my wings are made of faith

Selfishness leads to quarrels

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient ... —2 timothy 2:23-24

i've been thinking quite a bit about arguments i've had with people throughout my life. You know what i've realized? If i weren't demanding my way and if i put my selfishness aside, pretty much none of those arguments would've existed. What an argument really comes down to is two people with their own selfish desires trying to get their way or convince the other that what they are saying is the absolute truth. Sounds a little harsh, but isn't it true? 

Looking at quarrels from this perspective has changed the way i communicate with others. i make myself, in the back of my mind, try really, really hard to set aside my wants and needs to avoid an argument that would cause grief in the long run, especially if it's over something that has no eternal value. 

Life is too short to waste minutes and breath quarreling with another. i choose peace, compassion, and a gentle spirit. Because i am human, i still fail at this sometimes. When i do, i ask for forgiveness, from God and the other person and i drop it off at the foot of the cross.

Father, God, you tell us to avoid quarrels because it isn't healthy for our mind and spirit. Next time we find ourselves in a heated dispute that has no real value, please reveal what selfish desires are fanning the flame. Help us to be humble and compassionate, Lord, to always be kind and full of light and love. When we fall short of this, help us repent, Father.  In Jesus name.

When life circumstances are a burden too heavy to carry—pray!

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.—Luke 22:42-44

i read these verses the other day and i haven't been able to stop thinking about them since. The courage, heart, emotion, and strength of Jesus to be able to say these words—wow— i can't even begin to tell you how much they encourage me. Jesus submits completely to the Father. When Jesus is tired and overcome with emotion, God sends an angel to strengthen Him. And, even though the pain seemed too much to bear, making it easy to want to give up, He didn't stop praying. Scripture tells us that he prayed more earnestly, knowing deep down that God had a beautiful plan for His life. 

We can learn so much from Jesus in just these couple verses. 
• When we submit to God's will the outcome is always good, even though parts of our journey are difficult.
• God knows when the load we are carrying is too heavy to carry alone. He sends Jesus and angels to lighten the burden.
• Even though life gets difficult and it's easy to throw in the towel, God wants us to persevere, He helps us move through the dark valley. It may seem like prayers are not being answered, but now is not the time to stop praying. We must pray our way all the way through the valley. And every day we might need to pray a little harder than the day before. But, rest assured, the Lord answers prayers! We have to trust Him and wait patiently for Him.

Don't give up, don't ever give up. The Lord has so many beautiful plans for your life. Pray harder and rest in His arms—it's safe there.

Jesus, thank you for allowing us to read about one of your most vulnerable life moments. We find ourselves in these situations often, but it's hard to see a way out. You show us a way out, though. We can be encouraged by your courage, strength, and your heart to serve the Father.  This scripture is a reminder that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. 

Thy Face

When you said, seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Psalm 27:8

When my children were little, scarcely a day went by that I didn’t say a dozen times: “Look at me.”  It was difficult to get them to focus on what I was saying to them, unless I could get them to look at me.  Every mother must go through a period of seeing their child discover how to ignore Mom’s instruction, and act as if they don’t hear her reprimands and direction.  When this happens, Mom’s go through a period of repeating themselves, over and over, unless they get smart and outwit the child.  With 3 toddlers, I finally learned that it was important to get them to at least look at me. In order to not just be talking to the air, I learned very quickly that I had to get down face to face with them, and insist they look at me. 

Well they resisted, and when they resented my forcing them to look at me, I learned that there must be some distance between us, but they needed a reason to look my way.  Without that reason,  they simply found lots of reasons to ignore me until I was frustrated with them.  I really can’t remember how I came upon the solution, but it was the best answer to my exasperation, and I really don’t know why it works.  I decided that I would not give my children unlimited opportunities to listen and respond to my voice.  They didn’t realize that their lives might depend on it one day, especially if I already had two of the three of them by the hand.  Since I didn’t have 3 hands, my voice would simply have to be the thing that held them back from harm, or sent them in a direction that was functional to us all.

So, I began to make them look at me, but I instructed them to look first at my face to see what I was saying, and then at my hands to see how long they had to get busy doing what they were told.  It was a hand signal of “one, two, three.”  Initially, my instructions were that they look at me, and if they didn’t obey quickly, I would say, “one.”  If they didn’t respond, I would say, “two.”  If I got to “three,” they knew they were going to be punished, or disciplined in some way.  I made sure there was enough time between the numbers to give them response time.  Just like stopping your car, it takes a bit to make the decision to just move your body.   But, eventually, I could tell by the attitude of their bodies, if they heard me or not, and if they intended to obey right away.  I could see them quicken their movements to complete what they were doing, and they would look at my hands to see if I had said one or two, to know how much of a hurry they needed to be in.  The time came that I almost never got to “three.”  In fact, the time came that I could have my back to them, and have my hands behind my back, using only my fingers to designate the numbers.  I held up one finger, then two, and usually by three, they were either standing by my side, or had quieted themselves and were busy doing what I had asked them to do. This was especially good when I was talking to someone, but needed them to be quieter, or get ready to leave.

Eventually, my children would look at me often just to see if I was simply waiting on them to look my way so I could quietly instruct them to do something.  Or to see if they missed something and I was already holding up fingers to count down their time.  By this time, the decision was now theirs. I believe this worked because they needed the limits on the time it took them to look at me and obey.   When I was able, I also sometimes used the "Come to me," instruction to give them a reward for paying attention and looking at me.  If I had to go back, I would have spanked them far less, and would have given far more rewards for having them respond appropriately. 

The “Look At Me” Principle is very Biblical.  Learning to practice it as mindful children, looking to a loving heavenly Father, helps us focus and obey the voice of God as much as it helped my children. He too, needs not to have to repeat over and over his will for us, nor should we tarry 'til he gets to "3."

Let us decide today to look to the face of our heavenly father, several times during the day.  May we not miss his guidance and give him opportunity to need to place discipline in our path to redirect us toward looking to his face and listening for his voice.

Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord: for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.  Psalm 25:15

Lord, I desire to be like David and be an obedient Child, focusing often on you, to know your will and recognize your voice.  If there is a frustrated mother or teacher, needing a way to have their children listen, help them apply the principle, and find the joy getting their children to choose to respond will bring. Bless their efforts and ours as we look to thee. Amen.

The Key to the Balancing Act of Life

As a teacher (AND mom and wife), this time of year gets hectic and busy.  Often I find myself so tired and having trouble keeping my head above the waters of life.  In addition to all of my every day duties, I am preparing for a mission trip to Lima, Peru in two weeks.  How do we survive when life gets busy?

Nehemiah 8 says,

“The joy of the Lord is our strength.”

We all face times when we are hectic.  I’m ok with that fact as long as I don’t stay there too long.  The challenge we have is reflecting Christ in the midst of this fast season.  According to Scripture, the key is to focus on the joy of the Lord.  It is very tempting to begin complaining and grumbling.  This attitude doesn’t reflect our relationship with Jesus.  

The best way to display the joy of the Lord is to spend time with Him every single day.  Ask God to renew your mind and heart.  Beg Him to adjust your attitude to one that reflects His joy.  I also spend time praying for my sleep to be restful and renewing sleep each night.

Billy Graham said, “Life is short; none of us knows how long we have.  Live each day as if it were your last-for someday it will be.”

My Prayer:  God, show me how to balance all of the responsibilities you have placed in my lfie.  Order my steps each day.  I ask that you renew my mind and heart.  Let your joy be evident to others.  I pray that my rest be peaceful and protected so that I feel renewed each morning.  In Jesus Name!

 

Put It On!

There are certain things in life that we do because our parents taught us to, as children, and over time they have become almost second nature. One of these is dressing. Putting on clothes has been a common occurrence in daily life since God first dressed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Although we often do it, with an attitude of adorning ourselves to look nice to others, it should never be a burden. I knew a lady once who would never let her husband see her without her make-up on. She woke very early and actually obsessed over her appearance in the dark. Dressing should never be so stressful or vain, obsessive or cause for paranoia. Preparing our soul for the day should be easy as sliding on our clothes. Once learned, never forgotten.

Jacob, in genesis 28 made a vow to God "saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on..." He wasn't asking much of God. But he was expecting God to provide some basics for life. He wanted to not have to think about these things, but rather just trust God. (verse 20.) Jesus reflected this verse when he told his disciples -

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. Luke 12:21-23. Why? Because it is the Father's to provide.

Now this verse doesn't mean we can't literally "think" about these things. It means that it should almost be mindless to expect God to provide our daily needs. There have been a number of times my understanding of this concept has really been tested. But lately, I have tried to live in expectation of God meeting my needs, so that I might be free to do what ever He expects of me. God doesn't want our needs to over power our thinking about walking in his wonderful plan, or distract us from doing things in His Name.

Scripture uses this simplicity of the act of dressing oneself to refer to how we prepare our spiritual selves as well. We've discussed lately how to dress in the armor to protect us from the wiles of Satan. There are a number of other scriptural references to "put on" something. A quick review reveals a theme. Remember that dressing our soul should be as practical, and simple as dressing our body. It should be second nature, not a burden:

Fret Not Thyself

In Psalm 37 the first phrase in the chapter is, "Fret not thyself."  Before verse 10, it appears in the text twice more.  Now the translation would obviously be: Don't be anxious," but there is a curious thing about the way it is spoken in the old form.  It seems to say that anxiousness and worry are something we do to ourselves.  As a worrier myself, I have been trying to apply these verses, with the recognition of that fact.  If I worry, I may be bringing a state of FRET on myself.  So since I know I have a need to do SOMETHING, what can I do in response to what causes me to worry that would be the right response?

These are the words God gives us to replace being fretful.They are given in an almost " if we, then God" format -

If we:

• vs. 3 ~ Trust (in the Lord) & Do Good - then God will provide that we will dwell in our land and be fed.
• vs. 4 ~ Delight ourselves (find pleasure in the Lord) - then expect Him to give you the desires of your heart.
• vs. 5 ~ Commit our way (to the Lord) &  believe He will "bring it to pass," - then He will make our right choices perfectly clear in time, bright as the noonday sun.
• vs. 7 ~ Rest and wait patiently (on the Lord) staying  focused, without looking at what's happening with others, (for in time wicked people get their justice,) then we can hear God laughing at them, because he sees their day is coming.
• vs. 8 ~ Cease (from anger, leaving wrath behind), turning our thoughts from doing evil..or retribution - then He will take care of those who do evil things in our pathway, and take that burden from us.

I especially like the light-heartedness of God telling us to imagine Him laughing at people who try to devise thier own way out of their troubles. Can't you just see Him shakin' His head? But wait, he calls them wicked.  Oh yes, when we are trying to spend all that time figuring a way out, and worrying ourselves with the devices, it is sin.  Sin is anything going in the opposite direction of how God is trying to take us.  So I guess, any devisive thinking, is really sin, because God says "don't fret yourself with it."  SO...

A Call To Action

Exodus 12 tells us the specifics of the Passover.  The name of this Jewish celebration came from the fact that God promised that when he saw the blood, he would not allow the destroyer to come into their homes and take the lives of the firstborn, as occurred in the houses where the blood was not applied.

...When I see the blood, I will pass over you. Exodus 12:12

The text says in the last verse that all of the Israelites did as they were instructed. It indicates that, not a single home in Egypt was unaffected, indicating that none of them were covered by the blood. Even to those held captive in the Egyptian dungeons.  To me the miracle of that night was not that the firstborn of the Israelite families escaped if God saw the blood, but that the Israelites came together as a nation of people to all do the same thing.  They were instructed to participate in a specific action, and they apparently did. They all believed.  They all placed the blood on their doors. (verse 50.)

I don’t think they were concerned about this being a picture of the Savoir of future generations dying on a cross. They were concerned that God would kill their firstborn.  Now it is sometimes forgotten that this would not only mean the children, but many of the adults were also the first born in their families.  My husband and I are both firstborn children, so I often think what an impact it would have on some families to lose not just one child, but possibly parents, and grandparents. 

The Egyptians were given 10 incentives to allow the people of Israel to go.  God is willing to give a number of opportunities for people to act on his direction. But there does come a time when there are no more opportunities.

The one thing the Lord wants me to share from these verses, today, is that there is a call to action in order to receive the blessings of the Lord.  It was possible to believe that the God of Israel was the one true God, and not place the blood on the door as specified, and reap the great losses of that decision to ignore the call to action.  There is also a time for action.  These things are true of God’s call to Salvation as well.

The blood applied leads to open doors.

Standing on God's Promises

Philippians 4:4-7 says,

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  An the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

We can very often become consumed with worry throughout our day to day lives.  As a Christian, I find so many wonderful promises from the Lord in these verses.

First of all the Lord promises that He is near.  No matter what circumstances we are dealing with, God is faithful and He is true to His word.  Hebrews 13: 5 says,

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

The second promise is that when we seek the Lord with prayer and petition, we will have peace that transcends all understanding.  

The following is a footnote from my Bible about this peace.  "God's peace is different from the world's peace.  True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings.  It comes from knowing that God is in control.  Our citizenship in Christ's kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin.  Let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety."

As we are moving closer to Easter, let's focus on God's promises that are secured to us because of Jesus.

My prayer:  Lord, I lay my anxiety at the foot of the cross.  Thank you that you will never leave or forsake me.  I also thank you for the peace that comes following my prayers and petitions.  Holy Spirit, remind me when my heart goes astray.  Jesus, thank you for being the ultimate sacrifice.  In Jesus name!

 

Daily Blessings: Have You Thanked God Today?

Trauma both focuses your thoughts and scatters your ability to function, all at the same time.

My husband had a heart attack Sunday night and we were totally focused on getting him help, but I forgot how to answer my phone, drive familiar streets, and couldn't bring a single scripture to mind. Then, there by the elevator in the hospital was a little sign. "Have you thanked God today?"  I was able to focus on it while we waited, and realized at this moment, I didn't need a scripture - I needed to thank God for anything I could think of about every thing that was happening.

When the elevator door opened, I snapped back into reality - realizing I had completely slipped away for a few moments as I contemplated how thankful I really was. And I was calmer, able to say with absolute resolution, "Thank you God for taking such good care of my husband!  And for all the people who were soooo kind and helpful.  So dedicated and capable. Who saved my husband's life.

As we entered the elevator, I was able for the first time to focus outside my own small world and I remembered the little girl crying in the hall.  ~Lord bless her to not be afraid of what was happening behind those great big doors.

Then, the 25 year old boy, who came in directlly behind us, also having a heart attack. His family finding out for the first time that he'd had a heart defect since birth, and now required repair of a heart valve  ~ Lord bless the surgeons and people working on this young man. Give his family the calm you have shown me. Protect him, bring him back to health.

Then, the young person throwing up in the in the emergency while I waited for them to let me go back to kiss Jimmy, before they put him in the ambulance to the second hospital.   The nurse was kindly asking had he ever had a heart troubles, as she gave him a container to throw up in.  She saw something other than a virus on this young man, and possibly saved his life by not sending him to a corner to wait like so many others, who were sick but not critically so.  His mother was shaking worse than me.   ~ Lord help her and take special care of her son.

I almost hated that I ran out of reflections as the doors of the elevator opened, because for a few short minutes I almost felt as if I were holding God's hand, as he helped me look around. I heard his still small voice say: "They are all in my care."

Earlier for a second the fear and worry came rushing in – and the Lord said: “Halt! Don’t go there.”

I told myself, “NO Absolutely, NO! I will not let myself go down that path.” So I prayed, “Lord, Thank you for hearing our prayers. I am refusing to believe anything other than that you are making it possible for Jimmy to retire with everything we are going to need.  This is your hour of providence. I count it already to be in place. I claim your best for him. He is in your hands. AMEN”

Now, he is doing well.  As I look down on the table beside me where I am sitting writing this, I smile to see what is lying there. It is a Gideon Bible.  God also provides the scriptures I could not call up from my distressed mind. And the first thing I opened it to was the story of Joseph taking his children to visit Israel when he was sick. (Genesis 48 ) God gave me the Word and the few minutes to read it. He will provide everything we need in due time. Exactly when we need it.

How simple it was to open my heart and recognize one of the best of God's daily blessings.  To see him at work in people's lives by an act of looking around me to see what I can be thankful for. This has changed my life.

Once again I say,

Thank you , Lord, for sharing what the act of saying thank you can do to calm the turbulent seas. In Jesus Name,  AMEN

Recieve and Enjoy His Gifts

The Lord has laid it on my heart that I should encourage his people to use the gifts he has given them.  From creation to salvation to the everyday things of life, God gives freely and out of love.  In fact, most things are already given, and we often fail to look at our need as if God is already out there ahead of us, with provision and a desire to bless us.  He is asking us to have a change of attitude about how we approach seeing His grace.  America needs a change of heart, but that occurs with one American at a time.  I am trying to open my own eyes and heart to see it from God’s point of view.

Let the word speak for itself:

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…James 1: 17

…each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. I Corinthians 7:7

Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God that is in you… For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:6, 7

… that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.  Ecclesiastes 3:13

What if in light of the above scriptures we prayed,

 “Lord help me to perform out of the gifts you have given me, to stir up the power and love and mental soundness that will edify life lived through you. Help me to find the blessings that are already mine, and to share my gifts in a way that brings fruit to your kingdom.  And help me enjoy the good things that come of my labor, which are a gift from you. May I seek to use my unique gifts, given by you to accomplish those good things.  Help me come at my day saying, I already have the gifts of God to make it through this day. Lord I accept those gifts. Jesus, bless each one this day, and help me to find joy and peace in using them. Help me daily to honor the most precious of your gifts – of the Spirit and of eternal life.  Help me to pray not as a beggar, but as a rich man.“  Amen

Peace, be still!

I’m at a place in my life where I am so busy.  I work full time teaching kindergarteners.  My children are both involved in sports.  I also make time to go to the chiropractor three times a week, take a Bible study, go to Sunday School and church, take aerobics, and write blog articles. I haven’t even mentioned the mountains of laundry or housework that has to be done.  Whew! I’m tired just talking about it!

I know that if many of our readers documented their days, they probably would have more activities than I do.  How do we abide in God’s peace in the midst of life’s demands?

Mark 4:35-39 says,

“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm”.

We are often like the disciples who say, “God, do you see that I’m drowning in life’s demands?”  His response?  “Yes, child, I was waiting on you to ask.”  The same Jesus that commanded the storm be calmed is willing and able to breathe peace over our lives when we ask him. Our challenge is to carve out time in our lives to meet with our living God, our Heavenly Father, the giver of all good things and Peace Everlasting.

My prayer:  God thank you for reminding us of the peace you offer.  I ask you to breath that calmness over my life.  You know my responsibilities, help me to prioritize those with you being at the top of the list.  Holy Spirit, make me aware of the need to allow the peace of God to permeate my life on a daily basis.  In Jesus Name!

 

Courage to Move Forward

I confess that I have difficulty sometimes with moving forward, having the confidence and a will to get finished, which I was really good at in my professional life. There are legitamate reasons, not the least of which is my husband's criticism early in every project I tackle.  I have to just do things when he isn't here, more than when he is.  In my old shop, my landlord was telling me a new reason everyday to be afraid to unlock the door and stay there all day. He told me once that there were some men who were robbing little shops along the very road mine was on, but several miles west.  If I had not just thought that I was where God wanted me to be, and said a little prayer for protection, I might not have gone into work in the morning until they caught the men.  Once there was a bear which was roaming our neighborhood and turning over people's trashcans.  If I had not just said, "God please protect my children." and believed He would, they would not have gone out of the house again until the bear was caught. Recently, my grandson took his first dirve alone with his new driver's license. His mother and I just looked at each other and when he got to the top of the drive, turned and blew us a kiss, we both almost hit the dirt. All she could say was, "How did you do this?"  We didn't have to say it..we both knew it was prayer.

I often encourage others to move forward and find myself crippled from moving forward, afraid of not having enough money, or of being crushed by my husband's broken record that resounds like my Mother saying, "You don't need to do that."  But oh yes I do!  I do because God gave me gifts to do certain things. I have been successful doing so many things for other people that I know God's calling on my life, in this stage of my life, is to find the courage to move forward in my own life.

So I have challenged myself over the last few years.  I haven't succeeded in quite the way I wanted to, and it is tempting to think, "Lord, did I misunderstand?" But I already know the answer. Part of cultivating the courage to move forward each day is just doing it.  Not with expectations of results necessarily. For me lists are a huge motivator.  Picturing the possible scenarios can backfire if I dwell on the possible things that can go wrong, so I admit the foibles but make myself not dwell there. But the biggest thing that moves me forward is prayer.  Just sharing all those things with God, admitting my fears, and tackling things.  Then the next thing is forgiveness. I have learned to forgive myself when I just don't  get done when others think I should. Thirdly, I have learned to use what I  have.   I often have almost everything I need to get a project going.  God is a provider. A forgiver. A motivator. An encourager. I am trying more and more to heed His voice and act upon the ideas He gives me.  Together, we can get a lot done. In the end, however, God doesn't want me to tarry too long in prayer, or sit a while forgiving myself in pity, or just keep taking inventory of all he has given me.....He wants me to ACT upon all that. To borrow the famous NIKE phrase: "JUST DO IT."

And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.  Now therefore perform the doing of it: that as there was a readiness to will so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. II Corinthians 8:10 - 12

Looks like I am not the only one who has needed help in moving forward. God is bigger than anything that holds me back. I need to trust that.

Lord, I never want to go back to driving myself to ridiculous scedules, but I don't want to fall into the quagmire of not giving myself the same value that I gave to everyone else.  When I set out to get things done, let me do it with purpose. I confess a need to value the tasks you direct me to in my own life the same way I do when doing something for others. Keep me grounded, but give me courage at every task to move forward. AMEN

 

Life Application: Forget About Fear!

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.—Deuteronomy 31:6

Fear lurks around every corner waiting to take its hold ... of our faith, dreams, hope, peace and joy. It is a thief of all good blessings given to us. We have two choices:

1. We can let it be crippling, walking in fear of the unknown or

2. We can claim the scripture above believing with our whole heart that God goes before us and with us. He says, DO NOT be afraid because He will never leave us. How awesome that we can put one foot in front of the other without fear of anything! How abundant a life of faith, dreams, hope, peace and joy we could live daily if only we'd hold tight to His promise! All we have to do is focus completely on Him, walking heel to toe. 

Why do we fear? It's the enemy at work- He comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) - Oh but His purpose is to gives a rich and satisfying life. Walk in the light today, repeating this scripture often —His Word is the best defense against any attack!

Thank you Lord, my God, that you never leave me. I will not be afraid of anything today! In the mighty name of Jesus!

Scratching the Curiosity Itch

Sometimes when I study God's word, I find myself thinking, "Wonder where that place was?" or "Wonder what that looked like?"  When I was a little girl, I was fascinated by the different cultures, art and lifestyles of the people whose stories I was reading in the Bible.  In fact, to understand the stories, I sometimes needed to know more about the background. I spent hours looking at books with the "ancient stuff." That hasn't changed for me down through the years.  I find my curiosity about the places and people who wrote the Bible has never changed.  I love seeing the things that archeologists unearth, and visiting the virtual places where things from the Bible occurred.  I probably will never travel to the Holy Land but I love books and websites which will give me glimpses into that history. Besides, I want to know how it looked then, not now.

Here's a great place to scratch that history curiosity itch: Bible History online ~

http://www.bible-history.com/

It opens on the home page, but I like to navigate it from the sitemap page.  There are lists of subjects and types of info that can be looked at from the site.  Each subject ususally brings up another list, but don't stop there.  Start clicking! Maps, Study tools, Archeology, Images, Art, Geography, Names....the list goes on and on of the links this author has compiled.  In some cases I could not use my back button, so I just went to the search bar on the top of my page and erased back to bible-history.com, then hit refresh (low tech). I ran across a note from the site owner which said that Vista had some problems when navigating his site, but I have and old version of Windows, and Window 7 and had no difficulty other than the back arrow. I especially liked finding a map of early Bible lands in the first century. When you click on a site, a box of associated sites will pop up above the actual listings. Some are adds, usually Bible related. Don't click into the box unless you wish to leave the site. Listings in the box are sometimes links to other resources. 

Below the box will sometimes be only one line which will link you to information, images, and a side bar list of sub categories or additional subjects. Infomation is generally alphabetized and easy to navigate.  If your curiosity sends you seeking, this is a good place to start. If your children need ancient history research tools, this could be helpful to them too.

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (which comes up under the study tools ~ dictionaries and encyclopedias) has a search feature, as did several of the other tools I clicked on. But the site itself did not seem to have a search feature. 

This site is just plain interesting. When I think of how peoples of all the earth down through the centuries have held their books precious, preserved their histories, ancestries, and details of every element of their lives, I pause to thank God that we have access to so much of it.  When they wrote it in stone, they had a sense that someone might read it many years in the future.  But I bet they never guessed there would be a time that anyone, who took a minute to look, might read it from anywhere in the world on a tiny little screen. If you have even a little curiosity for knowing how and where our Bible ancestors lived, check out this site.

On the site map is a subject heading: Bible Backdrops. The sub-heading is "Relevant Historical Insights into Scripture." First on the list is a note on the money changers doing business in front of the temple. (John 2:13-16) I learned something from the short narrative that is written there that I never knew. It makes this story of Jesus come alive, and deepens the blessing. It says: "The large outer court was called 'the Court of the Gentiles' because it was devoted to the foreigners who had come to worship God at the temple and they could proceed no further. It is interesting that Jesus chose to stop at this place to show forth his anger toward the money-changers, ...and this was not the first time he came to the aid of non-Jews." 

Why that is so precious to me to know, is that it is just one more way Jesus showed how he came for the lost of the whole world, and he loved Jews and Gentiles. It goes on to say that the pilgrims who arrived there were met with scorn and contempt, and the money changers took up space where the worshipers would have preferred to stand. Jesus made room for them, and put the purpose they came for back into proper perspective. I can be assured of Christ's love for Gentiles, especially when I know the context of the scripture, and the story behind the story. I am making "Scripture Backdrops" my devotional for a while. It is a refreshing way to look at the Word.

Thank you Lord, for glimpses into the lives of those who lived in Bible times.  And for the insites of people who have loved and studied your Word around the world.  So much is offered to strengthen our faith and expand our understanding of just how much you love us.  I am so glad to see how the things we find continue to show that you are always the same. It blesses me to know more about the people who saw fit to write it down, or carve it in stone, or paint pictures, or build buildings to store it. Bless all who continue to preserve and share the treasures of Bible history. Thank you for touching my heart with something new, that continues to inspire me, after all these years. AMEN

Bible Study Tools ~ Online!

References and sources, which we refer to in order to present you an accurate depiction of God's Word, formerly were hard copy.  Books like a condordance, expository, and bible dictionary are required to fully understand what we are reading sometimes, especially in the old languages.  But we are so blessed to have access to valuable resources online now, and the most versatile of those we use is, of course, Biblegateway.com/ which is on our sidebar. It allows us to send you to the scriptures instantly, while giving you the opportunity to view those verses in parallel to several translations. It unifies our interpretations and allows us to make comparative references to wording from Old and New Testaments. No verse is good outside of its context, and we value the time you spend reading the story or verses that surround the scriptures we give you.  Often so much more is gained from the whole Biblical story.

This week, I have two new resources I want to share, for your discretionary use, especially if you are a teacher of the word, or a blogger, author, or parent. Also, if something God is giving you blesses you, expanding on it will help it stick. Find and explore these sites to gain the full potential offered on each. I will give you one today and one on Friday. My sincere hope is that these simplify your life rather than adding one more aggravating technology.

~The first is simple to remember: Bible Study Tools at:

http://www.biblestudytools.com/

On this site, it is possible to set up your own personal account, where you can access scripture, highlight verses, take notes, and use a multitude of references such as commentaries, encyclopedias, and dictionaries. There is a library tab that is a resource in itself.  Click on the "Browse the Bible" tab on the right side of the page. How could that be easier or quicker to use? Take a moment and check it out. Notice that there is a speaker icon once you have arrived at your scripture passage - click this for the chapter to be read to you! Listen to the Bible while you wash dishes or fold clothes! We believe knowing how to get the answers when you are on the run is a great oppportunity. I am putting this one on the top of my 2012 new favorites list.  Hope you will too.

Our keyword today: Study.

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15

...and for balance:

The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that wich was written was upright, even words of truth...by these, my son be admonished; of making many books there is no end, and (too) much study is a weariness of the flesh. Ecclesiastes 12: 10 and 12.  LOL

Dear Lord Jesus, even you spent some time among the books in the temple.  You saw fit to preserve a series of books through the centuries which would help us along our way. Please continue to preserve the understanding of those books in our hurried technical world.  I thank you for access to study helps like the ones listed here, and ask you to bless those who prepared them.  Empower our readers who may need quick references in this busy world.  May these offerings truly be useful, and not burdensome. Use them to bless someone today. In your name, AMEN.

 

 

Love in action

I John 3:18 says,

"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

During this time in February, we are often bombarded with chocolate hearts, stuffed animals, jewelry and Valentine's Day cards.  Although romantic love is enticing, the question remains, how do we love each other the rest of the year?

You've probably heard the saying, "Love is a verb." I believe that's exactly what the apostle John meant when he said, "Let us love with actions and in truth."

It seems like it's easy to love others when life is great and not stressed, but how do we react when unplanned complications occur?  The times when circumstances are difficult are direct reflections of the Christ filled love in our hearts.

Our challenge today is to reflect on all of the relationships in our lives and examine our love and communication in each one carefully lining up with the Holy Spirit.  Let's choose to be known by the way we love others.

My Prayer: God, thank you for reminding me of the importance of loving others well.  Pour your spirit out through me and into the lives of those I love and have been called to minister to.  I confess that I fall short so often.  Holy Spirit, show me how to react with love.  Jesus, thank you for being the best model of human love in your sacrifice on the cross.  In Jesus name!

 

Pursuing the Proverbs - Day 11

This is an Old Testament verse. We often don’t think of the Israelite saints as “soul winners.”  Christians think they have that all sewed up by being given the “Great Commission.”  But it was on the heart of the man who wrote this Proverb, many years before the Lord sent out his followers to seek the lost.  It is believed that Solomon was the author of most of the Proverbs. Think of all the people he had access to. He believed in winning souls, and that it would be the fruit a believer would yield, if he were wise. Jesus referred to the old scripture texts often, and he spoke of fulfilling those scriptures.  His stories always referenced both the familiar things in life to his listeners, but also familiar verses from the scriptures, which all good Israelites learned in the temple and at the tables of their fathers. When Jesus spoke of a tree yielding fruit, his followers probably knew he spoke of a Proverb, which said that winning souls was wise.  They knew he wanted them to go and help others believe according to their scriptures. God gave us different personalities, and talents. But Christ wanted all of us to use the talents we have to share the Savoir with others, to “win” souls. It has been his desire for hundreds of years.

Today’s Reflection: If you are a fruit tree, it is only natural you yield fruit.  Being a tree of life, means you produce fruit that is 1- good for food, to sustain life, and 2 – seed bearing, to produce more trees that produce fruit, promoting furtherance to life. As human trees of life we have the inner ability to feed a hungry soul, or produce the oil that lights their way, and also to plant the seeds that perpetuate the winning of souls.  What we say and how we say it, might feed a hungry soul today. And they in turn might tell someone else. There is a lot of wisdom in bringing more people into the family of God.

The most practical application I can think of is to actually ask people, at appropriate times, if they have ever been born again. Next time you are dropping groceries, and stumbling over curbs, and look up at someone who is trying not to laugh at you, say: “Are you a Christian?” If they say yes, say,” Well good, would you please pray for me today, I am having a rough day.”  If they say no, say, “that’s too bad, ‘cause I could sure use somebody’s prayers today.” You would be witnessing without beating someone over the head with it.  Plant the seed.  Maybe, you can think of other ways to interact that wisely help you to help awaken in someone the ability to hear the Holy Spirit’s call, while planting the seeds of the tree of life.

Today’s Prayer: Lord, in the days after your death, the Christians who witnessed had to find ways to do it. And they proclaimed you at risk of their lives, sometimes.  In other countries around the world, the risks are equally high. We would be wise to win souls while we can for our country’s sake, that we may continue to have that freedom.  In the battle for souls, winning is the key word. Americans love to win. Lord make us winners in the fruit business, and help us put all our winning energy into making the best orchard on earth. AMEN

For more wisdom, read Chapter 11 of Proverbs.

 

 

Pursuing the Proverbs: Day 6

God wants to provide guidance for us that we might be able to get through life easier, safer, healthier, wiser, and having built good character. In the Proverb today, the phrase “reproofs of instruction are the way of life” refers to discipline.  Our minds sometimes jump to the emotional reactions that come with discipline and we withdraw and wince. But the whole verse conveys a more pleasant picture than painful discipline. 

Today's reflection: God prefers that we use the law and commandments as a means of lighting our way so we can easily stay on the path.  Ever thought about walking a path in darkness? We naturally are deterred from getting off the path if we can’t see what’s there. Instincts and experience tell us that getting off the path in the dark will get us lost.  This is the image God would have us visualize. He would have us fear to get off his path more than fear staying on his path.  We have it backwards when we are afraid of where the Lord would lead us.  Or fear that we might fall or fail to get there when he is lighting our way.

God’s plan will shed light on only a small section of the path at a time.  We seldom visually see to the destination, rather, just the section of the path where we must walk our next steps.  God wants us to not become overwhelmed on His path.   Take life a few steps at a time. Seek to know the destination, if he allows, but don’t stress about not being there yet. 

On our “birdcount” this weekend, my husband and I did some “owling,” (seeking out and counting owls,) in the dark.  We park along roads where the habitat is right, and we play a tape, which is a recording of a screech owl’s calls. This is a small owl, usually less than 12 " tall. Several kinds of owls will respond to the tape, hoping to warn the presumed "intruder" of territory bounderies.  When we hear them call in response to the tape, we can count them, because we know which owls have which calls. My husband and some of our birding friends cannot hear certain bird calls.  This weekend, the little screech owls needed to be very close for him to be able to hear their low, very soft, “bounce call.” To put them on his personal list, he needed to hear them if not see them.  So he was patient and listened for them to come in very close. Often, with a flashlight, we can also see them.  Sometimes, just after dawn, we get good looks at them.  And it’s a good thing, because they seldom call after dawn. In this instance, we stand still and let the birds come to us.  Sometimes, when God seems not to be shining his light on our path, his instruction is clear: stand still and listen for his still small voice. Or wait for the dawn, the point in time when he will enlighten the wonders along his path.

Today’s Prayer: Jesus, I have wasted a lot of time in my life stressing over not seeing the path in minute detail.  I don’t know why it fractures me so, when I know you are in control, to not see all the way down the path to the destination. I know I fail miserably sometimes at taking life in smaller segments. I ask forgiveness for the wasted energy and time that I could have spent joyfully awaiting your light for my path. I could have embraced the silence in this noisy world while listening for your warnings that I am in someone else’s territory.  Maybe you called like the little owl, and I had a deaf ear, and didn’t wait for you to draw near, and intently listen. Forgive me, and come close, Lord, and call a little louder, please, like the little owls who heard our recorded call. Most of all, please help me not to be the broken record, like my tape just calling over and over, begging you to come near.  When I stop the "tape", help me paitiently listen. Open the eyes of my heart like the dawn, as I search your word, and let the commandments be my flashlight and your law be my morning sun. If all you desire me to have is a look where the tiny focus of the flashlight is aimed, then help me to rejoice in what you are letting me see. Glory to your name. AMEN

For more wisdom read Chapter 6 of Proverbs.

Pursuing the Proverbs: Day 4

As a Sunday school teacher, I often sought ways to make a principle stick with kids. It isn’t only the scripture, but the principle, which bears learning.  And the fun thing I discovered early on, was that the first letter of words – alliterations, helped the children remember “The Principle.”  What was even better, the letter that kept coming up in all the principle words was “P”. So if I asked, “Can you guess which letter the principle this week begins with,” they would all chime, “P”, because they knew from experience, it always began with the letter “P”. 

I am loving our theme this month, because, guess what?  Proverbs begins with “P”. And it is all about adventures in principles, and the first of my selected scriptures also begins with the letter “P”.  Are you feeling like we are on Sesame Street and the letter of the day is “P”, yet? LOL

So what is this Perfectly Principled word?  It is Plan.

Today's Reflection: Proverbs 4:26 says: Ponder the Path of thy feet. 

Oh, yaayy! More “P” words!   Say it three times fast. I mean it. 3 times beginning - now. That will help it stick. OK. You are not 6.  So why do most of us act like 6 years olds, living day in and out without sitting down and pondering what steps we should take for the day? Then share that with God? 

If for a few minutes each day we do four things:

1. Ponder our path – give the day a little thought.  Rather than striking out into it blindly doing what we did the day before. 
2. Like most of you I need lists.  So as part of your Plan try to:

        Pray the list – if you have a list of things to do, pray for –

• guidance – let God point the way.
• presence of mind -  defined as “existence in a certain place” in the mind
• peaceful and prosperous productivity
• and passion for the purpose

   3.  Purpose to Prove God’s Power – Claim that power by filtering our plan through his word. Then prove him, put God to the test. On Purpose… have purpose.

 A reason to do what is on the list makes certain things Priority.  So –

   4.  Prioritize the plans.

Then: 

• We might get everyone in the family on the same page.
• We might see God in our day.
• We won’t walk alone.
• We might realize some things were not as important as we thought.

Result? Things will go wrong anyway, the plans won’t always pan out, and you will feel like a pitiful failure at the end of the day - IF you forget that the plan was a guide, not the perfect will of God.  Please put a little fun in and plan to laugh and make changes to the plan. Proverbs are Character builders, not the “LAW OF GOD.”  Use them as tools to fashion a little more perfect YOU.

 Then above all – refer to Acts 2: 21 often, at the end of your day: and remember the old joke which quotes only half the verse but reeks with wisdom: “it shall come to pass”.  Tomorrow’s another day. Think about it! And Ponder a new Plan.

Today's Prayer: Lord Jesus, your word helps us know that everything about you is one big plan. There is purpose in every element of your creation. Help me be a part of that plan, but also help me to include you in my daily plan.  But most of all, help me to emulate you and have a plan. Lovin’ having fun as part of the plan. I think I see you smiling.  AMEN

For more wisdom, read Chapter 4 of Proverbs.

New Year's Resolutions

Well, here it is ... New Year's Eve. Can you believe it? An entire year has once again passed us by. It doesn't seem possible, that 365 days can come and go so quickly, does it? 

A few weeks ago, i was thinking about 2012 and what i really wanted in the new year. i was fixated on the topic of new year's resolutions and how important they are to people around this time of year. Most are related to physical appearance, bucket lists, career advancements/money, etc.  But, few resolutions are ever about wanting to grow in wisdom, the kind of wisdom relating to the book of Proverbs. 

The truth is, Proverbs shares with us the kind of wisdom that will inevitably lead to a more fulfilling, joyful, productive, love-filled, compassionate, honest, and God-filled life. When we experience these things, i believe every area of our life is impacted and the ability to reach our goals (new year's resolutions) comes naturally. 

If we live without the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control- Galatians 5:22-23), true happiness is lost on the journey of new year's resolutions that won't bring lasting joy—only temporary fulfillment. Proverbs tells us in 31 chapters how to practice love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is real-life application that can propel us into a great 2012—starting off with a brand-new attitude, outlook on our numbered days, and wisdom for a beautiful light-filled life.

Join us as we begin a new series tomorrow, for the entire month of January. We will be pulling one verse from Proverbs every day that will help us all be the man or woman God created us to be. While we won't be sharing the whole chapter of Proverbs each day, we challenge you to read a chapter every day—there's 31 Proverbs and 31 days in January.

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.—Psalm 90:12

Ever Felt "WALKED ON"

Believe this:

Claim this:    (As you relate to the people of Israel)

Thus sayeth thy Lord the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out thine hand the cup of trembling…thou shalt no more drink it again.

But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over; and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street to them that went over. Isaiah 51: 22-23

Awake, awake; put on thy strength…put on thy beautiful garments…Shake thyself from the dust… Isaiah 52: 1-2

Be assured by this:

…my people shall know my name: they shall know in that day that I am He that speaks; behold it is I. Isaiah 52:6

Pray this:

Lord, I believe and claim what you have promised.  I am assured that you are speaking to my heart, and I accept the promise and obey.  I arise from the position of letting this happen to me, and put on my strength which you give, I shake off the dust, and dress myself as if it never happened.  Lord I ask… and receive and open the door to newness… Help me as I choose to love my offender. Amen.

And Do this:

If ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those that love them… Luke 7:32  But love your enemies, and do good…vs 35.  (See also: Proverbs 25:21 – 22 on how to do this.)

Remember this:

As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Psalms 140: 9

And this:

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me…Psalm 138: 7 – 8 

Realize this:

 The Lord never asks us to deal with people who walk on us, until he first allows that we are able to rise up from the dirt, dust ourselves off, put on our strength, and dress ourselves with beauty.  And then he promises that he WILL deal with them. It is one of the “opposites of God” precepts that we allow God to fight our battles. Though we don’t understand sometimes –

Accept this:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55: 8-9

 

Honor God in this, and watch and wait….See what the hand of the Lord can do!

Life Application: A Time For Everything

Throughout my walk as a Christian, one thing that has become clear to me is that God truly has appointed a time for everything. There are really sunny seasons, but also really rainy and dry seasons. The sunny season gives us hope for when the season changes—knowing that it won't always be rainy. The rainy season draws us closer to God and gives us an even greater appreciation for the good season.

God gives us this scripture in Ecclesiastes to remind us that we will experience both seasons in our lifetime. The hope lies in knowing that no matter the season, God walks right beside us through them.

¹ There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—

 ² A time to give birth and a time to die; 
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. 
³ A time to kill and a time to heal; 
A time to tear down and a time to build up. 
⁴ A time to weep and a time to laugh; 
A time to mourn and a time to dance. 
⁵ A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; 
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. 
⁶ A time to search and a time to give up as lost; 
A time to keep and a time to throw away. 
⁷ A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; 
A time to be silent and a time to speak. 
⁸ A time to love and a time to hate; 
A time for war and a time for peace.

 ⁹ What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? ¹⁰ I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.

Going through a good season? Praise God and ask Him to make you strong before the rainy season comes.

Walking in the rain right now? Draw near to Him, keep praying, and believe in the hope that there will be a time when the sun emerges and you'll be thankful for how He brought you through.

Life Application: Be influenced by God, not the culture

Our culture dictates what we should wear by the latest trends. The latest diet fad has us believing that we can be thin and beautiful via a pill or surgery. If we're simply unhappy in marriage without a drive to make it work, culture tells us to just divorce. Culture tells us that we have to have a certain amount of money and possessions to be worth something. It's a vicious cycle isn't it? Trying to keep up with the culture gets us nowhere and more often than not it leaves us feeling empty.

God specifically tells us in His Word not to fall prey to worldly things:

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.—Romans 12:2 NLT

i love how The Message version is translated:

Place Your Life Before God
^1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.—Romans 12:2 MSG

When we follow God's way, not the world's way, God transforms us from the inside-out into a vessel that can be used for good. True joy comes from being transformed by God, not the culture, because we know that with God we will never lack anything and that He will always give us His best—two things the culture cannot promise. God loves when we give Him our simple, ordinary life—His grace, love, and power can instantly make our life extraordinary. 

Lord, Light My Way

Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path. Psa.119:105

The song about this scripture has been running through my head, lately. It is partly due to the lights we put up on the house and in the yard, which have made my approach to the house at night so much easier. I noticed one night as I reached for my house key that I didn’t need to also pull out my flashlight.  Coming home from work for all the years that Jimmy has worked nights - to a dark house and entering it alone – made me very conscious of how many dark places there are from the car to the door.  And in the last several years, going from dark to light, or the opposite, causes me to not be able to walk straight. I joke that I look like I am inebriated, but it isn’t really funny when it happens.   Jimmy has obliged me by placing motion lights at the doors and drive, and under the deck.  He also has kindly supplied me with little tricks to light my way. I have a key cover that has a tiny LED light which shines exactly on the door knob from the key, so I can see the key hole.  He installed solar lights up the walkway, but the bushes always grew over them and shaded out the sun.  He allowed that a line of rope lights remained lining the walkway after the holidays. But the grass soon grew over it.  So I got a small flash light that I attach to the handles of my purse with a D-ring.  My grandson thinks it’s his toy, but it is to get me up the walk. In other words, I do anything I can to be able to light my path when it is difficult to see.  But these days, no need. If I have remembered to turn on the Christmas lights before leaving, the entire lawn is bright with light when I return.

When we were children, my mother’s home backed up to a AAA baseball field.  In summer, it was the grandest thing a kid could ever want.  The stadium lights lightened the back yard so brightly that we could play ‘til hours past dark.  I remember helping Daddy plow the garden in the brightness of those lights, in the cool of the evening, tossing up the sweet smell of earth, and proud as I could be that he let me guide the tiller, even though I sank to my ankles in the soft broken ground.   Where the light shone brightly, it was like daylight.  But the shadows were deep enough to hide in, and we did. Our favorite night time game was hide and seek, for we could simply lie down in a shadow, and be totally hidden from the seeker.  Hmmm.  Lying in the dirt in the dark…doesn’t sound like so much fun as it was. LOL  

Can you imagine that light, any light which lit your pathway after dark in Christ’s day was a blessing? It was valuable; and required effort to have in any form. In the temple there were strict instructions how, when and where the lamps, wicks, oils, and all assorted related paraphernalia were to be used and kept in the finest working condition.  Light held a place of importance. This year Jimmy wanted candles in the windows. I have always loved them, and was a bit surprised.  He was inspired by light bulbs that flickered with the appearance of a real candle burning.  When we make our traditional gifts to his employees, we will place a candle in the middle of each one.  Not because it is aesthetically, pleasing, but because it is a symbol of the Word of God that came to live among us, even as it was in the temple.

 Sometimes, when the dark times of life make it difficult to see my way, I am so thankful that I have the words of God to lighten my path.  And I just love when God shines so brightly that my path is as bright as my Christmas lights.  Can I leave them up please?  OK, OK… not past February, I promise.  Anyone know where I can get some Valentine’s lights? LOL

The only thing missing from God’s light to my path is the light switch.  In order to have the simplicity of clicking the switch, to have instant light, I have to do the work to put up the lights in my yard.  In order to have the instant light of God’s Word in my darkest hours, I need to have it installed in my heart.  I have a terrible mind for memorization.  I have always had difficulty with it.  But if I am persistant, and read something often enough, I at least can know what I am looking for to look it up quickly when I need it.  But I have on occasion resorted to hanging index cards on the mirror, and putting scriptures in my wallet so that every time I look in these frequented places, I am faced with the scripture I want lighting my path.   One of the first I ever learned was one required to learn in my Girl’s Auxiliary program as as child. 

Arise shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1  

 Even then, I understood that this verse was speaking of Jesus, who wasn’t born at the time.  I understood that God gave prophecy for Christ to be born as the light of the World. And when he said, “I am the light of the world,” I knew he was referring to prophecies like this one. I am glad Christmas comes in the winter, when the darkness descends on the earth early, so we feel a need to put up lights. I love being able to use lights to celebrate the season.  It just would not be the same in the summer.  Lights are not simply a materialistic, unrelated element of Christmas commercialization.  They are about God and who he said he was. They are about a baby who came to light our world with his love and wisdom, freedom and power, grace and hope, peace and promise.  May he light your way today.

Feeling sad… light a candle and praise His name.

Lord, shine brightly into the dark places in the lives of those who need your enlightenment today.  Give guidance, and stability, freedom from fear, and clarity to the path of any who seek your way. AMEN

 For You are my lamp, O LORD; The LORD shall enlighten my darkness.    II Samuel 22: 29 NKJV

Life Application: Find Joy In Your Trials

Trials and Temptations
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.—James 1:2-4

Consider it joy. i can't think of anything harder to do than to consider facing trials with pure joy. Trials tend to bring anger, bitterness, envy, sadness, lonliness, and a myriad of other emotions that are the opposite of joy. Trials test our character ... when we are stripped of everything and left standing cold and wet in the storm of life we are either caught cursing the storm or praising God through the storm for the rainbow that's to follow. 

God says to consider it joy when we face trials because he is perfecting our faith, maturing us and making us complete—He doesn't waste our trials. Just like a typical storm, when the downpour stops, the clouds part, and the sun brilliantly shines, the tears stop, our heart finds joy, and we praise God for helping us weather the storm.

It's always hard to find joy during the difficult times in life, but God asks us to try. When we focus on Him and not the storm, joy isn't far from our reach. 

Life Application: Do Not Fear

So do not fear, for I am with you; 
do not be dismayed, for I am your God. 
I will strengthen you and help you; 
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.—Isaiah 41:10

Fear. It can be crippling. It prevents us from taking a step forward in trust and faith. It steals our joy and can make us physically sick. 

We are afraid to love without abandon.
Afraid to trust.
Afraid to forgive and be forgiven.
Afraid to enjoy life because we are always on the lookout for things to go wrong.
Afraid to let go of control.
Afraid to fully live. Afraid to die.

Fear disrupts our peace. Fear is a lie that the enemy uses to keep our focus off God. But it doesn't matter where we are or what we are doing because God tells us that He is always with us. He tells us not to be afraid or discouraged because He is our hope and present in our time of need. He goes before us, behind us, and walks with us. There isn't anything we should fear because God is near.

What is it in your life that you are afraid of? A new job? A career change? A new relationship? Following your heart? Giving your heart to Jesus? Forgiving and letting go of your past? Being obedient to the Lord? Afraid to give freely what's been freely given to you?

Don't be afraid. If He has called you to something, He won't let you walk through it alone. Press through your fears and trust that God knows best and that He will take care of you. If you're held prisoner by chains of fear, ask Jesus to set you free and put your trust in Him alone.

 

Choose Joy

In Nehemiah 8, Ezra the prophet, and the Levites who provided the music, read and explained the law of God to the people. It says: Vs 4: “ Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose.”  The people had gathered in the street, and the pulpit was high above them. When Ezra opened the book of the Law in the sight of all the people, they all stood up. He read to them from the “Bible” of their time. Afterwards, Nehemiah taught the people and helped them understand what was being read to them. Upon hearing and understanding it, they cried.

I don’t know about you, but that scene seems as familiar to me as if I were there. Like a good blessing church service. But for these people, this was extremely special, because they hadn't had access to their scriptures as we do today. There wasn’t a Bible or two for every person. I think I actually own 4 not counting the coffee table versions or the family bibles from my mom. I can’t imagine not being able to pick up one, open it and glean from its words whenever I pleased.  There have been centuries of people who have not had that easy access.  We sometimes don’t consider what a glorious opportunity we have in our age to choose any verse we desire to read. With a concordance by my side, or Bible Gateway open, I can actually choose to read only the verses that speak of my subject. It blesses me so much, that I can’t imagine not having that option.

When the people heard what Nehemiah taught, they cried.  Yet he admonished them to make a choice not to be sad:

Vs. 9. …This day is holy unto the Lord your God. Mourn not, nor weep.

Vs 10. Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared…Neither be ye sorry, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

When we are faced with the toils of the world, and sadness or worry stealthily seek to spoil our joy, God desires that we choose Joy, that we may have strength in those times. Ever notice how sorrow zaps your strength.  My husband and son often choose to joke in what seems like inappropriate times to me. If I am sad, my husband goes out of his way to make jokes so I will smile. Sometimes I don’t feel like smiling, and I don’t want him joking.  But his is actually the better attitude. I allow the sorrow to drain me. He finds joy and remains strong.

Vs. 12  says: And all the people went their way to eat and to drink, to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

Nehemiah was helping the people to choose how they placed their focus. He wanted them not to dwell on the fact that they had not known the law, and hadn’t understood God’s desires for their lives; not to let their regret take the stand in their lives.  Rather, he wanted them to direct their focus on the fact that they now had understanding, and that was a reason to be glad.

I believe the Lord has led me this season, to find Joy for my strength.  I have been saying for a week how much stronger I felt this Christmas, and was well aware that I was choosing to have joy. But only when I asked the Lord what I should I write about this week, did I see the multitude of scriptures that indicated that choosing Joy is the reason for my renewed strength. The Spirit of God had led me to joy even before I read the admonitions of scripture. And he had demonstrated the results, so that I might have no doubt when I read the words.

Isaiah 61:3 says: To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning.

The medicine for sadness around the holidays or any time, is to chose to have joy.

In Nehemiah 8, the Levites who were the praise and worship people, found themselves with a different task. It says in verse 11 that they stilled the people and said “hold your peace… neither be ye grieved.”  Many of the verses in my concordance, which speak of joy, note that God gives joy coupled with peace. So I have decided, in the words of the old pastors and ministers of the Word, to “HOLD MY PEACE” AND CHOOSE TO HAVE JOY…

When we get together at a funeral of one of my husband’s family, there is always laughing in the hallways.  And by the casket, for that matter.  There was a time when I wondered what other people who were in other rooms thought, but I finally realized, that since so many of Jimmy’s family are secure in their salvation, that the laughter was more than appropriate. They are a family who lives their joy. There is scripture to back the desire to rejoice when someone has died and gone to the presence of God.  But most of all, the Word clearly tells us to make being joyful the remedy for our sadness, and the means by which we return to a place of strength. His family most definitely finds their release and ability to  move on in their knack for laughter.

One of the “Opposites of God” basics is that we can turn from one thing and be renewed in its opposite.  This fits the principle, that we should release the one and seek the other.Let me challenge anyone who finds themselves weary and overwhelmed, to find Joy so that they may also find Strength.

An exercise in renewing your mind would be to write the word JOY and place it everywhere.  Hang it on the fridge, on the mirror, on the dash of your car.  If jokes aren’t your thing, then find pictures that make you smile, or wear colors that bring you joy. Look in the mirror and actually make yourself smile.  During the day, raise your eyebrows and follow it by relaxing your face, then smile.  Think of God and Smile. Think of your favorite food and smile. Think of something and close your eyes and spell out silently: J O Y. Visualize it. Hold your smile for as long as you can and time it. Ask your co-worker to tell their joke again, and this time smile! Renew your mind.

Much love to everyone this Holiday season. And for those who are really having a hard time finding joy this year, say this over and over: “Count It All Joy.”  It won’t feel like joy, but the mind will eventually obey God’s Word. For you I pray in a special way, cause I’ve been there…I know how hard it is to choose joy in pain. But the time will come…the time will come.

Lord, help the hurting, the weary, the sad and grieving, those with loss and those who just don’t know why they don’t have joy to choose selectively to find joy, that they may have the strength your Word promises.  Grant this is Jesus Name and for whom we celebrate. AMEN

The Lord's Business

My husband had the opportunity to have a very godly grandmother named Ruby.  She was an absolute treat and spoiled him rotten when he would stay at her house every weekend eating pizza, ice cream, and coke floats  and working puzzles.  Grandmother attended church every Sunday, without fail.  Her faith in God still remains a legacy.

When I was pregnant with our oldest son, Grandmother would call and check on me and when she was finished talking on the phone, she would just hang up.  She always said that she didn’t believe in saying good-bye.  The Lord called Grandmother home when I was about to give birth to my oldest child through a massive heart attack.

Over Thanksgiving, we visited Eric’s aunt and uncle who live in Grandmother’s former house.  As we drove down the street, we noticed that about a quarter of a mile from her house, the landscape was demolished in the recent North Georgia outbreak of tornadoes.  When I mentioned the destruction to Eric’s aunt, she replied, “Like Grandmother used to say, ‘The storm is the Lord’s business.’ We weren’t worried at all.”

I began to ponder this idea of the Lord’s business, God began to prick my heart about all of the things that I worry about that I can’t control or fix.  2 Peter 1:2-4 says,

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

You see, as children of God, we are given the grace and peace to live godly lives because we have a relationship with our Father.  Every detail of our lives is “The Lord’s business.”

Our challenge is to keep our focus on the Lord instead of the troubles and storms of life.  Paul said it wonderfully in 2 Corinthians 12:7-8 when he asked God for a thorn or painful ailment to be removed from his life, 

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

God’s strength is magnified in us when we are stripped down, out of ideas, fatigued, and totally dependent on Him.  His promise is that His grace is enough and that our storms of life are “The Lord’s business.”

My prayer:   Lord, I confess my sin of worrying over things that I cannot control nor change.  I thank you for the godly legacy and wisdom left by Grandmother Ruby and we know that you are fellowshipping with her in heaven right now.  Holy Spirit, remind me when I am trespassing on the Lord’s business with my ideas of solving God-size storms.  Thank you Jesus for being the perfect example of a man who relied on the Heavenly Father for every situation.  In Jesus name!

 

Life Application: Be Kind

Do not let kindness and truth leave you; 
Bind them around your neck, 
Write them on the tablet of your heart. 
So you will find favor and good repute 
In the sight of God and man.—Proverbs 3:3-4

kindness |ˈkīn(d)nis|  noun
the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

A kind heart is a blessing to everyone you come in contact with. A smile. A laugh. A hug. A handwritten note of appreciation. Random acts of kindness help us get through challenging days. 

You never know what hardships people are holding onto inside on a daily basis—some people are really good about hiding a hurting heart. A little kindness can go a long way—you just may be the person to bring a smile to heart that hasn't felt kindness in a long time. 

This season can bring out a lot of good things in people, but in can also bring out the ugly as people scramble to keep up with the busyness. i pray we will all find ways to be extra kind to the people who cross our paths this holiday season. 

Life Application: Live a life that's overflowing with thankfulness

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.—Colossians 2:6-7

Jesus changes a heart the minute He is asked to dwell there. From that minute on, the heart is never the same. It knows unconditional love, peace, joy, happiness, contentment, freedom, grace and passion. It finally understands what it means to be overflowing with gratitude for the simple, free gifts in life. 

It all starts with Jesus. By knowing Him and the great sacrifice He made on the cross, thankfulness naturally spills over into every area of life. 

Every day, i pray that my life is a reflection of the thankfulness i feel in my heart for the personal relationship i have with Jesus, my Lord and Savior.