If It Be Possible

Usually I begin a blog with a verse of Scripture but will work that Scripture in shortly. Many readers of this blog have experienced a goodly amount of life. I'm not saying everyone is old who reads this, but even if someone is thirty years old, she's had thirty years to observe the idiosyncrasies of people around her. Some things are pleasant, a blessing and helpful in our observations of others. However, there are often people in our lives, who to be honest, are nothing but a pain in the neck, a real spiritual challenge that tests our patience and our emotional state.

Several years ago, Joyce Landorf wrote a book entitled “Irregular People.” I thought that was a good title for the book that she wrote concerning those folks who come into our lives who seem bent on making our lives as miserable as possible...who for their own reasons choose to not be in a healthy relationship with us. She spoke of those folks as people who have no intention of getting along with us, who often seem to go out of their way to keep us in a state of turmoil. They can't be made happy no matter what we do. They stay offended at us and probably a lot of other people as well.

Off and on during my life, I have come across some women (not all at once thankfully) who I was never able to please. In each case, they were ladies who were easily offended. In some cases, I could apologize to them, often not even knowing what I was apologizing for. After an apology, they would move on to the next thing they wanted to be upset about. It was usually a guessing game and to be honest, it wore me down and kept me agitated all the time.

A very good friend posted a verse of Scripture on my Face Book recently that I'm sure I've read more times than I can count. It is such a freeing verse that has freed me of a good deal of guilt when it comes to getting along with impossible people. I realize we are all sinners. Even though we don't mean to, we mess up. Hopefully as Christians, we can learn to forgive the mistakes of others as well as forgiving ourselves for all of our own human frailties. Some of these things, however, can hold us captive for years and there is no person on the face of the earth that should have that kind of power over us. These three ladies I'm thinking of held me captive and they didn't even know it (or maybe they did).

So what is this freeing word of Scripture? I wish I had space to copy the nine verses prior to this one verse, but the one I will copy has been more helpful to me than I can put into words. I do encourage you to read those nine verses though. Read verse 18 slowly and think about what its meaning might have for you. Someone might come to your mind, someone you can never please, but that leaves you feeling guilty.

If it be possible,

as much as lieth in you,

live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:18

We want to live peaceably with folks be they friends or family members. That's our end of the deal no matter how we are treated by others. Check out the three phrases in this verse:

“IF it be possible...”.

Why haven't we learned yet that there are those who set out to be resistant, uncaring and unloving people. They fall into the category of being impossible challenges. They feel powerful when they hold negative sway in the lives of others. Folks like this, without major change, will be impossible to deal with unless they allow the Lord to change them. So we can ask ourselves, “Have I done everything possible to do what is right in this situation?” If we have, then we should loosen our grip on the situation and at least mentally, walk away if only for a brief time.

“As much as LIETH IN you...”

Here comes our part. We don't have to keep struggling with such folks, but we are expected to give them every opportunity to do what's right. We aren't to show revenge even though it's a temptation. We can be friendly and available but not captive. As much effort as we can give the relationship, we are to do, but not to the point of a nervous breakdown. Otherwise, we are to give this situation our best effort to arrive at an agreeable relationship. It might work...and it might not.

Live PEACEABLY with all men.

As much as we can, we are to be peaceable women who strive to get along with others as Christ would have us do. This phrase doesn't mean that we are to be best friends with everyone. We can't be too disappointed though when our efforts are rebuffed by a person who seemingly wants to rule our world. If such a person in our lives chooses to not speak or to cause turmoil in our lives in order to punish us, we can still be kind, speaking and being congenial when the opportunity presents itself. We can only be responsible for our own behavior.

If we make every effort to mend relationships, that's all we can do. I can't change the heart of another person. Only the Holy Spirit can change a person. Showing goodwill toward such an impossible person must not be done with ulterior motives, but out of showing the love of Christ for the person. We are to do what we can and then perhaps back off for a time and allow the Lord to work. One of the most important things we can do is to earnestly pray for this person. Prayer is a powerful thing, the most wonderful thing we can do for another. Not only can it work some wonderful things in another individual, but it can also give us a peace that passes all understanding.

Lord Jesus, grant me wisdom as I deal with people in my life who at times seem impossible to get along with. Help me to always take inventory of my own attitudes and shortcomings. May You, Holy Spirit, convict me of my shortcomings and help me to take responsibility for my own negative attitudes. I love You and want to please You in every way.. Amen

Yes, That's The Book For Me

All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,

for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly

furnished unto all good works.

II Timothy 3:16,17

It was the sunniest day, a happy day made happier by the fact that I received a box from my Aunt Lee. I couldn't tell from the shape what could be in the box but I was more than excited when I opened it a there was a new Bible. I had been saved for one year and still didn't have a Bible which really wasn't unusual in those days. Most children, age 10 didn't have one. I loved the Bible though without having owned one. I like many of you when very young sang the little chorus below that spoke fondly of the Bible. I'm not sure the words of that little song meant as much to me in my younger years as it does now. Remember??

The B-I-B-L-E

Yes, that's the Book for me.

I stand alone on the Word of God,

The B-I-B-L-E.

Now I'll probably be humming that tune for the next week because it is a catchy little song.

My question though is: “How can we stand on the Bible when we know so little of it?” A lady friend once said to me that she wished she knew as much of the Bible as I do. I had news for her. I told her I would like to know the Bible as well as Billy Graham, Charles Spurgeon or Dwight L. Moody. I would like to know the Bible like most seminary professors know it. However, wishing doesn't make it so.

I wish I could make us all realize a simple fact and I include myself in this realization. The simple fact is this: WE CAN KNOW THE BIBLE AS WELL AS THE MOST KNOWLEDGABLE BIBLE SCHOLAR IN THE WORLD IF WE WANT TO. No one can know any more about the Bible than what is contained in our own Bibles cover to cover. Let's explore how this can come about. Believe me that I don't mean to discount all the wonderful knowledge the most intelligent has accumulated. I do believe there are some things we can do to get us on the road knowing the Bible better.

There are some basic things we need in order for us to know the Bible better than we've ever known it before. First of all, to really know and understand anything in the Bible, we must have had a salvation experience with Jesus, thus having the presence of the Holy Spirit IN us. Jesus told His disciples before He was taken captive by Roman soldiers that He would be leaving but would send a Comforter. This Comforter would be the teacher and interpreter of all Jesus had taught which by the way, includes the Old Testament as well as the new. Jesus is God...God is the author of the entire book.

But the Comforter, which is

the Holy Spirit, whom the father

will send in my name, he shall

teach you all things, and bring

all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 14:26

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is

come, he will guide you into all truth:

John 16:13a

Every time we sit down to read our Bibles, we should invite our teacher, the Holy Spirit, to interpret and teach us what He wants us to know from what we are reading. Our reading can be dull and boring without His guiding us through our reading/study process.

Secondly, we must be literate people in some way. Otherwise, we must be able to read. If we can't read, we can hear the Bible read through CD's or other recordings. If someone is blind, she can listen to CD's or even learn to read the Bible in braille. So we must have the means to take in through eyes, ears or both the written Word of God.

Thirdly, we need a good, personal copy of the Bible. This can be the most confusing thing of all. Let me encourage you to purchase a Bible that will wear well, has appropriate type and is the translation you are comfortable with. In our day, there are new translations and study Bibles coming out almost every week. Please don't fall into the trap of having to change Bibles every time another Bible comes out. When your Bible gets too marked up, get another one. Your Bible isn't meant to be your best friend...it's a tool...and when a tool wears out, another new one is needed but keep to the same translation.

Take notes in a journal if you can do that without losing your train of thought. What you retain mentally is far more important than what you write down on paper.

The Bible is meant to be many things to us, meeting many needs from different angles. In closing, from Psalm 19:7-10.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:

the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:

the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever:

the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much

fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

All we need to know to live this wonderful life in Christ is available to us on every page of His Word. Whether Old or New Testament, the character and desires of God for us are right there to learn, to know and to put into everyday practical living.

Thank You Lord Jesus for Your precious Word to us. It isn't going to help us if we leave it lay for days on end without reading it. Convict us of our need to be in Your Word that will strengthen in every way. Help me to not only read it but to put it into practice in every day life. Thank You for Your being You and for loving me beyond my comprehension. Amen

The Sheeny Man

Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

He was probably a very nice man...loving husband, doting father and doing all he could do to support his family. I never knew him personally, but at the age of about six, I was petrified of him. I'm not sure anyone else but our family knew this man by the name my mother coined for him. He was the Sheeny Man. In the darkness of night, we could hear him coming. He had a good sized farm wagon with sides on it. From it hung lanterns...three on each side. An old, tired looking horse pulled the wagon through our alley. My sister Kay and I could never see the man clearly. We would sometimes get up out of bed to look out the window to see this interesting but scarey phenomena. He seemed to be rather hunched over. He wore varying articles of clothing depending on the weather but always wore a rather tattered and wide brimmed felt hat that he pulled down over his head as far as it would go.

People in our neighborhood had two types of metal drums at the back of their yards and next to the alley. One was for burning garbage and anything burnable. The other one however, was strictly for tin cans. Somehow, this man would heave a barrel on it's side on the top edge of his wagon spilling the cans out on top of all the other tin cans in the wagon. It made a loud and unsettling sound. We knew the Sheeny Man was coming, nearing our house, as that sound could be heard a block away and could not be mistaken.

I was often told if I misbehaved that I was going to be given to the Sheeny Man to go live at his house. Those were days when children really were not fearful of being abused or kidnapped so the concept of being given to someone else was new but frightening. Discipline-wise, I think this system worked because I had no desire to go home with the Sheeny Man. It all seems rather silly now but I was a believer. I wasn't a bad kid nor was my little sister but just mentioning this man was enough to curb any mischief we might be contemplating.

Why do I tell you about the sheeny man? Well, he was very real to me. I could look out the back window and could see what his form looked like, what he wore, and how strong he was to lift a barrel full of tin cans. He was as real as real could be. In a sense, he was a childhood enemy that I stayed completely away from. He never came during the day which leads me to think that he also had a day job. I would never have ventured out in the yard at night to greet him. I was scared to death of this man even though I didn't really know him personally. 

You and I have an enemy that is very real who I'm afraid we don't take as seriously as we should. Even we Christians don't treat him with the fearful respect we should. He is the arch-enemy... first of God, and then of each of us. His name is Satan. We know him by other names as well...devil, evil one, prince of this world, etc. but it's all the same person. Satan for too long has been characterized as being a person in a red body suit. This suit covers his body except for face and hands. There is a long tail protruding from the back of the suit. He has an eerie looking mustache, evil smile and carries a pitch fork. That's about as far as it goes when we think about this spiritual foe of ours. Name everything bad or evil a person can be, multiply it by the biggest number you can think of and you still haven't scratched the surface of all the things Satan wants to do to mess up our lives. Because we rarely think of him, he goes about the business of making our lives miserable with great gusto.

We first hear about Satan in the book of Ezekiel where we find him as one of God's three arch-angels. His name was Lucifer and was held in high esteem. However, he became rebellious thinking he could take over Heaven and be God. Lucifer was kicked out of Heaven with the angels that had decided to side with this evil one. God, thus prepared a place for Lucifer and his angels that is named Hell that is reserved just for them. In this process, Lucifer's name was changed to Satan.

I grow weary of people, especially the unsaved who often question how a loving God could send people to Hell when they die. I don't know how many times I have said to such people that God doesn't send people to Hell. Hell was created for Satan and his angels. Going to Hell for an individual person is his/her personal choice because of refusing to accept Jesus as Savior.

Since his demotion from Heaven, Satan has been very busy. In Scripture we first see him on the earth in serpent form talking with Eve and Adam and we read helplessly as we see them fall to the wiles of Satan. We then see Satan some pages over in our Bibles talking with God about a godly man by the name of Job. I note that he had to get God's permission to touch the life of Job but that permission was with limits. As Jesus was about to begin His early ministry, again Satan shows up in the wilderness tempting the Lord Jesus in every way possible. He walked away from Jesus defeated.

We need to be aware that Satan lingers around every corner of our lives to trip us up, to encourage us to sin, and to bring us to defeat. Let me hasten to say that Satan doesn't personally make us sin. There are things in our lives that cause us to sin perfectly well on our own. Satan may be the author and director of sin but we have some choices when it comes to yielding to sin.

What do we do about this hated and destructive person? I don't have all the answers but Scripture does and it wonderfully gives us the best advice that speaks for itself.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary

the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking

whom he may devour.

Revelation 2:10

Neither give place to the devil.

Ephesians 4:27

Put on the whole armor of God, that

ye may be able to stand against the

wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:11

Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil, and he will flee

from you.

James 4:7

There are specific instructions given to us from the above verses that will keep us as safe as possible from the cunning temptation of Satan.

1.  Take Satan seriously. He is not a cartoon character to be taken lightly. Stay alert...when tempted, remember the source of the temptation.

2.  Don't give room in your life for Satan to step in and work. I never cease being amazed at Christians who go to all the wrong places and when something unfortunate happens, they wonder why. We can't give Satan opportunities free of charge to bring us down.

3.  Arm yourself. God has provided us with spiritual armor that will defeat Satan at every turn. A list of that armor can be found in Ephesians 6.

4.  Live in submission to the Lord. Resist Satan...learn to say “NO” to his every suggestion.

I have to ask myself if I'm as fearful of Satan and all the damage he can do in my life as I was of that man years ago who was probably a very kind, hardworking man that I came to fear in my childhood. I will tell you this for certain....Satan ain't no Sheeny Man or whatever light hearted name you want to give him. If Satan is the enemy of God, then he should be regarded by me as my enemy as well, an enemy I want nothing to do with.

Lord Jesus, through Your Spirit keep me alert to the temptation and workings of Satan. Keep me strong through Your Word. Give me discernment regarding the ways Satan tries to work his will and way in my life. Thank You for who You are. I love you. Amen.

Rejoice!!

I will sing of the mercies of

the Lord for ever: with my

mouth will I make known thy

faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 89:1

Praise ye the Lord: for it is good

to sing praises unto our God:

for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

Psalm 147:1

Praise ye the Lord, Sing unto the Lord

a new song, and his praise in the

congregation of saints.

Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them

sing aloud upon their beds.

Psalm 149:1,5

We started out with our children in children's choir at our local church. Whether we should have or not, we waved as our children mounted the altar steps to begin their songs...songs well practiced with them by a diligent but harried director. We beamed as they sang because surely it was our child that was singing so much better than the rest. Whether in a beginner choir or in a high school ensemble, as parents we loved hearing our children sing. My mother-in-love really loved when her children visited and sang for her. It blessed and encouraged her heart.

If the singing of our own children brings delight to us, think how our singing praises to our Heavenly Father must delight Him as well. I think of the times I have stood in church and in an almost half-hearted way I have sung whatever the hymn was that was at the moment. I'm afraid that we don't sing with great heart to the Lord anymore. There has never been a rule that says we are to sing to Him only in church. In fact, one of the above verses says to sing ALOUD upon our beds. So we can sing our praises to Him wherever we may be.

A week after graduating from college, I went to spend a week with a dear college friend. She lived in Dodge City, KS. We went walking outside of town on a small hill. Barbara began singing with her beautiful soprano voice and I joined in with my honker alto voice. The song we sang was:

Day by day, and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,

I've no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best.

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

So let's agree that our Heavenly Father would love to hear us sing for and to Him with a loving enthusiasm reserved only for Him. I think it was Charles Wesley, instrumental in the forming of the Methodist church who, himself, wrote so many wonderful hymns, once suggested that every Christian should own personal copies of two books...the Bible AND a hymn book. I'm afraid most Christians wouldn't even think of owning a hymn book, let alone singing out of it at home if they had one.

I was looking at the word “rejoice” this week and of course, I love acrostics. I listed the letters of that word on the left side and with each letter wrote a familiar sentence from a loved hymn beside each letter, hymns that down through our lives have reminded us of the goodness of God in our lives, giving us lots of reasons to rejoice in Him.

Redeemed how I love to proclaim it!

Eternal Father, strong to save. (Navy hymn)

Jesus paid it all!

Oh, how I love Jesus!

In loving kindness, Jesus came. (He Lifted Me)

Christ arose!

Ever Thy glorious face to behold. (Jesus I Come)

May we be a rejoicing, singing people. No matter how bad some of our times seem to be, we have a loving Heavenly Father Who is still our all in all and is sufficient for every situation we face. The reminder of the above hymns prompts me to hum or sing them along my way. Right now I'm stuck on “Jesus Paid it All”...did He EVER!

Lord Jesus, I do praise You today for all You are in my life. Thank You for always being along side even when I don't realize it or think about it. You are so precious in my life and I love You with all my being. Amen