Will resume Wednesday 06-03. Stay in The Word!

Stand Firm

When I think of endless scheming, I see Wile E. Coyote, Yosemite Sam and Elmer Fudd endlessly plotting to annihilate their adversaries. How very tiring that must be! I can't relate to Road Runner's or Bugs Bunny's state of mind, but I certainly feel the tirelessness of always being Satan's target. Truth is, there's never a moment's respite from risks of spiritual destruction. For this reason, Paul wrote: "Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power ... Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." (Ephesians 6:10-11). Isn't it ironic during these pandemic-days, we think twice before leaving home without mask and hand sanitizer but give little-to-no thought to prepare ourselves against the devil's constant scheming? Paul repeats himself in V.13, "Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Interestingly, Road Runner nor Bugs Bunny ever suffered defeat. May this also be said of us who belong to Christ. Suit up and stand firm.

Be A Disciple

Name tags are pretty common when you attend an event or conference. It is a bit weird, however, when you're talking to someone and they're trying to read your name rather than hear your words. Used 250+ times in the New Testament, "disciple" is the most common name for followers of Christ. The English translation of the Greek word is "pupil or learner." I've been a Believer for more than 50 years, but I can't honestly say I've been a disciple in the truest sense of the word. Of course, I'm thankful for my Salvation but I'm not at all proud of the years I wasn't a serious learner or pupil of Jesus. I wish I had the testimony of Mnason of Cyprus, who is described as an "old disciple" in Acts 21:16. Old - not in age but rather an early [from the beginning] learner of Jesus. Well, I can't undo what is done nor loiter in the past - neither should you. Today is the day to know your name, that it is written in heaven, and be serious about learning of Christ: be a disciple!

Higher Ground

Lately we've had some unusually large amounts of rain. The heavy downpours have toppled trees, washed out bridges and made creatures seek higher ground! Something many Believers have lost sight of is the holy calling on our lives. "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the Excellencies of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous Light." (1 Peter 2:9). When we fail to acknowledge we're chosen by and holy unto God, we surely become content and at-home where we are - in both earthly location and worldly condition. Hymnwriter Johnson Oatman, Jr spared no words: "My heart has no desire to stay - Where doubts arise and fears dismay - While some may dwell where those abound - My prayer, my aim is higher ground." There's more to a Godly life than simply Salvation; Believers are to live in "His marvelous Light" - it's how we know and proclaim "the Excellencies of Him" Who called us. Now, those torrential rains made some fun-happy puddles for little ones sheltered-in-place far too long. Perhaps you've been living the spiritual life in low-lying areas; seek out higher ground and really live! https://youtu.be/_vvZkvk8fGA

You're A Saint!

You're A Saint. We are usually taught at an early age not to call people names - at least, unkind and disrespectful names. Of course, not all name-calling is bad. Mister Bill has several names he calls me; come to think of it, a few of them aren't so flattering! One of the most common New Testament names for Jesus' followers is "saints." In the NASB and KJV Bible translations, "saints" is used more than 60 times, and it's translated "holy people." Now, I realize when we hear someone called a "saint" these days it comes with a little sarcasm, for genuine Believers should welcome such a name - being called one of God's holy people! I suggest we care little about being called a saint and lots about why we are. You're a saint - ain't it wonderful! Miles of Smiles, Beverly

You Are Accepted!

Most of us appreciate an invitation especially if it's one we've anticipated and plan to accept. It becomes a challenge, however, to gracefully decline! Romans 15:7 tells us God has accepted us - welcomed us into His family. This is wonderful news since we've done nothing to deserve such a gracious acceptance. Unfortunately, many reject God's invitation, His acceptance, and do so quite thoughtlessly. Moreover, some have indeed accepted God's invitation of Salvation yet refuse to rely daily on His Power to live an abundant and full life in Christ. There may be a graceful and kind way to decline an earthly invitation but there is truly no reason or gracious way to reject Jesus nor His Power in our lives. God has accepted you - live like it!

You Are Loved!

Whether we will admit it or not, I suggest one of the most basic human needs is to be loved. If you've ever received an unexpected card or call or text, you know that feeling of refreshment. Romans 5:8 tells us while we still sinners, God showed His love for us. Yes, undeserved but also unexpected! In human relationships, we sometimes know how it is to fall-out of favor and experience loss of love with one another. We can be confident, however, of God's unending love for us: "Height nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of god, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:39). Let's continue in love toward one another, but never lose confidence of the kind of love God has for you - He loves like none other. You are loved!

Redeemed

Store coupons frustrate me! If I even remember to take them with me or use them, they are expired. The look on the cashier's face in no way matches the look on mine. Those who have believed on Jesus (Believers) have this great assurance: "In [Jesus] we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:14). That word "redemption" means "a releasing of a debt by full payment." And, how? "In Him [Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sin, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7). What a shame so many have rejected what God has done for our freedom! Nonetheless, it is done  paid in full. No one will be collecting coupons on that future Day of The Lord [when He returns]: "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2). Believe on Him now then put on your happiest face. You've been redeemed!

You Are Chosen

Isn't it great to have so many choices of ice cream! Mister Bill and I enjoyed hand-dipped treats recently, and I was surprised when we both picked the same flavor - I assure you that doesn't happen very often. Believers should understand who we are to God; for example, did you know you were hand-picked by God? The Bible tells us in Ephesians 1:4, "God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world." This means God actually selected us for Himself, to be His before we were even conceived and born - even before God created the world! Oh, yes, there's more - He created us for a specific purpose: "So that we would be holy and blameless in His sight." (Ephesians 1;4). Hand-picked by God and with a life-purpose. Those mint chocolate chip treats were exactly what we expected them to be! Never forget - you are chosen by God. Now, get busy living-out what He expects you to be.

More Than You Know

One of the many great quotes from J. R. Tolkins' The Hobbit is Thorin's words to Bilbo: "There is more in you of good than you know." What a great line - one in which all Believers can rejoice. God said, "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in Whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in Whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22). This great Good in us is Christ - the only reason to [as we say in the South] "feel your oats" - feel important, bold, empowered! Praise be to our Good God there is indeed way-more of good in us who call Him Father!

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.  One thing is certain: to continue, something must first begin.  Of all that should exist and be a continual flow in the lives of Believers, James writes, “Let brotherly love continue.” (James 13:1). Together, those four words are blunt and to the point.  It was God’s love for us that caused Him to send Jesus to redeem us; it’s that same love that is to flow through His children into the lives of others.  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!

Living the Life

"Living the life" means different things to different people. Retirement life for Mister Bill and I has taken a little adjustment - new routines and renewed interests ... challenging, but nice. God's plan of salvation for man is cause for deep gratitude and great celebration; the promise of an eternal home most commonly noted among Believers. There is, however, a present cause of Jesus' death and resurrection for His Followers: "[We] always carry around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body." (2 Corinthians 4:10). Those words "so that" are paramount for the here-and-now in the Believer's life. We aren't just born-again so that we will go to heaven one day; we are born-again so that in our present-day lives there is visible evidence of Christ is us! Are you living the life [of Christ] so that He is made real in you for the benefit of His glory and for others? If so, you really are ... living the life!

Spiritual House

It's not only birds that "nest." Most often, we think of expectant mothers as they sweetly prepare the "nest" for their new little one. Mister Bill often shakes his head in wonder as I situate (nest) myself for a night's sleep. It is me, however, who shakes my head as he prepares his hunting "nest" 12 feet up a pine tree! Why do Believers presume their hearts are predisposed as the dwelling place of God? Of course, the heart is where He most desires to be but it is never an obvious probability! The place God inhabits will always be broken-down and free-of idols; that is, other deities of our own making-choosing. "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5). Every Believer's "spiritual sacrifice" to God is a "a spiritual house" - a prepared heart, one broken (humbled) and freae of idolatrous debris. That's the spiritual nest (house, home) for Jesus Christ; that's the heart God finds delightful! Now, I'm fairly sure Mister Bill wouldn't refer to his hunting spot as a nest although it is his designated and suitable hunting place. Designated and suitable - such is the prepared heart for God. Maybe it's time we all do some spiritual nesting!

Great Expectations

One thing I must admit: I do have high expectations of Mister Bill. If it's broke, I expect him to fix it; if it's missing, I expect him to find it; if it's not yet been invented, I expect him to invent it. Something I suspect Believers are guilty of is expecting too little from God! We may say and pray God is big, that all things are possible with Him (Mark 10:27), but we actually hope very little in Him. Why else would we be so shocked-surprised-astonished when He acts in miraculous ways? Praying in Jesus' Name is paramount; Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me" - given to Him by God (The Father). Thankfully, Mister Bill usually meets my expectations; God always exceeds our expectations because that's Who He IS! Let's begin to pray like the Puritan, "I ask great things of a great God," then don't act so surprised!

Better Vision

Well, I cleaned my glasses, rubbed my eyes and blinked a bunch – it wasn't my eyes: my bay window needed cleaning to more clearly see the parade of wildlife in my backyard. Do you know how important it is to have a Godly worldview of life? Many things cause us to pause and consider the root of problems in America and 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] 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, It’s really true that the heart of every problem is a problem of the heart. It’s past time Believers understand we’ve been equipped to see the unseen and eternal things, to see beyond what is evident. Mister Bill cleaned the window so we can see more clearly; 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 and communities. Let us regularly … check our vision!

Love God

It's been said there's nothing like a mother's love, and I totally agree; not that there are not other wonderful kinds of love, but a mother's love for her child is certainly unique. I am aware, of course, there are many who read this who may not be mothers themselves, but we all had a mother! I'm also quite confident there are many who may not have had the most loving and caring mothers. Nonetheless, if you are breathing right now, a mother gave you life. She bore your tiny frame in the most secret of places in her body and endured some form of physical labor to bring you into this world. Regardless of your appearance, your marital status, your occupation, your health or anything else about you - you are alive because of a mother and you have a definite purpose: "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength." (Deuteronomy 6:5). Yes, with every cell our who we are and what we do, we were born to love God in holy fashion. God used your mother to help make this purpose [of ours] possible; it is our calling from cradle to grave. Honor your mother - love God.

Your Times

Time. How often have you paused to wonder where does time come from and where does it go? These wonderings usually come to me as I look at pictures of days-gone-by. Since the ancient Egyptians who used shadow clocks to identify day-time and night-time, man has had a fascination with the establishment of and elusiveness of time. Here’s a great Bible truth: time is nothing to God. In Psalm 90:2, Moses prayed, “Before the mountains were born or before You had given birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” Peter wrote, “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8). Think about it: to God Who has no beginning and no end, why would [man’s piddly establishment of] time matter? It’s man’s interest alone in containing time and living within its rule; man invented the limitations of time – God has no such interest. “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9). God’s interest is in ordering (establishing, directing) man’s steps all the days of life! The Creator of the universe wants to Rule all your days and ways and times! Question is: will we let Him?  

Know Things

Perhaps one reason we’ve lost our sense of wonder today is because answers no longer elude us: if you have an electronic device, you have answers!  Then, of course, there’s Mister Bill who responds to my how-do-you-know-that question with a confident , “I know things.”  Psalm 23 begins with a statement of five words that should be enough: “The LORD is my shepherd.” Although gentle and fluffy, sheep aren’t known for their intelligence. Nonetheless, they know things about their shepherd. They confidently trust him to care for their every need. A shepherd himself, David knew the characteristics of God as Shepherd. He understood by following (being led by) The Shepherd, he would be completely cared for; rest, peace, restoration, righteousness, protection, courage, preservation, provision, healing, joy, goodness and mercy were his “all the days” of life (V.1-6). David knew things! Do you confidently know these things? Know The Shepherd and … know things.

Sweet Kisses

Do you remember both of your first kisses? Yes, both of them: you know, the first kiss and the FIRST KISS. My first kiss happened at recess from the local Methodist preacher's son but the FIRST KISS was from Mister Bill and that's all I'm sayin' bout that one. Wouldn't it be great if our lips did nothing else but give sweet kisses! Unfortunately, they house-and-hide that deadly thing - the tongue. Truth is, as pretty as we can dress-and-paint the lips, there's no reasoning or taming what lies behind them. The tongue and lips are inseparable partners [all too often] in crimes-of-the-heart. This should not be so! Scripture says "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit." (1 Peter 3:10). Proverbs 24:26 says, "He kisses the lips who gives a right answer." When the lip 'n tongue team responds with truth and righteousness, it's as desirable as the kiss of a friend! Proverbs says "a gentle tongue is a tree of life" (15:4) and "truthful lips endure forever" (12:19). It really doesn't matter if you remember your first kisses; just be sure you are conscious and careful with your current kisses - the ones that come from the heart ... by way of the lip-tongue team. May all our kisses be sweet!

Love In Action

It's beautiful to see the many acts of kindness that's emerged from the current troubled times. We all should all be inspired to make kindness a habitual way of life. John, often called the beloved disciple, wrote, "But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." (1 John 3:17-18). As a young girl in missions education, I learned love was a verb - something we do. There's really nothing truer or more genuine than what we do or how we act toward others. Let's love in deed and truth. Yes, love in action!

Keeping Company

Have you ever played the imaginary game, "Twenty Questions?" It's one I played with my parents as a teenager. Until I was a parent myself, all the questions seemed pointless: who's going - who's driving - who will be there? By the end of the "game," I wasn't sure I even wanted to go! Time with Jesus produces evidence of a different life. The religious and military leaders were amazed at Peter and John in Acts 4: "They marveled; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus." (V.13). What a distinguishing attribute! "Twenty questions" wasn't really a game; it was an act of loving and responsible parents who cared about the company I kept. We are wise to ask ourselves: what do others conclude by my responses and reactions to life? does my life reflect enough time in the company of Jesus? Beth Moore writes, "Let me be known by the company I keep - Eclipsed by Your presence that I may decrease - 'Til all You have chosen this traveler to meet - No longer see me but the Company I keep." Who's keeping you company these days?