Application Matters

There are a few things women are particular about, one of which is their make-up. It's not just the brand that matters - it's the application of it. Application matters! True followers of Jesus are in a constant battle against the enemy, which is why God has given us weapons with which to win. The first weapon mentioned is the "belt of truth" - Godly Truth. God said, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV). That last phrase (rightly dividing the word of truth) speaks to the application of Godly Truth. Zoom-in on this verse and see that when Godly Truth is not applied, it brings disapproval and shame to those who profess to be followers of Christ; and, more importantly, it dishonors Christ. In his letter to Believers at Corinth, Paul wrote, "For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you." (2 Corinthians 1;12). Application of Godly Truth (or the lack of application) will always be reflected in our behavior, our conversations, our choices, our judgments, our opinions, our relationships ... literally, every area of the Believer's life. The truth is ... application matters.

On-Key

The musicians I know want to make good music! That entails singing on-key and playing the right notes. There's a personal cost to doing these things well - few, however, are willing to pay the price. In Luke 9 we read conversations between Jesus and several men as they walked along; one man said, "I will follow You wherever You go" (V.57, NASB). When pressed, we read reasons for delayed obedience: "permit me first to go bury my father" (V.59) and "first permit to go say good-bye to those at home" (V.61). Neither reason ridiculous but revealed a divided heart. I could come-up with lots of reasons to not spend time piano practice; becoming a musician really wasn't on my radar! In response to these otherwise legitimate reasons, Jesus responded: "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (V.62). Following Jesus isn't a past-time, a hobby - something to be considered casual. Jesus also said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). A pure heart is an undivided heart - not a mixed bag of priorities. Staying focused ... on-key with Christ ... must always be a priority to pleasing The Father. Are you living life ... on-key?

Ceasing of Me

Oh, my, how many times have I heard Mister Bill say in order to fix something or to fish, he must have the right tools!  You know, he's s right. Several places in Scripture, we read Jesus went away to a solitary or secluded place to pray. How is it I can expect spiritual peace and rest in my own rockin' boat on a storm-tossed sea! Some translations of Psalm 37:7 read "Be still before the LORD" while others read "Rest in the LORD." I suggest Believers have confused being still with being at rest. That Hebrews word for "rest" means to "become dumb" - accept the capacity of incapacity! If you've ever tried to float in the water, the only way to do so effectively is by a full release of everything that would otherwise keep you afloat. The right tools to genuine rest in Jesus is a relinquishing of all of me, setting aside every tool at my disposal. To truly rest in Christ is a total of ... ceasing of me.

Sing Without Fear

As a general rule, we make lots of statements but when we "declare" something, it's typically well thought-out and an explicit announcement. Through the years, Mister Bill and I have made only a few declarations, both of us in complete agreement - we never plan to do that again! Romans 3:23 says, "for all have sinned" - that statement [at first] sends fear through us! An offense demands justice as our offense against Holy God [too] requires judgment, payment. We are not left with our fear, however: we are "justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus Whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith ... He passed over the sins previously committed ... He would be just and The Justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." (V.24-26). Bearing on Himself my sin - crucified in my place - God declares His Son sufficient (The Just One) to satisfy the debt of my sin. Spurgeon says, "My hope lives– not because I’m not a sinner but because I am a sinner for whom Christ died." That initial fear of condemnation has now [because of Jesus] become my reason to sing ... oh, how marvelous - oh, how wonderful is my Savior's love for me. Oh, my heart, sing ... without fear!

Heart-Prep

Preparations - they're part of every day! We prepare for work, meals, rest, special events - why, we even prepare to do absolutely nothing! In one of my quiet time with The Lord, I was reminded (and convicted of) how easy it is [as a child of God] to imagine there is a point in our lives when we are fully yet ... we are not! "In fact, it is a process that must be steadily maintained. It is dangerous to become settled and complacent in our present level of experience. The Christian life requires preparation and more preparation. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest). In this life, we must be diligently mindful of our need for conviction, confession, repentance and forgiveness. Hear the psalmist's invitation: "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV). To fully expose ourselves including every displeasing thought and habit - that is a heart-preparation most of us tend to avoid. That is, however, the preparation we are called unto; that is, if we desire to draw near to the heart of God. Think about it: is heart-preparation part of your day?

Heart Spring

Many years ago - during little boy days - there was a trampoline in our backyard; as trampolines go, it was multi-functional. It's primary function, of course, was a springboard to the sky as well as an outdoor wrestling arena and an above-ground picnic venue. Best yet, when turned on its side, it was a great baseball pitch-back! Did you know the heart is a springboard? Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Oh, how I shutter-and-shake when I hear someone say, "just follow your heart." God says in V.10, "I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins ..." It is God's tender mercy I need as He sees into the recesses of my heart! Truth is, my heart is a springboard to whatever I feed it. Spiritually speaking, we are what you see, what we read, what we listen to, the company we keep. Junk in – junk out! I don't know about you, but I want the right stuff to come out when life squeezes me. I want what "springs" from my heart to be pure and holy. Pause and consider: what's springing from your heart!

On Track

Things that run on tracks excite little boys! One of Danny’s first tracks was a full-size railroad; he was barely able to climb onto the seat! Of course, there were other tracks – short and long, wide and thin, curvy and loopy - some of them even entertained the parents! How easily Believers forget their spiritual purpose! In other areas of life, we are purpose-driven: pick up batteries for smoke alarm, call insurance agent, schedule hair appointment, budget for vacation, etc. Isaiah 49:5 reminds us of God’s design for us from the womb, “to be His servant.” Oswald Chambers writes we are “created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” There was one reoccurring problem with all the boys’ tracks: we were constantly having to put the vehicle back on the track. Goodness, how sin causes us to jump track, altering God’s purpose and design for our lives. Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He may give it to you.” (John 15:16). We were created at the pleasure of Almighty God, to delight in Him, and serve His creative and fulfilling purpose. What a delight [to us all] when that car or train stayed on the track. Likewise, immense joy is ours when we live in the center of God’s purpose. Really, there’s just nothing like being … on track!

Continue With Jesus

There was a time, which I recall fondly, when a friend and I walked the block each day - it was roughly five miles. Read this: "From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more" (John 6:66, ESV). That is perhaps one of the saddest statements in Scripture! The circumstances of our lives aren't always the best - in truth, at times they are just hard and unpleasant. It is our inclination to turn back, lose heart, abandon ship - we just have the stomach for it! How easy and convenient it is to profess and sing of Him in the good times but [I'm sure you will agree] the enthusiasm and eagerness are lacking in times of trouble. We love to recite Romans 8:29 - "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" - but we neglect to see the eternal good of the working-of-all-things: note the "good" is that we be conformed to the image of Jesus (V.29). God is always at work in our circumstances to shape us into something more, something better, something gloriously like Jesus. Walking five miles seems like a lot - especially today as I'm no longer able to do that - but as we walked, the fellowship was great and the hour passed sweetly. May each of us be named among those of whom Jesus said in Luke 22:28, "you are those who have continued with Me." Will you pray for grace to ... continue with Jesus?

Uncommon Living

Who's to say what is common and uncommon? My boys blurred the lines of common and
uncommon years ago: jumping on the trampoline in the dark, whiffle ball games by flood lights, the ding of the microwave at 2:00 AM, and camouflage year round! God calls Believers to uncommon living. First Samuel tells of friendship between David & Jonathan marked by uncommon boldness - those guys boldly spoke truth to one another! How is it Believers tightly close our lips and withhold truth instead of speaking it plainly - it's just too uncommon today. If we’re really serious about making Truth known, we’ll do and speak uncommonly: speak when others are silent, be silent when others are boisterous, exhibit self-control in uncontrollable circumstances, love the unlovable, extend grace when it isn’t practical. Only God knows the blessings that await us when we speak and live-out His Truth in boldness and love, and only He knows the lives to be changed by Truth shared with courage and compassion. People need to know God's uncommon love and truth in these uncommon times. We are called to... uncommon living!

Speak The Word

When I heard these words, “come here this instant,” I knew what Mama meant: do not dawdle, dilly-dally or pee-diddle - move fast and move now. Even before instant oatmeal and instant banking I knew what “instant” meant. It is always in-season for Christ and His Kingdom! Paul wrote to Timothy, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2). Living with an avid [big and small] game hunter, I hear those words “in and out of season” regularly. Of course, there are rewards for hunting in-season but terrible consequences for out-of-season hunting. There is, however, no out-of-season for making the Name of Christ known, and there are no limits! We’re commanded to be prepared and ready to give an answer to everyone who asks the reason for the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15). We are God’s voice, instruments for His use because the time of Christ draws near as well as His judgment (2 Timothy 4:1). Hear, hear! The time is now – do not lolly-gag or hem-haw. Be instant with your testimony ... speak The Word!

Just That Simple

Do you tend to over-think things? One thing I find myself doing too often is replaying in minhd conversations and actions - maybe it's not exactly the same as over-thinking but it makes me nuts! Paul wrote to his fellow Believers are Corinth: "I am afraid that, even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away from the simplicity of pure devotion to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3, AMP). This older-me likes, even prefers ... simple! Satan loves to confuse us, and one way he tries to do that is by luring us to rationalize things. We may be able to wisely think-through things to an expected conclusion intellectually, however, that does not work in spiritual matters. What [then] do we do? "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5, ESV). The end-of-it-all ... the confusion, the rationalizing, the over-thinking is ... obedience. If we listen to The Holy Spirit and trust Him completely - that means, without exception and without hesitation, we will simply obey.  It really is ... just that simple!

No Fidgets

Children are sometimes called "wiggle worms," meaning they have trouble being still. Well, I suggest there are grown-ups who also fit that description. Several years ago a toy, called a "fidget," was introduced - oh, it was the rage ... among children and adults! To fidget is "to move or behavior nervously or restlessly." As Deliverer of His people, God told them early in their rescue, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest" (Exodus 33:14, ESV). Although the restlessness of the soul is indeed an inherent condition, Jesus has given [to those who believe in Him] freedom from spiritual restlessness with His eternal and abiding peace.  It's alarming, however, how many Believers today detest and avoid being alone or sitting in solitude. We are commanded to "be still before the LORD ... wait patiently for Him ... fret not yourself" (Psalm 37:7, ESV). Personally, I have found the still-and-quiet moments with The LORD to be some of the most enlightening, refreshing and settling times for my spirit. It's hard to shut-out the noise of the world, turn-off negative thought patterns but His Presence is like nothing else: "You make known to me the path of life; in Your Presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11, ESV). In His Presence, what pleasurable peace and rest and ... no fidgets.

Hear From You

My little guys loved to roam the woods behind the house, often out of my sight. They knew, however, if Mama gave a'holler they should answer to their whereabouts. There is One Who never fails to hear and to answer when we call: "Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have freed me when I was hemmed in and relieved me when I was in distress; be gracious to me and hear [and respond to] my prayer." (Psalm 4:1, AMP). Now, God doesn't need us to "remind" Him to hear-and-respond - no, it is His nature to hear us and He [actually] longs to hear from us! I just love how [in this verse] David is thoughtful of how God was heard and answered him in an earlier time of need. It's like David is saying, "Father, remember that time You heard me cry for help and You were faithful ... You did what you do ... You delivered me from my distress - Lord, please do that again!" It's good to recall God's Goodness - He is and will be as faithful now as He has always been! It was a delight to this Mama's ears [and heart] to hear the boys respond to my call to them. When was the last time you called out to The Lord - He really wants to hear from you!

Zip-Locked Faith

One of the most popular playground sports has always been the see-saw. It is quite simple in design and very basic in operation. It's ineffective operation only takes one unexpected vacancy on the other end - that's when gravity takes over ... what goes up MUST come down! It is much easier to understand the need for balance in the Believer's life than actually maintaining that balance. I'm reminded of an ordinary zip-lock bag: even in its "sealed" state, the contents are visible for inspection. In James 2 we we are reminded our faith is "sealed" in Jesus Christ, and praise Him for that! What is visible to the world, however, defines just how effective that faith is in our lives. Consider how our "works" (faith-at-work in our lives) appear to others; could it be described as weak, shallow, stale? Think about it the next time a crisis or stress strikes: do you react in anger, wring your hands in anxiety, or run for the hills in fear? That's not exactly a response based in a "sealed" faith in Christ. Our spiritual walk must be Jesus-based and when our walk isn't improving, or at the very least maintaining, a balance of true faith exhibited by good works, we are quickly losing ground. So what do we do? Commit time each day to Bible study, worship and prayer - walking in The Spirit. Remember that zip-lock bag -- what does the world see ... they're watching!

Though All and Through All

 We like things we can count-on, right! No ifs-and-buts, thick-or-thin, high-or-low, day-or-night ... count on it! Unfortunately, there are few of those count-on-it things in this life. The psalmist says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. (Psalm 46:1-3, NASB). God is THE count-on-it refuge and strength and present help ... come what may! Even "though" ... even "though" ... even "though" ... even "though," the writer says repeatedly. How many "even thoughs" can we name - times when your heart was fearful, when your world's core seemed to be crumbling and slipping away, when waters roared and foamed, when the mountains shook you to your core? Those things happen - they are part of life here YET we have a God Who makes wars to cease to the end of the earth - Who breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two - Who burns the chariots with fire (46:9). Oh, let us cease striving and know that He is God (46:10). He is The One who never sleeps nor slumbers - He is The God ... though all and through all.

Stay Cool

"Cool as a cucumber" - not sure where that expression originated but it describes someone who holds-up well under pressure - baseball pitchers, football quarterbacks - oh, let's not forget ... mothers! As David fled for his life from his son, Absalom [who wanted the throne], he wrote these words: "O LORD, how my enemies have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of me, 'There is no help [no salvation] for me in God.'" (Psalm 3:1-2, AMP). I wonder how many times someone has watched me under pressure, seen fear and dismay instead of trust in God ... cool as a cucumber. Like me, you know how circumstances and relationships can push us to wringing our hands in anxiety, wondering where God is in the mix! David goes on, "But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and The One Who lifts my head. With my voice I was crying to the LORD, and He answered me from His holy mountain. I lay down and slept [safely]; I awakened, for the LORD sustains me." (V.3-5, AMP). Now, who [of all things] can lie down and sleep when the pressures of life are on? I tell who can - the person who knows God as his Shield and his Lifter because God is The One Who listens, hears and delivers. Trust The Father ... stay cool.

Please The Lord

A sweet and pleasing sound I hear sometimes from my Grands is, "MomC, is there something I can do to help you?" Okay, I'm going to start keeping a list! Before your feet touch-floor each morning, what is your greatest desire of the day? Here's a hint of what it should be: "The LORD knows and fully approves the way of the righteous" (Psalm 1:6). I've watched Mister Bill attach a string-tracker to an arrow, which quite simply ... tracks the arrow launched from his bow. How pleasing is the heart that can be tracked to pure devotion to The Father and found to be righteous and pleasing in all its ways. Such a heart delights in and meditates on the words of God day and night ... yeah - all the time! May our heart's greatest desire always-and-ever be to ... please The Lord!

Watch With Him

Perhaps you are a 3-D movie fan - not me! I get enough of the "experience" without putting on those extra lens. It's sometimes hard to see what God is doing in our lives especially when what's going on around us is changing and even unpleasant. As He went to pray in the Garden Gethsemane, Jesus said to His disciples, "stay here and watch with Me" (Matthew 26:38). Notice He doesn't say "watch Me" or "watch for Me;" rather, He says ... watch WITH Me. Matthew goes on to tell us in V.40 that when Jesus came back to His disciples He found them sleeping! I suggest God is always calling Believers to not just watch-and-see how He works in the circumstances of our lives but to watch-with Him ... submit-to, join in partnership WITH Him as He completes His work in us. I know, our tendency is to whine-grumble-complain even scratch our heads and wonder, "Lord, what are You doing - what is going on?"  In the midst of great tragedy, Louisa Stead wrote "'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus - Just to take Him at His word - Just to rest upon His promise - Just to know 'Thus saith the Lord.'" When our own point of view seems cloudy and uncertain, when we have questions and doubts, will we have faith to trust Him completely - to watch confidently with Him? Watch ... with Him!

Delightful Success

No doubt, the delight of any completed project is its success. That success, however, can often be measured in different ways. One of my favorite psalms is the very first one, which sets the tone for the entire book; it speaks of both success and the measure of it. "Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example], nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers)." (Psalm 1:1, AMP). How interesting we read how true success begins with a disciplined lifestyle of self-denial. We read the same thing in Romans 8:12-12 ... "So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh - for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by The Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." The Believer's battle of flesh vs The Spirit cannot be denied and the success of the warring natures is seen in Psalm 1:2 - "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night." Then the measure of success: "And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season; its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers." (Psalm 1:3, AMP). Such a lifestyle, by the world's measure, would seem boring and hum-drum. Not so! The yielding fruitfulness of life lived pleasing The Creator is immeasurable. Those who walk a disciplined Spirit-filled life know and testify to its ... delightful success.