MWB Blog Break

Back Bloggin' Monday 05-03-2021
Stay in The Word

Miles of Smiles, Beverly

All We Need

Working in technology, it was critical to have the right tools. My student techs were quite intrigued with my multi-purpose screw driver, which allowed me to select the type of driver needed for a job. I admit it was pretty cool! Did you know God has equipped every Believer for every task and circumstance of life? "But you shall receive power when The Holy Spirit has come upon you ..." (Acts 1:8). If you are a Believer, you possess this Power in the Person of The Holy Spirit. Why, then, when life comes at us we respond in fear and worry? To be clear, "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him Who called us to His own glory and excellence." (2 Peter 1:3). Don't miss this: we are equipped for all things that pertain to life and Godliness! He has not commanded nor called us to His standards of Godly living apart from equipping us. Oh, and we're equipped to excel: "In all things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him Who loved us." (Romans 8:37). In a world that screams empowerment, Believers should know it better than anyone! Are you allowing The Holy Spirit to work freely in your life? I encourage you to become intimately acquainted with The Holy Spirit - the True Power within us. He is ... all we need.

No Small Thing

 It's easy to think of certain things we do as really small. Several years ago, in a moment of His grace, God allowed me to see the greatness of an otherwise small and insignificant kindness I had done years earlier. It was stunning ... and humbling! In that instance I was reminded that no kindness is small in the hands of our Great God! Read what He spoke through His servant Paul: "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ Whom you serve.." (Colossians 3:23-24). Idleness is of no value, however, faithfulness to serve God in all and with all is measureless. Most certainly, God's Kingdom needs the contributions of those who have been given much, however, I suggest we remember the widow's two copper coins to which Jesus noted "she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned." (Mark 12:44). In her latter years, I watched my Mom, immobile with failing eyesight and handwriting faithfully send cards of encouragement and pray for the needs of others. You see, it's never the large or small of our service to the Lord; it's simply the obedient faithfulness to do with what we have. Do not forget: even a small act of service is ... no small thing.

Unforgettable

 As forgetful as I may be, there are things I do not forget: my first date, my birthday, that I really don't like rutabagas.  Charles Spurgeon wrote "Do you find yourself forgetful of Jesus? Something steals away your heart, and you become distracted away from Him." How can such a thing be true, we wonder. I admit there are days when life seems to get-in-the-way of my devotion, I am distracted and Jesus isn't the priority, i.e. study set aside for later ... and never comes; a quick hurried prayer ... sweet communion missed. I'd say that's being pretty forgetful of Jesus! Yet, it is God Who never forgot me ... me, dead and lost in my sin ... me, in desperate need of a Savior ... me, evermore in need of His all-sufficient grace. God never forgot about me and He remembers me still! This is our command: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37). This describes a heart without distractions, a heart undivided. Spurgeon concludes, "Let us tie a 'heavenly forget-me-not' to our hearts for Jesus, The One we love." Oh, let us faithfully remember He Who is ... unforgettable.

New Heart

Going on half a century now, Mister Jokester has enjoyed Miss Naivete: yes, I've naively believed a lot of his tales. Perhaps the most famous (and embarrassing) is when he convinced me he had two hearts! Isn't it sad God's greatest creation doesn't have a heart for Him? Both Biblical and secular history give accounts of peoples who followed after everything except God. With regard to God's restoration to man's brokenness, God said: "I will give [the people] one heart, and put a new spirit within them." (Ezekiel 11:19). Science has made wonderful progress in mending malfunctioning hearts, and I'm so glad. It is only The Creator God, however, Who can give spiritual restoration by Salvation through Jesus Christ. For sure, the tale of two hearts will continue to be a stain on my gullibility. The new heart promised to those who believe is no joke and no tall tale: that new heart functions perfectly when powered by The Holy Spirit. I pray you have received your new heart!

Sweet Remembrance

Although harried, one of this mama's sweet memories is driving my boys here-and-there: the listening and conversing en route are often replayed in my mind. Those days are past - those boys are now driving their own littles around, making their own memories. This remembrance should be ever present with the Saints of God: "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, Whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is The One Whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and Savior, to grant repentance ... and forgiveness of sins. And we are witness of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, Whom God has given to those who obey Him." (Acts 5:30-32). What an incredible eternal truth for every Believer! The God of the universe Who created all things and rules all things is not an impersonal Creator God; no! through the power and person of The Holy Spirit, Jesus - Prince and Savior - wants a personal relationship with every Believer. I encourage you to not be slack nor casual about God's invitation to fellowship and communion. Remember the lengths to which God has gone to make this a reality in your life: it's a sweet and rewarding remembrance.

Today

Can't you just hear your words, "One day I'm going to ..." or "Some day I will ..."? Like me, you know those days never seem to come around! There is a certain "one day" coming for all Believers: "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is." (1 John 3:2). Oh, the anticipation - And, oh, the temptation ... to sit dreamily in idleness until that ... "one day." The danger of busy days are the after-effects to sit-awhile, take-it-easy, girl-you-deserve-a-break! Oh yes, I know well these old bones and joints and muscles don't have the strength, stamina and gitty-up-and-go they used to. However, we are to "not be slothful in zeal, [rather] be fervent in spirit, [and] serve the Lord." (Romans 12:11). The promise of that one-day glorified body, mind and spirit must not diminish our devotion and enthusiasm for today. "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:38). Stay busy in God's Kingdom: be faithful with your today till one-day comes!

Transcending God

Several years ago, one of of my sisters gave me the coolest umbrellas: it unfolds and folds upward instead of downward. As unique as it is, the main thing about it (as with all umbrellas) is it above me deflecting the rain. Of Jehovah God, Isaiah wrote: "It is He Who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in." (Isaiah 40:22). Literally beyond imagination, Isaiah's words describe The One Who transcends all things, pointing us to God's superiority, His supremacy, His surpassing greatness. As our minds naturally try to fathom it in the physical realm, let us consider the reality of this in the spiritual [realm] of the Believer's life. Psalm 145:18 - "The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth."  Psalm 34:18 - "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." James 4:8 - "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." Here are just a few examples of how The Transcending God of the universe - The Mighty Creator - is Sovereign over all our circumstances, situations and relationships. Oh, so much more than how that umbrella is above and covering us, God transcends all, is greater than life. Jehovah Shammah - The Lord Is There! 

Be The Pipe

It's true, I'm terrible at watering my outside plants. As a matter of record, every time I remember to water, the water hose is on the yonder-side of the house! So much for my pitifully insignificant part in irrigation! Such a thing should never be true of Believers - we are commanded to be in the irrigation business!  First Thessalonians 5:11 says, "Encourage one another and build one another up." While Paul was [indeed] instructing Believers to encourage one another, everyone can easily wither under the pressures of life. Let me share this borrowed blessing: "Think of a gardener irrigating his garden. He is able to channel life-giving water to all areas except to one little dying plant way over in the corner. The gardener knows that if he had just one more piece of pipe he could run it over to that wilting plant and transform it with new life." (Barbara Johnson, Splashes of Joy in the Cesspools of Life). Believers are to be that one-more-piece-of-pipe! To another Believer, we are extending grace and refreshment in the Power and Strength of Christ; to the non-Believer, we are sharing The Gospel of Jesus Christ Who said: "Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14). Believer, there is much to offer in The Name of Jesus ... be the pipe!

Walk Freely

Have you ever felt truly bound by something? Sadly, there are many who are trapped by physical addictions. Interesting, every person is inherently chained to certain unpleasant and destructive ways: impurity, idolatry, hatred, jealousy, rage, selfishness, unkindness, envy ... just to name a few! Left unchecked, our sin nature keeps us chained to a host of unbecoming behaviors! Believers, however, should not remain bound by the sin nature: "You were called to be free" (Galatians 5:13). Within every Believer is The Holy Spirit Who rescues us from the chains of sinful behavior. Drop the chains of the old nature - "Walk in The Spirit" (V.16), and walk freely!

Blog Break

Resumes Monday 04-19-2021
Stay in The Word
Miles of Smiles, Beverly

All-Sufficient One

 Have you ever woke up chilled, and discovered sometime during the night you had unknowingly kicked the covers off? Mister Bill accuses me of doing that to him causing him to shiver with cold. Read how King Solomon describes Christ: "A bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me." (Song of Solomon 1:13). Myrrh - precious, aromatic, healing, preserving, disinfecting - like The Savior and Friend to Believers. "And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being complelely self-sufficient in Him]." (2 Corinthians 9:8, AMP). As Mister Bill and I traveled recently, we found food, gas and restrooms all in one stop. That's what Jesus is to those who Believe; He is All in all, Sufficient in all things, all we need. Oh, the many sufficiencies we forfeit when we set aside (kick-off) His Sufficiencies in our days, turning to the world's sparkling insufficiencies. Christ is The All-Sufficient One. Live your life in Him alone.

Trust The Shepherd

The extent of my gardening is the planting of a few flowering perennials in outdoor pots. Bless their withering sprigs, the poor things must depend on me for water! Believers are assured of their care and keeping: "He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young." (Isaiah 40:11). It's the shepherd in whom the sheep depend and trust to lead them, find water and food, care for their wounds, keep them safe and provide rest from their weariness. Jesus said, "I am The Good Shepherd." (John 10:11). Life as we know it makes weary every soul! Oh, how wonderful to have The Shepherd and know with full assurance He does what a shepherd does - cares for every need of every Believer. "The LORD is my Shepherd - I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1) - what simple yet clear words to settle the soul of every trusting lamb. The days of our lives do indeed wither [as the grass] and fade [as the flowers] (from Isaiah 40:6, 7, 8), but for those who trust completely in The Shepherd, we do not wither! Trust The Shepherd!

What a Relief!

If you've ever been to a 3D movie and put on those silly glasses, you might have jerked 'em off at the things that seem to leave the screen into your lap! I propose our responses to most of life is influenced by our perspective. When I gauge events and circumstances [of my life] by a secular worldview, I stay "in the stew" - as my Nanny would say. There is a remedy, a fix for this: "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8). Navigating life isn't about having complete knowledge and understanding of everything that happens to us; no! it's about a belief system rooted solely in The Sovereign God and The Truth of His Word. It's easy to "say" I believe - it's altogether different to genuinely "live" out of that belief system! Basically, it's a matter of perspective: will we see things through the world's trending-popular outlook, or will we see life through the eye of faith? I choose to trust in the Lord with all my heart, and lean not on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Oh, wow ... what a relief!

Just Peace

So would you rather be stung by a wasp or a bee? Reportedly, the bee stings one time, leaves his stinger in its victim then dies - he only stings once. In contrast, that wasp comes atcha loaded and doesn't stop stinging till battle is over! Paul wrote, "But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?'" (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). These words speak of the hope Believers have in Christ over life's enemy - death. And, yes, that glorious day is promised and will come for those who believe! I suggest these words also comfort - here and now - us when a Believer is called home. Death stings but it is short-lived when put into the perspective of the one we loved has passed from perishable to imperishable, and at once finds complete health-peace-rest in The Father's Presence. To the stinging loss of one we love, this truth is a soothing balm to the soul: "thanks be to God, Who gives us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (V.57). No words - just Peace.

Treasures

Searching for hidden treasures has long been a favorite past-time. Mister Bill's "green-box" holds a collection of little-boy treasures from around the world. David wrote, "As for the saints (godly people) who are in the land, they are the majestic and the noble and the excellent ones in whom is all my delight." (Psalm 16:3). What a beautiful reminder how God delights in those who love and honor Him with lives of devotion. It's also a sweet nudge to Believers, as they abide in Christ, to enjoy one another. Without hesitation, I confess some of the greatest Godly treasures I know were found among those who faithfully worship, pray, serve and fellowship together in The Body of Christ - His Church. Those are the ones who have rejoiced with me, cried with me, prayed with me, encouraged me, shared my sorrows and stirred me to deeper devotion. Just as David said, they are indeed the majestic, noble and excellent ones in this world. Oh, how grateful I am for these precious treasures!

Words

Words - just how important are they?  Well, they do seem to make communication easier. Words matter even to the hearing-impaired who depend on signing or reading lips. Have you ever considered how careless and frivolous we are with our words? Jesus said by our words we are both justified and condemned (Matthew 12:37). This Truth cautions us to be thoughtful of the words we speak. Also, there is power of life and death in our words (Proverbs 18:21). Finally, words appropriately spoken are priceless: "like apples of gold in a setting of silver." (Proverbs 25:11). Sometimes we ponder too much on the eloquence of what we say rather than the attitude with which it is uttered, forgetting altogether the truest measure will be the need with which our words are received. For me, today was a day when [I felt] my words mattered greatly. I suppose I could have lingered long on what to say but instead I agreed with the psalmist who prayed, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14). God takes words spoken with purity of heart and intent then carries them tenderly on wings of His Whisper allowing them to seep deeply into the most needy place of the soul. Thank you, Father, for delivering my words as You will ... today and every day forward.

Be Refreshed

We learned early that name-calling is a non-no; irregardless, we regress into the old habit sometimes even if in jest. The world seems obsessed with angels and give the name to some they should not. Do angels exist? Of course, they do! The Truth about angels, however, is found in God's Word: they are God's agents, messengers, servants. From Scripture, we see angels have acted solely on the Authority of God to announce, warn, instruct, protect, deliver, direct, assist, intercede and encourage. An angel encouraged Apostle Paul after a storm at sea: "For this very night an angel of the God to Whom I belong and Whom I serve stood before me, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul.'" (Acts 27:23-24a). That ministry of encouragement whether from an angel of God or from a fellow Believer is immeasurable. One of my favorite Bible encouragers is given in 2 Timothy 1:16: "The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me." Think about it: if angels were sent from God to minister encouragement, how important it must be that we do the same. "Since we have gifts ... each of us is to exercise them ... he who encourages, let him encourage!." (from Romans 12:6, 8). I've received gifts of encouragement and know well the impact it brought to my troubled and sorrowful spirit. None of us can be nor will we ever be angels (uh, no, we don't eventually get wings), but each one of us can surely encourage another person. Do you need refreshment? Proverbs 11:25 says, "whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Aha! Refresh and be refreshed!

Risen Indeed!

The plastic eggs are loaded and I know how well qualified I am to hide them because I hide things from myself all the time! The Grands may never find them! Three days earlier, their dearest friend had suffered a terribly agonizing death on a cross; His lifeless body was taken down and placed in a borrowed tomb; and, the entrance to the tomb sealed. "But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared [to finish anointing the body]. And they found the [large, circular] stone rolled back from the tomb, but when they went inside, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus." (Luke 24:1-3). I can only imagine what thoughts raced through their minds; but, while they were considering their next move, two angels appeared. Adding fear to confusion, the angels probed their hearts, "Why are you looking for the living One among the dead?" (V.5). Stunned, I'm sure, the women listened intently: "'He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise [from death to life].'" And they remembered His words."(V.6-8). The same must echo in our hearts today: why do we listen-to and follow-after those things which lead into spiritual chaos rather than The One Who promises and delivers life - eternal life and sanctifying life! As certain as the lifeless body of Jesus Messiah was resurrected and He left that borrowed tomb leaving it empty as promised, we certainly have New Life in Christ: "the old things [are] passed away; behold, new things have come ... from God, Who reconciled us to Himself through Christ." (from 2 Corinthians 5:17-18). What soul-satisfying words as the women remembered Jesus' words, putting an end to their searching. Let us [too] remember: He Who was dead is now risen. He is Risen indeed!