the Scripture in Ecclesiastes 3:11:  "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."  On this earth, we may not fully grasp what the Lord has accomplished for us as we walk through the ups and downs of life.  However, we know that what He has made is good and beautiful according to His time not ours.

     Just as I must practice my exercises with fidelity, so we must also train our hearts to be faithful daily to the call of time alone with our Savior.  We must not neglect these exercises which will give us strength.  Prayer, Bible study and making time for fellowship with other believers will help us grow strong in Christ.  Selah!

Being Salt and Light in a World that Needs Both

     Many years ago, while traveling with my parents, we stopped at a restaurant to catch a bite to eat.  My father reached for the salt shaker and went to shake it on his food.  Unfortunately, someone had left the lid of the shaker unscrewed and out came the entire contents on his food. Needless to say, he was not amused or pleased.  He did his best to scrape off what he was able to so he could eat his food.  Hard to know if this was a trick played by an ornery patron who had come before us thinking it would be funny or if the restaurant staff had not finished the job of replacing the cap properly.  However, we know that too much salt can ruin a good meal.

     Jesus spoke about salt and light in the context of our lives in His Sermon on the Mount.  This message was meant for believers both to exhort and direct their lives.  In Mathew 5:13-16, we read:  "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.  You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."  Thinking about both the elements of light and salt we have been entrusted by our Savior with an important call.

     When we think about salt, several uses come to mind.  Salt is a preservative.  In ancient times, it was used to preserve meats and foods that would easily spoil.  Salt is also used for flavoring our foods, but if used in excess, it can spoil the taste and
also raise blood pressure.   Often, we use salt to kill bacteria in our mouth if used for a rinse.  This is true after certain dental procedures.  Most importantly, we need salt in our bodies for balance of electrolytes, for our nervous system and muscle function.  With all these natural functions in mind, why did Jesus use this to refer to believers?

     As Christians, we are to add flavor to the world around us, to preserve it by speaking the truth in love.  My children will tell you that at times I may be a bit too salty in my approach to matters, but we live in a world that has moved far from the values and foundation in the Bible.  In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly said that He did not come to abolish the Laws that God the Father had set down but to fulfill them.  We are called to do the same.  We are to walk according to the Word of God not changing or making excuses for it.  The question comes, "Can we lose our saltiness?"  I believe we can, and we must guard against this.

     If salt gets wet, it tends to break down and lose the effectiveness it had when dry. Likewise, diluting it by mixing it with another powdered substance can also reduce its effectiveness.   In the same manner, if we start absorbing ideas from the culture around us and make excuses for sinful behavior, we lose our spiritual saltiness.  We know people who profess Jesus with their mouth but their lives do not seem to bear any fruit of real repentance or change.  We are called to holy living which often exposes us to criticism and ridicule.  Though this may be tough to face, our Lord has called us to be the flavor and preservative in this world.

     Christ also calls us to be light.  This brings to mind our trip to Mammoth Cave.  We were taken down into the depths of the earth and the guide told us he was going to show us how dark it was in a cave.  When he turned out the lights, it was pitch black.  No one could see anything or anyone.  Then, he lit a match.  That one little match pierced the darkness, and we could see again.  This is what we are to be in the world filled with spiritual darkness.  People are blinded to the truth and are stumbling their way through life.  However, we can bring the light of hope to them through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We were not redeemed to hide away.  We were brought to salvation to shine our light in this world so that men may find their way to God and give Him the glory.  Like the sign on the back of many trucks, "How are we doing?"

     At this moment in history, there is a great deal of turmoil, unrest, and dissension.  We are called to stand on the firm foundation of God's Word without wavering in our daily walk, our voting, in our conversation.  Just as Jesus was not popular when He walked on earth, we have been told we will not be either.  Salt stings sin and light pushes out the darkness and both will fight back.  Yet our Savior would remind us not to let our hearts be troubled for He has overcome this world, and we, too, will also overcome in His power and strength.  Let us go forth boldly, then, to be the salt and light that men may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.  Selah!

     

Our Good Shepherd

     As I was going through some books and papers I have accumulated, I found some notes I took during a sermon.  Taking notes is a habit I developed in college because it helped me recall what I heard during class and has served me well over the years as I listen to sermons.  These notes pertained to sheep.  Now I have no idea who was preaching at the time, but I know that these points stood out clearly in my mind as we are often referred to as sheep by our Lord.  In addition, our Savior is called the Good Shepherd.

     John 10:14-15 says this about Jesus Christ:  "14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep."  As believers, we are the sheep of His fold, and He watches over us.  So why do we need care and protection?  There are some characteristics of sheep that are very similar to human beings.

     First, sheep have no sense of direction.  They must be watched over carefully or they can stray and become lost.  My father thought he had a great sense of direction until we went fifty miles our of our way on a family trip (pre-GPS).  Even with GPS, we can still make a wrong turn.  The same is true in our spiritual life.  We need God's guidance daily in this fallen world. It is far too easy to get out of the pasture He has for us to graze in and get lost.

     Another truth is that sheep cannot clean themselves.  The Shepherd must remove the burrs and other things that get stuck in their wool.  Likewise, we cannot clean ourselves of sin.  Only God can cleanse us by the blood of His Son Jesus Christ.  All our good works are as filthy rags compared to God's holiness.  Therefore, we need a Savior to keep us clean (Ephesians 2:8-9).

     Third, sheep are helpless when they are injured.  A good shepherd would clean and anoint the wound with oil.  He often had to carry a lamb that was injured until it healed.  This is true for believers as well.  How frequently we think we can "tough it out" and take care of ourselves when we are hurt or sick.  In reality, we need God's healing touch to see us through. His care for us through illness, emotional pain and discouragement is like no other.

     Over and over again, the Bible refers to God as our rock and our refuge.  He is our help when trouble comes our way.  This is mirrored in the way a shepherd protects his flock.  Sheep, after all, are defenseless and easy prey for wolves, bears or lions.  David often had to do battle with these predators to protect his sheep.  God has promised to never leave or forsake us because He is the Good Shepherd of our souls in the same way.

     Because sheep have no sense of direction to guide them, they do not have the ability to find food or water.  Again, the shepherd's job was to lead them to pastures and water so they could be filled.  Psalm 23 speaks about God leading us beside the still waters and into green pastures.  In Christ, our needs are met.  He is the living water and the Bread of life that feeds our souls.  Each day by the Holy Spirits' leading we are filled afresh when we dine on God's Word and spend time in prayer.  How grateful we should be for His care!

     Like many animals, sheep are easily frightened.  They can be spooked by strange sounds or sudden movements.  In ancient times, a shepherd would soothe them with night songs.  We know that David played the harp and sang songs to the sheep during the long lonely nights.  Likewise, God sings over us, and calms our fears in the long night.  My mother used to tell me that if we wake during the night, we should pray because the Lord will put us back to sleep.  It has worked for me over the years!  His calming presence takes away the fears and doubts.

     Finally, sheep have a thick wool coat that belongs to the shepherd.  Usually once a year, the sheep are sheared and their wool is used to make clothing.  This is the reward for the shepherds diligent care.  All that we have belongs to the Lord in terms of our production and prosperity.  We are commanded to give ten percent as a tithe into God's storehouse so the Word can be preached and needs can be met.  This is a small amount compared to all the blessings He pours out on us daily.  

     Seeing ourselves as sheep under the care of our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, puts a whole new meaning to God's Word when seen through the eyes of faith.  We are utterly dependent on Him.  When we stray, He will come looking for us.  If we hurt, He will bandage us up. His provision is complete and we have all we need for life and godliness.  This should encourage us even in the darkest of times.  May we live as obedient sheep in His pasture and rejoice in His presence daily!  Selah!

      

Breaking Down Strongholds

      On the radio the other day, I heard a talk show host say that our country is embroiled in a "cold Civil War".  He went on to say that it is a clash of worldview where one side believes socialism is the answer to the woes of people and the other side says our freedoms are best protected through our capitalistic free enterprise system.  Indeed, we see this clash often played out on our streets in devastating ways with businesses being destroyed and people being injured.  Certainly things have radically changed in our country since the time I grew up, and it is a concern for all of us.  What will be the future for our children and our grandchildren?

      As I pondered these thoughts, a Scripture came to my mind:  2 Corinthians 10:3-5 "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."  So what exactly are the weapons that Paul the Apostle is talking about here?  I believe they are prayer, the Word of God and worship.  These three elements are key to defeating the enemy of our soul...Satan.   Jesus Christ encountered this enemy when He spent forty days and forty nights in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13).  For every lie Satan threw at our Lord, our Savior came back with the truth of God's Word.  It is the Sword of the Spirit, and since the devil hates the truth, he left Jesus.  This is why knowing the Bible is so critical for a Christian.

     Paul went on to expound about who our foes are in this present age in Ephesian 6:12:  "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."  This is why he encouraged us to put on the full armor of God so we can be prepared for the mental and spiritual assaults we face in this fallen world.  However, the greatest tool in our war chest is prayer.  We engage with God and lay out our concerns before Him.  He is the sovereign over the universe and the One who places men and women in leadership according to His plan.  While He knows what we are about to pray for before we utter a word, the exercise of prayer builds our faith in Him.  Prayer moves mountains, and does break down the stronghold of lies.  We do not have the power but we know the One true God who has all power, wisdom, and insight.  Talking with Him daily means we are constantly chipping away at the strongholds of evil in our world, and one day, they will fall like the walls of Jericho.

     Finally, when we worship God whether it is through Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs or in a church service, we are putting God on the throne and driving away the devil.  There is something healing, powerful and soothing when we lift up the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  Whether I am driving to an appointment or working out on my stationary bike, I spend time praising and praying.  The enemy of our soul and his minions cannot stay in the presence of praise and prayer.  

     We know that we are citizens of Heaven and not of this world if we belong to Jesus Christ as our LORD and Savior.  Yet, He has us here to be salt and light in a very dark world just now.  If we really want to heal divisions and overcome the darkness in our world, we must use the weapons given to us by God:  prayer, The Bible and praise.  Paul told us who we are really fighting and he told us that they would bring down strongholds if used.  Let us be busy in this season of turmoil in utilizing what God has given to us and then, trust in Him for the results.  He will not fail us nor desert us.  His Word is truth!  Selah!

In a Holding Pattern

     Years ago, our family decided to take a cruise in the Caribbean.  It was around Christmas time and we thought this would be a fun way to enjoy time together with all the beautiful decorations aboard ship.  Everyone was excited and made plans to board in Miami.  At the time, our oldest son was living and working in Ft. Myers so he arranged to have a friend drive him to the port to meet us.

     As time came for boarding, we did not see our oldest son anywhere.  He called to say that they had been caught up in traffic, but he would get there before too long.  Unfortunately, that did not turn out to be the case.  Instead, his friend took a wrong turn and they were headed away from the port.  Thus, began a series of urgent phone calls to us telling us to ask if the ship could be held.  Of course, this is not a possibility for one person.

 

   Our daughter started looking for flights from Miami to Puerto Rico as this was the first port for our ship.  We had all been called to our "muster" drill to know what to do should something happen at sea.  It seemed that the ship was being held up for one reason or another as it was taking much longer than usual to disembark.  As we were standing around concerned and worried over our son's predicament and praying for a miracle, our daughter said she saw her brother.  Sure enough...he made it!

     Later, we learned that one of the airlines that works with the cruise line had a group of passengers coming from the Northwest part of the country.  The flight had been delayed due to inclement weather, so they had to hold the ship until this group of passengers were able to make it.  Some call this luck, but I call it God's providence and mercy!  Certainly, for us, it was answered prayer.

     Each of us face "holding patterns" in life don't we?  We make our plans, and for reasons unknown, things don't seem to fall into place.  Yet, we cannot see what God sees.  Perhaps that is why I love the verse from Jeremiah 29:11 so much:  "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."  These words were spoken as comfort to the people of Judah who were about to go into exile in the land of Babylon for 70 years.  I am certain they were not happy with God's plan for them, but they had lived in utter disobedience to the LORD for so long.  However, God was letting them know that He would bring good out of all that would transpire.

     Over the last couple of weeks, I have heard several different pastors talking about time and its relationship to God.  They said that God is outside of time unlike us.  For Him, the past, present and future are all now.  Everything is completed in His realm and accomplished.  His name "I AM" reflects that.  For us, it is a mystery as to how this could be because we live in a time oriented world.  Therefore, with this in mind, He knows the beginning and the end of all things...we do not.  I believe one day when we see Him we will understand the things He has protected us from and why there have been many twists and turns in our path.

     What we know now is that God is good, that He loves us, that He sent His only Son to die for our sins and deliver us from eternal punishment.  We know from His Word that His promises are certain even when we cannot see how things will ever work out.  This is where faith and trust must enter the picture.

     We certainly didn't think our son would make the ship in time, but God had other plans.  He did work all things together for good on that day turning our concern into celebration.  God's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).  There are many times where we are left to wonder, but we can rest in Him knowing that He has us in His hands.  Today, let us lay our burdens at His feet rejoicing in the hope of His salvation, protection and care for He knows our needs.  Selah!

A Shocking Experience

      Anyone who knows our family is most likely acquainted with some of the stories of our vacation experiences.  However, some of our real life day to day experiences can be just as interesting if not mind numbing.  On one such occasion, we had just finished the day babysitting our grandchildren (ages 4, 9 and 11).  A bad Florida thunderstorm was on the horizon as our son picked the children up.  My husband had an Elder's meeting that evening as well, so I settled down with the dog beside me to read a book.

     Suddenly, a bolt of lightening struck right next to our home.  I know I jumped but so did

the dog and the light on the table next to me went out.  All the other lights were on but not that one.  So I calmly replaced the bulb and it worked fine.  Of course, our internet was down but that was no surprise.  I tried restarting the router several times to no avail and put in a request for service.  Naturally, the earliest they could come was on Saturday which was four days away, but I had no choice.  The problem is that we have a streaming T.V. service so that means no children's shows or movies, and we were set to babysit again the next day.  This was not the end though.

     Our friendly bolt of lightening did a number on our tankless water heater as well.  I discovered this when I tried to run hot water that night at bedtime.  After trying several things, we knew we would have to call the plumber or electrician the next day. 

     On the following day, I went to turn on our coffee maker and guess what?  Yes, you are right.  It did not work.  The machine was zapped as well.  Still this was not the end of the tale.  

     My husband went out to check on our pool and found the pump was not running.  He turned on the pump and it responded but the timer had been fried by the lightening so now that had to be replaced.  Later that afternoon as I was running water to make the grandchildren lunch our water ran out.  We have a pump for our water well so we feared there was a problem there too.

     Over all, we had a plumber here who told us a fuse was blown in our tankless water heater which might take a while to get.  Then, we had the pool repairman here to fix our timer on the pool.  I ordered a new coffee maker and our son let us borrow his so we could have nice strong coffee.  And to top it off, we had an electrician come check our well pump connections.  He made a call to a well pump repairman who also came and fixed the pump's mother board.

     Keep in mind, we were entertaining our three wonderful grandchildren all the time we had repairmen coming and going.  We had no water in the house and no live T.V. but thankfully, I had some old videos and an old video player I hooked up so the children could watch a Disney movie.  

     By God's grace, we got everything repaired in due time.  This certainly proved to be the lightening capital of the world for us that day!  We never had experienced anything like this in the past (with the exception of hurricanes for which we had been prepared).  I often think our thunderstorms accompanied by lightening are far worse than other weather issues.  

     I shared all this because it is much like the Christian life.  We can be sailing along happily going about our daily lives when suddenly a cascade of events strike without warning.  We know we live in a fallen world, but really?  Why does it seem the sky is falling all of a sudden?  The verse that came to me when the lightening struck is found in John 16:33:  "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”  Indeed, no truer words could ever have been spoken to the disciples.

     In the commentary of this verse by Dr. John MacArthur, he writes:  "Through his impending death, he rendered the world's opposition null and void.  While the world continues to attack his people, such attacks fall harmlessly, for Christ's victory has already accomplished a smashing defeat of the whole evil rebellious system."  I find a good deal of comfort in thinking about this.  Jesus never promised that our lives would be fields of beautiful flowers that we would endlessly run through day by day with no worries to face.  He was truthful and prepared us for the fact that we live in a fallen world; however, because He has overcome the world, we also are more than conquerors in Him.  This doesn't just apply to a bad day when lightening hits your house, but it also applies to illness, loss, death and the crushing of a dream.  Jesus is there walking with us through the valley of the shadow of death and "His rod and His staff comfort us"!  

     Life is certainly unpredictable in this fallen world, but we have the assurance that we are never alone.  Whether it's a lightening strike or a sudden tragedy, we can know that our never changing God is there with us to see us through.  He has overcome the world, and because we belong to Him, we are also overcomers!  May this encourage us all to look to Jesus when life hands us a shocking experience.  Selah!

When You Thought You Had It All Planned Out

      How often I have written this verse from Proverbs in my devotions and now it has really been applied to me:  "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand" (Proverbs 19:21).  I wrote this devotion yesterday to share what I have been going through lately, and guess what?  It disappeared after I sent it out...just another plan that God intercepted for His purpose.  So I will relay to you, once again,  what has been happening over the last few weeks.

 

   As many of my readers know, I had planned on having a full knee replacement this next week after injuring my partially replaced knee.  It was not the news I wanted to hear, but if I can alleviate the pain it is worth it.  I began the pre-op testing required thinking it would be smooth sailing.  Then my chest x-ray came back showing an opacity in my right lung.  This required a trip to my pulmonologist who ordered a CT scan.  After reviewing the results, he decided to try a week of antibiotic treatment and a follow up x-ray as he thought it might be an infection.  

     In the meantime, I went to my cardiologist who told me she could not clear me unless I would go through a chemical stress test which I completed two days ago.  The results were abnormal as they usually are for me so she insisted I undergo a heart catheterization.  Of course, this meant further delays in my surgery till this was done, but it is best to be safe than sorry.  An appointment has been made for me to see the interventional cardiologist next week and I will hopefully get the catheterization done sooner rather than later.

     After concluding my antibiotic treatment and x-ray, my pulmonologist called me with the news that the area of opacity had gotten smaller, therefore, he wanted me to continue antibiotic treatment for four more days.  Once I have the heart catheterization and wait a week, I will return to him for another chest x-ray to see if it is all cleared up.  Whew!  Are you tired of reading this yet?  I have been the most frustrated person, and basically I wanted to sit down and cry.  All I wanted to do was have knee surgery so I could enjoy walking again!  

     Then my dear husband reminded me that both of us had been praying for God's wisdom in this whole process.  James 1:5 promises:  "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."  When we pray, we can expect God to answer.  I just didn't like the answer very much with all these interruptions for further tests to be done.  Then I remembered what my husband had said to me that maybe there was some unforeseen problems ahead that only the Lord could see.  After all, doesn't the Bible tell us that He works all things together for our good?  Romans 8:28 reminds us:  "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."  He is the potter and we are the clay.  We cannot tell our Creator how things should be done.  We must learn to trust Him through this process.  Besides,  in this circumstance, I asked for His wisdom and He gave it!  

     As I have reflected on all the roadblocks, I recalled a Psalm that my mother loved and brought her comfort.  A beautiful musical rendition of this verse has also been recorded and it comforts my heart.  Psalm 32:7-11 reads:  "7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. 10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. 11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!"  Just reading that makes me go "Ouch" since I can sometimes be like a mule in my desire for my plans to go forward.  Can you relate?

     I have also found comfort by praying Psalm 23 each day...especially the first three verses:  The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name sake."  Those words should bring comfort to all of our hearts when we hit snags, trials, roadblocks!  It certainly comforts me at this time.  

     We all know that we have not been promised a life free of tribulation.  Yet, somehow, we think we will be the exception to the rule.  God has told us to praise Him in all things for this is His will for us as believers (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  No one said it would be easy to do that, but we know that sorrow makes the heart heavy and praise to God lifts it up!

     I shared all these personal details in my life not to put me at the center of attention but because I know there are others out there who need comfort from these words I have written.  Perhaps you have been facing some frustrating events in your life as well and need encouragement from the Lord.  He is there for us and you are not alone.  Let me know if I can pray for you in any way, and please keep me in your prayers as I walk through this time in my life.  This is why we have one another that we might build each other up in the faith.  May God receive all the glory in what I have shared today and may you be blessed!  Selah!

 

     

Two Ways to Look at Things

     This past week was filled with lots of news from friends.  A dear friend had entered hospice, another brother in the Lord had come down with COVID, and a son of a family we know and love was in an accident.  On top of all of this, I got word from my doctor that I would have to undergo another surgery for my knee.  While all of this may sound overwhelming, there are two ways to look at it, and this was more than clear in the Scripture I read today.

     To give a little background, I have been reading about King Hezekiah.  After many

disastrous and disobedient leaders of Judah, Hezekiah came to the throne and did what was right in the sight of God.  He went throughout his territory destroying the idols and altars.  Then, he restored the Temple for worship and called all of his  people together to sacrifice to the Lord.  He was faithful to God, and the Lord prospered him.

     In 2 Chronicles 32, Hezekiah is faced with a great threat from the Assyrians led by Sennacherib their king.  The Assyrians invaded Judah, and in response, Hezekiah prepared the city for assault by building up the walls of Jerusalem.  He also made weapons for warfare and stopped the springs of water so the enemy would not have  water available to them.  However, what he did next was probably the most important thing any leader can do for his people.  He encouraged them.  Verses 7-8 say:  "'Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.  With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles. ' And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah."

     On the other side of that wall in Jerusalem were the servants of King Sennacherib whose job it was to discourage the people of Judah so they would surrender.  They spoke in their language and told them that none of the other nations they had conquered were able to defeat them even though they had cried out to their gods.  Thus, they mocked the God of Israel and made Him seem as impotent as the false gods made by men's hands.  Wisely, King Hezekiah and the Prophet Isaiah went before the Lord in prayer.  In response, Scripture teaches us that God sent an angel who cut off all the mighty warriors and commanders in the camp of the king of Assyria (vs.21).  Ultimately, Sennacherib returned in disgrace to Assyria where his own sons killed him.  The people of Judah and Jerusalem were saved by the Lord.

     I love this story because it plainly shows us that we have a choice to make each day.  We can either look at things as Hezekiah did through the eyes of faith and trust the Lord; or we can take the view that Sennacherib offered.  "Your God can't win for you.  We are far greater than any force you have ever seen."  He wanted the people to give up, and unfortunately, that is what many do when faced with difficult news.  We can either give up or pray up.  

     God has given us the promise of His presence as we walk through the "valley of the shadow of death".  He has told us He would never leave us or forsake us (this is echoed in Numbers 23:19 and Hebrews 13:5).  Likewise, He has provided for us full armor that we are to wear into daily battle as described in Ephesians 6:10-18.  God has also given to those of us in Christ everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) so why should we be afraid of the enemy?  

     Hezekiah took a stand in faith and trust for his people.  He did not look at the circumstances.  Instead, he looked to the Lord.  He went about all the preparations that he could do, but he left the rest to God.  When it looked dark and dreary with the enemy taunting his people, Hezekiah did not despair.  Rather, he went to prayer in the House of the Lord and this is exactly what we are called to do.  Does this mean that Hezekiah wasn't afraid of what could happen?  We are not told.  However, we know his emotions did not keep him from prayer.  Faith calls us from fear of the unknown into the arms of God who will hold us steady in the storms of life.  

     As believers, let us take the example given to us in Scripture and speak words of encouragement one to another.  With God all things are possible, and He holds us in the hollow of His hands.  Do not let the enemy of our soul steal the joy and hope which God gives to us in Christ.  Instead, let us faithfully proclaim His deliverance to those around us even as Hezekiah did.  Selah!

       

Abide in Me

     Have you ever listened in on a conversation and learned something new?  I cannot tell you how many times this has happened to me in the past at social gatherings.  It is a great way to learn about others, pick up new ideas or even recipes.  Nothing is required except to sit quietly and listen.  In the same way, the Apostle John invites us to listen in on the conversation/instruction that our Lord Jesus is giving to His disciples.  This wisdom helps us to grow in our faith and know what the Lord expects in our lives.

     Beginning in John 15:1-2, Jesus tells his disciples "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit."  Here Jesus is making his deity clear to His disciples.  He is the way,

the truth, and the life.  He goes on to let them know that those who do not bear fruit are cut off and taken away while those who do bear fruit are trimmed so they can bear more fruit.  It's the trimming part that often hurts at times in our lives.  We wonder about those difficulties we face, but often, it is the Vinedresser of our souls who is working in us so we can bear more fruit.

     Since we know that Jesus is the true vine and the root of our salvation, what is it that we must do in order to bear the fruit that will bring Him glory?  He goes on in verses 4-5 to tell us what our main responsibility as believers is:  "Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  I am the vine, you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."  This seems pretty straight forward doesn't it?  We are to abide in Him.  We cannot produce fruit in our lives apart from the main vine which is Jesus Christ.  He goes on to say that without Him we can't do anything.  Yet, how often do we try to take matters into our own hands?  Let me suggest there are three take aways from this passage that we would do well to remember.

      First, we must remember that we are not in control.  This is often easier said than done because our old flesh just wants to run the show and we know that started in the Garden of Eden.  When we, as a branch, declare our independence from the Vine (Jesus Christ), we will soon find out that the nutrients, water and strength are cut off.  We cannot produce fruit, and we will wither on our own.  Yet some of us cannot seem to let go and allow the Lord to have control.  We feel like we have to command every aspect of our lives and the circumstances around us, but the point remains, we cannot produce the fruit of righteousness by all our works and efforts.  We must learn to trust the Lord completely and submit to Him.

     Secondly, abiding in Christ means that we have fellowship with other branches around us.  We know that God puts us in community.  We are made for fellowship with other believers to build up and encourage one another.  This has been a hard time with COVID separating us from one another, but it has also helped us appreciate the richness there is in fellowship.  Phone calls, cards, and Zoom presentations allow a type of fellowship until we are able to fully be together again.  

     Most importantly, though, we need to know that God is glorified when we produce much fruit by showing the world we are disciples of Jesus Christ (vs. 8).  With Christ at the center of our life, we will reflect His glory to others.  Our goal is not to bear fruit but to stay attached to the Lord.  He is our nourishment, our wisdom, our source.  It is Christ that will produce the abundant fruit when He is at the center.  Somehow we get this confused and we think we have to work ourselves to death to bear fruit.  We join this committee and that committee at church in an effort to show our devotion to the Lord.  But the bottom line is the production of fruit that comes when we remain firmly attached to the vine.  Don't misunderstand.  Volunteering for things at church is fine but make certain the motive for doing so is right.

     When we abide in Christ and He in us, we will experience His peace which passes all understanding.  He has given to us everything we need for life and godliness as long as we stay attached to the vine.  I don't know about you but I loved listening in on this conversation Jesus had with His disciples.  This helps us to know that our job is simple.  We need only put our hand in Christ's every day and walk as He guides us.  Our fruit will grow as we are obedient to this simple command.  Let us begin each new day with this simple directive to "abide in Him".  Selah!

When Our Plans Go Awry

     Back in January, I had successful partial replacement of my left knee.  I completed therapy just before the COVID lockdown.  In fact, I had the surgery so I could be ready for a cruise we planned to take with our daughter and her family in March.  Thankfully, we were able to get a refund on our cancelled cruise, and we were so grateful we were not stuck on a ship somewhere in a port.  We certainly had made our plans carefully a full year in advance, but as we all know, things happen.

     Recently, while out on a walk, I started having a lot of pain in my post op knee requiring me to consult

my surgeon.  It seems I somehow injured the outside of the knee that had not been replaced.  Now I am faced with new problems and a need for a wise decision none of which was expected or planned.  Isn't it funny that life happens while we are making other plans?  The Bible even agrees with this.  Proverbs 16:9 tells us:  "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps."  Then, in Proverbs 19:21, we read:  "Many plans are in a man's heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail."  Finally in Jeremiah 10:23 says:  "I know, O LORD, that a man's way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps."  There we have it.  The final say on the course of our lives is really not in our hands at all but in God's hands.

     Honestly, I cannot say why things happen the way they do.  We all wonder why this terrible virus was unleashed on the world.  What purpose could it possibly serve?  Or why did "so and so" have to die when they did?  There are many questions that we have no answers to even though we look high and low.  Yet, we have to remember several things.

     First, we live in a fallen world.  The once beautiful paradise that Adam and Even inhabited had no flaws, problems, or challenges.  They were created to care for the creatures and tend God's creation.  Both of them were the crown of all the Lord had made.  Then Satan entered the picture in the form of a snake and beguiled Eve painting her a picture of a God who was holding out on them and did not want them to have His wisdom.  We know the rest of the story.  Eve took the first bite of the forbidden fruit followed by Adam.  The ramifications of their actions have been with us ever since.  They were cast from the garden and told:  ....."cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.  By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:17c-19).  To the woman, God said she would bear children in pain.  All of this due to disobedience, and we, their children, inherit not only their sin nature but also the curse of a fallen creation.  Therefore, life is not going to be easy.  We will have difficulties in this world and Jesus affirmed that to us in His Word (John 16:33).  But...the promise is that Jesus Christ will come again, and those who belong to Him will live with Him in a new heaven and a new earth with no more weeping, heartache and loss.

     Secondly, we often cannot see the bigger picture of what God is doing when trials come our way.  We see as "through a glass darkly" (I Corinthians 13:12) like the Apostle Paul said.  We only know in part what God is doing.  He hasn't told us everything.  Instead, we are to trust in Him who is the Sovereign over all the earth.  He is "working all things together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28).  We may not be able to see it yet, but this is what faith is all about "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).  Let me illustrate.

     When I work on embroidery, I am looking at the top of my work where I make different types of stitches to paint a picture with thread.  As I work, the picture emerges and looks beautiful.  However, if we examine the bottom side of my creation, all we see is knots, and threads that don't resemble any lovely picture.  We, as God's creation, see life like that from the bottom side of the work.  We don't have the Lord's perspective.  What looks like a knot to us may be a beautiful beginning in God's plan.  This is why we are called to trust the Master artist of our lives.

     Finally, we must remember that the life we have been given was for the purpose of God's glory not ours.  I think that is the hardest part for the self centered sin nature we are born with in this life.  It's not about us....it's all about God!  The first question of the Catechism says:  "What is the chief end of man?" (Westminster Catechism).  Answer:  "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever."  With this in mind, we can accept the plan changes, fast detours, sudden stops and inconveniences that come with this journey here.  God is preparing us for an eternity with Him in heaven where our citizenship lies.  This is not our home for we are passing through needing the daily guidance of the Holy Spirit.  So, if your plans, like mine, go awry, remember that He is putting together a great masterpiece which we simply cannot see yet.  We must trust Him just as Jeremiah said in one of my favorite verses 29:11:  "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."  Selah!

Adapting Our Message Without Compromising

          One of the things we all have to learn in life is how to adapt gracefully to change.  As we all know, nothing stays the same forever.  I remember finding a Bible that my grandfather wrote in one Christmas long ago.  He told of how happy he was that the entire family was gathered together and wished that it could be this way forever.  How many of us have felt the same way when we are enjoying a special time?  Yet, sadly, we cannot stop the march of time.

Children grow up and begin their own journeys.  Friends move away or change in such a way that we hardly know them any more.  However, I love the attitude of the Apostle Paul.

 

     In his letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul writes in I Corinthians 9:19-23:  “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.  To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews.  To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.  To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.  To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak.  I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.  I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”

 

     Within this passage, we see a man who has learned to adapt himself but not compromise himself.  This is how we face change in life.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are able to become “all things to all people” for the purpose of winning them to Christ…not manipulation or any other motive.  Paul was well aware that situations, circumstances and people are ever changing.  Nevertheless, he was able to adapt without giving in or compromising his values.  That is the key for us as well.

 

     What has happened throughout the church today is that many have learned to compromise their belief system in order to avoid making waves.  This has diluted the message of the gospel rather than strengthened it.   Paul, on the other hand, adapted his message and lifestyle without giving up the Christian worldview in the process.  He was able to converse with the weak, other Jews, and Gentiles to name a few.  His flexibility to change was the result of His trust in God to fill his mouth with the right words at the right time.

 

     One of the key things that I believe Paul understood was that no one can change another person by a direct action on our part.  We can really only change ourselves.  It is even impossible to do that outside of Christ!  However, with the Holy Spirit residing in us, we are more than capable of demonstrating love and the fruits of great character that we otherwise would have trouble modeling to others.

 

     This much we know.  Change is inevitable in life, but how we respond to it is not.  When we are walking by God’s Spirit, we are able to adapt rather than compromise our beliefs.  Let us strive to become all things to all people that we might win them without losing any of the godly principles upon which our life is built.  This will bring glory and honor to God as we live this way.  Selah!

 

     Father, never let us compromise our beliefs and become like the world.  You have called us to walk in this world but not be a part of it.  May we have the right words to say and the right actions as we share with others the Good News of Jesus Christ.  May we never compromise for the sake of political correctness, but give us strength to stand for the truth in the face of change.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Rule to Live By

     Has anyone else noticed how uncivil many discussions have become in these days?  Whether it is a hearing in Congress, postings on social media or even on interview programs, it seems people tend to throw caution out the window when talking to others.  What has happened to self control when sharing

an opinion in a gracious manner?  My mother frequently schooled me in the art of communicating with others telling me that it is better to talk with someone face to face than to write things in a letter.  Of

course, today, that goes for social media as well.  When we commit something to writing, we cannot easily take it back, or we can be misunderstood.  If we can see one another face to face, we can get the true intent of the words.  However, my mother also cautioned me to think before speaking because words can sting as surely as a bee.  Many good relationships have ended because of harsh words that we later have regretted.  All of this goes back to a heart issue.

     Jesus in talking with the Scribes and Pharisees spoke to them about the type of fruit produced in a life.  Matthew 12:33-37 says:  "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.  You brood of vipers!  How can you speak good, when you are evil?  For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.  I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."  What Jesus is conveying here is that even a slip of the tongue is not insignificant in light of God's holiness.  Our words to each other do matter.  It is from the heart that the mouth either speaks good or evil, and we are responsible for our words.  

     James wrote a good deal about the tongue in his letter to believers and how untamable it seems to be if not brought under the control of the Holy Spirit.  Here is his description of the tongue in James 3:6:  "And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness.  The tongue is set among our members staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life and set on fire by hell."  Then, in verses 8-10, he says:  "but no human being can tame the tongue.  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.  My brothers, these things ought not be so."  Isn't this true?  There is not a one of us that have not struggled with what we say from time to time.  How is it that we can bless someone one moment and the next moment we can rip them to shreds with our words?  I guarantee that what we say can wound every bit as deep as a weapon.  Sometimes that wound can be fatal to a friendship.

     So, in this culture in which we live that is so concerned about "hate speech" and being politically correct, I have to ask if we are more concerned about what man thinks or about what God thinks?  Can our mouths be used as instruments of praise on a Sunday and then used  to curse our neighbor who took a parking spot we wanted on Monday?  Can we justify the use of curse words in talking to someone who is made in the likeness of God as James says?  We need to evaluate this in our own lives.  James tells us that we cannot tame the tongue, but if we are filled with the Holy Spirit, He can bring us the self control we need to hold back from saying something that would destroy our witness for Christ.  Words can build up others or they can tear them down.  Likewise, remember that God is in on every conversation....written or spoken.  

     For each one of us, it is a struggle to walk in this fallen world and guard our mouths, but with God's help, we will be able to speak in a manner that uplifts rather than destroys.  Our prayer should be like that of King David in Psalm 141:3:  "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!"  Remember that our goal in this life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!  Selah!

           

Remember the Good Things

     "When life hands you lemons, make lemonade" is an old saying that is really easier said than done isn't it?  So far this year, there have been many things which could get a person down.  There has been an ongoing Pandemic, civil unrest in our country as well as other nations, and a number of people who desperately need a job.  What started out with "Happy New Year" has become "Will this ever end" as we approach the end of July.  Nevertheless, the Bible tells us that there is nothing new under the Sun.  Indeed, Solomon was right to say this.

     Listening to an episode of "Wretched Radio" the other day, Todd Friel reminded listeners that things were no easier in Jesus' day than they are today.  The Jews lived under the tyrannical rule of the Romans.  They had to pay high taxes, and they were subject to the whims of a pagan government.  Life was not easy then just as it is not easy now.  Why?  We live in a fallen world, but we do not have to live as those who have no hope.

     In Psalm 143:5-6, 11, we see King David praying to the Lord for deliverance from a trial, but he also wanted guidance that he could walk according to God's will for him.  The verses read:  "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.  I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land...Revive me, O Lord, for Your name's sake! For Your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble."  As we look at these verses, we can see that David isn't asking for a quick fix to his situation.  Rather, he wants guidance to know how he should proceed once God helps him.  This is wisdom.  Verse 8 says:  "Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You."  This verse implies trust in God.

     David took time to remember all the good things which God had done for him and for the many past deliverances God had provided.  Throughout David's lifetime, he found himself on the run from Saul as well as his own son Absalom.  In both cases, God had delivered him from trouble.  Reminding himself of this fact encouraged him to approach the Lord again for help in this current trial.  This is a pattern we must follow when life hands us those lovely lemons.  Recalling how God has helped us, blessed us, delivered us and loved us will give us the energy we need to crawl out of the pit of self pity.  On those days when I have a challenge before me, I like to think about all the many good things which God has done in my life.

Once this becomes a habit, it is easy to turn away the clouds of despondency that want to hover over us.

     Secondly, David trusted in God.  The Lord is immutable.  He cannot be anything other than what He is, and He is holy.  He is good.  His character is the same yesterday, today and forever.  Therefore, the Lord is stable and we can trust in Him.  If He delivered us once, He can do it again.  Remembering and thinking on God's mighty deeds on behalf of His people will grow your faith.  That is why reading the Bible on a regular basis is so important to the Christian.  In the pages, we see how God is faithful to those whom He loves.  When we see how kind God is to His people in the past, our hope is fueled in our heart that He will take care of us as well.    This is one reason God instructed His people to teach their children about His great acts (Deut. 6:6-7).

     During these challenging times in which we live, we need to remember that David was a man of prayer.  He brought his trials and heartaches before the Lord. David reminded God of all the good things He had done for Him and in so doing, he is also reminding himself.  If God did it once, He can do it again.  This is our hope.  One of the things that has always helped me in my walk with the Lord is to list the many good things which God has done for me.  He is to be praised for His kindness and mercy! As we lift our voice in praise to God, He is glorified and we are lifted up as well.  Let us follow the pattern of David and spend time remembering the good things and how God will deliver His people as He has in the past.  Selah!

     

When You Are Feeling Overwhelmed

     Most of us have days where it seems as though we do not have enough hours to complete all the tasks set before us.  This is especially true if there are young children in the house or even teens.  I remember all too well how my days were loaded with soccer matches to go to, meetings to attend, appointments to make until I felt overwhelmed.  If we don't find a way to deal with these stresses to balance our life, it can lead to depression, anxiety and the feeling that we are all alone.  Then, self pity can set in.  Not surprisingly, the Bible speaks to this very subject in the story of the Prophet Elijah.

     In reading I Kings 18-19, we read about Elijah confronting the Prophets of Baal.  He gathered the people together so that they might see whether Baal or the God of Israel was the one true Sovereign to

The lighthouse on St. George Island

worship.  He instructed the Prophets of Baal to call upon their god to burn up a sacrifice they had made on their altar.  Though they called upon Baal, cut themselves with knives and cried for hours, there was no answer.  Then, Elijah built an altar, laid out his sacrifice and had water poured on the wood and the sacrifice three times.  When he called upon God, fire came down from heaven and devoured the sacrifice, 

This miraculous event caused the people to see that there was only One God in Israel worthy of their worship.  Elijah then had the prophets of Baal put to death.  When Jezebel found out what he had done, she made a dire threat to his life, and this is when Elijah began to run.

     I Kings 19:3-4 says:  "Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and sat down under a broom tree.  And he asked that he might die, saying, 'It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.'"  Here we see a man who had obeyed the Lord by doing a great miracle now afraid for his life and on the run.  He was exhausted, and the enemy of his soul made him feel overwhelmed, hopeless and fearful. Elijah fell asleep, and God provided an angel to give him food and water twice.  After resting and eating, he went for forty days and nights to Mt. Horeb where he once again encountered God in a still small voice.  God asked him why he had journeyed there, and Elijah poured out his heart to the Lord.  He felt alone as if no one else in all Israel was faithful.  God answered by giving him another command to go to Damascus, but He also told Elijah that he was not alone.  There were seven thousand other people in Israel who had not succumbed to the false religion of Baal.  In addition, God raised up another prophet to take Elijah's place.

     What we see in this story are three important points.  First, exhaustion and improper self care (not eating right or eating too much in some cases) can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed.  Then we start to beat ourselves up because we don't have the energy to go on.  Stress can keep us from thinking straight and wreak havoc on us mentally and physically.  Depression and anxiety both can spring up if we don't take the time to go to God.  In this story of Elijah, we see how God provided for him both food and rest.

God will provide for us as well if we will go to Him in prayer and seek His wisdom in the Bible.

     Secondly, running away from our circumstances may put distance between us and the problem but it doesn't solve the issues that led to feeling overwhelmed.  Elijah ran for forty days and nights.  Once again, God asked him what he was doing there?  Why was he running? Elijah had fallen into self pity, and God had to confront him with the truth that he was not alone.   At some point, we must confront the problems that make us feel overwhelmed.  Asking God's help to discern what we can trim from our schedules or even how we can face another day is the key.  

     Finally, we need to put into action the direction the Lord gives to us.  God directed Elijah to go and anoint some kings and find his replacement Elisha.  So Elijah put aside his self pity and did what God had directed him to do.  This showed trust and confidence in the Lord.  It has been said that if you fall off a horse, the best thing you can do is go and get back on again to restore your confidence.  When we call upon God and read His Word, we need to follow through on the things He reveals to us.  If our schedule has been too busy, He may want us to slow down.  Whatever His direction for us, we need to be obedient. As we do this, our confidence and trust in the Lord will grow.

     Throughout the story of Elijah, we see that God provided for him all along his path.  So often we forget that this is true for us as well.  The Lord has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.  His Word is forever and His promises are certain.  Therefore, when the enemy starts to tell us that we cannot make it or that we are all alone and nobody loves us, we can push these thoughts aside and call upon our heavenly Father.  Leaning on Him will lighten our burdens.  Selah!

What is your Mind Fixed On?

     Have you ever had a verse go through your head day in and day out?  Recently, that has happened to me and it is something I think all of us could use in these difficult times.  The verse comes from Paul's letter to the Philippians in chapter 4:8:  "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  Just reading the words points us in the right direction.  We are to put out of our minds those things which bring on worry, stress and fear.  God has given to us a sound mind, and here, Paul is instructing believers to exercise that mind by concentrating on the truth and the good things that go with it.  Where do we begin to do this?

     At present, if we spend any time on television, it is often filled with reports of unrest across our nation.  Some of the information we get is not always correct either.  Watching the news can be downright depressing if the truth be told.  On several Christian podcasts, a recurring theme has been shared over and over this week.  The speakers have said that if we are looking for the truth as Christians we need to look no further than God's Word.  In it, we have not only an understanding of God's character but of who we are as well.  Our relationship to God determines our relationship with our fellow man.  Jesus said in Luke 10:27:  "And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”  If we are not in right

relationship with God, it is hard to love our neighbor.

     People in our country are looking for answers.  How do we stop the violence and unrest?  What can we do to improve race relations?  Why are we so divided?  These are all real concerns for the here and now.  While I am not suggesting that the Bible is a political answer book, I am saying it is the source of all truth.  

For us as believers, the Word of God serves as a foundation not only for our faith but for our moral responsibilities to our brothers and sisters.  We are citizens of heaven and this is not our permanent home. As we pass through this brief journey of life, we are called to be salt and light.  Salt preserves things and light drives away darkness.  Both of these tasks are hard unless we keep our eyes on the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus.  The only way I know to keep our eyes on the Lord is by being immersed in His Word to us.  

     Our culture talks about identity politics when our identity is to befound in Jesus Christ.  While some cry systemic racism, our problem is really systemic sin "...for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  While the mob believes our system of government should die, God's Word says that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23a) not just physical death of an individual but eternal separation from all that is good in a place called Hell.  However, the Bible, unlike our cultural gurus goes on in Romans 6:23b to say:  "but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus His Son."  We have the answers for life my friends.  This world does not offer any answers any more than it did back in the days when the Roman Empire ruled the world.

     Therefore, instead of reading all the latest books on how to patch our world up or listening to non stop news that gets us down, we need to have our noses firmly planted in God's Word of Life for us.  We need to pray it, read it and eat it daily.  For us it is food that will sustain us through the worst of times.  Then, we are meant to get out and share this news with other souls who are looking for answers in this world where there are none.  Do not misunderstand me.  Yes, we are to do good works and help others in need in loving gratitude for what God has done for us, but first, we must be filled to the brim with His truth.  We cannot fight as soldiers without the proper equipment and training.  God's Word is our sword, and He has all we need for life and godliness.  If we are filling our mind with things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable and worthy of praise as found in the Bible, we will be able to withstand the slings and arrows of this world.  May God cause us to hunger and thirst after His righteousness first and foremost so we can be a change agent in this world journey we are on.  Selah!