Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Trust 101

Trust is a tricky thing – to be studied and considered intently. Sometimes I hear people say “trust your heart” – no! no! no!  “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).  There are, of course, trustworthy people in our lives.  Nonetheless, Jesus “did not commit Himself unto them ..;. for He knew what was in man.” (John 2:24-25). Can we all not still feel the searing burn of trust broken?  See, trust is indeed a tricky thing!  Trust placed in God’s Grace is never misplaced: it is completely unshakeable and altogether sure.  Trusting in Him and not man – that includes ourselves – is the only sure way to go.  We do well when we  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) and “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” {Proverbs 3:6).  Then, and only then, is trust not so tricky!

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Show Off Faith

For most of our day-to-day decisions, we rely on basic common sense, and thank the Lord for that sensibility!  Common sense, however, is often a hindrance to faith.  The way of faith can be paralyzing but it’s the way of Christ: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7).  “At the bar of common sense, Jesus Christ’s statements may seem mad; but bring them to the bar of faith, and you begin to find with awestruck spirit that they are the words of God.” (Oswald Chambers).  When we conclude decisions based on pure reason,  faith usually loses to the sensible.  Paul assures us faith is shown off in our decisions: “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:26).  Faith’s evidences will be its non-sense moves – those decisions made in faith in spite of common sense.  This is when our faith is exposed, and God is honored.  How well do you show off your faith?

Monday, May 29, 2017

Lips of Love

There are words sweet to the soul; two of which come from the lips of our Grands -- PopC and MomC.  Oh, how our hearts melt at those words!  In contrast, there are words that should never be spoken, i.e. “I hate my daddy.”  How it must grieve The Father’s heart how hearts are hardened because of sin.  Hear what Jesus said to His followers: “The Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came from God.” (John 16:27b).  Believing hearts are rooted in Love of and for Christ, therefore, destructive words have no place in the tongue or lips.  Psalm 63:3 says, “Because Your steadfast Love is better than life, my lips will praise You.”  God’s Love is stronger than all of life’s challenges – relationships, situations, circumstances – aren’t we glad!  May it always be the delight of His Love on our lips!

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Ultimate Honor

There are some things which can be described but to fully experience them, you just need to see them for yourself: the beauty of a rose, or a hummingbird feeding, or an American flag moving in a gentle breeze.  On this Memorial Day, we remember those who experienced the ugliness of war time so you and I need not.  These freedoms we know are not with cost, and the cost ultimate for some.  Jesus’ life was spent on the cross so men could live free of sin’s shackles: “… the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.” (Romans 5:15).  Our American citizenship comes with great liberty, but it is only by faith we have righteous citizenship in God’s eternal Kingdom.  How sad many do not choose God’s liberation!  As you honor those who served [and serve] this Memorial Day, do not neglect to thank God for ultimate liberty we know in Christ.  It is the ultimate honor!

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Choose

To choose may be a privilege, but I’ve concluded it’s highly over-rated!  In truth, most options presented are either good or best.  Oswald Chambers says, “The good is always the enemy of the best.”  God said to Abram, “I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect.” (Genesis 17:1).  When we walk by faith, we relinquish the right to choose – that privilege belongs to God.  Left to ourselves, the choice will always be the one that appears to benefit us.  “Living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God make your choice for you.” (Chambers).  I clearly recall two major decisions in my life which raised a few eyebrows.  By God’s grace, I was obedient and they proved to be His Best for me and my family.  In a world where personal rights are held tightly and often with selfish pride, giving up to win seems foolish.  The real foolishness is refusing to walk before God allowing Him all authority in our lives.  Choose ye this day whom you will serve!

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Anticipate Him

Anticipate and plan as you will, but sometimes it’s just impossible to know what you’ll do in any given situation.  I wonder what John imagined he would do when the heavens were opened to him: “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead …” (Revelation 1:17a). .  Isaiah’s vision of the LORD caused him to cry out, “Woe is me!” (Isaiah 6:5).   In light of these Biblical experiences, I’m skeptical of modern-day stories of glimpses into heaven.  No doubt, our eternal home will one of great beauty – far beyond what we can imagine.  The main and sweetest Attraction, however, will be Christ Himself Who laid aside of the anticipated wonders to take on the form of a servant, obediently doing the will of The Father to redeem sinners.  Christ will be the Beauty of heaven, and I strongly suggest “no” we do not know exactly what we will do!  Here’s what I know: “Oh, I want to see Him – Look upon His face – There to sing forever of His saving Grace – On the streets of glory, let me lift my voice – Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice” (Lyrics by Rufus H. Cornelius, 1916).  Anticipate Him!

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Believe

Several times lately, Mr. Bill was walking on the attic rafters – the thought of this makes me shiver!  In His mountain-side sermon, Jesus spoke of life’s commonalities: “… Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on …” (Matthew 6:25).  There’s great truth in the old saying, “the devil is in the details.”  The details of life Jesus spoke of concern us too much!  Jesus continued, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” (6:26).  How silly of me to say, “Mr. Bill, be careful” – who dares to walk on rafters carelessly!  This commonsense carefulness for our days is mere unbelief – not believing God is Who He is and does what He promises to do!  Oswald Chambers says, “Don’t take the pressure of your provision upon yourself.”  For the true and serious follower of Jesus Christ, two words must take the place of such commonsense carefulness: Trust Him!  In truth, life is like walking among the rafters – and, sure-footedness comes only when we disbelieve ourselves and believe Him!

Monday, May 22, 2017

Live Dependently

Somewhat unconsciously as children and teenagers, our parents taught us the benefit of growing into independence. That is, being able to depend on them less and less.  This is not so with The Father.  It was never the Creator’s intent that man live independently of Him.  Shortly before His death, Jesus prayed: “That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee …” (John 17:21).  Do any of us dare imagine God would fail to hear and answer the pray of His Son!  While we may hum the happy tune “I Did It My Way,” most surely we resist God having His Way in our lives.  When we refuse to say with brokenness, “Thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10), we shake off the oneness with The Father and Son.  There is no oneness in living independently from Christ.  The best decision we can make today is to die to self – live dependently with Christ!

Sunday, May 21, 2017

See God

Eye diseases can hinder many otherwise simple tasks such as reading product labels when shopping.  How blessed we are when our eyes are free and clear of impediments – pure – to function as they should.  God Most Pure is the standard for His Children: “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil …” (Habakkuk 1:13).  Such purity as God commands is heart-purity.  Christians who grasp this principle will complete a divine prerequisite given by Jesus:  “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8).  Thomas Watson writes “to such as are adorned with this jewel, He promises a glorious and beatifical vision of Himself – they shall see God.”  Is it any wonder we too often miss God!  Happy are we when heart-purity is the highest goal – we will see God.

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Reaching

Without the assistance of a chair or one of my guys (who are all taller than me), the highest of my kitchen cabinets are out of reach.  At first glance, the commandments of God may seem impossible to follow.  Jesus said this was the greatest command: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37).  Heart and soul and mind – the sum of that is all-of-me!  What the LORD said to the Hebrew people is also true for Christians today: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life … That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life … ” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).  It’s a tall order, a real challenging, but not out of reach.  Christ says, “My Grace is sufficient for you, for My Power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).  His commandments always come with His sufficient power, making all of them possible, well within reach.  Here’s the question: are you reaching toward Him? 

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Little Sprouts

Gardening is not my strength, nonetheless, I have a small garden of potted plants.  Just like tender shoots of a plant, according to God’s purpose, spiritual seeds take root.  A word spoken or a deed done for Christ is never wasted! “I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before Him.” (Ecclesiastes 3:14).  The wasteful tragedy is when we fail to speak and fail to do, that is, plant spiritual seeds for God’s kingdom.  Scripture makes clear we plant and God grows the seed (1 Corinthians 3:6).  How delightful when God gives sprout to seeds He has used us to plant!  Are you speaking and doing for the Lord?  Let us faithfully plant, diligently pray then watch for little sprouts!

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Soul Smiles

My small collection of birds makes me smile.  My Granny loved birds, and so did Mom.  And, so did Jesus!  He spoke fondly of our feathered friends several times during His earthly ministry.  “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns …” (Matthew 6:26a).  He spoke specifically of the sparrow, the smallest of birds:  “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” (Matthew 10:29).  In both passages, He was leading us to know even though He loves and cares for the birds, even more He loves and cares for us:  “… and yet Your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26b), and “Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:31).  See how deeply The Father loves each one of His children!  Now, that makes my soul smile!

Monday, May 15, 2017

Be A Hero

The official definition of a hero is one who is “admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.”  Hebrews 12:1 speaks of a great “cloud of witnesses.” (12:1a).  In Chapter 11, we’re encouraged by a sampling list of past heroes such as Abraham, Moses, Gideon, Samson, David, and Rahab.  We forget, however, the list is still being written!  We have modern-day heroes such as Billy Graham, Tim Tebow, and endless unnamed among us.  What about you and me?  Are our names being named among those who are faithful in little things – day by day promoting Christ and His kingdom: in our homes, in our workplaces, in our communities, in Christ’s Church?  As Joshua challenged the pioneering Hebrews as they continued their march to the Land of Promise: “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve … as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15).  Then with boldness, “let us run with endurance.” (Hebrews 12:1b).  Be a hero!

Promote Him

As a student, it was great to get that final report card at the end of school year, and read I was officially promoted to the next grade!  David’s cry for self-preservation in Psalm 57 ends like this: “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth.” (Psalm 57:11).  David’s plight [at the time] was staying one step ahead of King Saul who was bent on killing him – an understandable reason to plead God’s help!  A missionary in Northern Africa describes David’s words as “pain leading to praise.”  Let’s face it: most of us don’t suffer well, and pain too often leads to misery.  And don’t we know pain is inevitable – misery is optional?  God tells His people, “But the LORD of hosts, Him you shall honor as holy. Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.” (Isaiah 8:13).  When we seek to promote God rather than ourselves, we win in all circumstances.  His promotion becomes our own promotion.  In times of joy and in times of sorrow, promote Him.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Enter

Doing things orderly suits me fine, and that includes entering the door labeled ENTER.  When we read of creation, we are immediately struck by the orderly fashion of the Creator.  Scripture speaks of God’s rest; that word refers to a promised place where God is, a place of preservation for Believers – a place of ceasing.  “Let us therefore strive to enter that rest …” (Hebrews 4:11a).  We anticipate the weekends when we momentarily rest from the workdays, but how do we enter God’s rest?  Note the words that follow: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (V .12).  His rest is ours when we stop striving in our own strength and rest in the power of His!  And, dare we miss the rest into which God’s Word leads us?  The rest Christ offers lasts much longer than a weekend.  I pray your Bible is not dusty.  Pick it up – Read it – Meditate on His words – Enter into His Rest!

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Grand Glory

Hanging on my refrigerator are a few Grand works of art – genuine masterpieces.  As grand as they are, they do not compare to what the Lord longs to show His children.  Moses made one final climb to Nebo’s highest peak, Mount Pisgah. The view must have been exhilarating: God showing His faithful servant endless miles of the Land of Promise.  I suspect we cannot comprehend the Grace we miss when we do not get alone with God.  Ours to behold is the blissful glory of God Himself in His Presence.  It’s notable that Moses made the climb alone, probably leaving behind Joshua and Eleazer; it was an intimate time – Moses and God.  What a model for every Believer to diligently seek The Father, finding time alone with Him.  Will you dare pray as Moses prayed in Exodus 33:18: “Please show me Your glory.” Oh, the Grand Glory to be revealed!

Tuesday, May 9, 2017

Believe

Because my guys are natural pranksters, the girls and I carefully measure anything they tell us.  All jokes aside, “I don’t believe you” are troubling words.  The Hebrew people forfeited much after leaving Egypt: they “heard and yet rebelled … they would not enter His Rest.” (Hebrews 3:16, 18).  When I read this senselessness of the Hebrews, I see my own dilemma: failure to rest in the promises of God.  The cause: “So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.” (3:19).  This sin of unbelief is nothing more than rebellion against God Who has promised certain deliverance and rest. Who would stand before God and declare: I do not believe You?  This is exactly what we do when we refuse to trust Him.  “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23).   Unwavering belief in the One Who keeps all His promises.  Believe.

 

Monday, May 8, 2017

Take Care!

There are some things you can do with stale bread, but no one wants to eat it!  The Lord has things to say about hardened hearts, and we are wise to take heed: “”Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts …” (Hebrews 3:7-8).  There’s an implied change that occurs in the spiritual heart, and a dire warning to the Believer: “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.” (3:12).  The upkeep of the spiritual heart is a continual matter, and we have a responsibility to one another in this matter. “But exhort one another every day, as long it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (3:14).  See, I told you – stale is no good!  Let us take care in this matter!

Sunday, May 7, 2017

The Display

Mr. Bill and I attended an art show last week and were quite … enlightened. The display of art was fascinating but chatting with the artist was the best part!  Hebrews 3:3 says, “For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses – as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.”   Whatever we’re building in this life – investing our time, money, effort – must be with eternity in-mind.  If it is not, we’re just plowing water.  “Consider Jesus … Who was faithful to Him Who appointed Him” (3:1-2) – this is the guiding principle for every Christian life.  Oh, yes! the display [of Christ in our lives] is very important but the display must always reflect the glory of the Master: “And we are His house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our Hope.” (3:6).  The art exhibit revealed the imagination of the artist; likewise, our lives should rightly reflect our relationship to God. Let us not consider exclusively the display but consider who Jesus is to us. A right relationship with Him creates an incredible display!

Thursday, May 4, 2017

Attentive

Almost unconsciously we know the common sounds of home: the steady hum of the refrigerator, the cycling of the dishwasher, the spinning of the washing machine.  What do you hear of the Lord?  After a beautiful introduction to The Redeemer, the writer of Hebrews continues, “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” (Hebrews 2:1).  The proven message of the angels, the prophets, the apostles, and now in printed form – The Bible – “how shall we escape if we neglect such a great Salvation?” (V.3).  The Beauty of Jesus Christ is not for ears alone, but the heart!  Hear and feel this richness as King Solomon describes Christ: “He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was Love … My Beloved is mine and I am His … Him Whom my soul loves.” (Song of Solomon 1:4, 2:16, 3:1). Do not miss the sound of Him, feel the Love of Him!  Do not neglect – be attentive to the Beauty of Jesus, the Lover of your soul!

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Greatest Love

The end of things has been heavy upon me the last few weeks. While the end may bring sadness, others bring joy.  Hebrews 1 is a masterful call to worship; Verse 12 includes this delightful statement, “But You are the same, and Your years will have no end.”  Unchanging and unending are two attributes contrary to where we live.  Throughout the course of one day, it is baffling to consider the destructive effects of sin upon this world. The edges of the beautiful yellow rose on my kitchen counter have begun to turn brown, and its petals begun to droop; imagine a world where even flowers do not die.  Someday, those who love and honor Christ now – in this age of ends and changes – will delightfully share in the Kingdom of the Unchanging and Unending One. For sure, there is much [here] I hold dear, but the Dearest One is there – Him Whom my soul loves (Song of Solomon 3:4).  Is your greatest love the Unchanging and Unending?

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Privileged

Have you ever put your foot or hand in wet cement?  It’s a rather common thing to do, leaving an imprint for years to come. Hebrews 1:3 tells us Jesus is the “exact imprint” of God’s nature.  What a privilege it must have been to share a meal with Jesus, or laugh with Him, or listen to Him around an evening fire.  To look into the very eyes of Him Who “is the radiance of the glory of God” (1:3a) – I cannot fathom.  Nonetheless, we’re invited into His sweet Presence: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8).  How can one redeemed refuse such an invitation!  As we read the red, we learn just how privileged we are to learn of and experience all He is.  We must never consider our relationship with Christ a casual thing, but a great privilege!

 

Monday, May 1, 2017

The Red

As a young girl, I head these words from a guest speaker at our church: “Read the red.”  I’ve never forgotten those words!  More importantly, I’ve learned the true wisdom of them.  He was referring to red letter editions of the New Testament in which the words of Jesus are printed in red.  Hebrews says, “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, Whom He appointed the Heir of all things, through Whom also He created the world.” (Hebrews 1:1-2).  There a ton to be unpacked in those two verses, but consider this: the Creator of the universe, the Supreme Being desires to speak to us … to me.  Just think about that, and be amazed, humbled.  What a magnificent truth!  Furthermore, we hold in our hands the revealed and printed Word of the Living God.  Dear friend, do not allow His Word to gather dust either on the shelf or in your heart.  Read the red!