This We Know

Those who know Mister Bill well also know he has a few "Bill-isms" - personal beliefs cleverly stated in few words. For example, "sometimes you choose your own blessings" or one I hear [too] often "I know things." In Paul's familiar chapter on love, he writes: "for we know in part ... but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away with" (1 Corinthians 13:9-10 NASB). The Greek word "perfect" means "end" or "complete" and [mostly interpreted] as the completion of all things - the second coming of Christ. Oh, how I would like to "have known" twenty years ago what I know today! While wisdom comes with age, even human wisdom can't compare with the All-Knowing and All-Wise God and Creator of all things! James writes that anyone who lacks wisdom should ask it of God Who gives it generously (James 1:5); he also writes, "the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17 ESV). We live in a day when information and knowledge is one click-or-scroll away, however, true wisdom is only a prayer away to those who will humble themselves before the Lord (James 4:10 ESV). I admit Mister Bill does know many things and is usually right about those things; lest any of us, however, forget the "perfect" has not yet come and we do indeed know only in-part. We are wise to remember it is The Lord Who knows all and is sovereign over all ... this we know.

Compelling Evidence

Do you find yourselves needing a conversion chart sometimes: centimetres to inches, litres to gallons, kilometres to miles, etc.? The Greek word "epistrepho" means to turn back or turn around. Paul describes it like this: tTo put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life" (Ephesians 4:22 ESV). When a person turns around, changes his-her mind about who Jesus is, and believes God raised Jesus from the dead, that person is "saved" or converted. To believe in Jesus is the profound simplicity of The Gospel! Subsequently, there is a conversion indicator to such a change: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV). New patterns of thinking and behavior, new passions and longings are outward evidences of the inward change. Mister Bill is usually my source of conversion information, but it is Christ alone Who rules [or not] the Believer's heart and reveals the truest conversion. For those who love Jesus, it's s a good consideration - that is ... compelling evidence.

Consider That!

Most things we do involve preliminary considerations. Some considerations we make without little effort while others may require a gathering of information and a weighing of the pros and cons. We often too casually recall all that Jesus went through as the God-man but a more serious recall is good: manger, mental agony of Gethsemane, bloody sweat, bitter cup, betrayal-disbelief-abandonment of disciples and friends, mocking, crown of thorns, heavy cross, horrors of crucifixion and in the end ... giving up. Make no mistake Jesus know "the price of pardon was His blood" (Octavius Winslow). For sure, as mortals, we would long debated the cost and decided "no thanks." Yet ... "... Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2 ESV). Winslow says, "and yet He willingly rushed to the rescue of ruined man." Think about it - why would anyone do such a thing - knowing well and completely all considerations? I suggest there was no consideration at all - God loves us and that all the consideration that was needed ... consider that!

Love The Walk

Many people choose to walk for exercise but in the heat we are now experiencing, walking isn't so lovely. In days-gone-by when I walked five miles a day, I found it so much more pleasant to walk with a friend. Ephesians 5:1-2 NASB says, "Be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." Being imitators of God - living Christ-like - was never meant to be boring nor burdensome! Too many times obedience to Jesus' teachings is described as merely a list of do-this and don't-do-that. Well, I admit there are indeed things we do and don't do but it's not a checklist; obedience actually makes the journey joyful! As we mimic God and His righteous characteristics, we are walking in love as Jesus did, and there is an unspeakable joy. The psalmist described it like this: [God] You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11 ESV). That fullness of joy resonates deeply in the soul! Those who genuinely love Jesus will walk in love and they will ... love the walk!

It's Who I Am

Whenever the real-you has shown itself, perhaps you've offered this explanation: "well, it's just who I am." As honest as that may be, that's never a good excuse for bad behavior! God's Word says Jesus for a little while was made "lower than the angels" ... He took on a different nature, one of humility "so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone" (Hebrews 2:9 NASB). Jesus willingly and on-purpose humbled Himself for me and for you. Octavius Winslow says "What a mighty stoop was this!" I suggest lack of humility is a widespread problem today!The putting-forth of me-myself-I seems to be the rule-of-the-day, the root cause of every conflict in the world. That my-way-or-the-highway mentality is far from the humility modeled by The Holy One, Jesus. By His humility and suffering Believers see the nature we ourselves are to possess as true disciples of Christ. To the world, of course, it will appear weak and feeble but in reality "it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me ... the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20 ESV). When it's His nature that shows Itself, then it's perfectly fine to say ... it's who I am!

A Heavenly Bent

We humans have a "bent" toward something - maybe it's the pace of being always on-the-go or perhaps it's the quiet of being home; it could be a bent toward good food, entertainment, travel or any number of things but we all have a natural bent. Noah Webster of 1828 defines "bent" as "a settled good will, love or zealous attachment" - an affection. Ultimately, whatever our bent is, we are affected by it to some degree. As followers of Jesus, we are called to counteract worldly affections: "If then you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:1-2 NASB). Quite simply, we who belong to Christ should have a different bent than those who do not! Oh, I sure do enjoy a good meal or a quiet day at home or traveling to my happy place on the beach - there's certainly nothing wrong with that; my deepest bent - from the depths of my soul - must be a life that is affected (changed) by Jesus Christ. When I set my affections on earthly things, I'm always seeking after the new thrill to satisfy the moment. The object of a Believer's affections must be on heavenly things - where Jesus is seated at the right hand of The Father; that bent, that affection eternally and completely satisfies the soul. Consider your bent, your affections and make sure it's properly set ... a heavenly bent.

Bright View

When I think of gloomy, I think of Eeyore, Christopher Robin's toy animals brought to life in A. A. Milne's "Winnie-the-Pooh" stories. Eeyore's gloomy outlook, I fear, may resemble the lack of acknowledged hope we share as Believers. "Now may the God of peace Who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, that is Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21 NASB). Octavius Winslow describes this bringing-up-from-the-dead Jesus as a "bright view" of truth unfolding! Oh, my goodness - there's enough pessimism, gloom-and-doom, hopeless perspectives in this world today. We can be easily overcome by their downward drag when we neglect the "bright view" of Jesus the Shepherd of the sheep Who left the tomb of death Who works in us to please The Father. It was a blind Helen Keller who said, "keep your face to the sunshine and you will not see the shadows." I like that, and I would improve on it for those who love Jesus: keep your face to the Son and you will not see the shadows. It serves us well to consider to what or on whom have we fixed our eyes. Keep your eyes on Christ and enjoy life with the ... bright view.

Seize The Day

Much of my life I've been a procrastinator - putting off what needs to be done until it can be "put off" no longer. God says, "As for man, his days are like grass; like a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, and its place no longer knows about it." (Psalm 103:15-16 NASB). Because the days of life are indeed fleeting - here today, gone tomorrow - to put-off what needs to be done disrespects God and the time He's given us. Missed opportunities are exactly that ... missed opportunities; unique moments in time that will never come again. Oh, there may be more opportunities but never again the same opportunity! I recall a few missed opportunities in my life, and they bring me sadness because of what might have been had I only been more attentive and swift to perform God's call for me in that moment. Paul wrote, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV). How sad when we fail to embrace the moments of life with wisdom and wisely use the time "but the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting for those who fear Him" (Psalm 103:17 NASB). How wonderful [then] we do not have to live with guilt but live in the merciful compassion and forgiveness of the LORD! Moving forward, we should see each day as a gift from God filled with endless possibilities and opportunities to please Him. It's been well said and it's good counsel ... seize the day!

Let Loose

One of our grand-dogs (Olive) is a Whippet, and fast doesn’t adequately describe her when she runs.  I am amazed to giggling!  The wise King Solomon wrote, “Cast thy bread upon the water: for thou shalt find it after many days.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1).  Interestingly, Bible scholars have been unable to apply any certain contemporary parallel to this metaphor but because it is God’s Word, there is indeed application for living.  I suggest the word cast to be key and proactive here: the Hebrew word means “to let go, to stretch out, to set free, to let loose.”  Isn’t it crazy how we hold so tightly those things which God has blessed us with?  Bread was the central part of the Jewish meal so to give away bread was a big deal – so was receiving bread. Perhaps the real message from these ancient words is to let go of what we hold so closely and cast it as a blessing unto others.  I fondly think of many I know who have that give-away spirit! The latter part of that verse is a promised blessing – for you will find it after many days.  When Olive lets loose, it’s a sight to behold; well, so is the Believer’s heart casting forth his treasures! Go ahead and practice the joy ... let loose!

The WORD of Words

Something greatly admired [by many including me] of my Dad was his gift of words. Watching him put his thoughts into words on paper is a precious memory of mine! Through my own experience of writing, I've learned something very important: words written [or spoken] without compassion are dangerous! Proverbs 25:11 is great counsel: "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." There is a timeliness and a condition in-and-by which we should speak. "A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer, and how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment - how good it is!" (Proverbs 15:23, AMP). To be so wise - knowing the time to speak and the manner in which to speak is a Godly gift. Isaiah describes the manner by which God's Servant (Jesus) speaks: "The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple." (Isaiah 50:4, NASB). Jesus - The Word - knew how to perfectly speak uplifting and sustaining words. In the same regard, we must realize how much our words matter! There's no better place to learn how to speak words that encourage, comfort and inspire than reading the perfect words of God found in THE Word of God. As we are nourished and sustained, so let us nourish and sustain others. Let us always learn our words from ... The WORD of words.

Mighty Words

Mirrors are for serious reflection! In most bathrooms, the \mirror is a key fixture; we decoratively frame it, clean it to a sparkle-shine, and rarely ignore what it reflects. How often, however, do we consider our spiritual reflection? Unlike the attention we give to our physical reflections, we tend to neglect the spiritual. Jesus prayed for His followers: “For their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” (John 17:19, ESV). While God's Truth is altogether sanctifying (making us holy), we first must know His Truth. It's interesting how followers of Jesus devote so little time to God's Word. Reading and meditating on His words isn't just a spiritual exercise, it is a daily discipline; there's no other way to know Christ intimately.  Considering all the lies that come at us [from all directions], we're left defenseless to recognize or defend against the lies unless God's Truth is in us! Let God's children be encouraged and grateful for The Holy Scriptures - read and reflect on them, commit them to memory and remember "thus says the Lord" ... mighty words.

For Love of God

It's a curious thing how we can justify almost anything!  The problem is our own rationale can seem pretty senseless to someone else. The account of King Saul's disobedience is a good example of ... senseless rationale. God's command to Israel's king was to plain: completely destroy the Amalekites [including all the animals], the long-time and brutal enemy of God's people. Saul, however, spared the Amalekite king along with the choice animals.  Listen to Saul's reasoning for his partial obedience: "I did obey the voice of the LORD, and went on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and have brought back Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took some of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the choicest of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal." (1 Samuel 15:20-21 NASB). No father or mother is satisfied with a child's kinda-sorta obedience ... and neither is God. The psalmist describes the angels as those who perform and obey the word of the LORD and do His will (Psalm 103:20-21 NASB). Jesus was clear about the evidence of those who truly love Him: "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him." (John 14:23 NASB). Saul's love of himself was reason-enough to put his will above God's. Full and unquestionable obedience is the God-honoring response. We obey ... for love of God!

BLOG BREAK

Enjoying an Island week with my family

MWB will resume Monday 06-16

Stay in The WORD!

Miles of Smiles, Beverly

The Weaver

The times of our lives have been described as a weaving, and how silly when we believe it's us doing the weaving. I'm reminded of several in Scripture but particularly Rahab. An Old Testament woman caught up in a life of prostitution and paganism, God moved in her heart to so that she made this bold statement of faith [to the two Hebrew spies]: "the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth below" (Joshua 2:11 NASB). Little did Rahab know the full scope of how God was "weaving" her into His plan of salvation for mankind. "The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah ... Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab" (Matthew 1:5 NASB). Rahab's courageous actions became the evidence of her faith in God Who included her in something greater than her own hopes and dreams and plans. Make no mistake: it is never me nor you doing the weaving but [rather] The Master Weaver. Enjoy this "borrowed blessing."

 "The Tapestry" by Corrie ten Boom
My life is but a weaving - Between my God and me 
I cannot choose the colors - He weaveth steadily
Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow - And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper - And I the underside
Not ’til the loom is silent - And the shuttles cease to fly
 Will God unroll the canvas - And reveal the reason why
The dark threads are as needful - In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver - In the pattern He has planned
He knows, He loves, He cares - Nothing this truth can dim
 He gives the very best to those - Who leave the choice to Him

Wait Well

The phrase "oh, the places you'll go" was made famous as a book title by Dr Seuss. The reader eventually finds himself in a place called "The Waiting Place," a place where everyone seems to be waiting for something to happen. Generally speaking, we don't ... wait well! Interestingly, it's been wisely noted those who sit in a doctor [in "waiting" room" are his "patience," which usually requires ... patience! Scripture instructs us on the importance of being patient, on waiting: Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" ... Micah 7:7 "But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me." ... Psalm 130:5 "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope" ... Psalm 33:20 "Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield." ... Lamentation 3:25 "The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him." We live in a get-it-done world, expectations of instant results: quick cash, drive-through car washes, grab-and-go meals, etc. We are not encouraged to wait but God says "Put on as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience" (Colossians 3:12 ESV). God also assures us that those who "wait for the Lord shall renew their strength ... shall mount up with wings like eagles ... shall run and not be weary ... shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31). Oh my, there are great results and rewards for those who rightfully take their seat in the waiting place. By grace, let's learn to ... wait well.

His Plan

To have a plan of action then fail to use it is pretty foolish - a real exercise in futility. Of course, to have no plan of action at all is pretty dumb, too! Scripture is filled with heroes and heroines who were just ready for ... whatever. Some, of course, needed a good kick-in-the-pants and required a little jump-start. Take Moses, for example: despite God appearing to him in a bush [that did not burn] and a staff [that became a snake then a staff again], he still argued that he wasn't a good speaker. Nonetheless, God had a plan and Moses was part of it. Our plans are important to us but God's plan supersedes our own. God told His people through the prophet Jeremiah: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (29:11 ESV). Our plans are based on finite knowledge and less-than-perfect wisdom. God's plans, however, are of complete knowledge and wisdom: "For we are [God's] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10 ESV). The very best we can do is to be ready and willing when God's is accomplishing ... His plan!

All About Faith

There's nothing quite like looking in the mirror and seeing "the look" we hope to achieve. The older-me jokingly admits it takes a little longer these days, and that "look" isn't always achieved; but ... it is what it is!  What an error we make when we think we can clean ourselves up to an  acceptable condition before God. In Romans 4, Paul asked how righteousness was credited to Abraham: "Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith ... so that righteousness might be credited" (V.10-11 NASB). Quite plainly, we can never do anything to make ourselves into a condition that is pleasing to God - it's all about faith! "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV). Faith is what is required and God has gifted that faith to us! This is great news, and what a relief! No working at it - No striving to make ourselves into something - No fear that we won't measure up - No!  It's ... all about faith.

Set On Jesus

Fishin' ain't my thing (excuse the grammar) but I've lived around fishermen long enough to learn a few things. One thing I know is that once the fish has the hook in its mouth and gives a small jerk, it's time for the fisherman to "set the hook." Another way to say it is ... it takes a jerk at both ends! Writing to followers of Jesus, Paul said "set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2 ESV). That Greek word "set" carries the idea of look no further for something on which to fix-adjust-arrange-appoint your mind: fix your heart on things not of this world ... rather, fix your eyes on Jesus. For those of the new birth (in Christ Jesus), we are to no longer be drawn-to worldliness. As the old hymn goes, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus - Look full in His wonderful face - And the things of earth will grow strangely dim - In the light of His glory and grace." The proper setting for my heart, for your heart ... set on Jesus.