His Thoughts -- Yours!

Do you know the average person is estimated to have about 50,000 thoughts each day.  Whoa!  I'm tired just thinking about that!

God has definite thoughts towards His children!  His thoughts are always divine.  He says in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."  Isn’t that wonderful!  Satan loves to get in the middle of our thought process, generating torrents of negative thinking.  He uses bitterness, jealousy, indifference, and the like to effectively dismantle peacefulness in our hearts and minds.  The truth is our thoughts do not have to control us!  Instead we can be persuaded by thinking upon what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8).  By God’s grace, it’s possible to conquer thoughts that trample our peace.  We can claim God's promise to " ... meditate on these things ... and the God of peace will be with you." (4:8b & 9)  In a more divine state of heart, we are open to know God's wisdom as well as be comforted by His thoughts of love and hope for us.  Get in The Word and know His Thoughts toward you and His Thoughts will become your own!

Matter of Faith

How many times have words left our lips to reveal oh-less-than-gracious moments!  Like the man who notices the u-Haul truck full of boxes in his neighbor’s drive, and asks “Hey, you moving?”  (Neighbor answers, “Nope. We just pack up once or twice a week just to see how many boxes it takes.)  Abraham Lincoln put it like this: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”

How often does our own foolishness hinder our faith?  Oswald Chambers writes, “Every time you venture out in the life of faith, you will find something in your common-sense circumstances that flatly contradicts your faith. Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual.”  How easy and practical our faith is when life is easy – those sweet moments when there’s money-in-the-bank, all mechanical things are functioning, and relationships are peaceful. Such are the times we stand confidently on the mountain top and [with Paul] exclaim “My God will supply all my needs …” (Phil 4:19)  Then comes the valley-days when the mountain top seems long ago, far away, and unrealistic compared to present circumstances. That’s when common sense wants to take over faith. We must ask ourselves if we have confidence required to bear the pending test of faith?   Matthew writes, “But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.” (13:21).  Our foolishness nor our faith won’t be revealed so much in what we say but rather in what we do.  Let what we do affirm with Jeremiah, ““Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.” (17:7).  Make your life’s way a matter of faith!

Praise Him Early!

What would you write on a blank piece of paper to be tucked inside a bottle then tossed into the ocean?

How about praise words of God!  What would fit no matter who took the paper from the bottle, who unrolled it, and who read it?  How about praise – it fits!  Praise – the perfect fit for the morning. Praise – the best day-starter regardless of how tough it was getting out of bed or whether I like my hair or my clothes or my makeup or anything else in the new day.  Psalm 22:3 says God inhabits the praise of His people so when we praise He is nearby. There’s no better way to begin each day than praise.  Start the day right – praise Him early!

The Healer

Shortly after Mr. Bill & I married, I decided I should be his hunting buddy.  One afternoon Mr. Bill, his beagle (named “Beagle”), and I took the shotgun to target practice.  I don’t recall knowing beforehand the “targets” would be birds but when the first one fell, I was crushed!  No, I am not Mr. Bill’s hunting buddy.

The world is full of wounded people struggling with life.  Many of the wounded are our neighbors, coworkers, friends, family, and children.  How often we pass them by with little concern or acknowledgement that we know The One Who IS salvation from the struggle and IS healing to the wounds.  Malachi described Christ as the “sun of righteousness … with healing in His wings,” (4:2) then Isaiah tells us His Salvation will cause “the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” (35:6).  Matchless and measureless grace for those in need!  My recommendation for the wounded blackbird involved a trip to the vet – that didn’t “fly” (no pun intended).  Will you tell someone of The Healer today?  The Great Physician knows each wounded one and longs to bring healing. Will we tell someone of The Healer today?

Remember Yourself

It is perhaps one of the greatest fears of parents: their offspring will behave in public like they behave at home!  Humorously described as the place where you can scratch where it itches, home is not the public place.  There were many car-lectures given little boys neatly buckled in the back seat about expected behavior.  And, yes, there were some less-than-lovely moments when little boys forgot themselves and the car-lectures.

Too many Christians live like their “rememberers” are broken!  Mr. Bill suffers from short-term memory loss resulting from chemotherapy, and he’s quick to use this “handy” reminder.  And, what can I say?  There is, however, little excuse for those who claim Christ yet live un-Christ-like.  Sure, we fail and fall many times but Christians simply do not practice sin!  Paul wrote, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived …” (1 Corinthians 6:9a). He then gives quite the list of sinful behaviors/lifestyles before concluding in Verse 11, “And such were some of you. But ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”  The washing wasn’t a personal clean-up act but spiritual regeneration by God, and Paul intended to remind the Christians at Corinth that “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Verse 9)  Oh that, beginning with me, we remember ourselves and the Name by which we’re called so that we represent Him well.  “Sorry, I don’t remember” may work for Mr. Bill … sometimes … but for those who love and fear Christ there must be no forgetfulness of the tremendous love God has for us and the price of our redemption.  Today, and always, diligently … remember yourself!

Miles of Smiles, Beverly

www.morningwithbeverly.blogspot.com

God's Poverty Level

Americans love to collect stuff.  If it were true, "the one with the most  stuff wins," most of us are real contenders!

God isn't at all interested in stuff. He cares, rather that we are in total poverty. Actually, we are most useful to God when we are destitute – spiritually speaking, of course. He knows how easily puffed up we are by the “stuff” we possess. How very opposite of how God needs us to be.  Jesus said in Mark it was easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for us to not love and be ruled by our “stuff.” God desires us be totally dependent on Him, not bank accounts, careers, family, friends, and … stuff.  Oswald Chambers puts it like this: "God's friendship is with people who know their poverty"  When we’re serious about being effective and useful servants of Christ, we must empty ourselves.  Then, we are open and useful for His purposes.  No, this isn't very popular and not the world's way, but it's very simple. Consider today whether you are living on God's poverty level.

Do What Is Due

Do's and dues are inescapable.  Window envelopes remind us of due dates, labor pains remind expectant mothers what they must do, and early-morning alarms alert alert us where we are due by a certain time.  If you think about it, life is full of do's and dues.

What is God due?  Psalm 29:2 says He is due "glory due unto His Name."  What does God get from us?  Hmmm, let me think – whining, apathy, slothfulness, neglect.  Perhaps we don’t fully understand the Nature of God that leaves us unable to render Him what is rightly due. Charles Spurgeon writes, “God is glorious in His Character, for there is such a store of everything that is holy, and good, and lovely in God, that He must be glorious." Truth is, God is due all glory – all the time. It's ours to do what is due Him!  Let us joyfully and faithfully … DO what is DUE!

Wrapped

Several years ago, wraps became a popular food item.  Neatly “wrapped” inside a tortilla are your choices of meat, veggie(s), and seasoning or sauce.  Now, you should have guessed, Mr. Bill doesn’t do wraps.  For him, wraps go in the same File 13 as eggplant and  yogurt.  His words would be, “I would not eat that with your mouth.”

Life is certainly not like a wrap.  Sure, we like to have our lives neatly packaged but it’s just not like that.  Wraps can be tasty, but sometimes there’s just no good way to eat them.  All those delicious insides … well, they tend to fall out!  Do you find yourself working to avoid problems?  How’s that working out?  Problems, struggles, storms are all part of living.  We must not expect (nor pray for) God to wrap us in some sort of spiritual wrap with only good things!   No, He uses the hard things and times to shape us into His image.  So, what’s our response to life outside the wrap?  Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  Peace and rest in midst of the storms come from One Source – Jesus Christ.  We can battle against the winds [of life], and all you’ll get is exhaustion and bad hair!  To trust and obey, rather, results in deep satisfaction in Who Jehovah is and all He promises those who … trust and obey.  Me, messy or not, I like a good wrap and I am confident of the One Who knows and allows every storm in this life.  It is He Who wraps [sustains] me in His constant love and care, and calms the tumult.  And, that’s a real Wrap!

Live With Purpose

All things that go round-and-round are not the same!  Wheels go round-and-round and take you from one place to another.  Merry-go-rounds, on the other hand, go round-and-round but you go nowhere except … round-and-round.  Fun, maybe, but nowhere!

Does life seem like a round-and-round to you?  Each evening we set the alarm, it goes off the same time each morning, we spend the allotted time to shower-dress-eat-drive, do-the-day, then it’s soon time to set the alarm again.  Round-and-round we go, where it ends nobody knows!  The wise King Solomon wrote, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)  Sounds like a riddle, but it is not!  In Ecclesiastes, Solomon compares the life of a person without God and one with a God-centered focus.  He writes of pursuits for knowledge, pleasure, riches, service, and labor, calling them all “vanities.”  All of life is indeed vanity -- fleeting and elusive like a mist or vapor – when Almighty God is not the Centrifuge.  “For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the Hand of God.” (Ecclesiastes 9:1a).  As repetitive and boring as it may seem, when we turn the alarm off each morning, there is purpose.  That purpose is to shine the Light of Christ “before men, that they may see” His good works through us then glorify The Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16).  Such a life is not vanity; it a focused life!  Don’t let the round-and-round lull you to indifference  Live today with purpose!

Oh! Be Little!

Chicken Little wasn't exactly happy with his "little" chicken self.  Most people I know who are little (as in short) wouldn’t choose that height for themselves.  I am 5'8" and have never considered myself short nor especially tall, however, I find myself struggling to reach things shoved to the depths of my kitchen cabinets. It is, therefore, especially sweet there are tall people living here although I must endure some verbal abuse about being ... short.

G. Tersteegen wrote "how lovely it is to be nothing when God is all."  Most of us behave much "too big for our britches," something I heard much about as a child.  Taking that attitude with Granny was risky business but guaranteed trouble with God.  Getting taken down "a notch or two" by Granny's switch is quite mild compared to God's lessons in humility.  These lessons are necessary, however, when I become wrapped up in me-myself-I, losing all usefulness to God -- quite a contrast to the character of Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 14:5 says, "Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not." There are delightful blessings in littleness no matter what Chicken Little thinks.  Oh! Just ... be little!

Amazin' Praizin'

Being the center of attention is a joyful place for some people, but for others it is uncomfortable. Being in the spotlight is not where Mr. Bill likes to be: his facial features change -- his otherwise unnoticeable high cheekbones appear and his forehead turns a bit pink.  He doesn't particularly like being the subject of these devotionals either!

Aside from Christ Jesus Who is the Foundation of our faith, what is the center of abundant living for you?  What keeps you centered?  Some believe Psalm 117 to be the middle of the Bible: "Praise the LORD, all nations! Extol Him, all peoples! For great is His steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD! (ESV). Whether this short song is really the center of God's Word or not, it certainly should serve as the center of our daily focus.  One who is truly grateful cannot ALSO be negative.  One who is focused on the good cannot ALSO be focused on the bad.  One who is praising cannot ALSO be complaining.  There's a song titled, "It's Amazing What Praising Can Do."  Go ahead, have an amazin' day -- devote it to praizin'.

Bitter or Better

It’s an interesting observation, and I know when it’s happened.  That is, when the guys know they’ve crossed the proverbial “line” with Mama.  The snickering, mumbling, and tip-toeing starts.  Oh, yeah, they think it’s funny and big-fun!

Oswald Chambers refers to times when we “sulk” with God.  Such a notion seems ridiculous but maybe … not so ridiculous.  Think about when we step out-of-line (disobey) and the consequences of our sinful choices serve us muck.  Oh, we’re quick to blame the devil and ask God for deliverance yet we’re totally oblivious to what caused the mess!  God’s Word says, “And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons?  My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him.” (Hebrews 12:5, Amplified Bible).  Mr. Bill calls this being handed “just enough rope to hang yourself,” but God calls it sanctification.  His rebuke and reproof are calls attention to the sin-root in our lives, not to humiliate but to humble us but to make us holy. Chambers writes, “Sanctification is not my idea of what I want God to do for me; sanctification is God’s idea of what He wants to do for me.” Although it’s big-fun to act it, I’ve learned not to pout with the guys; I love them and I know they love me!  That’s how it is with The Father Who loves His children and sees His way to accomplish only what benefits them and deepens His relationship with them. God’s correction in our lives will make us bitter or better – the choice is ours!

Listen and Hear!

Hear this!  Listen!  Have you heard?  Turn it up!  So many things battle for our hearing!  Men are usually [rightly] accused of “selective hearing,” but truthfully – we’re all guilty!

Which do you find more difficult: waiting on the LORD to speak or hearing Him when He does speak?  Wow, that’s a tough one!  We’re not patient people in a right-now world.  When the Internet doesn’t give us an immediate answer, we wonder what’s crashed on the information highway!  When God does speak, do we hear Him or are we even listening?  It seemed all Elijah could hear was a’screamin’ Jezebel vowing to kill him.  Shut away in hiding, God came to Elijah in a strong wind, in an earthquake, and in a fire, but finally spoke in a “still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:11-12).  The television character, Thomas Magnum (Magnum PI), heard a “little voice” inside to himself.  I’m fairly certain Magnum wasn’t referring to God’s Voice, but Believers who maintain intimate fellowship with The Father enjoy sweet conversation regularly.  You see, selective hearing is a grand thing when we’re listening intently for the Voice of The One Who loves us so.  Jesus said His sheep hear (recognize) His voice. (John 10:27).  My granddaughter Ella is ten months old and now recognizes voices; what a precious joy that is!  Let’s seek The Father’s Presence – worship Him, rest in Him, draw all satisfaction in Him … then listen and hear Him!

The Key

This past weekend, I was “of a particular mind” to do something rather destructive with Mr. Bill’s hammer.  The truth is – Mr. Bill keeps his hammer(s) locked up!  [See, I don’t even know how many he has.]  Considering the near-death experience facing my computer, it’s probably good I had no access to the hammer!

This may surprise you, but God isn’t interested in keeping secrets!  Countless times I’ve heard well-meaning people say, “it’s just not for us to know.”  Of course, I know there will be things not completely revealed to us in this life, however, many things we don’t know because … we don’t ask!  Mr. Bill is notorious for not asking questions, rather accepting only the face-value of conversations leaving with dangling details – makes me nuts!  When asked to interpret the king’s dream, Daniel immediately went to his house and prayed to God for revelation; “Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.” (Daniel 2:19)  How’s your prayer life?  Or, are you a it’s-not-for-us-to-know kind of person?  Paul wrote,  “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16b)  There are spiritual secrets revealed to us only through intimate moments with The Father.  Matthew Henry writes of prayer, “with that key the cabinets of heaven are unlocked, for Christ has said, ‘Thus knock, and it shall be opened unto you.’” (Matthew 7:7)  There is only one key to Mr. Bill’s tool cabinet and it’s on his key ring; bottom line -- no one gets any of his tools without him personally unlocking the cabinet.  Prayer is the key to God’s revelation of “deep and secret things” (Daniel 2:22), and oh how He longs to hear from us – commune with us – share with us!  There it is – the key!  Will we use it?

Happy New to You!

School starts today in my county, and ready or not, here they come!  Students with … new clothes, shoes, book bags, lunch boxes, hair-do’s, phones – new, new new!  It’s Happy New [School] Year!

 

God is the Author of new!  By grace through faith in Christ Jesus, “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  It’s not a make-over or a re-do, no way!  Old is out – New is in!  Another new according to Scripture is God’s mercies, “They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:23)  No “well, she’s done it again!”  Rather, fresh compassion because of The LORD’s deep and abiding love for you and me.  You see, new is exciting to the repentant sinner who trusts Christ for the first time, and to the repentant Believer who seeks earnestly to do the will of The Father.  Yes, it’s Happy New to You every day with Christ Jesus!

 

Get Joy

My baby sister, Joy, is fourteen years younger than me.  I remember when she began to toddle around, it was a family effort to keep up with her. Countless times a day someone would ask, "Where's Joy?"

How many times a day do you ask yourself, "Where's joy?"  I'm talking about the Joy of Christ.  It does seem to scatter when trouble shows up, doesn't it!  Trouble rarely gives early warnings: those situations that explode, those testy relationships that push too much, those peaceful days in which conflict materializes, those plans that are melted into uncertainty – they usually just barge full-speed into our lives.  Our circumstances can change like the wind, and will likely do so. Joy becomes obscure unless it is anchored in something more solid than circumstances.  Romans 14:17 says the kingdom of God is "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Unless you begin each day reading the Bible, praying to God, and submitting to His Spirit, Joy will be absent all day.  David Jeremiah writes, "Christian joy is the deep, settled peace that comes to live within your heart when you know that the really important things are all right."  That

"settled peace" is what we desire most.  Friend, this is not rocket-science; it is nothing new, and it is the bottom line for knowing real Joy. I challenge you to begin each day right: Get Settled -- Get Joy.

Make Today Count

Alligator River! Sounds scary, but to reach the island of Manteo -- it had to be crossed! The Lindsey C. Warren Bridge looked sturdy enough and seemed to offer safe passage. Situated nicely at the edge of the bridge was a beautiful lighthouse ... definitely a photo stop. The lighthouse picture turned out beautiful with the bridge in the background and the island of Manteo in the distance. The picture held absolutely no clue that it was ... only a replica of a real lighthouse!

Have you ever stopped to consider the wind and shadows in your life? Oh, I don't mean wind that blows or shadows cast. I mean things, stuff, and activities that matter so very little ... in the big picture. More stuff, bigger things, and more activities always leave us breathless and reaching for more ... things, stuff, activities. Sometimes my whining comes from my own reaching and stretching for more – more – more. More is not always best -- actually, more is usually tiring ... except more of what matters most. What does matter most? Children that are best at sports, school, and etc. or -- , children who become responsible adults? Careers that really bring home the bucks or -- time devoted to eternal treasures? Gathering the most toys or -- giving away till it hurts? If we stop and consider the pricey end to these questions, the answer is eternally clear. We will never capture the wind or embrace the shadows. "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14)  Life is priceless yet brief so … make today count.

Get Put-Out

It’s a Southernism, I suppose.  Being “put out” – I’ve heard it all my life; even heard my Nanny add a word – “plumb put out.”  Now, that meant somebody had REALLY crossed the line in her book!

Jesus gave some advice to those who dare to seriously and boldly live and speak His Truth: “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues.  Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.” (John 16:1-3)  How’s that for being put-out!  Believers may not experience this in the literal sense but when Truth (thus saith the LORD) is spoken, expect heads to turn away, ears to shut, voices to protest.  The Light of God’s Truth exposes evil and darkness!  No wonder Jesus prayed for the righteous, “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given me; for they are Thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.” (John 17:9-10)  Of course, the Savior knew those who genuinely love Him would be put-out, and life would be difficult for them.  To be [spiritually] put-out [because of Christ] results in honor and glory to The Father.  “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:8)  If you stayed around my Nanny for any length of time, you’d hear the Truth and YOU would be the one “plumb put-out.”  Be bold, Believer!  The Truth – know It, live It, speak It – get put-out for Christ!

Mouth-Full

How many times have mothers said to their children, “don’t talk with your mouth full?”  Countless, I’m sure!  Certainly, everyone wants to see food before it is consumed, but few [except perhaps little boys] want to watch it during the “consuming” process! 

God cares what His children’s mouths are full of!  We are, of course, to be faithfully obedient to His great commandment, “love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12).  Note, however, it does not end there!  Paul developed this further when he wrote, “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him Who is the Head, into Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15).  Now, this is where it gets tricky and often unpopular!   A mouth-full of love is usually welcomed and loved;  a mouth-full of truth [even when spoken in love] tends to get labeled and criticized.  A former pastor put it like this: “Truth without Love is unkind, but Love without Truth is hypocrisy.”  I challenge you to read-the-red (Christ’s words) – He didn’t dice up or water down the Truth, yet all He said was spoken with gracious candor.  So, how does God measure a mouth-full?  It’s measured in Truth and Love – not one or the other, but both!  Be aware, however, such a measure very likely won’t be “consumed” as graciously as it is spoken but the combination is pleasing to The Father.  Believer, keep your mouth-full of His Love and His Truth, boldly speaking “in and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).  Yes, keep your mouth full!

Sense of It

A fine mess – A little big – Almost done – A big sip – Climb down – False hope – Half true – Mighty weak – Once again – Restless sleep – Steel wool – Weak muscle – Second best – Random order … all things that [in true] just don’t make sense!

Christians know the highest joy, and we do well to tell our faces about it!  There’s no reason for those who know God and His boundless love to have [as Mama used to say] the mulligrubs.  A grumpy, ill-tempered Believer makes about as much sense as a “big sip” or a “weak muscle” or a “false hope.”  John, the beloved disciple, recorded Jesus’ words about The Father’s love for His Children: “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” (15:9)  What love is ours in Christ Jesus – “it enlarges the whole soul for the endless capacity of the love of God.” (E. B. Pusey).  What high joy His Love is – live life in the full sense of It!

Plain Path

Everybody loves vanilla ice cream.  Why, it's the foundation of all ice creams.  When you can choose from strawberry cheesecake, rocky road, cotton candy, mint chocolate chip, however, who wants vanilla!

The way is not always so simple, not always so clear, seldom so easy for the Believer who seriously wants to follow Christ.  There are so many distractions, so many lies to cloud The Truth.  Maybe the toughest thing about ice cream shops is choosing a flavor.  Satan tempts us with many things in many ways, convincing us any choice is acceptable.  And, how easily we fall into his trap of spiritual compromise. That’s why it’s so important we read-to-know God’s Word and pray-to-ask Him for wisdom to righteousness.  The prayer is as simple as vanilla ice cream: "Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path." (Psalm 27:2)  God is Perfect and Holy, able to guide and lead us into the way unto life and not destruction.  It’s a journey of faith – one step at a time – always on the plain path.

Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom, Lead Thou me on;

The night is dark, and I am far from home, Lead Thou me on.

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me.
-- J. H. Newman

His Way Works!

Ninth grade home economics as one of my favorite classes.  Mrs. Hart didn't do things like Mama or Granny or Nanny or Aunt Sue, but her variation was interesting and sometimes amusing.  For example, when we made spaghetti she instructed us to dump the raw (uncooked) noodles into the sauce; we protested, of course!  It looked a mess but it worked!

God’s ways are not our ways, and aren’t we glad!  How many times has God clearly instructed us in His Word, and how many times have we … protested!  The first thing I learned in sewing class was how to use a pattern.  It’s terribly critical the pattern be placed carefully on the fabric; the slightest deviation can be disastrous!   Likewise, when we turn aside from God's precepts, it's no different than the seamstress who kinda sorta uses a pattern.  God's blueprint for Christian living is: "Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act.” (Psalm 37:5).  Sure, it’s tough to stay-the-course; what’s more, it’s going against the current!  Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” (Matthew 7:13).  His Way is seldom the world’s way (the popular way) and often doesn’t make sense – much like raw noodles in tomato sauce, but He’s Creator and Sovereign over everything.  Trust Him.  Let Him act.  His Way works!