Pray Rightly

How sweet it is to hear my grandchildren pray! The absence of lofty words is precious as well as refreshing. Oh, we do well as Believers when we desire to rightly and effectively pray. Pastor Tim has helped me learn to pray by simply praying Scripture. As I've studied prayers in The Bible, the thing most wrong with our prayers isn't the words we use but rather the attitude with which we pray. David began his prayer in Psalm 86, "Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy." (V.1). Such admission of spiritual poverty and need certainly contradicts everything our culture says about who we are. An attitude affirmed in self-pride and arrogance [I dare say] never makes it to The Throne of Grace! Jesus' parable of two men who went to the temple to pray well distinguishes the right and acceptable manner in which we should pray: "All those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Luke 18:14). Surely, there's little more sweet and precious than the prayer of a child! The Father welcomes the poor and needy soul who seeks true communion with God in the ... right attitude. Let us pray rightly.

Stay The Line

Some things you just never forget! Certain the twins would share a playpen for the night and we would save the additional cost, it took less than fifteen minutes to call the front desk for a crib. Early in Scripture, we read where man “crossed the line.” The crafty serpent asked Eve, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1). Like disobedience ruled that moment, so it reigns today. One ongoing feud between Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam resulted in Bugs drawing a line in the sand, daring Sam to cross it: countless lines later, Yosemite Sam falls into a crack in the rock. Although the Standard of Truth is settled and The Line drawn by which men are saved and called to live, we’ve drawn our own lines to accommodate our own sinfulness. Proverbs 4:27 says, “Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” The wise acknowledge God’s precepts and faithfully seek to live according to them. It is an ever-conscious endeavor. Be diligent and ... stay The Line!

It Matters

Our living room could easily be mistaken for wild kingdom: deer, fish, goose, duck, wild boar. Those mounts put Mr. Bill’s love of hunting on display. The small book of Titus is anything but small in its message to sound doctrine put-to-work. This co-worker of Paul presents a list of good practices and gives the reason why Believers should do so: “so that the word of God will not be dishonored” (2:5) and “so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.” (2:10). The greatest truth we must never forget is we are saved by faith – “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8) – BUT our deeds put on display what we truly believe. You might wonder, “why is this so important?” Heidi Jo Fulk in her True Woman blog answered this question in simple fashion: “Because displaying and spreading God’s Word is at stake.” Many people of the world will never pick up a Bible, enter a church, attend a Bible study, subscribe to any religious literature but almost without fail everyone will [at some point in every day] interact with another human being. Ah ha and oh yeah ... there's is the importance - God’s people display God’s truth to others. This is Titus’s message to Believers. We do well to ask ourselves what kind of truth do we put on display for those within our circle of influence. It matters!

Covered

You really have to sneak-up on Mister Bill to catch him without a shirt: as a boy, he was taught it was appropriate to be covered-up especially in the presence of a lady. Funny thing: you rarely see my three adult boys without a shirt either - good job, Mister Bill. In the story of the first couple's disobedience and sin's entrance into the world, "the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves." (Genesis 3:7). As skimpy as fig-leaf clothing may have been, it's no more meager than the attempts to hide our own shame from others and [most importantly] from God. Note God's next words to the violators: "Where are you? ... Who told you that you were naked? ... What have you done?" (V.9, 11, 13). Ah, confrontation! God's probing questions were meant to bring man to acknowledgement-confession. Every person must be confronted with their shortcoming, disobedience, rebellion ... sin. There is only one way to know the Beauty of God's divine covering of by the redemptive Blood of Jesus: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). I've found the best way to continually confront my own sinfulness is to be daily in God's Word - meditating on Its words and hiding Its words in my heart. Let's face it: we all work hard to rightly cover ourselves - oh, yes! Christ's blood-covering looks really good on us - It's a thing of great and priceless beauty. I sure hope you're covered!

Who We Really Are

It's always nice to be thought-of: "just thinking of you" by card, call, text, email. One of the most astounding of Scriptures [to me] is what is man that You are mindful of him (Psalm 8:4). Oh, how the answer this common life-question - who am I - eludes so many. Genesis 1 tells us man was created in the Image of God Himself (V.27) - that makes each of us an image-bearer - a bearer of God's Image. Well, there's the answer to this age-old who-am-I quandary. In light of this truth, the question thus becomes: whose image am I bearing? Believers should be rightly putting forth The Image of God, The Creator, and unto His glory alone. We may, however, be putting forth the image of another - one characterized by self. Lest we forget: we are made in God's Image to bear God's Image and for God's honor. After all, this is The Truth of who we really are.

The Possible

Perhaps you've experienced an animal that "got loose." I remember chasing the family pet one morning in a skirt and heels - unsightly and unamusing! God does the impossible - His Word says so: "Nothing will be impossible with God." (Luke 1:37). We don't know how exactly, but God brought a countless number of animals to Noah's ark, took Joseph from slave to ruler, David from shepherd to warrior king - you get the picture. With God, the impossible becomes possible, becomes reality. It's crazy but we spin our life-wheels chasing dreams that [when realized] aren't really all that great; thus, missing God's Best as well as The Power to know It. I fear too often I've pressed on to my own goals in my own strength because I simply refused to believe "nothing is impossible with God." Oh, Lord, help my unbelief! (Mark 9:24). Instead of dreaming about and for the impossible, believe God and embrace the possible. God deals strictly in the possible! 

Choose Gratitude

Remember see-saw fun? My mind goes back to that simple piece of equipment powered [usually] by two friends, one at each end. Each day is powered by one of two attitudes: complaint or gratitude. One of the best examples of complaining is found in Numbers 11: (1) "Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when He heard them His anger was aroused. ... (4) The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, 'If only we had meat to eat! (5) We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost - also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. (6) But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!'" How very miserable their lives had become: freed from slavery, departed with untold riches, kept shaded during the day by a cloud, kept warm at night by a pillar of fire, miraculously saved from an aggressive Egyptian army, given sweet and refreshing water in the desert, and now this boring manna from God to eat - "The manna ... tasted like something made with olive oil." (V.7-8). Inevitably during see-saw fun, a third person would join and weigh down one end. This is exactly how complaining burdens the soul; we choose its misery over the beauty of The Father's blessings. Such a choice makes very long days and - like the person on the lightest end of the see-saw - causes a lot of unnecessary racket! Why not recognize and acknowledge the precious manna God gives us continually. Yes, choose gratitude!

His Plan

As a writer, I've had to re-think why copyrights are important: no author wants his or her writing arbitrarily changed! God tells us "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." (Proverbs 16:9). How very typical it is that we plan-and-go with life in self wisdom and intent. Then! we're met with a hiccup, a side-step, an inevitable-unavoidable change. Bottom line: I had a plan but God had another. Looking back [especially] on past pain, I now see God's Grace and Power revealed and released into my present life. Paul David Tripp writes, "Your story is a biography of wisdom and grace written by another. Every turn he writes into your story is right. Every twist of the plot is for the best. Every new character or unexpected event is a tool of his grace. Each new chapter advances his purpose."  Oh, what messes I've made of my story at times; oh, but what tender compassion and grace have settled upon my story and perfect wisdom righted my path - all from The Author of my days from before conception through eternity. I really wouldn't want anyone changing my words to suit their own thoughts or beliefs; neither should Jesus' Followers depart from God's purpose for their lives. Stick to His Plan.

Right Path

Drivers know to drive on the right-side of the road; of course, Mister Bill usually prefers the middle of the road! "The [chosen] path of life leads upward for the wise, that he may keep away from Sheol (the place of the dead) below." (Proverbs 15:24). Walking wisely begins with a heart set-on (determined) to choose the Godly Way. God doesn't give us rules and commands to limit our joy; oh, no! He instructs us to keep us safe and spiritually prosperous, to know fullness and abundance of life here on earth. Jeremiah wrote, "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls." (6:16). What loving counsel! The final sentence in this verse, however, describes too many Believers: "But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.'"  As I walked to the mailbox this morning, I found myself quite naturally walking on the right side. Oh, how important it is we pay close attention to the way-path in which we walk-live, and that our choices are holy and righteous always leading upward. Then! we walk obediently and faithfully ... the right path.

Chosen and Treasured

Sometimes things we cherish are of little monetary value! I have a small music box Mom gave me years ago. Although it's made of cardboard and paper - not very valuable -- it is a treasure! There are times in our lives when Satan tries to convince us our lives matter very little, that we aren't really all that special. God says otherwise: "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession." (Deuteronomy 14:2). He chose us and He treasures us! Much like we carefully watch-over an earthly possession, God longs to keep us close to Himself, to care for and protect us from harm and destruction. My little music box is special to me not because of the object itself but because Mom gave it to me. What God gave to the world - His Son, Jesus Christ - proves how much He treasures us! Stay close to The One Who treasures you most!

Blog Break

MWB will resume Monday 07-20

STAY IN THE WORD!

Miles of Smiles, Beverly

Read His Word

Among valued and useful possessions, heating pads usually rank pretty high. While an ice pack is often my friend, sometimes nothing beats the heat! Much like heat promotes blood flow to an inflamed area, God's Word warms (stimulates) the heart to respond affectionately to The Father. The psalmist wrote, "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law." (Psalm 119:18). Whenever we open The Bible, we should ask God to open our eyes to understanding. For Believers, Scripture is the catalyst by which The Holy Spirit cautions, guides and teaches us. Be ever faithful to open The Bible and equally faithful to ask God to give understanding, so that you may rightly obey His commandments. (Psalm 119:34). Do you want to increase in relationship to The Father?  Read His Word.

He Is

Something I've come to enjoy is word games - imagine that! Sometimes a game wants a word that doesn't really seem like a word; that is, it's missing vowels! God revealed Himself as YHWH - try pronouncing that one. It's pronounced YAH-way, is God's most personal name, and occurs approximately 6,800 times in Scripture; we read it translated as LORD. To be sure, it isn't how many times it is used or how we pronounce it. No, most importantly is what we know of He Who proclaimed Himself as YHWH: "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.'" (Exodus 3:14). The GREAT I AM means He never changes, His promises never fail, and He is completely faithful. God assures us, "I am the LORD, I do not change [but remain faithful]." (Malachi 3:6). It's hard to imagine but He IS, has always BEEN and forever will BE. For those who have trusted I AM, we know He IS because He has proved Himself to BE what He declares He IS. What a tremendous comfort in an evil, ever-changing, chaotic world there IS One Who remains.  HE IS I AM!

Keep Your Zeal

When a worker isn't working to potential or is "goofing off," we often say he's "slacking."  Slacking can also describe Believers who are lackadaisical (lazy and careless) in their spiritual lives. Romans 12;11 says Believers are never to be "lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Seems like such a simple-easy command ... NOT! Author Barbara Johnson would say it's like "nailing jell-o to a tree." What would it be like to live free of thieves who wreck the best of days and moments, leaving us fizzled-depleted-empty of enthusiasm ... zeal and fervor for God. Truth is, it doesn't happening apart from embracing a Spirit-filled life. "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). The life filled with The Holy Spirit will always be one which is filled with Godly moves - reading His Word, praising His Name, thanking Him and encouraging others as He encourages us. The attitude of self-sufficiency only leads to ... lacking. Bottom line, if we find ourselves lacking, we are most likely slacking in our spiritual duties to remain zealous (passionate, enthusiastic) toward Christ. So, if you feel yourself lacking, perhaps you're slacking. Stay faithful - keep your zeal!

Endless Joy

Endlessness can be tiring: repeatedly preparing meals, bathing, laundry, etc. consume us. The have-to's aren't always the want-to's! Because we live in a spiritually fallen and corrupt world, everyone needs encouragement. This universal need sells, and is the theme of many types of media. Like one who is hungry and foraging for his next meal, too many find only the next spiritual meal. Jesus said, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10). The Greek word "life" refers to an active and a perpetual life - one given and sustained by Christ for those who put their trust in Him. Furthermore, Jesus promises this active, perpetual and sustainable life He gives in abundant measure! The endlessness of life here - including our otherwise never-ending and tiring have-to's - can be done with joy and thanksgiving: "whatever you do, do all to the Glory of God" (1 Corinthians). Truth is, endlessness doesn't have to be tiring! Face life in the endless Joy of The Lord.

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 live frugally and limit ourselves from spending frivolously. Jesus’ words, “love … with all your heart … soul … strength … mind” (Luke 10:27) don’t translate into control yourself. 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 a person is missing when Jesus says heart-soul-strength-mind? None – it’s all there, no part 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 Christ. 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! Not in our own strength but 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!

Meal or Munchies

Mister Bill is the Munch King here! He likes a good meal, of course, but he loves-him some munchies; some nights it’s a full-course munch-meal! Charles H. Spurgeon writes, “Where lies the secret strength of faith? It lies in the food it feeds on.” This great truth makes me suspect many of us are in deep trouble. No wonder so many Believers are spiritually malnourished because of a skimpy diet of God’s Word; television, cell phones, video games, books, magazines, shopping, sleeping, etc. are more our meal-plan. Busy usually overcomes us as we choose the urgent rather than the prudent. Why is it we choose to settle for casual bits-and-pieces here-and-there of God’s Word, ever dodging the table of His rich and satisfying Truth to strength and sustain. A few hours before bedtime, Mister Bill gets in serious munch-mode; oh, that Believers take spiritual growth seriously, lingering at Christ’s Table of Truth at every opportunity. The choice comes down to this: meals or munchies.

Knowing Grace

Our sweet Grand #3 has the middle name "Grace," and I've been humorously referred to as "Grace" when I was less-than-graceful on my feet. Before ever the word was formed on the lips of man, The Purest of all graces existed in the mind, heart and character of God Himself. God's Grace is simply this: the unearned (unmerited) great kindness, mercy, love and favor of Almighty God and Creator. I realize it's not common nor popular to consider ourselves unworthy of what we have either materially or spiritually, albeit, neither the born-again nor the lost person have earned even the air they breathe. Both kinds live at and within the established boundaries of God's Grace. Here's the marked difference between the two: the unsaved person ignores-refuses to recognize-acknowledge the Grace by and within which he or she lives; the saved (born-again) person recognizes-accepts "God's Riches At Christ's Expense" - God's GRACE. Interestingly, Believers have only a very limited knowledge-awareness of the measure of Grace showered on them! God's Grace really is amazing - I'm so glad I know it!

Godly Fruits

One of the things I've enjoyed from Mister Bill's retirement from work is "my retirement" from preparing his lunch box. Yes, I did so willingly but retiring his lunchbox has been an unexpected treat! There are nine Godly qualities listed in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Now, these aren't available like apples and oranges in the grocer's produce section. They come to Believers only when we live and walk by The Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25). Another thing greatly important: these wonderful and holy attributes are only sustainable when we live and walk by The Holy Spirit! We all know how quickly-easily we can lose that loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, controlled spirit - so yes, sustainability is huge! Our snappy and unkind self cannot be totally blamed on Satan; it's likely we've not spent enough time in God's Presence so we will live-walk by The Spirit. Mister Bill often opened his lunchbox to find oranges already peeled-sliced-ready to eat; fruits of The Spirit require a bit more effort! Take time to know God and the Fruits of His Spirit; it's well worth the effort!

Real Truth

Hitting a moving target is tricky: Mister Bill tells me speed of bullet and quarry, distance and accuracy all factor into success. Each of us face challenges to do what is personally best so we seek-out the truth in various matters. Over time, we find truth changes! Sadly although predictably, the great question among Believers and non-Believers today is "what is real truth?" God has clearly spoken, however, few are listening! Why is settled and unchangeable truth so important? "So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes." (Ephesians 4:14). We need not imagine a day of a world of moving targets - no, we live in such a time. "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions." (2 Timothy 4:3). If ever there was an instance in The Land Of The Free to settle our hearts on Truth that changes not, it is now. Maybe yours is tucked away on a bookshelf, dusty and neglected: open The Bible - IT was God's Word when penned and IT is God's Word today. "Forever, O Lord, Your Word is firmly fixed in the heavens." (Psalm 119:89). What is Truth? We hold it in our hands. Read it - Live it!

Gift of Faith

One Saturday morning several months ago, my three sisters and I had an opportunity to create a wooden "work of art." We each chose a project, stain and paint colors then several hours later we all left with a "masterpiece." One of the most common misunderstandings among non-Believers and Believers [alike] is that we can "create" our own spirituality. God says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9). There exists in us all this unceasing desire to know peace, rest, contentment, etc., and only the wise and humble find it; they find it only through genuine faith. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is a trusting in, hoping on, relying upon something or someone; and, it is necessary for us to come to God: without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Yes, I was a bit proud of my wooden box creation; I've tried but never been able [on my own] to muster up enough spiritual faith - I'm so thankful I've not had to: faith is a gracious gift from God. Thank you, Father, for the ... gift of faith.

Fess Up!

You surely know one of the hardest things is to "fess up" when you've messed up! Doesn't matter, it's what you do - that is, if you want to do the right thing. The Bible word "confession" simply means agreeing with God about our sin. It's the first step toward forgiveness; it is also a condition of forgiveness. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9). Most of us, however, have a Fonzie problem: Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli, better known as "Fonzie," whose lips could never seem to form those three humble yet freeing words: I am sorry. Two things that help my heart and lips agree with God is humility and practice. I've discovered when I bow before Sovereign God it's easier to bow (be humble) before others, and; the more I do it, the easier it becomes. Of course, I was a Fonzie fan but the older-me knows his prideful ways are nothing to admire. Let us freely and regularly confess our sins to God then experience and rejoice in His forgiving Grace. Fess up!