Blog Break

MWB will resume Tuesday 09-05-2023
Stay in The Word!
Miles of Smiles, Beverly

Plain Path

Plain is good for me. My colleagues used to laugh at my "plain" computer desktop – no colors, no screen savers, no background, only a few icons. Maybe it's because I'm easily distracted or confused, but plain is works for me. For God's Children, the plain path is good. Psalm 27:11 says, "Teach me Thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies." The
Hebrew word for "plain" is "straight." Think of how often - and easily - we are lured away from God's protective Shadow and directive Hand by the world's loud and lavish calls. Yes, we are easily distracted by evil's brilliance and luster. Oh, how we need the plain, the straight as pointed to by God's Hand -- directed to the righteousness to which He has called us. Plain ... nothing alluring, nothing distracting -- a plain, straight way in which to travel. Truth is, the best for usis the ... plain path.

Live Green

There's much ado today about going "green" ... I won't add anything to that except that God speaks of "living green" ... "He who leans on and trusts in and is confident in his riches will fall, but the righteous [who trust in God's provision] will flourish like a green leaf." (Proverbs 11:28, AMP). There's really no denying the immeasurable physical blessings living in this country. How easily we forget and neglect, however, to acknowledge how blessed we are! God tells us in Proverbs 11:25 "he that watereth shall be watered also himself." This verse speaks about the generous person who is a source of blessing, and as he blesses others is himself enriched. Paul drills-down on this principle of scattering: "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:6-7, NASB). The concept of generously scattering should shape our attitudes toward sharing what we have with others. Bottom line: we are either generous or we are selfish; selfishness never honors The Father Who withheld nothing from us, even His own Son for our salvation! If you want to "flourish like a green leaf" in the most effective and eternal way, scatter generously and ... live green!

Trust The Sovereign

There are things I do not comprehend nor fully understand but am satisfied when it works anyway - electricity, the human brain ... the sovereignty of God. Sovereignty is absolute and supreme authority! The Bible is filled with men and women who, by the world's standard, had little to offer yet God used them to fulfill His purpose. Consider Ehud (Judges 3), Israel's second judge; his only noted strength was that he was left-handed... a south-paw ... yet God used him to deliver Israel from oppression by King Eglon of Moab. Then consider Joseph (Genesis 37) whose own brothers sold into slavery yet rose to be one of Egypt's greatest leaders. If I had to understand all that happens when I flip the switch in order to have light, I'd be in the dark. The All-Wise God has a plan for each of us, and what He longs for is our trust and obedience to do and go as He leads. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10). Oh, how The Sovereign God needs servants who will allow Him to carry out His workmanship in our lives ... humbly the clay surrendering to the hands of The Potter? Just ... trust The Sovereign.

God's Mercy

If you think about it, there's not an abundance of mercy these days - received or given. Just think about the last time you carelessly stepped in front of someone in the check-out line or were mistakenly overcharged for a sale item. Following his sin with Bathsheba, David wrote, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgression." (Psalm 51:1, AMP). The king wasn't seeking mercy from Bathsheba's husband nor from the Prophet Nathan [who confronted him] - mercy there would have been scarce! No, it was God's Mercy David sought. Charles H. Spurgeon notes that God is "as gracious in the manner of His mercy as in the matter of it ... it's infinite - you cannot measure it ... His mercy is so great that it forgives great sins to great sinners, after great lengths of time, and then gives great favours and great privileges, and raises us up to great enjoyments in the great heaven of the great God." That kind of mercy should stop us in our tracks, force us to our knees and with hands upraised cause us to sing with David, "But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever. I will thank You forever." (Psalm 52:8, AMP). Genuinely and ever grateful for ... God's Mercy.

A Good Question

Have you ever walked into a room then stopped and asked yourself, "now, what exactly did I come in here to do?" It's one of those rare occasions when I want to correctly answer myself! The Bible is filled with examples of men and women noted for their courage. Jochebed defied Pharoah's order [to kill all baby boys] and hid Moses for three months; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down and worship the king's image; Daniel prayed to God in spite of the king's order not to; Rahab hid the Israelite spies from Jericho's king, keeping them safe ... oh, there's many more. Mark Twain said bravery is "an instinctive unwillingness to do nothing when something needs to be done." Surely, each of these Biblical examples was unwilling to do nothing but equally important they knew what needed to be done! Obedience to God's commands gave direction to their acts of bravery. Paul wrote, "And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts." (2 Corinthians 3:3). To be brave isn't enough - Believers must be brave in doing what is right! "Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." (James 4:17). "Am I brave enough?" is only half the question; the whole question is "am I brave enough to do what is right?" It's a good question!

BLOG BREAK

 Back Bloggin' Thursday 08-17-2023

Stay in The Word!

Miles of Smiles, Beverly

Be One!

None of us will know but[ I suspect] we all would like to be remembered fondly - have "nice" things said about us after we're gone. Here's how Joshua is remembered: "Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD" (Joshua 24:29). Servant - that means of all he may not have done perfectly in his lifetime, God remembered Joshua as one who served Him! Very emphatically - not a hit-or-miss kinda guy but one who overall spent his life putting God first and being obedient to Him. And, just in case anyone was wondering, before he died he declared "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (24:15). When was the last time you made such a statement or took a bold stand for Christ? I fear too often we trade-in "thus saith The Lord' for whatever is socially acceptable. It's time if Believers genuinely possess The Faith ... profess The Faith! God needs more Joshua's - let's ... be one!

Friendly Life

It's common when guests visit, they knock, wait to be asked in and to have a seat then maybe
share a glass of iced tea. This is not the way of Trouble: she comes in unannounced and
without invitation. At the visit from this unwelcome guest, friends are important. Proverbs
17:17 says, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” In 2005 when Mister Bill had cancer, never was the wealth of friends more real to us: they filled the waiting room during his surgery, their cards packed our mailbox, they handed us cash, they called and emailed us, they cried and prayed with us, they filled our kitchen with food. Those whom we had not heard from in ages reached out to encourage and strengthen us. At times we were
[quite simply] astonished at the outpouring of love and care. Christ is the Truest Brother and
Friend the Believer will ever know, and because of Him we are to extend His kind of love and
care to others. It is good and right we extend God’s mercy but it also has benefits: “A man that
hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a
brother.” (Proverbs 18:24). Solomon recommends friendship; cultivate friendship by showing yourself friendly. Friendliness is a wise investment. In the final scene of the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” great numbers of George Bailey's friends come to help him in his time of need; His little brother paid tribute by saying, “To my big brother George, the richest man in town!” The measure of a friendly life could mean friends who knock on your door, call your number, fill your mailbox and refrigerator when Trouble comes a’callin’. Oh, and Trouble will certainly come but so will the full-measure of friends because of your ... friendly life!

Choke Not!

Getting choked on something is not fun! It actually can be kinda scary. That panic feeling that comes with not being able to breathe isn't pleasant. Praise is mentioned more than just a few times in Scripture, and it's not an if-you-feel-like-it option. Ephesians 5:18-20 says, "Be filled with The Spirit ... singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ." As I meditated on this week years ago, I remember how I almost choked every time on "giving thanks always for all things." Thanks for -- a heat index of 98 degrees - laundry baskets overflowing with dirty clothes - disher to unload - the price of gasoline. I read it again and, yes, the passage was perfectly clear: give thanks ALWAYS for ALL things. I got past the choking and began to see God's Goodness in all the madness of life and obediently thanked Him. When I did, there was an abundance of [spiritual] fresh air and a gain of peaceful breathing. Through it I learned a new commandment -- praise Him and choke not!

His Voice

Have you ever been involved in something where there were too many "chiefs?"  That is, too many bosses - so many the workers didn't know which voice to listen to. Perhaps the biggest struggle for Believers today is knowing and hearing the voice of God. I fear His voice has become dulled even drowned out by the loud and commanding voices of the world. Jesus, The Good Shepherd, says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). Truth is, voice recognition [technology] isn't anything new: God has been speaking to man since the beginning of time. Too many, however, are hear only static and the clarity of His voice has been compromised and they no longer recognize the voice of their Creator, Counselor and Friend. The Puritan prayed, "Make it my chiefest joy to study Thee, meditate on Thee, gaze on Thee, sit like Mary at Thy feet, lean like John on Thy breast, appeal like Peter to Thy love, count like Paul all things loss." Diligent and faithful study of, meditation on and leaning on The Savior keeps the Believer tuned-in to the voice that matters. Is your "chiefest joy" studying and meditating and gazing upon The Righteousness of Christ? It's the only way to know to recognize ... His voice.

Steady-Step

Why is it some things we are just slow-to-learn? For example, scheduling so many things in one day we come close to malfunctioning? A Puritan prayer begins, "Help me, I am so slow to learn ... I am blind while light shines around me." It seems we are more content with stumbling and falling than having a steady-step and remaining upright! We just never learn it seems what freedom, peace, joy and contentment comes with God's Way of living. Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). One thing for which every Believer should be grateful is how patient God is with us: "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). No matter how many times I lose my way, stumble and fall, God is kind and gracious and eager to once again tend to my hurt and sorrow then lead me back to His Way. The prayer concludes, "Ride forth in me, Thou King of kings and Lord of lords, that I may live victoriously, and in victory attain my end." Don't be a spiritual slow-learner - learn of Christ and be one of a ... steady-step.

The Morning Star

Admittedly, I've missed most of the sunrises in my life, but much has been written about the first star of  morning by those who prefer ... the sunrise. King David's last song was of morning's first light: "[God] is as the light of the morning when the sun rises" (2 Samuel 23:4). Peter wrote of Christ - "a Lamp shining in a dark place ... The Morning Star" (2 Peter 1:19). I've heard an artist friend of mine speak of the pure morning light in which to put paint onto canvas. New light and new mercies are God's gifts to us for each day. "His love greets us every morning with new blessings for the day; with each sunrise, we embrace the grace of God. Ever mindful of His providence, His never-failing care for us. We celebrate the greatness of our God." (author unknown). No preference required - morning, noon or night ... embrace The Morning Star!

Remember Caleb

Among names, the name "Caleb" is a good one! We have a Caleb in our blessed basket of Grands and he seems to be living-up to his Biblical namesake. You may recall it was only Caleb and Joshua who spied out the Promised Land and returned confident God would deliver it to them; they were rewarded for their trust in God and allowed to cross the Jordan River and enjoy the land. Forty-five years later, read what Caleb said to Joshua: "I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in. Now then, give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken." (Joshua 14:11-12, NAMB). That "hill country" was filled with giants and fortified cities - now, who would want that land and all the struggles that came with it! We face our own share giants and strongholds in this life, and we tend to do our best to avoid them! What deep faith Caleb had in his Jehovah Sabaoth - The Lord of Hosts! So, "Joshua blessed [Caleb] and gave Hebron to Caleb ... Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb ... because he followed the LORD God of Israel fully ... then the land had rest from war" (V.13-15). Yes, Hebron (meaning communion) became Caleb's inheritance, and he enjoyed sweet fellowship with God because he trusted God instead of feared giants. What giants are you facing? Remember ... Caleb.

A Heavenly Feast

There is a person who seems to rule too much of my life - that person is … me. Feeding on me is a pretty slim diet leading to spiritual famine. Scripture says, “And He rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven.” (Psalm 78:24). The Hebrews called it manna “like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey” (Exodus 16:31). Consider for a moment: the nutrition in ... bread from heaven. Feeding upon Jesus in this life is good but, oh, the feast to come in Heaven! Here, “’tis but a taste,” but there we will know perfectly how good and gracious He really is. Both in Heaven now, Dad and Mom already know Christ as yet I know. This one truth alone chases away a great sadness that threatens when I think of them. This is what God is teaching me: stop the steady diet of self – feed instead on Christ and His riches. What shame when Believers starve ourselves from lack of The True Bread! “This is the Bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of It and not die" (John 6:50). The heavenly diet is both plenteous and satisfying, fulfilling all needs of soul and spirit. Don’t starve yourself - humble yourself and begin now to taste and enjoy your ... Heavenly Feast.