Student of The Word

What delivers relaxation to you? For me, I've loved floating in a pool or swinging in a porch swing. The younger-busier me struggled to find time for those things; now, the older and less busy me fails to make the time to do them. It seems at every age and season of life, there are choices! The outcome of choices we make are rarely fully realized the moment we first make them. Twenty-eight years ago I, like Ezra (7:10), "set my heart" to study the Word of God. At age forty, I had "read" lots of Scripture, heard many sermons, memorized tons of verses but had taken little time to "study" God's Word. "The unfolding of Your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119:130 ESV). Like peeling back the petals of a rose in full bloom releases its richest fragrance, so is a deeper understanding of the heart of God revealed when we do more than just read-the-words - study, dig deeper into the words truest meaning. I've often repeated this: "the Bible is the only book you'll ever read where the Author is always present." Let me encourage you to do more than just "read" God's Word - let God's words soak into your heart, mind, soul, every fabric of your being. As you do this, you're no longer just a reader - you're a ... student of The Word!

He Sees Me!

Are you sometimes troubled with the notion that no one knows nor cares about your troubles? A famous slavery-era spiritual goes, "nobody knows the trouble I've seen," - words we are also tempted to sing! Psalm 33:13 says, "The Lord looks down from heaven; He sees all the children of man." Although we may forget, God is never detached from any circumstance or situation we are in! Consider His judgment on the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah: before He judged their sin, He made a personal visit and extended grace to the righteous! We may joke about it but according to Matthew 10:30 and Luke 12:7, God numbers the very hairs of our head. That's not the move of one who doesn't care! Charles Spurgeon wrote, "Think not that God sits on high taking no account of thee. Remember that however poor and needy thou art, yet the Lord thinketh upon thee." Yes, the eyes of The Father look upon the whole earth, giving strength to His saints (2 Chronicles 16:9). That old spiritual song continues: "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen - Nobody knows but Jesus." How comforting and encouraging it is to know we are never alone nor are we out of the knowledge of, care and keeping of our all-knowing Father. "Oh! then repeat the truth that never tires - No God is like the God m soul desires - He at whose voice heaven trembles even He - Great as He is, knows how to stoops to me." Our God is El Roi ... He sees me!

The Enthroned Heart

As an 8th grade student, I visited Georgia's Capitol and met [then] Governor Jimmy Carter. He greeted me, shook my hand, posed for a picture with me; he even let me sit in the Governor’s chair. I proudly framed that picture and hung it in our first home. Yeah, I know ... big deal! God’s Throne Room – have you ever thought about it? Being in the presence of the few celebrities I've met through the years did seem like a big deal but the Throne Room of Almighty God, The Creator and King of the universe ... certainly, nothing compares. Psalm 29:10 says, “The LORD sits enthroned as King forever.” The Jews revered their Temple; not just because of its beauty and the holy things inside, but they understood and acknowledged it represented God's very Presence. How foolish to consider the luxuriousness of God’s Throne Room; it's The King Himself Who makes the Throne Room ... the Throne Room! David describes It as where God sits (is set) as The King for forever over His people – those who faithfully love, honor and obey Him. We know, of course, God’s dwelling place is no longer a place made with hands but rather the human heart, the hearts of those who have believed in Jesus (the saved, redeemed). I wonder just what kind of dwelling place I’ve made for The King of Glory. Is He forced to share my heart with things of this world or selfish ambitions and arrogant pride? That framed picture of me and Jimmy has long been forgotten and packed away. Oh, how God longs to enthrone the hearts of Believers! It may not seem like such a big deal, but hearts captivated by Christ frame the Beauty of God's Holiness! Nothing honors The Father more than ... the enthroned heart.

Blog Break

 MWB will resume Tuesday 09-29-2026
Stay in The Word
Miles of Smiles, Beverly  

Fumble Free

MWB Archives (Sept 2015). Football is not my area of expertise, and some of the games terminology just doesn’t register with me.  I do know, however, what a fumble looks like and that no one likes a fumble … that is, unless you’re the opposing team. Fumbling of our faith happens.  In football, as in most sports, the one with the ball is the one under attack!  Such attacks on our faith take many forms, and Satan is good at those "squeeze plays" causing us to stumble and fall.  Satan hits hardest when [it seems] I've neglected God’s Word and prayer time with The Father.  In Philippians 2, Paul was encouraged by his fellow Believers in Philippi for their faithfulness and admonished them to, "shine brightly" in their faith.  He knew well, and firsthand, how difficult the "shining" part was so he wrote, "Hold firmly the message of life." (V.2a).  Holding tightly to what we know to be good and honorable isn’t easy when those around us live otherwise, when the world is anti-Christ, when compromise is the easier way of living.  How sad for those searching souls in our circle of influence [our mission field] if we fumble, stutter, or side-step The Truth. May it not be so!  Ask God for power and grace to live-out the truth of The Gospel message ... fumble free.

Garden Moment

From MWB Archives (Sept 2021) ... It's been said a friend is someone who knows you well and still likes you.  Honestly, it's not just friends but family.  No one knows my uh-ohs and oh-nos better than my husband and children: they eat my "burnt offerings," they see me without makeup, they don't comment on my morning hair, and they know me before the day's first shot of caffeine.  Have you ever thought about the hard things that happened in gardens?  Man's worst moment came about in a garden, and Jesus prayed one of His toughest prayers in a garden: "Father, let this cup pass from Me."  Jesus asked The Father if He [really] must face the horrors of death but it was [indeed] the Will of The Father.  For me, Christ surrendered His own will ... yes, for me.  God already knew my faith would be shallow and weak; that there would be times when the world [and my family] would look at me and wonder what difference Christ really made in my life. Yes, He knew all that and more! But, there in that garden of prayer, Jesus' obedience reigned!  "For even Christ pleased not Himself." (Romans 15:3); "It pleased The LORD to bruise Him." (Isaiah 53:10a).  Man's terrible garden blunder was gloriously superseded by the beauty of Jesus' garden surrender to finish His mission - to redeem my soul. I'm so thankful for Jesus and His ... garden moment.

Choose Humility

 Let me humbly suggest there is a very fine line between self-confidence and prideful arrogance. After several kind reminders of an upcoming appointment, which I [pretty much] ignored since I had the date and time in my calendar, I arrived one hour earlier than the actual appointment time. However absurdly certain I was of myself ... I was wrong! Proverbs 21:4 tells us a haughty person acts with arrogant pride. Have you noticed how arrogance rarely remains hidden? The attitude of being [as Yogi bragged] "smarter-than-the-average-bear" is eventually revealed in a person's behavior ... via arrogant acts. And, the opposite of arrogance is ... humility. God "leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way." (Psalm 25:9 ESV). The taste of "humble pie" (aka "eating crow") is never tasty nor is it a good look on those who love The Lord and seek to please Him. God opposes the proud and those who humble themselves before Him receive more grace (James 4:6). The arrogant person will never "walk humbly with God" (Micah 6:8) because they will always insist on their own way and walk in their own wisdom! Setting aside ourselves is perhaps one of the hardest things we'll do as followers of Jesus Who is the model in perfect humility. During that hour-long wait [for my actual appointment], I had plenty of time to think about my own arrogant pride and how it hinders my spiritual mindset and subsequent behavior. In Proverbs 22:4 God promises spiritual riches, honor and life to the humble! That is so much better than a menu of humble pie ... choose humility!

Tender Care

Perhaps you're well aware of the potential pain of removing a bandage. There's a dilemma that precedes its removal: do I remove it gently and carefully or just rip it off? There's pain in both methods, however, the yank-it-off method can leave an abrasion and bruising. Upon returning from captivity, God's people needed reminding God is ever at-work: "The LORD is building up Jerusalem; He is gathering [together] the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow]." (Psalm 147:2-3 AMP). Life can be much like a curve ball that takes a sharp unexpected turn; the result is very often shock, dismay and disbelief! Like a bandage ripped from tender skin, the pain and bruising can crush the spirit and disheartened even the most trusting of souls. One commentator wrote, "God's principle work is always within the human heart." Although not all things that happen to us in this life are God's design, all things are altogether in His control; in His sovereignty, He allows otherwise painful things to accomplish His work on the human heart. David prayed, "Create in me a clean heart, O God ... renew a right and steadfast spirit within me ... restore to me the joy of Your salvation ... sustain me with a willing spirit" (Psalm 51:10-12). It is God Who counts the number of the start and calls them all by their names, the LORD of abundant strength and inexhaustible infinite boundless understanding who offers healing to the wounding and bruising we face in life. The LORD indeed "is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18 ESV). In love and mercy, He tenderly applies fresh binding to our wounds and bruises, and He oversees the healing process. Bless the LORD, O my soul, for The Father's ... tender care.

Rest and Be Rescue

If you've ever watched a drowning person be rescued, the one in trouble often hinders the rescue. In fear and panic, he struggles against the one who can bring him to safety. God warned His people about aligning themselves - putting their trust in - pagan nations instead of relying solely on Him as their deliverer. He pictures the result of their misplaced trust like this: "Like a crack [in a wall] about to fall, a bulge in a high wall, whose collapse comes suddenly in an instant, whose collapse is like the smashing of a potter's jar, crushed so savagely that there cannot be found among its pieces a potsherd [large enough] to take [coals of] fire from a fireplace, or to scoop water from a cistern." (Isaiah 30:13-14 AMP). God is not without mercy, however: "For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel has said this, 'In returning [to Me] and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and confident trust your strength.'" (V.15). The Puritan says it like this: "the repenting soul is the victorious soul" (The Valley of Vision). I like to think of it like this - to give up is to win. Like a victim of treacherous waters, drowning and in desperate need of rescue, when we surrender to The One Who is all sufficient - able and willing to deliver us, only then are we brought to safety. What a beautiful promise we have, "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (Exodus 14:14 ESV). Don't forfeit the victory Jesus promises - know His ... rest and rescue.

Give To Jesus

Perhaps you're one who finds "some assembly required" challenging words, even terrifying! I know the frustration of realizing you've skipped one critical step or the discovery of that "extra" piece at the end, then comes the dis-assembly. The brokenness of mankind is something we see all around us; it's even something we experience ourselves from time to time. It's a real wake-up call when we finally comprehend ... we cannot fix ourselves or others no matter how hard we try. The Prophet Isaiah foretold of The Servan, the coming Messiah: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound." (Isaiah 61:1 ESV). Jesus repeated these words speaking of His mission from God: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed." (Luke 4:18 ESV). The binding-up of the wounded should speak to us all; God is moved with compassion when He looks upon the hurting, the wounded, the broken among us! God's greatest act of compassion toward mankind is seen in The Gospel - the eternal redemption of the soul. We also know He is "near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18 ESV). In and through a personal relationship with His Son (Jesus), God brings healing and restoration to His children. The Puritan says it like this: "the broken heart is the healed heart." In the valley of brokenness, The Healer does His work! When I read the words "some assembly required," I've learned to leave it to the experts, those more proficient. We are wise to stop trying to fix ourselves - all our hurts, wounds and brokenness ... give to Jesus.

Set On Jesus

Have you ever been in a tight spot - a place where you needed a helping hand, to be rescued? Oh, I have. Mister Bill has been my deliverer many times and I'm sad to say, most of those "tight spots" were of my own foolishness! A good question all Believers should ask themselves is: in whom do we hope? Paul wrote, " For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, Who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe." (1 Timothy 4:10 ESV). To "set our hope" is to have fixed our confidence in something. Mister Bill is pretty handy at rescuing me from myself but he (like all mankind) has limitations. The "living God," however, is all-sufficient to deliver and rescue us from ourselves; yes, when we were dead in our sin, God made us "alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses" (Colossians 2:13 ESV). The key to any rescue - physical and spiritual - is knowing when to ask, to call-out for help. When we "confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 ESV). Once in that "tight spot," there's nothing quite like the realization deliverance has arrived. The Puritan said it like this: "to be low is to be high" - knowing we need rescuing then being rescued! Christ Jesus is The Hope of our eternal salvation both for forgiveness of sin (1 John 1:9), and for deliverance from the enemy who seeks to devour us every day (1 Peter 5:8). Oh, the joy of freedom from the tight spots of life. It's mine and it's yours when our hope is ... set on Jesus.

The Way Up

Do you remember your bike-riding days? I do, and I remember them fondly. Those wheels gave me a sense of independence; I could ride through the community to visit friends and neighbors. One thing I remember is the thoughtful navigation, planning routes that involved as few uphill climbs as possible. Very early in His earthly ministry, Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3 NASB). The Puritan said it like this, "the way down is the way up." What a contrast to worldly advice! Thinking of ourselves as most significant may be the world's way but is in direct opposition of what Jesus teaches. Happy and greatly admired are those who are devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant - the humble ones. Those humble ones will know the kingdom that is to come - that is, when Jesus comes to rule and reign forever - but also right now in these evil and troubled times. Spiritual prosperity belongs to those who have humbled themselves under the mighty hand of God (1 Peter 5:6), who willingly bow head and heart to God. I can feel the cool breeze in my face as I coasted down those hills on my bike - nothing quite like it. So it is as we make spiritual surrender to God a way of life. Truly, the way down is ... the way up.

God of 'Em All

Several years ago Mister Bill and I had a very secluded get-away. He enjoyed the wildlife while I enjoyed the quiet screened porch. One thing we discovered was how the remoteness of the place made the night sky so much more brilliant! On occasion, we would brave the darkness and ride down the dirt road to an open field; as we looked up into the night sky, it seemed we could almost touch the stars. As I recall those times, I think of this: "Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells, and th deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine." ("The Valley of Vision Prayer"). When life is good and pleasant, we tend to call-out less to The Lord, sing less of His eternal goodness - if we're honest, we give God less of our time. But when the troubles come, He's the first we think-of, turn-to, call-to. Jesus declares, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13 ESV). Before there was me ... He WAS. And, after me ... He WILL BE. Oh, how I need evermore reminding that everywhere in-between ... He IS! Indeed, I may see Him in the darker moments, but He is always there - in the bad and the good moments of life. Job said, " For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth." (Job 19:25 ESV). Life for us happens in the in-between moments - full of troubles and sorrows as well as joys and celebrations. Hallelujah and praise to our God Who is ... God of 'em all.

He Restores the Soul

As we are teased with hints of the fall season, do you hear the mountains calling? The vibrant and muted fall colors will soon emerge and many will take-to-the-roads to enjoy their beauty! One of my favorite sights are the valleys between the mountains. Perhaps I'm drawn to them as because we've just come down a steep grade and soon to begin yet another climb. David's words from Psalm 23 resonate with me - "He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul" (Verses 2-3a ESV). Our cars are well-equipped for those mountain roads - automatically shifting between low and high gears. Our souls, however ... not so much. We are desperately in need of The Great Shepherd Who knows every struggle of the human soul, the lack of strength and stamina to persevere in the ups and downs of our lives. Arthur Bennett (1915-1994), an English-born minister who studied the work of the Puritans, compiled and published a book of prayers based on Puritan meditations. In his introductory poem, "The Valley of Vision," these words are often my own personal prayer: "Let me learn ... that the way down is the way up - that to be low is to be high - the broken heart is the healed heart - to have nothing is to possess all - to bear the cross is to wear the crown - to give is to receive - that the valley is the place of vision." Those mountain valleys invite me into their peacefulness and serenity, much like The Shepherd welcomes me into His Presence. Are you coming down from a mountainous descent? Is there an intimidating mountain looming ahead of you? Pause. Remember. Take heart. The valley is where ... He restores the soul.

Our Rest

Have you ever been in a spot where you needed an exit strategy - a kind-and-gentle way out? Feelings of frustration can and do overwhelm us at times; the only logical resolution sometimes seems to [as the old wild west saying goes] "get out of Dodge." It's safe to conclude this as David's predicament in Psalm 11: "For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart." (Verse 1 NIV). Even in the smoothest of waters, none of us really know how close to calamity and chaos we really are. Right now, I'm sitting in a quiet place listening to peaceful piano music but [honestly] I'm not feeling the peace I should - the confidence David then speaks of: "The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; His eyes examine them. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence He hates with a passion." (Verses 4-5 NIV). You see, the enemy isn't actually a person or a place or a thing; no, the enemy is the fear and doubt of the soul, the failure to rest altogether and completely in these truths: "The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!" (Psalm 99:1 ESV) ... "The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as King forever." (Psalm 29:10 ESV) ... "The LORD sits enthroned forever; He has established His throne for justice." (Psalm 9:7 ESV) ... "God sits on His holy throne." (Psalm 47:8 ESV). He is God over all things - yes, even those times when we want an exit, to run and flee "like a bird" (Psalm 11:1). David finishes this psalm, "the LORD is righteous - He loves justice - the upright will see His face" (Verse 7). If we are to live by faith and not by sight (Romans 1:17), we put all thoughts of running aside and trust The One Who remains on His throne and King over all all things. He is ... our rest.

Disciplined Obedience

We all enjoy an occasional change of scenery - perhaps an alternate porch view or simply a different route home. In our spiritual lives, we often need a change of view! For those of us who have known Jesus for the majority of our lives, our view of obedience to Christ may have diminished over time. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10: "We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ." (Verse 5 AMP). Real disciplined obedience to Christ is much more than simply doing this-or-that in service to Him. Jesus Himself modeled disciplined obedience, and He said: "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner." (John 5:19 NASB). How easily we forget as followers of Jesus we are "not only committed to Jesus Christ for salvation, but also committed, responsible, and accountable to Jesus Christ's view of God, the world, and of sin and the devil." (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest). Seeing all things as God sees them then humbly allowing Him to counsel and guide us into humble and joyful obedience - yes, that is ... disciplined obedience.

Be in Him

This morning as I walked past the rose bushes planted outside our house, I notice something unsightly. Growing out of the same rich soil producing lovely aromatic roses was a full-grown and healthy thorn bush! Thinking to myself, that must go, I hesitated; because of its size, I realized to remove it would be no small task. Let me suggest in every Believer's life, the danger of neglect is overlooked and understated. Scripture teaches a key principle: it is our own selfish desires that give birth to sin (James 1:14). The fruit of the Believer's life - or lack of it - is based solely on how well we are connected and abiding in The Right Source. Jesus said, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." (John 15:4 ESV). Yes, both the thorn and the rose bush appeared healthy yet it was only one that had blooms and a sweet aroma. As followers of Jesus, we are commanded to "put to death what is earthly in you" (Colossians 3:5 ESV) - mortify, kill, destroy that sin that leads to unsightliness in us. We must not neglect this! Charles Spurgeon writes, "O Christian, prize this precious union to Christ; for it must be the source of all the fruitfulness which thou canst hope to know. If thou wert not joined to Jesus Christ, thou wouldst be a barren bough indeed." (Morning by Morning). Let us never neglect to abide in Jesus Christ - daily and continually in His Word and in sweet communion with Him - allowing Him to nourish and prune us to be that sweet smelling aroma unto God ... be in Him.

Flow Freely

A fond childhood memory is being with my grandfather (Pop) when he pulled his old green Plymouth off the road where a natural spring of water was pouring out from the side of a hill. I'd never seen such a thing! We both took a small sip of that cool fresh water. Perhaps you recall Jesus' intentional journey through Samaria when He encountered a woman at a local well; He then said to her, "Give Me a drink" (John 4:7). During their conversation, Jesus said to the woman: "Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14 ESV). How sad so often in our spiritual lives we experience times of spiritual dryness and stagnation. Be certain of this: the problem is never with The Source of that promised "spring of water." Later in John 7:38, Jesus said: "Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." The calling for all those who have believed - the redeemed, born-again, saved - is to be like that fresh water stream pouring out of the hillside - ever flowing, refreshing to those whom God sends into our days. I propose we are not called to let the love of Christ just trickle but to gush-forth with vibrant energy and life generously supplied by The Source - as Jesus is at work within us. Many of us live in rural areas where the water must be pumped out of the ground (thank God for those pumps!) The "living water" given to those in Christ Jesus does not depend on a pump; rather, His flow in and through us will be unhindered, unobstructed - yes, Christ will ... flow freely.

Mighty River

Have you ever noticed how a river widens and narrows, sometimes disappearing only to reappear yet always steadily flowing? In John 7:38 (NASB), Jesus said: "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'" How easy it is to believe that the days-of-our-lives and the flow of our lives are of our own making. Then something unexpectedly and unforeseen happens that shakes us from such foolish thoughts! The root of such a foolish view of our lives is forgetting The Source of the "rivers of living water" - Jesus Christ. Oswald Chambers writes, "We have nothing to do with the outflow" ... it is the work of God, that you believe in Him Whom He has sent" (John 6:29 NASB). That "victoriously persistent" river overcomes barriers, twisting and turning around things that threaten to hinder and destroy its flow. This is Christ at-work in us: He strengthens and sustains and empowers us in and through all days-of-our-lives, magnifying Himself in us into a world of darkness in need of The Great Light. The one question is ever before us: as those who "believe" in Jesus, are we focused and abiding in The Source of the Living Water within us? He is the eternal and all-powerful ... Mighty River.

Health Update

Thank you, Morning with Beverly readers, for your patience as I am on-the-mend
from a [relatively urgent] heart catheterization (Monday 08/31) where four blockages
were found and opened with stents. I am very grateful that for the last several
months I've been in the gracious care and keeping of The Father. I am home,
doing well and recovering nicely. Stay in The Word and
let The Word stay in you. Miles of Smiles, Beverly  

Blog Break

Hello, my dear MWB FriendsAt
At present, I'm home recovering from a medical procedure
In His gracious and sovereign care, I am doing very well
MWB should resume Monday 09-07
Stay in The Word!
Miles of Smiles, Beverly