Hello, MWB friends.  Today is my last working day. Officially retired!.  It is, of course, a happy time but also a time of saying so-long to a long-time routine, a regular morning alarm, and most importantly to a great team of co-workers who have also become my dear friends.  A special smile to Amy, Janet, Karen, Montie, Sandy, Loren and Michael - I'm going to miss you, my dear friends.  MWB friends, please remember us all in prayer as we adjust to a new normal.

All that said, I'm going to take a few days off - not from God's Word but from MWB. I leave Sunday for a month-long stay at the beach - can you say dream trip!  Thank you, Mr. Bill!  I plan to resume MWB on Monday, Feb 12.

As always, let me encourage each of you to stay in The Word.  We must never take a vacation or break from a pursuit of holiness because Satan takes full advantage of that time to advance his cause.

MWB friends, thank you for your encouraging words through the years - how I love hearing from you!

Greatest Conference

​MORNING WITH BEVERLY: 01-30-2018

Greatest Conference

Through the years, I've attended quite a few technology conferences.  Many of the break-out sessions were great with take-away knowledge and resources.  In Scripture, there are quite a few men who had life-changing conferences with Almighty God.  One was a young boy named Samuel who heard directly and repeatedly from God. We may read this and think "well, that was then and now is now."  Oh, but how many times has God spoken to us and [like Samuel] God had to repeat Himself or we questioned if it was God's voice at all?  I suspect I could discern (know) Mr. Bill's voice from other voices; why? Because I spend time with him, listen to him.  Do we know God's voice so little we fail to recognize Him when He speaks, or do we have such a build-up of unconfessed sin we are spiritually hard-of-hearing?  The Prophet Isaiah said God spoke to him "with a strong hand" (Isaiah 8:11).  Be sure, God speaks; the question is do we hear and do we obey?  When we are spiritually present with The Father, we leave changed.  He is always our greatest conference.​

Be Well

Once a year, Bill and I both see our medical doctor for an overall general examination - a yearly physical.  It is the responsible thing to do. When Christians can't see it, feel it, touch it, the general conclusion is that it doesn't exist, which leads to oblivion of the spiritual world!  How absurd!  Scripture presents this probing question: "How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" (Hebrews 2:3).  This greater salvation, announced by Christ, came with great retribution so the writer of Hebrews presses us to consider the consequences of showing no concern for its neglect!  Of course, those who simply reject salvation must consider the terms of rejection but what about those who embrace salvation yet neglect their spiritual health – how will we escape?  Yes, I know well that road "paved with good intentions!"  Let us be challenged to good spiritual health this year, and be sure we don't neglect to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18).   May our well-being be well indeed.

New World

Not a follower of Bob Dylan but he sang the times are a changin' and we all can agree with this statement.  Personally, I'm definitely on the verge of a new season of life.  In his letter to Thessalonica, Paul wrote dear friends, "we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you ..." (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18). Can't you just hear Paul's urgency to change his plans!  Nonetheless, he knew well the times and days of our lives are not ours; oh, we may think so, even wrap them up neat and tidy, but God remains sovereign: "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9). As each new world opens to us - whether it be a new day or a new season - it belongs to and is orchestrated by the Creator and Giver and Sustainer of all life.  While the newness may be new to us, it is not new to God; His plan and purpose are being meted out with love-grace-mercy-purpose. Because of this, we can press forward with absolute confidence of Who holds our here and now and then and facing them in the joy and strength of the Lord.  True, times may be a'changin' but the One Who holds all times changes not. So be it, Lord!

Unchained

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​MORNING WITH BEVERLY
MWB Archives 02-2003

Endless Words

Endless is an interesting concept.  While it's nice when some things don't end, it's especially nice when others do end. Aren't you glad God's words are endless!  Here's one even better -- 2 Timothy 2:9 says, "God's Word is not chained."  Paul wrote these words when he was in chains, but he quickly noted that the Word of God can't be bound. The great part about the unchain-ability of God's words is that it also frees us from our anxieties, frustrations, fears, worries, discouragements, griefs, etc.  There is absolutely no excuse [whatsoever] in our being bound [wound up tightly] by the world's temporal chains because God's Word is unchainable & endless. The B-I-B-L-E -- yes, that's the Book for me - I stand alone on the Word of God - The B-I-B-L-E!​

Have a blessed weekend. Miles of Smiles, Beverly

www.morningwithbeverly.blogspot.com​

Feathered

Feathers have their rightful place, and it is not the kitchen drain! Between duck and dove hunts, there was a time when it seemed feathers were abundant here. Do you sometimes feel featherless in this life?  I once saw a naked chicken; it was a rather sad sight. God doesn't intend for His Children to feel helpless or vulnerable.  Truth is, however, we are easily flustered and fearful in the face of real life.  Such times call for more than a long leisurely tub bath or quiet few moments to regroup.  God is The Calm in the midst of chaos: "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find Refuge." (Psalm 91:4)  In Him is safe harbor and protective cleft free of troublesome cares; there is perfect & lasting solace.  Lay aside your dread for the day - face it completely feathered!​

Heart Tour

Have you ever been on a tour of homes?  I've been on a few, and all the houses were amazing showcases but there were things missing: laundry, unswept floors, dust, dirty dishes, clutter.   As Christians, we are called to maintain lives that can be "toured" by others at any moment – without embarrassment. Oh, my!  Charles H. Spurgeon wrote, "Our lives must be such that observers may peep within doors and may see nothing for which to blame us."  Oh, my my!  The life that can stand such scrutiny includes the most hidden places of the heart.  

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A heart of holiness – swept clean of spiritually destructive debris – requires sanctifying grace and determined discipline.  "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." (Proverbs 4:23). A wise consideration for every serious disciple of Jesus Christ

​ is this​

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s my heart open for tours?

Search Over

It's sad, I know, but "search" is one of my favorite features on my computer. We actually make a good team: I lose it - Search finds it!  There are countless books available today to inspire and lead us to know God more intimately.  Nonetheless, we've been given the Best Book of all time - God's Word; what more do we really need?  God said to the Isaiah, "I, even I, am He Who blots out your transgressions ..."  There's the greatest news found in the greatest book! No further searching required.  It's told when Charles Wesley experienced God's forgiveness, he said to a friend, "I suppose I had better keep silent about it" to which his friend replied: "Oh, no, my brother. If you had a thousand tongues, you should go and use them all for Jesus." Charles Wesley went home and wrote these words: Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing – My great Redeemer's praise - The glories of my God and King – The triumphs of His grace.  In His Word and through His Son, God revealed Himself as all we need to live victoriously: the search is over!​

Know No Fear

Whether he was cast as Luther Heggs in "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" or Barney Fife in "The Andy Griffeth Show," perhaps there was no better face-of-fear than Don Knotts.  He pretty much set the standard for what fear looks like! In an interview years ago, Franklin Graham said America has embraced a "culture of death."  He followed this observation with an example of a top-rated television show about zombies.  The minimization (even glorification) of evil is dangerous, and has effectively distorted our sense of fear.  In the dark and dank recesses of a cave, God pressed Elijah to face his fear.  He had just witnessed God judge 850 false prophets then defy nature by sending fire from heaven, yet one lone enraged woman sent him into hiding.  While we quickly and easily forget God's power and faithfulness, we also fear the wrong things!  We all know what it is to fear physical harm, but I doubt any of us fully comprehend the evil forces that exist in the spiritual realm.  God's deep and abiding love for mankind was manifested (made visible & real) in Jesus, Who casts away all fear: "There is no fear in Love." (1 John 4:18).  Christ-in-us is much bigger than any shiver or shudder because "He Who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4).  The psalmist penned it beautifully, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You." (Psalm 56:3).  Christians are wise to be alert and cautious of spiritual threats, and boldly face fear in the power of One Who scatters all fear.  Know Him today and know no fear!​

Our Certainty

The weather map across the country shows frigid temperatures: it's January – it's supposed to be cold! The world's smartest have been unable to satisfactorily answer James' question: "What is your  life?" (James 4:14).  We celebration our years – we call them birthdays – but Scripture tells us [rather] to "number our days" (Psalm 90:12).  What then is the right perspective for James' probing question? One step into the frigid cold and our breath is visible. James stated a profound truth about this life: "It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4:14).  Life is difficult and

life is also uncertain.  Its uncertainties are certain – never doubt this! While life is uncertain, there is One Who is Certain – unchanging, eternal, faithful.  Peter encourages us to trust our souls to the "faithful Creator" (1 Peter 4:19), Who does "not change" (Malachi 1:6), with Whom there is "no variation or shadow due to change" (James 1:17).  What then is your life?  It is brief, fleeting, passing but certainly sustained day-by-day by One Who is the "first and last, the beginning and the end" (Revelation 22:13). This answer is sufficient because He is Sufficient – He is our Certainty!​

Linger Near

Yes, I know Christmas is over but one look at my kitchen table you will see lingering sights of holiday past – a few things yet to be completed.  If you examine your spiritual checklist, we all will see lingering – yet undone – things in our life God has yet to bring to His completion.  The holiday season may be crowned the most wonderful time of the year but what I've found to be true [in my spiritual life] is the demands of the season often brings out the worst in me.  It is very difficult indeed to "Be still and know that I am God" when we have no designated time to be still.  Being still means cease from striving, and most of us fill our lives with so much there's no time to cease doing anything; in our minds when we cease, we are unproductive.  Scripture tells us Jesus Himself – the Son of God, Perfect in all His nature and ways – slipped away for alone-time to talk with The Father: "But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray." (Luke 5:16).  Maybe there are so many lingering things because we do not linger – remain, delay – alone with Christ.    It's good to consider this in the New Year: do you linger near the Savior?

Too Comfy

Oh, how we love our comfy clothes!  A long-time Christian and faithful church-goer confessed, "I've become comfortable with a certain level of sin in my life."  What courage it takes to admit this!  While most of us may not have committed murder or adultery or another otherwise heinous act, it's highly likely sin has found a comfy place somewhere in our lives. The really sad part is how we may not even recognize it!  In Galatians 5:1, Paul says "For freedom Christ has set us free." Now unchained to sin why would we go back to being shackled?  Satan is a sly one and he won't be so apparent in his trickery. His goal to chain us is never laid aside; he remains the liar and deceiver he is. This is why Christians are to "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8).  Always be on the lookout for Satan's deceit lest you become tolerant of any level of sin in your life.  Regularly, ask God to show you the very moment sin settles in and becomes comfy.

Your Appointment

Every so often I have a must-do appointment with my hair stylist.  She can take one look at my hair and eyebrows and know exactly what must be done.  God knows all about me, and its His intent to give and do what is His Best for me.  As transforming as my hair stylist can be - for which I am most grateful - what she does cannot compare to how God transforms me by the power of the Holy Spirit and through His Word.  What a holy and effective Duo the Word of God and the Holy Spirit are to my ever-languishing soul.  "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2).  Although my hair only needs a transformation only periodically, my heart needs it daily - even many times each day.  Why is this so important to God's children?  Because what The Father wants most - His desired outcome - is that each one of His children be holy as He is holy. This is the only way we can enjoy His Presence in our lives, and the only way those around us will see and know what He is like.  Just like the best thing I can do for my hair stylist is keep my hair looking good, so it is for Christians [by the Spirit and the Word] make Christ beautiful to others.  God wants to do a transforming work in you - make your appointment with Him today!

Upgrade To Holiness

Is this on today's list of things to do: be holy ?  Life-goals are good - they help keep us focused and structured.  The highest and most worthy goal for the Christian, however, is not the [otherwise] well-intended good tasks we complete but rather one simple command: "be holy" (Leviticus 20:7, 1 Peter 1:16).  I said simple not easy.  Oh my, the struggle!  Looking back over my Christian life, I see so many wasted years being good and doing good yet failing to "be holy." Do you question whether this is a genuine goal in your life? Consider what you pray for - the immediacy of spiritual conviction of sin - the frequent [or infrequent] movement of the Holy Spirit - what you love and hate.  We are commanded to examine ourselves then confess and repent of the sin in our lives.  God is holy and He only fellowships with those who truly follow hard after righteousness. "For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness." (1 Thessalonians 4:7). Is your life-goal and your spiritual calling the same? If not, it's time for an upgrade to holiness.

Act Like It

It's hard to describe a meltdown but we all know what one looks like!  The Urban Dictionary says it's when someone "freaks out, cracks up, loses control."  There are days when it seems we are northbound in southbound traffic!  The writer of Romans 8:31 asks, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"  This isn't a lighthearted or catchy phrase but rather a probe to consider just how confident you are in Almighty God.  God declares, "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh.  Is anything too hard for Me?" (Jeremiah 32:27).  Luke writes, "For nothing will be impossible with God." (1:37).  These Truths are profound and well-founded.  Do we not know "He Who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23)?  Why the meltdowns – Why do we wring our hands in despair – Why do we live as if we have no Hope?  Quite simply, if we believe God is Who He says He is and does what He says He'll do, let's do something particularly radical:  let's act like it! ​

Blessed Blessing

​To "become" is to begin to be.  From birth we are ever becoming - beginning to be something. Scripture has much to say about "becoming."  For the Christian, top of the list list is "Be holy, because I am holy." (Leviticus 11:44, 1 Peter 1:16).  God's conversation with Abram in Genesis 12:2 was, "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing."  Have you ever watched the television show "Hoarders?"  The enormous collection of stuff is astounding!  What a shame when we withhold blessings when we [ourselves] are so blessed!  Think of the modern-day heroes who have embraced this be-a-blessing command and made it a way of life.  Hoarding blessings should never be said of a Christian.  We are set apart to be givers rather than takers, fully understanding  as we are blessed so we are to bless others.  Since none of us can deny we are blessed, consider if you have become [are becoming] a blessing.  Don't miss an opportunity – be a Blessed Blessing!​

Pile of Dirt

While mothers may dread the mess of it, what big fun a pile of dirt is to children!  Likewise, Christians too much-and-often enjoy the sinfulness of their lives.  "It shall be ... guilt from the holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts. It shall regularly be ... that they may be accepted before the LORD." (Exodus 28:38).  When God said be holy because I am holy, He wasn't merely suggesting we clean up the dirt and be casually attentive to holiness in our lives; oh no, it was [and is] a serious command to evaluate our lives regularly. We tend to turn a blind eye to our selfishness, pride, slander, apathy, etc. and my-oh-my what a pile of dirt it becomes.  Spurgeon reminds us, for one reason or another, even our desires after holiness are polluted.  Aren't you glad to know Jesus - our Great High Priest - doesn't offer The Father our idea of holiness but offers instead His own Righteousness!  Let us not neglect to pray continually for Grace to acknowledge-confess-repent of our pile of dirt and by grace live holy before Almighty God. Coram Deo!

Blessed Forgetfulness

Thank goodness for calendars and reminders; I'm even thankful the outside of the refrigerator is magnetic! God, perfect in His nature and ways, chooses forgetfulness.  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 – don't miss this – to wipe out, obliterate, exterminate from memory!  Even when we erase something, there remains a trace and a remembrance of the erasure. God emphasizes, "I, I am He" the One Who 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 joyfully in God's … blessed forgetfulness!

Thee in Me

​No child [I know] ever wanted to be called a "tattletale" but today that's what sells books, makes movies and gets you a front-and-center seat on the popular talk shows.  Here's a sensational secret: if I want to know the scandalous and appalling low-down on myself [or anyone else], all I need do is read God's Word!  The Puritan prayed, "It is a good day to me when Thou givest me a glimpse of myself; sin is my greatest evil, but Thou art my greatest good."  It is God - through His Word - Who "reveals the profound and hidden things" (Daniel 2:22.  The first move toward physical, emotional, mental or spiritual wellness is knowing the flaws.  Hebrews 4:12 tells us, "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."  That two-edged sword is perfectly effectual, cutting both ways - not to hurt but to bring spiritual healing and sweet restoration in the relationship between creature [man] and Creator. God's Word sanctifies (makes holy) according to His truth; His Word is truth (John 17:17). Paul said, "by the Grace of God, I am what I am" (1 Corinthians 15:10).  O, dear Lord, what a year it will be if all I can see is Thee in me!​

NAMED

Expectant parents typically have names chosen for when their baby arrives, as did Mr. Bill and I.  When the twins arrived, however, we had not planned which baby would be "Dennis" and which baby would be "Dustin."  For a moment, we were thoughtless.  There is nothing thoughtless in what God does including identifying and naming His children: "Be glad in the LORD, you righteous ones, and give thanks to His holy Name." (Psalm 97:12). He knows His righteous ones, and knows them well. They are recognized [by Him] as those who are consistently upright.  It's not just who they are but how they honor Him in faithful obedience.  Who we are in Christ is because of grace through faith [alone] and how we live is an overflow of our love for God.  Are you named among the righteous ones?  If so, be glad and rejoice and give thanks to the Name of all names!​