Monday, June 25, 2012

Selah


Trust in him at all times;
ye people, pour out your heart
before him: God is a refuge
for us. Selah
Psalm 62:8

Growing up, I think in a friendlier day and in friendlier neighborhoods, people often had some odd ways of greeting each other. It was a day where houses had porches...porches that people actually sat on. There was usually a porch swing on most porches along with varied chairs. Of course, with no air conditioning, folks made good use of their porches to sit on to enjoy any breeze that might blow their way. People on their porches would often call out to a passing acquaintance to “come on up and sit a spell.” If someone did approach one's porch, they might be told to “sit down and rest your bones” or “sit and take a load off your feet”. In reality, no matter the saying, the invitation was the same.


Through the years, as much as I have loved the book of Psalms, I must admit that I have found the word “Selah” to be a little aggravating because it seemed to be a distraction with no real purpose. In more recent years, having taught this book in a ladies Bible study, I have been drawn to that word so frequently found in the book of Psalms. There has never been a distinguishable pattern as far as the placement of the word itself. It just seems to pop up whenever and wherever. The more we mature in the Word of God, however, we know that every word has purpose and is meant to be where it is.



There have been opinions offered through the years as to what this word “Selah” means. It is a word that is difficult to translate. It's often been viewed as a musical word of instruction something like a rest would be in written music. It has thought to indicate an interlude, or perhaps a signal of some sort regarding musical instruments. Some have thought “Selah” may have the same impact as someone saying “Amen” to something agreeable. In real Hebrew meaning, it comes from the root word “salah” that means “to hang” referring to measurement methods. Otherwise, “Selah” can cause us to weigh in our minds what we have just read.



The word itself must be of some importance as it is found 71 times in 39 of the Psalms and is found three times in the book of Habakkuk chapter 3. In every instance, it would seem that the reader is called on to reflect upon what has just been read. Through various translations and languages of others, this word has taken on many meanings other than in musical terms. Some languages view the word “Selah” as meaning “to exalt” or “to lift up.” For some, “Selah” is to just express “Amen” which means “so be it.” No matter how people want to define the word, I like how the Amplified Bible interprets the word...”pause, and think of that.” “Pause” is in the end how the Greek translation of Scripture defines this word that we have most often just chosen to skip over and ignore. It's a word that calls us to “pull up a chair and sit a spell”...to take in what has just been read.



About five years ago, I was going through a very difficult time spiritually. Without going into any detail, it was just a difficult time for our church and found myself in a spot I never wanted to be in. About that time, our music minister chose a song for our choir to work on and then present in a worship service. The name of the song is “Thou O Lord.” The words of the song are taken right out of Psalm 3 and from the King James Version of the Scriptures. I looked it up, read it and there in my reading I found “Selah” three times in that chapter and this Psalm only has 8 verses, mostly short ones at that. It was during this time, the Lord taught me more about the word “Selah” than I ever knew in years prior to that time. In that time and since, I have come to love that word. It calls me to pause, and rest, take in fully what has just been said to me in verses I am reading. Considering my circumstances at the time (and the choir special as well) let me share three of those verses from that chapter as an example:


2. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.
        I knew there were people who viewed me as one having no hope.  Selah caused me to
        pause and consider the faithfulness and goodness of God in my life.

4.  I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.  Selah.
        Again, Selah urged me to remember all of God's faithfulness to hear and answer
        my prayers.  All I have to do is look at God's track record in my life.

8.  Salvation belongeth unto the LORD:  thy blessing is upon thy people.  Selah. 
          I am one of His people, one of His very blessed people.  I am one of His children 
         who is most blessed.  Despite the naysayers, I know I am His child walking around
         with His blessing on my life.

Let me suggest some Psalms that have that precious little word at the end of certain verses. You might want to read them after you pull up a chair and rest your bones: (4:4; 9:20; 57:6; 62:8; 89:3-4) These verses may urge you to remember, praise, exalt, ponder, rest, pause or a combination of those things. No matter what we decide to do with “Selah,” overall, we are called to thoughtful reflection on the Word of God. It takes time and determination. The hardest part of this just might be our deciding to “pull up a chair and sit a spell” during these busy days and take time to “Selah” as we take in the things of God from His Word.


Amen and amen....Selah!



Dear Father, how grateful I am that you are a God of little things as well as big. You chose to put a little word like “selah” in Scripture to get my attention and I'm so grateful for the blessings that little word has brought into my life. I pray I will be more contemplative as I read and study Your word. May I have more of a “selah” spirit no matter where I am reading in Scripture. Amen


Monday, June 18, 2012

Fear or Faith?


For God hath not given us the
spirit of fear; but of power, and of
love, and of a sound mind.
II Timothy 1:7

Probably at this very moment, I could take you to the spot where I parked my car that day, because it's where I usually parked every week day at 3:00 in anticipation of my two girls getting out of school. My son was 2 years old and was usually napping in the back seat while I waited for his sisters. On this particular day, I was a mess. I couldn't remember when I had experienced so many things caving in on me all at the same time and felt at the end of my rope. Oh I know what folks say about that rope, that we are supposed to tie a knot in it and hang on. That cutesie little statement wasn't doing me any good at all on that day.

At that time, I not only had three small children to care for but we had purchased a new house that I was still trying to fix up. I was on the church staff where I headed the women's missionary organization as well as the church nursery department, considered the biggest of any church nursery in the country. Just those two responsibilities were enough to drive me up a wall. That particular week, Brian was also out of town on business. My phone had been ringing off the wall all day with ladies wanting counsel or nursery workers calling in to say they couldn't work on Sunday.

I wanted to sit there and just sob but there were others parked around me waiting for their children...couldn't let them see me cry and didn't want my son to wake up finding me in a heap of self pity. I have had very few times like that day in my life, but the Lord awakened me to a problem I didn't know I had. I reached into my purse and pulled out my New Testament and just started scanning through it. I went to the area of I and II Timothy. Those have always been favorite books of Brian's so for that reason I began to read. I pretty much scanned I Timothy and started reading more thoroughly in II Timothy 1. There it was... verse 7. I read II Timothy 1:7 over and over as I sat there. It was one of those spiritual “aha” moments with a verse that stood out like it was written in neon lights.

The problem I discovered that I had that day was the problem of fear. I was engulfed in it...I was being driven by it. My fears....failure of not measuring up, of not being a good wife or mom, of not being able to please my boss, of not living up to the expectations of so many others and of failing God miserably. It was all closing in on me but there it was...II Timothy I:7. Fears...perhaps some of the same fears you've faced at one time as well as me.

Let me break that verse down:

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear...

Even Scripture recognizes that there is a spirit of fear, but how important to know that no matter the fear, it didn't come from God. The opposite of fear is faith. Our God is a God of faith. If God wasn't giving me that spirit of fear, then where was it coming from? It didn't take a brilliant mind to figure that one out. Satan is the one who delights in instilling fear into our lives. You and I can be as sure as anything that we are born again, God's child, but Satan still loves to make us miserable and a major tool of his is that of fear. You see, if we are in a state of fear, faith is left by the wayside. Fear causes us to lose spiritual focus. That day, I sat there and knew I had to first of all admit and confess the sin of fear that I harbored. I then had to recognize it's source or the battle would go on and on. Just knowing the identity of the enemy is a part of the victory.

Why is it so hard for us to admit sin and shortcomings in our lives when we have a loving God who wants to forgive us and love on us? We become so concerned how others see us that we lose our transparency. It's the transparent Christian that other Christians want to see as does the unsaved world. That day, fear was my secret and I sure didn't want anyone knowing about it.

...but of power,

When you and I asked Jesus to be our Savior, maybe no one told us that in that moment, Someone came to live in us...the Holy Spirit of God. He came in quietly, not pushing His way in or causing any kind of stir with His presence. We have that power in us, day in and day out. He is present to guide, lead, convict, teach us about Jesus, strengthen and on and on the list goes, but we often just ignore Him. The big thing about Him is that He is the same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead on that Easter Sunday morning. I can't imagine from a human standpoint the power it must take to raise a deceased person from the dead. For God it would be nothing, but it's that same Spirit that resides in you and me. We have power to walk in complete spiritual victory if we will only take advantage of it. In my praying, I try to not only address God the Father and Jesus the Son, but I try to remember to address the Holy Spirit as well. There is a problem with having the Holy Spirit in us and that is that He is there, in me...in you... all the time. I'm ashamed to think of the conversations I've had with others that He's had to listen to. He's had to tolerate my attitudes, my actions, my thoughts and yet He has corrected me in love, comforted me when I need it and has always pointed me to Jesus.

...of love,

God has granted you and me the power of love. It's not a love like the world has. The love of the world is conditional but God's love is never conditional and thus, our love isn't to be conditional either. In our humanity, there are times when we slip with some of our relationships but God wants those restored despite differences. His powerful love is to flow through us into the lives of others. We live in a sorry world where so many feel so unloved. God has empowered you and me to be his conduit. Many are afraid to love, even some Christians, because of bad experiences of the past. So you see, Satan wants us to be fearful even to love and he will use past memories to deter us from what God wants us to be. Just remember that fear is not God's intent for your life and mine. This love of God is more powerful than any fear that comes into our lives. It's ours for the taking...it's ours to be a blessing in the lives of others.

...and of a sound mind.

Different translators have their own opinions as to what this phrase means. Some say it refers to one's sanity while others feel this phrase refers to a disciplined mind or disciplined thinking. Let me tell you that on that particular school day, I would have settled for either meaning. I needed that day a good portion of sanity poured into me but I also realized that God's intent was for me to have clear thinking controlled by His Spirit. Each of us has the power to be disciplined in our thinking, choosing what we will think about and what we won't think about. The Holy Spirit will so wonderfully direct us in this area of our lives. I don't know how you are, but I can have a negative thing happen to me in the morning and I can chew on that mentally all day long. Have you ever taken a bite of a really tough beef roast and the more you chew on it, the bigger it gets. It's next to impossible to chew it even to the point to where you can even swallow it. Some of our thinking can be like taking a bite of a tough roast and whatever thing happened weighs on our minds all day long and by evening, we're totally worn out. We must carefully choose what we are going to think about. That will lead to our being more disciplined in our responsibilities and activities. It will be in Holy Spirit power that our thinking becomes disciplined.

I learned that day in my car that it's up to me to choose where my focus is going to be. I wish I could tell you that since that day, I've never had another problem in the area of fear. I will tell you though that I memorized that verse and to this day, even if I don't recite the entire verse in times of fear, I manage to speak the first part of it to myself...”For God hath not given me the spirit of fear....” I need to be reminded often that I need to keep my focus on the power and love of God in my life. I also need to be reminded that Satan is the enemy and not my friend. 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth
Will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His
glory and grace.



Dear Father, how I thank You for the spiritual victories you bring into my life. Thank you for Jesus and His victory over Satan and death. I also thank You for the Holy Spirit being in me and enabling me to live above all fear and dread. I am so very blessed and thank You, Father, for all your goodness in my life. May I always seek and desire to be a woman of faith and not fear.I love you. Amen.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Be of Good Cheer


These things I have spoken unto
you, that in me ye might have
peace. In the world you shall
have tribulation: but be of good
cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

Many years ago, while in college, I had a friend, who, if he thought I was having a down day would say to me, “Glendarae, be of good cheer.” I must tell you that on some days, I was not in the mood for passing him on the sidewalk or seeing him in class or in the cafeteria. Some folks seem to like treating the serious feelings of others in a light manner. I know he only meant well but as far as I could see, he was just making a glib comment when he had absolutely no idea what was going on in my life.

With having taught women for several years, many have come to me in different states of mental distress. I'm not a doctor or psychiatrist, but fixed my own list regarding the seriousness of where a woman, young or old was mentally at the time of our conversation. I classified them using words that started with a “d” and they are as follows:

Disappointment - Most of the things I will list starts with this condition and all it entails. Whether we accept the fact or not, life is going to be full of disappointments. There will be people who will let us down. They may intend to let us down or they may not intend any ill will at all. There are circumstances that will disappoint us. At times, we are going to feel very let down, that life has done us wrong. It is here that you and I must get control of our thinking or we are going to fall into the next stage of mental anguish. All the way through these things, however, I understand that there are those with clinical difficulties that might not apply to some of these categories I've listed.

Discouragement - For some, this is the next step down. This word is just what it says. This is the stage where we can easily lose courage to face up to whatever the problem or disappointment may be that is very daunting. It affects our spirit and enthusiasm regarding life. Disappointment in the beginning stage can be hidden by us but when we get to this point, people are beginning to notice that something is wrong.

Dejection – When dejected, a sadness and frustration with others can set in. This is a stage of sadness and even a mild depression. It is at this stage, that we might just want to withdraw from friends and sometimes even family members. At this point, when someone asks “What's wrong?”...we don't know what to answer. It just can't be put into words so we become even more frustrated and even reclusive. The problem is, that by now, we can't really explain things to ourselves let alone to others.

Depression - This is also a word that speaks for itself. In reality it refers to being “pressed down.” Depression is a combination of all of the above. At this stage, one withdraws from people and life as much as possible often demanding to be left alone, comfortable in dim or dark light, longing to spend time in bed or sleeping...feeling such a weight in ones life that it almost feels hard to even move physically. Don't think for one minute that at this stage there is a loss of appetite. This may be the case for many but I have known lady friends who overate when depressed, often gaining pounds they regret later.

Despair - Some might argue that this should be elsewhere in the list but I have seen women at this point who are so low in spirit that they have just about given up on life because of a loss of hope. They have become completely overcome by defeat. By now there can be a loss of appetite, ulcers, headaches, joint pain and other miladies depending on the individual person. One has all but given up on life and may even be suicidal.

Let me hurriedly say this: when ladies have talked to me who bear any of the above problems, usually my first question to such a one is, “When was the last time you had a good physical checkup?” I don't ask that if I know a woman is under a doctor's care. Many women are suffering mental anguish because of a physical problem that they don't know they have. I have known ladies who have found through a thorough checkup that they were suffering from a chemical imbalance, some vitamin, mineral deficiency or even a dietary problem. Physical stages of life must be considered by women as well. Post partum problems can plague a new mother even though she's thrilled with her new baby. Menopause (pre and post) can present a whole new area of woe for many women. Lack of activity can be something else that can cause problems for an otherwise healthy woman. When physical deficiencies are discovered, many problems can be avoided. There are wonderful medications now that can be of help. Please know that I am not minimizing friends I have who struggle with depression on a regular basis. Most I know are very pro-active in getting help, enlisting the encouragement of good doctors and prayer partners.

I think we must be patient with folks who have gone through great trauma. They will be depressed at times and we should have a loving understanding of where they are in their own process. There can be a death in one's family. I know parents who struggle with wayward children. Some folks go through a tough time after surgery because anesthetic can really do a job on the body and mind. Some parents will bid children farewell as they leave for college this coming fall. Some folks go through tough times as caregivers. A terminal illness of a family member can keep a family in disarray. A single mom may be holding down two and three jobs. Let's be sensible and sensitive toward those obviously going through unusual circumstances.

I love John 16:33. Jesus had just given His disciples His final words of instruction. Naturally, they were disturbed...Jesus was leaving and they couldn't sort out exactly what was about to take place. What all He had said to them was to serve a huge purpose. “These things I have spoken unto you, that IN ME ye might have peace.” God's desire for you and me is always that we be people of peace and that peace is to be found in Jesus alone. However, you and I must function in concert with Him. Sometimes we expect that God is going to jump in and remove our every problem, sprinkle us with spiritual foo-foo dust and all will be well. We must have yielded spirits to His will in our lives. Jesus said that those disciples (and thus we too) would have tribulation, problems and yes, disappointments in this life. He mentions that if He must suffer, what makes us think that we, His followers will have a free pass in life, minus trials and disappointments.

As Jesus speaks of peace and yes, tribulation He quickly added: ...”BUT, be of good cheer;”
Why? We are to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world and that takes in every disappointment, discouragement, moment of dejection, times of depression or despair we and others may be enduring.

A few suggestions for any of us:

  1. Be a woman of prayer. God knows our struggles and longs for us to run to Him during the hard times just as a little child would to a parent.
  2. Be in the Word of God. Paul tells us in Philippians 4 those things we should think about. Much of our disappointment and despair can come through our constantly thinking about the wrong things. The Word of God is very practical and strengthening.
  3. Keep a clean slate with God. We are all sinners and mess up more than we would like to admit. Holding onto unconfessed sin can keep us “pressed down” whether we know it or not.
  4. Keep relationships healthy. You may have a friend who just isn't forgiving and will not cooperate with your effort to mend fences. At times, you have to leave those things with the Lord, but He can help with those relationships if we call on Him about it.
  5. Don't hesitate to have regular physical checkups, insisting that good blood work and chemical testing be done. None of us stay in the physical shape we should but we should make every effort to do so.
  6. Be a woman of praise. No matter how down and dull our lives can be at times, praise and worship will always lighten our load if done with the proper motive. God inhabits the praise of His people and that includes you and me.

Lest people think me unsympathetic or lacking in understanding, I must say that since high school, I have had my own struggles with depression so some of these things are very personal to me.  But as strongly as I can, I must state that Scripture is still true when it tells us over and over that with God, nothing is impossible, no matter our condition or situation. Remember that our Lord is our greatest help, loving us like no other ever can. He is interested in every phase of our lives and wants His best for us. We are never alone even though at times we may feel like we are. I don't mind hearing His whisper for me to be of good cheer. He's earned the right to ask that of me.



Lord Jesus...help me to be an overcomer. Satan loves to get hold of our minds and cause us mental anguish and despair. Fill me with Yourself so that there is no room in my life for any of Satan's ploys in my life. I love You and don't know what I'd do without You. Amen

Monday, June 4, 2012

In the Good Old Summertime


Preach the word; be
instant in season, out of season...
II Timothy 4:2a

For most folks, Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. Many people have already planned summer activities that can include vacation trips, summer camps for kids, swimming lessons, family get togethers, weekend jaunts or just lazy days spent with a fishing pole in hand. It is now that we develop plans that will either take us away to another location for some summer relaxation, or where we plan our summer month shutdowns from our own home places.

When new in a church a few years ago, I spoke with a lady in casual conversation. I didn't know her so discussed the general details of her being a member of that church. I'm always interested in what area of the church someone works but this lady was blatantly honest. She let me know that she and her husband were retired and that they don't hold positions in the church or Sunday school because when they have positions, they can't go and come when they want to. How sad is that? They don't serve the Lord year round so they can go and come as they please. Perhaps there is more of an honesty in that lady than in most.

Many Christians who are Sunday school teachers, choir members, ushers, class officers, nursery workers and greeters will casually “take off” any time they want to, leaving their church responsibilities, often not even getting substitutes for their positions. Some of these folks will be away half of the summer enjoying time away while God's work suffers. If you are a member of a large church, there is even more of a danger in all of this. In a large church people figure there will be enough present to fill the gaps. How can that be even close to being a sensible thought. If most take on that mentality, there will be even more slots vacant on any given Sunday.

Let me quickly say that there's nothing wrong with a vacation. They are fun, enjoyable and relaxing but even with a vacation, people often take vacations from God. I wonder how many families make it a point to search out a church ahead of time to attend where they might worship even though they might be in place where they know no one. What a wonderful time to worship with so many distractions removed. When in a different church, totally new, you don't know who is mad at who, who the big names are, or who holds top positions. You don't have to know what teenagers are driving their parents crazy, if the staff is efficient or who in the choir can't carry a tune in a bucket. In a new place, a family can usually sit together and just take in the things of God if they want to. We are members of a small mountain church right now. We came to know this church in the beginning years of coming to this small town on vacation...year after year we worshipped in this same small church. We attended Sunday morning and evening as well as Wednesday nights. One pastor said to us on Sunday as we were leaving and shaking hands with him at the door, “You folks attend this church more than some of our members.” I would never have dreamed that one day, we would live here and be members of this church. I also never dreamed I'd be it's pianist, a Sunday school teacher and Bible study leader. This was our vacation church and am so grateful for the privilege of it now being our home church.


I also have to wonder when Christians are away from their churches so much during the summer, how many feel a responsibility to turn in their offering envelopes to the church office before leaving on their trips. Ouch...that smarts. Whether Christians are in their usual places at church or not, the work and budget of the local church just keeps on going. Most church offices will report that God's work suffers financially in a big way during summer or holiday times.


I wish we could realize that Satan never takes a vacation. He delights in every distraction he can provide and in the good old summertime, there are distractions. Satan provides wonderful activities during the summer for anyone who wants to take part in them and a lot of those activities provide for less and less clothes with more and more skin revealed. Air conditioned theaters provide refreshing comfort for people to go enjoy some of the most evil of films that include cursing that often takes God's name in vain and often contains graphic pornography. I'm shocked even more at the movies parents take their very small children to see and we wonder what's happening to the youth of our country. Keep in mind that in the summer, at swimming pools and beaches there are more pedophiles present than you can shake a stick at. The good ole summer time may be fun and relaxing but at the same time, it is more perilous than any of us can believe. Be on the alert.


It dawned on me the other day that Jesus died the day after Passover. Passover was a really big day of celebration for the Jews and in many cases, still is. The sabbath would start on that Friday evening. If anyone could have made excuses for a reason to not die when He did, it was Jesus. That makes any excuses I have for not serving Him faithfully in season and out of season pretty lame. A holiday didn't deter Jesus from what His Father had asked Him to do. He was faithful, no matter the day or season.


So what are your summer plans? I firmly believe that people who are deeply vested in the things of God nine months out of the year aren't going to forsake it all to desert Him in the good old summertime. Let's determine, no matter who goes where, that we will stay as faithful to the Lord during the summer as possible and in our own personal devotional lives as well.


IN THE SUMMERTIME

I forgot my Lord in the summertime,
Just at the time I was needed most.
I was not away, but on each Lord's day
I just failed to be at my post.


I forgot my church in the summertime,
When I lazily lay in bed,
While the faithful few had my work to do,
And I was spiritually dead.


I forgot my offering in the summertime,
When He needed it most of all,
While my cash was spent, I was pleasure bent
Just off duty for God until fall.


If my Lord should come in the summertime,
When from duty to God I'm free,
Wonder what I'll do, when my life is through,
If by chance He should forget about me!
...Anonymous



Thank you dear Jesus for Your example of faithfulness and obedience to Your and my Father. Keep me serving You faithfully, full time, year round. May I be aware of the distractions and roadblocks Satan will put in my path. I love You and want to show my love for You in my faithfulness to You and Your work. Thank You for all You do and did for me in season and out of season. Amen