Consequential

Consequential. Consequential – now, that’s a word! In the unquenchable search for significance, perhaps we should look for the consequential – the important, substantial, momentous. Along with our tiredness each night, thoughts of what-did-I-accomplish-today settles on the pillow.  I’m not even suggesting anything in the Bible comes close to insignificant, but when you read Apostle Paul’s salutations, before he even broaches the meat of his letters, they are filled with consequential. “To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).  In the simplicity of these two introductory verses, he has affirmed great theological and eternal truths as well as encouraged the readers. Hence, I wonder: how much of my life’s chitchat follows this pattern? Is my conversation just chatter-babble-blabber, mindless and foolish – inconsequential? Jesus said, “The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good … I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.” (Mathew 12:35-36). Hmmm, is not [then] all conversation worthy of Godly significance? Could the otherwise simplicity of my words be fine-tuned to point another to Christ, to encourage and uplift, find their roots in eternal significance? We live in a culture that reminds us front-and-center, loud-and-clear: words matter!  Yes, and most importantly, they matter to God! Let us live and speak what is consequential!

Treasure Loss

At present, raging fires have driven many from their homes in California; even the Ronald Regan Presidential Library is threatened. My heart hurts for those who may lose priceless and irreplaceable treasures. I am reminded, however, of how God watches over His Word: to Jeremiah, God said, “I am watching over My Word to perform it.” (Jeremiah 1:12).  Scripture – the words of God – has been under attack since the Garden when Satan said to Eve, “did God really say that?” Nonetheless, how wonderful we have the complete Word of God today, surviving tyrants who throughout history have tried to eradicate it, burn it, destroy it. God’s protection of His written Word has been on-purpose and with-purpose! His intended purpose is that all would come to Salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. The gravest risk to God’s Word, however, is not that it will not survive evil men, fires, hurricanes and other natural disasters: no, the most dire risk to God’s Word is that men refuse to read it!  May such a loss never happen to you - read The Word!

The Ah-Ha Moment

As thankful as I am for enlightenment of ah-ha moments, it usually comes with shame I was so “slow” on the ah-ha.  My most recent ah-ha moment brought an answer about my writing – like, when will I write that book?  This chick is about to party-through another birthday [month] - #yayforbirthdays – yet no thoughts of nor book-in-the-works. You see, it’s no new thing for us to think ourselves wise! God said, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” (1 Corinthians 1:19). This insatiable quest we have to know-it-all, to know the end at the beginning is really a deterrent to resting peacefully in-and-under the Sovereign Hand of The All-Knowing (Omniscient) God! What we know – or think we know – will never take the place of simple obedient faith in The One Who defines and designs and delivers His best in all our moments. For the Believer, this Great Truth alone is the most revealing and satisfying ah-ha moment!

Our Good

Like me, you may have grown-up riding dirt roads – unpaved roads with bumps, ridges and potholes.  We didn’t care about seatbelts, dust or wind-blown hair – just hang your head out the window like the family dog. Mom seemed to know exactly where the road’s rough spots were so she would slow-down or go-around them: life’s not always like that. It’s common to see the hindrances, obstacles and discouragements as limitations to our own limited view of where we’re going. God doesn’t “see” it that way; He says, “I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you – plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).  Life-bumps aren’t meant to bring us down but rather to point us toward great opportunities – divinely orchestrated outcomes according to God’s Wisdom and Riches. Next time we’re about to complain about “bumps” in the road, remember our All-Knowing – Omniscient – God never opposes our good. Our good – He’s ever-consistent with it!

Less Thinking

Us [people] are a strange bunch. We're pretty convinced others really care what we "think." You may be surprised how many times you use the phrase "I think" - it sure surprised me! There are two particular phrases in The Bible that should cause our personal "thinkers" to pause: "It is written" and "Thus says the LORD." It is wise we remember God cannot be separated from His Word: "All Scripture is breathed out by God." (2 Timothy 3:16). That is, The Bible is the breath of God - yes, the same One Who spoke things into existence from nothing! I suggest we all do a lot less thinking [on our own] and lots more reading what God has to say then live accordingly. God's Word is the Final Authority on all things.

Love Freely

We live in a world with limitations - restricted by time, money, talent, space, relationship. But God says, "I will love them freely." (Hosea 14:4). How is it possible The God of the universe chooses to love the likes of one such as me, and love me freely! Praise Him for His Perfections - His Affection - His Mercy - His Compassion - His Grace - His Love without limits, without boundaries, without hesitation, without reservation! Just makes me want to love Him back! Help me, Father: teach me, show me, how to love you with the same "freely" you love me!

Enjoy The Flow

A trickling of water rather than a good-steady flow isn’t always favorable – like taking a shower or rinsing dishes or washing the car.  Moses said, “Dedicate yourselves today to the LORD” (Exodus 32:29). Without a second thought, we commit ourselves to myriads of things: aggravation, chaos, activity, anger, injury, worry, etc. Before we know it, we’re calling out to God for help-relief-rescue!  Hymn writer, F. R. Havergal, wrote: “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee – Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.” The sweet fruit of a faithful devotion to the Lord is an [often unexpected] flow peace in place of aggravation, calm in chaos, quiet in activity, gentleness in anger, health in injury, trust in worry and so much more!  We do not have to settle for a trickle of Godly Joy; Christ’s Fullness is ours when we faithfully and diligently seek Him first always.  Enjoy The Flow!

The Good Portion

One of my all-time favorite hymns is “Sitting At the Feet of Jesus.” As a young pianist, it was one of the first I learned to play! The older-me finds sitting quietly before the Lord most inviting. Luke 10:42 tells of Mary – Martha’s sister and Jesus’ friend – sitting with expectation at The Master’s feet; I imagine her hanging on His every word, giving notice to His hand gestures, even the pause in His breath.  Jesus noticed both Martha’s busy-ness and Mary’s attention; in response, He said Mary had chosen the “good portion,” which could not be taken away. Reta Spears-Stewart’s poem continues to speak to me about the good portions I’ve missed, and the Mary-Mind so needed.  “I have a quiet moment now, but suddenly I find – That while I have a Mary-heart, I have a Martha-mind – The things I thought I’d finished with are springing back to life – Like little flames among the brush of daily cares and strife – My thoughts seem filled with ‘brushfires’ and although I rush and race – As soon as I put out one fire, another takes its place – So now I find, when I’m alone and peace is my desire – My mind’s a busy Martha-mind tending to one more fire – O Lord, I know that Martha’s hands are needed, good and kind – But in my heart I’ve one request: grant me a Mary-mind.” I want that “good portion” – don’t you?

Press The Truth

Although a hot sweaty task, picking summer blackberries with Nanny was special. The pickin’ was just the beginning, however: before long the whole house spelled of blackberries cooking-down for the precious juice from which she made some of the best blackberry jelly ever spread on a hot buttered biscuit!  Opening God’s Word may seem a small thing – it is not. “Blessed and favored by God are those who keep His testimonies, and who [consistently] seek Him and long for Him with all their heart.” (Psalm 119:2).  There is Work-at-work when we open-read-study-meditate-pray The Word of God. Read how  Charles H. Spurgeon describes it: “Truth is something like the cluster of the vine: if we would have wine from it, we must bruise it; we must press and squeeze it many times.” I cannot imagine the Riches I’ve missed by neglecting to open-read-study-meditate-pray The Truth of Scripture. Before too many days, beautiful pint jars of blackberry jelly lined the pantry shelves – yes, just beggin’ for a biscuit!  Is your heart a storehouse of God’s Truth – Its Riches-Power-Strength-Counsel-Life? Be busy in God’s Word – there’s much pressin’ to be done.

Joyous Journey

A few weeks ago I had to make a two-hour round trip to a funeral. I knew, of course, the destination would be a time of sadness and tears. The trip there and back, however, was a joyful one as I shared it with a friend. James, the brother of Jesus, wrote, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” (James 1:1). Certainly James knew how spiritually fruitful the trials are, James’ imperative refers to the state of joy in which Believers are to journey this life. “Count it all joy,” he says!  Joy will never be present in struggles if we play the blame-game or the poor-pitiful-me card. However, when we consider Jesus in Hebrews 12:2,  “Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross” - the model and example of spiritual endurance. Whatever is your struggle, whatever you are enduring right now, there is Joy for the journey: that Joy is Jesus. Believers do not journey alone or in places where He has already endured and conquered. Consider Jesus, and find Joy for the journey.

Heart Wars

The game of tug-of-war is brutal on the emotion: take a little – give a little, gain a little – lose a little, and inch-by-inch the war is won or lost. Well, this basically describe spiritual heart-wars. In his book, New Morning Mercies, Paul David Tripp writes: “Today a war of love will be fought on the turf of your heart.” How often I’ve left the splendor of worship refreshed-revived-inspired to love only Jesus in the days ahead only to find at “street level” [as Tripp calls it], life is much more challenging than I imagined. My passion for Christ and prayer to be ever pleasing to Him is often way-laid by otherwise “good” things that actually distract and hinder. Oh, how easily disappointment creeps in until it’s snuggly fitted to my heart like a glove. God consoles and encourages us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My Righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10). Ah, God’s Truth in the inward parts!  The Believer’s heart is fitted for Christ  alone Whose promises are fully true and completely perfect. When you next feel that tug-of-war on your heart, remember Who’s holding the rope. Rest and hope in in Him.

 

Make Some Quiet

Some folks care nothing for solitude so they pack life full of goings, gatherings and entertainment. It doesn’t seem so long ago life here was filled with little-then-big boy sounds-rackets-such, and this Mama dreamed of just a smidge of quiet. Charles H. Spurgeon writes, “We should be better Christians if we were more alone, waiting upon God, and gathering through meditation on His Word spiritual strength for labour in His service.” No doubt to be still before God is a willful act of obedience, but we must be still with purpose: “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). Mr. Bill assures me he can be in an absolute state of mindlessness – well, good for him, I say.  However, in our spiritual being-still – a cease from striving – we begin to recognize and understand God as He really is! In the latter part of the verse God says, “I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.” I suggest, therefore, perhaps our ceaselessness in being-still [before God] hinders our knowing God and His being rightly exalted in our lives, our nation, our world. Why not make some quiet for yourself today; it’s certain to put God and you in rightful places!

No Imposters

Do you remember the game show “To Tell The Truth”?  A panel of judges were presented with three men (or women) all introduced as the same person, however, two were imposters. Through a series of questions, the imposter was exposed. One of the toughest things for Believers today is to identify misleading and false ideas, philosophies, principles, concepts that do not line-up with Scripture.  For example, the world’s concept of purity is very flawed because the wrong standard or measure is used. The Bible tells us only God is Holy – there is none other!  In his book The Knowledge of The Holy, A. W. Tozer writes: The idolatrous heart assumes that God is other than He is – and substitutes for the true God one made after its own likeness.” Basically, the world – even among Believers – has settled on and for a sense of purity that is very much unlike The One True Holy God. He is The Standard by which all things including the heart are to be measured – not moral or ethical or [generally] clean living.  Let us not be negligent in drawing near and knowing God as He is – not as we’d like Him to be. At the end of “To Tell The Truth,” the host would always say, “Would the real Mr. X, please stand up.” Be prayerful and diligent to recognize The Who of Purity as your heart follows hard after Him Who is Pure.  Settle for no imposters!

Sovereign

Lucky? Uh, no thank you. I choose rather to live in the Providential – the Heaven-sent, the Divine, the God-given.  At least that’s how Scripture describes it: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” (Proverbs 16:33). The use of lots in ancient Israel could easily be confused with luck, but when a lot was cast as a means of determining God’s will, the people genuinely believed it didn’t fall indiscriminately. There was Divine Exercise – God’s Sovereignty over human affairs.  They believed the LORD was sovereign over all things – both good and evil (Proverbs 16:4).  When Believers actually believe God is Sovereign, it’s a game-changer!  Consider Joseph who suffered long and greatly at the hands of evil men yet stood tall and declared boldly, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20). That “good” was to deliver a nation from famine and a Savior to mankind.  Oh, for a Joseph-attitude toward all of life.  “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10). So, no luck for this ole gal; I choose to rest completely in the hand of The Sovereign God.  There’s my Hope – that confident expectation of Pure Mercy and Ultimate Riches for my good and His Glory.  

Selah Day

Don’t you wish life had a “pause” button?  Even in the empty-nest days, Mr. Bill and I are surprised at the scarcity of pause-moments.  Scripture uses a musical term signaling a pause, a think-about-it moment, an interruption in thought. In Psalm 24:7, David introduces an amazing title for Jehovah: King of Glory.  Wow! That should cause a pause to every Believer!  To be brutally honest, we feel we are just too busy with life to cease even for Almighty God.  “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the Living God.” (Psalm 42:1-2). Don’t you hear the intensity of the writer’s words!  David continues, “Who is this King of Glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of Glory. Selah.” (Psalm 24:10). Ah, there it is: Selah – the signal to pause.  the imperative to think-about-it, the commanding interruption in everything else!  King of Glory is King of All – all that distracts us from pausing throughout the day.  Why not practice pausing? Make today a Selah Day!

Most Becoming

What a lovely time of year – it’s my favorite season! Since it’s also time to move clothes from one closet to another, it makes sense to consider my wardrobe: is this outdated or worn or none-too-flattering?  Those who love the LORD should have a certain “look” about them: “Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our GOD; for it is pleasant and praise is becoming.” (Psalm 147:1).  The Hebrew word “becoming” has its roots in the word “habitation” – in other words, praise should be the Believer’s habitat or dwelling place.  The Perfections of Jehovah God will pour forth in the lives of those who know Him personally – and, yes, it even shows on our faces! Believers should be the most unlikely of people to appear as if they were “weaned on dill pickles” (a Pastor Tonyism). The heavens declare God’s glory (Psalm 19:1) and so should we! Speak it. Sing it. Smile it. In every season – it’s most becoming!

A Re-Thinking

We may be surprised how often we use the phrase, “I think.”  Interestingly, we may offer what we “think” without invitation – we just say it. What God says about our thoughts should cause us to pause and ponder: man’s “spirit departs, he returns to the earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” (Psalm 146:4). When I read that, it put “what I think” into the proper perspective. Our thoughts may be sincere even endearing but they are certainly aren’t enduring!  In contrast, the psalmist writes this about God – He keeps “truth and is faithful forever.” (V.6).  People may actually want to know what we “think,” but what people most need to hear is what “saith the Lord.” And what God declares has been revealed to us – once and for all time – in God’s Word and in Jesus Christ, The Word in flesh.  Now, I’m not suggesting we never again say “I think” but let us remember our thoughts are fleeting; also, our thinking must line up [perfectly] with God’s Truth. Perhaps [then] our thinking needs some … re-thinking!

Goodness For the Heart

Just the thought of smelling salts coming near my sniffer makes me want to remain conscious! I suppose, however, all of us know what it is to become faint-hearted. Despair and discouragement are tools of the enemy (Satan), and effective tools they are!  I love how the psalmist said, “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the Goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:13-14).  There is an calm expectancy present in David’s voice: he was waiting with purpose. The certainty of God’s Goodness toward him caused David to not despair. Waiting on the LORD is seldom easy but when our hope (confident expectation) is in the certain sufficiency of God’s Goodness, there is no run-for-your-life or wringing of hands or oh-what-will-I-do or no oh-me-oh-my, and absolutely no what-will-become-of-me. Wait and hope and expect in the Lord – it’s Goodness for the heart.

The Inside

Things concealed aren’t generally meant for exposure: rainy-day money or chocolate come to mind.  Jesus is the Great Exposer! To the scribes and Pharisees, He declared, “You clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. First clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.” (Matthew 23:25-26, NASB).  Let’s face it – aren’t we all about appearances!  How diligently attentive we are to being groomed and tidy even polished and reputable when the truest of us – the inside – is highly neglected and ignored!  Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet, and Jesus said she chose the one needful thing. I suggest among Believers, there’s not enough sitting at The Savior’s feet, studying and praying His Word; without realizing it, we have embraced and practice a modern-day Pharisaism. Clearly, The Master cares most about the inside of us more than the outside of us!  As we would say in the South, we need to sit a spell – Draw near to God so He will draw near to us – Experience deep cleansing of what matters most.  

Good Shepherd

The absence of a particular experience sometimes can hinder a full understanding.  When David wrote Psalm 23, he wrote from personal experience.  He knew well the many roles as shepherd to his sheep: protector, provider, comforter, healer, guide, disciplinarian.  His words, “The LORD is my Shepherd,” were way more than words penned to paper; David was able to insert himself into the sheep-role. Also, David’s words are prophetic; he spoke of what Jesus declared of Himself many years later: “I am the Good Shepherd, and I know those who are My own and My own know Me and have a deep, personal relationship with Me.” (John 10:14, AMP).  I doubt many of us have been or ever will be a real shepherds to a flock of sheep, but that doesn’t mean we can’t experience the blessed benefits of knowing-following The Good Shepherd. The key to knowing Him – and not just knowing of Him – is that “deep, personal relationship” with Christ.  How well do you know The Good Shepherd?

Book of Your Life

Writing a book has crossed my mind many times – it’s just not happened.  Truth is, we’re all writing a book: the book of our lives.  Oh, most likely, it won’t appear on a bestseller list or line bookshelves. Nonetheless, our lives tell an accurate story – one that gives the truest account of who are from inside-out.  Apostle Peter asked a bold question: “What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11). Never mind what you say about yourself: what does your life tell about you?  Peter answers his own question: “Be diligent and make every effort to be found spotless and blameless.” (v.14).  Spotless and blameless doesn’t mean perfect or sinless; rather, it means when Jesus comes again – and, by the way, He will – we should be found [by Him] with a sense of spiritual well-being and confidence knowing [by His Grace] we having lived a life of obedience to Him. It’s good to pause and consider what does the book of your life tell about you.