Fast and Firm

It’s back in session – school, that is – and so are pop quizzes, reports, homework and tests. It surely makes students and parents alike groan – I certainly remember!  One of the greatest fallacies is that the Believer’s life will be one of great calm and ease. It might be said, “all I need is my faith and my commonsense” to persevere in this life. Oh, my!  Oswald Chambers writes, “Every time you venture out in your life of faith, you will find something in your circumstances that, from a commonsense standpoint, will flatly contradict your faith.”  In most cases, our commonsense comes from personal experience and/or observation of someone else’s experience. For example, I’ve learned gravel hurts my bare feet so I wear shoes when walking on gravel: commonsense. Hebrews 11:1 tells us “Faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality – faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].” It is belief [in Jesus the Messiah] that authenticates our faith; however, faith never tested has little potential to surpass mere commonsense.  Jesus said, “For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.” True Believers hold fast and firm to The Assurance that is ours because of the completed work of Jesus, which by the way, surpasses all commonsense!  Now, consider if you are resting on good old commonsense or are you living by faith? In Christ, we hold … fast and firm.

 

Prayer Changes

A sweet childhood memory is how Mom frequently rearranged the living room furniture, and Dad would always say, “what’s going on in here!”  A subtle and strategic rearrangement of old things can be good, but it is simply a “subtle and strategic rearrangement of old things.” We’ve all heard, “Prayer changes things.”  A more accurate statement is: prayer changes me.  How do we develop an earthly relationship? We invest time in conversation and in fellowship with the person. In the same way, it is time spent in prayer with The Father when He begins to reveal who He is thus deepening the relationship. You see, prayer doesn’t change things – prayer changes people. Oswald Chambers writes, “Prayer changes me and then I change things.” Let’s not settle for simple rearrangement of the way things are; rather, let’s go for a real and lasting change in who we are. Pray expecting change!

Train and Maintain

We don’t watch a lot of movies, but one Mr Bill and I enjoyed several years ago was “How To Train Your Dragon.” That should tell a lot about our taste in movies! Did you know, as true disciples of Christ, we are to develop-nurture-keep a spiritually healthy conscience? Not to be confused with the power and working of The Holy Spirit in a Believer, it is the conscience (our consciousness) that excuses or accuses, that commends or condemns – a good conscience rightly distinguishes between what is morally good and bad, prompting us to do the former. Paul lays out the [unfortunate] problem of his day as well as ours: “To the pure, all things are pure; but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; both their mind and their conscience are corrupt.” (Titus 1:15). It is unpopular in this culture to hold to absolutes; nonetheless, genuine Followers of Christ follow (live by) God’s Truth as breathed-out by God and revealed through the life and teachings of Jesus.  We have allowed the corruption-defilement-searing of our consciences because we have failed to train and maintain a conscience that functions rightly – that is rooted solely in the commands and teachings of Scripture. Satan has cleverly and effectively spoken by many means; we have listened and followed hence sullying the conscience. God said, “And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21). Perhaps what you’re not hearing may be an indicator of how spiritually healthy your conscience is. Do not neglect to read and study and meditate on God’s Word – it’s how you train your … conscience!

 

Heart-Honor

My preferred and go-to coffee mug has these words: “My Favorite People Call me MomC.” Yes, six Grands know me by this endearing title – MomC. Luke records Jesus’ familiar teaching on the construction of two houses – one built on a firm foundation of rock and another built merely on sand or the ground. When torrential floods came, the outcomes of the two houses differed greatly: one utterly destroyed and one remained unshaken (Luke 6:48-29).  Prior to His illustration, however, Jesus said this: “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not practice what I tell you? Everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words and obeys them, I will show you whom he is like.” (V.46-47). The principle [here] points to a serious yet common disconnect between professing to be a Follower of Jesus and actually possessing Him as Lord of our hearts, our lives.  Years earlier, God spoke through His prophet, “This nation approaches Me only with their words and honors Me only with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me.” (Isiah 29:13); and, more recently Jesus repeated the Father’s words in Matthew 15:8, “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me.”  Oh, how this MomC loves her Grands’ kisses and hugs; likewise, how The Father delights in heart honor proven through personal obedience to His words. Do you call Christ Lord?  If so, consider how authentic it is and from the depths from which it comes! Let us honor God with our hearts!

 

Drink Deeply

Watching “hummingbird wars” this morning, two thirsty birds were constantly harassed even body-slammed by a third bird!  It’s sad how many Believers seem more interested in just hanging around rather than partaking of what Christ offers.  The psalmist wrote, “For with You is the Fountain of Life.” (Psalm 36:9). To see a fountain in mid-day heat is one thing – to drink from and be refreshed by it is altogether different.  Even in fear of body-slams, those thirsty little birds kept returning to the sweet nectar.  Why?  Because they had tasted of its richness!  “Hope deferred makes the heart sick; a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12).  Oh, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16). Have you deeply tasted of a rich-abundant-fulfilling-sustaining relationship of Jesus Christ?  There’s no deeper or sweeter or thirst-satisfying One … drink deeply!

 

Lemons or Lemonade

Have you ever had one of those bitter-sour candies?  Don't be fooled by its enticing color or tempting shape. It’s designed to make you scream and holler on contact!  The boys used to say, “Mama, try this,” and as much as I knew how it would turn my mouth inside-out I couldn’t resist the loads of laughter it produced.  I wish I could have resisted buying them in the first place! Our faces tell a lot about our spiritual health.  God doesn’t want us going around looking as if life has turned us "inside-out."  I read somewhere “Fruit of The Spirit is not lemons."  Life is certainly full of challenges, which could be compared to the taste of one of those bitter-sour candies. Psalm 42:11 says God is the "health of my countenance." So what does our "countenance" (appearance, face, look) reveal about our spiritual health? Do folks wonder, "well, is The Doctor in?"  We know, of course, the problem isn't The Doctor because God's Grace is able to take bitter-sours and blend them into wonderful things.  I've heard if "life gives you lemons, make lemonade."  A bountiful scoop of God's Grace to life's bitter-sours changes so much.  So, what's it gonna be ... lemons or lemonade?

 

Read the Word

A bag of sugar, a ream of paper, a tube of toothpaste – well, they may not be what you think they are: you may discover your bag of sugar is 4 pounds instead of 5, your ream of paper 400 sheets instead of 500, your tube of toothpaste 4.6 ounces instead of 6.  Sneaky? How about deceptive!  This is an excellent illustration how Satan works in our lives! We – and I’m first in line – are often easily devoured by his sneaky deception: “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). Clearly, God doesn’t want Believers to be deceived then devoured so we are to be alert, watchful, attentive and cautious. When I picked up that new tube of toothpaste this morning, something didn’t feel and seem quite right about it; when I compared it to the empty tube – aha!  Similarly, if we never read-study-meditate on The Truth given to us in God’s Word, we are easily deceived and devoured and none the wiser!  Because I was familiar-acquainted with a bag of sugar, a ream of paper, a tube of toothpaste, I was able-equipped to know the differences. Don’t you see how vitally important it is to know The Truth as graciously given to us through Jesus and Scripture! As my friend and mentor, DeeDee taught me: “if you don’t know the Truth, you’ll never recognize a lie.”  Well, there’s nothing to be done about the missing ounces of toothpaste, but we have full confidence we can know the Truth by putting His Truth before us and in us by faithfully reading God’s Word. The Holy Spirit uses that Truth to make us effectively alert, watchful, attentive and cautious accordingly.  Avoid being deceived and devoured by Satan’s lies … equip yourself – read The Word!

 

Love With It All

Restraints – tied up, bound, gagged, locked in or out sounds like terror to me but to little boys— well, I used to shake my head and roll my eyes! O. S. Hawkins writes, “We are to hold nothing back when we love God.”  In other words, love Him with no restraint!  Typically, we try to limit ourselves from spending frivolously and practice living frugally.  Jesus’ words, “love … with all your heart … soul … strength … mind” (Luke 10:27) don’t translate into control yourself, practice restraint!  What thought, action, behavior, activity, or effort is exempt from Christ’s command?  Perhaps we are guilty of “lip service” as described in Matthew 15:8 – “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.”  What part of the person is missing from the heart-soul-strength-mind?  That covers it all – the entire person; it’s all there, no parts missing!  To love with no restraint is total abandon, no considering or debate [consciously or unconsciously] whether to love or not.  Love with the whole person – give that love all I’ve got, all the time, in all circumstances, to all people.  The gears of the heart-soul-strength-mind are greased and engaged. turned by a passionate love for Almighty God!  Good gracious, how do we do this in this imperfect world of evil and injustice?  “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8).  Aha!  By His grace, we are able to  live up to and honor the Name of Christ – it’s how we … love without restraints … love with it all!

 

Immeasurable Joy

Don’t you just love meeting up with a friend you’ve not seen in a while!  The joy of catching-up and chit-chat is immeasurable!  Acts 2 tells of such immeasurable joy among the Body of Christ – that is, His Church: “And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord’s Supper] and prayers. … And all who believed (who adhered to and trusted and relied on Jesus Christ) were united and [together] they had everything in common; And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose … Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people.” (Acts 2:42, 44, 46, 47). Wow! can’t you just imagine the sweetness!  Well, let me [personally] attest and confirm no one need imagine the sweetness because such sweetness exists in The Beloved Church – it is real and alive and well!  Yes, of course, Christ’s Church has failed in many areas even caused great hurt and damage; however, to be a participant in and partner with Christ in His Body of Believers is not only an act of obedience [to His Word] but it is to know a precious fellowship beyond compare. To worship and serve and study and pray with others who are of like-mind and united in Jesus is like chewing the honeycomb: “Taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Psalm 34:8).  Oh, how I hope [and pray] you are tasting Christ’s sweetness through the worship, service, study and prayer of a local Body of Believers!  For there, in Him and His Church, is … immeasurable joy!

 

Fly Right!

Several months ago, I walked into church with my shirt wrong-side out.  Laughing at myself, I told Mr. Bill about it and he admitted he saw it!  When I spoke “candidly” to him about not telling me, his response was “I thought you did it on purpose.”  Really, now …  Oh, how terribly mixed-up our world is. The word catawampus may be new to some but most folks know catawampus when they see it: a slightly tilted picture frame,  a car parked crookedly between the lines, a disheveled book on the shelf.  Yes, those with an eye for catawampus know it well!  This week, I gasped to hear someone say in an interview, “the matter of God is just a distraction.”  I ‘bout choked!  Now, that’s catawampus!  Paul reminds us, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2).  We should expect world-thinking to be askew but I greatly fear too many Christians share this mindset.  Let’s be clear -- God is neither a “matter” nor a “distraction.”  Have we lost sight of God’s Sovereignty, that He is the Supreme Ruler Who rules all the affairs of the universe including every smidgen of our lives?  He IS the Place of Rest for Believers as well as the Center of our world and worship. “For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods … Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!” (Psalm 95:3, 6)  The audacity and shame of man are easily summed up in imagining we are king and lord!  My Mom used to tell me “young lady, you best straighten up and fly right.”  I knew what that meant -- change your attitude and misbehavin’ ways … or else!  Scripture says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12).  Christian friend, I challenge you to refuse catawampus thinking-and-living; fly right according to God’s Truth.  Don’t honk if you love Jesus – obey Him!  Do not be deceived into thinking God is co-pilot – He is Pilot!  Choose this day whom you will serve!  Refuse catawampus!  Fly Right!

 

No Floating

Next to swinging and sitting on the beach, I love to float.  Years ago, Mr Bill & I spent a weekend at the lake.  While he managed 3 fishing rods, I occupied a float in the water.  I tried to stay pretty close to the dock [and away from his fishing lines] but as I dozed in the warm sun ... I drifted.  The sound of Mr Bill's voice woke me, "You gonna catch a ride back?"  To my surprise, I was quite a ways from the dock!  Sure was glad he didn't hook me and reel me in!  There's no room for spiritual floating in the Believer’s life!  We must be always mindful (attentive, conscious, watchful, alert) to the things of God.  Beware! righteousness does not come naturally!  The Apostle Peter warned the Christians of Asia Minor about the poisons of false teachings.  The Truth of the Gospel was being tainted, and Peter reminded the Christians to be ever mindful of the "exceeding great and precious promises." (2 Peter 1:4)  When we nod-off or drift, we will certainly find the foundations of spiritual truth replaced with imitations -- moral living, good deeds, warm fuzzy feelings, do-it-yourself strengths. There is an antitoxin, a counteragent to Satan's many deceits – “add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge self-control; and to self-control endurance; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love." (v.5-7).  Peter didn't miss a thing -- it's all there to help us face this merciless, unkind, poisonous world in which we live, work, and play. Holding tightly to and embracing the commands of Christ help us recognize Truth and identify what is NOT [Truth].  Pay attention, and remember … no floating!

 

Make It A Habit

Early in our marriage, I determined to be involved in things Mr Bill was – in particular, hunting. He promptly took me to a field to teach me how to hold and shoot a shotgun. Within a short time – and I mean a very short time – we both abandoned the idea I might be a hunter: I wounded a bird and cried, then almost shot his favorite hunting dog.  See, I really didn’t care to hunt but wanted to get-to-know my new husband by participating in the things he loved to do. How do we get to know God? “And this is how we know [by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him] if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments [teachings].” (1 John 2:2, AMP).  It’s not enough to just be called children of God – no, we need to know The Father intimately.  Intimacy is exactly what John writes “know Him.”  As a young bride I wanted to know all about what made Mr Bill “tick” – 44 years later, I’m still working on that.  We will never reach the depths of knowing God but as we draw near to Him through study and obedience, the relationship grows deeper and sweeter.  I truly believe we have no idea of all God wants to reveal to us, and oh what I’ve missed in my short lifetime!  I found other ways to spend time with Mr Bill but, truth is, to know God there’s no other way than to know His teachings and obey them … make it a habit!

 

What A Bestowment!

In just a few days, I will have had Mr Bill’s last name for 44 years!  Actually, I liked my former last name but was [and am] happy to now be known by another.  Believers and Followers of Jesus Christ should understand the incredible quality of love that’s been given to them because of their faith in Jesus Christ.  “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are!” (1 John 3:1a).  It’s no small or insignificant thing that we may claim to belong to Christ.  The word “bestow” isn’t a common-everyday sorta word; its Greek meaning is to give someone something to his advantage. None of us have earned the right to bear the Name of Christ but it is altogether God’s nature – Loving, Merciful, Compassionate, Gracious, Kind – to call us His own when we submit to Him our heart by grace through faith in His Son. And, don’t you just love those words “and such we are!”  I’ve come to love my new last name; as Children of God, so should we love our name!  Oh, what a bestowment we have – let us live it every day!

 

Delight Central

Have you been to Grand Central Station?  No, not New York City’s transportation hubbub with its shops, restaurants, and local events, but rather real-life grand central station.   I suspect we’ve ALL been to that crazy place! Which do you prefer – happiness or holiness?  Worldly pursuits are enticing and pursue them we do!  This brings to mind race dogs furiously chasing that silly fake rabbit around a track or fish foolishly drawn to a rubber worm.  Psalm 119:24 says, “Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors.”  The soul of man is wisely drawn to The Creator; He is man’s Delight now and forevermore.  The depths of His mercy are immeasurable and the vastness of His wisdom fathomless.  In Him only do we reach heights of unknown gladness of soul and spirit.  This holiness is indeed happiness – such as this world cannot understand.  A little girl, recently born-again, could only explain her tears of joy this way: “I just feel good all inside.”  You see, Delight Central is undeterred by life’s battery of storms.  It’s the Believer hubbub, the main stay. In Christ, let’s stay there!

 

Live Untangled

It’s not an uncommon for a Bill-call on Sunday mornings to help untangle necklaces.  I’m so glad patience is one of his greatest virtues!  Oh, how easily Believers are again entangled with the heaviness of fear, anxiety, hopelessness, lack of purpose – from such as these, Jesus set us free.  “It was for freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1).  The KJV says “be not entangled again.” Paul writes of our previous condition (before salvation): weighted down, wrapped up, twisted into emotional and spiritual wrecks! Our Spiritual Freedom came at great cost – Jesus’ death and victory over death; that continued freedom comes by dying daily to self (the sinful nature, the flesh).  If we choose to live unto ourselves – aka me=myself in-charge – then we’ll be like that wad of necklaces I hand Mr Bill … an entangled mess! Don’t you want to live in complete freedom – free of what threatens to entangle us once again. Abide and walk in the Spirit of Christ Jesus – live untangled!

 

Highest Law

Grand #1 and Grand #3 were tickled recently when I produced tie-dyed bandages for boo-boos.  They don’t stick worth a toot but I must confess – they’re pretty cool!  The resounding question across America this week is “how do we fix our problems?”  New laws, more restrictions, less freedom – so far, no one seems to know. Songwriters Ricky Skaggs and George Michael Green released a song in 2004 titled “My Father’s Son.”  Words from the chorus include: “Well, a rich man writes the book of laws the poor man must defend – But the highest law is written on the hearts of honest men.”  In Jeremiah 31:33, God said, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it.” God spoke of the spiritual law, which leads to lives of integrity and righteousness. I’ve not heard public voices speak of this path to America’s healing and restoration, and I doubt I will.  No, the truth revealed to us in in God’s Word has fallen from hearts as quickly as those tie-dyed bandages from the Grands’ boo-boos.  Oh, how our blessed America needs a return to the Highest Law – that spiritual law written on each heart.  Let us not forget, however, it begins with you and me!

 

Our Vision

Well, I’ve cleaned my glasses, rubbed my eyes and blinked bunch – in this case, it’s not my eyes: my bay window needs cleaning to more clearly see the parade of wildlife in my backyard.  Do you know how critical it is to have a Godly worldview of life?  Recent tragedies cause us to pause and consider the root of problems in America and around the world.  I’ve been pondering David’s prayer: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You, O LORD.” (Psalm 19:14).  Yeah, about those ”meditations of my heart” – that is the problem!  Man has pushed God out of schools, corporate America, the public square and [yes] our hearts. God has warned us to diligently guard the heart because from it flow all the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). The headlines clearly show we have not listened; what a mess we have become, what a mess we have become.  It’s really true that the heart of every problem is a problem of the heart. My Pastor has said many times it’s not a political party – Elephant or Donkey – that will heal and save America: it’s a Lamb – Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. It’s past time Believers understand we’ve been equipped to see the unseen and eternal things, to see beyond what is seen and temporal.  Now, Mr Bill and I will get that window cleaned so we can see more clearly; however, when will lost America and the world clearly see Jesus as The only One Who saves?  Believers must lead the way to better vision for our world, nation, states, communities.  Let us regularly … check our vision!

 

Alert and Cautious

Yesterday, quite remarkably, Mr Bill and I watched a hawk that had perched himself atop the shepherd’s hook where our bird feeder hangs. Knowing our backyard is a popular playground for squirrels and the bird feeder a popular attraction, we knew Mr Hawk was not there for the birdseed!  I was reminded of 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.”  No, Mr Hawk was intently watching for a meal – a squirrel or a bird or a chipmunk – that failed to be alert and cautious! What a blessed warning to Believers as we go through our days: do nor dil ro equip yourselves with The Word of God, early seek Guidance and Protection from your Mighty Warrior King, rely continuously on the Holy Spirit’s Power and Wise Counsel. The devourer (Satan) is real and those who are born from above are his targets!  Be alert and cautious - do not be his next meal!

 

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 appetite for 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 greatly influence me as a Believer, 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!

 

Parking Places

Interestingly, we don’t use the word “dwell” too much; in conversation, for example, we would more commonly say “I live at” rather than “I dwell at.”  God’s Word says, “anger resides in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9), and “do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26).  It’s shocking how many Believers – who have been thoroughly and unconditionally forgiven by God – choose to hang-on to anger and live in unforgiveness. How naturally thus easily we park ourselves by moments of infraction or offense!  It’s like pulling our minds-emotions-hearts into a parking place in a dark and dangerous part of town.  Solomon and Paul warn us: don’t park there! don’t dwell there! don’t live there! There’s a better parking place, a more pleasant and life-giving place: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8).  What a wonderful dwelling place – where truth, honor, justice, purity, loveliness, honor and excellence rule!  How lovely, O Lord, is Your dwelling place! (Psalm 84:1). There, in Him, there’s plenty parking places!