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 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 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 He desires in our lives. Plain ... nothing alluring, nothing distracting -- a plain, straight path on which to travel. Plain really works best for us all!

Real and Ready

Every employer looks for certain skills and characteristics in potential employees: knowledge, experience, dependability, integrity, work ethic, etc. then uses his best judgment before hiring. Through the apostle Paul, God said: "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season ..." (2 Timothy 4:1-2, NASB). Let's make sure we get the time reference: in and out of season ... at all times! Oswald Chambers describes some Believers as "spiritually unemployable" because they are neither inclined nor inspired to testify of The Gospel at any time ... neither in-season nor out-of-season - how tragic! When life comes at us with its disappointments, grief, hurts, circumstances, etc., we are often unprepared to respond with Christ-likeness because we haven't heeded God's charge to "be ready" at all times. Only time spent with The Father in study and prayer and fellowship prepares us for true inspiration; Chambers refers to those times as "exceptional moments" when it is God Who makes us really His and ready to testify of Who He is. As for me, I don't care to be identified as one "unemployable" for God's work; my prayer and plan is to at all times be ... real and ready.

Words of Truth

Do you ever seriously consider your words? My Dad was a wordsmith; he knew how to choose and use his words skillfully - it's one of the things I admired most about him. Truth is, we tend to use words so casually sometimes it's almost silly and [often] shamefuly. Among others in the Bible, David was one who skillfully penned what God said: "Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! ... Say to my soul, 'I am your salvation!'" (Psalm 35:1, 3, ESV). We read these words and agree with David - God is our contender and our salvation YET we take up our own battles and contend for ourselves. Wait! Didn't we just agree with David's words, accept his words as our own - that it's The Lord Who asserts Himself for us? Indeed, let us consider our words! Jesus asked a pointed question: "Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46). You see, our words are cheap - easily spoken - but our actions reflect the truest belief of our heart. David concludes his song with these words: "Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, 'Great is the Lord, Who delights in the welfare of His servant!' Then my tongue shall tell of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long." (V.27-28). David's words are neither silly nor shameful; they are neither casual nor careless. Let our words be ... words of truth.

Spiritual Grit

Grits are us - yes, Mister Bill and I love some grits. My Granny taught my Mama,  who taught me, who taught my boys how to make grits. The recipe has been “tampered” with a few times nonetheless -- grits rock! God is never in a hurry.  We, on the other hand, are seldom patient!  Have you noticed the more unpleasant the circumstances, the more impatient we grow? Mostly, we don’t do well in God’s greenhouse yet it’s where spiritual growth happens. If only we’d surrender to His sovereign hand in quiet-peaceful-obedient patience.  Oswald Chambers makes this observation: “If we wait, we shall see that God is pointing out that we have not been interested in Himself but only in His blessings.”  Say it ain't so that Believers are more interested in what God does and gives instead of the awesome Creator and Redeemer and King He is!  When we persevere [by God’s grace], the spiritual hammering produces a Christ-likeness, a “fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2). Truth is, we need spiritual grit!  The meaning of the word “grit” is something produced by pounding, and we [Southerners] love the taste that pounding [of corn] produces! I don't understand it but I'm aware there are those who just don't fully appreciate a hot steaming bowl of grits but oh how this lost world could come to appreciate God glorified when His Children patiently wait upon the Lord.  Pause, take a breath and put forth some spiritual grit to the glory of The Father!

God of Enough

Life is filled with failures: shoes wear out, jobs end, money runs out, car batteries fail, relationships are broken. When you look and consider the big picture of it all, it's enough to ... wear us out! Elijah found himself worn out after what happened on Mount Carmel; his next move was to flee Jezebel's rage. Elijah "was afraid and arose and ran for his life ... went a day’s journey into the wilderness ,,, sat down under a juniper tree ... requested for himself that he might die, and said, 'It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life' (1 King 19:3-4, NASB). Enough is what he said - he had enough and just wanted to lie down and be done. I suspect many of us have had enough of this or that amd in our exhaustion, like Elijah, we aren't thinking clearly. Can you recall such a time, and what you did next? During those times, I remember my Dad's words - "Bev, now let's see what you're made of." Truth is, while elements such as water, carbon, hydrogen and such function well to make the human body work, they do little to cause us to press-on through difficult times marked by weariness-of-heart. God said, "I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish" (Jeremiah 31:25, ESV). We read in Verses 5-6 that it was underneath a juniper tree that Elijah found shade, rest, bread and water - replenishment for his tired weary soul. You see, it's not a motivational book or conference, pep talk from a friend, or even a long-soaking bath or shower that fills and satisfies the weary heart. Jesus said come to Me all who are weary and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). When you've had enough, rest confidently in ... God of enough.

In God We Trust

Oh, the many - even trivial and silly - things in which we trust these days! We feel so confident and secure in these things until one day ... they fail or are no longer there. One of my favorite songs is "Oh The Deep Deep Love" - the chorus goes like this: "Oh the deep deep love - All I need and trust - Is the deep deep love of Jesus." The song's verse describes Jesus' love as unmeasured, boundless, full, surpassing, underneath and all around. The psalmist writes, "I have trusted in Your steadfast love" (Psalm 13:5, ESV). In case you've not noticed, there are few things to which we can apply the word "steadfast" - steady and immovable. God introduced Himself to Moses as "I AM" and Moses testified that God was his dwelling place and and "underneath are the everlasting arms" (ESV). In what do you trust? In Whom do you have all confidence? Where do you find your greatest security? If your answer is anyone or anything other than God Himself, expect failure and disappointment. That phrase on our coins and car tags, say "in God we trust" ... do you?

Ready and Willing

There's something to be said about living in a state of readiness - being adapted for immediate use or action, a present preparedness ... ready. I'm reminded of the Boy Scout motto: be prepared. While tending flocks in the wilderness, Moses noticed a bush burning yet not burned: "When the LORD saw that he turned away [from the flock] to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Mose, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." (Exodus 3:4, AMP). Of course, The All-Knowing God knew exactly where Moses was; Moses' answer, however, wasn't signaling his geographic location rather his sense of readiness for obedience. We don't know a lot about Moses' years after he hurriedly left Egypt but one thing we conclude from God's call and Moses answer: he knew the voice of God. Jesus said He calls His sheep by name, they hear and know His voice (John 10:3). Time spent in The Word is time spent with Jesus Who reveals more and more of The Father to us - that's how we know His voice. Hearing should always lead to obeying. As you read the next few verses, Moses gave a hosts of reasons which [in his own mind] disqualified him and made his readiness questionable. God was neither convinced nor deterred: Moses was the chosen man to lead God's people, and ultimately Moses obeyed. God may not be calling you to anything quite as life-altering as Moses but I imagine His plan for you involves something as noble as a phone call to a friend missing-in-action or an aging neighbor or a troubled teen. Whatever it is, God is looking for you to say "here I am" ... ready and willing.

Simply Surrendered

The actor, Jim Nabors, gave us lots of laughs as Gomer Pyle but I don’t recall anyone laughing when Jim Nabors sang!  His singing voice in no way resembled his speaking voice.  God cares deeply how I match up. That is, am I in private what I am in public?  Oh, that we all were real through-and-through, never a need to weigh real against pretense. Unfortunately, it’s not quite that … simple.  Paul wrote, “For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.”  (2 Corinthians 1:12)  Devout & pure motives, simple godly sincerity – what a state-of-being!  In front of our local high school once stood a sign with these words: do the right thing.  Simple and profound - a whisper of The Father to my own oft fickle heart. O Lord, give me a humble heart ... simply surrendered.

Lovely Consequence

You may recall this phrase, "elections have consequences," and thinking yes they do. Well, in a more devastating way, personal choices have consequences! As a general rule, we don't care to think-about how our own choices often lead to bad attitudes and grumbling. Before Elijah's showdown with the prophets of [the false god] Baal on Mount Carmel, King Ahab called Elijah a trouble-maker; Elijah's response to Ahab's accusation should strike a chord in every Believer's heart: "I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, because you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD" (1 Kings 18:17, NASB). Israel's troubles - a devastating three-year drought - could not be blamed on Elijah or God; no ... the king's and the nation's rebellion against God resulted in severe judgment. God says His people: if "My people who are called by My Name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14, NASB). Here, God promises some lovely consequences that result and grows from a series of obedience: humble yourself, pray and seek The Father, turn away from sinful ways - then God hears, forgives and heals. That's a choice with a ... lovely consequence!

It Matters Much

A little here, a little there - a pinch here, a pinch there ... that seemed to be how my Nanny and my Mama measured ingredients. That hasn't worked so well for me! God said "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Deuteronomy 6:5, ESV) then He repeated Himself "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37, ESV). I suspect it's at the word "all" where we get lost! Satan convinces us we're doing pretty good - we're mostly obedient. Oswald Chambers writes, "Beware of the thing of which you say — 'Oh, that does not matter much.' The fact that it does not matter much to you may mean that it matters a very great deal to God" (My Utmost for His Highest). Scripture is clear: it's the little foxes that spoil the vine (Song of Solomon 2:15) ... A little folly outweighs wisdom and honor (Ecclesiastes 10:1) ... The one who keeps the whole law but fails in one point is guilty of all of it (James 2:10). With God, "nothing is a mere detail" (Chambers). That little-here and little-there is a spiritual-life killer! Perhaps a good rule to remember is when we think it matters little, to God ... it matters much!

Unlikeness

One of the basic principles of shopping is identifying what suits your taste - we look for what we like! Far beyond what we find appealing for outward appearances, there is basically one thing that looks good on every child of God: that is, Jesus. " For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers." (Romans 8:29, AMP). It's so easy for us to be caught up in the world's crazy-cycle of wanting to look-like this or be-like that; for the Believer, however, Jesus calls us to be totally unlike what the world deems normal and acceptable! Just like He called Israel out from among the nations, so is His call upon those who are now saved by grace through faith: "For you are a people holy to the Lord ... the Lord has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession ... out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth." (Deuteronomy 14:2). Notice God says "be a people" instead of look-like! To those who have trusted Him, God has given a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26). That, my friend, is what gives us an unlikeness like all others, Let us [then] take joy in our ... unlikeness!

Fearless

 For sure, gimmicks cause us to pause: the sale ends at midnight, the coupon expires in five days, buy-one get one free, free shipping, no payments for one year. The deadlines and terms spring us into action for fear we'll miss a grand opportunity. God says, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." (1 John 4:18, NASB). How much of Believers' obedience to Christ is rooted in fear of God's retribution or judgment? Job said "when I consider, I am terrified of Him" (Job 23:15, NASB) ... David said "my flesh trembles for fear of You, and I am afraid of Your judgments" (Psalm 119:120, NASB). How can it be that we fear The One Who has given Himself completely - even His life blood on the cross - that we [those who believe] never fear death or judgment again? Perfect love casts out fear! "For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:6, ESV). It is The Holy Spirit that "expels from the heart all fear of death and of judgment, and fills it with perfect peace" (Octavius Winslow, Morning Thoughts). A daily abiding (dwelling, remaining, continuing) in Jesus is how we truly rest in His nature of love and peace - it's how love has its perfect work in us! No gimmicks - just resting in Him peacefully ... fearlessly.

The Gospel

Without going and counting them, how many posts are on your porch? I'm pretty sure I know but to be certain, I really need to go and look!  I fear too much of my day I neglected to live in full gratitude of The Gospel. In the course of running errands, organizing and cleaning the house, shopping and many other tasks, The Gospel isn't always a priority. Paul wrote, " Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:1-3, NASB). Note those words: in which you stand - you hold fast - first importance. The great Good News, written and promised and delivered by The Father unto those who believe, isn't an otherwise random or causal thought of the day! It is The Pillar, The Foundation, The Bedrock of our faith, of who we are in Christ Jesus. I know, you want to go confirm the number of posts on your porch - go ahead and count them! Just make certain to count The Gospel as what It is - worthy of all we are!

Precious Treasures

Perhaps you remember the childhood fun of searching for hidden treasures. This older-me engages in similar searches for misplaced things - glasses, phone, keys, etc. David wrote, "As for the saints (godly people) who are in the land, they are the majestic and the noble and the excellent ones in whom is all my delight." (Psalm 16:3, AMP). What a great reminder how God delights in those who love and honor Him with lives of devotion. It should also be a good nudge and encouragement to Believers, as we abide in Christ, to enjoy the fellowship of the household of faith. Without any hesitation or reservation, I will testify some of the greatest Godly treasures I know are found among those who [with me] faithfully gather together to worship, pray, study, serve and fellowship in The Body of Christ - His Church. Those are the ones who have laughed and cried with me, prayed with me, held my hand and encouraged me, shared my sorrows and joys, and stirred me to deeper devotion to Christ. Being an active part of Christ's Body of Believers is not only an act of spiritual obedience, it is [as David said] being among the majestic, the noble and the excellent ones in this world. Oh, how grateful we should always be for one another - these ... precious treasures!

Remember What You Know

It's quite funny [to me] the reasons we call a party: who would have imagined there would be eclipse parties! Likewise, many are consigned to pity-parties such as this: "Will the Lord reject forever? And will He never be favorable again? Has His lovingkindness ceased forever? Has His promise come to an end forever? Has God forgotten to be gracious, or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion?" (Psalm 77:7-9, NASB). However true and faithful we are in devotion to God, we are not guaranteed immunity from the troubles of life here on earth. There are and will be seasons when it [only] seems God is eclipsed from us. Our tendency is to fall into questioning Him and a weariness to persevere! "I shall remember the deeds of the LORD" (V11) ... "I will meditate on all Your work" (V12) ... "Your way, O God, is holy" (V13) ... "You are the God Who works wonders" (V14) ... "You have by Your power redeemed Your people" (V15). When God's Goodness seems partially or completely obscured (eclipsed), it is absolutely not as it appears! The psalmist counsels us to remember [as he does], to call to mind the knowledge (what we know) of The Most High: "For I the LORD do not change" (Malachi 3:6). If there was ever a reason to party, to celebrate and rejoice or a call worthy of devotion this is it ... remember what you know!

The Good Shepherd

We are a people that loves good things! Good attracts us: good food, good music, good accommodations, good sleep, good destinations - we're always in-search-of ... good. Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd" (John 10:14). No doubt, our thoughts of "good" are all over the place! That's why Jesus makes it clear what "good" is by contrasting it with what "good" is not. In the preceding verses, He identifies shepherds who are actually imposters - they are dishonest and fail to provide and protect. Unlike the days in which Jesus spoke these words, we hear many voices today - they sound good and logical and worthy of our attention. Jesus warns us: "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy" (John 10:10a, AMP). What a challenge it is to distinguish between the good voices and the bad! The latter part of Verse 14 Jesus says, "I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me]." Ah! You see, "good" is relative: it's truest meaning is identified and known by those who know The Good Shepherd in a close and intimate way ... a personal relationship, Jesus says they know Me. The good things of this life may [sometimes] sweeten our days but there's nothing sweeter, nothing "good-er" than knowing Jesus personally. Don't miss what is truly good ... know The Good Shepherd.

No Breaks

Spring break isn't just for a select few: I've enjoyed it as a retiree! A "break" from the usual with an added bonus of dedicated time with family and friends. One break that must never come, however, is a day-off from time with The Father! God's Word says, "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8). Perhaps there's no greater danger than a spiritual day-off! Such a "break" opens us up to all kinds of crazy stuff that lead to temptation and buy-in to some otherwise bad and destructive habits. When God says "see to it," He is actually calling us to practical wisdom: be aware, be discerning and perceptive, looking for and observing the foolishness and lies of the enemy who will use them to take our minds and spirits hostage and slave to the wrong things. Be ever alert and stay on-target by the power of (1) The Holy Spirit that lives within us [as true Believers], and (2) the effective words of Scripture. Steadfastness in Christ demands steadfastness in study and prayer, and absolutely ... no breaks!

Sowing

Although I learned the basics of sewing in school, I've never really considered myself a seamstress: you might say I know just enough to be dangerous! Dangerous is a pretty good description of how Scripture speaks of a different kind of sewing: "Do not be deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption ..." (Galatians 6:7-8a, KJV). That "sowing to the flesh" means living by self-centered choices, and the results do not honor God. In contrast, "but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." (V.8b). The important question every Believe must ask: what am I sowing - what seeds am I sowing for the future? Octavius Winslow writes, "You may be rigidly moral, deeply intellectual, profoundly learned, exquisitely refined, outwardly religious, generous, and amiable, and yet all the while you are but sowing to the flesh and not the Spirit." Consider your daily habits: are they self-centered or Christ-centered? are your words careless or disciplined by the Truth of God's Word? are you speak your own mind or the mind of Christ? are your actions fueled by a personal agenda or guided by The Holy Spirit? Perhaps there's nothing of which to be so proud as a finished dress or blouse or apron; for sure, there's nothing more glorious than the fragrant fruit of a life sown to The Spirit. What are you sowing?

Build on Him

Do you ever think about how inadequate we really are? Oh, surely we do many things well: I get giggly-glad with myself when something I've planted actually blooms! Perhaps, like me, you know the incredible treasure of a few friends with whom you share a long rich history as well as sweet ongoing fellowship. God says in Proverbs 18:24, "The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin, but there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother." (Amplified Translation). One thing I've come to know is the key ingredient to such treasure friendship: Jesus. Anyone who intends to be a true friend must first acknowledge the heart's inability to be that stick-to-it kind of friend! If we take Jesus by the hand, however, we will lead our friends to God and show to those friends the depth of His love. When my own sensitivity is lacking, God's is revealed; when I lack depth of sincerity, the breadth of God's delivers; when my words fail to bring comfort and encouragement, God's words are perfect and plenty. "There is no sympathy - even as there is no love, no gentleness, no tenderness, no patience - like Christ's." (Octavius Winslow). Maybe you [too] want to be that kind of friend. Such a friendship begins with God Who has called us His friend (James 2:23). Jesus is the one-true-divine catalyst to real friendship ... build on Him.

No Limping

Compromise is something we do and it isn't always bad: for many years, Mister Bill and I negotiated and agreed that he would be free to hunt and fish 4-5 months of the year and I would be free to do-go the other months. There's an interesting story in 1 Kings about a man of God rebuking King Jeroboam for burning incense on a pagan altar; as a sign of God's displeasure, King Jeroboam's hand became withered. King Jeroboam, of course, then pleaded with God to restore his hand, which He did; in gratitude, King Jeroboam invited the man of God to his house to eat and to receive a reward. "But the man of God said to the king, 'If you were to give me half your house I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place. For so it was commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water, nor return by the way which you came.'" (1 Kings 13:8-9, NASB). I suspect there's more bad than good compromises made these days - it's one of Satan's most effective tools. If he can convince us it's not all-that-bad or just-this-once, his hook is in us. Later in 1 Kings, the prophet Elijah asked a probing question each us must answer: "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him." (1 Kings 18:21, ESV). The compromise Mister Bill and I made years ago benefited us both - it was a good one. James 4:17 says, "so whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." A limp isn't exactly a stagger but neither is it firm or steady! God has called those who love Him to steadfastness at all times, particularly when the enemy tries to get us compromise on what is right and honorable. Stay true to Christ ... no limping.