The Goodness of God

One of the Grands' favorite things at our house is the jelly bean jar. Funny thing, I never have to check to see if it needs refilling; oh no, I am reminded even when it's getting low on supply. One of the most revealing chapters in Scripture is John 17 when Jesus is pouring His heart out to The Father mere moments before He is poured out for the sins of mankind. He prayed, "I [Jesus] have given to them [Believers] the glory and honor which You [God] have given Me [Jesus], that they [Believers] may be one, just as We [God and Jesus] are one." (John 17:22). Perhaps [as Believers] we don't quite grasp the riches we have in Christ Jesus. Spurgeon writes, "It would have been surprising grace if He had allowed us to eat the crumbs of His bounty beneath the table of His mercy; but He will do nothing by halves, He makes us sit with Him and share the feast." It's not a picture of me counting-out jelly beans one-by-one to the Grands - oh no! it's like emptying the entire jar of jelly beans for them. God has withheld nothing from those who love and fear Him - Jesus poured Himself out for each of us! Psalm 119:68 - LORD, You are good and You do good; Psalm 107:1 - Oh, give thanks to The LORD for He is good; Psalm 27:13 - Let us look upon the goodness of The LORD! Beautiful words to ponder and rest within ... The Goodness of God!

Bountiful Father

What comes to your mind when you hear the word "bountiful?" I think of a buffet where both the selection and the amount of food are ... plentiful, bountiful. The psalmist prayed to God, "Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your Word. Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from Your Law." (Psalm 119:17-18). At a buffet, it's hard to take-in all that is there; so it is with the bounty of God's Word to us. The psalmist's words tell us he knows there is a bountiful supply of wisdom and truth in God's Word. He also knows there is more to see and he says, "Lord, show me more!" Lacking in our lives I fear is a deep longing, a genuine hunger and thirst, desperation for the things of God. Jesus promised, "Blesed [joyful, nourished by God's goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied." (Matthew 5:6, AMP). What are your waking thoughts of the day? Is is to be close and closer and closer still to The Father, or do those thoughts drift-in later in the day as after-thoughts? God's Word is a buffet of bountiful supply - yes, of Truth and Wisdom but also of The Father Himself. Follow hard after Him - Ask Him to show you more - He is the ... Bountiful Father.

Even Though

Perhaps we all go through an "even though" period as children. Even though we learn there are people in authority as well as rules to follow, we choose to oppose authority and defy rules. The psalmist said, "Even though princes sit and talk to one another against me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes." (Psalm 119:23). No different than the psalmist's day, Believers should know what it's like to be opposed and mocked even by those who have the authority to rule against us. We can, of course, lessen the stress on ourselves - make life more bearable by setting aside Biblical Truth and spiritual convictions. The psalmist doesn't do this: he occupies himself instead with God's Word. His "even though" is worthy and honorable because he chooses to stand firm. In Verse 24, he shares the reward of his choice, "Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors." When we choose steadfastness rooted in God's Word, it pleases The Father and ultimately it brings great joy and wisdom. The wise choose truth ... yes, even though.

Confident Expectation

Expectation - that's something to think about. We buy a product and we expect it to perform as advertised; we plan a trip and reserve overnight accommodations and we expect the room to be ready and as described; we work hard and save for retirement and we expect years of hard work and savings to be enough. You know the only hang-ups with those worthy expectations? Nothing in life here is guaranteed - not even your next breath! The psalmist prayed, "Open my eyes so that I may behold wondeerful things from Your law. I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me." (Psalm 119:18-19). For the Believer, the stranger this world gets the more we should feel like a stranger. God's Word reminds us why we feel like strangers here: "Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20). It is God alone and His [inseparable] Word that steadies us in an unsteady environment. The psalmist was looking for something eternal-lasting to which he could attach himself. His words express his confident expectation of fixed-unchanging-eternal Truth found in God's Word. Are you trying to steady yourself with that which is unsteady, unstable and diminishing? Look to The Truth that changes not from a God Who changes not - He is the confident expectation!

Choose Wisely

Knowing better, a man chose to take the shortcut across a railroad trestle. When he heard the sound of the train, he realized his foolish choice. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 14:12). God has given us perfect counsel as well as the way that leads to life. It begins with His Son, Jesus, Who died to free us from slavery to sin. The walk of the Redeemed [then] will be distinctively different from the way of the lost (unsaved) man. The way of the righteous will be distinguished by wise choices made day-in and day-out. Paul encouraged Timothy to live approved and unashamed, "rightly handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15). Because the "word of truth" is missing in the lives of many Believers, there can be little opportunity for application. Does s Truth determine your choices ... to the degree that your viewpoints, attitudes, ideas, beliefs and opinions line-up with His "word of truth." Really, no other "word" matters ... just His. Let's carefully examine ourselves to make sure we're not foolishly walking the railroad trestle. Choose wisely.

His Ways

Have you ever taken a wrong turn, missed your road or [like the older-me] couldn't read the road signs? One of Satan's trickiest tricks is to draw us off-course with distractions. The psalmist prayed, "Turn my eyes away from vanity [all those worldly, meaningless things that distract - let Your priorities be mine], and restore me [with renewed energy] in Your ways." (Psalm 119:37). By now, all of us should know "all that glitters is not gold," but the glitter and twinkle of worldly things sure can distract us to the point we are certainly ready to jump-track. God's Ways always reflect His Good Character, and His Ways always lead us toward life and away from destruction. What a beautiful promise from God: "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." (Isaiah 30:21). Two of our best tools against Satan's trickery is God's Word hidden deeply within our hearts and a conscience trained by The Truth of God's Word. This life is [indeed] a journey; make sure you're adequately equipped, and always ... walk in His Ways.

Choose Today

Even in well air conditioned areas, this summer's heat has brought out the fans! You may even have heard someone describe just how hot it is, referring to a place we read of in Scripture. Hell may be mostly thought-of as hot but there's more: Revelation 21:8 - "the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death" ... Matthew 25:41 - "the eternal fire" ... Matthew 13:50 - "the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" ... Mark 9:48 - "[where the] worm does not die and the fire is not quenched." It's good for all who believe Heaven is real (indeed it is) but woe be to anyone who reject that Hell is real! Man has two options where he will spend eternity: Hell for those who [in this present life] reject Jesus thus aligning themselves with Satan [instead]; or, Heaven as Jesus said to His followers, "I go and prepare a place for you ... I will come back and welcome you into My Presence so that you may also be where I am." (John 14:3). Yes, it's hot and miserable these days but please do not confuse it with the misery to come for those who deny themselves God's free gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ. Choose today who you will serve!

Talk About It

Oh me - Oh my at the cost of things these days. It's the talk-of-the-town, everywhere we go; and, with gas prices, everywhere we don't go. One thing I'm reminded of lately is how easily we fall into the what-we-don't-have pattern of thinking. God's Word says, "The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the wicked is in need." (Proverbs 13:25, AMP). What a wonderful opportunity we have [as Believers] to turn our focus to what we do have rather than what we don't have. As we do this, so will our conversations go! How fitting and timely when Believers embrace this Godly truth: "For He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul He fills with good things." (Psalm 107:9). Our deepest satisfaction is actually spiritual in nature! It is both acceptable and glorifying when with our lips we express sweet meditations of a heart well satisfied in Christ alone. "Christ is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him." (John Piper). I'm asking God to redirect my focus and renew my heart in His steady Goodness. Will you [also] think about His Goodness then ... talk about it.

Righteous Training

Bowling was a fun-time activity when I was a teenager. The boys and I even enjoyed it when they were young. Actually, it was especially fun when the gutter-guards were in-place! Proverbs 13:24 says, "He who withholds the rod [of discipline] hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines and trains him diligently and appropriately [with wisdom and love]." While this rightly applies to the parent-child relationship, it is equally applicable to God and His children (Believers). Because God loves us deeply, it is often necessary [for our benefit and His glory] that we be disciplined unto righteousness. Yeah, we rarely appreciate it at the time! "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11). The primary consideration for Believers is this: how truly important is holiness to you? When it's a priority, we will say with the psalmist, "Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it." (Psalm 119:35). We appreciate and delight in those Godly "gutter guards" that lead us to spiritual life and happiness. Let us welcome and gladly submit to God's ... righteous training.

Go Forth Wherever

How foolish it would seem if we packed the car and set out on a journey to ... wherever. Now, that sort of adventure may appeal to some folks but not to many that I know! Nonetheless, this is what God said to Abraham, "Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father's house, to the land which I will show you." (Genesis 12:1). Yes, you read that correctly .. go forth to ... where I will show you: no well-known route with rest stops, no swanky overnight accommodations, no detailed destination. No, just go - that's what God said. Sometimes that's how God calls us because that's the only way He can get us to truly trust Him. God said "trust Me" to the Hebrew Children when He instructed them to gather only one day's supply of manna. Trust Me, He said. You know one reason Jesus' disciples are called "Believers?" Because we "believe" in The One Who has promised to new leave us nor forsake us. He's been there in our yesterdays, is here in our todays, and will be there in our tomorrows. He is with us and never lead us wrongly. When God says "go forth," He know every detail, the how and where. He just needs us to trust Him ... go forth wherever.

Pray For the Voices

Don't you grow weary of the loud and obnoxious voices today! We love America for the freedom to express ourselves ... but really! Tolerance may be the way-of-the-day but the Redeemed know the patience of Almighty God. "The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9). Certainly, there will be judgment - a certain day of reckoning for all - but let's be careful we not take joy in the destruction of evil men. Scripture says, "When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish, there is shouting." (Proverbs 11:10). We do celebrate Godly victories (as we should), but it's not for some misplaced sense of "we won - they lost." No, it's quite simply that The God of Ages is honored in promises made and promises kept. He is Trustworthy and True. The voices may be loud and obnoxious (actually, they are); the need isn't a quieting of the voices but rather the salvation and repentance of souls that will otherwise perish. Those misguided voices represent souls in need of The Savior - pray for the voices.

Be One - Make One

The last 15+ years of my technology career, it was an overall privilege to have student apprentices. They began their apprenticeship shadowing me then began to work alone. How exciting to see these young people graduate and have successful careers in technology fields. Before He returned to The Father, Jesus said, "go and make disciples" (Matthew 28:19). How foolish Believers are to imagine this commandment is meant only for pastors! Every disciple of Jesus Christ has a unique mission field, a circle of influence: children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and cousins, neighbors, co-workers, friends ... yes, even strangers. First order of business, always is the salvation of their souls; the discipleship doesn't end there - it's only the beginning. As we personally commit to "walk in The Spirit" (Galatians 5:25), faithfully practice The Righteousness of Christ (1 John 3:10) and invest in the lives of those around us, we are obediently making disciples ... "teaching them to observe" the commandments of God (Matthew 28:19). It's a beautiful process of God in which every Believer is called to take part: a disciple ... be one - make one.

Good Investment

This is not a good time for investments or investors! The best a person can do right now is ... don't look! It's always a great time, however, to invest ourselves in the characteristics of God Himself: "The merciful man does himself good, but the cruel man does himself harm." (Proverbs 11:17). As an excuse for not being merciful, I recently heard of a Believer who said, "well, I don't have the gift of mercy." Oh me, oh my! Just because we feel inept or lacking in certain areas, we are never excused from Godly obedience. The psalmist states The LORD is merciful and gracious (103:8) and The LORD is gracious and merciful (145:8); Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." (Matthew 5:7). Seems clear to me - extending mercy is important. As serious "imitators" of Christ, merciful is what we will be. There's no rightly denying it [even when we don't feel like it], the mercy of God should flow through His Children to others. Mercy - it's an eternally ... good investment!

Your Moments

Have you ever realized how very quickly life can change!  Although we still feel pretty young-at-heart, Mister Bill and I aren't getting any younger. It's so easy to settle into routines and lifestyles all the while forgetting this life offers no refunds, discounts nor guarantees! "You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." (James 4:14). Even as we approach each new day or new opportunity or new season, it is fast diminishing. Oh, how valuable and tender and precious is each moment - a gift from The Father. What a wise commitment to God when we say with the psalmist, "my times are in Your Hand." (Psalm 31:15). What does your day, week, month, year look like? May we quietly and confidently rest in He Who holds both future and present. Give Him your moments!

Just so you know ...

 

 

MWB will resume Tues 06-14-2022

Stay in The Word

Miles of Smiles, Beverly  

Yes, You Can!

"Is that your final answer?" - we all remember this famous line from a popular game show. With as much confidence as the contestant could muster, the gamer would say "that's my final answer." In the same way, we often approach life: with confident trepidation - firm in our intention and resolve yet with anxious wonder, "can I really do this?" Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me," which is way-more than something we chant trying to convince ourselves "yes, I can do this." It is by the "strength of His might" (Ephesians 6:10) that we are able to firmly resolve to exert ourselves; it's in His Grace, His Strength, His Might we are established with absolute confidence. Yes, Believer, because of Christ ... you can!

Pick Up Faith

Why pick up a hammer or a broom or a dishcloth? Why, because those objects accomplish that which we cannot do on our own. The Puritan prayed, "Blessed God, I acknowledge before You my weakness and insufficiency for anything that is spiritually good." Although we know from experience our own inabilities, our foolish heart insists on trusting in itself to move ahead in known weakness. Psalm 31:14-15 says, "But I trust in You, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in Your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors." You know most of the time we are our own worst enemy! Oh, Lord, rescue me from myself! "Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6). Believer, there we have the Truth, the Answer to all our insufficiencies, our weaknesses, our inabilities to be both spiritually successful and pleasing to God. Let us live wise ... pick up faith!