Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Sunny Side

Shadows can be creepy. Even itsy bitsy things can cast huge shadows, intimidating even the bravest of folks.  I wish all shadows to be banished!

 

What shadows overwhelm us?  Bad choices.  Disappointments.  Poor health.  Finances.  Loneliness.  Grief, sorrow, & loss.  Failures.  Fear.  The past.  These shadows can certainly do a number ... even on the strongest of Believers.  Helen Keller said, "Keep your face to the sun, and you cannot see the shadows."  What a plan!  In contrast to the dismal, cold, scary shadows of life, the warmth of the sunshine is welcome to weary spirits.  The light reveals those nasty shadows to be the allusion they are.  We can hang around in the shadows and be swallowed up by them, or we can turn away -- change direction, change focus to the SonShine side where The Light of God shines eternally ... banishing all shadows.  "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report ... think on these things." Philippians 4:8

 

There's a dark & a troubled side of life.  But there's a bright & a sunny side too.

Though you meet with the darkness & strife.  The sunny side you also may view.

Though the storm & its fury rage today.  Crushing hope that we cherish so dear.

The cloud & storm will in time will pass away.  And the sun again will shine bright and clear

Let us breathe with a song of hope each day.  Though the moment be cloudy or gray.

And let us trust in our Savior always.  He'll keep us every one in his care

Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side.  Keep on the sunny side of life.

It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way.  If we'll keep on the sunny side of life.

Monday, January 30, 2017

Yes, Let's!

As many of you know - or have read - Mr. Bill is quite a character.  Whenever I tell him to do something, a common response is, “And why do I want to do this?”  This response usually stuns me momentarily, and it rarely occurs to me to just say, “because I said so.”

 

Psalm 95 issues a series of encouraging invitations to Believers: “Come, let us sing unto the LORD (V.1)  Let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our Salvation (V.1)  Let us come before His Presence with thanksgiving (V.2)  Make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms (V.2)  O Come, let us worship and bow down (V.6)  Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker (V6). “And, the psalmist doesn't leave to our imagination why we do these things: “For the LORD is a great God (V.3)  A great King above all gods (V.3)  For He is our God (V.7)  We are the people of His pasture (V.7)  The Sheep of His hand (V.7).” How quick-and-easy we seem to show appreciation for a kindness done, give adoration and praise to a job well done, or show affection to a loved one.  In contrast, how little and infrequently we sing of, rejoice in, or meditate on the Greatness of the LORD.  Yes, I agree -- let's!  Let's together  in unity  respond to the psalmist's invitation to give glory to the LORD.  Let's do it now it now, do it today, and do it often!

 

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Turn In Your Troubles

Do you remember staying up late writing that term paper due the next day?  Perhaps – maybe – you worked on it for weeks, but the last night was spent editing-and-proofing, editing-and-proofing, and yeah … editing-and-proofing. There was such relief when you finally turned it in. Party time!

 

Troubles – as Pooh would say, Oh, bother!”  They easily take over command-central and paralyze us even to the point we can barely function.  The Hebrew word "trouble" refers to being in a tight place – restricted, hung up.  That's how it feels sometimes when troubles overtake us; we lose focus and lose hope, then despair sets in.  David wrote, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles."  (Psalm 34:17). This verse assures us when we cry for help the Lord hears and delivers.  And, that little word "al." is really big.  God doesn't deliver me from a select few of my troubles, but ALL of them!  What I’ve learned over time is that His deliverance doesn’t always come in the way I expect, but it comes nonetheless!  Sometimes it comes in a change of circumstances while other times it comes in a change of perspective.  Either way, His promise of deliverance always comes with an ocean of peace!  It’s a peace the world doesn’t understand nor can the world give it (John 14:27). Don’t be bothered by troubles – turn in your troubles to He Who hears and delivers!

Friday, January 27, 2017

Strong Feet

Remember playing the game, Twister?  As a teenager, that was a fun party game -- the perfect excuse to get close to Bill and Mama not give me the hairy eyeball!  Boy, could I get in some more knots trying to keep my right foot on red, left hand on green, left foot on blue, right hand on yellow ... and not fall down.  If the older version of me were to try that, someone would have to dial 911!

 

Moses had died, and a new leader was chosen -- a man named Joshua.  God expected Joshua to move right into the steps of a man who had led God's people out of slavery, through the wilderness wandering ... and He expected Joshua to do it with strength and courage.  Here's what the Almighty said to Joshua, "I will give you every place where you set your foot."  This was not a game of Twister; this was all about moving bravely forward and not looking back.  We don't really know what Joshua was thinking, but the Bible doesn't tell of any hesitation on his part. Actually, the first thing it says about Joshua is that he began to order folks around. It seems that Joshua was a "Okay, let's do it" sorta guy. Why is it that we live life like a game of Twister?  We want to leave one foot on red (can't forget the past), one hand on green (worry about the future), one foot on blue (whine about the present), then expect God to keep us from crashing.  "Twisted" better describes life lived this way.  We whine, complain, fret about everything, living as if God just doesn't understand how hard our lives are.  Yet, the promise He made to Joshua is also ours: that He will give us every place we set our feet.  Why don't we believe Him?  It’s time to move beyond "woe is me," stop the frivolous excuses why we can’t muster enough faith in God, and get on with living a life of devotion.  We are "Easter people living in a Good Friday world."  Christ has called us to a life of victorious living – forgetting what is past, making the present count for His honor, and looking toward a joyous future in His grace and goodness.  Let's get off the Twister mat and make every day count for Him! “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me – I can do all things because of Christ – I can do all things – I can do all things – I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” (Music and Lyrics by Beverly F. Chandler, 2016). 

 

Dear Lord, I seem to have joy leaks in my life -- times when the joy just doesn't seem to be there.  Help me to stay closer to You in Word and prayer.  May I know the fullness of Your joy every moment of every day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Total Recall

Do you remember the movie, "Total Recall" with Arnold Schwarzenegger (yeah, I had to get help on spelling that one)?  It had lots of action, but that ping-ponging from past to present to future to real to not real left me lost most of the movie.

 

Says the Prophet Isaiah, “I will mention the lovingkindness of the LORD …” (Isaiah 63:7a).  In our English language, to mention is to refer to something briefly and without going into detail; synonyms are to allude or to touch on.  The Hebrew word for mention, however, carries a much stronger meaning; it is to remember or to recall.  It’s the same Hebrew word used when God remembered Noah (Genesis 8:1), when God remembered Abraham (Genesis 19:29), when God remembered His covenant with His people (Exodus 2:24).  Our God isn't casual in anything He does!  Imagine if He were casual in His promises to us or casually faithful.  Isaiah said I will remember how loving and how kind Almighty God has been and is to me.  I believe Isaiah was referring to total recall - remembering, even reliving, the sure-and-certain steadfastness of His God!  We must discipline ourselves to remember then tell it to our children, our grandchildren, our friends, our neighbors – remember and tell of God’s faithfulness.  Do you remember when your last total recall of God's goodness?  Remember!  Tell of His greatness!

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

God's Mighty Hand

None of my boys cared much for holding my hand to cross a street when we went into town.  Perhaps it's because where we live there aren't any streets – only country roads – and you can take your sweet time crossing there.

 

Isn’t it wonderful we cannot lose God!  Isn’t it even sweeter He can ‘t lose us!  It doesn't matter where we are or in what circumstance we find ourselves, He’s always there along with His mighty protective hand.  David wrote these words about the everlasting presence and power of God: "If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me and Thy right hand shall hold me." (Psalm 139:9-10).  I can think of times of personal distress and in those times, my heart was soothed by God’s mighty hand.  The Father takes joy in reaching down His mighty hand and lifting His children up, pulling and holding us close – making us to know His powerful Presence. I'm so grateful for God's Mighty Hand, aren’t you?

 

I cannot lose Thee! Still in Thee abiding.

The end is clear, how wide soe'er I roam;

The Hand that holds the worlds my steps is guiding,

And I must rest at last in Thee, my home." -- E Scudder

 

Monday, January 23, 2017

GLORIOUS SIDE EFFECTS

We read and hear a lot about side effects, in particular, of medications.  It's actually pretty disheartening we must consider if the benefits outweigh the side effects!

 

Not all side effects are bad, however!  I want to expound on a familiar passage, which should be the refrain of every Christian.  "And ye shall be holy unto Me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be Mine." (Leviticus 20:26).  It is common-thinking yet wrong-thinking that holiness is first-and-foremost what we do.  We witness bad behavior, declare it unholy, and say [to our ourselves] “I’m glad I don’t act like that.”  But holiness isn’t what we do – it’s who we are. Note that God said "you shall be holy unto Me."  True holiness is when the heart is in deep abiding fellowship with Holy God.  Oswald Chambers writes, "Christian perfection is not, and never can be, human perfection. Christian perfection is the perfection of a relationship with God that shows itself to be true." If we try really hard and stay on our P’s and Q’s, we can appear holy … most of the time.  However, the Christian who faithfully seeks the Presence of Almighty God and develops a right and wholesome fellowship with Jesus Christ is actually allowing God to made us holy unto Himself.  No matter how hard we try, you and I cannot manufacture holiness!  The side effect of Godliness – heart holiness – will show in what we do (and don’t do), what we say (and don’t say), what we think (and don’t think).  You see, the side effects of genuine holiness glorify God!  Yes, these side effects are glorious!

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Find Him

Have you ever lost something, looked and looked for it, only to give up and claim it as lost-and-gone-forever?  So frustrating!  Many times I've done this, and at times recall deliberately putting it in a place I know is safe.  Then I wonder, "safe from whom?"  Don't answer that.

 

After reading MWB any length of time, you know one of my favorite theologians and writers is Charles H. Spurgeon.  I do not apologize!  The following passage is so rich, I must share it with you.  "Tell me where you lost the company of Christ, and I will tell you the most likely place to find Him. Have you lost Christ in the closet by restraining prayer? Then it is there you must seek and find Him. Did you lose Christ by sin? You will find Christ in no other way but by the giving up of the sin, and seeking by the Holy Spirit to mortify the member in which the lust doth dwell. Did you lose Christ by neglecting the Scriptures? You must find Christ in the Scriptures. It is a true proverb, 'Look for a thing where you dropped it, it is there.' So look for Christ where you lost Him, for He has not gone away."  Consider the most terrifying thing of being apart from and out of fellowship with Christ?  That terror for the Believer is to not even feel His absence!  Spurgeon describes one without Christ as "a sheep without its shepherd; like a tree without water at its roots."  The 17th Century hymn writer, Robert Robinson, reminds us how we are "prone to wander, Lord, I feel it – prone to leave the God I love."  These words should make every Child of God tremble: "I sought Him, but I found Him not." (Song of Solomon 3:1).  What comfort, what joy it is God promises to be found when we seek Him with the whole heart (Jeremiah 29:13).  Can’t you see the urgency of the psalmist when he says, "My soul followeth hard after Thee" (Psalm 63:8)?  It is truly a strenuous exercise to give ourselves up thoroughly to the search for the nearness of Christ Jesus; we must keep pressing toward Christ.  Deeper and deeper should we go!  Let me challenge you this weekend to find a quiet place, find quiet moments, and find Him!

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Blessed Forgetfulness

Forgetfulness is rough!  Thank goodness for calendars, white boards, paper.  Why, I’m even thankful the outside of the refrigerator is magnetic!

 

God, being perfect in all His nature and ways chooses forgetfulness.  Generally speaking, I wouldn’t say I choose to forget  at least in most cases.  The things I’d rather not forget, I do; and, what I’d prefer to remember, I forget  or so it goes.  Here’s a truth we must never forget: “I, I am He Who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (Isaiah 43:25).  In Hebrew, to blot out means to wipe out, to obliterate, to exterminate – don’t miss this – to wipe out, obliterate, exterminate from memory!  Even when we erase something, there remains a trace of what was written; and, you don’t forget what was written or that you erased what was written.  To eradicate is to destroy completely, but even then we cannot destroy from memory.  God emphasizes "I, I am He"  the One Who will truly forgives and forgets!  Corrie ten Boom said God casts our sins into the Sea of Forgetfulness then puts up a No Fishing sign.  When God says He no more remembers the sins of the forgiven, He means it.  The Blood of Christ guarantees it - secures it - confirms it.  Oh, how Satan loves to bring up the past.  You've heard it said – when Satan brings up your past, remind him of his future!  Yes! Yes! Yes!  Let us ask forgiveness then rest sweetly and rejoice eternally in God's … blessed forgetfulness!

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Serve Him

A local barbeque place used to have this sign posted: "If you don't think the dead come back to life, you ought to be here at quittin' time." I think sometimes I resemble that remark!

 

The call of God on the Christian's life is lethal.  Not lethal in the sense it causes physical death, but rather death to sinful nature and ways.  Psalm 33:5 says "The LORD loves righteousness ..." and therein is the sufficient motive for living in relationship to Christ and in service to Him.  Oswald Chambers writes, "Service is what I bring to the relationship and is the reflection of my identification with the nature of God."  Sadly, many Christians don’t view service in this same light.  There are far too many who profess Christ yet are AWOL from the relationship [with Christ], hence from serving Him.  A former pastor used to refer to these Christians as "sitters, quitters, and backslidders."  That would be funny if it weren’t so true!  Have you ever had a server who was genuinely devoted – even delighted – to make your dining experience outstanding?  In like manner should be our devotion to Christ; when our relationship with Him is sweet so will our service to Him as we serve one another and others. Read this about the New Testament church: "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers ... And all who believed were together and had all things in common ... And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need ... And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." (Acts 2:42, 44-47).  What a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ in worship, in communion, in fellowship, in service!  I grew up in a home where Mama seemed to just look for those who needed a casserole or a handwritten note or a visit.  She modeled before me the heart of a servant.  Every Christian should ask himself-herself, “Is there evidence in my life of a servant? Is my love for Christ and His Church obvious in my devotion to prayer, study, fellowship, worship, prayer, to serving my fellow man?”  There’s no right or wrong answer to these questions, only the truth.  If you love Him, you will serve Him!

Monday, January 16, 2017

An Excellent Difference

The infrequent times Mr. Bill has been out of town, home isn't the same.  Actually, home is quite ... different.  Of course, there are some notably positive differences: actually holding the remote myself, not slipping on underwear left in the bathroom floor, not having to share a can of cashews.  The differences, however, are noticed most in the absence of "Mr. Bill" sounds -- his trying to upstage the weather man, the sound of his alarm before sun-up, and the sound of velcro on his shoes.  Yes, home is quite different in his absence.

 

Often I wonder if my life is different because of Christ.  Ephesians 5:8 says,  " ... walk as children of light."  Does my life light the way to Christ; just what do others see in me?  If what they see resembles the rest of the world, oh me!  We live and work in a I've-got-my-rights-and-you-better-not-forget-it world and when people forget, the knee jerk response is to blow up and speak your mind.  That is not Christ's way -- He came to show us a "more excellent way."  That's what our walk and our talk should be to an unbelieving world -- more excellent ... different!

His Process

Meat processing – we don’t care to think about the process through which our barbeque pork, charbroiled hamburgers, smoked turkey breast, and grilled chicken go to make it to our dinner tables, but nonetheless, there IS a process.   I developed a deep appreciation for the meat processor years ago when Mr. Bill decided to process his deer meat himself.  Henceforth and forever more, meat comes to MY freezer in neat and tidy packages!

 

Growing in Christ is a process, and that process has a name – sanctification.  It’s not such a common word, but it’s good Bible that describes the Christian’s evolution into holiness from the moment of salvation to the grave.  Sadly, some Believers live as if their salvation is an end instead of a beginning.  We’re made new and righteous, of course, by God’s Redemption through Jesus Christ, however, that begins the life-long journey of becoming like Christ.  This process of sanctification (becoming holy) is of divine origin and purpose, “according to the foreknowledge of God, the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ …“  (2 Peter 1:2)  Now, who doesn’t love a good plate of barbeque or a big juicy burger, but much has happened before we enjoy them.  God wants us to become “vessels for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21)  Interestingly, we all are in a process of becoming something (honorable or dishonorable) right now.  Consider, if you will, where you are in His process today!

Thursday, January 12, 2017

It Is Enough!

Why do you do what you do?  This question can be put forth to many things: why do you do this or do that.  The why is quite often lost to us because we are creatures of habit, doing what we do mindlessly throughout the day.  Thankfully, there are some things we do without thought … breathing quickly comes to mind!

 

Christians – the Body of Christ – are to be a different kind of people.  Early in Scripture, God gave this holy mandate, “When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty: walk before Me, and be blameless.’” (Genesis 17:1).  In many passages that follow we’re commanded to be holy as God is holy.  If we hold an accurate and reverent concept of God, the command of Almighty God is motive enough yet there is more: “… you are Christ’s …” (1 Corinthians 3:23).  It’s an age-old pursuit – to know where we belong, to find one’s place of rest in this world.  What joy, what joy, Christian friend – search no more: you are Christ’s.  “You are His by donation … the Father gave you to the Son; His by His blood purchase … He counted down the price for your redemption; His by dedication … you have consecrated yourself to Him; His by relation … you are named by His Name and made one of His brethren and joint-heirs.” (Spurgeon).  When Satan offers up the buffet of self-pity, do not take a seat at his table!  Instead, turn your hunger for rest and self-esteem to the Master’s Table where Christ is King and His feast totally satisfying.  Let the words of The Song swell within us: “Let me see Your face, let me hear Your voice, for Your voice is sweet … My Beloved is mine and I am His.” (Song of Solomon 2:14, 16).  Is this not the sweetest of notes – that we belong to Christ!  We are His!  In The Beloved, we are Home and at Rest!  It is enough!  Enough!

The Flourish

MORNING WITH BEVERLY: Thursday 01-12-2017

The Flourish

 

Some of you may recall my rock garden.  It came to be when the family dog, DC, kept digging up my flowers to make himself at home in the dirt.  I got so miffed at him, I replaced the flowers with rocks.  That put an end to his canine diggin' days!

 

Jesus spoke of a garden-of-sorts in Luke 8 in what's called the Parable of the Sower.  "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.  And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” (Luke 8:5-8).  I do not claim to be, nor do I care to be, a gardener, but I know a healthy-looking plant doesn't always mean there's healthy root system.  What Charles H. Spurgeon says of spirituality can also be said of gardening: "Good growth takes place upwards and downwards at the same time." Like plant growth, genuine spiritual depth happens neither quickly or easily. It happens rather when the heart's soil is tilled and rich.  Spurgeon asks, "Am I rooted in sincere fidelity and love to Jesus?" This is how Christians grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18)!  Let us make devoted and disciplined efforts each day to dig deep into study-prayer-meditation on Godly things.  Then watch the flourish!

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Greatest Good

Sometimes it's hard to improve on old sayings. One of my favorites especially when I see a young child who seems to be the one-in-charge: in that case, the tail is waggin' the dog, which we know is not anatomically correct.

 

Here's another favorite and ancient one: Thus saith the Lord.  It’s absolutely enough to put God’s words inside quotation marks, but when His words are proceeded by “Thus saith the LORD,” we best listen-up!  Isaiah 48:17 says, "Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.’” To get a better idea of God's declaration in this verse, we need to read the verses before and after.  When you do, it's clear God loves His people and everything He does for them springs from His great and undying love!  Be sure, His statement isn’t some selfish whim but rather one of sovereign authority and infinite power to teach and lead those whom He loves to immeasurable benefits!  Verse 18 contrasts the misfortune of not following God's teaching and leading: “Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” What goes on-and-on like the flow of a river or waves upon the shore!  You may not be able to "get blood out of a turnip," but God reminds His people they "did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He made water flow for them from the rock; He split the rock and the water gushed out” (48:21).  Water from a rock - that's our God!  It's no wonder He says with indisputable certainty and all authority, "I am the LORD your God." He is altogether able to teach us absolute truth and lead us in infallible wisdom the way we should go.  God is our greatest Advocate and His Best is always our greatest good.  The most notorious hindrance to God’s Best in our lives will be the enemy within – selfish pride.  Let us not forfeit His Best but instead trust Him, obey Him for our greatest good!

Monday, January 9, 2017

On Your Heart

Those of us who have made technology a career can look back and chuckle.  It really wasn’t so terribly long ago – those days before point-and-click - when users were prompted to type commands on a black screen.  Those were also the days when computer desks were a must-have for those big computers and monitors.  Yes, it’s quite the chuckle.

God spoke to Jeremiah about a new covenant, and he wrote, "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put My law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people." (Jeremiah 31:33).  The introduction of handheld and mobile devices quickly made those massive computers a thing-of-the-past!  The same eternally faithful God put His righteous precepts into each person's heart rather than upon tablets of stone!  From the inner man, where His laws are bound securely and written upon the "tablet" of a person's heart (Proverbs 3:3), the Holy Spirit guides the Believer into rightful obedience.  Consider the deep delight of God's promise: "I will be their God and they shall be My people"!  Matthew Henry comments, "... a God all-sufficient ... the summary of all happiness."  Now, let's be reminded of the free and unlimited access we have to the rich treasures of God revealed in written word.  How many copies of His Word do you own?  Is it on a shelf - Is it dusty - Is it handy?  Is it precious to you?  How precious is it?  Pick it up - Open it - Read it well - Read it often.  Let its words find their rightful place on your heart.  Let its precepts live in you. 

Grow in Grace

There are just some things beyond description.  Think about it: how would you describe the Grand Canyon – and, could you adequately describe it?   What words give ample description to the experience of warm chocolate chip cookies and cold milk?  Or, what about the sound of rain on a tin roof from the comfort of a warm cozy bed?  Nope, no words.

 

In his second letter, the Apostle Peter wrote these prolific words, “Grow in grace …” (3:18).  To stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon and take it in, how do you improve upon the richness of that moment?  Likewise, how is it possible to increase in grace?  Aha, the greatest challenge of every Believer!   Grace, the Greek word charis, is that which gives joy-delight-sweetness-loveliness.  Who of us will manufacture these things on-our-own this day or the next?  None of us – it is not our nature to do so.  It is, however, the nature of Christ!  Paul encourages us to grow in Christ – allow [the nature of] Christ to flourish in the inner man producing delightfully sweet joyful loveliness. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “As you grow downward in humility, seek also to grow upward having nearer approaches to God in prayer and more intimate fellowship with Jesus.”  The Apostle John said it shortly, sweetly, and profoundly: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30).  Not that my opinion is worth anything at all, but Paul’s challenge to grow in grace is the only new year’s resolution worthy of any ounce of eternal effort.  Happy New Year – Grow in Grace!