MWB Schedule

MWB Resumes Tuesday 09-05-2017

Stay in The Word.  Miles of Smiles, Beverly

www.morningwithbeverly.blogspot.com

 

Come Apart

Have you ever been a "doubting Thomas" - the disciple who questioned Jesus’ resurrection?  In Psalm 73, the writer was troubled by seeing those who defied God yet prospered.  Most of the chapter describes the psalmist's struggle, which seems to lead to some genuine doubts.  We've seen it too!  What should be our response?  Skepticism can quickly lead to pessimism, sarcasm and cynicism but we must not despair.  Like the psalmist, we too should conclude:: prayer and worship change one’s viewpoint!  “When I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight until I came into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end.” (V.16-17).  Be sure, this is way-more than simply going to church; it’s getting away to a quiet place – come apart from the busy world – where we can meditate and meet God for instruction, wisdom and fellowship.  Actually, there's nothing more critical in the Christian's life than a daily respite with The Father!  It's also the best defense we have against ... coming apart!  Make time to "be still" to truly know God is God.  Make time to come apart.

Persevere

What a quandary when we observe present prosperity of those who live apart from God!  Like the psalmist, we tend to be “envious of the arrogant.” (Psalm 73:2).  Truly, we [too] struggle to understand this when we hold to integrity in spite of testing circumstances.  If you listen carefully today, religious freedoms are at risk.  Like a delightful harvest from a late summer garden, Christians must keep the Lord’s end in view!  Knowing this: “For the Lord will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants.” (Psalm 135:14).  A sure and delightful end is promised to those who remain “pure in heart” (Psalm 73:1).  Whatever your struggle or circumstance – However deep your grief and pain … do not lose heart!  Just as the day comes for the wicked, the glorious day of reward comes to those who stay true to God and persevere! Be of good courage – persevere!

A Holy Life

The names of several people come to mind when I consider those who quietly served or serve Christ: those who mow the grass, cook for and visit the sick and elderly, send cards of encouragement, etc.  Their names go unpublished, their work unnoticed, yet they honor Christ by faithfully serving others. “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm 1:6).  God knows the true character of every person.  There’s a pretense which may be among persons but none between man and his Creator.  God approves only those who live obediently to Him in sincerity; and, no one is able to impose on Him by pretending to be righteous. His favor is upon those who deserve such reward and whose characters bear the searching gaze of divine inspection.  Humans may mistakenly distinguish true  character, but God judges properly (in righteousness): “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8).  Of sweet memories and great influence, I see Mom in the kitchen cooking for the sick, or sitting at the kitchen table writing cards of encouragement.  You see, a life well-lived is a holy life, and its rewards are treasures both here and now. How goes your life?

 

“The dear Lord’s best interpreters – Are humble, human souls

The Gospel of a life like hers – Is more than books or scrolls

From scheme and creed the light goes out – This saintly face survives

The blessed Master none can doubt – Revealed in holy lives (by John Greenleaf Whittier, “The Friend’s Burial”)

Speak Life

If a certified speech instructor could help master the full scope of the tongue, I’d sign up!  The Wisdom of God through His servant Solomon: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21).  Author and humorist Barbara Johnson wrote, “Lord, let my words be sweet for tomorrow I may have to eat them.”  We’re told women speak substantially more words in a day than men; okay, guys, we get it. Nonetheless, whatever the amount of words we speak, the task of mouth management is a challenge!  The flaw in the management is no one has yet tamed the tongue.  The only hope we have is the continuous prayer of the righteous: ”Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Proverbs 19:14).  Pray for grace to speak only life today!

Gift Yourself

On or near my desk where I write each day is a prayer plaque, a figurine, a small friendship book, a block of Parallam®, a handcrafted card; and, I can tell you exactly who gifted each item to me.  Each item represents people who have poured their lives into mine.  Proverbs 18:16 says, “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.”  The sharing of gifts – a card, a phone call, an email, a text, a prayer, your time – has great potential to lift a burden, heal a wound, encourage a heart, or cement a relationship.  The act of giving is a powerful way to show someone you care, and to extend the Greatest Gift of all – God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and dearest Friend. A moment poured out into another life is a moment well-spent.  To whom will you gift yourself today?

No Tears

Of all the things that cause us to weep, I suspect there are more sad tears than happy ones.  Scripture doesn’t give great detail about our heavenly bodies, but there will be no apparent need of tear ducts!  Isaiah 65 is a strong message of God to a rebellious people: strong words of judgment for those who “walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts.” (V.2). God’s calling out of the gods of Fortune and Destiny (V.10) could easily be the headlines today!  Among the judgments for rebellion are beautiful words of promise for those who love the LORD: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create … And there will no longer be heard … the voice of weeping and the sound of crying.” (V.17, 18, 20).  What a confident future true Believers have!  I think of my Mom a lot these days, the things that made her cry – even me at times; those things no longer trouble her.  According to God’s Word, my Mom cries no more!  “No tears, no tears up there – Sorrow and pain will all have flown – No tears, no tears up there – No tears in heaven will be known.” (Hymn lyrics by Robert S. Arnold, 1935).  I’m not gonna to miss those tear ducts – how about you?

Lovesick

When I need bread, I go to the bread store; when Mr. Bill needs nuts or bolts, he goes to the hardware store.  Where do we go for the non-physical needs – spiritual nourishment?  “I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my Beloved, that you tell Him that I am sick from love [simply sick to be with Him].” (Song of Solomon 5:8).  There should exist no greater or intense fire within the true Believer than to know God’s Presence!  Why?  Because He is The Satisfier of the new creature – “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Other things – the old things – are not fulfilling; they bring only temporal satisfaction. “What the sun is to the day, what the moon is to the night, what the dew is to the flower, such is Jesus Christ to us.” (Spurgeon).  A separateness from the Presence of Christ leaves the true Believer lovesick.  To know lasting and complete satisfaction for the hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6), the true Believer will pursue [by all means available] The Righteous One.  He alone – The Righteous One – can satisfy lovesickness!

Have a Good Day

One of the last things I say to Mr. Bill each morning as he leaves the house is, “have a good day.”  What really makes for a good day?  Scripture says, “He that watereth shall be watered also himself.”  This is not only the secret to a good day but an eternally prosperous day.  The Godly principle is only as we’re poured out for Christ unto others are we genuinely enriched. “To get, we must give … to accumulate, we must scatter … to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy … in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others … in watering others, we are ourselves watered.” (Spurgeon).  How absolutely dry and stagnant our lives are when we live unto ourselves –  when we have forsaken “the Fountain of Living Waters” and carved for ourselves “broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13).  Do you want to have a good day?  Pray then for grace to lay your pipe closest to The Fountain and allow Him to water others through you.  Yes, then, have a good day!

Praise Him!

Across the United States today, we will witness a phenomenon.  I suggest, however, all of creation is a marvel!  What an extraordinary opportunity for Christians to honor The Creator – He Who “made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning and darkens the day into night, Who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out on the surface of the earth, the LORD is His Name.” (Amos 5:8).  What an excellent occasion to recognize the divine order and design of The Creator’s works in creation!  While the eclipse may be a rarity, do not be deceived – it is not [at all] uncommon among the hosts of heaven: “The heavens declare the glory of God!” (Psalm 19:1).  May this event be yet another phenomenal day when we join with God’s created lights: “Praise Him, sun and moon, praise Him, all you shining stars!” (Psalm 148:3).  Yes, indeed … Praise Him!

Today

As best I recall, Mr. Green’s afternoon Science class was boring except for those two minutes when Bill walked by the window headed to his driver’s education class.  It was actually the best two minutes of my day!  “A man of understanding sets skillful and godly Wisdom before his face, but the eyes of a [self-confident] fool are on the ends of the earth.” (Proverbs 17:24).  Too many [of us] live unto the future instead of the present, dreaming of how things might be more than how things really are.  While there’s certainly nothing wrong with planning for and preparing for the future, but how foolish to miss the beauty of the moment at hand.  If you’re watching hummingbirds feed – as Mr. Bill and I often do – you better be attentive or you miss those speedy little birds. The same could be said of our attentiveness to the present.  In their book, Wisdom of the Proverbs, Dan & Nancy Dick includes this beautiful prayer: Lord, bless this day, which is a precious gift from You. I thank You for every day that I live. Life is a wonderful gift, and one that I can never hope to repay. Take my life, and consecrate it to Your love.”   Amen & Amen … so be it, Lord.

 

While I admit I should have been more attentive to Mr. Green, little did I know in those two precious minutes, I was looking at my future.

Happy Anniversary, Mr. Bill.  It’s been 42 years of joy to call you husband and friend.

Mirror Time

The 1974 song, “O Lord, It’s Hard To Be Humble” tells a profound truth about human nature: O, Lord, it’s hard to be humble – When you’re perfect in every way – I can’t wait to look in the mirror … .  The lyrics are quite humorous but not-so humorous.  The message of grace given for the humble is one repeated countless times in Scripture – James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5, Proverbs 3:34,  Isaiah 66:2, Proverbs 16:18, Philippians 2:3, Proverbs 29:23 – to name only a few.  What a dilemma, this far-and-deep reaching intent to promote self.  This is exactly why spiritual exhaling or confession is needed every day.  I suggest a great time and place to do so is each time we look in the mirror.  Why not develop the habit of confessing the sin of selfish pride – when we look into the mirror – and accepting the refreshing grace of forgiveness and humility. What a great idea, Mac! 

Spiritual Breathing

Think about the things we do without thought such as breathing: we exhale and inhale.  In their article “Responding to God,” Life Action Ministries writes: “the process of dealing with sin in our lives is similar to the process of breathing … exhaling and inhaling.”  I greatly fear the very process of dealing with our sins has become almost extinct among Christians today.  If we go through even one day when we do not say “I’m sorry, God,” something is very wrong in our spiritual lives.  Confession is simply agreeing with God about personal pride that causes us to sin – wrong actions, words, attitudes, values, principles.  To exhale (confess) brings about the next step of inhaling – by faith – God’s forgiveness and His power to move forward in obedience.  While physical breathing is an automatic process, spiritual breathing is a discipline – something we must commit ourselves to doing regularly in order to know the sweetness of fellowship with The Father.  “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.” (Proverbs 28:13).  If you’re reading this, I know you are physically breathing, but are you practicing spiritual breathing?

Stay Connected

Recently I made a call to a house phone, and it rang and rang and rang – no answer, no answering machine, no voice mail – just an unanswered phone.  This is not the case when the righteous call upon the Lord: “On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.” (Psalm 138:3).  What a wonderful promise!  There is a problem, however – we do not always call. Too often we search the Internet or reach for a book or call a friend.  “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, Who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5).  An old telephone company slogan was Reach Out and Touch Someone.  Reach Out should be the motto of every born-again child of God; keep an ongoing and sweet connection with The Father through study-prayer-worship.  He’s never busy.  He always answers.  Reach out – Stay Connected!

It Matters

Our living room could easily be mistaken for wild kingdom: mounted are three deer, two fish, a goose, a duck and a wild boar.  Those mounts put Mr. Bill’s love of hunting on display.  The small book of Titus is anything but small in its message to practice sound doctrine.  This co-worker of Paul presents a list of good practices and gives the reason why Believers should do so: “so that the word of God will not be dishonored” (2:5) and “so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.” (2:10).  The greatest truth we must never forget is we are saved by faith – “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8) – but it is our deeds that put on display what we truly believe.  You might wonder, “why is this so important?”  Heidi Jo Fulk in her True Woman blog answered this question in simple fashion: “Because displaying and spreading God’s Word is at stake.”  Many people of the world will never pick up a Bible, enter a church, attend a Bible study, subscribe to any religious literature but almost without fail everyone will [at some point in every day] interact with another human being.  Herein is the importance that God’s people display God’s truth to others.  This is Titus’s message to Believers.  We do well to ask ourselves what kind of truth do we put on display for those within our circle of influence.  It matters!

 

Friendly Life

It is common when guests visit, they knock and wait to be asked in, to have a seat, and maybe share a glass of sweet tea.  This is not the way of Trouble: she comes in unannounced and without invitation. At the visit from this unwelcome guest, friends are important.  Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”  In 2005 when Mr. Bill had cancer, never was the wealth of friends more real to us: they filled the waiting room during his surgery, their cards packed our mailbox, they handed us cash, they called and emailed us, they cried and prayed with us, they filled our kitchen with food.  Those whom we had not heard from in ages reached out to encourage and strengthen us.  At times we were [quite simply] astonished at the outpouring of love and care.  Christ is the Truest Brother and Friend the Christian will ever know and because of Him] we are to extend His kind of love and care to others.  It is good and right we extend God’s mercy but it also has benefits: “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24).  Solomon recommends friendship; contract and cultivate friendship by showing ourselves friendly.  Friendliness is a wise investment. In the final scene of the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” hosts of George Bailey's friends came to help him in his crisis, and Little Harry Bailey paid tribute: “To my big brother George, the richest man in town!”  The measure of a friendly life could mean friends who knock at your door, call your number, fill your mailbox and refrigerator when Trouble comes a’callin’.  Oh, and Trouble will come but so will the full-measure of friends because of your ... friendly life!

HEAL

The incision from my hand surgery is still tender, but day by day is healing and becoming less noticeable.  Unforgiveness is often the cause of a wound that cannot heal.  Proverbs 17:9 says, “He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.”  If I hold onto a wrong done against me – bringing it up over and over – it puts both me and the offender in a prison cell and locks the door!  True forgiveness only occurs when we treat the subject as a closed matter. Holding tightly a grudge builds a wall of bitterness and separation keeping open the wound of hurt.  That dividing wall isn’t just between persons, it is between God and man.  “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also Who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25).  Do you know the continual sting of an open wound or are you keeping a wound open and exposed?  There’s no better time than right now to begin the healing!  Forgive.

Careful and Watchful

MORNING WITH BEVERLY: Wednesday 08-09-2017

Careful and Watchful

 

It should be no secret [from previous writings], I have no fondness for spiders.  Nonetheless, Scripture uses the spider’s web to describe the craftiness of Satan to spread his lies and deceit.  The Prophet Isaiah makes clear God’s “hand is not so short that It cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2).  A person’s belief system is often entangled with both truth and untruth.  The best and most alluring lie is often largely truth and a little lie – that makes the whole a lie.  Never in my lifetime has it been more critical to know the Truth according to God.  We’ll never recognize a lie if we do not know the truth. It’s those loud and famous voicers who speak-sing-write lies – anything contrary to Scripture – “weave the spider’s web” (V.5).  It alarms me the numbers of Christians who listen to, read, and follow men and women who have spun a good tale but “yes, truth is lacking.” (Isaiah 59:15).  Let my voice echo that of the prophets of old: be careful and watchful for lips that teach foolishness.  Those lips really do … sink ships!

Affection

It is an interesting consideration what we love versus for what we have affection.  You may love chocolate – have an intense feeling of warmth, fondness, tenderness, attachment, endearment.  However, to say you have an affection for chocolate, you must consider the influence, difference, impact on you – its affect.  A personal genuinely born again loves Christ but is wise to consider whether his love resemble his affections.  Our love for Christ will influence (make a difference) in all of life. Song of Solomon 1:4 speaks of an unique intimacy that exists between Christ and His true children: they know continual nearness, they walk together, and they fellowship as close friends.  The verse concludes, “Rightly do they love You.”  Spurgeon says, “Believers love Jesus with a deeper affection than they dare to give to any other being.”  It is no scant affection – barely sufficient or adequate – we have for The King – oh, no!  One’s spiritual affection is intense and deeply impacts the true Believer’s life.  Does your affection for Christ shadow your love for Him, or is it a mere scant?  We do well to ask ourselves this question!

Stay the Line

Some things you just never forget, like when we tried to avoid the cost of a hotel crib, certain the twins would share a playpen for the night.  It took less than fifteen minutes to call the front desk for a crib. Early in Scripture, we read where man “crossed the line.”  The crafty serpent asked Eve, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1).  Like disobedience ruled that moment, so it reigns today.  A confrontation between Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam resulted in Bugs drawing a line in the sand, daring Sam to cross it: hundreds of lines later, Yosemite Sam falls into a crack in the rock.  Although the Standard of Truth is settled and Line drawn by which men are saved and called to live, we’ve drawn our own lines to accommodate man’s sinfulness.  Proverbs 4:27 says, “Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” The wise acknowledges God’s precepts and faithfully seek to live according to them.  It is an ever-conscious endeavor.  Be diligent and stay the Line!

No Sunglasses!

Walking from an otherwise well-lit building, even the late afternoon sunlight causes me to squint.  Thank you, sunglasses!  The word “light” appears 272 in the Bible!  It's no small thing God’s first spoken words in Scripture are “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3a).  God’s next move was to separate the “light from the darkness.” (Genesis1:3b). The lack of light is an enemy to my eyes.  Actually, darkness is a clear and present danger to us all.  Satan - the prince of darkness - harasses the souls of men, disguised as an "angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14).  Oh, for the day when Satan-be-gone and we're free of the impact of spiritual darkness; a world where light rules!  Of the New Jerusalem, John writes, “And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:23).  As I consider where my Mom is spending her days, I cannot imagine how wonderful it must be to know the Presence of the Son - the radiance of God's glory (Hebrews 1:3).  That day is coming; I am ready - and, get this: no sunglasses!

Speak Sweetly

MORNING WITH BEVERLY: Thursday 08-03-2017

Speak Sweetly

 

There is great danger in the babble-of-the-rabble!  The rabble was the mixed multitude who incited the Israelites to weep about their food options in the wilderness.  The rabble - the disorderly crowd - who left Egypt with the Hebrews were a terribly unhappy bunch.  Today is no different: complainers and complaints are plentious! Unfortunately, some of it we aren't able to tune out - please, where is the "off" button?  Proverbs 14:7 warns us, "Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you perceive not in him the lips of knowledge."  As we make conscious choices to free our ears from modern-day babble (and rabble), we must take care not to practice it ourselves. "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." (Proverbs 16:24).  Just imagine how different your world will be as only pleasant words pour forth!  Speak sweetly - you just might gather a crowd!

Taste and See

We observed one of the smaller hummingbirds feed recently, and noticed her tiny feet tightly clamped to the feeder.  No doubt she loved the drink, but she seemed to intensely love even that which held the sweet nectar.  From my writings, you should know how deeply I love God’s Word, and well every Believer should.  Let me be clear: it is His Word that draws me nearer to Its Author!  Because Scripture is God-breathed – “All Scripture is breathed out by God” 2 Timothy 3:16a – to read His words is to know His thoughts, feelings, character, instructions and promises.  It’s hard [for me] to understand the one who claims to love God yet has no apparent love to read His Word.  Paul continues by confirming what God’s words do: “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16b-17). If I was forced to admit one thing that has greatest influence me as a Christian, I must say it is faithfully reading and studying God’s Word. The psalmist challenges us, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Psalm 34:8).  There are many ways to taste God’s Goodness, but certainly reading and meditating on His words is one of the greatest taste tests!  And, you’ll find the Author is present at every taste!  Yes, read His Word – taste and see!