Seedin' Time

For gardeners, this is planting season. Soon I'll have Mister Bill bring out my outside planters and I'll plant some blooms with grand hopes they will live and bloom! There is promised success when we plant the Word of God in our hearts: God promises, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." (Matthew 24:35, ESV). I cannot count the times I opened my kitchen junk drawer to find packets of seeds that never made it to the dirt! Philipp Spener wrote, "God's Word alone is the seed from which all that is good in us must grow."  The key to that growth, however, is frequently and faithfully opening and reading His Word so that His Truth finds its way into our hearts. Open God's Word today -- every day should be ... seedin' time!

Do The Simple

A neat "trick" my boys used on their otherwise unsuspecting mother was to pretend they didn't hear me the first time I spoke: their strategy was to formulate a response. I admit, it worked but only a few times. Scripture makes it clear in Hebrews 1:1-2) that there are no new revelations from God: "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, Whom He appointed heir of all things, through Whom also He made the world." (NASB). God does, however, speak / communicate His will to His children today. Perhaps we do not fully appreciate the opportunities we're given to honor Him when He speaks; and we do that through obeying His voice. Why do we make things so complicated when we know what we've heard Him and clearly know how to move forward? Oswald Chambers asks, "Are you debating whether you should take a step of faith in Jesus, or whether you should wait until you can clearly see how to do what He has asked? Simply obey Him with unrestrained joy." Obedience may very well be difficult but rarely is it complicated! I can do with a little less complication in life - how about you? Listen for and hear what God says then do the simple - obey!

Your Destination

When we plan a trip, we carefully choose a destination, a route and lodging - these things we anticipate will make the overall experience one of pleasure and joy. God says, "He who dwells in the secret place ..." (Psalm 91:1). How foolish I am to begin the day without a clear and deliberate choice of where my spirit will spend its day. Whether running errands, at the office, sick in bed or just hanging out at home, my spirit dwells somewhere. Sadly I admit, many times it's wandering aimlessly, tossed about by the winds of anxiety, stress, frustration and other cares of the day. But God says the one who deliberately chooses the secret place "of the Most God" is sheltered in the "shadow of The Almighty." Why would I forego the precious promises of Him as my heart's destination day-by-day and moment-by-moment? It's an important question with only one satisfactory answer: choose Him as ... your destination.

Personal Holiness

PERSONAL HOLINESS. Personal hygiene is important; skip it and you'll quickly find out just how important it is. How is it [then] as Believers we neglect perhaps our greatest mandate from God: personal holiness. It's as personal as personal can be: I can't do it for you and you can't do it for me! Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). I suggest most of us wouldn't dare leave the house without a good look in the mirror and give ourselves a once-over yet we allow our Bibles collect dust and our prayer closet to grow cold and musty. We're more apt to brush our teeth and comb our hair than we are to do anything that grows us closer to Jesus. Oswald Chambers writes, "If the outer level of our spiritual life with God is impaired to the slightest degree, we must put everything else aside until we make it right." If we are to be the "aroma of Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:15), we must practice the disciplines of spiritual hygiene - acts of nurturing good spiritual health. What have you done today for the sake of purity, to see God? Consider for yourself: just how important is ... personal holiness.

Friend of The Bridegroom

Weddings are joyous occasions! Customarily, we attend as a friend of the bride or the bridegroom, and are seated respectively. The Apostle John writes, "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full." (John 3:29). Stating we are a friend a the bride or the groom indicates there's a history, a relationship, something special shared. The same is especially true when the Believer is "the friend of the Bridegroom," Jesus Christ. From the intimacy of that relationship come His beauty and His fragrance. His characteristics in us should always point others to Him. I am ever-decreasing and He is ever-increasing (John 3:30). Oswald Chambers draws serious attention to the importance of maintaining a close relationship with The Bridegroom: "If my holiness is not drawing others to Him, it is not the right kind of holiness; it is only an influence which awakens undue emotions and evil desires in people and diverts them from heading in the right direction." Time spent with Jesus is time most precious and desirable; it's the only way to be a true ... friend of the Bridegroom.

All You Got

Make-overs were popular in days past. Even I was talked-into a make-over and, much to my horror, was then photographed! I suspect most of us would prefer a "do-over" of bad decisions, poor choices, terrible mistakes. Scripture tells a sad ending to one man's great opportunity to magnify God and finish his life well: "Solomon did evil [things] in the sight of the LORD, and did not follow the LORD fully, as his father David had done." (1 Kings 11:6, AMP). King Solomon collected wives like some would collect antique cars - foreign women who followed false gods and turned Solomon's heart away from the one true God. This ancient king's mistakes is also descriptive of Believers' hearts today! Our own heads and hearts are turned by what is pleasant to the eyes and ears, what is trendy and popular - "Solomon clung to these in love" (1 Kings 11:2, AMP). It's impossible to completely cling to more than one thing; the enthralled heart to to more than one thing is quite simply ... a heart divided. Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30, ESV). Here, Jesus speaks of the undivided heart - the heart with no mixture of anything else. To love Jesus completely is to let turn aside from all that hinders full devotion. It's loving Jesus with ... all you got!

BLOG BREAK

 MWB will resume Monday 03-25-2024
Stay in The Word!
Miles of Smiles, Beverly

Treasure Him!

Perhaps you've heard (or even said yourself) "I live for this," referring to something for which you are passionate - a particular season or activity, etc. Truth is, we hardly have to announce what captivates our minds, resources, time and energy - it plays-out in our choices and priorities. I sometimes cringe at what followers of Jesus don't live for ... Jesus Himself. Jesus said "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Luke 12:34, ESV). Perhaps the Body of Christ [as a whole] has lost Christ as Its supreme treasure. It is no small or casual thing to know Jesus as our Treasure; it requires great courage and discipline to commit to the depth of such devotion. Jesus said, "if anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24, ESV). My prayer is that Christ is my "I live for this" - that He be my greatest treasure. The All-Knowing, All-Sufficient, Eternal, Living Lord ... treasure Him!

Go Lower

What's your latest favorite promotion? Catchy tunes, play-on-word slogans, celebrity endorsements - whatever gets our attention, promotions work. Most naturally, we are in the life-business of self-promotion! We don't have to be trained or encouraged to put ourselves forward as the prime candidate for consideration and attention - it comes quite naturally. What a contrast we see in Scripture and from the life of Jesus: "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3, ESV). Oh that word "humility" prompts a hey-wait-a-minute moment to consider this life we're living ... well, it's clearly not about me! God says "live in harmony with one another" (Romans 12:16), which is absolutely not possible when everyone is fixed upon themselves. There is One Who knows us best and is able to promote us in the best light: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you." (1 Peter 5:6, ESV). In the "Valley of Vision" prayer, the write says, "Let me learn ... that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high." Proverbs 22:4 says "the reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life." As followers of Christ, let us choose the way and attitude of humility before God, and let Him exalt (promote) us in His way and His time. Give up to win ... go lower!

Full Conviction

Unlike days-past, we no longer have to wonder who is calling our phone! The caller's identity (or lack of) flashes at us so we know how to answer ... or not. I fear too often I forget to whom I am praying! Of course, I'm praying to the One True Father through His One and Only Son, Jesus; what I mean to say is that I neglect to remember the power and might of God's Nature. David wrote, "Hear the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You do I pray." (Psalm 5:2, AMP). He addresses God as "King" - reigning counsel, advisor and authority over everything. Then David uses the Hebrew name "Elohim" - the plural form of Supreme God. Do we bow and speak to God with like confidence - King and God - acknowledging there is neither a greater nor a more supreme authority, counsel or power than He? If we truly believe, as David did, perhaps we would bow before Him more often and with true sincerity of heart. We'd turn less to secular authorities for advice, counsel and justice. In an earlier chapter David said, "salvation belongs to the Lord" (Psalm 3:8). It is God alone Who is both willing and able to guide His people in truth and sustain them with all sufficiency. This is the power of Elohim - God and King. Let us know Him and live prayerfully before Him with ... full conviction.

Leave Them There

Perhaps one of the most basic needs we have is the need to trust in something or someone. If you question this, just consider the mere disillusionment and disappointment we feel when a trust is broken - ouch! David wrote in Psalm 30:6, "in my prosperity I said I shall never be moved," which is exactly how we [humans] feel when things are going well. When things don't go awry [as planned], however, we feel the ground shaken beneath us. Jeremiah wrote, "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ESV). When we have placed our trust elsewhere [rather than in the Lord], trust ceases and is replaced with fear and anxiety! In contrast, when we trust solely in the Lord, trust continues [never ceases] because He is completely trustworthy - He never fails! The Puritan prayed, "Thou art infinitely wise and cannot do amiss, as I am in danger of doing. I rejoice to think that all things are at Thy disposal, and it delights me to leave them there." Here's the question: are we willing to trust the Lord with-and-in all things then ... leave them there?

Give Love

As a society, we are very materialistic. Think about it, why else would storage unit rentals be such a thriving business! Giving-away demands a measure of sacrifice - an offering up of something precious for a cause or a reason. In essence, the giving comes with a cost for the giver. John 3:16 begins "for God so loved." The little-yet-mighty word "so" speaks volumes because it precedes an explanation of just how much God loved: "that He gave" - He offered Someone precious as an expression of His love. He gave "His only begotten Son" - that Whom was precious to The Father. And the object of God's giving - "whoever believes in Him" - those who accept God's precious gift of Jesus; they receive God's great reward, they "shall not perish, but have eternal life." God's giving of His precious Son is the supreme example and measure of love; for His giving we are grateful. There's more: it is also the supreme example and measure by which we are to love one another. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." (John 13:34). Love like God loved and as Jesus demonstrated before men. As part of saying goodbye, our grandchildren "give love" - those precious hugs and kisses. As God gave love to us, let us also ... give love.

Talk to Him

Don't you just hate it when you call a business and no one answers! I recently called to order fresh-baked cookies from a local shop; repeatedly I called - no answer and no cookies! David wrote, "Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness. You have freed me when I was hemmed in and enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me and hear my prayer." (Psalm 4:1, AMP). What I needed were cookies so I called the cookie shop; what David needed was mercy in his hour of need. I've had their cookies before and they were delicious, and I had complete confidence they would be delicious again; God had given David freedom and protection when he was previously distressed so David knew once again God would deliver him. Unfortunately, the cookie shop failed to answer my need for cookies; God never fails to answer! "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer." (1 Peter 3:12, ESV). God doesn't surrender His Will to our every whim; He does, however, answer with abundance and perfection according to His plan, purpose and riches. "And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us." (1 John 5:14). What a kind, gracious, compassionate, wise and faithful Father we have: talk to Him.

Jesus Is the Answer

There's usually a proper order to accomplishing things - that proverbial cart-before-the-horse seldom ends well! Paul wrote: "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20, NASB). Conflict, whether international or national or local or personal, surrounds us: nation against nation, people-group against people-group, family against family, friend against friend. Countless lives and relationships are destroyed due to strife. Jesus came to reconcile (settle, resolve) man's heart to God. How foolish when we try to "fix" things between people when their hearts are not FIRST reconciled to The Father! Being right with God comes before being right with anyone else. Jesus is the key to resolving all conflict whether it be nations or neighbors, friends or family - Jesus is The Answer! That cart will never lead that horse - neither will peace come between men apart from peace with God. Jesus is the Answer!

Steady Steps

Kinda-sorta may work at times: instances where there's some degree of flexibility. Other times - medical appointments or airplane flights - very little wiggle room there! The word "righteous" is used repeatedly in Proverbs 10, i.e. "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life" (V.11a, NASB). Those who have believed in Jesus Messiah rest completely and eternally in His Righteousness - glory be to The Father! However, how does that righteousness play-our in our lives? That Hebrew word (righteous) translates: to be right or just before God in conduct and character. The Amplified Bible [translation] uses a co-word with "righteous" - the "[uncompromisingly] righteous." Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15, ESV). Jesus isn't speaking of options, a picking-and-choosing of commandments to obey, a kinda-sorta living righteously. Read God's words to Joshua as he began to lead the Israelites: "Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go." (Joshua 1:7, NASB). The instruction - turn not to the right or the left - is pretty clear, don't you think? Clearly, we are called to righteous living ... without compromise! Per God's spoke to Joshua of an uncompromising righteousness - a key principle for righteous living today. We all know even a slight turn [to the right or the left] is compromise, which we all know leads to ... more compromise. Let's pray with the psalmist (Psalm 119:133) ... steady my steps, Lord!

How Lovely!

Being with a particular someone is a treasured part of life; actually, just being near that particular someone can be precious! The writer of Psalm 84 writes, "How lovely are Your dwelling places, O LORD of hosts! My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the LORD" (Psalm 84:1-2a, NASB). Geographic locations can distance family and friends; God and man are distanced, however, by different means. The Jewish people eagerly made pilgrimage to Jerusalem each year where the temple was located - the place that represented God's Presence, His dwelling place. How marvelous we no longer need seek God's Presence in a particular place; we draw near His Presence by means of the redemptive and finished work of Jesus Christ, God's Son! "How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion!" (V.5, NASB). An undivided heart, one that adores and sings of its Redeemer and He Who dwells therein. Oh, yes, Lord ... how lovely is Your dwelling place!