The Good of All

Sometimes good things come to us quite unexpectedly: didn't ask for it, didn't expect it, wasn't even on our radar! Next, our minds are spinning about what to do with this new blessing. These words from Every Moment Holy challenge and inspire me: "We pause amidst the labors of this day to remember the best reason for our laboring. We labor, O Lord, as stewards of your creation, and as stewards of the gifts you have apportioned to each of us for the good of all." Perhaps many Believers fall into the snare of apportioning "for the good of me" that which has been divinely apportioned "for the good of all." Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”(Luke 6:38). What shame when we hold so tightly that which is [in truth] not ours, only given to us so that we may in turn distribute in "good measure" for the "good of others." The prayer continues, "Bless then the works of our hands and minds and hearts, O God, that they might bear fruit for Your greater purposes." Consider that which you are holding so tightly and withholding for God's great purpose ... give for the good of all.

Ideal Climate

A local weatherman was so often wrong his predictions became a joke in the community. When he applied for a transfer to another station, his manager asked why. The forecaster answered, "Because the climate here doesn't agree with me." Sometimes the climate of Godliness doesn't agree with us, but it does no good to run away from it. It seems often we try to manipulate or adapt the climate of The Bible to our own liking. God's Word is not climate-controlled! It will not and cannot be swayed or persuaded to suit our own needs. We cannot pick and choose when and how and to what extent it is applicable to how live and the choices we make. Instead, the goodness and the purity of God's precepts free us to live in the light and likeness of Christ, thus controlling the climate of our souls -- hearts, minds, and emotions. Psalm 119:130 says, "The entrance of Thy words giveth light ... " Believers who are really serious about knowing and applying God's Truths in every situation will always be in the ... ideal climate!

Blessed and Favored

No one likes to hear these words: I told you so. Like 'em or not, the words [usually] state a stinging truth! Perhaps you've heard that following God's commands (laws, instructions) takes "all the fun out of life." Just to be clear, God's laws were never designed as a means of salvation; no one could be saved by keeping themt. No, God gave them to us to teach us how to live pleasing and holy before Him. Furthermore, and of great importance, He instructs us in His Way for our own good. "How blessed and favored by God are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of The LORD." (Psalm 119:1). I don't know anyone who doesn't want to be ... blessed and favored! How wonderful we'll never hear our Heavenly Father say "I told you so" - no, when we fail, He graciously forgives then kindly "heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow]." (Psalm 147:3). Those who love God and honor Him in obedience realize "His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3). I can only speak for myself but Blessed and Favored is the life for me!

Promise of Presence

Not real sure why but one time Mister Bill placed on the porch a motion-activated owl. Whenever anyone walked within range - day or night - their presence was known. Good grief, how annoying! The psalmist wrote, “The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime; and His song will be with me in the night, a prayer to the God of my life.” (Psalm 42:8). There’s a lot of darkness in the world. Even Believers, those who are no longer bound in spiritual darkness, know dark days: days when the sense of loss is great. It is soothing to know, however, God is ever faithful and directs His Goodness and Kindness during the daytime, and His Presence continues through the darkness of night! The sweet conclusion is: there isn’t a time – day or night – nor is there a place when God is absent from those who love and trust in Him. Take comfort and great joy in ... God’s Promise of Presence.

Gentle and Lowly Savior

"Camptown ladies sing dis song - Doo-dah! Doo-dah! - Camptown race-track, five miles long - Oh, doo-dah day!" Written in February 1850, that song aptly describes my busy mind some mornings: "Gwine to run all night! Gwine to run all day!" What I need is a good hearty whoa! slow-down! take a breath! What beautiful words Isaiah pens from The Lord: "They who wait for The LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31). Oh, how Believers need to practice stillness before The LORD! "Meet me, O Christ, in this stillness of morning. Move me, O Spirit, to quiet my heart. Let me enter this new day, aware of my need, and awake to Your grace, O Lord." (Every Moment Holy). I suggest one of Satan's most subtle yet effective ploys is to stir our hearts and spirits into such a frenzy we forfeit the peace and rest Jesus offers. It is He Who says, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:29). Instead of committing your days to a breathless race, begin the day in a secluded quiet moment with The Gentle and Lowly Savior ... allow Him to quiet your heart.

Oh! Oh! Oh!

"Oh fiddle" is probably my most used interjection. I tend to use it when I fail to do something or inadvertently forget something. I use it to express a disappointment in myself for something past." The psalmist of Chapter 119 says, "Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping Your statutes." (V.5). Here, he begins with the word "oh," indicating something he longs to do: faithfully obey God. The subtle implication is that diligent obedience doesn't come natural but "oh" how he wants to be earnest about it. Just how diligent (careful) are we to obey God, meet His expectations? God says, "blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD." (V.1). Happy and favored by God are Believers when God's expectation [of obedience] is our own personal expectation. Our first waking thought should be a steadfast lean to obedience - "in all your ways acknowledge Him" (Proverbs 3:6). Acknowledging God early sets us on the right path, the way of obedience - the favored way that leads to true happiness and ultimate delight. Oh! Oh! Oh! that we faithfully obey God!

Think Big

Have you seen the tiny houses? They're actually kinda cute: certainly small yet thoughtfully and strategically well-planned. It occurred to me, we [human beings] are easily lured into tiny lives. We get so rooted into our routines and responsibilities, we fail to see beyond those things. Why, we even size-down The God of the universe. "Our thoughts of you, O Lord, have been too small, too few - for seldom have we considered how specific is the exercising of Your Authority, extending as It does into the myriad particulars of creation." (Every Moment Holy). The night sky, the animal kingdom, prairies and wildernesses, oceans and seas as well as their shores- all testify to One Who cannot be contained. Yes, "our thoughts of You are still too few, for our minds are too small to conceive of them all, let alone to contain them." (Every Moment Holy). Perhaps one the greatest mysteries [then] is that The Creator longs to dwell within the heart of man then [He] does in those who believe in The Son [Jesus]. "What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?" (Psalm 8:4). God's thoughts of you and I are never small or casual; obedience to Him sets us apart as His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). Consider these things and let not your thoughts of our Holy and Wondrous God be ... too small and too few! No, think big!

Fruitful Heart

The word "lawlessness" is on the lips of many these days. How crazy is it that the rule of law doesn't matter! Actually, lawlessness isn't anything new. Genesis 5 says "The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth" then several generations later "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). To do or not to do what is right - a crossroads we all face multiple times a day; obey the posted speed limit? take the bank's pen without asking? return the extra dollar given in cash? Little things - really? God said through the Prophet Jeremiah: "I will put My law within them and I will write It on their hearts." (31:33). Believers are without excuse; as promised, God has put within every Believer His Spirit and spiritual laws to honor Him in obedience. When Believers keep in-step with The Holy Spirit, we live-practice love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control "against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23). Truth is, no external law can ever produce such Beauty in us as evident in a spiritually fruitful life! Oh, that our spiritual lawfulness (obedience) unto Christ be kept from a sincere and ... fruitful heart.

No Separations

Unexpectedly, of course, Mister Bill and I were blessed with twin boys. Two to dress, two to feed, two to hold, two to separate from little-boy scuffles. "You [God] created our hearts for unbroken fellowship." (All Moments Holy). We see truest beauty of "unbroken fellowship" in the Godhead - Father, Son, Holy Spirit - uniquely individual yet united in work and fellowship. Oh, how God must have Himself grieved when man chose to act on his own, breaking the fellowship of man and Creator ... separation. The brokenness of our world is always traced back to sin; even beautiful earthly relationships, at some point, find their way to separation. What hope Believers have, however, in a the promised eternal setting: "How we look forward, O Lord, to the day when all our fellowships will be restored, eternal and unbroken." (Every Moment Holy). Ear has not heard nor has eye seen all that awaits us beyond this life (1 Corinthians 2:9). To finally see The Savior of mankind face-to-face will be the greatest and Joy! Joy! Joy! ... no more separations.

No Small Things

 One of the greatest lessons I've learned through the years is small things may not be as small as I think. One sweet habit I learned from my Mom is sending cards of encouragement; I cannot count the times someone said my card arrived on just the right day, in God's perfect timing. Such a small thing it seemed to me yet in the hands of God, it was a mighty thing. King Solomon wrote, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Furthermore, when God leads us to do something and we [actually] do it, it is an act of obedience. What joy comes to those who devote themselves well to the small things: "Teach me to shepherd the small duties of this day with great love, tending faithfully those tasks you place within my care and tending with patience and kindness the needs and hearts of those people you place within my reach." (Every Moment Holy). Oh, that we are faithful and obedient, knowing in God's kingdom there really are ... no small things.

Let Go Of The Reins

 Never been much of a horse-person - never had much exposure to them, actually. Beautiful creatures, and a joy to watch them in-motion. One thing you cannot miss is how the animal is guided by its rider; answering to each tug and pull on the reins. What a beautiful picture of a Believer completely under the control of The Holy Spirit. "When The Holy Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the Truth." (John 16:13). Man's sin-nature will always struggle against The Holy Spirit to be captain of the ship, steering him in his own way rather than God's. The reins of life just seem to feel best in our own hands! "Lead me by Your mercies through these hours, that I might spend them well, not in harried pursuit of my own agendas, but rather in good service to You." (Every Moment Holy). Best way to give-up the reins into the hands of The Holy Spirit is to begin each day with empty hands and a submitted heart. To The One most holy and capable ... let go of the reins.

Life's Intersections

What do you do at an intersection? Stop. Look. Proceed. Have you ever given careful thought to the lives you intersect every day? Like me, you probably are focused on where you are going, the time you have to get there as well as everything in-between. How many opportunities are lost for the Glory of God as we pass through those divinely appointed intersections! How would God have us show His love? "By remembering Him at all times - By loving all whose lives intersect our own - By choosing to serve rather than to be served, to be wounded rather than to wound, and by bearing patiently with the failings of others, extending the same kindness, mercy, and compassion that God in Christ has so graciously offered us." (Every Moment Holy). What a call to slow-down, to "be still ... know God" and see Him in every moment of our days. I suggest there will be many intersections in our lives each day ... stop, look, proceed as God leads at every intersection.

Just Stay The Course

The story is told of a teacher who returned to her classroom to find chaos had broken out: students out of their desks, paper and pencils flying through the air, pictures drawn on the chalkboard and the noise level deafening. Seated in her desk at the far corner of the room was one little girl who had not joined the pandemonium. After class the teacher spoke to the little girl and praised her for her obedience in spite of what was going on around her. Proverbs 3:25-26 says, "Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught." It's a struggle to remain steady on the path of righteousness when there seems to be no real appreciation for doing the right thing. The urge to just give-in or go-along with the consensus is often heavy. Acknowledging The Lord as our Confidence is key to staying-the-course; what wonderful promises that He truly sees our faithfulness and keeps us from ruin. One day Godly obedience will be rewarded with these words: "well done, My good and faithful servant" (Matthew 24:23). If you're not in the chaos right now, be sure it's coming. Just stay the course!

Make The Call

Cell phones have ruined us: we merely select (or speak) the name of who we want to call. While I can still remember childhood landline numbers I can't even tell you the numbers of those I call most often! Phones aside, as Believers we make quite a few calls each day; for answers and guidance, we read books, talk to friends, search online, etc. It seems the last place we look is Scripture and the last person we talk to is The Father. King Saul is a prime example of what not to do; he was rejected by God because he failed to seek The Lord - he even sought counsel from a witch! In contrast, King David, a man after God's own heart, gathered the people together and said, "Give thanks unto The Lord, call upon His Name, make known His deeds among the people.  Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him, talk ye of all His wondrous works. Glory ye in His holy Name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek The Lord. Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually. (1 Chronicles 16:8-11). What a wise move [to seek The Lord], detailed in God's Holy Word to lead us in our own choices for help and guidance through life. As we make phone calls to others, let us be reminded The Best Call we can make is to The Father Who is never busy but rather waiting patiently to answer those who call upon Him! Make the call.

Living Beyond Expectation

Have you ever surprised yourself by behaving in a way totally out-of-character?  You look back at that moment and wonder what in-the-world got into you!  Paul penned some profoundly encouraging words to Timothy: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13). God cannot deny Himself – He can’t not be God! Don’t you just love people who are real, just can’t help but be themselves?  There’s no pretense, no masking – just 100% WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get).  God is exactly Who He says He is because He is Who He is. Furthermore, He is completely trustworthy; all he says He’ll do, He does. At our very best, we attempt to live by the highest of standards – dependable, trustworthy, faithful – but we must work within the boundaries of potential and no outside influences (aka things beyond our control). This is not so with Almighty God: He is bound by nothing; He acts within His own character, Who He is. He simply is and will evermore be Who He is. Like Timothy, we should find this great Truth the ultimate security for living life in and among the unknown.  When we trust God, there’s no guesswork or probability, rather the certainty according to His Sovereignty. That is living beyond expectation!

Faithful Obedience

It's pretty amazing how children trust so easily; not quite so with grown-ups! Trust is a precious thing; it's actually an appropriate response to those who have proven themselves faithful and true. The psalmist writes, "Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD [and worships Him with obedience], who walks in His ways and lives according to His commandments. For you shall eat the fruit of [the labor of] your hands, you will be happy and blessed and it will be well with you." (Psalm 128:1-2). When over and over again we are fruitful in obedience unto God, we establish ourselves trustworthy to others - certainly, a rendering of good fruit. The fear of The Lord is an attitude of respect, a response of reverence and wonder. Really, it's the only appropriate response due The Lord! Furthermore, our obedience is an act of true worship! Perhaps we forget how effective our faithful obedience to God is in establishing our testimony, our reputation and our trustworthiness. We are wise to consider just how well we are obeying Christ in every way; remembering it's often the little things that "spoil the vine" (Song of Solomon 2:15). May we be ever faithful in Godliness in order to build trusting relationships with others.

All Else Is Trifling

Okay, those [of you] who have regularly read my blogging know I love words; one word my Dad has used throughout my lifetime is the word "trifling." It means "of little worth or importance, trivial."  Perhaps one reason that isn't such a common word to us is because we see very few things in our lives as trivial. When something comes our way, involves us or interrupts the flow of our lives ... well, it's not so trivial! Lately, I've pondered the trustworthiness of people compared to God. Psalm 40:4 says, "Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not regard the proud nor those who lapse into lies." The picture I draw from this verse is tying a boat to a weathered, rickety dock instead of one made of concrete one and secured by pilings in the water's depths. The comfort to those who secure themselves in The Lord is this: "You [Lord] will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is committed and focused on You." (Isaiah 26:3). When it seems the sands beneath me are shifting, when I feel a slight wobble in my stance, what I need most is to "lift up my eyes to the hills - where my Help comes from" (Psalm 121:1). Oh, thank You, Father - Jesus - Holy Spirit for steadying me; "Grant me to know that I truly live only when I live to Thee, that all else is trifling." (Puritan Prayer, The Valley of Vision). Yes, all else is trifling!

Truly Rest

You ever been in a tizzy, a dither, a state of nervous excitement or confusion? What comes to my mind is my Nanny when she spilled an entire bottle of cooking oil all over the kitchen floor! As much as we'd love to have our lives neatly packaged and contained, that's not how life goes. A Puritan put it like this: "I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed." Navigating life in our own wisdom and understanding will cause us to pace and ponder our next step, how we will move forward. To His people who imagined no food, no water and hostile enemies, God said: "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14). Jesus' invitation to set-aside the burdens of the day continues: "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28). The hurts, frustrations, anxieties, disappointments, sorrows that hinder peace and rest are frivolous in the hands of God. "Thy designs cause Thee no fear or care of unfulfilment, they stand fast as the eternal hills. Thy power knows no bond, Thy goodness no stint. Thou bringest order out of confusion, and my defeats are Thy victories." (Puritan Prayer, The Valley of Vision). All who profess Christ should possess Him, and trust Him with all that weighs us down. There, we ... truly rest.

Wise In The Lord

No one likes to be manipulated - managed by the shrewdness of those who seek only to benefit themselves. Because I am [basically] trusting and [often] naive, I admit I'm easy prey. Scripture warns us there will be those who will cause division in the Body of Christ. Jude describes them like this: "hidden reefs ... clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea ... wandering stars." (Jude 12,13). Perhaps Believers just don't know how very dangerous the times are, and how much care and diligence are required to intently listen to The Lord and not to man. Jude encourages us with these words: "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in The Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life." (V.20,21). These are tough and treacherous days; much care should be taken to not depend on our own understanding but to be fully devoted to persevere in Godly wisdom and guidance. Let us be not wise in our own eyes but in the Lord!

Sin Buster

Raise your hand if you love the taste of sugar! Just one hand, please! In 1995, a businessman and three doctors introduced a return to eating "like your ancestors" with the "Sugar Busters" diet. One Puritan spoke of the "sugar of sin" and its "gall" - its resulting behavior. Let's face it, just like sugar, we love our sin; we often feel helpless to resist it. This need not be so; Believers have this promise: "But He [God] said to me, 'My Grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9). Our weakness against sin, which binds and captivates, gives precious opportunity for God's Grace and Power to be revealed perfectly in us. I propose giving up sugar is a "piece of cake" compared to facing the sugar of sin. But even turning from sin is nothing in comparison to the Perfect Grace and Power that is ours in Christ Jesus. Let us live boldly and confidently in this Promise!