Keep Peace

Many people feel a bit "shackled" by the stay-at-home and no-hugging rules of the past month or so. Let me assure you there are worse ways to be bound and gagged! When's the last time you were mad and not speaking to someone who offended you, and you were committed to never forgive? Perplexed and uncertain, peace escaped you. Isaiah 26:3 says, "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." Interestingly, "stayed on You" always takes backseat to "stayed on me." Instinctively, life is all about me, myself and I. When we are focused on Christ, however, we will not forget His commands nor His gracious response to our offense: "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32). Keeping the peace with God and with others begins with keeping the peace in me. Re-focus and keep peace!

Watch Yourself

We are a pick-and-choose people! Mister Bill hates for me to be given too many choices - he know it's going to take a while. About most things, he's the grab-and-go type. It's pretty sad how careful we've been to follow instructions during this pandemic yet so quick to ignore Godly instruction. Here's what God said to the Hebrews as they prepared to go into the Promised Land (also a time of great unknowns): "Only pay attention and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your grandchildren." (Deuteronomy 4:9). It's actually more-than-sad how cautiously-strictly we'll listen and [fearfully] obey "the rules" of the day (as well we should) but will turn a deaf ear and rebellious heart to God's words for living. When God says pay attention and watch yourselves, it's The Creator speaking of more than danger to one's personal health; it's caution for one's eternal soul and current spiritual well-being. We are most certainly wise to follow good health practices - we are wiser, however, to consider how we pick-and-choose for that which outlives the body. Be on your guard and watch yourself!

Back Soon - Stay in The Word. Miles of Smiles, Beverly

Pleasure Ground

One of my favorites as a girl was Rogers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella."  The castle, ballroom dancing, king and queen, the prince ... oh, yes - the prince!  I suggest [as Believers] we fail to consider The Throne of Almighty God. One Puritan prayed says, "Thy throne of grace is the pleasure ground of my soul." It seems we find our "pleasure grounds" in much more unsubstantial and shallow waters. Let's not forget Isaiah's glimpse into God's throne room: "In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple ... and the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." (Isaiah 6:1, 4-5). Perhaps the great tragedy among God's People is our loss to recognize and acknowledge the Greatest of our King; hence, the passion for other pleasure grounds of the soul. Well, what Isaiah reported of The Throne Room remains true. "A glorious throne set on high from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. O LORD." (Jeremiah 17:12). Let's settle, be still, know God Who longs to inhabit the hearts and praise of His People. Yes, let's find the soul's pleasure in The King.

Power Reach

There are times when I especially miss my boys: without the assistance of a chair or one of my guys (all taller than me), some of the kitchen cabinets are out of my reach!.  At first glance, the commandments of God may seem impossible to follow.  Jesus said this was the greatest command: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37).  Heart and soul and mind – the entirety of a person!  What the LORD said to the Hebrew people is also true for His Children today: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life … That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).  It’s a tall order, a real challenging, but not out-of- reach.  Christ says, “My Grace is sufficient for you, for My Power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).  His commandments always come with His All-Sufficient Power, making all of them possible, well within reach.  Don't rely on your own reach - reach in His Power alone.

The King

For those of us who live with [shall I say] adventuresome people, you know what it's like to be surprised at very little. Life with Mister Bill is like that: what would be shocking even alarming to some is very normal. God's call on Believers is often lost in living. Daily routines become our business, and in our busy-ness we forget spiritual focus. "And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ." (Philippians 1:9-10). When someone asks "how are you doing," what do you say? "Fine" or "Good" or  "Can't complain" - for believers, those are terrible answers! God has poured Great Riches on us through Christ; our lives should be anything but "normal." Why, I push the "normal" button on my dishwasher all the time - I can do it with my eyes closed!  Have we forgotten we know The King and The King knows us by name! Does this great truth sound so-so, hum-drum or normal to you? It's time we brush up on who we are in Christ Jesus and put aside all ideas that we lead a normal life. We are rich! We are made for excellence and extravagance and magnificence. "My mouth is filled with Your praise and with Your glory all day long." (Psalm 71:8). Let's leave spiritual normalcy behind; may our thoughts, attitudes, vocabulary and faces tell the world of The King. 

Read The Red

As a young girl, I heard a guest speaker say, “Read the red.”  I’ve never forgotten those words!  More importantly, I’ve learned the wisdom in those words!  He was referring, of course, to New Testament editions that print Jesus' words in red.  Hebrews says, “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, Whom He appointed the Heir of all things, through Whom also He created the world.” (Hebrews 1:1-2).  There's a lot to be unpacked in those two verses, but consider this: The Creator of the universe, The Supreme Being desires to speak to us … speak to me.  Can you imagine that! It's simply amazing and wonderful - so humbling.  Because of this undeniable truth, we hold in our hands the revealed and printed Word of the Living God.  I encourage you - do not allow His Word to gather dust either on the shelf or in your heart.  Make it a daily habit, consider it the privilege it is: Read the red!

Taste and See

In my humble [yet expert] opinion, there's few things better than warm cookies and cold milk. The only thing that makes it better is when someone else bakes the cookies!  David wrote this: "O taste and see that the LORD is good: how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him." (Psalm 34:8). As deliciously tempting those warm cookies appear, I cannot accurately nor personally testify of their goodness unless it touches my taste buds. Taste buds are sensory organs found on the tongue that allow us to experience tastes. Scripture tells us God is Good (Psalm 107:1) - God's Goodness is abundant (Psalm 31:19) - God is Good to all (Psalm 145:9) - God alone is Good (Mark 10:18) ... I could go on. However, what Scripture says, what I say or what anybody says means little unless you "taste and see" for yourself. Why do so many refuse the taste-test? I sometimes wish I didn't know just how tasty cookies and milk were, but I do. I'm even more glad [by faith] I've tasted God's Goodness; He proves His Goodness with every taste. Are you in the habit of tasting His Goodness? Ah, come on - taste and see!

Better-Way Living

Three years ago this week, my Mom went home; that is, to her real home. If you've lost a close family member, you know the flood of memories that seem to pop-up at the most unsuspecting times. There's no denying my Mom-traits; some - good, others ... well, I could do without. Some of the things I love to do, I learned from Mom. As a young impressionable girl, I watched Mom write and send cards, bake and take home goods, care and do for her family. I don't recall a dedicated schooling on such things - just in the routine of life, she did these things. I suppose that inattentive and self-centered girl was paying attention, and Mom's practices stuck with me. For a long time, I was convinced Mom did those things out of her love for people; I was wrong.  Mom did those things because she loved Jesus. Using her gifts, Mom practiced and showed me "better-way" living (1 Corinthians 12:31). I'm so thankful she loved Jesus best and I'm especially glad she taught me [by her example] to use my own gifts to the better of others. What a great heritage Mom left me - a better way rooted in the Better Way-Maker - Jesus Christ. Thanks, Mom!

Emptiness

Empty is a relevant word these days: empty parking lots, empty store shelves, empty parks, empty stadiums, empty schools, empty church pews - to name a few. It's shouldn't surprise anyone emptiness is so unpopular! Paul wrote, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9). The idea of poverty isn't very appealing yet Jesus knew it was necessary for my benefit, and for yours. I remember Mrs Reba, a childhood hero; she was beautifully simple and of very meager means, but truly rich. It seems the less she had, the more she gave and the richer she became. Maybe soon parking lots, parks and stadiums, schools and churches will once again be filled. Let us consider our own emptiness, and understand our spiritual richness begin with poverty. Embrace emptiness!

Live On!

Have you ever felt you were living in another world - on a different planet - an unbelievable life? If there was ever a time to feel that way, it is now! Truth is, Believers should feel that way all the time. Jesus told His followers are not of this world as He was not of this world (John 17:14). It stands to reason, therefore, we should be used to "other-world" living. When things go askew here [in this world], we shouldn't be surprised; neither should we be shaken. "How blessed and graciously favored is he whose help is God ... Whose hope is in the LORD his God." (Psalm 146:5). Those who live accordingly know their real life is in another world and this world sees it as unbelievable. Great reason for us to live on!

Faith Works

I'll never forget the last day of swimming lessons: each person was expected to jump from the diving board into deep water then swim to the side of the pool.  I might as well have been on a pirate ship and walking the plank! It's been said "a ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are for." God's greatest lessons of faith come when we leave the safety of the shore ... our comfort zone.  What if Noah had refused to build the ark?  What if Abraham had ignored God's call and stayed in Haran?  What if Moses had remained shaking in his sandals instead of leading God’s people to freedom?  In every situation, there was faith-at-work, faith that didn’t stand still but took obedient action.  All men exercised their faith; they walked “by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7).  Noah built an ark [as the world laughed at him], Abraham left Haran [without a clue where he was going], and Moses traded tending stubborn sheep for leading [stubborn] people.  Well, I jumped into the deep water, swam to the side of the pool and earned Tadpole status. When we let faith do its work, we demonstrate to the world just how great God is.  A working faith is more than head-and-heart knowledge; it’s more than just believing.  It is putting faith into practice -- taking risks and trusting God for the results.  Faith works ... why not just work it!

Carry On!

For those of us who live off well-water, we're used to less water pressure than those on city water. Sometimes it seems I need to bargain for a good flow! To continue is to carry on.  Of all that should continue, James wrote, “Let brotherly love continue.” (James 13:1). Together, those four words are blunt and to the point.  It’s God’s love for us that caused Him to send Jesus to redeem us, and it’s that same love that is to continue as a flow through us to others.  One thing is sure – to continue, something must begin.  Isn't it just marvelous when the well-pump turns on and you get that boost in water pressure! In the rest of the chapter, James writes of brotherly sacrifices pleasing to God, all rooted in God’s source and eternal flow of love - equipping us  with everything good to “do His will ... pleasing in His sight.” (13:21).  Stay sourced in Christ and do not restrict His Flow – carry on!

Oh, What A Savior!

Things that end - paying off a loan, running a marathon, buying diapers, setting a morning alarm. When such things come to an end, we wonder how we endeavored to persevere. What would you do if you knew today was your last day on earth?   Would you overlook the trivial and focus on the important?  Jesus knew His time was short: His last visit to the temple, His last meal and laughter with close friends, the last time He would need dusty sandals.  Jesus was never distracted from His purpose for coming as the God-man.  One week before His death, He told His disciples, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and He will be raised on the third day.”

(Matthew 20:18-19).  Scripture tells us the religious leaders plotted against The Messiah, but let it be clear: Jesus wasn’t walking into a trap!  He arrived on earth on purpose with purpose; His journey to the cross didn’t begin in Bethlehem or Nazareth or Galilee or Jericho.  An eternity before Adam tasted the apple, Jesus knew Calvary was to come.  He always had the end in sight, and the great love He had for us began and sustained Him in the journey.  It’s  the same great love that endures and abounds still until His Redeemed (those who believe) are home with Him in Heaven.  Come on, say it with me – Oh, what a Savior!

Jesus Is!

Mister Bill now has a mask, however, it’s to help shield him from the unseen pesky pollen as he takes his daily walk. The mask is handmade in his favorite “color” – camouflage. In his book, The Final Week of Jesus, Max Lucado describes Jesus and the disciples leaving Jerusalem on their way to Gethsemane. “They pass the Lower Pool and exit the Fountain Gate and walk out of Jerusalem. The roads are lined with the fires and tents of Passover pilgrims. Most are asleep, heavied with the evening meal. Those still awake think little of the band of men walking the chalky road.”  Do you see the sad irony? The people camped outside Jerusalem were there to celebrate The Passover; most families already had their unblemished lamb to offer as a sin sacrifice. Unnoticed, passing through their midst was Jesus – The Sinless Perfect Lamb Who would [in a few short hours] die as the eternal sacrifice for all mankind. The Promise of Salvation, The Lamb of God, The Savior of the world – walked among the very people He came to save … unobserved, unrecognized, unnoticed. It’s a familiar and all-too-common scene of then and now. Like a threatening virus or pollen that may be unnoticed even ignored, Jesus’ finished and effectual work at Calvary is real and He continues to change hearts and lives today. Jesus is real! Jesus still saves! Jesus lives within those who trust Him! What a week to celebrate Jesus. Let us be mindful of His Presence or His Provision for salvation and sanctification. Because Jesus is!

No Flinching

Have you ever played the game "flinch?" I watched my boys play it - standing just out of arms reach of an incoming punch. Crazy! Flinching is a natural human reaction. In His ministry, Jesus established His position and it was one very different than the world.  He obviously loved people but never compromised His stand for Truth. He boldly made it clear in John 8:23 He was "not of this world." Years ago, Mister Bill and I participated in Focus on The Family's "The Truth Project," and for the first time I saw the world's presentation of truth measured against God's Truth; it was astonishing how Believers have played a game of flinch with the world. We have repeatedly failed to hold our ground according to Godly Truth. In Hebrews 13:13, Christ calls us to His position, "outside the camp." I suggest Truth is today a matter of urgent importance! No greater time in our lives does this world need us to stand firm in God's Truth - the world will know it no other way! When we bear His Name and shine His Light, there is no wiggle-room. The time is ripe for a lion-hearted practice of putting God's Truth forth.! It's time for no more flinching!

Persevere in Christ

There's a new appreciation around here for those daily pill dispensers: it reminds Mister Bill and I what day it is. I suggest the most appropriate word today is "persevere." Jude speaks plainly and prophetically about troubling times when Believers' perseverance will be tested. Like unwelcome critters sneak into our homes unnoticed, murmurers and complainers and pretenders are among us. Jude offers beautiful words to encourage us to stay the course: "But you, beloved, build yourselves up on [the foundation of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ [which will bring you] to eternal life." (Jude 20-21). At whatever point of perseverance you find yourself right now, only one perseverance matters: persevere in Christ Jesus. Keep on keeping on!

Stay Close

The history books will surely speak of social distancing as 2020's trend. It's pretty amazing the close space we typically share with family-friends, even strangers. This life-at-a-distance has taken some getting used to! In contrast, however, spiritual distancing is quite natural: tending to more urgent matters of life, neglect of prayer-study-worship leads to the non-nearness to The Father. The psalmist said, "For me it is good to be near God" (Psalm 73:28). The nearness to God promises great reward; so why do we kindly and quietly take a pass? "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts." (James 4:8). Yes, I get it - keeping physical distance is good for now but let us avoid spiritual distancing; make every effort to be near to God. Stay close!

The Steady

My friend’s sister is a surgeon, and I’ve heard it said she has incredibly steady hands. I sure want the one operating on me to have steady hands!  In this life, we need steady hands, too.  Jude describes Christ, The Only True Steady: “Him Who is able to keep you from stumbling.” (Jude, Verse 24).   Storms will always come upon us, usually unexpectedly and like a tempest rocking our world.  Circumstances can daze and paralyze us, even cause us to lose our footing.  There is, however, One with steady hands Who loves deeply and Who is perfectly able-willing to keep us from falling. Let's yield to and rest confidently in Christ Jesus ... The Steady.

Live Untangled

It’s not uncommon for me to call Mister Bill on Sunday mornings to untangle necklaces. I’m so glad patience is one of his greatest virtues!  Maybe like me, you also know how easily it is to become entangled with the heaviness of fear, anxiety, discouragement, lack of purpose, forgetting Jesus set us free from all that! “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).  I like how the King James translation says it: “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 our dying daily to self (the sinful nature, the flesh).  If we choose to live unto ourselves – that is, me and myself in charge – then we’ll be like that wad of necklaces I hand Mister Bill … a tangled-up mess! Don’t you want to live in complete freedom – tangle free? Well, here you go: live and walk in the Spirit of Christ - and live untangled!