The Sweat

Do you sweat or perspire?  If you lived during Victorian times, you heard “Horses sweat, men perspire, and women glow.”  From what I read, the Oxford English dictionary didn’t list the word “glow” as a synonym for “sweat” or “perspire.”  The word “glow” does, however, have a much more delicate and refined sound!

Sweat, perspire, or glow – call it what you will; it happens in the heat.  Why, I can produce “skin vapors” reading the newspaper!  Believers tend to be opposed to pain, sorrow, and tears, preferring a much happier state of being.  Through Isaiah, God spoke to a disobedient Israel, calling them obstinate, idolatrous, and rebellious.  Just as a father corrects a child, for the sake of His own glory, God put His people on the anvil and used a hammer.  “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10)  Oh, the complaining, depression, and weakening faith the furnace generates!  Charles H. Spurgeon wrote, “Some of you are like ferns. You only flourish in the damp and in the shade; too much sunlight would not be good. Your Master knows that if He put you where you would like to be, it would be deadly.”  [What!  No AC!]  James writes, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (1:2-3)  I don’t know for sure but I will conclude sweat glands produce … sweat.  Of this I am certain, however: a little PERSPIRATION (or SWEAT) in God’s refining fire produces a righteous GLOW and I’m eternally good with that!

Dear Lord,

Give me a spirit of total submission to the difficulties I face so You can produce in me something holy and beautiful.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

No Scorecard

I learned scorekeeping at an early age.  My earliest memory is earning $1 for posting metal numbers on a centerfield scoreboard at church softball games.  Soon Dad taught me how to keep the official scorebook and he depended on me to do that at church softball and basketball games.  I never quite figured out if learning to keep score was a blessing or a curse!

 

God isn’t into scorekeeping.  Hallelujah for that because we’d all be losers!  In fact, Jesus taught us to throw away the scorecard altogether!  “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)  Living for Christ isn’t some trivial game of win or lose; it’s serious and faithful pursuit of righteousness.  We’re commanded to return good for evil even though we don’t feel like it and we figure others don’t deserve it.  For Christians, the first look must be inward at our own contribution to the cost of redemption. Ponder, if you will, except for Christ our own wickedness would bring us to ruin.  Jesus was completely blameless yet evil men handed Him over to die, paying my sin debt; He saved me from myself as I could not!  There was no justice at Calvary, only redemption made possible by compassion and mercy of The Father.  Yes, sin is ugly and its consequences ruthless, however, let us be cautious not to invoke some mock form of justice.  Christ’s response to evil is love, blessing, goodness, and prayer toward those fallen into sin which, except for grace, is easily our own story.  Personally, I find it needful to lay down that scorecard of self-righteousness just so I can deal with the wickedness of my own heart through confession and repentance.  Then I claim His promise, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)  Not sinless -- just perfectly peaceful and joyful.  Then, I know, no scorekeeping is definitely a blessing!

 

Dear Lord,

Forgive me for harshly judging others; give me a humble and gentle spirit, and teach me to be an instrument of peace and joy.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

Lay It Down

Have you ever held on to something knowing you should let go of it?  Mr. Bill doesn’t like cats, but I do, and actually had a couple of cats (much to Mr. Bill’s disdain).  On one occasion, we were having dinner on the porch and I wanted to put the cat inside to which the cat did not agree.  It was a battle of sheer endurance: the more the cat struggled, the tighter my grip became.  Well, I won and had battle scars to prove it!

Have you ever found yourself in a situation and thought:  I didn’t sign up for this!  Simon of Cyrene had traveled hundreds of miles to attend Passover in Jerusalem then found himself in, well … a situation!  Scripture tells us when Jesus fell underneath the weight of the cross on his way to crucifixion, the soldiers ordered Simon to carry it the rest of the way.  Luke 23:26 says they “laid the cross” on him.  Wrong place, wrong time?  No, I say not!  Forced to carry that 125-pound crossbeam, Simon arrived at a place where he could bear it no more; a place where only the work of a Savior could be done. There at Calvary, the Father “ … made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).  You see, more than the weight of a crossbeam was lifted at Calvary – the weight of sin was forever removed!  Yes, the weight of our own sin and circumstantial sins of life – those cares that weight us down to points of despair.  Perhaps right now, your heart heavy and downcast.  You’ve heard, “you need not bear it alone,” but the truth is … you need not bear it AT ALL!  The more I struggled with that cat, the more scarred I became and it was so unnecessary.  Such are the crosses we struggle to bear here.  Oh, dear friend, whatever the struggle – the burden – the care … lay it down. Lay it down because burdens are lifted at Calvary!  “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” Psalm 68:19

Dear Lord,

Praise be to Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, for His marvelous finished work at Calvary.  May it ever be my life song!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Stop the Wind

Contrary isn’t a word we hear used much although I heard it a’plenty growing up. Being called contrary wasn’t a good thing.  Actually, it was usually a warning!

 

Jesus’ disciples’ found themselves in a boat in troubled waters due to a “contrary wind.”  (Matthew 14:22-32)  The wind was against them!  It’s pretty common to find ourselves in our own little boats contending with contrary or opposing winds, which take many forms: difficult relationships, dishonesty, corruption, jealousy, strife, fear, etc.  As we try to stand and move forward, we can at times literally feel forces of evil pushing against us.  This describes the wind the disciples faced on the sea; their faith became small and fear invaded.  Even as Jesus approached the boat, they screamed in fear, “It’s a ghost.”  This exclamation actually made me laugh but … only briefly.  Are not my own fears and lack of faith absurd in regard to the very power and many promises of God!  “But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’” (V.27)   Verse 32 says when Jesus got into the boat, the wind stopped. What contrary wind are you facing right now?  Do you feel you are walking into gale forces even losing ground?  Listen closely and hear the One Who only has to speak … to stop the wind!

 

Dear Lord,

I give You all my fears because You are willing and able to sustain me in every time of trouble.  Help me replace doubt with genuine faith. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessed Conveyor

Probably my favorite "I Love Lucy" episode is when she & Ethel have jobs in a  chocolate factory.  Their reactions to the ever-increasing speed in which  the chocolates come down the conveyor are hilarious. Chocolate coming towards me at any speed, however, is quite delectable!

 

Paul wrote in Romans 14:17 the kingdom of God is "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."   Oh, the things that entice me to doubt The Father’s sovereignty and faithfulness.  In Verse 19, Paul tells us to "pursue the things which make for peace." What an idea to step away from life’s stuff that allures and misleads (much like chocolate) only to find abundant peace and joy. Imagine yourself standing instead at a conveyor in a joy factory!  When we seek to live and walk with Christ (Galatians 5:25), we experience delectable fruits of His Spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (V.22-23). The richness of Himself just keeps coming and coming to us the more time we spend in His Presence. Oh my, what a blessed conveyor!

 

Dear Lord,

How wonderful it is to know this life is not all there is!  You have made it possible for me to live here victoriously then enjoy eternity with You.  Make my life a poured-out offering of praise.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God's Churning

Homemade ice cream is a real summer treat!  Before churns, freezers, and store bought cartons, my grandfather made ice cream in metal ice trays with a little milk, sugar & vanilla.  His homemade ice cream was delicious, big fun for a little girl, and now a delightful childhood memory!

 

God is churning us day-by-day into His work of art.  It's the mixture and churning of blessings, trials, joys, and disappointments that brings about the delicacy of His character in us.  We tend to feel better when we scream, kick, pout, and whine but in the end we learn how much better it would have been to just let Him do His Work and have His way in us.  The Psalmist wrote, "My son, give me thine heart ... " (Psalm 23:26)   You see, that’s what He wants most!  The screaming, kicking, pouting, and whining only makes a scene and leaves us discouraged and bewildered.  His recipe really is best, and it’s always best to let Him do the churning!

 

Dear Lord,

Humble me to the point of submission, and do Your Best Work – recreate Yourself within me.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

How's Your Flame?

Growing up in the country, we burned our trash in a barrel.  Although Dad told us to stir the fire so the trash would burn all the way to the bottom, we didn’t do that [so well].  Really!  Who wants to stand and watch trash burn? 

 

God gave instructions to Moses regarding the fire upon the altar, “The fire shall be burning continually upon the altar; it shall not go out.”  A burn-barrel fire eventually burns out, even if you stir it from the bottom!   How easily and quickly a Christian’s zeal for righteousness begins to smolder. Even those of deep faith and avid love for Christ can experience embers rather than flames.  So, how do we keep the Godly fire alive in our hearts?  A seeking heart always finds what it seeks as it pertains to The Father and His righteousness. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)  Truthfully, it is the only way to keep Christ alive and well in our lives. Worldly interests will be constant enemies to seeking God. Scripture is the only fitting fuel for the seeking heart, and God’s Word stirs the spiritual flame.  Now, Dad was our model for how to stir the burn-barrel; it was an art with him! He would stand and stir as long as necessary!  How’s your spiritual flame?  Are you burning or are you smoldering in your zeal for righteousness?  Don’t let the fire of your faith diminish. Pursue God continually and faithfully through His Word to fan the flame of your heart.  It’s the only way to burn!

 

Have a blessed weekend.  Miles of Smiles, Beverly

The Right Diet

What are Graham crackers made of?  Do you know?  They are made of graham flour, which is simply whole wheat flour.  It was promoted by a nineteenth-century Presbyterian minister named Sylvester Graham.  He traveled through the United States preaching and promoting eating a healthy diet, which he also believed led to a virtuous & wholesome life.

God's Word says the world will see His righteousness when His Children embrace His Truth.  Unfortunately, it takes much more than a glass of milk and Graham crackers to make one righteous and holy.  Psalm 119:173-176 says, "Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts. I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my delight. Let my soul live that it may praise You, and let Your ordinances help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.”  All of me must be measured by God's principles, not the world’s.  Only a daily diet of His Word produces godliness.  Sorry Mr. Graham, it's the only diet that works for righteousness!

Dear Lord,

Lead me in the way of righteousness by seeking You early in the morning, and keep me near the cross through the day.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Wink or Bark?

Dogs aren’t the only animals that bark.  According to Mr. Bill, squirrels and chipmunks love to bark at deer hunters.  Not only is the barking annoying to a hunter, it warns other animals (including deer) of danger.  The barking, however, does [unknowingly] put the little barkers in imminent danger!

What angers you?  For me, it’s usually petty annoyances which tend to strike early and intensify throughout the day.  What doesn’t sin make me mad?  More specifically, my own sin?  Spurgeon wrote, “He who is not angry at transgression becomes a partaker in it.”  I fear Believers wink rather than bark at sin.  God said, “Ye that love the Lord, hate evil … “ (Psalm 97:10)  Now, I personally do not like tomatoes (yeah, yeah, I know … ) and because I don’t like them, I don’t grow them, buy them, can them, put them on my plate or in my mouth.  The reason for these choices is clear and simple – I do not like tomatoes!  If I love the Lord, I will love what He loves and hate what He hates; thus, hate sin.  Christians are to be troubled, sad, even weep at their sin; “let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.” (James 4:9)  In other words, sin is no laughing matter!  Don’t laugh or wink at it.  Those little forest creatures know the hunter, high in the tree and hidden amongst the leaves, represents danger so they sound the alarm. Sin is real and the threat to godliness.  The choice is ours -- wink or bark?

Dear Lord,

Show me the sinfulness of my heart; keep it ever before me so I may be broken and humbled in Your sight, O Lord, my Redeemer.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Happy Days

Buck Owens and Roy Clark made famous the song, "Gloom, despair, and agony on me. Deep, dark depression, excessive misery. If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all. Gloom, despair, and agony on me."   Why do you suppose, despite the words, we find this song so much fun to sing!  ???

God's rich gift of grace through Christ and His finished work of salvation are the only songs Believers should sing.  Yet, yet, yet … these tunes seem as difficult to pass our lips as the word “sorry” was for Fonzie on “Happy Days.”  Eighteen of Monica Doddridge’s babies were stillborn. Yes, eighteen babies!  When Philip,  arrived, he, too appeared stillborn but suddenly cried out.  That’s when Monica made up her mind to raise Philip for the Lord. As a young boy, he sat on Monica's knees at the fireplace learning the history of the Bible and lessons from Scripture. Philip is remembered today for nearly 400 hymns including:

O happy day that fixed my choice on Thee, my Savior and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice, and tell its raptures all abroad.
Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away!
He taught me how to watch and pray, and live rejoicing every day.
Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away!

Dear Lord,
Cast away from me the heaviness of gloom and despair and give me a joyful heart fixed completely on Your salvation for my lost and sinful soul.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.