Blog Break

 MWB will resume Monday 10-06
Stay in The Word
Miles of Smiles, Beverly 

Sing!

When you sing, what do you sing? Is it something etched into your memory from childhood or your teenage years? It's amazing what comes up-and-out when our mind goes into auto-pilot! Did you know that Jesus quoted the psalms more than any Old Testament book? A "psalm" is a melody, something that is sung or set to music. How sweet is this: "The same songs written by Him and for Him in eternity past were now being spoken and sung directly from Him, the very lips of the One Who would fulfill every prophecy and longing they contained." (from The Worship Initiative Blog). It is most fitting that God's people should indulge themselves in nothing less melodious and sweet. It's troubling how little the hymns of past saints are treasured today. Hymn writers such as John Newton (Amazing Grace) and Fanny Crosby (Blessed Assurance) and William Cowper (There Is a Fountain) have given us some of the deepest and riches lyrics which bring credence to the memory of all who sing them. Singing not your thing? I suggest you re-think that because Jesus was a Savior Who sang and so should His children be ... Sing!

Open The Book

The phrase empty-handed doesn't typically ring our happy-note. Sometimes we approach something with great expectations only to be sorely disappointed. Scripture tells us of a foreign queen who made an extremely long journey to see and hear the wonders of King Solomon. Her conclusion was this: "I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me." (1 Kings 10:7 ESV). Clearly, she did not leave ... empty-handed. I suggest we are given to foolishness when God's Word is left unattended, gathering dust, unopened. The psalmist writes, "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law" (Psalm 119:18 ESV). That statement does not merely suggest there might be something of worth or value in God's Word - no! It unequivocally promises "wondrous things" to be gained. Just like the Queen of Sheba left richer and fuller, so is the promised riches of time spent with God and in His holy Word. For opened eyes ... open the Book.

The Plain Path

Plain is good for me - plain is even better for Mr. Bill.  He prefers plain: unfrosted PopTarts, plain potato chips, vanilla ice cream.  He's just a no-frills kinda guy! God has ordained the Christian's days to be spent on the plain path!  Psalm 27:11 says, "Teach me Thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies." The Hebrew word plain simply means straight.  Think of how often [and easily] we are lured-and-detoured away from the straight way, leaving God's protective Shadow.  How distracting and deceiving and misleading is the lavish luster of this world.  We are in desperate need of the plain way today!  The plain path is well-lit: Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life. (John 8:12).  The plain path is clearly marked: "Your Word is a Lamp to my feet and a Light to my path." (Psalm 119:105).  The plain path leads to a blessed place: "You will make known to me the path of life; in Your Presence is fullness of Joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever." (Psalm 16:11).  The plain path delivers peace and rest to its travelers: "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." (Jeremiah 6:16).  There's no promise the plain path is trouble-free but we travel with One Who is bigger than all our troubles: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous Right Hand." (Isaiah 41:10).  What about the path you're on?  I encourage you to choose the plain path, the straight way, the ancient way.  It's trusted, tried and-true ... the plain path.

Surrender

 There was a time when every man carried a white handkerchief; both of my grandfathers did, as did my my Dad. I've seen men pull those white cloths from their pockets and use them as a flag or signal. We know in battle, a white flag signals surrender. Giving up isn't an easy thing; whether we're setting aside a bad habit or negotiating a compromise, it involves some degree of self-denial. "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.." (1 Peter 4:10 NASB). I suggest our nature leans heavily toward hoarding rather than sharing. As is God's Nature, so Believers' nature should be to give freely and generously of our [God-given] gifts to and for the good of others. Such obedience to Christ's command demands a denying-of-self - a waving of the white flag in giving up my rights to the benefit and good of another. Perhaps we should all carry a white handkerchief to remind us we are called to a daily humble surrender to others as unto Christ Jesus. Let's live under that flag of ... surrender.

Don't Miss It

 No one invites catastrophe - an unfortunate turn of events, a disaster or calamity. Nonetheless, catastrophes come. The setting of Psalm 85 seems to follow Israel's catastrophic captivity in Babylon. From the Scriptures, we read how God's people rebelled and forsook the Lord, followed after other gods, which led them to their Babylonian captivity. This progressive decline should sound more-than-vaguely familiar as we see the same today. We should be so grateful, however, God is forgiving and eagerly welcomes us back into His good favor! Here's the words He longs to hear: "Restore us, O God of our salvation ... Show us Your lovingkindness" (Psalm 85:4,7 ESV). Like a loving parent welcomes a wayward child, such are the arms of The Savior Who went to the cross on our behalf. There in tender moments with God, "steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other" (V.10). The key is setting aside a regular time for The Father so indeed we know His steadfast love and faithfulness! Oh, let us be wary of the urgency of the day; pause and be present where and when righteousness and peace kiss ... don't miss it.

Uncommon Living

Who's to say what is common and uncommon? My boys blurred the lines of normality years ago: jumping on the trampoline in the dark, whiffle ball games by flood lights, the ding of the microwave at 2:00 AM, cold pizza, camouflage year round! God calls Believers to uncommon living. Queen Esther needed to hear Mordecai's candid words; knowing her very life could be at risk yet he said to her: "who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14 NASB). Perhaps no other time in our lives has the truth needed to be spoken! Believers must speak it plainly. If we’re really serious about making Truth known, we’ll do the uncommon: speak when others are silent, be silent when others are boisterous, practice self-control in chaos, love the unlovable, extend grace when it seem impractical. Only God knows how He will use our boldness and the blessings that result when we speak and live-out His Truth. Only He knows the lives to be changed by Truth shared with courage and compassion. People need to know God's uncommon love and truth in these uncommon times. We are called to... uncommon living.

He Sustains

 "Cool as a cucumber" - not sure where that expression originated but it describes someone who holds-up well under pressure - baseball pitchers, football quarterbacks - oh, let's not forget ... mothers! As David fled for his life from his son, Absalom [who wanted the throne], he wrote these words: "O LORD, how my enemies have increased! Many are rising up against me. Many are saying of me, 'There is no help [no salvation] for me in God.'" (Psalm 3:1-2, AMP). I wonder how many times someone has watched me under pressure, seen fear and dismay instead of trust in God ... cool as a cucumber. Like me, you know how circumstances and relationships can push us to wringing our hands in anxiety, wondering where God is in the mix! David goes on, "But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and The One Who lifts my head. With my voice I was crying to the LORD, and He answered me from His holy mountain. I lay down and slept [safely]; I awakened, for the LORD sustains me." (V.3-5, AMP). Now, who [of all things] can lie down and sleep when the pressures of life are on? I tell you who can - the person who knows God as his Shield and his Lifter because God is The One Who listens, hears and delivers. Trust The Father ... He sustains.

Die To Live

For me to speak of the process of germination will surely make Mister Bill roll his eyes since about the only place I can grow anything is in the refrigerator. Nonetheless, when a seed is put into the ground and exposed to the right conditions - water, oxygen, temperature - something amazing happens. Absorbing water, the seed-coat breaks away and what's inside begins to grow; a root emerges and becomes the anchor for the plant that emerges. The prophet Samuel's mother, Hannah, gives a beautiful tribute to God Who made her able to conceive after many years of childlessness: "The LORD puts to death and makes alive ... He brings down and brings up ... He makes poor and rich ... He humbles and exalts ... He raises the poor from the dust ... He lifts the needy from the garbage heap to seat them with nobles and He gives them a seat of honor as an inheritance." (from 1 Samuel 2 NASB). Our tendency is to exalt ourselves but that authority is never ours! We are gently and kindly reminded that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6 NASB). Like that seed that otherwise dies in its seed-form and produces a hearty plant which blooms and bears fruit, so must we die to self so that we become what God desires us to be - "no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me" (Galatians 2:20 NASB). In her dire and hopeless circumstances, Hannah learned this lesson and made it her heart's great joy. When God has His way in us and [at the right time] He exalts us, it's beyond and more than we can imagine! Truly, we must ... die to live!

Good Thinking

It's been said that thinking requires little effort - that actually may be true unless you're calculating measurements or scientific equations or currency exchanges. I mostly avoid that kind of thinking!  I suggest the greatest prescription for thinking is from God Himself: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8 NASB). We've certainly had flash-cards of dishonorable, wrong, impure, unworthy things to "think about" recently so it's nice to have a redirection of focus for those who know and love The Lord! What an appropriate time to think about The Father - His love, His goodness, His grace. As the song goes "as high as the heaven above, so great is the measure of The Father's love. Herein is ... good thinking.

God Who Heals

It's easy to recognize wickedness, and [these days] there's no lack of opportunities to see it. Recent tragedies reflect an acute brokenness in our nation, and that brokenness seems to have seeped deeply into the soul of the nation. I suggest there's a neglect, however, to see personal sin - that is, sin that is personal to me and to you. It's been said God has no grandchildren, which is a keenly profound phrase and a deeply-moving truth: each person is personally responsible for his or her own heart. David said in Psalm 32:5, "I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD': and You forgave the guilt of my sin." As a people we no longer are willing to be transparent about sin because we no longer care to be transparent about personal sin - this is why sin is now a national epidemic. As a nation we no longer love God above all things because its people fail to personally "love God with all our hearts and souls and mind (Matthew 22:37 ESV). The nation no longer delights in the Lord because its people no longer personally delight in Him hence the personal desires of people's hearts are not for the Lord (Psalm 37:4 ESV). I could go on and on as God's Word speaks the truth of where we are as a nation and as God's people. Charles Spurgeon said confession bring "healing for the "broken heart ... the fountain is always flowing and ready to cleanse us from our sins." The brokenness for a broken nation begins with the brokenness of every heart before the ... God Who Heals.

Rally for Truth

No one cares to hear: "I told you so." What precedes those words is something that should not have surprised us, something we should have expected and seen coming. Nonetheless, things happen in our lives, our communities, our nation, our world that shock and stun us. After telling His disciples "if the world hates you [and it does], know that it has hated Me before it hated you," Jesus warned them, "I have told you these things so that you will not stumble or be caught off guard and fall away. They will put you out of the synagogues and make you outcasts. And a time is coming when whoever kills you will think that he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me" (John 15:18 and 16:1-3 AMP). While there seems to be a great demand for truth yet it truth is the object of rejection and hatred. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life," and for it He was nailed to a cross. The hard cold fact is that the world cares nothing for truth. Those who insist on speaking only Truth - thus saith the Lord - are today labeled public enemies and at risk of being silenced. In speaking truth, Paul asked "have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?" (Galatians 4:16 ESV). Recent events should be a rally-cry for Believers to remain true to Christ and to Eternal Truth. Let us not be counted among those who [as Jesus described] "fall awaty" and exchange truth about God for a lie (Romans 1:25). Now is the time to persevere, to endure, to exercise genuine faith - to "bear fruit and so prove" to be Jesus' disciples (John 15:8 ESV). Resist the urge to scatter; rather, let us unite and always ... rally for truth!

On-Key

The musicians I know want to make good music! That entails singing on-key and playing the right notes. There's a personal cost to doing these things well - few, however, are willing to pay the price. In Luke 9 we read conversations between Jesus and several men as they walked along; one man said, "I will follow You wherever You go" (V.57, NASB). When pressed, we read reasons for delayed obedience: "permit me first to go bury my father" (V.59) and "first permit me to go say good-bye to those at home" (V.61). Neither reason ridiculous but revealed a divided heart. I could come-up with lots of reasons to not spend time in piano practice; becoming a musician really wasn't on my radar! In response to these otherwise legitimate reasons, Jesus responded: "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (V.62). Following Jesus isn't a past-time, a hobby - something to be considered casual. Jesus also said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). A pure heart is an undivided heart - not a mixed bag of options and priorities. Staying focused ... on-key with Christ ... must always be a priority to pleasing The Father. Are you living life ... on-key?

King Over All

During a recent long trip and several hours of driving, Mister Bill was surprised to see a message appear above the speedometer that read, "Need a break?" We laughed about it but, in truth, it's our nature to want to do our own thinking and to be in control. On a Roman hill to the men of Athens, Paul spoke: "The God Who created the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by by human hands, as though He needed anything, because it is He Who gives to all [people] life and breath and all things. And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands and territories. This was so that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grasp for Him and find Him, though he is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and exist [that is, in Him we actually have our beings], as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.'" (Acts 17:24-28 AMP). Man can deny and oppose the Sovereign King as revealed in Scripture but all denials and oppositions do not change anything: He is God and we are not! To embrace The King of all with humility - trusting in His perfect character of love and grace and mercy and faithfulness - we are assured of the greatest freedom and peace available. Thankfully, the car didn't on-its-own take the next exit; it is wise and fitting, however, as God's children we humbly relinquish control to The King Who has given His all and allow Him to be in our lives ... King over all.

Soul-Satisfaction

A deadline or an end-date is bout all I need to get me going, moving ... in-gear! 'Tis the season - you football fans - to anticipate the upcoming game: calendar cleared, flags a'flyin, tailgating time set, game menu planned. What do we do, however, toward soul-satisfaction? The psalmist gives us how we are to press-on toward genuine satisfaction: "The humble will eat and be satisfied; those who seek The LORD will praise Him. May your hearts live forever!" (Psalm 22:26). Key move of those who want true satisfaction is to "seek The LORD." Now, before you say, "Oh, I do that," consider the condition of those who seek Him: humility. It's the humble - the one who recognizes he is incapable of truly satisfying his desires, his longings. Proverbs 22:4 says "The reward for humility and fear of The Lord is riches and honor and life." There is indeed honor and riches for the humble, and among countless other things is ... heart-satisfaction! Yay, of course, for momentary things that satisfy; let us not be deceived, however, temporary pleasures are just that - temporary. Only The Father gives ... heart-satisfaction.

Never

Have you ever considered how loosely we use certain words? For example, "I will never ..." I suggest none of us - by the way, that means nobody - can comprehend the full scope of "never." Noah Webster (1828) defines "never" as "not ever, not at any time, at no time in the past or the future." Yes, never is actually incomprehensible! God Almighty, however, is perfectly qualified to use and sustain "never." He says, "I will never break my covenant with you" (Judges 2:1) ... "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst." (John 6:35) ... "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." (John 10:28) ... "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). When God says "never," He says what He means and means what he says. As intentional and well-meaning as we may be, we mortal-people are feeble and fallible - God nor His Word are not! God reassures us in Matthew 24:25 that "heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." That's an assurance and a comfort found nowhere else. Trust in and rest in The One Who rightly and perfectly uses the word ... never.

Find Rest

The word rest just sounds marvelous, don't you agree? Whether it's a week-away from the routine or finally sitting down at the end of a long productive day - yes, rest is welcomed! God's people needed a respite from the crossing of the Red Sea and the bitter waters of Marah and God provided a place of refreshing rest at a place called Elim. "Then they came to Elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy date palms, and they camped there beside the waters." (Exodus 15:27 NASB). An oasis in the harsh wilderness! Elim is a beautiful picture of tangible rest but we now have a spiritual rest beyond what is tangible. Jesus said, "Come to Me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28 ESV). God fully knows our needs and has fully provided in The Person of His Son, Jesus. He is the The One to Whom we hold fast - The One and Only in Whom complete and perfect rest is found. So how are you resting - in Jesus, or are you weary in striving to find true rest for your soul? The answer is simple - come to Jesus and in Him ... find rest.

Praise the Lord!

Something we'll all agree on is ... breathing is important. I can't comprehend it but Stéphane Mifsud held his breath for a record of 11 minutes and 35 seconds! Genesis 2:7 tells us, "Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." From dust - chemical elements of the ground - God formed a man then into his nostrils He breathed and man began to live. Job said, "the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life" (Job 33:4 ESV). It's really an extraordinary thought that each breath we take - every inhale and every exhale - belongs to The Creator ... we really have no claim to breath. It's tragic, however, how we misuse our breath - we whine and complain, speak destructively and discouragingly, etc. Let me suggest since every breath is a gift from God we [rather] be good stewards of them. The psalmist give us instruction: "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!" (Psalm 150:6 ESV). Stéphane Mifsud may be known for holding his breath but let God's children be known for making every breath honor The Creator. Just ... praise the Lord!

A Refreshing Life

Traveling through the mountains recently, Mister Bill and I observed the beauty of a gentle flowing mountain stream - oh, how I wanted to stop and put my feet in that cool mountain water! Jesus said, "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:38 NASB). I'm sure we all can think of those whose spirit is better described as stagnant water. In his 1828 American Dictionary, Noah Webster writes of "the gloomy slumber of the stagnant soul" - gloomy indeed is the soul which has no flow, is motionless ... stagnant. This does not describe those who belong to Christ, those who experience the refreshing Living Water of life! It's all about the source of the water, and the source of that "living water" is Jesus Himself! Like Jesus said, the water He gives becomes a spring of water "welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14). It is what attracts us to Jesus then draws others to Jesus in us! As we receive life and are refreshed by The Living Water, so will we be that which refreshes others ... "whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered" (Proverbs 11:25 ESV). As I write, I'm remembering that strong, steady flow of the mountain stream and, yes, I can imagine how lovely it would feel running over my feet and through my toes. That's exactly how I want my life to be unto The Lord as He uses me to refresh others. Lord, may it be so ... a refreshing life.

Good Conversation

Don't you just love a good conversation! Mister Bill says the ease and speed that us-girls move from topic to topic is really tough on the guys! The author of Psalm 107 writes about God's redemptive power in delivering His people from various life circumstances. Repeatedly troubles come, the people cry out to God, He hears and delivers. Sounds like a familiar life-cycle to me! The final verse of this psalm is good counsel: "Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the LORD." (Psalm 107:43). For those who know and love the Lord, there's always a topic of which we should want to speak: "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good and His love endures forever." (V.1). Why do we find it so easy to talk about the weather, politics, family, etc. but skirt the delights of God's unfailing love and goodness! There is nothing sweeter than speaking of Godly things to others! Let's be encouraged to practice a new type of conversation, making it a habit to speak freely and frequently of God's love and kindness. Honestly, it's just ... good conversation!