Highest Law

Tie-dyed bandages - whoever thought of that: oh, how I wish Mister Bill had not discovered them! Perhaps one of the best questions Americans can ask today is, "how do we fix our problems?” Songwriters Ricky Skaggs and George Michael Green released a song in 2004 titled “My Father’s Son.” Words from the chorus include: “Well, a rich man writes the book of laws the poor man must defend – But the highest law is written on the hearts of honest men.” In Jeremiah 31:33, God said, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it.” God spoke of the spiritual law, which leads to lives humbled before God, lives of integrity and righteousness. Sadly, America continues to refuse God's laws and path to forgiveness, healing and restoration. The truth revealed to us in in God’s Word falls from hearts as quickly as those tie-dyed bandages fail to stick on Mister Bill's boo-boos. Our nation (the world) needs a return to The Highest Law – that spiritual law God promised would be written on hearts that love and honor Him. Let this begin with you and me.

Unshakable

In 1957 Elvis Presley's song, "All Shook Up," topped the charts for nine weeks. You may recall the song and that Elvis was referring to the love-bug that had him "all shook up." I suggest it is rarely love that shakes us! Rather, it's the little every day sorta things - a flat tire, milk spilled at breakfast, a looming deadline, an unexpected expense, etc. In Song of Solomon 2:15, King Solomon wrote that it's "the little foxes that spoil the vineyard" - indeed, it's often the little things Satan uses to ...shake us. We all know David didn't always have it altogether and [from his writings] he seemed to have times when he [too] was shaken; however, being a "man after God's own heart," he says: "I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." (Psalm 16:8, NASB). Did you know that approximately 90% of all people are right-handed; in Scripture, the right hand represents a place of power and strength. God is that power and strength - "He is at my right hand" - The One Who makes me unshakable! Things-of-the day may threaten and challenge our resolve, our course of action. Let us intentionally keep The LORD ever before us and find ourselves ... unshakable.

Centerpiece

On my kitchen table is a beautiful pot of deep pink (fuscia) tulips. I chose the center of the table because it's a great place to see and enjoy them - it's a focal point, visible and practically impossible to overlook. In Psalm 16:8, David wrote, "I have set the LORD continually before me." According to that Hebrew word "set," David is saying he has properly adjusted and balanced everything else, all other things yield to the centerpiece of David's life ... which is The LORD. When I read that, it shames and humbles me how mixed-up I am in my thinking and doing. Too often God gets crowded out of my days by commitments, opportunities, responsibilities, etc. - they wrongly become the center. God isn't pleased when I just "add a little Jesus" to my life; no! Jesus must BE my life, the Center of all my commitments, opportunities, responsibilities, etc. Like the Hebrew word commands, all things should be centered in and around The LORD. How centered is your life in Christ? He's the right and perfect ... Centerpiece.

The Lovely One

The psalmist's song says, "How lovely are Your dwelling places, O Lord of hosts!" (Psalm 84:1). Our minds typically go to breath-taking things of creation: a morning frost, sunsets, spacious skies,  painted canyons, snow-capped mountains, the soaring eagle. As beautiful as His Creation is, we must not think too shallow of our God. "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" (Romans 11:33). Make no mistake, where God is, there is nothing lacking. He is The Lovely of any and all habitations. The psalmist continues, "For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside." (V.10). Just one day! Wherever you are - Wherever you go - The Lovely One is there. Enjoy Him.

The Jesus Family

Of the many blessings in my life, my family tops the list! I know, of course, family has the potential to be a source of stress [which is the case for many people]; for me, however, family is a gracious blessing. David writes these words in Psalm 16, "As for the saints who are on the earth, they are the majestic ones; all my delight is in them." (V.3, NASB). There's a non-biological family to which every Child of God (Believer) belongs - it is the Church, the Body of Christ. Many may presume since they do belong to nor regularly attend a local church, they don't belong to such a family. John 1:12-13 (ESV) says otherwise: "But to all who did receive Him [Jesus], who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." If you belong to Jesus, you belong to the non-biological but spiritual family of Christ! One of the joys of being part of a God's family is spending time together; David says all his delight is in them. David says later in Psalm 122, "let us go to the house of the LORD" because he knows that place of worship is also where [God's] Family gathers! We are distinctly and uniquely joined by Jesus Himself, and that far outweighs the joys of biology! Without reservation, I agree with David and know the immeasurable joy of time with my ... Jesus Family. Sure hope you plan to do that this weekend!

Know The Good

It's most likely few people have a good inventory of their possessions. It's amusing to me that Mister Bill can easily find a certain size screw among the gazillions in his workshop YET he struggles to put his hand on the ketchup bottle in the refrigerator. David says to The LORD, "I have nothing good besides You" (Psalm 16:2, NASB). Why does he say this? Because he knows God is his portion, his inheritance, his support (V.6) ... he needs nothing more. When we know The Good and we know it is our greatest possession, we are rich beyond measure. Too often we allow ourselves to become discouraged and fall into despair as if we are lacking. Those whom God has redeemed (Believers) possess all they need physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Child of God, do not buy the lie that you're in need ... know The Good.

Say It Out-Loud

Talking to oneself is often consider an oddity. I find it's often the best way to get an answer: question asked, question answered! One of David's most beautiful passages is Psalm 16 in which he declares The Lord his portion in life. Among some of his words are: "I have nothing good besides You ... The Lord is the portion of my inheritance ... The measuring lines have fallen for me in pleasant places ... My inheritance is beautiful ... I have set The Lord continually before me ... I will not be shaken ... You will make known to me the way of life ... In Your presence is fullness of joy ... In Your right hand there are pleasures forever." (NASB). I appreciate the confidence with which David speaks - it's so encouraging! In her book Sing a New Song: A Woman's Guide to the Psalms, Lydia Brownback writes: "Through many harrowing experiences, David had learned that contentment - the deep, lasting kind - comes only to those who anchor their lives in God." Oh, how we all need an anchor; not a some-thing but a some-One on which to be fastened and held securely through the crazies and uncertainties of our days. Psalm 16 gives us good words to remind us of The Anchor that holds perfectly. Priscilla J. Owens' 1828 hymn says, "We have an Anchor that keeps the soul - Steadfast and sure while the billows roll." What wonderful words to sing and to read. Listen to Verse 2 says, "I said to the LORD, 'You are my Lord" - seems even David may have been having a conversation with himself. Are you putting your trust in The Lord - The Steadfast Sure Anchor? You should be! Go ahead, and ... say it out-loud.

Tangle-Free

If you've ever gotten hung-up on a barbed wire fence, you know that is no fun at all! The more you struggle, the more tangled you become. I watched my Nanny try to untangle herself from barbed wire once ... if we could have stopped laughing, she might would have got loose lots sooner. Purity of speech doesn't necessarily reflect a pure heart. I realize there are times when neither my thoughts nor lips portray righteousness, and God knows it! Late night entertainers are famous for off-color humor aimed particularly at a late-night audience. One such entertainer actually wrote a children's book, which seems very odd to me. The psalmist wrote, "... with flattering lips and a double heart they speak." (Psalm 12:2) The Hebrew word for heart refers to the "center" of one's being. A “double heart” -- two centers – how can that be? Is there no shame in how we build-up and tear-down with the same lips, and sometimes in the same breath! “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:10). Believer, beware of entanglements! I encourage you to begin each day with earnest prayer that “the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord." (Psalm 19:14). It's really the only way to live … tangle-free

Look to Him

Perhaps the greatest help in finding something is knowing where to look - at least the general area. The women who followed Joseph of Arimethea saw Jesus' body was wrapped in linen and where His body was laid; they went home and prepared perfumes and spices for His body. After they rested on the Sabbath, as was the custom, they returned with their preparations only to find the stone rolled away and Jesus' body missing from the tomb! "And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold two men stood by them in shining garments ... they said unto them 'why seek ye the living among the dead?'" (Luke 24:4-5, KJV). The women were not mistaken - they knew where to find Jesus but they failed to remember His words: "The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again" (V.7). The men's words "He is not here, but is risen" (V.6) suddenly made clear Jesus' promise of an empty tomb. This is perfect for us today; it is why we can with all confidence "lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2, KJV). He has become our Salvation! The empty tomb we celebrate! His victory over the enemy of death gives us victory day-by-day! As God's children, we look up - we ... look to Him!

He Is Not Here - He Is Risen!

The older-me seems to struggle finding things at times. We read in Luke 24 of some ladies who also failed to find what they were looking for: "But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, 'Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen ...'" (V.1-6, NASB). When I can't find something, it usually distresses me; there is only reason to celebrate at what was not found in the tomb that morning! With great joy we celebrate and praise The One Who loved us enough to free us from sin and death. What wonderful words ... He is not here - He is Risen!

Our Power

The measure of power: amps, kilobytes, volts, horsepower - call it whatever you want but it's still gitty-up-go juice. "Herein is power; when Deity and humanity were infinitely apart He united them in indissoluble unity, the uncreated and the created." (The Valley of Vision). In comparison, man's best description of power doesn't come close to what has been manifest unto man by God through Jesus Christ. That which ignites trembling in man, Jesus overcame - that is, death. "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting ... Thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Oh, that Believers knew the power of The Holy Spirit within. "To Him Who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the Power at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21). To the powerless are given great power through Christ. And, therefore we know we are "strong in The Lord and in the strength of His might." (Ephesians 6:10). He is All-Power ... He is our power.

Taking a Rest & Celebrating 50 Years with Mister Bill

 Taking a Rest and Celebrating a 50th Anniversary

MWB will resume Thursday 04-17-2025
Stay in The Word - BEST place to be!
Miles of Smiles, Beverly

Rest A While

As a child, I'm told, that after Sunday church I would climb into other peoples' cars, ready to go to their house for Sunday lunch. That actually sounds like a lovely thing to do! Scripture tells us, "The apostles [sent out as missionaries] came back and gathered together to Jesus and told Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, '[As for you] come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while ...'" (Mark 6:30-31, AMP). Rest awhile - that sounds lovely - something Jesus Himself did on occasion and [here we read] He advised His followers to do the same. For those who love the Lord, who find joy and fulfillment in using their gifts for Him, a little rest is often needed. The danger, of course, is to rest too long, to linger beyond the time needed for refreshment. I will be taking a break, going to a distant, quiet place to rest a while. With great eagerness I go but I'm trusting The Lord to lead me back into His place of service where I belong. May His Name be glorified in my rest and in my timely return. Blessings and smiles to you all as I ... rest a while.

We Are His!

Traveling as a VIP makes one feel extra special, right?! That's exactly how Mister Bill and I will be jet-setting in a few days, and we are excited. As children of God, we should know how very special, uniquely made and loved: from 139, "O LORD, You have searched me and known me ... when I sit down and when I rise up ... You understand my thought from afar ... are intimately acquainted with all my ways ... even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O LORD, You know it all ... You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me ... such knowledge is too wonderful for me." There is no greater nor more perfect expression of love than how The Father loves His children; and, to acknowledge Him and be immersed in His love is way beyond the most luxurious accommodations or pampering we experience in this world. "How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand ... I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well." Oh, yes, we're going to enjoy all the fussin' over us during this celebration trip, but absolutely nothing can compare with how deeply and perfectly God loves us ... we are His!

Best Plan

Many of us may recall our mother's weekly appointment at the "beauty parlor," where she had her hair "set." That sounds very foreign to what we do today; most of us go every four or six weeks, and we "set" our hair ourselves at home. One of my favorite verses in all of Scripture is Ezra 7:10, "Ezra had prepared and set his heart to seek the Law of the Lord [to inquire for it and of it, to require and yearn for it], and to do and teach in Israel its statues and its ordinances." Ezra made a plan, strategized what he would do ... he set his heart to seek God through the Scriptures. I like this Ezra ... he set an example for every Child of God! His plan began in The Word because, quite simply, that's God's words spoken to His people. Oh, but Ezra set his heart to do what The Word commands and to teach it as he lived it out day by day. You know what makes Ezra's plan so great? It is God's plan for every one who loves Him! Today is a great day to adopt God's plan as Ezra did. It's the ... best plan.

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 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!