Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Goodbye Hello

 Some people say "goodbye" while others say "so long" or "see ya later." Whatever the expression, someone is leaving another's presence; however you say it, sometimes goodbyes aren't easy ... even sad. Regarding death of a Believer, God's Word tells us, "Precious [and of great consequence] in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones." (Psalm 116:15). While we [rightfully] grieve when one we love leaves this world, when a Believer dies, we do not mourn "as those who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Furthermore, our goodbye is heaven's hello! Paul writes, "we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8). How's that? Because the Believer's true home is with The LORD. Saying goodbye seems to be less hard when we know the person leaving isn't far away and we're fairly certain we'll see them again. It is with full assurance Believers [who remain] will again see those who have gone ahead to glory. I doubt we can rightly imagine what a Saint's Home-Going is like and the greetings that await them there. Let us be comforted and encouraged that our sad goodbyes are heaven's grand hellos.

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Give Yourself a Rest

Because he  is the one who carries things - bags, books and such - Mister Bill often refers to himself as the "beast of burden." My often-aching back thanks him greatly! Mere hours before the cross, Jesus felt the burden of it. We see this particularly in some of His last words: "Then saith Jesus to them  [His disciples], "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death." (Matthew 26:38); and, in His prayer to The Father, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou will." (Matthew 26:39). We understand exceeding sorrow - heaviness of heart and spirit. We even know about pleading with God to change our circumstances - to bring relief from exceeding sorrow. Both fully man and fully God, so did Jesus Messiah; critical to Believers is that Jesus' exceeding sorrow continued all the way to the cross, through an excruciating separation from The Father, into a borrowed tomb then the rendering of victory over life's worst and final enemy - death. You see, Christ bore the weight of every burden and care threatens to weigh us down physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Jesus says, "Come to Me! All who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest ... You will find rest for your souls." (from Matthew 11:28, 29). Like Mister Bill is ever saying, "give that to me," so is The Savior of our souls. Give yourself a rest - trust Jesus!

Monday, March 29, 2021

Glimpses of Him

It's sometimes said of ball players they are a "natural," meaning they seem to have inherent or natural athletic abilities. There are other players who excel in their sport but they've had to work really hard in order to do so. Scripture is clea:, none is inherently righteous - no one (Romans 3:10); and, everyone has sinned and continually falls short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). The Puritan prayed, "It is a good day when Thou givest me a glimpse of myself." The best view of who we are and what we should strive to be can be seen in the psalmist's words: "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives ... Who heals ... Who redeems ... Who satisfies ... Is merciful and gracious." (from Psalm 103: 2, 3, 4, 5, 8). Certainly this is not a complete list of God's characteristics, however, [point is] all these [and more] describe His Nature - they are who He is! God doesn't aspire to be forgiving, merciful, gracious, etc. - No! because He is all this [and more], He is The One Who inspires us to be so. Those who will excel in Godliness are only those who live Christ-centered lives and daily surrender to the in-working of The Holy Spirit. Oh, there's coming a day when Believers will be gloriously and naturally perfect; until then, however, righteousness your walk and rejoice in the glimpses of Him!

Sunday, March 28, 2021

Experience The Love

Most of us can recall at least one rich experience in our lifetime. One such remembrance for me was standing on the cliffs of Tulum overlooking the Caribbean Sea: it was breathtaking. Should I stood there at length, I would not have satisfied the wonder of it. There is a type and manner of love which is unparalleled and matchless: "Deeply rooted and securely grounded in love, may you comprehend with all God's people the width and length and height and depth of Christ's love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; and come to know [practically through personal experience], that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God's Presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself]." (Ephesians 3:17-19). Simply put - experiencing God's Love brings about the richest experience known to mankind. How does a Believer "experience" God's Love in full measure? By participating in the ways by which we come nearest to Christ: obediently following His commands to worship, pray, study, meditate, fellowship, serve. Oh, how much of His Love we miss when we neglect these opportunities to draw near to The Father through The Son and The Holy Spirit. Consider this holiest of weeks if you are taking advantage of every opportunity to experience the fullness of God's Love. There's much love to experience!

Thursday, March 25, 2021

The Testimony

What porch could be-a-porch without posts! We forget they're even there, usually looking past or through them. Carried away as a teenager from his home in Jerusalem, Daniel spent his life captive to foreign and pagan kings. As you study his life, one thing becomes increasingly clear: Daniel remained devoted to God. When God's message to the king (Daniel 5) ) couldn't be interpreted, the queen said to Belshazzar, "There is a man in your kingdom... [a man of] extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight, interpretation of dreams, explanation of enigmas and solving of difficult problems were found in this Daniel." (Daniel 5:11, 12). Because Daniel had been faithfully obedient to God, he had established a reputation, a testimony; consequently, Daniel's influence in a Godless culture is immeasurable. Truth is, every Believer has a reputation, a testimony, an influence; like it or not, we do! Our testimony is God-honoring ... or not. "A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth." (Ecclesiastes 7:1). The death of a well-spent life speaks volumes! "The memory of the righteous is a blessing." (Proverbs 10:7). A person's spiritual influence long outlives a life devoted to Godliness: perhaps a parent or grandparent, a pastor or teacher. Like those porch posts: strong, reliable, faithful - Believers should be doing what we're commanded to do, day-in and day-out: testifying of Him Whom we love. God be praised for Daniel, for those who've gone before us to remind us to waste not one moment to be what we should be in God's Kingdom. The queen said, "there is a man in your kingdom" ... is that person you and I?

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

No Deficiency

"Would you please step on the scales?"  No! I want to kindly say, however, she did say "please." To Babylon's arrogant king, Belshazzar, God wrote these words: "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, AND PARSIN," which means: "God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it; you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient; your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians." Now, I can honestly say my moments on a set of scales have found anything but a deficiency! There is the matter of spiritual evaluation which must not be ignored. "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart." (Proverbs 21:2). Belshazzar not only denied God but treated what was holy in an unholy way. In the same way, how carelessly do we receive from The Father's bounty then shun Him in our hearts, our speech, our behavior? As Belshazzar and so many others in Scripture learned, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of The Living God." (Hebrews 10:31). We who have once acknowledged and accepted God's Saving Grace must live in this great truth: "I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." (Jeremiah 17:10). Be sure: as long as Believers breathe-in and breathe-out, we're on the scales: let no deficiency be found!

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Don't Delay

 “What’s the hold-up?” I used to ask the boys when they would lolly-gag around.  I’m sure
they tired of the question as I grew tired of their answer: "hold on.” We’ve all heard “idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”  Satan truly loves spiritual idleness! It’s much like a car out-of-gear, not being propelled one direction or the other. And, as a general rule, out-of-gear cars are dangerous! Psalm 119:60 says, “I made haste, and delayed not to keep Thy commandments.” Doing what is spiritually good and right and honorable is a great offense, providing the best defense against evil. Believers are wise to ask themselves, “what’s the hold-up” to my being obedient to God? And, for sure, “hold on” is never a good answer.  Don’t delay … obey today!

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Blog Break

 Taking a Short Blog Break
Back 03-24-2021
Stay in The Word!

Thursday, March 18, 2021

He Is Peace

They exist - people who chase tornadoes and hurricanes ... I just don't know them. Mister Bill and I toughed out a Gulf Coast hurricane in 2020; the wind and blowing rain and a swaying house sure made me re-think the decision to stay ... but stay we did! Scripture tells of the Jesus' disciples seeing Him walking on the water: "Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw [the effects of] the wind ... he began to sink." (Matthew 14:29-30). Not surprising, Peter became frightened, lost his confidence which led to his sinking in the storm. I suspect we all are prone to Peter-moments: when predictability and hopefulness take an unexpected turn, and [like Peter] we lose our footing. Unimaginably real, science confirms the "eye" or center of a hurricane is clear, quiet and peaceful - even described by meteorologists as serene! Paul assures us of such a place for Believers - "hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3). A spiritual place where those who know Jesus intimately find refuge, comfort and peace of which the world knows nothing. Life is filled with storms: you're just leaving one, you're in the midst of one, or you're headed into one. Regardless of what threatens you at this very moment, how tumultuous or savage life is right now, there is a place of peace. Will you choose to listen to The One Who commands and calms the storm: "Take courage ... do not be afraid" (V.27).  Just as Peter did, take His hand. Watch and listen to the storm cease. He is Peace!

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Appreciate the Day

Everyone seems to have a morning routine. Part of ours here includes taking vitamin supplements - it's likely the healthiest thing we do for ourselves. The level at which we attempt to sustain our lives varies, however, this Truth remains: "Let me know how frail I am [how transient is my stay here]. Behold, You have made my days as [short as] hand widths, and my lifetime is as nothing in Your sight. Surely every man at his best is a mere breath [a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes]!" (Psalm 39:4-5). As David considered his life, he also prayed, "let me appreciate the extent of my days" (V.4). We can rightly believe in our frailty, how transient we are, that our lives are mere wisps and vapors, yet fail to apply value to the days. Do we respect each day enough to spend it wisely? Or, are we like those "who make an uproar for nothing ... [building] up riches, not knowing who will receive them" (V.6)? One might say, much a-do about nothing? I suspect we spend too much of life's days self-absorbed, remembering wrongs, nursing bitterness, suppressing compassion and withholding kindness. Oh my, what a waste of time and resources! Paul encourages us to "redeem the time" (Ephesians 5:16) - make wise and sacred use of every opportunity for doing good in every way - mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually. What a way to live ... appreciate the day!

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Are We Listening?

Although Mister Bill and I are empty-nesters, there's more chatter than should be [here] during the night. As a general rule and [perhaps] for the best, what comes out is ... gibberish! God said His words are foolishness to the natural man: "he cannot understand them" (1 Corinthians 2:14). To the unbelieving man, the spiritual things of God are illogical, absurd ... yes, gibberish. To the believing man, however, is given the Gift of The Holy Spirit "Who is from God, so that we may know and understand the [wonderful] things freely given to us by God." (1 Corinthians 2:12). A writer friend gave me this great piece of advice: "the most important thing about writing is to have something to say." Oh my, God has said so much already - in His Word and through His Son, Jesus; and, He continues to speak through and by The Holy Spirit. The question remains: are we listening?

Monday, March 15, 2021

I AM Will Be

Among nature's living things, trees stand tall and majestic. As I sat on the back deck recently, I was in awe of the pines, oaks and hickory trees that have long stood gallantly for countless years; furthermore, they most likely will stand long after I can't. The reality is, however, in a sudden and unexpected moment they could be gone ... roots and all! God has revealed Himself as I AM - The One Who IS, the Self-Existent One. No beginning and no end, Never changes. Never fails. He just IS. The Hebrews knew Him as Yahweh or Jehovah. The psalmist wrote, "You, O LORD, abide forever, and Your Name to all generations ... Your years are throughout all generations ... You endure ... You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end." (From Psalm 102). Although the days of men and trees are limited and numbered, there is no limit nor number for The I AM. What Hope, what Assurance: I AM will always be!

Sunday, March 14, 2021

Completion of Joy

The legendary King Arthur summoned his closest and most trusted men to a round table. Round by design to eliminate precedence or special rank to those who gathered around it. The stories of King Arthur's Round Table speak of brotherhood and fellowship ... as legends go. There's nothing legendary, however, about those united in Christ Jesus. Paul writes, "Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if ant affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind maintaining the same love, uinited in spirit, intent on one purpose." (Philippians 2:1-2). Don't you hear the beauty of spiritual oneness among those who are united by same mind and same love, Believers partnered together for a common eternal life! Round Table or no round table, what completion of joy we have when we fellowship in The Holy Spirit. Don't miss it ... the completion of joy!

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Best Read

What joy it was to sit, talk, pray, fellowship and write with other writers just a few days ago! While our topics, styles and experiences differed, there was a common call to put our thoughts into words. The greatest writer of all time is God Himself, and what an Author He is! While other authors come-and-go, their works top-then-fall from best selling lists, God and His words continue evermore. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." (Matthew 24:35). While such a statement would be pompously presumptuous among men, it was-is-remains tremendous truth today. Furthermore, God's words wield power like no other: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12). Of course, we know our own words are powerful but nothing like God's: separating soul and spirit, joints and marrow, thoughts and intentions! The great wonder is why we read It so little and infrequently!?! For sure, every writer wants readers - much like you're reading MWB now; nothing else, however, delivers power, instruction, life, hope, comfort, encouragement [and more] than what God writes ... on our hearts. Be a reader of God's words ... It is the Best Read.

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Golden Living

What things are "golden" to you? The beauty of sunrises and sunsets. The feel of clean sheets after a refreshing shower Freshly cut grass to bare feet. The smell of honeysuckle. The warmth of hot chocolate on a chilly night. Rest and relaxation in the recliner after a hard day. The taste of cold milk and warm cookies. Silence. What is "golden" to the heart of man? Reconciliation of God to man. Love wrapped in swaddling clothes. Jesus interceding for you and me to The Father. "Golden" doesn't begin to describe these things ... invisible yet powerful things which change the heart of man. Because of such divinely golden gifts, we are called to holy living ... preparing the way for God to change the hearts of others. Living the Golden Rule has been described as an "uncommon grace" today. Matthew 7:12 says, "In everything do to others what you would have them do to you." We are witness to the what- goes-around-comes-around and he-had-it-coming practices of this world. We are called, however, to practice the Golden Rule -- living a different way, God's way. Laying aside personal preferences and feelings, and putting forth the interests of others; this pleases The Father. Living the Golden Rule is ... golden living. Live it!

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Obey The One

For many years, the last thing that happened here before lights-out was to feed DC, the family dog.  He knew what time it was and if you weren't careful when you opened the door, you might be the victim of a one-dog stampede! Believers should never forget The One Who saves them!  We will always reflect just how well we remember this by the way we live.  I fear there are many Believers who show little evidence of their Salvation - their lifestyles are suspect. The Prophet Isaiah was faithful in God's message to the wayward people of Israel.  His message never changed nor wavered from advocating a turn from disobedience to obedience to Jehovah. Isaiah said, "The ox knows his owner, and the donkey its master's feeding trough, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand." (Isaiah 1:3). We love our pets, but God's words are clear: even the beasts know the hand that feeds them. The words of Isaiah seem to fit well today: over and over God cares for us, provides for us, sustains us, comforts us, protects us, and delivers us yet we rebel, ignoring His commands, compromising His Truth, rejecting His Ways. God graciously forgives those who seek forgiveness, and He provides a way back: "Wash yourselves. Clean yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil.  ...  though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow ... " (1:16, 18)  God cleanses from the inside out; washes away rebellious spirits; replaces them with attitudes of righteousness. I suppose we must ask ourselves: will we be outdone by the animal kingdom? I should hope not!  Let us obey The One!

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

A Good Glimpse

We've all been on the receiving-end of it - that is, a look that says it all, tells it all and conveys what words cannot. Do you remember when Peter repeatedly denied all association with Jesus? Luke writes, "Immediately while he [Peter] was still speaking, a rooster crowed ... The Lord turned and looked at Peter ... And Peter went out and wept bitterly [deeply grieved and distressed]." (Luke 22: 60, 61, 62). Oh, that look! Then some days later, on the shore, Jesus asked Peter repeatedly, "Do you love Me?" (John 21:17).  Oh, that question! While Jesus' look surely cut to the quick, His questions probed depths open to none other. We can fool a lot of people; why, we can even fool ourselves. There is no deceiving God, however, Who sees us as we really are. "I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” (Jeremiah 17:10). The Puritan prayed, "Lord, it is a good day to me when Thou givest me a glimpse of myself."  Jesus' look and His words gave Peter a good glimpse of himself, and it seems that's all it took; as far as we know, Peter never again denied Christ: he went to his death in complete devotion to His Savior. Perhaps it's a good time we all had a good glimpse of who we are!

Monday, March 1, 2021

Eat No Crow

You ever had to "eat crow" -- those distasteful, hard-to-swallow words of your own failed position or prediction? My grandparents married at ages 17 and 16, and there were some who said the marriage wouldn't last a year. David wrote, "Many are saying of me, 'There is no help [no salvation] for him in God.'" (Psalm 3:2). The sound of the naysayers, those quick to predict our eventual and coming, demise, can be loud and terrifying! The fear that their declaration against us might actually come true can certainly unsettle us. Hear David's confidence: "But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory [and my honor], and The One Who lifts my head ... I will not be intimidated or afraid of the ten thousands who have set themselves against me all around ... Salvation belongs to the LORD." (V.3, 6, 8). Clearly, fearmongering (the spreading of fear) was as prevalent in David's day as it is in ours. Be of great courage:  Elohim, The All-Powerful One, is the same Shield to His People today as He was in ancient times. Well now, my grandparents lived to see the naysayers eat their fair share of crow - they were married more than 75 years! Let us persevere in these troublesome days ... trust the Lord and you'll eat no crow!