The Perfect Gift

What gift do you give someone who seems to have everything?  It’s the ongoing dilemma for gift-givers.  The old go-to is cash!  That gift is rarely re-gifted!

 

The Puritan prayed, “What shall I give Thee for all Thy benefits?  I am in a strait betwixt two, knowing not what to do.”  When it comes to shopping, I’m a hunter: I mostly hunt for things, not shop for them.  The secret to God’s treasure is actually … emptiness:  “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:33-34).  There are countless other verses describing the best state-of-heart; Jesus said blessing comes to those who are “pure in heart” – they will see God (Matthew 5:8).  The Puritan rightly concludes, “I can through grace cheerfully surrender soul and body to Thee.”  God doesn’t need anything – He owns it all, and longs to share unfathomable treasures with all who will give Him their heart.  Looking for the perfect gift for the Father – give Him your heart!

Done

There’s something deeply satisfying when all the things on my to-do list are … done.  Sometimes I make a “honey-do” list for my “honey,” Mr. Bill.  He is always quick to tell me he doesn’t need a list – he already has plenty of things to do.  But everybody needs a little direction sometimes – don’t you agree?

 

We rejoice as Believers that we have no spiritual to-do list!  As Jesus prayed in [what has been called] the High Priestly Prayer in John 17, He said to the Father, “I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave me to do.” (V.4).  Redemption’s great and perfect work – that which bore sin’s wrath and conquered death – was complete before Jesus returned to the Father, and there is nothing more needed.  That’s why God’s Gift of Salvation is free to all – hallelujah, amen!   Religions that promote an exchange of works-for-salvation do not find that in God’s Word.  To be sure, the Believer’s faith will be evident: “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18).  And, our faith must be active: “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” (James 2:26).  We live out our faith in a changed lifestyle.  We can be confident in this: “For it is by Grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the Gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.”   See, there’s no spiritual to-do’s – only faith.  Nothing more required – done!  Done! Done!

A Good Taste

Earlier this month Elisa, Emily, and I went into an delicatessen.  I stopped at the counter displaying the different flavors of gelato – they all looked yummy.  I narrowed my choices to orange or coconut.  Decisions! Decisions!

 

Speaking of the hostility [to come] toward His followers, Jesus said, “And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor Me.” (John 16:3).  It’s interesting to see such aggression toward Christians oft times for seemingly no reason at all.  Those who have approached God with open hearts and minds, however, have never been disappointed.  As we live out our faith before others, we must consider the inviting words of Psalm 34:8, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!”  The kind lady behind the counter gave me a small taste of both the orange and the coconut – they were both good, but something about that coconut tipped the scale!  We need to faithfully give others a good taste of God’s Goodness!  We are called – even in the face of adversity – to persevere lovingly and faithfully.  The unfriendliness shouldn’t surprise us and certainly never detour us from reflecting Christ before the world; we are how they will know the Father and the Son.  As you go today, give others a good taste of Him! 

Warned

No one likes to hear these words: I told you so!  Oh the times those words have screamed to get out – even had to put my hand over my mouth!  It only takes one look at Mr. Bill to warn him, “Don’t say it!”

 

Some of the most tender words in Scripture are found in John’s Gospel as he records Jesus’ foretelling of the world’s coming hatred for His friends.  “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. … I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. … Remember that I told them to you.” (John 15:18-19, 16:1, 4b).  Just as a parent knows of and will warn a child of dangers, Jesus knows of and warns those He loves.  Lately, I’ve pondered the growing hostility toward Biblical faith and truth: it swells, not wanes.  Paul warns us in the latter days many will depart the faith (1 Timothy 4:1); some will be deceived by lies and false teaching, but others will abandon their faith because it’s just too dangerous to follow Christ and believe the Bible.  Such hatred is now here on our shores, within our boundaries, in the land of the free.  Jesus’ words to remember that I told you is well remembered.  We must not be caught off-guard, blindsided, or shocked when the hatred comes to our doorstep.  Be prepared – we’ve been warned!

 

Be One!

It’s been said more than once – our current culture is lacking real heroes!  Many will argue this statement, and I guess it’s more accurate to say this culture’s measure of a hero is well … lacking.

 

There IS a standard, a tried and true measure of heroes; it’s found in Hebrews 10:39 – “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”  Let me tell you about my dear friend Lisa, a modern-day hero who returns to work today after a 3-day suspension because she chose to obey God rather than man.  That’s right: faced with a choice to fulfill a never-before assignment in her long-time job, which clearly violated her beliefs, she chose to stand on a principle given in God’s Word.  Call it what you want, but that’s bold – courageous – true – faithful; as most of us would say – that took guts!  Hebrews 11, often called the Hall of Faith, lists Bible hero after Bible hero who didn’t shrink back in the face of adversity.  And, hear this: “Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God.” (11:16).  Read that again and be amazed [as I was]!  When we stand up in obedience to Him, God is just the opposite of ashamed – proud, pleased, satisfied, honored, gratified, delighted.  Wow!  Child and friend of God, this is the measure of a hero!  Be one!

Glimpses of Him

Just a glimpse is thrilling: whale watchers, bird watchers, etc.  I remember sitting on the screened porch with my Nanny watching for a glimpse of a humming bird.  I kept my eye on the hummingbird feeder, but Nanny could pick ‘em out in the trees!

 

The writer of Hebrews wrote this of Jesus, the Son: “He is the Radiance of the Glory of God, the exact Imprint of His nature …” (1:3a).  Those hummingbirds are so small and so fast, you best not blink or you’ve missed them.  I wonder how many times I’ve missed God, how many times I was so preoccupied with frivolous things I didn’t see Him, how many times I failed to recognize Him.  Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God” but [digging deeper into that beautiful command] there’s more to knowing and seeing God than just being still: we must know Jesus.  Our culture uses the name of God loosely, even irreverently, and often fails to connects the God of the Bible with God’s Son.  People even get nervous at the mention of Jesus, and to be all-inclusive and/or not offend, leave God’s Son out altogether.  If truth matters at all, this cannot be so: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son.” (Hebrews 1:1-2).  Many times I pray for just a glimpse of God – a precious moment of His Glory revealed – and I know that happens only through Him Who made it possible: Jesus Christ – He Who “after making purification for sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (1:3b).  Together, Nanny and I saw quite a few hummingbirds – what a sweet memory that is.  Graciously, God has given me glimpses of Himself from time-to-time – what blessed previews of  the day I’ll see Him face-to-face, as He is!  Until then, I long for … glimpses of Him.

 

Embrace the Truth

There are some things even an old brain does not forget.  One thing is if disobedience was the way-of-my-day, I was guaranteed some “special” time with Dad.  Funny thing, I don’t remember feeling so “special” in the end!

 

The Apostle wrote in 2 Peter, Chapter 2, about a “special” group of people who won’t feel so “special” at the final judgment: false teachers who violate the Truth [of God] and deceive people with lies (V. 2,3).  Here’s their “special” commendation: “… bringing upon themselves swift destruction … Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” (V.1b, 3b).  Clearly, their “special” day is coming; those who mislead will face a ”special” commendation … of condemnation.  The key question for Believers is this: How do we identify these who deceive with false words and violate the Truth, how can we be sure of what we read-see-hear?  There are basically two ways:  (1) know the Truth – read the Word of God – “I have stored up Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11), and (2) have spiritual discernment – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5).  If there is one most reoccurring thing I pray it is asking for spiritual discernment.  Quite frankly, I’m just not smart enough to recognize all the ways Satan disguises himself but my God is!  My dear friend and spiritual mentor taught me this: when you [obediently] read the Word of God, you store valuable Resources in your heart’s treasury for use by the Holy Spirit.  I cannot tell you how many times this has proven true: I hear something, a spiritual red flag goes up, measure it against Scripture, and it proves to be false!  Know this - false teachers are among us – lies are all around us – Satan is having big fun at the expense of Biblically illiterate Christians!  We can only know the Truth if we read the Truth.  Do not be a victim of lies! Embrace the Truth. 

The Master's Hand

A hammer in the wrong hand can be dangerous!  Many a good thumb has screamed out in pain by misplaced whack.  I seem to never have access to a hammer.  Mr. Bill locks all hammers in his tool cabinet.  I want to believe it's because he's found too many good hammers lying around outside -- not returned to their proper place, but it may be because he's found too many nails in walls where no nail should ever be.

 

When God uses a spiritual hammer on His children, it is never misplaced.  It's His spiritual "nails" that help us understand who we are and give way to Christ's purpose in our lives.  Ephesians 2:22 says, "In Whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."  Sometimes I just long for a brief peek at my life's blue print, but where would the faith be in that!  Phillips Brooks writes, "Oh, if the stone can only have some vision of the temple of which it is to be a part forever, what patience must fill it as it feels the blows of the hammer, and knows that success for it is simply to let itself be wrought into what shape the Master wills."  God doesn't provide a periscope to see above, beyond, and around life's troubles.  What He does provide, however, is faith and patience as He quietly and effectively builds us into His design.  Yes, the hammering get tough sometimes but always remember: the hammer is always in the Master’s Hand.

Trusting Him

You wave at someone – she doesn’t wave back, you smile at someone – she doesn’t smile back, you speak to someone – she doesn’t return your greeting.  Well!  How rude!

 

It’s fair to say there’s more to faith than “meets the eye.”  Isaiah wrote of people, including Israel, who did not see the evident: “O LORD, Your hand is lifted up, but they do not see it … does not see the majesty of the LORD.” (Isaiah 26:10, 11).  Because of failing eyesight, Mr. Bill is often “my eyes,” telling me who is waving, who is smiling; he tells me to just wave-and-smile at everybody – funny guy.  Spiritually blind people (unsaved) will not see the things of God, nor recognize His hand or His majesty!  What delight, however, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD God is an everlasting rock.” (Isaiah 26:3-4).  In trusting He Whom we do not see with physical eyes, we testify to the spiritually blind.  Our walking by faith and not by sight will lead others in the Way of Life.  Are you trusting Him?

Only Jesus

Only is an interesting descriptive.  Consider how many “onlies” we require.  Each morning last week I checked my beach bag before heading to the beach: sunscreen, towels, phone, Kindle, MPG3 player.  If that sounds like a lot, you should see what Mr. Bill drags to the beach to fish in the surf!  He hauls it in a wagon!

 

These lines from a Puritan prayer convicted me this morning: “Forgive me if I have tried to add anything to the one foundation, if I have unconsciously relied upon my knowledge, experience, deeds, and not seen them as filthy rags, if I have attempted to complete what is perfect in Christ.”  How do you “complete” what is perfect!  Do I pray longer, study more, add another book to my library – all these may strengthen my walk with and focus on Christ but that cannot improve on what Christ has already accomplished at the cross and in the tomb!  When asked about their “Religious Preference,” a family of refugees from the war-torn country of Burma, they did not answer Baptist or Methodist or Catholic; they emphatically exclaimed, “Jesus!  Jesus!”   It is Christ alone – no other, nothing else – in Whom we hope and live.  The Puritan adds, “May my cry be always, Only Jesus! Only Jesus!   Jesus, Jesus, Blessed Jesus – Oh for Grace to trust Him more.

Happy In Him

Sometimes it’s me that makes me happy!  I dearly delight in writing that check to Gladis who comes to clean my house.  It tickles me silly to turn off the next-morning alarm.  There’s incredible joy in a porch swing  rendezvous with Mr. Bill.  Yeah, sometimes it’s just me that makes me happy!

 

A Puritan prayer speaks of the Christian’s pursuit of holiness in the “blessed God, my Father and friend … rather than be happy in myself.”  There’s nothing wrong with the things we do to make ourselves happy; let us be thankful for those moments and provisions.  There is something wrong when we seek the temporal moments of happiness and neglect the happiness of the eternal soul.  The psalmist speaks of El Chaiyai, which in Hebrew means God of my life: “By day the LORD  commands His steadfast love, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:8).  Those manufactured moments of happiness – house cleaning, swing dates – are temporal but the God of my life delivers sustainable happiness.  The Christian’s greatest prayer and pursuit must be: God of my life, make it my greatest and noblest pleasure to be acquainted with Thee. Help me fill all my time with Thee and make You my last and only end.  Let me encourage you to be happy … happy in Him alone!

Handful of Quiet

An avid slow-pitch softball player [in my younger years], there was one primary goal: at game-end, have more runs on the scoreboard than the opponent.  As a team, we accomplished this with tight defense and vigorous offense.  Hit the ball hard, run the bases aggressively, and pursue home plate. Doing this over-and-over didn’t always guarantee a win but it sure made for a good game!

 

Have you ever chased the wind?  Did you catch it?  What a silly question, but not such a silly thought.  Much of our lives are spent “running the bases.”  In one seven-inning softball game, a player may bat 3-4 times, and every time she hopes to make 1st base – then 2nd base – then 3rd base – then cross the plate.  And, guess what, she hopes to do the same thing the next at-bat!  Solomon observed this of man’s toil and skill, “This also is vanity and a striving after wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:4).  From sunup to sundown, we strive for ultimate good rather than genuinely desire to serve the LORD of heaven and earth.  The Preacher continues in Verse 5, “The fool folds his hands,” – refuses to work and ruins himself.  But “Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.” (V.7).  The toil of our hands, our striving, brings only more and more striving -- an endless plowing of water.  Contentedness, however, settles in the soul and soothes the otherwise restless spirit of man; in Solomon’s words, it renders a handful of quietness.  And what is such a handful like – real peace, serious solitude, deep and abiding joy!  Paul wrote, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” (Philippians 4:11).  It’s not what of this life that produces contentment; no, it is Who – it is Christ alone.  We need not wait until we reach our promised eternal home of the Redeemed.  Let us joy and delight now in Him, our Hope of Glory, and experience the … handful of quiet!

His Shade

Along with beach chairs, part of our “camp” are umbrellas.  Mr. Bill, the early bird, goes to the beach and sets up camp each morning, and when the campers arrive, everything is in order!  Thank you, Mr. Bill!

 

The psalmist affirms the LORD’s help: “The LORD is your Keeper; the LORD is your Shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.” (Psalm 121:5-6).   Those beach umbrellas provide sweet protection from the sun’s intensity; they also make it possible to spend more time enjoying surf and sand.  There is, however, some work involved as the day passes: as the sun moves, so we must move the chairs to stay in the shade of the umbrellas.  To fully know the benefits of God’s refuge, we must stay close to Him!  “He who dwells in the Shelter of the Most High will abide in the Shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1).  Christians cannot remain sheltered by The Father by living a spiritually unattended life.  God doesn’t sleep nor slumber (Psalm 121:4), but neither does Satan.  If you are feeling the heat [of life] and longing for spiritual rest these days, be wise to know God hasn’t moved.  I encourage you to draw near to Him once again … experience His Shade.

Consuming Ambition

What consumes you?  That’s a tough question: many little things consume my time-energy, but it’s hard to name one overall consuming thing.  If you ask me right now – it’s getting ready for a week at the beach!

 

   A. W. Tozer was an ordinary man driven by an extraordinary ambition: a desire to know God in His fullness.  He confessed to a lifelong friend, “I want to love God more than anyone in my generation.”  Most Christians I know would quickly say “yes, I love God” as I would!  Personally, however, I will confess I do not love Him enough.  Why don’t I love Him more?  I’ve concluded I, as most Christians, are limited in our love for God because we do not know enough about God.  Do we not come to love (or distance ourselves from) others the more we know them?  Of course!  God said, “But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD Who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:24).  What a consuming ambition: to understand and know God.  Remember Mary who chose to sit at The Savior’s feet rather than other things to which Jesus said, “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42).  I am convinced my passions are wrongly divided, and it should not be so! The overwhelming one passion, one desire, one intent, one ambition of every Christian must be to know the God of Scripture.  Again, what consumes you?  Will you consider being consumed with the one thing needful?  Know God!

Whole Heart

Mr. Bill has lots of stories to tell, but he’s not really a story-teller.  He’d rather sit and listen to others.  Yes, this drives me nuts sometimes.  A strategist at-heart, I know there’s method to this tactic and I know what it is: he’s often giving the talker “just enough rope to hang himself.”

 

An Old Testament record in the life of an Israelite king tells of how erratic one can be in sincerity toward Almighty God.  King Amaziah, son fo Joash, wisely listened to God’s prophet prior to battle and soundly defeated the Edomites; his next act was to set up idols [seized in battle] and worship them.  “Therefore the LORD was angry with Amaziah and sent to him a prophet who said to him, ‘Why have you sought the gods of a people who did not deliver their own people from your hand?’” (2 Chronicles 25:15).  Mr. Bill tells of those who will come to ask his advice on a particular matter, then do the opposite.   We see this in our Christian lives at times: we turn to God in times of turbulent waters then turn away in calmer seas.  Here’s what Scripture says of King Amaziah in V.2, “And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not with a whole heart.”  Read it again, “a whole heart.”  “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5).  This commandment is repeated in Matthew, Mark, and Luke!  Because God is from everlasting to everlasting, so is every one of His attributes (characteristics, traits) including His Goodness.  It is true, there will be times of plenty and times of leanness, but God is God of them all and He is steadfast-sure-solid.  Let us live unto the LORD with a whole heart – a whole heart!