Heart Blooms

Caring for things can be time-consuming and tedious. I've watched Mister Bill tenderly care for an orchid, and been quite impressed even amused at how intentional he has been about proper soil, light, temperature and moisture. Jeremiah 29:17 says, "The hear is deceitful above all things and it is extremely sick." Wow, it seems logical the heart needs some tending-to! May I suggest the tendency is to care for many things, however, the heart is greatly neglected. It is naturally exposed to so many things that nurture its already deceitfully sick condition. King David was justly horrified when the condition of his wicked heart was exposed, and it led him to deep confession and repentance. God instructs His true children to diligently watch over their hearts because everything about us flows from the heart (Proverbs 4:23). I propose there is a genuine lack of care, both time-consuming and tedious care, given to caring for the heart. We've just enjoyed three blooms on Mister Bill's orchid - beautiful, healthy, fruit of his tender care! Likewise, hearts rooted in and maintained by God's Word will bear phenomenal ... heart blooms.

Wait With Hope

A precious childhood memories is when Pop and Granny (Mom's parents) came to visit. They usually came during the school week, and it was a thrilling sight to see their pale green Plymouth parked in the yard when my sisters and I got off the bus. Part of the excitement was that they always brought each one of us candy! Psalm 130 is a song about the hope found in The Lord: "Out of the depths [of distress] I have cried to You, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If You, LORD, should keep an account of our sins and treat us accordingly, O Lord, who could stand?" (Verses 1-3 AMP). I often make a list of things to do or to remember but I'm ever more grateful God doesn't keep a "Beverly List." The list would be long and frightful to me; truly, I could not stand before The Lord in innocence! This psalm does not end on that alarming note, however: "But there is forgiveness with You ... With the LORD there is lovingkindness ... With Him is abundant redemption" (from Verses 4 and 7). It's really good news that "with God" there is certainty of forgiveness, love, kindness and deliverance from sin. When Pop and Granny visited, we knew "with them" came treats, which made their visit all the sweeter! In the same way, when in relationship "with Jesus," we experience hope and joy. Hence, the psalmist says, "I wait [patiently] for the LORD, my soul [expectantly] waits, and in His Word do I hope. My soul waits for the LORD." (Verses 5-6 AMP). God's children do not wait in vain nor do they wait hopelessly - let us take great joy as we ... wait with Hope.

Blog Break

 MWB Bloggin' Will Resume
Monday 02-23
Stay in The Word!
Miles of Smiles, Beverly

Read What Is Written

Have you ever been mis-quoted or had your words twisted into something you did not say n or mean? I suppose it's true that "silence is seldom misquoted." Although we deserved His silence, I'm so glad God wasn't silent after man sinned. God not only spoke to man after the fall, He carefully chose men to write down His words. "It is written" appears 311 times in Scripture. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." (Matthew 24:35). How wonderful God's words are written down ... written down and intended that we should read them! It's most unfortunate, however, many Believers don't read God's words; further troubling is the fact that God's words have been twisted into something God never said. Did you know those who handle money spend time training to recognize both real and counterfeit money? Interestingly, they don't study the counterfeit, the fake bills; no, they carefully study the real, the authentic tender. In the same way, if we do not know The Truth as God delivered it to His chosen writers, we will never identify what is counterfeit, what is untrue. Do you faithfully read God's Word? If not, I suggest you're a prime target for Satan's lies, deceit and the twisted truth. Only you can change that: ask God for the grace you need to love Him so intensely you want to read what He has written. Wanna know truth? Read what is written!

Treasure The Treasure

As graduating high school seniors, it was customary to write a "last will and testament." As I recall, most were quite humorous especially since the opening line was "I, being of sound mind." It was usually downhill from there! Let me propose most of the bad behavior we witness today is the result of bad doctrine ... poor teachings and weak principles for life. Several places in Scripture, Paul refers to "sound doctrine," and that word "sound" simply "healthy." Truth is, many guiding principles today just are not healthy nor do they encourage right living. One Bible commentator writes, "Right thinking is the raw material for right actions." How have we missed the soundness of mind that leads to righteous actions? One clear answer we find in Psalm 119:11 - "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11 NASB). We have failed to identify the key treasure - that is, the treasure of God's Word! We've substituted other voices - the otherwise sound minds of our day - and the results are disastrous. "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word" (Psalm 119:9 NASB). God's unchanging Word remains firm in all seasons and every circumstances of life; It is unwavering in Its guidance for good spiritual health. Yes, it is sound in the purest sense. We have lost our way but there is hope; the way back is ... treasure the Treasure.