Intense Love

There are foods that boast of intense flavor! The more bitter-hot-sour the more my boys loved it. I learned to never-ever, under any circumstances ever agree to “taste” anything they handed me. Although my countenance made for some little-boy laughter, my taste buds were rarely amused! One dictionary uses the phrase “intense affection” to describe love. Those little-boy intense flavors usually turned my mouth inside-out, and left me wondering about the imagination of whoever created them. Oh, the things in life we pursue with intensity – if only we sought after The Father with the same degree as the psalmist declares, “My soul followeth hard after Thee.“ (Psalm 63:8).   A. W. Tozer wrote, “The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One.” Can you imagine a deeper, more powerful love than “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)? I cannot! Let us lay aside all that binds-hinders-distracts, and take up with great intensity the pursuit of God. Follow hard after God and know … no greater love!

Feathered

Feathers certainly have their place but it is not in the kitchen drain! Between duck, dove and goose hunts, there were times it seemed feathers were abundant here. Do you sometimes feel featherless in this life? I once saw a naked chicken (no feathers); it was a sad sight. God doesn't intend for Believers to ever feel exposed or helpless. Truth is, however, we are easily flustered and fearful in the face of real life. Such times call for more than a long leisurely tub bath or a few quiet moments to regroup. God is sufficient strength and protective shield: "The LORD is my Strength and my Shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped." (Psalm 28:7). He is the safe harbor and protective cleft: "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find Refuge." (Psalm 91:4). Whatever troubles you at this very moment, why not lay it aside and face life ... completely feathered!

God's Process

Meat processing – we really don’t care to think about how our much loved barbeque pork,  charbroiled hamburgers, smoked turkey breast and grilled chicken make it to our dinner tables. Nonetheless, there IS a process. Maturing in Christ is a process, and that process has a name: sanctification. It’s not such a common word, but it’s good Bible! The word [sanctification] describes the Believer's growth from spiritual infancy to maturity in holiness; it begins the moment of one's Salvation and continues until the grave. Sadly, some Believers live as if their Salvation is an end instead of a beginning. We’re made new and righteous, of course, by God’s Redemption through Jesus Christ; however, that begins the life-long journey of becoming like Christ. This process [of sanctification, becoming holy] is of divine origin and purpose, “according to the foreknowledge of God, the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:2).  Now, who doesn’t love a good plate of barbeque or a big juicy burger, but much has happened before we enjoy them. God wants every Believer to become “vessels for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21).  Interestingly, we all are currently in a process of becoming something - honorable or dishonorable. Consider [then] where you are in His process today!

Remember and Tell

Do you remember the movie, "Total Recall?" It had lots of action, but that ping-ponging from past to present to future to real to not real left me lost most of the movie. Says the Prophet Isaiah, “I will mention the lovingkindness of the LORD …” (Isaiah 63:7a). In our English language, to mention is to refer to something briefly and without going into detail; synonyms include "to allude or to touch on."  The Hebrew word for mention, however, carries a much stronger meaning; it is to remember or to recall. It’s the same Hebrew word used when God remembered Noah (Genesis 8:1), when God remembered Abraham (Genesis 19:29), when God remembered His covenant with His people (Exodus 2:24). Our God isn't casual about anything! Imagine if He were casual in His promises to us or just casually faithful. Isaiah said I will remember how loving and how kind Almighty God has been and is to me. I believe Isaiah was referring to total recall - remembering, even reliving, the sure-and-certain steadfastness of His God! We must discipline ourselves to remember God's faithfulness then faithfully tell it to our children, our grandchildren, our friends, our neighbors – remember and tell of God’s faithfulness. Do you remember your last total recall of God's goodness? Remember! Remember and tell of His greatness!

Be Blessed!

 Have you ever been manipulated? Usually, it was only afterward I realized I had been covertly and skillfully managed to someone else's benefit. Sounds terrible, yet we are guilty of the same thing. In His deep love for us, God has wisely given us instructions to both honor Him and to live honorably among others. Yet! Yet! Yet! we live as if wiser. "Rebellion is as [serious as] the sin of divination (fortune-telling), and disobedience is as [serious as] false religion and idolatry. Because you [King Saul] have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you as king." (1 Samuel 15:23). King Saul paid a tremendous price for rebellion against God, acting in his own wisdom, doing things his own way. In V.25 God makes clear He takes great delight in obedience rather than  "burnt offerings and sacrifices." We can say with our lips all-day-and-every-day we love God but it's the obedient heart alone that honors God! Perhaps we do not think of ourselves as rebels or rebellious but when we choose to do anything other than obey God, that's exactly what we are. Let us turn aside from spiritual rebellion - manipulating our lives to suit ourselves, to our own benefit. God's commands to us are not burdensome; He loves us and has instructed us to honor Him and to our greatest benefit. Obey Him and be blessed!

Kind To God

 Have you ever thought about how very little of us is required to be kind? Why then are we so stingy with it? Weary and thirsty, Jesus said to the woman in John 4:7, "Give Me a drink." The woman's act of giving Jesus water was nothing short of, yes - kindness. We rightly talk of the kindness of God to us; indeed, the ways of His kindness are without number and measure. However, we forget how God values our kindness to Him! To His people, God said, "I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved Me and followed Me through the wilderness, through a land not sown." (Jeremiah 2:2). Can't you just hear the treasure of that memory to God - the devotion and kindness of those who love Him: God remembered! How kind have you been to God lately? Do the words of your mouth and meditations of your heart reflect a kindness toward The Father? Is your kindness toward Him evident in your uncompromising obedience? Are you kind to others because, like your Father in heaven, is kind? Kindness always counts and it costs so very little. Make kindness a way of life; practice kindness, and let it begin with being ... kind to God.

The One Foundation

It's highly likely [I suppose] everyone sees at least one thing they would change about the house in which they live. Regardless of superficial things, there's one thing of which there must be no flaw: the foundation. As a people, we have designed and built many things yet neglected one thing: "Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127:1). We are right to observe the condition of our nation, but fail to acknowledge God seeks to establish Himself first in the heart of man. A nation's sway of principles, values and ideals may be blamed on governments but, in reality, rests solely on a flawed foundation. Jesus made clear the consequence of such a foundation: "Everyone that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell: and great was the fall of it." (Matthew 7:26). The Puritan prayed, "Forgive me if I have tried to add anything to the One Foundation." Nonetheless, we have personally and collectively rebelled against God to trust in human might and wisdom to make us strong men and nations. We do well to remember Edward Mote's words (1797-1874), "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand - All other ground is sinking sand - All other ground is sinking sand." Let us check the foundation of our lives to make sure it is built on The One Foundation - Jesus Christ.

Cling Tightly

 When my little Dustin's coat went missing - which was often - it was usually found in his classroom's lost and found box. Mister Bill and I have become quite good at retracing our steps to find things misplaced. Do you have days when it seems you are spiritually alone; you struggle more intensely with situations, relationships, temptations, etc.? Well, I do! Spurgeon asks, "where did you lose the company of Christ?" Perhaps it was neglecting to read His Word, failure to pray, unconfessed sin, or even the absence of fellowship with other Believers. Whatever the cause of the lonely walk, be sure it is not God Who made Himself absent. A spiritual re-tracing will leads right back to God and restored fellowship with He Who promised "Lo, I am with you always." Are you being diligent in your relationship with God through Christ Jesus? Is it a priority to faithfully and diligently cling to Him? Solomon rejoiced in his find: "I found Him Whom my soul loves ... I held Him and would not let Him go." (Song of Solomon 3:4). Oh, let us cling tightly.

Ready to Rest

A common question I hear is "did you rest well?".  The older me finds the answer to be relative to a few things: if my feet were warm; how much I drank after 6:00; and, oh yes, the full moon. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes affects of the world on our best joys: "my fair flowers fade; my dainty cups are drained to dregs; my sweetest birds fall before Death's arrows; my most pleasant days are shadowed into nights."  Writing of the Believer's rest in Hebrews 4:1, the writer of Hebrews makes clear we come short of it in this life. For those who have put their trust in Christ, genuine-lasting rest is to come: "There remaineth therefore a rest to the People of God." (V.9). When we consider rest, we naturally think of respite from weariness, fatigue, labor; eternal rest will indeed be lacking these earthly considerations, but their absence will be because of The Presence of Him Who dwells in absolute Perfection. There is no accurate imagination of what God has planned for the Believer's eternal rest: "No man has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him." (2 Corinthians 2:9). Most importantly, the promise of genuine-eternal rest to come is relative to if you have made yourself ready by accepting God's Gift of Salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. My prayer is that you are ... ready to rest.     

Good Cheer

Books, bottles, boxes - you name it, they've been used for target practice here. One thing I've learned in taking aim, trajectory is everything! Most of us would like to predict even with a small degree of accuracy the trajectory (path, course) of our lives. It is certainly true that "life is what happens to us while we are making other plans." I admit to trusting in my tomorrows rather than in God Who holds my tomorrows, and the collapse of my own plans serves to wake me from this foolish blunder. When we find ourselves in the midst of a fallen world of disorder and chaos, the wise will acknowledge there is One above it all in ultimate control. "And [God] hath put all things under His [Christ's] feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church." (Ephesians 1:22). Our God loves us so much He has put all that troubles us in this life under the authority of His Son, Jesus ... and, with you and I in mind. There is nothing that threatens us here outside nor beyond the control of Christ Who said, "In the world ye shall have tribulations: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). For sure, the world's trajectory seems askew; nonetheless, fear not - be of good cheer!

No Room For Gloom

 Gray days aren't my favorite. It's best  for me to get-up-get-going on those sunny-less days. Life can sometimes be much like an overcast day: broken relationships, financial troubles, poor health, current events - all can settle in our spirits and weigh us down. The psalmist presents a different take altogether: "You have blotted out their [my enemies] name forever." (Psalm 9:5). In ancient times, it was shameful to have no heir. Having a son meant the family line continued, the family name would be carried into yet one more generation. David's perspective of God's sovereignty and his enemies' end kept the gloomies in-check: "Those who know Your Name trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You." (Psalm 9:10). Times are tough - yes, I know they are. For the Believer, there is really only one reality: God is King and He alone rules. The craziness of an out-of-control world has no influence over God's reign nor what threatens God's People. When aptly applied, this Truth leaves no room for gloom. Trust the Truth.

Promised Places

Oh, how we loved to play the game Twister! It was the perfect excuse to be close to my beau - Mister Bill - not get the stink-eye from Mom! You sure could get into some knots trying to keep right foot on red, left hand on green, left foot on blue, right hand on yellow ... and not fall down. The Israelites had a new leader, Joshua;  God expected him to move right into the steps of Moses who miraculously led God's people out of slavery, from rebellious wandering in the wilderness, and to do so  with strength and courage. Here's what the Almighty said to Joshua, "I will give you every place where you set your foot." It was not a game of Twister; rather, it was about bravely moving forward and not looking back. We don't really know what Joshua was thinking, but the Bible doesn't speak of any hesitation. Too often we face life like a game of Twister: leaving one foot on red (in the past), one hand on green (worry about the future), one foot on blue (whine about the present), then expect God to keep us from tumbling over. The promise God made to Joshua is also ours: God will give us every place we set our feet. Let's get off the Twister mat and claim those blessed promised places!

Secure Yourself!

The feeling of security is powerful; perhaps we do not realize just how powerful it is. We rest soundly in many external things: good health, money, possessions, relationships, careers, etc. When our sense of security is misplaced, however, God will bring about confrontation. Count on it! The Puritan prayed: "When Thou takest away my outward blessings, it is for sin ... in making myself secure and hardened." The sin nature aptly convinces us of security in external things, and we grab it like a warm blanket on a cold night. "He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure." (Psalm 40:2). Who can confidently find lasting rest or security in wet, soggy, muddy ground, a bog? Only solid, firm, unshakable and unmovable ground sustains. "God only is my Rock and my Salvation, my Fortress; I shall not be shaken." (2 Samuel 22:2). I suggest if the ground beneath you feels a bit squishy, it's time to check your foundation. "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand - All other ground is sinking sand - All other ground is sinking sand." Secure yourself!

God's Words

 Aren't pop-ups annoying! Reading along online then WHAM, you lose your place in the text by an uninvited interruption. There should be welcome spiritual pop-ups, however, interrupting every Believer's life: "With my lips I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth." (Psalm 119:13). Those words we have hidden away in our heart should "pop up" during the moments of our days. They should encourage, comfort, deliver, protect, counsel, warn and lead us away from destruction into safe-keeping. During His wilderness temptation, Jesus said to Satan, "It is written" (Matthew 4), and so it is written for our holy benefit. Are these spiritual pop-ups missing from your life? Perhaps you've not committed enough of God's Word to your heart. No better time to begin than right now: read and memorize God's words!

Ancient Words

Occasionally, I hear something that makes my heart smile. As I read Scripture aloud recently, there was a chorus, sudden and unexpected surround-sound: from memory, those to whom I read began to recite the verse from memory. In a day when we have memorized passwords, addresses and music lyrics [to name a few], we have not committed to heart the most treasured and powerful of words. The psalmist wrote, "I have stored up Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 105:11). It is, therefore, no mystery why we struggle with purity and holiness! I suggest we must do better; that we "turn our eyes from looking at worthless things and find life and power in God's Holy Word (119:37). Let us find echoes of Scripture in our hearts and made real before others. "Ancient words ever true - Changing me and changing you - We have come with open hearts - Oh, let the Ancient Words impart."

Shine

For the first five years, Mister Bill and I lived in a mobile home which was heated by a gas furnace. Much too often, and to our shivering, the furnace's pilot light had to relit - what a bother! The absence of light is a troublesome thing; clarity of good direction is compromised, aimless wandering and faltering steps ensue. Is it any wonder God's first words into darkness was, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3). In his explanation of light, Newton explained light was a stream of particles emitted from a light source, entering the eye to engage sight. The darkness of this world is a direct result of compromised direction to the True Source of Light. Psalm 119:105 tells us God's Word lights our way; Micah 7:8 that the LORD will be our light; John 9:5 that Jesus is the Light of the world - so that we may walk this earth in the light (1 John 1:7). As each individual has lost his way, so goes our communities, our state, our nation, the world. Jesus' words "let your light so shine among men" (Matthew 5:15) must not go unheeded. Never [in my lifetime] has the light been so compromised by corruption and wickedness. Like that bothersome pilot light, many a'light needs to be relit and rekindled. Let's stand firm in God's Truth and hold fast to The Light Source then do what "little lights" do ... shine!

Measureless

Oh, many are our measuring gadgets: measuring cups and spoons, rulers and tapes, scales, micrometers, odometers, etc. God is, however, without measure because He is both transcendent and infinite. Transcendent because He's beyond the universe, beyond our intelligence and imagination. Infinite because God is He is above our limited and finite standards. We finite beings naturally have limits to how far our understanding of God can go. He cannot be imagined as we relate only to what is connected to our rules and means of measurement. The conclusive truth: God is much greater than we are, and we can exclusively trust He Who laid out the universe and has designed our lives. Actually, we must believe in Him and trust these attributes of God: "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6). Even in our struggle to have faith and apply it to life, God has gifted us with the power to believe: "By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8). God is who He is and empowers us to believe in Him! How measureless!

Mine! Mine! Mine!

 "Mine! Mine! Mine! Jesus is mine - Mine when I'm weary - Mine when I'm cheery - Mine! Mine! Mine! Jesus is Mine - Jesus is always mine." Perhaps you recall this chorus from childhood. Did you know every promise, every expectation, every anticipation, every smidgen of hope we have been given from God is summed up in the Person of Jesus Christ? "For as many as the promises of God are, in Jesus they are yes; therefore through Him also is our Amen to the glory of God through us." (2 Corinthians 1:20). Yes, even our "amen" declares it so: in Jesus' Name let it be so or so be it. Let us never be casual in our conversation, our thoughts, our devotion and, yes, in our "amen." We know well all the Power, Comfort, Hope, Strength, Security and Joy belonging to Christ also belong to us! All that Jesus has accomplished belongs to us! Because of God's great work through Jesus The Son and our Savior, we sing "Mine! Mine! Mine! Jesus is mine - Jesus is always mine!" Amen - so be it, Lord!