My Portion Forever

     As we face the approach of a new year, finding contentment in this life is often difficult to do. We tend to look at others and see what they have and wish we could have it too.  This is why big tech companies keep introducing new gadgets certain to make our lives easier.  They tantalize us with new features that make us want to purchase the latest device. Then when a friend gets one, the urge to purchase increases significantly. Whether it is an object or a neighbor down that street that seems to have everything, we can often get caught up in discontent. The Psalms speak to this issue.

     Psalm 73 is written by Asaph who is a music leader and teacher in Israel.  He begins this Psalm by
acknowledging that God is good to Israel, but he goes on to confess that he nearly has stumbled.  Vs. 3-5 says: “...for I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they have no pangs until death; their bodies are fat and sleek.  They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.” We can really relate to what he is saying here can’t we?  Aren’t there times when we wonder why the person who cheats in his business dealings gets away with it? We live in a world that seems patently unfair at times. However, when we look at Asaph, he is making an assumption about these wicked people. He is believing that their lives are better off than his until he goes into the House of the Lord.

     Often, we are tempted by our circumstances in life to envy others.  We may not understand why it seems that wicked folks are able skate along in life without a problem, while we may have lost our job, had a broken relationship or some other calamity.  The place to start to find the answer is by doing what Asaph did and that is going into the House of the Lord.  Asking God in prayer to show us why we are going through our current set of difficulties.  He, alone, can give us a new mindset. In Christ, we find our identity, our worth, our purpose as we trust Him.  Asaph came to this realization as he made his heart known to the Lord.  In verses 23-26, we read: “Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.  You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but You?  And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.” These words go along with what Jesus told us when He said: “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).  The key to contentment is to keep our eyes on the Lord.  He is working all things together for our good. We must not allow the things in this world to distract us and pull us away from our focus.

     Certainly the many journeys of the Apostle Paul are a testament to his ability to grow in contentment.  We know he suffered want, stoning, beatings, a snake bite and various other calamities.  Yet, in his letter to the Christians in Philippi, he wrote these words in chapter 4:11-13:  “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” He learned to be content by walking through the hardships while keeping his eyes on the goal of Christ. Likewise, we need to ask God to show us what we are to learn when faced with the trials of living. Don’t envy those outside of Christ.  We know what their destiny will be if they do not repent.  However, we are to follow Christ and rest knowing that He is with us every step of the way.  He is fitting us for glory where we will live with Him forever.

     If we are struggling with being content and accepting the plan that God has for us, then, we need to remember that He is our loving Shepherd who is gently, carefully, and tenderly leading us even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  Do not look at the wicked or the things of this world for they will pass away. Instead, let us lay up treasures for ourselves in heaven by never forgetting that God is our portion, and He is more than enough.  Selah! 

Shine As Lights in the Darkness

     As we were driving through our neighborhood one evening, we commented on all the beautiful Christmas lights that illuminated homes making them look like a fairyland.  However, when we passed those same houses in the daytime, and the magical look was gone.  Even if the lights were turned on in the daylight, they were almost invisible compared to the powerful radiance of the sun.  I couldn’t help but notice the comparison between this and our Savior who was called “the Light of the World”.

     Jesus said of Himself this in John 8:12:  “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” No more beautiful words could have been said for He brought the light of truth into this dark, fallen world.  While He was among us, He brought light to false teaching, illumination to the meaning of God’s Word, and brightness into the hearts of all who believed.  Prior to His coming, the Bible describes the way men walked:  “They do not know nor do they understand. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken” (Psalm 82:5).  From the Garden of Eden onward, men chose to walk in darkness away from God for sin had entered the world.  What a difference, though, when Christ came into the world.  John Piper describes it like this:  “The light of Christ is the brightness of God shining on the retina of the human soul.  Jesus speaks from God and for God and as God” (John Piper, “I Am the Light of the World” March 12, 2011).

     After Christ came and then, ascended to Heaven, He left behind the light of His truth in all who believed in Him.  We are called to now be the “light of the world”.  Though our light is much smaller than His, together we are mighty for dispelling the darkness of sin around us.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:  " 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  With the power of the Holy Spirit living in all believers, we continue to shed light in the darkness all around us just as the Christmas lights shine brightly each evening.

       Our Shorter Westminster Confession tells us that our purpose is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever”.  Indeed, as we shine brightly by proclaiming to those around us the Good News of salvation found in Jesus Christ, we are bringing glory to God.  So the question is for us all:  Are we shining brightly in our world?  Do we bring the light of Christ to our workplace?  To our daily activities at home or out in public? Do people know we are followers of Christ?

       At Christmas time and every other time in life, we have been called to bring light into the darkness.  If ever there was a need for this, the time is now.  We know the moral depths to which our world has fallen.  We see the family being torn apart by the pressures present in this world; therefore it is all the more important for us to be a lighthouse to those around us trying to make it safely to shore.  One day, of course, Christ will return and when He does, He will drive all the darkness away.  This is when all the world will see His truth, justice and Lordship over all creation.  Until then, we must keep our lights shining. The best way to do this is to gather in fellowship often so that we may grow in His Word. This keeps the flame burning brightly.  Just as the Christmas lights bring joy to all who see them, so the light of our Lord Jesus Christ will dispel the darkness of this world.  Let us rejoice that He has chosen us to be representatives of His light this Christmas!  Selah!

The Case of the MIssing Items

     After our Thanksgiving holiday, several things turned up missing.  Of course, we also found a few things that were left behind as usual, but somehow my couch pillow in the family room had disappeared.  I contacted family members to see if someone scooped it up by accident.  No one had seen it.  I searched my closets, under beds and every place I thought it might have gotten to.  Having 21 people in your home, things have a way of being moved.  Finally, as I was sweeping the carpet, I decided to check under the recliner side of my couch, and what to my “wondering eyes should appear” (to borrow a phrase) but my pillow.  It fit neatly under the seat and I suppose the children tucked it in there as they spent time playing in the family room.  That was not the end of my hunt though.

     Having a busy toddler (18 months) in the house, I discovered a couple of pieces of my “Little People” plastic manger set missing.  He didn’t play with the manger set as much as throwing the pieces or placing them in different spots.  As I was looking for an item in my laundry room, I found one of the Magi in my plastic wrap for bottled water.  That was  a lucky find; however, Baby Jesus was still missing after they left to return home.  I think I searched about everywhere I could think when I saw something out of place in one of my plant pots.  I didn’t know what it was at first.  As I looked closer, it was, indeed, my Baby Jesus.  Hallelujah….I had found Him.  Putting Him back in the manger set, I wondered to myself, how often do we lose Jesus in all the activities of the holidays?  There is always so much to do after all.

      When we are up to our ears in Christmas decorations, cookies and receptions to attend, do we take time to pray, read the Word and spend time in worship?  Jesus told us in Matthew 6:33:  “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”  In other words, God meets our needs and cares for us.  We need not stew over things but the imperative for every believer is to put the Lord first in our lives. Then, Paul encourages us to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thessalonians 5:17).  I certainly did a lot of praying while looking for those missing items.  God never fails to answer either.  We just have to trust in Him to help us with the big things as well as the little things in life.  Finding manger pieces and a pillow may seem like silly things to pray for but God cares about all that we care about.  Throughout my life, I have learned to lean on Him when my five senses cannot locate something I have lost.  He has never failed to help me find those items.

       Perhaps the biggest thing that can get lost in the holiday season is time for genuine worship of God in the House of the Lord.  It is so easy to just stay in bed instead of getting up and preparing to go to church.  However, we deprive ourselves of the very spiritual food we need when we do this.  Hebrews 10:25 encourages us to persevere:  “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.”  If we keep our priorities straight during this time of celebration, we will not get lost in the hustle and bustle.

       Time spent with the Lord is never wasted time.  We are enriched by His Word, filled with His presence in prayer and loved by Him through the care of others when we fellowship together at church. We must not get lost like my “Little People” in the manger set or my couch pillow.  Keeping Christ at the center of our activities puts everything in perspective.  Lets not get lost in activities but be “found” faithful in all that we do that the true meaning of Christmas will shine through us!  Selah!

Don’t Let the Grinch Steal Your Christmas

     One of the Stories written by Dr. Seuss (my favorite) is “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”.  It has been made into a cartoon movie and a live action one some years ago but it tells a good story about the true meaning of Christmas that changed the heart of a crabby old Grinch. The citizens of Whoville still had the Christmas spirit even without presents that were stolen by the Grinch.  Their decorations were all taken down as well. Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel, his real name) wanted to let people know that materialism and the desire to get all you can at Christmas was not what Christmas was all about.  The story was written in 1957, and as even today, there was a great emphasis on gifts, decorations, and activities in abundance.  This is where we all need to take care lest we become “Grinched” at Christmas.

 

   Christ should always be first and foremost in our hearts during this season of celebration. The problem many of us face is getting ourselves wrapped up in too many activities, gift buying and endless rushing around until we drop with exhaustion.  Then, we begin to wish Christmas was over.  Our mood becomes less than cheerful.  Suddenly we become “Grinch-like” (crabby and negative) with friends and family alike.  It happens so gradually that we may not notice it but those around us can.  The stressed out look on the face, the tight smile, and snappy comments of complaint show others around us to stay away.   However, the Bible encourages us to do things in moderation.  

      In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses a church that seems to be a bit out of control.  There is infighting over spiritual gifts, problems with the Lord’s Supper and immorality.  So Paul reminds them of this (I Corinthians 6:19-20):  “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?  You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your body.” We really need to remember this because too much on our calendar can bring stress.  We must learn to be reasonable and stop and consider what glorifies God for that is why we were created.  There are times we have to graciously say “no” to some things that put us in a tizzy.  I love what Proverbs 25:28 has to say:  “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” 

     For much of my life (especially college years), I have lived full tilt with being involved in everything under the sun. This takes a toll on our body, our mind, and even our spirit.  God never meant for us to be “human doings”.  We are made in His image, and He should be the center focus for our life.  Remember, our salvation is a free gift from God not works oriented, do everything perfectly, have the fanciest decorations, the most gifts under the tree type of redemption.  He wants us to be formed into the image of His dear Son…not become like the Grinch.  As Jesus wisely said in Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  Read the whole chapter.  It is filled with encouragement for all worriers and overcommitted people.  So what should we do?

     At Christmas, we must take time to pray about how many activities and commitments we have on the calendar. I am certain they all look good, but must we be at each one?  Do we need to put up all the decorations so that we wow the neighborhood or should we keep it low key for the sake of precious time we might miss with our church family, our own family and especially with the Lord. God can guide us and give us His wisdom if we ask Him.

     Christmas is a time for worship, reading the Word of God and fellowship with other believers.  These activities should be our top priority.  Attending to these things first will put a new slant both on the celebration and who we are in Christ.  God has given us the means of grace through the preaching of His Word as well as the sacraments.  So in remembering to seek Him first, we will thwart having our Christmas stolen by the “Grinch” and experience the peace which passes all understanding.  Selah!!

God Cares About All the Details

     My mother had misplaced her keys one day and searched all over our home with no luck.  She was getting more and more upset by the moment, and I suggested that she stop and pray.  I said that God knows where those keys are.  She looked at me and replied that she couldn’t ask God to help her find her keys because He had more important requests to answer than that.  I was surprised by her response.  There had been many times when I had asked God to help me find something, and He did just that.  Why is it that we think that God only cares about the big things when the details in a situation are just as crucial?

 

   To prove my point, we have only to look at the Old Testament books of Exodus and Leviticus.  Did God not give extremely detailed instructions on how to build the Tabernacle, the altar and other features?  If he did not care for details, I seriously doubt they would all be recorded in Scripture.  In addition, He gave very specific direction to the Children of Israel regarding their conduct, offerings and ritual cleansings.  He is, indeed, a God who is in the details.

     Jesus made a statement about our worth and the details of our life that should be a great encouragement to us all.  In Matthew 10:29-31, He said:  “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not, therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.”  If God knows all the details of our lives (and He does), then we ought to rejoice that nothing is too small for Him to help us with.

     Take another example. Jesus fulfilled about 300 of the Old Testament prophecies made about the Messiah according to the scholars down to the place of His birth, His suffering, and His resurrection.  Again, we see God in the details letting His people know what He has planned for them. How well Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day when He said:  “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39).  So why is it that we think that God doesn’t care about lost car keys, a sick animal, or the many other day to day details of our life?

     One of the reasons is because we do not see God as big enough to care about these issues in our life.  Didn’t the Apostle Paul encourage us to take everything to God in prayer?  After all, God made us and knows we are weak, sinful and frail in this world.  He sought us before we ever sought Him that we might be saved from sin and death.  If He cares that much, will He not care about the small things that trouble us in this life? 

     A hymn that was dear to my father says is well:  “ Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer “(What a Friend We Have in Jesus) .  In this season of celebration when we look to the the cradle in a manger, let us not forget that Jesus came for us.  He lives to ever make intercession for us before the throne of God both in the big things and the details of our life.  Let us carry everything to God in prayer knowing that He hears us when we call.  May this encourage your heart today!  Selah! 

Thanks Be to God

     Assisting with the Children’s Choir has been a real blessing for me.  Last year, the children were working on a song for Thanksgiving that just remains in my heart as we approach this holiday.  The words to the chorus go like this:  “Thanks be to God, thanks be to God, thanks be to God for all good gifts; thanks be to God, thanks be to God, thanks be to God for creation.”  It’s a simple tune reminding us of all that we have to be thankful for as we gather for worship and in our homes.

     Sadly, Thanksgiving is often ignored because people are in a hurry to get to the B-I-G event....Christmas.  In fact, some stores even have their Christmas displays up already!  The Pilgrims,

however, found it important to take time and celebrate God’s goodness to them in the new land to which they had come.  Both native born and newcomer alike found a seat at the table to enjoy the fruit of the harvest.  As history records it, the Pilgrims came because they had suffered persecution for their faith and wanted to go where they could be free to worship God according to His Word.  Despite their hardships in coming to a new place, they rejoiced at God’s provision.

     According to God’s Word, we are told to offer up a sacrifice of praise continually.  Hebrews 13:15 says, “Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.”  Not only are we blessed in heart when we thank God for all His good gifts, but we, in obedience, bring glory to the Lord.  For some of us, it is hard to offer that sacrifice of praise because life in this fallen world is hard.  We lose loved ones, we may be facing illness, or we may have financial woes, but God, who is our provision, has never left our side.  We may not understand the hardships we face in this life.  Nevertheless, God gives us the daily strength to go on, and the Apostle Paul gives us another reason to praise God.

     I Corinthians 15:56-57 tells us:  “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  It is through our Lord Jesus Christ that we are set free from sin and the sting of death.  We will one day be in His presence for all eternity where there will be no more tears, heartache or pain.  By His death and resurrection, He has reconciled us to God.  When our hearts are regenerated, God removes the stony, cold heart of sin, and gives to us a heart of flesh that can respond in faith to salvation. This is worth more than anything we could ever want or desire. Therefore, praise for God should be a daily part of our prayers and conversation with others.

     Another reason to give thanks to our Lord is because it is according to His will for each believer.  In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul wrote this instruction (I Thessalonians 5:16-18):  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  This is a simple and straight forward command to us.  When we do this, we are demonstrating our Christian worldview to a culture that has forgotten how to say “thank you” or show gratitude for the many blessings we enjoy each day.

     Finally, when we put on the character of Christ as Paul writes about to the Colossians, chapter 3, we will find that a thankful heart is one that attracts others to Jesus Christ.  In verses 15-17, Paul tells us:  “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful.  Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Having a thankful heart isn’t just for Thanksgiving!  It should be our way of life, and will make others ask why we are joy filled rather than grumpy like the rest of the world.

     Thanking God for our many blessings is not hard.  When we cannot find the right words, we can always turn to the Psalms and read them aloud.  Praising God as our children do in song will always lift our spirits too.   Be blessed today and from our home to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.  Selah! 

Never Alone

     There are times in  our lives when we all feel alone.  Perhaps a friend is moving away, we  may have lost a loved one or maybe, we have lost our employment.  Any of these situations can often make us feel isolated.  However, there is good news for all believers in God's Word.  In reality we are never alone.

     Psalm 139 has always been one of my favorites and it really came to life for me during our Sunday School lesson on the omnipresence of God.   The prefix "omni" means "all"; so to say God is omnipresent means that he is everywhere present since he is not bound by time or space.  This is a hard concept for those of us who are bound by both time and space with our physical bodies.  Yet, God is both transcendent and immanent.  Unlike pantheism that believes God is in everything, Christians believe He is everywhere present at all times.  What good news for the believer who at times feels alone or deserted in life.

     As the Psalm opens, we see David acknowledging that God knows him in an intimate way (vs.1).  God sees him when he rises up or is seated and more than that, God knows his thoughts.  He also knows how David behaves and what he is about to say even before he says it (Vs.2-4).  This is a picture of just how well God knows not only David but also each one of us.  In some ways, it is a bit frightening to know that God is acquainted with each one of us to this degree of intimacy.  For the Christian, this is a comfort, however.  David exclaims in vs. 6 "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it."

   

 When we turn to verses 7-12, we begin to realize that there really is no place we can go to get away from God's presence.  He resides in heaven but also in Sheol (the place of the dead).  He is in the morning and at the same time, in the depth of the sea.  Even darkness cannot cover us or keep us from God's presence.  While there are times when we may not feel that God is near, these words provide us with the picture of His abiding presence.  

     Perhaps the most intimate picture painted for us in the words of David's Psalm are these in verse 13-14:  "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."  The very fact that God intricately formed us to be who we are physically, spiritually and mentally means He knows us and cares about us like a mother knows her newborn infant.  There is nothing that would surprise God about us, and He delights in walking with us through this life.

     What we need to learn to do is remember that God, our all powerful, all knowing, all holy, all loving and ever present Redeemer will never leave nor forsake us.  This should inform our conduct in His presence and reassure us in times when we feel alone.  There is virtually no place where we can go that He is not already there for us.  Take comfort in knowing this today. Let our prayer be like David's closing words in vs. 23-24:  "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" Selah!

Surely Goodness and Mercy....

     One of the advantages to growing older is the ability to look back across our lives and see all the places where God has intervened for our benefit and His glory.  At the time we are in the midst of a crisis, we often miss the superb timing, the loving touch, and the grace that allows us to emerge from a fiery trial unscathed.  David, the Psalmist and Shepherd King of Israel, knew the comfort of God’s unending care and memorialized it for us in Psalm 23.  This is a Psalm well known to most of us if not memorized when we were young.  In fact, I learned this Psalm in French during high school language class, and in any context, it brings comfort to the speaker and hearer alike.

 

        As we approach Thanksgiving, we need to stop and think about the message of this simple Psalm.  God is likened to a shepherd who makes provision for us on a daily basis.  He cares for us, leads us and takes us to places of rest.  The opening verse tell us:  “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”  We need to pause and think about all the ways that God keeps us and cares for us.  Unfortunately, we often take daily blessings for granted such as food on the table, a place to sleep, a job, and our family.  Instead, the enemy wants us to concentrate on all the things we don’t have. To Psalm 27:35, I add my “amen”:  “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” Though times may look difficult, the Lord walks with us even as He did with the children of Israel when they wandered for forty years in the wilderness.  Their clothes did not even wear out!

          Secondly, not only is the Lord with us during the good times, but He walks with us even in the valley of the shadow of death.  How well, I remember that there was an eleven year span where I lost my 39 year old aunt, my grandparents and my father who died much too young.  Then, came a long struggle in keeping watch for ten years as my mother went through Alzheimer’s Disease.  Never did we think we would lose a grandson in 2014 at age six, but again, the Lord provided His extraordinary grace to us.   No family in this world is spared from the walk in this valley, but when we have Jesus Christ, we have comfort, solace and strength to make it to the other side.  Of course, we all know that one day we will walk in this valley as we prepare to go home to the Lord, but we can say “I will fear no evil” as David declared because Jesus will usher us into His presence.  What we must remember is that a valley may have shadows, but they also can be very fruitful in comfort.  I love what Matthew Henry has to say about this section of the Psalm:  “Death is a king of terrors, but not to the sheep of Christ. When they come to die, God will rebuke the enemy; he will guide them with his rod, and sustain them with his staff. There is enough in the gospel to comfort the saints when dying, and underneath them are the everlasting arms.”

           Finally, we must remember that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our life. (vs 6).  God has made this a promise to us.  Goodness walks along side of us each day in the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us.  Mercy guards our rear flank and keeps us from stumbling over the roadblocks of life.  Oh, I know.  It may seem like neither is there at times, but if you live long enough and look back over all you have been through, you will see the tracks of mercy and goodness behind you.  God doesn’t always let us see all the dangers He has kept us from until a later time or until we see Him face to face.  Yet, His promises are certain and His tender care unequaled.

           As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, we need to take time to go around the dinner table and ask everyone to share one thing for which they are thankful.  Then, read Psalm 23 and think about God’s total care and provision for each one of us.  May our hearts be filled with His praise for we are the sheep of His pasture.  Selah! 

No Job is Unimportant

     

Going off to college, I had stars in my eyes.  Drama, public speaking, oral interpretation of literature, radio broadcasting and debating were areas that came easy to me in high school.  My goal was to become a teacher in the area of communications with a minor in English.  So when I started my college courses, I immediately tried out for theater productions.  Having done well in high school, I expected to get a substantial part on my first try.  When I learned that I had gotten a small part, I was disappointed.   

     At our cast meeting, our Theater Professor told us something I will never forget.  He said, “There are no small parts, only small actors.”  He emphasized how important every detail, every character and every line was to the whole production.  We were painting a picture through our drama.  After the meeting, I looked at things very differently and took his advice to heart giving my best effort to the part I had been assigned.  For Christians, we all would do well to remember that same advice when it comes to using our talents in serving the Lord.

     Every believer is given gifts by the Holy Spirit  to use for God’s glory.  Likewise the Lord has designed us in such a way to fulfill all the good works He has for us to do using our talents and abilities.  We have only to look into God’s Word to see a great example of this.  

     In Exodus Chapter 35 and verses 30-35, Moses describes two craftsmen that have the special qualifications to help in building the Tabernacle:  “Then Moses said to the people of Israel, ‘See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft.  And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahinamach of the tribe  of Dan.  He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver – by any sort of  workman or skilled designer.’”   Just as Moses pointed out, God had prepared Bezalel and Oholiab to carry out the intricate work of designing cloth and engravings for the Tabernacle.  

     Notice that it was God who had given these men great skill which He wanted them to use for His glory.  Prior to this time, we had never heard their names, but God knew them and the plan He had for their  lives in service to Him.  Just as our Savior took the five loaves and two fish multiplying them to feed the 5,000, so our God takes what skills we bring to Him and multiplies the blessings.

     Frequently, I hear people say that they do not have anything to offer the Lord.  They do not see that their job is important in His eyes.  So I would remind them as my college professor did that day:  There are no small jobs, only small faith and trust in our omnipotent God!  He is able to muliple the talents we bring to Him.

     Whether you are a baker, a butcher or a candlestick maker, God has you in a position where He can use you.  Never buy into the lies of the enemy that want you to believe that your job is unimportant.Remember that we are to do all to His glory.  In this, He is well pleased.  Selah! 

The Sound of Silence

     Our world is a busy, fast-paced and noisy place if you haven't noticed.  This was especially true when we were busy raising our four children.  There were times when I wondered if I would ever be able to have a complete thought without someone asking a question.  Now, of course, the house is relatively quiet on most days with the children grown and gone.  Even our dog is silent, unless of course, someone comes to the door.  However, there is a value to silence in life.  It gives us an opportunity to think and meditate on the Lord.

     Over and over again in Scripture, we see the Lord Jesus slip away for a time to rest and spend time praying.  His days were filled with ministering to people and being fully man as well as fully God, he was subject to fatigue as we are so rest coupled with time in the presence of His Father renewed both His body and spirit. On one occasion described in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus and His disciples had traveled to Capernaum where He both taught in the Synagogue then went to the home of Peter. In Peter's home, he healed his mother-in-law who had been ill.  At sundown, many came to the house to be healed. Then, Jesus did a remarkable thing.  Mark 1:35-37: "And rising very early in the morning while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him, and they found Him and said to Him. 'Everyone is looking for you.'" There are a number of times He did this setting a model that we might do well to follow.

   

 Jesus was demonstrating balance in life. From Scripture, we know that He had great compassion on the people giving Himself to them through teaching and healing.  Yet, He wisely knew when He needed to retreat, rest and most importantly pray. Being quiet before God and resting in His presence, laying before Him both our praise and our requests draws us out of the hubbub of living into the realm of His almighty presence.  If our Lord Jesus needed to do this as evidenced in Matthew, Mark and Luke, then, we also need to put aside time each day to dwell in His presence. Some may call it a "quiet time" but by whatever name we give it, this slice of time is meant for our well-being each day just as the Sabbath is designed to give us relief from our work that we may worship God.

     Certainly Jesus could have stayed on in Capernaum for some time with His ministry, but after a night of rest and time alone with His Father, He knew he needed to take the message of salvation to other towns as well.  We have a greater clarity of purpose and vision when we take a "time out" especially as we spend it with the Lord.

     As a child, I always enjoyed a special spot in our horse pasture sitting on the large root of an old oak tree near the "Little Turkey Foot Creek" that babbled along our property.  I would just sit for a long time and listen to the creek.  Sometimes I would talk to myself and other times I would talk to God and ask Him questions.  I remember those times of solitude and even to this day, I enjoy quiet time as my husband and I take walks in the Florida mornings.  Looking at nature, listening to the sounds of the birds, and inviting our Savior to walk with us as we both pray silently gets the day off to a good start.

     A routine of engaging with others in activities of the day and then retreating to a quiet space where we can rest and be alone with God is precious and well worth every minute we spend.  Jesus set an example for us that we might be better prepared to face the challenges of the world in which we live.  Don't be afraid of the sound of silence but rather, take time to be refreshed in Him.  Put away the electronics, your phone and all to hear more clearly God speak to you in His Word.  Selah!

The Answer is Not "Blowing in the Wind"

      Years ago, there was a famous folk music group called Peter, Paul and Mary.  One of the songs I loved listening to and playing on my guitar was "Blowing in the Wind".  Written during the time of turmoil in our country when the war in Vietnam was escalating, Bob Dylan wrote it as a protest song.  He asked a series of rhetorical questions and claimed that the answer was "blowing in the wind".  While the song claimed there were no answers, the Psalmist would disagree.  He found his comfort and answers in God's Holy Word.

     Recently, a friend and I have begun a study of Pastor Randy Alcorn's book, "If God is Good".  This book as its title proclaims is about evil and suffering in life.  Certainly it is a huge topic for all of us as we see the world exploding in death and destruction from both manmade and natural disasters.  As Pastor Alcorn writes: "We must form our perspective from God's Word, not popular culture " (pg.38).   He is absolutely correct.  This sentiment goes along with the verse that says: "For we walk by faith; not by sight..." (2 Corinthians 5:7).  Looking at the circumstances of life and listening to the answers modern culture gives to us is both depressing and empty of truth. However there is a place we can look.

     In Psalm 119:92, the writer said something profound and instructive:  "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction." We are not certain who the author of this Psalm was.  It could have been David, Ezra or even Daniel; however the words ring true for us all.  This verse more than any other struck a chord within me.  How do we make it through the hard times in life...the loss of loved ones...illness...loss of employment or even our home? Well, we can be assured that the answer is not "blowing in the wind".  God's Word is, indeed, the answer.  We may not find the specific reason for "why" things take place, but we find comfort, truth and hope for the future.

     All of history is "His" story from beginning to end because God is our creator and sustainer.  From Genesis to Revelation, God has revealed Himself and made known His love, His salvation and His eventual judgement of the world.  To know the Word is to know and embrace our LORD.  This is why the Psalmist makes clear that he would not have made it through his afflictions if he had not known God's Word. The Bible offers comfort to us.  Just reading Psalm 23 lets us know that we have a "Good Shepherd" who guides us and keeps us daily in His care.

     Secondly, God's Word offers the truth to us without holding back.  Our culture offers deceit, fantasy and many other means of escaping the reality of sin.  Of course, we know that the "prince of the power of the air" (Satan) is behind this.  Ephesians 2:2-3 says:  "...in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."   As believers we have been delivered from this dark domain of lies and half truths.  Therefore, we must renew our minds daily.  Washing our hearts and minds in the Word of God is the only way we can walk in this fallen world which leads me to the last point.

     When it comes to finding hope, the Bible is filled with promises to those who believe in Jesus Christ.  We have a future and a hope just as the Israelites did when God told them through the Prophet Jeremiah:  "'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11).  Even though God's people had disobeyed Him and found themselves in exile, the Lord promised them a future and a hope.  Jesus has done the same for all who believe in Him.  He sent us a Comforter (the Holy Spirit) to live within us and teach us, guide us and help us walk by faith. He also is preparing a place for us that we may be with Him forever where there will be no tears, pain, sickness or death.  This is what hope looks like to the Christian.  We have a future and a hope, but if we never get into God's Word, we will not know it.

      For believers, the answers to this life are not "blowing in the wind", they are found in the Bible.  As Hebrews 4:12-13 states: "For the Word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."  If we want to live above the transient woes of this world, we need to be steeped in His Word because it leads us into all truth, brings us comfort and gives us hope.  Selah!

Beware the Bear

     Yesterday, I came across a video of a bear that seemed to hang around a woman's house.  This was a wild animal, but the bear returned to this woman's home frequently.  In the video, she brought her cubs to the house, nursed them there and even learned to shut the door of the lady's home.  What a remarkable interaction.  Then, my husband told me about a gentleman who lived in a remote area in Alaska who had the same type of interaction with a bear who seemed quite friendly.  The relationship went on for a good deal of time and then, no one heard from this gentleman any longer.  When a welfare check took place, they found this man mauled to death.  A tragic ending for what seemed like a unique friendship with a creature in the wild.  

   

 While the death of this man who befriended a bear is sad, it serves as a reminder to us to be careful whom we entertain.  The Bible reminds us not to put ourselves in a situation where we may be overcome by temptation. I Peter 5:8 tells us:  "Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." When we invite temptation of any sort into our lives, we risk falling into sin.

     For example, if we have a drinking problem, we should not put ourselves into a situation where people are drinking all around us such as a bar.  Maybe we have a problem with gossip.  Sounds like a harmless issue but the Bible is clear about such a habit. Proverbs 11:13:  "Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered." So, if we know what God says about gossip, then we need to stay away from those who practice this lest we also fall into that sin.  This is one reason why it is so very important to know God's Word.  How can we stay out of danger if we don't follow God's guide book for life?

     In addition, the people that we spend time with are also an important consideration.  Spending time with those who do not live to please God can often influence decisions we make or actions we take.  The opposite is also true.  When we take time to be in church worship with likeminded believers or in a home group Bible study, we are putting ourselves in the company of other believers.  The Bible says that "iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17) meaning that we tend to make each other sharper as we interact together in God's Word.  This is why we are told in Hebrews 10:25:  "...not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."  We need to be in Christian fellowship.

     This world, like our bear friends, seems to be friendly and tame, but we would be wrong to trust this system just as we would be wrong not to be wary of bears.  Both can turn on you in a second.  This is why we must put our trust in God because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, avoid any appearance of evil, stay away from temptation, and do stay in God's Word.  Inviting a bear into your home can lead to serious consequences as it did for the man in the story above. Instead, we must put on the full armor of God in these days and stay in fellowship with others who can build us up rather than tear us down in our Christian walk.  Selah!

Are You Tired of Chasing Pretty Rainbows?

      Years ago a beautiful song came out that really spoke to my heart because I tend to worry and get anxious over things.  Can you relate?  Well, the words have remained in my memory and came back to me the other day when I was stewing over something I cannot change.  Here are the words to this song:

       "Are you tired of chasing pretty rainbows?  Are you tired of spinning round and round?  Wrap up     all  the shattered dreams of your life and at the feet of Jesus ay them down.  Give them all, Give them all, give them all to Jesus shattered dreams, wounded hearts, broken toys...Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus, and He will turn your sorrow into joy.  He never said you would only see  sunshine. He never said there would be no rain.  He only promised us a heart full of singing...that's the very thing that once brought pain.  Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus shattered dreams, wounded hearts, broken toys.  Give them all, give them all, give them all to Jesus and He will turn your sorrow into joy.  Give them all to Jesus and at the feet of Jesus lay them down."   

     In the lyrics, the message is so clear just like the Lord's words to us in Scripture.  We are to bring all our concerns to Him for He cares for us.  The Amplified Version explains I Peter 5:7 in this manner:  "...casting all your cares {all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all } on Him, for He cares about you {with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully}."  Likewise, Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us to turn to prayer and petition with a thankful heart to God.  He will give us peace in whatever situation is causing us heartache.  Yet we so often neglect to do this very simply thing.

       

     Very often, we turn to a friend, a family member or the nearest ear to complain about how hurt we feel over something someone did or said.  They may have some ideas or suggestions, but we are still left with the question of how to handle things as well as that heavy feeling in our heart.  One thing they  cannot offer us the peace which God alone can give to us.   So why don't we run to Him first?  Let me suggest a couple of reasons why we don't lay our burden down.

     

     First, we could have an issue with pride.  We think we can handle the hurt or burden all by ourselves, so we go on "chasing that rainbow" even though we can never reach it on our own.  Or it could be that we give the burden to the Lord and then, snatch it back if He doesn't answer us fast enough.  Then there is the possibility that we are expecting God to radically change the other person or situation to suit us instead of thinking that God might want to change us.  In fact, God might even want us to go and ask forgiveness of someone and that is always hard to do.  There are many reasons we often delay taking our burdens to the Lord, but we do so to our own detriment.  He not only offers us peace but the strength to go on. And the best part is that He goes with us.

     

     Jesus never told us that life would be perfect or that all our dreams would come true.  He told us the truth that tribulation would come into our lives in many forms.  Yet, He promised to never leave or forsake us. Rather than fretting and worrying over everything, we need to lay our burdens at His feet. As the song says:  "give them all to Jesus and He will turn your sorrow into joy."  Selah!

                        

If you would like to see the original song done by Evie Tournquist, here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoZsl1NNEC4                                                                                                                       

      

                      

Remembering God's Goodness

     One of the joys of our family get togethers is when we sit around reminiscing about our past vacations. We have had our share of crazy events which at the time were not funny but now we can laugh at them.  This is always a highlight we look forward to and if someone comes in feeling a bit down, they don't leave that way after we have had a few good laughs.

     In much the same way, when we need a boost in our spiritual walk, we need to think about the many ways in which God has been good to us and heard our prayers.  David did this often in his Psalms.  Psalm 143:5-6 and 11 is a cry to God for help and deliverance:  "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."  From the tone of his words, we know that he has come to ask the Lord for help and deliverance.  While David is asking for assistance, he is not asking for a quick fix but simply, what to do next. The key to his confidence in the Lord is brought up in verse 5 "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works..."  There were many times in David's life when the Lord protected him from King Saul, Goliath of Gath, and even his own Son Absalom.  Plus the history of his people was filled with the great deliverance of God as He led His people through the wilderness and established them in the Promised Land.

     As well as recalling all the mighty deeds which the Lord has done for both David and his people, he stops to muse or think about the work of God's hands.  Creation is a beautiful thing to consider.  I find when I get down that taking a walk and looking at the birds, flowers and all the wonderful things our God has made always lifts my heart.  We all need to take time to meditate on the faithfulness, righteousness and the unchanging character of God.  Because of this, we can fully trust Him no matter what situation we face.

     David strengthens himself by recalling the past which then gives him a greater trust in God for the future.  He certainly knew this principle from the instructions given to the people in 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." God's Word from Old Testament through our New Testament is to be pondered on by all who believe so that, like David, we can recall the goodness of God when difficulties come our way.

     After reading through this Psalm and thinking especially about the verses above, I wrote out a list of blessings where God had been faithful to me in prayer when I had called upon His name.  As I read through it, I marveled at how God has guided and walked with me and our family through the years.  I couldn't help but smile and thank Him.  It was very much like the joy that comes during our family get togethers.  Let us all follow David's example of remembering God's goodness to us in all the circumstances of our life.  He doesn't change and we can count on Him each day in good times and bad.  May your day be richly blessed in His goodness!  Selah!

The God of All Comfort

      When we think we are having a bad day, we need to consider another man who has gone through some pretty tough times.  Read this description of what he endured.  "Are you servants of Christ?  I am a better one - I am talking like a madman - with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.  Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes but one.  Three times I was beaten with rods.  Once I was stoned.  Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure" (2 Corinthians 11:23-27).  And we thought we were having a bad day?  Just reading through this is overwhelming.  Yet the Apostle Paul endured all these things for the sake of Christ.       

     In Chapter 1 of this letter, verses 3-5, Paul writes:  "Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which  we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too." This has been one of my favorite verses given to me at a very dark time in my life when I, too, was going through some difficulties. This passage gave me comfort and encouragement to keep on going.  Later I saw that what I had gone through was something God would use so that I could comfort others who were struggling in like manner.

     This portion of Paul's letter to the Corinthians was to remind the readers that Jesus told us that we would face trials and tribulations in this life.  He spoke these words of comfort, "But take heart, I have overcome the world"(John16:33c).  Paul wanted the Church in Corinth to be aware that while afflictions and hardships are part of the Christian's walk, they also help us to grow.  As God comforts us, we will be able to comfort others going through a similar difficulty.  We also develop a heart of compassion for others as well.

     When my Great Aunt Micky was going through breast cancer many years ago, I remember my mother (who worked at the same hospital where she was a patient) telling me that every day Great Aunt Micky would go visit other cancer patients to cheer them up and make them smile.  She felt like this was her opportunity to give them a word of encouragement.  The nurses even remarked about her kind words and visits to others.  Ultimately, she did not win her battle against cancer but she brought a lot of comfort to others.  My Great Aunt said that God had given her comfort and peace and she was just passing it on.

     If today, we feel overwhelmed by our afflictions, problems or difficulties remember that we can run to God who is the God of all comfort.  He will hear our prayers and bring us comfort so that we, in turn, can pass it on to others who need comfort too.  Selah!

P.S. A friend once told me that when I think I have it bad, there is always someone else that has greater troubles than I do. We would all do well to remind ourselves of that daily.

The Power of Prayer

     When we think of prayer, many of us think about the short blessing we say before we eat our food or the goodnight prayer we learned as a child.  However, prayer is so much more than a few words of thanks for our food.  This tool which God has given to us can be as simple as "Lord help me" or as complex as the prayer of praise (The Magnificat) spoken by Mary the mother of Jesus.  Sadly, we do not understand this immense power that is available to all believers, and the best part is all of us can pray.

 

   Because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, the way is open to communicating directly with God our Father as believers. This means we can call upon the LORD at any time over any concern. The problem often comes when we don't take everything to God in prayer.  Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6: "...do not be anxious  about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."  Instead of running to someone for a quick answer or trying to work it out ourself, why not turn to our Lord first.  He holds the answers we need.  So the first thing we need to do in learning to wield this weapon of our warfare is to go to God and seek His wisdom.

     Secondly, we need to have a humble heart as we come before Him.  Jesus told a parable about the tax collector and the Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14). Both came to the Temple to pray.  The tax collector beat his chest and would not even look up but asked for forgiveness. In another area of the Temple, the Pharisee thanked God that he was not like other men and especially the tax collector.  Then, he told God how he tithed and fasted. Jesus pointed out that the one who came humbly and repented went home justified.  He concluded with these words:  "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Luke 14b).  Humility of heart is an important part of praying with a right attitude as we bring our requests before the Lord.

     Another characteristic of using this powerful tool is perseverance.  In a recent prayer meeting, we were made aware of story Jesus told of the widow who keeps bringing her request to a judge.  This judge did not fear God or respect people and he kept refusing to act on her behalf.  This did not stop her and she came again and again.  Finally the judge gave in, due to her persistence, and gave her the justice she sought (Luke 18:1-8). Jesus told his disciples this story to point out that we must never give up in prayer. Some answers may come quickly but others take time according to God's providence and will. I learned this lesson myself in our desire to have children.  Due to physical issues, each of our children was what I call answered prayer, and God receives all the glory.

     Finally, God calls us to pray without ceasing (1Thessalonians 5:17).  "Without ceasing" means to pray continually. It does not show lack of faith to keep bringing a concern before the Lord.  As He puts a person, situation or crisis before us, then, stop and take a moment to lift that up. Short prayers, long ones or in between are all important in God's eyes.  He delights to hear you call upon Him.  Even when we do not know what to say, the Holy Spirit helps us in speaking our hearts to the Lord (Romans 8:26-27).

     In these dark days we are facing when it seems the enemy of our soul is attacking our families, our nation or even our community, we must stand strong in the power of prayer.  It is a weapon that is far more effective than anything created by man for God is Sovereign over all the affairs of men, and we have His ear as believers.  May this encourage you today my friends!  Selah!

IT LOOKS SO GOOD ON THE OUTSIDE.....

     When our family gathers together, someone usually brings a game.  One holiday our youngest son brought a game to play with his brothers called Jelly Belly BeanBoozled.  Now we all know that Jelly beans can be delightful, but in this game, each person has to select one of two jelly beans to taste.  Some of the delicious flavors include:  marshmallow and cappuccino.  However, the other flavors include:  liver and onions, stinky socks, dead fish, booger, stink bug or old bandage.  Watching them play the game made us all laugh as we saw the expression on their face when they got one of the nasty jelly beans.  They all looked so good on the outside that it was impossible to tell which one to avoid!

     Games like this are good, clean fun, but it also reminds us of something else we have to face in this life: sin.  Just like the bright colors and attractive promise of good tasting candy, sin comes dressed up in very attractive ways.  It is not until we bite into it that we find the taste is not what we expected.  As my husband loves to say, "It all started in the Garden of Eden." Since that time, man has had to deal with  the reality of sin in our hearts.  Jeremiah puts it very bluntly (17:9): "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it?"  The Apostle Paul goes on to make it clear that "... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  Because we have this sin nature, we are not capable of living to God's glory based on our own good works.  Instead, we are dead in our sin, but the Good News is given to us as Paul goes on to say:  "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).  Even after our hearts are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, we still have the old nature that wants to give in to temptation.  It is a struggle as Paul describes in his own battle with the old flesh (Romans 7:15-25).

     What we all have to realize is that if we want to make the right choices in order to glorify the Lord, we need to make certain we are living according to the truth of His Word.  The Bible is the foundation of our faith and in its pages we learn who God is and who we are.  Not only that, we learn God's character and His laws which teach us how to live a holy and righteous life before Him.  When it comes to His character, we know that God is immutable (unchanging).  Therefore, we know that His Word is also unchanging.  We cannot delete passages we don't like or agree with.  We cannot claim that the Bible was written for a different time and now things have changed so we can ignore certain passages.  Some have claimed these very things, but God reminds us in Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever."  Jesus further confirms this in Matthew 24:35 when He says:  "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away."

     In the end, we can make all the excuses we want to concerning our behavior in light of the Bible, but sin is sin.  As believers, our obligation is to obey the Lord in all He has asked us to do morally, spiritually and in our thought life.  Jesus plainly told us, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."  He did not say "some of them", "those we like", or "only those in the New Testament".  We are to keep "all" of them that we might be holy as He is holy.

     Writing to encourage believers, the Apostle John wrote that we have a remedy for sin.  He said, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9.  Therefore, we can maintain a right standing with our Lord if we confess those times that we have broken His commandments in how we live.  The beauty of redemption is that before we came to Christ, we had no choice.  We were bound by sin.  In coming to Him, we now have the freedom to choose to obey Him or go our own way in defiance of His Word.  While we may want to candy coat sin, the taste will still be bitter to our lips just like the Jelly Belly game I referenced above.  Let us instead, choose the sweet taste of obedience that our lives will serve as a light to others and a glory to the Lord.  Selah!

Finding Peace in a Troubled World

     Lately, the news has been anything but encouraging.  A shooting at a Christian school, higher inflation with no end in sight, train derailments, murders, and child abuse seem to be the headlines that are trending in our news.  How cruel this world has become where evil seems to run rampant.  It can bring anyone to despair if we let our minds dwell on these frightening events.  Yet, has anything really changed?  According to King Solomon, we should not be surprised.  He writes in Ecclesiastes 1:9:  "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun."

 

   Even in the days that our Lord walked the earth, there was violence, murder and mayhem all around.  We can only imagine the depth of evil that was unleashed upon Jesus as he was savagely flogged, beaten and then crucified.  He, who knew no sin, became sin for us and took our punishment upon the cross.  While He made clear to the disciples what would happen, they still could not fathom the awful events to come.  As things unfolded, think how their hearts must have agonized as they witnessed the execution of the Messiah.  All their hopes for the deliverance of Israel suddenly crushed because their minds had been paralyzed by what they saw played out before them.  But then, came Sunday....the day of Resurrection. Hope is reborn anew on that day not just for the disciples but for all who trust in the name of Jesus Christ. This is why the Apostle Paul is able to pen some words in his letter to the Philippians that we all need to take to heart when the gloom and doom of this evil world system seems to overwhelm us.

     In the closing of his letter to this church, Paul gives the most heartfelt instructions to believers to help them see beyond daily circumstances.  In Chapter 4:4-7, he writes:  "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.  The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus."  Here he makes plain that if we want our minds to be at rest, we need to begin with prayer and thanksgiving.  When we release our concerns and worries to the Lord, He hears us and gives us a peace of mind that is unshakeable. Likewise, we should be rejoicing in the Lord each day because as we lift Him up we are also lifted up.  There is much to be thankful for in Christ!

     Paul goes on to write what is probably the richest instruction for all our hearts in verses 8-9:  "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.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."  Not only is this practical advice...it is critical in our world of high stress and devastating news.  So how do we fill our minds with good thoughts?

     First, turn off the T.V., radio, internet and social media for a while.  Read God's Word instead and keep your eyes focused on the Lord Jesus Christ.  This is true not just for the holiday celebrations of Christmas and Easter.  It is true for the whole year!  Filling our thoughts with God's Word will transform our minds and renew them.  A steady diet of tragedy, crime, political division and evil will only lead to despondency.  Instead, be proactive and as Paul said, "what you have learned, and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things".  While we cannot observe Paul in the flesh, we have the words which Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, we can learn, receive and see by the teaching of the Holy Spirit as we read the Bible.  Practicing our Christian faith, leads to God's peace in our lives.

     Secondly, spend some serious time in prayer telling God your concerns and worries.  He is sovereign and has promised to hear us when we call to Him in Jesus' name.  Then, we need to leave what we have told Him in His hands.  He is trustworthy.  He is immutable (unchanging), and He will never leave nor forsake us.  His answers are based on what we need...not on what we want.  However, giving ourselves in prayer to Him offers us a peace of mind not to be found anywhere else.

     Finally, we need to remember something which the disciples seemed to forget during the turmoil that led to the crucifixion of our Lord.  Sunday is coming!  For us, this means that Jesus is coming back for His bride, the church.  We do not know when but we know that His promises are certain.  His resurrection is proof positive and the giving of His Holy Spirit that dwells within us is a seal of the New Covenant made with believers.  As a result, stand firm.  Don't let the enemy of our soul fill our minds with negative thinking that tears us down.  Instead, follow and practice what the Lord has shown us in His Word and may the peace of God which passes all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ, Jesus!  Selah!