Show the Love

Mr. Bill and I enjoy a good clean film with lots of whizz-bang effects.  These movies have to be viewed on the big-screen; you just don’t get the full effect sitting in the living room!

How does one person show love and compassion to another person?  Of course, the feelings must be displayed in an audible, visional, verbal, or physical way.  If they’re not revealed in some fashion, they’re a mute point.  One of my favorite thoughts on this subject is, “silence is deafening.”  When we see someone in need and don’t express care or concern, it’s perceived as unconcerned, disinterested, uncaring.  Hurting people don’t “feel the love” perhaps because we don’t separate a person’s circumstances from a person’s heart.  A few days ago, I showed a bit of personal hurt to a fellow-Christian and was literally shrugged off as if what I felt was no big deal -- no audible, verbal, visional or physical expression of kindness, no care, no compassion, no comfort, no love.  The New Testament records several occasions when Jesus was “moved with compassion” for people.  His eyes were drawn to their hearts, not their situations or circumstances. If we are to practice love as John described in word, deed, and truth (1 John 3:18), we need to understand something.  When we encounter a troubled soul then ignore the hurt, turn from the sorrow, walk away from the grief, we “ain’t showing the love” to people and certainly God “ain’t feeling the love” from us.  We are called to be effective instruments of His healing, comfort, compassion, reconciliation, and restoration.  It’s how we … show the love.

Dear Lord,

Give me a spirit of utter devotion to You, making my eyes, hands, feet, mouth useful to showing Your love to others.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God's Fuse

The term “short fuse” is often used to describe a quick temper.  At our house, I admit to having the shortest fuse -- not a “short fuse,” only the “shortest.”  Thankfully, however, my guys are inherently slow to anger.  Even the idea of multiple Beverly-length fuses isn’t very appealing.

Something Christians have forgotten or choose to ignore is … God has a temper. We already know He’s slow to anger because of His grace and mercy toward our sinful state.  Galatians 6:7-8 distinctly counsels us to not be deceived -- God will not be mocked by misplaced allegiance to our sinful nature.  Furthermore, we are plainly warned regarding continued rebellion and disobedience in our lives. “He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.” (Psalm 103:2)  Think of young children you love to see come but also love to see go.  Those otherwise delightful little ones whose joyful presence is short-lived: rude, sassy, disrespectful, discourteous, disobedient, obnoxious.  My little boys used to ask why they had to remember their manners at home;  my answer was we practice at home so we’ll be good at it in public.  Like every good parent, The Father will not allow His real children to continue in waywardness.  In contrast, He is compassionate, steadfast, and loving to those who fear Him and keep His commandments. (V.13-18)  Short fuses can be tricky: they have varying degrees of quickness. In other words, ya don’t really know how much time you have before the “blast.”  How long does God tarry with rebellious and disobedient hearts?  Well, only He knows but the best defense is always a good offense: know God’s truth and walk in it … safely.

Dear Lord,

Forgive my rebellious spirit and disregard for Your Truth.  Write Your precepts upon my heart and guide my spirit into complete submission leading to blessed obedience and sweet fellowship with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Meditate

Have you heard the news?  Fifty thousand dollars designated to research how [if] meditation promotes compassion and kindness.   Spawned by research, it is believed that meditation [may] change brain-wave patterns.  When I was young, my daddy had pretty effective ways to change my brain-waves!

I propose such “big money” could certainly be better spent!  Meditation isn’t some new technique to change thinking or behavior.  Regarding His Truth, God told Joshua to not “turn from it to the right hand or to the left … wherever you go … mediate on it day and night.” (Joshua 1:7-8)  The dictionary defines “meditate” to contemplate, ponder, reflect upon but the Hebrew meaning goes much deeper. The Hebrew word for “meditate” means to “build.”  To meditate is to build an inner framework, girding one’s mind (every nook and cranny) with Godly concepts and ideas.  The Old Testament concept of meditation is keeping something in the front of the mind.  One Bible scholar wrote that “meditate is far too tame a word and better illustrated as chewed and swallowed, using teeth and tongue, stomach and intestines.”  The psalmist wrote the delight of the righteous is “in the law of the LORD,  and on his law they meditate day and night.” (Psalm 1:2)  God wasn’t just telling Joshua to think about His Word; he wanted Its truth to be the very structure of Joshua’s inner self influencing every part of life – yes, even brain-wave patterns.  Christians should know, with full confidence, the result of meditating on God’s Word.  It’s a changed heart, a renewed mind, with compassion & kindness only a few-of-the-many results.  Don’t wait for research results – go ahead & meditate.  You’ll see results right away!

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the beauty of Your Living Word and how it changes lives today as always.  Make it the meditation of my heart and mind today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Leaky Buckets

Henry sang, “There’s a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza; there’s a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, a hole.”  Liza sang back, “Then fix it, dear Henry, dear Henry, death Henry; then fix it, dear Henry, fix it.”  Henry answered, “With what shall I fix it, dear Liza, dear Liza; with what shall I fix it, dear Liza, with what?”  This cantata was [seemingly] endless and ended back at the original problem: the hole in the bucket!

Micah wrote, “With what shall I come before the Lord and bow myself before God on high?” (6:7)  This question carries a presumption: the Christian desires to come before the Lord, to bow down to God.  Furthermore, Verse 7 asks what “delights” the Lord.  My greatest fear is I do not ask these things of myself early or enough.  How deep into the day before I bow to and humble myself before The Father?  God answers this “with what” question: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God.” (V.8)  Here is righteous-living summed up: the Christian walk is not DIY (Do It Yourself)!  Righteous choices and decisions are never personal, selfish, or sinful  bias.  They are fleshed out in submitted and obedient hearts.  The new man, born-again, is no longer weighed down with the “spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” (Ephesians 2:2)  Henry and Liza never fixed the hole in their bucket and [as buckets go], it was pretty useless.  So it is with Believers who do not humble themselves to God’s Word and His divine purpose.  Much like the leaky bucket, we are ineffective in His service.  I challenge you today to seek God early and make bowing of heart and spirit a daily routine.  Let us be done with leaky buckets!

Dear Lord,

Bow my heart to Your Word, to Your Spirit, to Your Will.  Make me an useful and effective vessel for Your service.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Make Right A Priority

Mr. Bill loves his john boat.  He’s had it almost 40 years; it’s been painted and patched countless times, and has plenty of dings and dents.  However, it continues to do what john boats do – float and keep water out … well, mostly.

Do you know that doing what is right is a priority with God?  Difficult and unpopular usually hinder what is right.  That going-with-the-flow feels good and rocks very few boats.  Let’s face it -- swimming upstream just isn’t much fun!  The King of Egypt became concerned when Israel began to grow in number and strength so he ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill newborn Hebrew boys.  Well, read this: "But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive." (Exodus 1:17) Ha!  The midwives refused to do it!  The Hebrew word for fear is "yare" (yaw-ray) – not shaking-in-your-shoes fear rather a deep reverence for God.  Why would the midwives risk so much to disobey the king?  They held a deep respect for Jehovah God and desired pleasing Him more than anything.  It is very troubling how Christians choose to do what is wrong rather than right.  It is true, in some cases, God’s Way has become distorted by the world but to otherwise know what is right in God’s eyes yet do it not is indeed disturbing.  We have lost the "yare," that reverence for God and we lack intensity for living righteously.  We blink away difficult and unpopular and heartily embrace a go-with-the-flow mentality then justify our selfish ways among one another.  God rewarded the midwives' obedience: "Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. And so it was, because the midwives feared God, and He provided households for them." (1:20)  There is a higher more urgent call in our lives and it is critical Christians acknowledge it.  I have been out in Mr. Bill’s john boat a few times and once even stood up in the boat.  Whoa!  That was scary – won’t do that again!  God needs Christians, however, to stand up in the boat to testify to what is right and holy and honorable.  Yes, it can be scary and unpleasant and difficult and unpopular – necessary nonetheless. I challenge you today, to consider if you are walking in The Word, seeking to live righteously, speaking and doing what is right according to God’s Word.  Know what is right!  Live what is right!  Make right a priority!

Dear Lord,

Forgive me for not doing what is right and choosing wrong over right.  Help me, empower me today to just do what is right in Your eyes.  In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Sunny Side Up

How do you like your eggs?  If grits are on the menu ... Dustin wants his scrambled and Dennis, Bill and  Danny want theirs over-easy.  It's a tall order for this cook when she's cooking eggs.  It's hard to mess up scrambled eggs, but those over-easy requests are a bit tricky.  I've served many an over-easy with a smile, a disclaimer, and an "oops, sorry." 

Staying joyful through the "oops, sorry" times of life is also quite tricky.  Satan is at every turn just waiting to pounce on us bursting our utopia of joy until it scatters like that egg yolk, and it's just about as difficult to get it back.  So, what's the trick?  Consider all that happens joy -- even the "oopsies" and the "sorries" of life!  James 1:2-3 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops

perseverance."  The mastery of life here on this earth depends on how well we  learn to remain on the sunny side even when all around us is dismal gray.  I like this saying, "Keep your face to the Son, and you cannot see the shadows."  What wonderful words to carry around from day to day.  As my Dustin used to tell me, "underline them in your brain!"

Dear Lord,

The sunny side is not always so obvious.  Keep my face toward You, and point my feet in that same direction.  Keep me ever mindful that often there are others following after me.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Know-It-All-Nots

Have you ever met anyone who just seemed to know something about everything?  What really come to mind are a few people I know who are full of otherwise useless information!  I mean, who cares Donald Duck was banned in Finland because he doesn’t wear pants; or a dime has 118 ridges around its edge; or two-thirds of the world’s eggplant is grown in New Jersey;  or a snail can sleep for three years?  Now, don’t you just feel so informed!  J

For sure, if given a chose, none of us would choose paths riddled with struggles.  God told the Prophet Jeremiah, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.”  (33:3)  Those journeys of life, which seem intolerable, God prepares as opportunities for us to turn to Him.  Those are the times we hear the voice of our soul, urging us to draw everything we need from Christ.  That is also when we learn how He is hears and faithfully responds, enabling us to carry on in His grace.  It’s those less-traveled paths where we see the promised “mighty things” we’d never have seen, experienced, learned had we traveled our own way.   You see, no matter how much we THINK we know, we’re really know-it-all-nots.  The Father, however, knows and sees it all none of which is ever useless!

Dear Lord,

Strengthen my resolve for life, rooted restfully in Your sovereign grace.  Remind me continuously of the sweetness of the journey.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Down-Shift

When’s the last time someone said to you, “no hurry?”  I’m having to think about that one myself!  My mind goes back to the school mornings when Dustin (Twin B) and I waited in the car, less-than-patiently, for Dennis (Twin A).  Dennis never seemed to get in a hurry and honking the horn, yelling out the window, threatening to leave him did nothing to shift him into another gear.  He really only had two speeds in those early years: slow and stopped.

Manual transmissions aren’t the norm any more, but even automatic transmissions will shift the motor into a lower gear.   The hectic pace of our lives, factored with busy schedules, doesn’t always allow us to down-shift.  There is, however, a divine order of peace for the heart for every speed-of-life.  That divine order is peace.  Lamentations 3:26 says, “It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.”  Isn’t that verse relaxing? Soothing? Calming?  In and through God’s grace, anxieties and perplexities dissolve into peace.  No matter what speed-of-life you’re traveling, heed The Savior and enjoy the down-shift of divine grace.

Not so in haste, my heart; have faith in God, and wait –

Although He linger long, He never comes too late.

Dear Lord,

Grant me a spirit tuned to Your own, unhastened by this world.  Make me know the richness of our journey filled with sweet fellowship. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Can't Turn It Off

Several years ago Mr. Bill had to replace an outside water faucet because I couldn’t turn it off. All I really remember after turning the water on is a lot of splashing, hopping and hollering. The whole incident made me have to lie down.

We cannot fully comprehend how God loves to hear our praise because to praise Him is to acknowledge the truly wonderful things about Him.  Just to mention a few ...

... He is our strength and my salvation (Exodus 15:2)

... He has done truly great and wonderful things (Deuteronomy 10:21)

... He has done marvelous works (Psalm 9:1)

... He is our strength and shield, He is trustworthy (Psalm 28:7)

... He is our hope (Psalm 42:11)

... He is our exceeding joy (Psalm 43:4)

... He is good (Psalm 52:9)

... He is our deliverer (Psalm 54:6)

... He is full of lovingkindness (Psalm 63:3)

Just like the tune from Oz ... "because, because, because, because, because ... because of the wonderful things He does!"  Imagine hearts so filled with

thanksgiving and praise like that outside faucet that was gushing, overflowing, and puddlin' up all around.  Consider the endless blessings in our lives when we just couldn't turn it off!

Dear Lord,

Give me a heart that so full-to-overflowing, others see & hear Christ instead of me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Other-World Thinking

You've heard someone described as having "nerves of steel." Yes, a steady hand is sure "handy" if you're a surgeon. I really prefer to know my dentist isn't having an especially nerve-shattering day!

Believers should be known as having nerves of steel. Of course, we know it's not veins of ice water that causes calm in the middle of chaos. No, it's ... other-world-thinking.  "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet  that I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better." (Philippians 1:21-24)  While we don't like to think of dying, for Believers it's a win-win situation! Living here is Christ and living beyond is  even more Christ -- an eternity with Him. Isn't what a committed Child of God desires! Do you know how people face tragedy with hope and victory? They apply other-world-thinking.  We are certainly challenged to think and live

accordingly. A thinking pattern like that encourages us to persevere in the Grace of The Father and live on and on and on and on and on ...

Dear Lord,

Thank You for saving my soul, and giving me a home in Your eternal tomorrow. May I embrace the full essence of that hope and victory here on earth and

live empowered. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Certainties

Some things we assume are certain. For example, when did you last wonder [before you sat in it] if a chair would collapse? When were you last unsure [before you flipped it] a light switch would produce light? Did you hesitate before you turned the knob on the faucet, wondering if water would come out?  See, there are assumptions of certainties in our lives.

God is many things, but He is certainly ... certain. Uncertainties are certain today: fathers do not always come home, children do not always bring honor, healthy lifestyles do not always guarantee good health, wealth and happiness are not always best friends. For those who have His Spirit, however, a life of uncertainties is full of opportunities for divine work. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:7-11)   Know this, friend, God is in control. When we trust in Him, uncertainties become certainties, impossibilities become possibilities.  Just trust Him. Oswald Chambers writes, "God is my Father, He loves me, and I will never think of anything that He will forget, so why should I worry?" There will be certain dark moments, but not darkness. Discouragement will come, but not hopelessness. Sorrow and pain pass through, but joy remains. There is always perfect rest, perfect peace in the One who is for ... certain.

Dear Lord,
I praise You and thank You for being my Stronghold -- that which is certain in a world of uncertainty. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Carry It Well

Hunting trips for Mr. Bill always have potential to be truly adventurous – that’s one reason I don’t participate.  On one such trip several months ago, he had a flat tire on his trailer [carrying his four-wheeler] … with no spare. A kind lady allowed him to leave his trailer & ATV in her yard, and off he went to find a new tire. Several hours later of unsuccessful shopping, being caught in a motorcycle rally (twice), a no-moving line at the Dairy Queen, he finally found the correct tire, retrieved his trailer & four-wheeler, then completed the 30-minute task on his club land.  Whew! 

A few weeks ago, Dennis and I saw a man carrying a wooden cross on the sidewalk in town.  Not a common sight, rather one that makes you look twice then ponder why does he do that?  Jesus spoke of a virtual cross in Luke 9:23, but His words refer to real-life crosses we all must bear if we will be true followers of Christ.  “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”  That cross may be living with an illness in joyful humility; extending patience and kindness to a difficult and insensitive co-worker; sacrificing personal time to minister to someone in need; doing without some luxuries to support a full-time missionary; staying in a troubled marriage to honor a commitment. J. H. Newman wrote, “To take up the cross of Christ is no great action done once for all; it consists in the continual practice of small duties which are distasteful to us.”  Whether we CAN do these small duties isn’t really the question most of the time; rather, it’s can we do them with and in the joy and spirit of Christ Jesus.  Mr. Bill commented about the cross God had given him that Saturday morning, and he hoped he had carried it well.  I suggest that perhaps when each morning we receive our special cross from the hands of The Father, we ask “why this cross, Lord?”  Know there is a reason – He knows exactly what He desires “this cross” to accomplish in us and for Him.  Take it up, carry it well, glorify Christ.

Dear Lord,

Cause my spirit to rejoice in the cross you have given unto me, and strengthen me by Your grace to bear it well according to Your purpose. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Your Place

Mr. Bill unlocked his cabinet for me once -- THE cabinet where he secures his stuff. This special cabinet appeared suddenly following a rather lengthy period of family life when various items [he deemed important] were found scattered in the yard, the woods, the porch, under beds … well,  the list of places isn’t  really important.  Now, however, these items have a special home with their very own Mr-Bill “home” security system.

Everyone needs a good hiding place!  It wasn’t exactly a great hiding place but when the boys were young, I escaped to the bathroom for an occasional mama-moment.  A co-worker of mine found a great spot a few weeks ago behind several tall stacks of computer boxes.  It became that place where he could sit to gather his thoughts, make a few notes, and breathe!  Psalm 32:7 says God IS that perfect hiding place for His children; there, He preserves us from trouble and surrounds us with shouts of deliverance.  Sounds perfect to me!  It’s also a place of tremendous security.  Now, Mr. Bill’s security system for his stuff is pretty secure considering he has the only key but a security breach is possible if someone else gets the key.  Not so with The Father, in Him there is impeccable (faultless, flawless) security and the only sound we hear is: Deliverance!  Deliverance! Deliverance!  How sweet that sound and how perfect that place!

Dear Lord,

You are my hiding place and I rejoice in the refuge, comfort, and restoration I find in You.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

No Spills

Like many Americans, sometimes I eat my breakfast on the way to the office.  I pour my drink, usually milk, into a cup then secure it with a lid.  Child-spills are no longer a concern, but I’ve found I can spill real good all by myself!

Wouldn’t it be great if we could put a lid on the joy of Christ, just to keep it inside!  Oswald Chambers wrote that the “cares of this world will choke God’s word.”  The problem most Believers face is we think and feel out of my circumstances. Sometimes my circumstances stink, and what I think and feel about them … well, that stinks too!  The joy of Christ, however, does not stink nor does it produce stinking attitudes and spirits.  Jesus speaks about He produces, “that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." (John 15:11)  The remaining, maintaining, containing His joy is indeed the struggle for us.  The JOY REMAINS only when WE REMAIN “hidden with Christ in God.”  (Colossians 3:3)  We cannot expect to be filled with the joy Christ spoke of [and delivers] if we are filled with selfish ambition.  Do you really want to put a lid on it?  Then stop living in your circumstances and start living in the hidden compound of Christ.  No “spills” there!

Dear Lord,

Take my eyes away from me-my-mine and re-focus them on You and You alone, resting completely in Your goodness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.