Walk In Love

Paving stones are pretty but can be tricky to walk on them: sometimes their spacing doesn't fall within what we would call a "normal" step. John writes, "And this is love: that we walk in accordance with His commandments and are guided continually by His precepts. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should [always] walk in love." (2 John 1:6, AMP). Those paving stones almost always are placed to guide you in a particular direction and to an intended destination. Consider the arduous walk of Jesus through the streets of Jerusalem to Calvary: could there be any more explicit walk of love! "Be imitators of God as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:1-2, ESV). Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf was fragrant, a pleasing aroma to The Father. Walking in love, therefore, is the spiritual steps leading to a pleasing life unto God ... walk in love!

Master of Me

It seems to be human nature to become proficient at certain interests we have - cooking, sewing, wood-working, etc. We find, however, our proficiency diminish with time and age. There is one thing, however, that is never diminished: "The truth that abides in us and will be with us forever" (2 John 1:2, ESV). A constant drip-drip-drip in our ears today is that we must bend and conform to ever-changing and evolving truths. Charles Spurgeon wrote, "We entertain [truth] not as a guest but as the master of the house - this is a Christian necessary." How sensible and practical - but mostly spiritual - to embrace and heed truth that is firm, fixed, unchanging and never diminishing. "The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of God will stand forever" (Isaiah 40:8) ... "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away" (Matthew 24:35). This unchanging, eternal truth "will be our living support, our dying comfort, our rising song, our eternal glory" (Spurgeon). My proficiency of [former] interests, i.e. basketball and softball, have certainly diminished with time, age, health, etc.; time in God's Word, however, has increased and enriched me. The sweet reality is the more time I spent with The Author and His Truth the more His Truth ... masters me!

Know God

My Dad's grandfather lived with him and his family until he passed away at age 99. I never knew Dad's "papa" but I feel like I did from all the stories Dad shared about him. I know I would have loved him just as much as Dad did. Jesus said to His disciples, "If you had [really] known Me, you would also have known My Father. From now on you know Him, and have seen Him." (John 14:7, AMP). It's not uncommon to hear people say they want to "know God" but they seem at a lost just how to do that. Again in V.9 to Philip, Jesus said "Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father?'" I heard a speaker say one time if you want to know God, "read the red." In many Bible, the letters printed in red are Jesus' words. What a great way to know God, to grow closer to Him, to be joined in fellowship with The Father ... study the life of Jesus, His Son. Just a few chapters before, Jesus said, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30, ESV). I suspect my Dad inherited and learned many of his papa's traits but there would be so much more to know of his papa had I had an opportunity. None of us are at a disadvantage to know The Father - we have His exact character and nature in His Son, Jesus (Hebrews 1:2). The simple of it is this: know Jesus ... know God.

Share

In 1975, Mister Bill and I learned what it meant to share space - bathroom, bank account, etc. Forty-five years later, there came another learning curve in "sharing" ... retirement. A sweet season but "togetherness" takes-on a new meaning! Jesus talks to them about His going-away and His coming-back: "I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also." (John 14:2, AMP). That Jesus longs to spend eternity with His children and is making everything ready for them in Heaven should encourage us all. How sad, however, there are those (even some we know and love) who cannot now anticipate such a place nor take comfort in knowing because they have rejected The Messiah (Jesus). Confused by Jesus' words, "Thomas said to Him, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going; so how can we know the way?'" (V.5). Is this not the question of the one who has not yet trusted in The Savior? To him, Jesus says, "I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.'" (V.6). Jesus has made clear to all the way to where He is. Until that day when we share a Heavenly Home with Him, we are to share Jesus' words of The Way, The Truth, The Life with those who need His salvation. What we must share now is The Gospel ... share!

Peace for Troubled Hearts

At the risk of putting a tune in our heads, who doesn't remember the 60's folk-rock group Simon and Garfunkel. Everywhere we went we heard their smooth harmonic melodies, and indeed they've remained stuck-in-our-heads for decades now. One of their tune this older-me recalls is "Bridge Over Troubled Waters," which describes the hard times of this life and how we all [at times] need encouragement. The Apostle John recorded Jesus' words to His disciples as He neared the end of His time with them: "Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going] and believe also in Me." (John 14:1, AMP). The current global unrest and unimaginable evils splashed before our eyes have troubled me deeply. In these times when there's so much we don't understand, we take comfort in trusting God's sovereignty and His Son Who STILL speaks calmness to souls ... "don't let your heart be troubled." Though the tempest rages and the sea churns violently, Jesus rebukes both: "'Peace! Be still.' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm." (Mark 4:39, ESV). Art and Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" may bring a momentarily calm but it is only Christ Who delivers eternal, lasting ... peace for troubled hearts. Thank You, Jesus!

Dodge the Darts

Back in-the-day, what school playground lacked a good game of dodge ball! As alert and quick as you tried to be, [maybe more than] occasionally you were unable to ... dodge the ball. God instructs His children to "in all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one" (Ephesians 6:16, ESV). The imagery of darts (arrows) hurled at us is a vivid description of what we face as we navigate life. Part of the Roman soldier's defensive armor was a shield made sturdy to protect him, even soaked in water to deflect arrows of fire meant to - not just kill - but cause widespread chaos. Like a small flame sets a forrest afire, one fiery arrow from our spiritual enemy can destroy our peace, joy, contentment as well as ruin friendships; and, yes, it's disruption can be widespread! "Take up the shield of faith," God says - trust in The unfailing promises of Him Who is our Shield: Psalm 33:3 - "You, O Lord, are a shield about me" ... Psalm 28:7 - "The Lord is my strength and shield; in Him my heart trusts" ... Proverbs 30:5 - "Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him" ... Psalm 5:12 - "You bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover him with favor as with a shield" ... Psalm 91:4 - "He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and a buckler." God is who He says He is AND He does what He says He will do. Satan's flaming darts will always be coming at us but the Godly shield of faith assures us we can ... dodge the darts.

Today's Bulletin

There's generally an order of worship in each Sunday's bulletin; things just seem to go better that way. As a general rule, we like to know what's coming next. I sincerely doubt the psalmist was thinking about a printed order of things when he wrote these words: "This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24, ESV)  We will never grasp the fullness of this verse if we embrace it with caution. Of course, there is no way we can know beforehand what each day holds -- septic tank problems, traffic jams, computer crashes, flat tires, irritable people, sudden illness, etc. God gives His children the way to approach each day: He says something like this, "Child, here it is ... rejoice and be glad." Have you picked up the order of worship for today - today's bulletin? It simply says ... rejoice and be glad!

Grow Up

How often do parents long for their kids to grow up.  Why, we even tell them to “grow up” a time or two until … they DO grow up and then we look back longingly for those not-so-grown-up days! God’s children look so much better ... grown up!  Growing up is tough, of course.  Most of us remember our own physical and emotional growing pains [as young people] even before we were forced live through them again as parents.  It’s the natural progression of life – especially spiritual life.  It’s just not pretty when Believers remain in spiritual infancy.  No one likes the same wardrobe year-after-year. Even those who hate to shop occasionally wander through the store in search of something new and fresh!  Ephesians 4:15 tells us we are to grow up “in every way” into Christ.  Never should Believers be dressed down from lack of sweet fellowship with The Father.  Spurgeon wrote, “If we would ripen in grace, we must live near to Jesus – in His presence – ripened by the sunshine of His smiles.”  A new season has arrived and as we bring out warmer clothing, consider if your spiritual wardrobe is last season’s.  A grown-up look in Christ looks so much better on God's children.Grow up!

First Food

Don't we love a dinner invitation! Whether well in advance or impromptu, gathering around the table with friends - well, it's just nice! Hear Jesus' invitation to His disciples, "Come and dine" (John 21:12, KJV). Although the use of the Greek word "dine" later came to refer to dinner, its original meaning was breakfast - the first food of the day. "Dining" with Jesus should always be the first food and certainly it is the best food. Spurgeon reminds us, "To look at Christ is to live, but for strength to serve Him you must 'come and dine.'" Nutritionists tell us how important is that first meal of the day - "don't skip breakfast," they say! Will you commit a few deliberate early moments of the day to dining with Christ in order to know His nearness and fellowship? There's nothing quite like that ... first food.

Don't Blink

Across America there are precious yet small places often referred to as "towns" although there's no city limits signs, no post office - really, nothing to denote its existence. You know those places where if you blink, you miss it! How sad at Jesus' first coming, many blinked or just weren't paying attention; many still are today. We know there was no fanfare or pageantry to Jesus' coming however long-awaited it was. Charles Spurgeon describes Jesus' life on earth as "a harvesting fan that blew away the chaff of religious profession and revealed that very few grains of wheat could withstand the process." I suggest that "harvesting fan" is still at-work today. The times in which we live are not for the spiritually faint-of-heart; rather, there is a great demand for spiritual discipline and endurance! We are warned many will depart from (fall-away) from the faith. Paul compares the enduring spiritual life to a race: "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." (1 Corinthians 9:24, ESV). Yes, the "harvesting fan" is now steadily sifting the faithful from the unfaithful. First Corinthians 15:52 says, however, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" the sifting will cease. Are you enduring in the race - persevering to receive the prize? Jesus is coming again - be sure you ... don't blink.

Plugged-In

 One thing missing from this remodeled1945 farmhouse is an adequate number of electrical outlets! I've brought this matter to the attention of the "maintenance department" but I'm still waiting on for a response. Perhaps one of the problems to a Believer's lack of spiritual power is simply not being ... plugged-in. Plugged-in, that is, as Jesus said: "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." (John 15:4, ESV). That word "abide" refers to remaining and continuing in relationship to Jesus Who sufficiently supplies all our spiritual needs. I love the psalmist's confession, "as for me, it is good for me to be near God" (Psalm 73:28, ESV). Remaining close to Jesus is a full-time endeavor, one that requires disciplined and intentional times with God through quietness, study and meditation on His words as well as faithful times of worship, fellowship and service with other Believers. Are you missing what it takes to walk wisely and effectively with Jesus? If so, I suggest you examine how well you are ... plugged-in.

In The Ministry

The word "ministry" may not be so familiar to you but to me, I've heard that word all my life! Before he retired, my Dad was a preacher and pastor ... in the ministry. Now, I can tell you the most obvious parts of being "in ministry" - visiting the sick in hospital and homes, studying, preaching, counseling, baptizing to name a few. Dad was an educated man (college and seminary) but his greatest education was the ministry of The Word of God. How easily we forget when we open the Bible, God uses it to minister to us! The excellence of Hiss words guide us into holy excellence in daily living. "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times." (Psalm 119:129, ESV). Since Dad's home-going last year, I've taken possession of a few of Dad's Bibles; they are filled with handwritten  notations and they are literally falling apart! Perhaps the condition of our own Bibles says a lot about how often we opened then and allow God's words to minister to us. How wonderful, therefore, from the work of The Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures we are all ... in the ministry. 

Standing Shoes

It was one of those catchy, toe-tapping fun tunes of the 70's - Tanya Tucker's "Walking Shoes." We all know that shoes matter! Effectively walking with Jesus, however, demands more ... standing shoes. In describing the full armor of God, Paul wrote in Ephesians 6, "Stand therefore ... having fastened on ... as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace" (V.14-15). When we hear-accept-apply The Gospel of Christ, we are given peace with God and receive His full assurance and power to not just walk victoriously but ... stand firm. Have you noticed the evil of these days? We may find safety tucked away in our homes, but let's not be lulled into the notion we are safe from Satan - no! our hearts, minds, spirits are not in great peril! "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." (Ephesians 6:12-13, ESV). Go ahead, put on your finest shoes for the day but do not neglect to arm yourself with Him Who supplies your ... standing shoes.

Worship While You Work

Do you remember the song, “Whistle While You Work?" Even when our hands and feet are busily working, the mind and spirit and heart are doing ... something. There seems to be no problem with grumbling, whining or complaining! I suggest we are often distracted when serving The Lord, losing focus on why-we-do what-we-do. Martha, in Luke 10, had that problem! She was doing some very important and necessary things -- preparing for and serving guests. Her sister Mary, however, hose to sit with Jesus, leaving Martha to do it all. When Martha brought Mary's no-help to Jesus attention, He scolded her pointing to Mary’s “better” choice. Isn’t it possible, however, to worship and work? My Daddy Bill was a whistler! No matter where he was or what he was doing, he whistled. Not only could we tell where he was, we could hear and feel his joy in whatever he was doing. Colossians 3:23 says, “And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” The Amplified Bible describes heartily as “from the soul.” I like that! Work done from the soul … with all we got. You may not be a whistler but we all are able to … worship while you work!

Rest

One of the benefits of retirement Mister Bill and I have come to enjoy is a daily time of rest. Can't say it always happens, and sometimes it's only thirty minutes or so, but what a difference it makes in the rest of our day this short time of ... rest. Jesus says to the weary, "come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). How very sad we have to be told to rest. Even when we know we are weary, we must be told to whom (or where) to find adequate and sufficient rest. One thing we all know is that life wears us down. One thing I've found to be true: even from faithful devotion [of time and energy] to good and eternal things, there's a need for rest. Perhaps the greatest hindrance to finding Jesus as our resting place is failure to realize our own spiritual poverty. Jesus spoke blessings and favor upon the "poor in spirit" in Matthew 5:3 ... those who realize they are absolutely unable to give themself the spiritual rest they need. No, it's not a week at the beach, a day at the spa - not even a mid-day break. Jesus says, "come" - set aside all your busyness, your striving, your grand ideas and solutions. His is the the invitation for perfect, lasting, sufficient rest. He says ... "Come to Me."

Showcase

A few years ago, Mister Bill and I cleaned out the attic - oh my my my, at the stuff we discovered! We found ourselves scratching our heads at some of it, thinking "now, why did we save this?" One of the things we found were trophies and plaques commemorating sports victories and career achievements. How wonderful that God has given to every person who believes in Jesus Christ the gift of His Righteousness: "For our sake He [God] made Him [Jesus] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him [Jesus] we might become the Righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV). We [then] by the power of The Holy Spirit are called to put that righteousness into practice - that is, living it out day-by-day. Jesus said, "let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16, ESV). Followers of Jesus are to put His righteousness [in us] on display. We are commanded to be God's showcase of righteousness and glory to a world in need of light and life. I know, nobody likes a "show-off," but The Righteousness of Christ in us should be put on display. Go ahead - be His showcase!

Good Medicine

When was the last time you were frantic - highly excited and emotional, frenzied? Maybe it's better you not go back there! I suppose we all longingly imagine quiet unhurried mornings, the aroma of coffee and lingering in our pajamas ... we know, of course, that doesn't describe most of our days. No, our days are typically busy, hectic, hurried with our minds and bodies and spirits racing from one thing to the next. God says in Proverbs 12:25 "anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down" so I suppose many of us are carrying a pretty heavy load! In her hymn, "Lord, Speak to Me that I May Speak," Frances Havergal (1836-1879) wrote these words: "Oh, give Thine own sweet rest to me - That I may speak with soothing pow'r - A word in season, as from Thee - To weary ones in needful hour." To effectively speak "gracious words" to someone -- Proverbs 16:24 words as from a honeycomb, words sweet to the soul and health to the body - we must first hear and receive them from The Father. "A joyful heart is good medicine" (Proverbs 17:22). Frantic should never describe a child of God; no, we should always be .. good medicine.

Ill-Equipped

As I watched a mother secure her precious child in a car seat recently, I thought of the oft neglected ways I leave myself wide-open and exposed to spiritual attacks of the enemy. As he was regularly up-close-and-personal with Roman soldiers, the apostle Paul was very familiar with the pieces of their uniform. In Ephesians 6, Paul uses those pieces of armor to describe what every Believer needs to stand firm against Satan: "having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:14-18, ESV). Think of all the things we refuse to leave the house without - makeup, proper clothes, cell phone, GPS ... yet we intentionally go-out spiritually naked! All these weapons for spiritual battle God has given us for to protect us, to keep us safe and secure, and to be victorious - living in peace and joy! Let me challenge [us all] to be more attentive to how we equip ourselves - or fail to equip ourselves - for the safety of our hearts, our spiritual well-being. Otherwise, quite simply, we are ... ill-equipped!

Joy Roots

Just pause and think of all the things people find joyful. Most of them are quite harmless, even God-honoring, but real and lasting joy is found and maintained in a personal relationship with Christ. Nehemiah 8:10 says "the joy of the LORD is your strength." No more, no less -- just right.  Not only that, it’s rock solid -- rooted to the depths of infinity - that is, endless! When we depend on circumstances, situations, finances, or people for joy ... count on being disappointed. All those things change with the wind and the roots of such joy soon enough prove shallow. The Joy of the Lord, however, proves to be the strength needed for spiritual perseverance in withstanding even the fiercest of Satan's attacks. While The Father certainly created reminders to bring us joy -- a rainbow, a robin, beautiful sunsets, autumn leaves, laughter of children, the aroma of coffee -- He remains The True Source of all joy. We are wise and obedient to put our "joy roots" in Him alone.

Heart Throne

 Flip flops aren't really good until you've worn them a while: you take them off and see the imprint of your heel and toes. Now, that's a good pair of flops! I suggest most of us have a well-worn spiritual "throne" on which we sit regularly and are quite unwilling to relinquish. We have this strange idea that life is all about "me" - that the main character of my life is ... "me." Jesus' words to The Father in Luke 22 should shame each one of us: "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done" (V.42). What a picture of ultimate surrender, of submission, a setting aside of Himself to be obedient to The Father. Jesus, Whom God has exalted because of His sinless and self-less sacrifice on the cross, there in prayer refused to put Himself first! Because of Jesus' sinless and self-less surrender, it is Christ Who is to be the center of our lives; it is He alone Who is qualified and worthy to occupy the throne of our hearts - that throne we foolishly claim as our own. So, who occupies your heart's throne? It's a one-seater and our seats don't belong there!