Simply Surrendered

The actor, Jim Nabors, gave us lots of laughs as Gomer Pyle but no one laughed 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.

Do The Math

Math was not my best subject, Hand me paper and pencil and I just want to put words together – not numbers! I am grateful, however, for those who do-the-math and are good at it! In Jesus’ final days, there was that moment in the Garden when He surrendered fully to The Father’s will, “…not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42). I have found my most healthy condition is to be always empty of myself, however, I don’t find myself in that “healthy condition” often enough! When I am full-of-me, my selfish hinders God from doing what-He-wills in and through me. At that point, there’s a real need for math in my life: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) It’s simple addition by subtraction – less of me, more of Him. What better, more perfect example do we have than Jesus’ own words to His Father ... not Mine but Yours. I’m no mathematician, not even on my best day, but by His grace I know the spiritual math – the REAL math that leads to a Spirit-filled life and obedient surrender. Submit to Him ... do the math!

Common Bond

It's especially nice when communication and behavior between friends are pleasant; it's particularly nice when it's two-sided - when common kindness is shared ... that is, it's a'going and a'coming! In the New Testament book of Titus, Paul describes how the pastor (overseer) should be blameless, not arrogant nor quick-tempered nor greedy; rather, he should be loving, friendly, upright, fair-minded and "hold fast to the sure and trustworthy Word of God" (see Titus 1:7-9). Of course, not all Believers are called as pastors and [in context] these characteristics specifically address expectations of the pastor. Nonetheless, how wonderfully pleasing to God when a pastor ... receives what he gives! It should be noted that all God's children are to hold fast to the sure and trustworthy Word of God! Micah 6:8 tells us God requires that those who truly love Him love kindness and they walk humbly with and before Him. As our pastor obediently holds fast to The Word, we [too] are to obediently hold fast to The Word. When we do this, we share a commonality (obedience to The Word) - pastor and his people, one disciple with another disciple. It's God's way of living in genuine relationship with Him and with one another. Jesus and His Word is the ... common bond.

A Good Slow-Down

 "If you treat every situation as a life-and-death matter, you will die a lot of times."  I’m curious how many times I've in the last week.  Of course, I'm not talking about physical death rather a moment's urgency and the anxiety & stress that result.  It’s just way too much whiz-bang living! This is a push-button, drive-through, hurry-up world.  That's why Proverbs 3:5-6 is so refreshing: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."  I like that -- trust-in, lean not, acknowledge Him. He certainly knows our speed-of-life, and I wonder how many times I've buzzed past God, maybe even plowed Him over speeding through the day.  I suggest it's when we ignore Him that we experience God’s speeding tickets -- broken dreams, waylaid plans, sickness, failed relationships, and more.  Perhaps He chooses to use these circumstances to apply life-brakes to slow us down and remind us we don’t do life well apart from God.  We all need time to unwind and rest, be refreshed and renewed; and, lovingly He leads us back to walking hand-in-hand with The Father.  Yes, what we need is truly …  a good slow-down!

Promise of Presence

As Mister Bill and I prepare for some serious travel, well ... there's lots to consider and to do! With all the what to pack and what not to pack, the can-do's and the can't-do's, I'm grateful we at least know the destination! Paul writes in Titus 1:2 (AMP), "Resting in the hope of eternal life [life] which the ever truthful God Who cannot deceive promised before the world or the ages of time began." The uncertainties of this life can cause anxiety and even paralyze us into ... unrest. Can you imagine how God's people felt leaving Egypt, how they surely must have many anxious moments of ... not knowing. This is what God said to them: "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest" (Exodus 33:14, ESV). God's promise to be with us wherever we are and go (Matthew 28:20) is the ultimate promised rest, a spiritual settling of our minds, hearts. Jesus invites us, "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28, ESV). Are you lacking rest? Rest confidently in God's ... promise of Presence.

Tell It!

If you've ever worked in customer service, you know the message you deliver isn't always good nor is it always well-received. In contrast, the message God delivered through His Son, Jesus, is always ... good news. The simple of that Good News is: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, ESV). How exciting it is to tell the news of an upcoming marriage or arrival of a baby or the purchase of a new house or car; we are, however, much less enthusiastic and even hesitant to speak of the message that a person's life can be eternally rescued from sin and death. God doesn't officially call every Believer into full-time ministry; He does, however, call every one of His to live it out and even use words [as opportunities come] - that is, His Good News. Who have you told lately of God's love and His amazing message of grace? Don't just live it ... tell it!

Look Up

Perhaps one of the greatest causes of stumbling is simply not watching where we're going! It's just good practice and makes perfect sense to keep your eyes on where your next step will be. How wonderful John 17 is for us to read and model - Jesus' "Priestly Prayer." I want to point to Jesus' posture: "When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said ..." (John 17:1, AMP). Here, we see God Incarnate (God in the flesh) lifting His eyes toward The Father. Oh, it's easier and so much more convenient and practical to just take care of business ourselves; besides, we can usually get a more suitable answer and lots quicker this way. The psalmist wrote, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills - from whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2, AMP). Jesus set the example for us as we pray, lifting His eyes to The Father Who "keeps your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore" (Psalm 121:8, AMP). To avoid stumbling and falling, it's best to keep our eyes down and on where we're going; however, to avoid the pitfalls of sin, we must look up to The Lord - eyes fixed on "Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2, ESV). It's just spiritually smart ... look up.

Steady Steps

Kinda-sorta may work at times; that is, where there's some degree of flexibility. Other times - medical appointments, airplane flights - well, there's little wiggle room! The word "righteous" is used repeatedly in Proverbs 10: "the mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life" (V.11a, NASB). Those who are disciples of Jesus rest completely and eternally in His Righteousness - yay for that! 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 says "[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. Here's 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 ... not perfection but without compromise! We all know a slight shift or turn turn [to the right or the left] is compromise, which seems to always lead to ... more compromise. Here's a good prayer to pray: from Psalm 119:133 ... steady my steps, Lord!

Yes, Lord, Yes!

 If you've ever asked a child to do something and received an adamant "I will not," it was most likely quite stunning. Jeremiah 6:16 records these words of God: "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.' But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’" Although we may know well God's words of instruction, we're most likely guilty of failing to obey them. I suspect few of us, however, would actually tell Him, "no, I'm not going to do that." Not much is said these days about spiritual discipline but God does take His children "to the woodshed." The intent of His discipline is clear: "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11, ESV). For much the same reason children are corrected - to lead them into right behavior, God also disciplines those whom He loves (Proverbs 3:11-12). What joy we take in obedient and well-behaved children; likewise, how pleasing to The Father are those who, instead of a rebellious "no," give a resounding and joyful ... Yes, Lord, Yes!

Grace Enough

Perhaps you've caught yourself moaning or groaning about one thing or another. I'm sure I do my share but Mister Bill wins the prize around here. His moans and groans come from his insistence on doing twenty-year-old stuff with a seventy-year-old body! Scripture says, "For we know that if the tent which is our earthly home is destroyed (dissolved), we have from God a building, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Here indeed, in this [present abode, body], we sigh and groan inwardly, because we yearn to be clothed over [we yearn to put on our celestial body like a garment, to be fitted out] with our heavenly dwelling." (2 Corinthians 5:1-2, AMP). The result of sin is widespread! "For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves ... even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:22-23, NASB). As tempted as we may be to moan-and-groan with the notion we have cause or reason, these verses do not give us permission to embrace a life of misery. When Paul was challenged with a "thorn in the flesh" (Romans 12:7) and asked God to remove it: "He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness" (Romans 12:9, NASB). Paul went on to say, "I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong" (V.10). Wow! That brings a whole perspective to moaning and groaning. Life is hard and there will always be cause to give-in to the groans of weaknesses, whatever they may be. Here's why we moan-and-groan NOT - Christ is ... grace enough.

Play or Obey

You actually don't have to be very old to look-back and see how things ... used to be. Younger generations may be unable to talk about telephone books or learning to drive on dirt roads but they can talk what's trending from season to season! Perhaps one thing missing today is ... real commitment - something Jesus said was very important. He said, "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." (Matthew 16:24, ESV). Most recently I've observed the training of a new puppy; as puppies do, they had much rather play than obey. Isn't that also our way: we say we want to "follow" Jesus, know Him and live in obedience to Him but find we're unwilling to meet the demands of the commitment - we'd rather ... play than obey. Jesus said, "whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me." (Matthew 10:38, ESV). There are so commitments without sacrifice (denying self); commitment always comes with some degree of giving up play-time and embracing the commitment whole-heartedly. Following Jesus extends across all generations! We are wise to consider our commitment to Christ: will we ... play or obey?

Splendid Look

There seems to be an ever-changing "look" we humans are after. Whether it involves hair style or fashion, that "look" is always trendy. For the Child of God, there is a "look" that has Godly acceptance and it is not ... of this world. It is the the holiness of The Lord. "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His Name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness." (Psalm 29:2). God's people - the Saints, those who love The Lord - are to walk in holiness, which gives Him what is due Him. We do that best when we live lives disciplined in obedience to God's teachings. His image-in-us marks us as magnificently different, and it's a distinctive look. It won't just be what we do and don't do; no, it is who we are ... heart-deep. A good look in the mirror each day is a good thing - but the look God's people should desire most is the holy splendor of Christ revealed in us - it's a ... splendid look.

Shining Place

Oh, how I love a power nap! Mister Bill - not so much. When he wakens from an "accidental” power nap, his face is expressionless, his eyes are dazed, and there seems to be no power! George MacDonald once prayed, “O Lord, make my mirror-heart Thy shining-place.”  Do you like what you see in the mirror first thing in the mornings?  My mirror scares me sometimes!  Haven’t you heard how a clean mirror squeaks?  Oh, for such a heart!  My heart gets world-smudges on it, leaving streaks and stains, which causes The Father’s reflection … well, not so good at times!  A clean and pure heart, however, gives a glorious reflection of its Creator. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God … is the One Who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”  Believers who have trusted Jesus as Savior and call Him Lord will diligently seek Christ as King and as their hearts' … Shining Place!

Live Nobly

No one I know [personally] is born to nobility -- king, queen, prince, princess.  I suppose the closest I get to royalty is when Mister Bill calls me his "queen." Hey, I'll take it! It's not big news that noble folks don't always act like noble folks; why some in recent years have even cast-off their royalty. Did you know, however, Believers are re-born into nobility! James 2:5 says those who love the Lord are "heirs of the kingdom."  Titus 3:7 says we are justified by God's grace and made to "become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."  You see, those who love the Lord are noble indeed, rich in the inheritance of eternal hope. We don't walk in arrogant pride but we do walk with confident assurance of who we are in Christ, and what awaits us some day when we take up residence with The King of Glory. If you're having some royal thoughts, that's okay because we are truly born [again] into The Royal Family. Go ahead ... live nobly!

Vision for Purity

Perhaps you've read the label, "wash with like colors." This tidbit of wisdom becomes very clear when some of your clothes take-on a new colorful personality. It wasn't just your grandmother's words but [first] The Lord's: "bad company ruins good morals" (1 Corinthians 15:33). Oswald Chambers said, there is no greater purity for Believers than "continued spiritual harmony with God." God's greatest interest is the inner man - hear David's prayer: Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart" (Psalm 51:6). Spiritual purity is indeed an inner working of God and The Holy Spirit, however, we have to give some serious contemplation to the outer man! In the same way washing "unlike" colors produces unintended results, so the habits we embrace impact our "spiritual harmony with God." Our vision for purity must be clear and precise for it is the "pure in heart" who actually "see God" (Matthew 5:8). Are you more diligent in doing your laundry than in keeping a pure heart before The Father? Both are important but not equally so! God will faithfully keep Your heart - let's do our part with holy habits to maintain ... a vision for purity.

Spiritual Income

Establishing a practical budget can be tricky. One key principle will always apply: expenditures must not exceed income. Proverbs 18:15 says, "An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." Many Believers live spiritually frivolous - carefree, shallow, senseless, thoughtless. In other words, there's lots more going-out than coming-in. God says, "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). When we don't drink enough water, we become dehydrated, and before long our body begins to show signs of it. When we fail to pour Truth into our lives through worship and study and meditation and application - acquiring and seeking knowledge - the results render bad choices, unseemly behavior, ungodly attitudes and thought patterns. Our hearts, the continuous outgoing spring of life, are spiritually starving and even wasting away for lack of Truth! What are you pouring into your heart? Be wise and consider your ... spiritual income.

Don't Drop The Call

Do you remember having a land-line phone? Occasionally, the two parties (the persons at each end) would get ... disconnected. Today, of course, we call that a ... dropped call! There are a few things that get me up on that wood crate originally used to transport soap ... yes, my soapbox. Every disciple of Jesus should bear a marked difference, and that difference is because of Jesus. It seems, however, too many "disciples" care nothing for His teachings nor the things He loves. The Apostle Paul said, "I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called" (Ephesians 4:1, ESV). So to what have Jesus' disciples been called? "So as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:10, ESV). Every child of God is called [of God] to live fully pleasing to Christ. The reputation of The Church has been tainted and Its testimony weakened by the choices we [disciples] have made to blend-in with the world: we listen to the same music, read the same books and magazines, watch the same movies and television shows, talk like the world talks, go to the same kind of place, and so on. The things that once marked Jesus' disciples as radically and righteously different - holy and pleasing to God - no longer describe us. "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV). It's past time, nigh time, the right time we see the disconnect between what we say and what we do. He's called us ... don't drop the call.

Place of Grace

Have you ever held on so tightly to something that it left an imprint, an indention in your skin? That may rightly describe how, as Children of God, we hold on to our struggles - oh, so needlessly! God tells us to "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16, KJV). There before The Father is continual favor, good will and kindness when we need it. Why [then] do we choose that which is so freely offered? Octavius Winslow writes, "Do no brook over it. Do not cherish it. This will not make it sweeter" (Morning Thoughts). With time, that imprint in your hand fades and the skin returns to its original appearance - it's as if it was never there at all. So is the tender grace found at The Father's throne. He is attentive to our need and responds with the perfect mercy that is His nature. Whatever presently troubles you, God's invitation is open to all who come willingly, boldly with confidence to Him ... the place of grace.

Watch Yourself

It's become quite the common to be entertained by video clips of everything from animals or people or a combination of both. Some of my personal favorites are those of my Grands. Psalm 119:9 (AMP) says, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts]." The issue of personal purity is a real struggle among Believers. I'm referring to more than physical purity: I propose mental and emotional impurity strike at us all. Now, here's the question: how does one actually watch himself? The psalmist answers this question: "according to Your word." Scripture is the lens through which we watch ourselves. We read a few verses later, "Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, that I may not sin against You." (V.11). Are you struggling to think on "whatever is pure and wholesome" (Philippians 4:8)? Make sure you have a regular intake of God's word, then watch Him at work in you!

All Done

There are some people who just can't seem to settle themselves into ... doing nothing. I do not suffer from that! After 43 years of being a working-mom, one of the joys of retirement has been opportunities to just ... do nothing. We read in Hebrews 12, "... Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (V.1-2, KJV). If there was ever a reason to find rest, here it is! Octavius Winslow wrote, "The work of Christ is a great and finished work ... no comparison ... no addition ... no substitution." (Morning Thoughts). How I enjoy and find fulfillment in obedient service, using my gifts in ministry in and through my local church. However, I must do so with full understanding [as Winslow said] my redemption (salvation) is in the "finished work" of Jesus ... what He has done is altogether complete - nothing compares, nothing more needed! In all our Kingdom-busyness, we must first learn to rest - embrace the do-nothing - because all has been done! I love that imagery of Jesus' completing the will of The Father - becoming The Substitute for me - then taking His seat at The Father's side: what a picture of His work done, finished, complete. And, there it is - the reason we rest ... all done.

Winning Heaven

When children anticipate something fun or exciting, it seems that's all they can think about; it consumes and drives their conversation! Spiritually speaking, "To win heaven, the mind must become heavenly; and to be heavenly, it must habituate itself to heavenly things and heavenly pursuits." (Morning Thoughts, Octavius Winslow). Oh, how easily we forget this sinful and decaying world is not home to God's children. It's easy because there are so many wonderfully lovable things here, many blessed gifts from The Father. There is grave danger, however, in getting too ... attached: "If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:1-2). A good question is: where is the habitation of my affections? Have I settled my deepest love on what Scripture says is temporal and fading or on that which endures eternally? We rightly concern ourselves with the best habitat for our pets but what about our hearts? I love Winslow's phrase "to win heaven," and what a good thought for each morning, an excellent consideration for the habitat for the heart's affections, its passions, its love for the day. Oh, Father - today and every day - settle my heart in Your heavenly habitat that I may ... win heaven.

Shed A Little Heaven

One of the considerations when choosing a new pet is ... shedding. Some pets shed very little while others shed ... much and well! As disciples of Jesus, have you ever considered how much-and-well we ... shed? According to Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary, to "shed" is to ... pour out, spill, to flow out, to scatter. By the word's very definition, shedding of something is to not to withhold it! God said, "For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;" (1 John 3:11, NASB). A key word in that verse is, of course, "love" but I suggest that to love without showing it is problematic: who will ever know that we love? We may be short on resources to share a meal or a cup of coffee, but the cost of kindness is always affordable! E. W. Robertson wrote, "Let the weakest, let the humblest remember, that in his daily course he can, if he will, shed around him almost a heaven." The sharing -or shedding - of kindness fits everyone's budget. To make the world know that we love it exactly what followers of Jesus are commanded to do. That is, as we go, much and well ... shed a little heaven.