The Rock

Storms often leave tracks. As I walked onto the front orch one morning, there was indeed evidence of a storm's trek through the neighborhood.  The challenges of life leave tracks as well, and sometimes those tracks hurt. The pain typically reminds us of past or present pain. The hymn, “The Solid Rock,” played over-and-over in my mind as I cleaned up from the storm: "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' Blood and Righteousness – I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ Name – On Christ the solid Rock I stand – All other ground is sinking sand – All other ground is sinking sand."  In times when even standing is a challenge, stand in Christ Alone.  Jesus didn’t just weather the storms – He calmed them: “Peace! Be still! And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” (Mark 3:39).   Jesus’ words weren't spoken without full authority to command peace and absolute power to create stillness.  He’s the Rock that is higher than I – the Rock upon which I stand.  All other rocks are as sinking sand.  On what rock do you stand?

Learn of Him

Teachers dearly love it when students are teachable. Imagine what a challenge it is to teach a student who either has no interest in learning or one who seems to know all he needs to know. Believers who approaches God must do so in great humility. Hear the eagerness in David’s words: “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me …” (Psalm 25:4-5a, AMP). Not only does he express his humility, he states God’s Credentials as Teacher: “… for You are The God of my Salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.” (Psalm 25:5b, AMP). When we go about our day with little-to-no thoughts of reading God’s Word or spending time in prayer, well … just really how teachable are we? Just as a student enters a classroom ready-and-willing for instruction, so must every Believer go before The Father seeking to learn His ways and by God’s grace persevere to walk in them. So, here's the question for each of us: are you teachable? Do I live as though I know it all? Only you and only I can answer these questions. Only you and only I can do what is necessary to learn of Him.Selah - pause and think about that!

Tell 'Em So

The practice of “journaling” involves keeping a diary (journal) of facts-thoughts-feelings surrounding a life-event or particular topic. Some people choose to do this in a scrapbooking way. What about a “prayer” journal? Not sure Apostle Paul thought of a prayer journal, but he wrote of focused prayer: “We give thanks to God always for all of you, continually mentioning you in our prayers; recalling unceasingly before our God and Father your work energized by faith, and your service motivated by love and unwavering hope in [the return of] our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3). Paul was thankful for the Thessalonian Believers, and he made a habit of speaking of his thankfulness; remembering his friends’ faith, love and hope brought joy to the apostle! Not only that, what encouragement it surely was for the Believers in Thessalonica to hear they were thought-of and prayed-for! What a model for our own prayer lives: [as Believers] we should thank God for one another’s faith-love-hope in Christ. Hebrews 10:24 tells us to “consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another in love and to do good deeds.” Paul’s words to the Thessalonian Believers should be an example to every Believer today: let’s spur one another on to more works of faith-love-hope by telling one another of our prayers for each other! Oh yes … tell ‘em so!

Be Still - Know Peace

Whether we lock our doors, park in well-lit spaces or beef-up our immune system, physical protection is important. What is it, however, that protects the non-physical - mind, emotions, spirits, souls? "You [Lord] are my hiding place and my shield (Psalm 119:114a). How is it that God becomes that storm-cellar or basement retreat, that refuge in life's storms - how does He do that? The psalmist says, "I wait on Your Word." (V.114b). When life heats-up, we become distracted and turn our focus to the wind and the waves - yes, our circumstances are loud and noisy at times! In a storm on the Sea of Galilee, as the boat took-on water, the disciples' grew anxious yet Jesus slept: "And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still.' And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, 'Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?'" (Mark 4:39-40). When we willfully focus on and turn our ear to He Who commands [even] the physical world, we find He commands all things bringing peace and calm in every storm. Are you hearing the howling winds or the voice of The One Who speaks to the winds? Listen - Hear the words Jesus speaks ... be still and know peace.

Bring It On!

It's been said, "you are what you eat." In a physiological sense, I suppose this is true. In a spiritual sense, it is also true, what we "feed" on ... feeds us. The psalmist said, "Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day." (Psalm 119:97). The Hebrew language has no punctuation marks yet almost all Scripture translations have added the exclamation to the psalmist's statement ... "Oh, how I love Your law!" When we have eaten enough, we push the plate away ... we're done! In contrast, when we feed on The Word of God, we only ... want more! "How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (V.103). We all know what a "sweet tooth" is ... that craving for sweets. Perhaps we should evaluate just how much we deeply long-for - really crave - God's Word. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6). His Word is both filling and ... spiritually sweet ... bring It on!

Be Prepared

Parents of two Boy Scouts, we remember that Scout motto, "Be Prepared." We certainly haven't forgotten the many times those little fellas weren't ... prepared! The time for preparation for Satan's attack isn't right in the middle of it. The psalmist said, "If Your law had not been my delight, then i would have perished in my time of trouble." (Psalm 119:92). Note that he's referring to something he had already done; that is, he was prepared for trouble according to God's Word. It's so easy [and natural] to be lackadaisical in pleasant-peaceful times of life. When trouble comes, however, we are quickly reminded we are not ... prepared! "I will never forget Your precepts for by them You have revived me and given me life." (V.93). Whatever your current circumstances, "look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise" (Ephesians 5:15). There's never a time for laziness - be wise and diligent, stay in The Word ... be prepared.

The Lamp-Light

You may, like me, remember one of the first things that happened at the start of every school year - we were issued a textbook. All year long, we had to "keep up" with it because at the end of the year, we had to return it ... or pay for it! In recent years, however, it seems online resources offer more current information; when I retired in 2018, textbooks were almost obsolete. The psalmist wrote, "Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89). This great Truth says volumes about God as well as what He has spoken; for one thing - His Word never become outdated, useless or lacking in information! Like textbooks today, God's Word [of Truth] has been set-aside and replaced with "more relevant truth." Someone sent this to me recently, and it well describes the results of how the world has largely ignored God's Word: "First we overlook evil ... Then we permit evil ... Then we legalize evil ... Then we promote evil ... Then we celebrate evil ... Then we persecute those who still call it evil." Oh, how we need a return to Truth that is fixed-settled ... unchanging,eternal and all we need. God's great truth remains ... "a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105). What an idea: open God's Word, read and apply it to life. It is our ... Lamp-Light!

No Lolly-Gagging

When someone yells "run," the big question is "what direction." Are you glad Believers already know the answer to that question: "The Name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous run into It, and is safe." (Proverbs 18:10). One of my favorite phrases for moving slowly and without direction is ... lolly-gagging. Be sure of this: spiritual lolly-gagging is dangerous! God warns us to "look carefully ... how you walk, not as unwise but wise." (Ephesians 5:15). When we choose to skip a quiet time or Bible-reading then hurriedly spout-out a prayer, we're "skating on thin ice," giving Satan a toehold in our day. However, those who faithfully choose the rich-dwelling of God's Word within them will continually benefit from Its Power in living deliberately: "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16). Such a life will not lack spiritual direction nor purpose. No lolly-gagging!

No Loitering

Do you remember the "No Loitering" signs? It's message - be on your way, move along, don't park yourself here. In The psalmist writes, "My soul languishes and grows weak for Your salvation ..." (V.81a). It's easy to hear the psalmist's emotion as he pleads with God to deliver him from enemy attacks. He even "reminds" God his days on earth are limited: "How many are the days of Your servant ... when will you execute judgment?" (V.84). We all know how hard life can be; it's tempting to to park ourselves in the midst of despair, discouragement and hopelessness. Believers should never accept Satan's invitation to a "pity party" - we must not linger in our languishing! Remember, Jesus had the weight of our sin upon Him yet He pressed on. He never lost sight of His purpose to do the will of The Father. The psalmist doesn't stop there; he stays focused: "I wait for Your Word" (V.81b). God is his salvation! Let me encourage you in times of trouble, do not fear and discouragement paralyzing you. God has spoken to us through His Son (Jesus) and His Word. "Forever, O LORD, Your Word is fixed in the heavens." (Psalm 119:89). Steadfast and sure, His Word is all we need to be on your way - moving along ... and, no loitering.

MWB BLOG BREAK

 MWB will resume Monday 08-22-2022
Stay in The WORD!
Miles of Smiles, Beverly

Done!

 As a writer, it seems editing is never done - you just have to decide it's good then ... quit, be done! Believers should be ever-more grateful God's Word needs nothing - no more, no less, no changes; it is perfect just as it is. Psalm 119:89 says, "Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven [standing firm and unchangeable]." It's almost amusing [to me] at the unending parade of translations; don't misunderstand me, I too read several translations. Perhaps, however, we've become spoiled rotten to the easiest wording of Scripture. When God spoke, He didn't speak with riddles or in such a way to mislead or confuse us. He has given us The Holy Spirit - by the way, present at every reading; and, He gives understanding to the depths of God's words. God doesn't intend for us to scratch our heads in wonder at the richness of His words to man. What he does intend, however, is that we actually read His Word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). How wonderful His Word finished and fixed, in need of nothing more to direct us in His way [of righteousness]. God's word is perfectly ... done!

It's Not Yours

Do you remember diagramming sentences? Most people [I know] didn't like that exercise in learning grammer; I, on the other hand, loved it! I suspect we too casually pray, "Lord, this day belongs to You - guide me as I live it out." As serious as we may be when we say these words, I wonder how well we break it down. "Every sphere of life and creation is Yours, and all are threads of the same bright weave: our goings-out and our comings-in, our fellowship and our loneliness, our youth and our old age, our passions and our vocations, our chores and our entertainment." (Every Moment Holy, Vol 1). How diligent are we really ... giving God our mornings as we hustle ourselves and children out the door ... at welcoming a day free of planned activities ... kindly accepting an interruption in our day? In frustration and/or selfishness, do we take-away what we've acknowledge was God's, reclaiming it into our own possession? The psalmist said, "[God], my times are in Your hand" (Psalm 16:3) ... is this the truth by which we live each day? Proverbs 16:3, "Commit your work to The Lord and your plans will be established." This isn't a sure way of getting God's "blessing" on all we do; rather, it is a certain way of accomplishing The Lord's work and design by which He will use us each day to glorify His Name in the earth. No matter how you break-it-down, each day belongs to The Lord. It's not yours so step aside ... let Him live it through you!

God of All

Many of us grew up watching "The Wizard of Oz." For me, it was always an anticipated event but that wizard was a scary one! Like Dorothy, Job had questions, and I suspect (like Dorothy) Job was unprepared for God's response: "Brace yourself ... I will question you, and you shall answer Me." (Job 38:3). God then probes Job's deepest beliefs about The Creator leaving Job quite speechless: "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? ... Have you ever given orders to the morning or shown the dawn its place? ... Does the rain have a father - who fathers the drops of dew? ... Who has wisdom to count the clouds? ... Do you give the horse its strength?" (from Job 38-39). The echo of Job's silence is reverberating! Perhaps the most basic concept every Believer must come to terms with is what they truly believe about The God of the universe. Scripture's most knowledgeable and wisest king said this: "LORD, The God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below - You Who keep Your covenant of Love with Your servants who continue wholeheartedly in Your way." (1 Kings 8:23). Unlike the fictional wizard of fictional Oz, God is real and All-Powerful and completely committed in His Love and Devotion to those who put their trust in Him. God's response to Job is a beautiful affirmation of God's power which He wields in all heaven and earth for us.  Why not trust in The One Who is ... God of all!

Know Things

Me to Mister Bill: "how do you know that?" Mister Bill to me: "I know things." As much as I shudder to admit it, he's usually right! Here's a great and profound truth: those who read God's Word ... know things. Yes, and the things they know are great and profound! The psalmist proclaims, "I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me." (Psalm 119:74). Just like the good character of a person is established by his dependability and integrity, so has God established Himself as completely trustworthy in all that His does. "The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds." (Psalm 145:17). Whatever we experience in this life - good and bad - we can be assured God allows it within His character of righteousness and kindness. When we genuinely believe this, we have the rightly perspective toward all that comes our way. Eli said to young Samuel, "let Him [God] do what seems good to Him" (1 Samuel 3:18); Job said, "The LORD gave and The LORD has taken away; blessed be The Name of The LORD." (Job 1:21). The more we read God's Word, the more we learn about The God Who breathed-it-out to man. We can all stand to know more about The Father - read His Word and ... know things!

Watch This!

A favorite lines of children is "watch this." A new cartwheel, a flip or a skip - they seriously want an audience! As Believers and followers of Jesus Christ, we [too] are saying with our lives "watch this." The psalmist writes, "May those who [reverently] fear You see me and be glad because I wait for Your word." (Psalm 119:74). NBA star Charles Barkley once said, "I am not a role model." Uh, yeah you are ... and, yes, we are. Just as we watch other people, other people watch us! What a bold challenge for Believers to walk in righteousness. The Apostle Paul wrote, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." (1 Corinthians 1:11). Again, he wrote to the young pastor Timothy: "Set the Believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12). Oh, how critical our own personal holiness is to those watching. No, we do not walk boastfully but boldly as we model Christ and set the example for others. With all eyes on The Perfect Example, Jesus Christ, walk His Way and boldly say ... watch this!

Do All with All

"What day is it?" is a pretty common question coming from Mister Bill. Since he retired, the days seem to run-together. Regardless of what day it is, every Believer should ask: what is my greatest task for this day? Jesus said, "Love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37). Love Him with all you are - at all times, in all ways. "By remembering Him at all times ... By cultivating thankfulness for His many blessings and trusting His good providence ... By loving all whose lives intersect our own ... By choosing to serve rather than to be served, to be wounded rather than to wound ... By bearing patiently with the failings of others." (Every Moment Holy, Vol 1). A tall order but it pales in light of God's Love for us: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). When Mister Bill and I look at the calendar to see the what-when-where for each day, we remember: "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31). We love Him best when we do all with all.

Remember

Everyone has a past! There are things in our past we don't care to remember, and there are certainly things we'd like to do-over. We are unwise, however, to toss lessons-learned to the curb: our past is quite often worth remembering. "I have remembered [carefully] Your ancient ordinances, O LORD, and I have taken comfort." (Psalm 119:52). One of the greatest comforts I've found in this life has been recalling the faithfulness of God to keep His promises affirming His Word to His children. The Creator is not an impersonal you're-on-your-own God - no, like any creator-artist, God sees great value in His work and does not abandon the good work of His Hands ... that is, you and I who are fashioned in His image. I know, as we age our "rememberer" doesn't work like it used to but let us never forget to remember the Goodness of God and how It touches our lives each and every day. Remember.

Opportunities

Opportunities are here then quickly gone. Yes, you may actually have a similar opportunity, however, it will never be exactly the same. The psalmist writes, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep and honor Your word [with loving obedience]." (Psalm 119:67). God allows us to experience tough times but it's always an opportunity to grow us into something lovelier as well as to glorify His Name before others. Have you considered that grumpy neighbor isn't really a problem but [rather] an opportunity to learn to "love your neighbor?" Or what about that co-worker who seems to always need a quarter for the drink machine - could she be an "opportunity" to never "grow weary in well doing?" You see, each day is filled with interruptions and trifles ... or they could be God-ordained "opportunities" to shine His Name in this dark old world. I'm fairly confident there will be opportunities each day - don't miss 'em.

Obedience Rewarded

It's pretty exciting to receive a reward - whether it's points at the gas pump or a free drink with a meal - rewards are fun. We enjoy these kinds of rewards because we've read and understood the rules then done as instructed. Spiritual rewards, however, are usually different: we don't always understand the rules until after we obey them. "I am Your servant; give me understanding [the ability to learn and a teachable heart] that I may know Your testimonies." (Psalm 119:125). The key word here is "servant" - by definition, what does a servant do? He obeys his master! In our obedience to God's Word (His commands and instructions), we gain understanding and wisdom. Unfortunately, too many times we are slow-to-learn because we are rebellious lacking that "teachable heart" of which the psalmist writes. The reward of obedience isn't a game of chance; no! God's commands are neither burdensome nor are they undependable. When we commit to live God's Way, according to His Word, we can be absolutely confident ... our obedience is rewarded.

Purposed Life

 Have you ever "re-purposed" anything ... taken an item and used it for something altogether different than what it was originally designed to do? Re-purposing may be resourceful for things but not for you and I. "Your hands [God] have made me and established me; give me understanding and a teachable heart, that I may learn Your commandments." (Psalm 119:73). Fashioned after The Creator, made in His Image, sets a high and holy standard for our lives. Created uniquely with individual personalities and gifts, we are not cookie-cutter creations! Nonetheless, holy is holy and [I suggest] it is our greatest mandate: "As He Who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." (1 Peter 1:15). In our individuality, holiness sets us on the course to fulfill His purpose in us. In contrast, the absence of holiness "re-purposes" us resulting in dishonor of ourselves and of Holy God. Now, changing the use of items may be popular and pretty cool; neglecting personal holiness destroys God's planned purpose for our lives. Do not forget - we were created "on purpose" and "with purpose." Let us live a ... purposed life.