Monday, December 26, 2016

A Word to the Wise






Even a day after Christmas, I begin looking forward to a new year. Most folks who have known me for any amount of time know I like to have a guiding verse from Scripture for a new year. I don't discount the rest of the Bible but like having a verse I can memorize and bring to recall whenever I want. A verse recently presented itself in one of our Sunday school lessons. I know in time past, I've read it but it never gripped me like that day teaching the lesson.

One of the items on King David's “bucket list” was to see to the building of God's temple. However, that was not to be. Because of critical sin in David's life, he not only lived through the death of his baby son Bathsheba had given birth to, but David was also deprived of the privilege of building the temple. Such crushing blows in his life didn't deter him from his love for God or his renewed fervor for maintaining a close relationship with his Heavenly Father. Many people would have turned from God for less, but David, the man after God's own heart, didn't lose faith in God or for His continued will in David's life. It pleased David to know that his son, Solomon, would be not only king but the builder of that wonderful place of worship for God's people.

In I Chronicles, toward the end of David's life, we read how active he was in organizing what he could toward the building of the temple. He kept the people informed and excited about the erecting of that magnificent edifice. Solomon had not yet acceded to the throne when David sat down with his son to share with his son words of encouragement.

I must interject here how I came across one of the verses from Scripture I have underlined and just about have memorized. They aren't just words to a son from his father King but they speak to my heart every time I look at them. This verse was foreign to me mostly because of where it is located. There are so many gems in Scripture tucked away in some Old Testament books, books we rarely venture into. It was such a privilege for me recently to be able to hold my computer in my lap and be a part of the live broadcast of the funeral of Cliff Barrows, the long time music director for Billy Graham. They had worked together from the beginning along with George Beverly Shea and others. I believe all of the team has gone to Heaven now leaving Billy Graham here with us for a time.

One of the speakers spoke at great length of Mr. Barrows deep love and dedication to the Scriptures. In final days, he was either blind or close to it but had memorized so much Scripture, he could speak it freely. One of his favorite verses, the gentleman said, was the verse I share with you...words from a loving father...words of wisdom to the soon to be seated King, David's son Solomon who would come to be known as the wisest man on earth. Picture two men sitting together...one an older man, King of Israel for 40 years...the other younger with his kingdom yet ahead of him.

And David said to Solomon His son,
Be strong and of good courage,
and do it:
fear not, nor be dismayed:
for the Lord God, even my God,
will be with thee;
he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee,
until thou hast finished all the work
for the service of the house of the Lord.
I Chronicles 28:16

As I read this verse that is now heavily underlined in my Bible, I still get goose bumps as I read how clearly God spoke through that father to his son. The thrill for me is in the fact that I felt the Holy Spirit giving me the same words of encouragement.

David knew his son would need great courage and strength and I love how David added like any father might “and do it.” David knew days of discouragement would come but God's presence would be ever with Solomon in all he had to accomplish. David promised as he himself had come to know that God wouldn't fail or forsake Solomon with all he had ahead of him in finishing this special work for the Lord.

Guess what?...this isn't the first place we read in Scripture about the constant presence of God with us. His promise to never leave or forsake us is as true today as it was in David's day. With whatever God has called me to do, I need to be strong and of good courage and so do you. By now, we should know from the very depths of our beings that God is faithful by his presence and power to see us through those tasks he has called us to no matter how small or large. No, we aren't called to build huge buildings such as Solomon's Temple, but perhaps we're called to have a part in building lives...lives of families, church members, businesses...all to be done to God's glory.

Cuddle up sometime in these busy holiday times with this verse, take it in, let it sink into your spirit and claim those blessed words for your own. They can be of great encouragement as we stand at the brink of a new year. We don't know what this year holds, but we do know Who holds it in the palm of His hand. As I can recall someone saying to me...”A word to the wise is sufficient.”

Thank You Father, for Your precious promises in our Bibles meant for us on an everyday basis. Help us to take them personally and apply them to our lives. May we cling to such precious promises of Your constant presence with us. Thank You for the strength and encouragement You pour into our lives. In Jesus' precious name....Amen






Monday, December 19, 2016


O COME LET US ADORE HIM



O Lord, thou art my God;
I will exalt thee, I will praise
thy name; for thou hat done
wonderful things; thy counsels
of old are faithfulness and truth.
Isaiah 25:1


This carol, “O Come All Ye Faithful” has always been one of my favorites even from childhood. The chorus of this Christmas hymn (as I love to call Christmas carols spiritual in nature) was very easy for a child to learn. Let's face it...it wasn't hard to repeat the one phrase three times ending with “Christ the Lord.” Perhaps that was the inspiration for today's 7/11 choruses...seven words sung 11 times. However, I don't believe that was the intent of this favorite carol. We have sung this carol over and over, but I wonder if we pay any attention to the words we sing. Let's just think about the first verse.

O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL – This is obviously a song of invitation. We're asked to “come.” Who is invited? God's faithful are invited...ALL of them, not just whoever feels like it.

JOYFUL AND TRIUMPHANT - How are we to come? We are to approach Him with the greatest of joy knowing we are triumphant because of THE One we are coming to adore.

O COME YE, O COME YE. - The invitation is not only repeated, but stressed with the used of repeated phrasing. It should give us a sense of urgency.

TO BETHLEHEM – My Bethlehem right now is my own heart. It's where Jesus lives through His Holy Spirit. The fact is that I can come to Him any hour of the day, day of the year to worship and adore Him, not just during the Christmas season.

COME AND ADORE HIM – All of that cantata's, gifts, parties, family gatherings, parades and decorations are wonderful, but that's not the purpose of this season. We are to approach Him with hearts full of adoration. The dictionary defines “adore” as deeply loving, respecting and even worshiping another. Is that who we are as opposed to all of the holiday trappings?

BORN THE KING OF ANGELS – What an odd phrase this is in this beautiful carol. However, a reference to the pre-incarnate Christ was a necessary bit of information. Long before Jesus' appearing on earth, He always WAS in Heaven. Angels bowed before Him. Even Lucifer did for a time before his fall from Heaven.

O COME LET US ADORE HIM – There is that invitation again. The verse has given us information that should cause us to come to this point. The chorus repeats this invitation two more times, almost building with a determined, knowing proclamation...

CHRIST THE LORD – It's Him...the long awaited One spoken of throughout the Old Testament Scriptures. He was promised down through those hundreds of years. Perhaps some had almost given up hope, but He was still destined to join us in this sinful world...perfection taking on human form in a sinful, lost, dusty world. He did it for you and He did it for me.

When He came, angels sang His praises. Shepherds (who lived with the worst of reputations for just being shepherds) left their flocks to find that little one Who would come to be known as the Good Shepherd. Even educated men in the science of the stars made a trip that took several months to find that special child.

Is it asking too much of us to “Come let us adore Him?” We have come to know not just a baby in a manger, but we have more importantly come to know Him as Savior. We appreciate the baby, but that baby grew up to be a Man, a Man who chose to die for you and me. It's fine to sing of our adoration for baby Jesus, but our song should rise with great triumphant adoration we feel for Jesus, our Savior and King.

                                   O COME LET US ADORE HIM,
                                   CHRIST...THE LORD!

We love You Jesus and are sorry for being remiss in expressing our love and appreciation for all You have done for us and all You continue to do for us even down to each breath we take. Thank You for leaving Your throne and coming to earth for us. We love you, and yes, we adore you. In Your precious name...Amen

Monday, December 12, 2016

JUST GIVE ME JESUS






If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those
things which are above, where Christ
sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above,
not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:11

Today is one of those emotional days when things just crowd in and squeeze me til I squeak. With the national park roads fully open now, Brian and I took a ride from our place to the nearby town of Gatlinburg. It's a dull and cloudy day which only adds to the gloom of the moment. We drove many of the streets where the forest fire did the most damage. Many of those streets our family has been on through the years but not recognizable right now. For instance, if anyone has been to downtown Gatlinburg and looked up to the nearby mountain that is easily seen, for years there has been a big, beautiful mountain home sitting about halfway up the mountain. I looked for it today and it is mere sticks and rubble now.

We drove some of the streets where the most damage was done. I sat in stunned silence looking at all of the burned out cars...homes and cabins burned to the ground. It was interesting to see some homes destroyed while there was an untouched cabin or house nearby. It probably has smoke damage but it looked untouched by the fire. For us today, it was seeing history erased in large measure from a place millions of Americans have come to know with great fondness.

We drove along narrow winding mountain roads where houses sat in their ruins (one still with slight smoldering) and I couldn't help but wonder how the death toll was so low. Two weeks ago today, fire was blazing on both sides of those roads while people were trying to get down and up the mountain at the same time. Many it would seem had no notice of the extent of the fire. As we drove, there are already builders meeting with owners and Gatlinburg is filled with large trucks from home restoration companies.

A dear lady, who has lost all was interviewed on television. She is one of many who got out with only the clothes on her back and maybe her purse in hand. She is so grateful that her family is alive and well but knows with the others that all worldly goods are gone, never to be completely replaced. I thought of her as I silently looked out the car window at destruction that seemed to zoom by. I recalled a song I once heard that I loved...can't remember the title or all of the words but the last phrase says: “You can have all this world, just give me Jesus.” I wondered about myself, if under the very worst of circumstances if that could be some guiding words in my own life.

We are told that we came into this world with nothing and will leave it with nothing as well. Meanwhile though, we get pretty attached to our “things.” I lean more toward sentimental things that really cannot be replaced....wedding album, my Mother's desk, children's and grand children's pictures, Bibles, some jewelry. They are all apart of this world though, my world and I don't want to lose them. Those folks lost like things and even more. Some children lost pets, a man lost his wife and two daughters, some tourists lost their lives and it goes on and on.

I pray on my own behalf that no matter what my circumstances ever come to be, that my focus will be on what is important...really important. The day will come when I leave all of those things of the world behind anyway. The question for me: “Is Jesus enough?” Even as I type that question, I feel a conviction in my own spirit. Perhaps that's what is left over from this knot in my stomach having seeing so much devastation.

I was blessed as we passed by a stone church. If you have ever driven behind Gatlinburg on the Roaring Fork River Motor Trail, as you exit it and drive a little down the road into town, you come to a church on the left side of the road. It is a stone church, a Baptist church that has stood there for as long as I can remember. It is in shambles and that grieved me even more. Wondering how they were doing, I saw contractors in the parking lot talking to what could be the pastor. I then saw a sign....”While rebuilding, we will meet at Camp Smoky.” That cheered me. Despite the fire, the work is going on even if it must be in a different location for awhile. It is always good to see that God's work doesn't stop. His people see to that. Again I was convicted of the times I didn't feel well and didn't fulfill a responsibility at church. I could have gone and done the task, but in many cases, it was probably laziness on my part.

Take a look at where you live right now and picture it in ashes. Perhaps your house burned while you were at work or at the grocery store. Picture it and your car smoldering. All you have is clothes you are wearing and a wallet or purse. It's hard to imagine, isn't it? That could never happen to us, right? A lady in Dallas I once knew had a gorgeous home in North Dallas that burned to the ground. I talked to her to assure her of my prayers. She said, “Glendarae, a burned down house with everything gone is as close to a death in the family as one can come.”

So I ask us all, would be ready for what these dear folks have experienced? Leaving all the things of the world dear and precious to us....would Jesus be enough? That's what He wants. He doesn't want there to be anything or anyone that comes before Him. He's asks that we forsake all and rely solely on Him for everything. May our honest desire be:

JUST GIVE ME JESUS

Father, I can't relate to these hurting people who have lost so much. Some have no house to go home to, folks have lost their businesses, some have physical needs while others are planning funerals for loved ones. Pour extra mercy and grace into the lives of these precious mountain folks. If any don't know you as Savior, may this be the time they turn to You. In Jesus' precious, saving name....Amen





Monday, December 5, 2016

Beauty for Ashes


The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me;
because the Lord hath anointed me to
preach good tidings unto the meek; He
hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to
proclaim liberty to the captives, and opening
of the prison to them that are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
and the day of vengeance of our God; to
comfort all that mourn
Isaiah 61:1,2


In this area where I live, I have learned that with fire, comes an unbelievable growth in nature. When we first moved here, I was greatly disturbed to see all of the fires that were deliberately set in Cades Cove by the park service. I even stopped at the ranger station and asked a ranger about what looked like total destruction to me. Not satisfied with her answer, I contacted the park service office and by e-mail was told how wonderfully I would be surprised if I watched those fields, especially come spring how lush the fields would be with plant life and beautiful flowers. They assured me that strong healthy trees are seldom destroyed and they too flourish like never before. Sure enough, come spring, the information was totally correct. I saw in reality how beauty came from ashes in those blackened fields.

The book of Isaiah is full of prophecies having to do with the coming of the Messiah, Jesus to the earth. Many theologians feel the first few verses of this chapter in Isaiah especially, gives a kind of job description regarding Jesus' coming. In fact, after Jesus' experience of being tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He returned to his childhood synagogue on the sabbath day, sat down and taught the people from these verses. It would appear that in this, He was introducing His ministry. Just look at some of the goals He had in His ministry. He would preach the good news, see to the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom to captives, even opening prison doors to the bound. He would also comfort those who mourn. I don't know about you but He's done all of that in my life. We've all been captive to something at one time or another perhaps even to the point of feeling imprisoned by habits or other things. He's been with me when I've been brokenhearted...He's been all of those things for me and probably for you as well.

The next two verses are such a blessing to me in these days and probably to many who live in our area. You will see what I mean as we look at verses 3,4 of the same chapter:

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give
unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for
mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of
heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.
And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up
the former desolations, and they shall repair the
waste cities, the desolations of many
generations.

I realize verses three and four are often thought to pertain to Jesus' second coming after the earth had been decimated by events of the tribulation. He would bring His people back to the earth for the millennial reign, but a lot would have to be restored and built back up after all of the destruction. Those of us who are born again Christians have benefited much from the events described in the first two verses of this chapter.

Those next two verses I can understand are significant for future events. I'm seeing those two verses being played out in our area right now in so many ways. For instance, there are many around our area who are mourning...death and destruction are all around. As hard as it may seem right, our area will be rebuilt, trees and plant life will grow again, new houses and businesses will reappear as life goes on. I have found people especially in east Tennessee to be strong people. Historically, they and their families have endured much. They've faced wilderness existences, coming of a national park that took many from their homes, financial hardship and other things other Americans face. However, I've found more of a real almost family caring among a majority who aren't even related. There's a willingness to jump in and do for others that may not be as evident in other areas of our country.

Any of us can look at our lives, some devastating life experiences and saw and felt all was lost and in our own ways, we mourned. I have seen, however, in my own experience how through such experiences I grew in the Lord and even flourished in Him like never before. It was those times in the fire of life that I wasn't destroyed, but grew by leaps and bounds. I can see now how God brought His kind of beauty in my life from what looked like the ashes that may have even smoldered for awhile.

God did everything in my life mentioned in verse 3. He gave me a new joy to replace my mourning, a spirit of praise in the heaviest of days, a strength I could never have had on my own. The health of my spiritual life was renewed hopefully that God would be glorified. He built new, exciting things in my walk with Him. All of this has happened whenever I've been led to walk a very difficult path. Any of us can choose bitterness, refusing God's direction and even love. That only prolongs the misery we feel. He wants to bring beauty from the ashes of those burning times we go through. At the time, we feel such burnings will destroy us but come God's springtime in our lives, after perhaps a time of rest, He goes to work bringing a beauty in our lives that we may not see, but that is a blessing in the lives of others.

All of this is my prayer for my neighbors who live across the valley from me that in all of the destruction and heartache, they will come to experience the beauty that can come from their ashes. For those who don't know Jesus as Savior, I'm praying this will be their time to accept Him. I want them to know His comfort, joy and yes, restoration where needed. Please pray with me for those dear folks who have lost so much, but who can know God will bring beauty from their ashes.

Heavenly Father, thank You for who You are. I've come to know your power in my life but appreciate even more Your love and how at various times, You've brought beauty from some ashy times in my life. Thank You for it all. In Jesus' precious name....Amen




Monday, November 28, 2016

What's Happening?



Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary
the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour:
I Peter 5:8

The day is as clear in my mind as if it was yesterday. I was 8 years old and had been playing outside in the yard with some friends from across the street. My Mother came out to get me and while in that process, one of the girls told my Mother that I had said the word “darn.” It wouldn't have been so bad if my Mother had believed me when I protested, but she took for granted that I had said that “bad word.” Yep, in those days, it was a bad word in our house...a very bad word. It didn't make any difference that all around me with family, neighbors and adult family friends, I heard lots of cursing, but also knew better than to say any of those words myself.

Perhaps my Mother believed me, but just to make sure, I was ushered into our kitchen, handed a small bar of Ivory soap and was told to bite into it. After doing that, my front and side teeth were sufficiently coated with that soft soap. In those moments, I knew literally what foaming at the mouth looked like. Not only did that stuff taste terrible, but it was next to impossible to wipe off my teeth and even totally brush it off, at least for awhile. It stayed as a reminder for a few hours that “darn” could never ever be a part of my vocabulary even though it hadn't been. I was told that saying “darn” was the same as saying “damn.” That was news to me, but from that point on, even though in a lifetime I may have said “that” word, I can honestly say it's never been a part of my vocabulary. If I were to use it, I'm afraid that Ivory soap taste would reappear in my mouth.

That whole event seems so incidental as I look back. I mention it only in light of that being about 70 years ago. I've known in recent years, many children who are 7 and 8 years old using four letter words on a school playground that I would hope would make their parents blush. There are things in our day we may not like, but that are happening almost without the blink of anyone's eye. What's happening?

I look at TV programs in our day with the scanty attire, sexual passion, some cursing and all the rest that goes with immorality and any other sinful activity. America soaks in those programs or they wouldn't continue to be on the air. Advertising is often sensual or just dishonest whether on television or on our computers. It seems today, there are no fences or barriers protecting us from the ugliness of depraved thinkers. Because of that, we can be slowly pulled in to so much that years ago would have been totally unacceptable to us.

In the aging process, I learned from Scripture that society will not improve. It will always be on a downward spiral. Satan is the god of this world and he works much harder at what he does than we do in combating his ploys. In the light of today's society, “darn” seems pretty small and almost insignificant. Perhaps my Mother knew beyond what I knew that a word like that might be only the beginning of leading to more and other usages of other bad words.

Satan has worked ever so subtly and slowly to get the snowball rolling downhill when it comes to all of the things that have and are destroying the society many of us know or once knew. We feel helpless to say or do anything that will be of any influence and yet, Scripture tells us in any number of places that even though we may feel very alone, we still have influence even if only as individuals.

Peter spoke to Christians fleeing persecution in his day. Both of his epistles are such encouraging books for Christians to read who are either going through some tough things of life or in preparation of such. He speaks to them as a group, but each verse spells out personal responsibility expected of Christians no matter their state or time in history. He gives you and me something to remember as we may be facing frustration with our world.


But ye are a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood,
an holy nation,
a peculiar people;
that ye should shew forth the
praises of Him who hath called
you out of darkness into His
marvelous light.
I Peter 1:9

Notice WHO we are in Christ...we're a part of His Kingdom, we are priests, we are holy because of our standing with Christ. You and I as Christians have the privilege of being a part of God's holy Kingdom. We have a standing as priests in that we have the privilege also of praying straight to our Heavenly Father with no one to intercede except for Jesus Who is our mediator. But notice, we are peculiar. That word “peculiar” means we are to be different from the rest of an ungodly world. That can't be done as a group project. Individually, we are to be so different from the world that we stand out as an oddity. That will show forth praises to God, THE One who has called us from the dark to light. This doesn't mean, however, that we put on a show for people. The Spirit within us will direct us to be different from the rest of the world.

So when things seeming to go haywire in our country, putting frustration aside, what do we do now? Just a few suggestions that I am first writing to myself:

  • Be a person of prayer...we need to pray in these days like never before.
  • Be a person of the Word...it will keep us on track with our morals and basic beliefs.
  • Live a life above reproach...enabled only by walking in God's ways.
  • Set good examples before family, friends, church and community.
  • Be a good citizen....in these days VOTE and obey established law.
  • Stay focused on the Lord, not people...Revelation tells us Who in the end wins.

Sounds like tall orders but nothing we won't find in Scripture. When at the height of frustration, pray and be in the Bible. You can never go wrong reading in the Gospels and the Psalms if you don't know where to begin.

Whatever you do, don't ever say THAT word. Ivory soap tastes awful. The aftertaste has a way of staying with you.

Dear Father, help me to focus on the fact that You are in charge of everything and there is nothing in our country that comes as a shock to you. All indicators are that we may get to see Jesus in the clouds sooner than we could have thought. Give us the strength to endure the mess of our culture and not become a part of it. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

Monday, November 21, 2016

Faith Memories


Remember His marvellous works
that He hath done; His wonders,
and the judgments of His mouth.
Psalm 105:5



The Israelites had won a great battle over the Philistines outside of Mizpeh. It was a tremendous victory brought about through God's strengthening of His people. It was such a momentous moment that Samuel the high priest, felt it necessary to do...something special to commemorate the wonderful event. He chose to do something we would consider rather unusual:

Then Samuel took a stone,
and set it between Mizpeh and Shen,
and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying,
Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.
I Samuel 7:12

The word “ebenezer” means “stone of help.” Samuel didn't want the people to ever forget what God had brought about through them in that battle. He wanted there to be some thing they could always look at and remember more what God had done than what they had done.

It is interesting that this very thing is spoken of in the second verse of a very old hymn, Come Thou Fount. As a child, I remember singing it and always wondered what “ebenezer” was. The first two lines of the second verse say

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.”

I sang that song about raising my own ebenezer, but had no idea what I was singing. However, even today, I wonder if there aren't ebenezers we can look back to in our own spiritual walk. We may not have left special rocks along the way, but we have special spiritual memories we can remember “hitherby God's help I've come.”

An assistant pastor of ours in a Bible study recently mentioned the term “faith memories.” I love that term because that's what an ebenezer actually means. He mentioned stressing those in the lives of our children and grandchildren. Such faith memories are faith building for children and for we adults as well. There are times when God brings us through some tough battles both individually and as families. We all need to recognize His necessary part in those battles being won.

Human memories can be faulty or lacking, especially as we grow older. In general, we tend to not think or ponder on the blessings of God...ebenezers...things we take from God with little remembrance of those big and little blessings, victories that changed our lives. It means determining to be more conscious of our faith memories.

I will remember the works of the Lord:
surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
Psalm 77:11

There are times when we go through very disturbing events in life. We can focus on those events and become discouraged or depressed, but often remembering those victories or special events orchestrated by God for our benefit can encourage and uplift us.

Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed
within me;
my heart within me is desolate.

I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all thy works;
I muse on the work of thy hands.
Psalm 143:4,5

It is so easy for we Christians to get off track...lose our vision, enthusiasm and spiritual focus. I would like to think that the surrounding world and it's problems don't affect me but they do. If I find myself in such a rut, it's hard looking up and over the edges of that rut to see God's sunshine let alone being able to think upon the spiritual victories of the past He has brought me through. That may never happen for you but it does me on occasion. No matter the battle or war we face, God stands ready to strengthen us beyond any expectation.

Where are those spiritual landmarks of victory that have blessed us beyond words? Perhaps we need to get those “ebenezer rocks” out of the closets of our minds. As we remember those precious times of victory and God's goodness, we are renewed in spirit and others may share in those times be they our children or friends.

Thank You Father for all of the “ebenezers” I have stored in my heart of those times You've given me of blessing and victory. I am so undeserving of the richness I have in my relationship with You. Forgive my ingratitude. I love you....in Jesus' precious name...Amen

.

Monday, November 14, 2016


God's Positioning System

I will instruct thee and teach thee
in the way which thou shalt go I will guide
thee with mine eye.
Psalm 32:8

Amazingly, Brian and I have never had a GPS (Global Positioning System) in our most recent cars. After all of the stories I've heard from folks about their adventures with those gizmo's, I must say I'm just as glad I don't have anything like that. One person told me several years ago that their installed system told them to always make left hand turns. This person knew most of those turns were incorrect, especially if instructed to turn on a one way street going the opposite way. Some have spoken about the female voice (or what seems to be female) that they can't seem to even turn off when they want to turn her off. I've also heard of drivers who are perfectly happy with their system and haven't seemed to have any problems at all getting to where they want to go.

Despite whatever system any of us use to get to where we want to go, we can find ourselves on the wrong path. In our day, many rely on computers that suggest where to order clothes, where to find someone who makes home repairs or even in some cases, folks who are looking for love and companionship off of a computer screen. Our computers often become a type of guidance/positioning system. Many of our young people today are taking much of their advice and guidance from people on electronic devices, people they don't even know and have no reason to trust.

Any GPS is dependent on satellites in space that feeds information of one's position fed to various devices. Those devices aren't just found in cars. In our day, there is equipment to locate almost anyone or anything which is frightening to me. Even animals can be tagged whether family dogs or animals in our national park that can help in locating any tagged animal at any time.

Why all this hodge-podge of thinking? I, like some readers, have as of late, been overly exposed to an overload of political information. Something that has always fascinated me regarding our top political leaders is how they and their families are guarded over by the Secret Service. It is known at all times where those leaders and families are, doing all possible to insure their safety. I recall the Sunday morning when George and Barbara Bush attended First Baptist Church Dallas. Secret service checked people at the door, others were located near the Bush's and some standing at side walls. Others sat in the congregation, making themselves as incognito as possible. You could see many of those agents, some with eyes on that special couple, others with roving eyes looking for any problems and all with devices in their ears informing of locations and timing of departure.

Anyone who has had teenagers in their homes have heard at one time or another, “I never have any privacy.” Let me in on a secret you and I may not think of very often. There is no one, anytime, anyplace who has privacy where God is concerned. God has His own Positioning System. Because He, right now, is not in human form, doesn't mean we are ever off His grid of observation. We can find comfort in God's omnipresence in our lives, but at the same time, there are some whose lives aren't perhaps where God would have them be, who might ask that teenage question...”Don't I ever get any privacy even away from God?” I have news for any of us no matter where we are in relationship to God...He is ever present and observant in our lives. He is our positioning system. Hopefully we can feel a comfort and security in that fact. Scripture speaks often in very loving terms of God's tender and loving presence in our lives.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
beholding the evil and the good.
Proverbs 15:3

Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord,
and not a God afar off?
Can any hide himself in secret places
that I shall not see him? Saith the Lord.
Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith
the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:23,24

What an awesome thing that God is always with me, guarding my every step, hearing every word. That is love beyond my comprehension and security even the best the secret service could ever provide. When in God's will, I am at rest with his omnipresence. If some are not where they should be in God's will, perhaps that sweet fact will draw them back to Him where He longs for them to be.

Let's pray:
O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Psalm 139:1-5

Thank You, Father, for all of that....In Jesus precious name.....Amen and amen.




God's Positioning System
I will instruct thee and teach thee
in the way which thou shalt go I will guide
thee with mine eye.
Psalm 32:8

Amazingly, Brian and I have never had a GPS (Global Positioning System) in our most recent cars. After all of the stories I've heard from folks about their adventures with those gizmo's, I must say I'm just as glad I don't have anything like that. One person told me several years ago that their installed system told them to always make left hand turns. This person knew most of those turns were incorrect, especially if instructed to turn on a one way street going the opposite way. Some have spoken about the female voice (or what seems to be female) that they can't seem to even turn off when they want to turn her off. I've also heard of drivers who are perfectly happy with their system and haven't seemed to have any problems at all getting to where they want to go.

Despite whatever system any of us use to get to where we want to go, we can find ourselves on the wrong path. In our day, many rely on computers that suggest where to order clothes, where to find someone who makes home repairs or even in some cases, folks who are looking for love and companionship off of a computer screen. Our computers often become a type of guidance/positioning system. Many of our young people today are taking much of their advice and guidance from people on electronic devices, people they don't even know and have no reason to trust.

Any GPS is dependent on satellites in space that feeds information of one's position fed to various devices. Those devices aren't just found in cars. In our day, there is equipment to locate almost anyone or anything which is frightening to me. Even animals can be tagged whether family dogs or animals in our national park that can help in locating any tagged animal at any time.

Why all this hodge-podge of thinking? I, like some readers, have as of late, been overly exposed to an overload of political information. Something that has always fascinated me regarding our top political leaders is how they and their families are guarded over by the Secret Service. It is known at all times where those leaders and families are, doing all possible to insure their safety. I recall the Sunday morning when George and Barbara Bush attended First Baptist Church Dallas. Secret service checked people at the door, others were located near the Bush's and some standing at side walls. Others sat in the congregation, making themselves as incognito as possible. You could see many of those agents, some with eyes on that special couple, others with roving eyes looking for any problems and all with devices in their ears informing of locations and timing of departure.

Anyone who has had teenagers in their homes have heard at one time or another, “I never have any privacy.” Let me in on a secret you and I may not think of very often. There is no one, anytime, anyplace who has privacy where God is concerned. God has His own Positioning System. Because He, right now, is not in human form, doesn't mean we are ever off His grid of observation. We can find comfort in God's omnipresence in our lives, but at the same time, there are some whose lives aren't perhaps where God would have them be, who might ask that teenage question...”Don't I ever get any privacy even away from God?” I have news for any of us no matter where we are in relationship to God...He is ever present and observant in our lives. He is our positioning system. Hopefully we can feel a comfort and security in that fact. Scripture speaks often in very loving terms of God's tender and loving presence in our lives.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
beholding the evil and the good.
Proverbs 15:3

Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord,
and not a God afar off?
Can any hide himself in secret places
that I shall not see him? Saith the Lord.
Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith
the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:23,24

What an awesome thing that God is always with me, guarding my every step, hearing every word. That is love beyond my comprehension and security even the best the secret service could ever provide. When in God's will, I am at rest with his omnipresence. If some are not where they should be in God's will, perhaps that sweet fact will draw them back to Him where He longs for them to be.

Let's pray:
O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Psalm 139:1-5

Thank You, Father, for all of that....In Jesus precious name.....Amen and amen.




God's Positioning System
I will instruct thee and teach thee
in the way which thou shalt go I will guide
thee with mine eye.
Psalm 32:8

Amazingly, Brian and I have never had a GPS (Global Positioning System) in our most recent cars. After all of the stories I've heard from folks about their adventures with those gizmo's, I must say I'm just as glad I don't have anything like that. One person told me several years ago that their installed system told them to always make left hand turns. This person knew most of those turns were incorrect, especially if instructed to turn on a one way street going the opposite way. Some have spoken about the female voice (or what seems to be female) that they can't seem to even turn off when they want to turn her off. I've also heard of drivers who are perfectly happy with their system and haven't seemed to have any problems at all getting to where they want to go.

Despite whatever system any of us use to get to where we want to go, we can find ourselves on the wrong path. In our day, many rely on computers that suggest where to order clothes, where to find someone who makes home repairs or even in some cases, folks who are looking for love and companionship off of a computer screen. Our computers often become a type of guidance/positioning system. Many of our young people today are taking much of their advice and guidance from people on electronic devices, people they don't even know and have no reason to trust.

Any GPS is dependent on satellites in space that feeds information of one's position fed to various devices. Those devices aren't just found in cars. In our day, there is equipment to locate almost anyone or anything which is frightening to me. Even animals can be tagged whether family dogs or animals in our national park that can help in locating any tagged animal at any time.

Why all this hodge-podge of thinking? I, like some readers, have as of late, been overly exposed to an overload of political information. Something that has always fascinated me regarding our top political leaders is how they and their families are guarded over by the Secret Service. It is known at all times where those leaders and families are, doing all possible to insure their safety. I recall the Sunday morning when George and Barbara Bush attended First Baptist Church Dallas. Secret service checked people at the door, others were located near the Bush's and some standing at side walls. Others sat in the congregation, making themselves as incognito as possible. You could see many of those agents, some with eyes on that special couple, others with roving eyes looking for any problems and all with devices in their ears informing of locations and timing of departure.

Anyone who has had teenagers in their homes have heard at one time or another, “I never have any privacy.” Let me in on a secret you and I may not think of very often. There is no one, anytime, anyplace who has privacy where God is concerned. God has His own Positioning System. Because He, right now, is not in human form, doesn't mean we are ever off His grid of observation. We can find comfort in God's omnipresence in our lives, but at the same time, there are some whose lives aren't perhaps where God would have them be, who might ask that teenage question...”Don't I ever get any privacy even away from God?” I have news for any of us no matter where we are in relationship to God...He is ever present and observant in our lives. He is our positioning system. Hopefully we can feel a comfort and security in that fact. Scripture speaks often in very loving terms of God's tender and loving presence in our lives.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
beholding the evil and the good.
Proverbs 15:3

Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord,
and not a God afar off?
Can any hide himself in secret places
that I shall not see him? Saith the Lord.
Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith
the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:23,24

What an awesome thing that God is always with me, guarding my every step, hearing every word. That is love beyond my comprehension and security even the best the secret service could ever provide. When in God's will, I am at rest with his omnipresence. If some are not where they should be in God's will, perhaps that sweet fact will draw them back to Him where He longs for them to be.

Let's pray:
O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Psalm 139:1-5

Thank You, Father, for all of that....In Jesus precious name.....Amen and amen.



Monday, November 7, 2016

Trusting As The Days Go By


What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.
In God have I put my trust: I will not be
afraid what man can do unto me.
Psalm 56: 3,11

Have you ever given thought to the fact that we often trust people and situations first before putting our trust in the Lord? In good times and bad, God is in fact the only One who can do anything about any situation we face. I remember the old hymn I remember our church singing when I was quite young. The title is simply “Trusting Jesus.” I love the chorus to this great old hymn written by Ira Sankey and Edgar P. Stites:

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him what e'er befall,
Trusting Jesus—that is all.

There are people in whom we place trust. As children, we trusted our parents and close relatives. We trusted policemen, teachers, pastors, and even that the postman would deliver family mail at certain times of the day. We still today trust our food supply that it is safe. We trust the brakes on our cars to work. We trust good friends to keep our confidences. We even trust the air we breathe. There are many ways we trust and never give second thoughts to them.

Without trust, people can become paranoid. Those folks are always fearful that someone or something is out to hurt them. Many people find themselves in a constant state of fear and their fears are very real to them. Fear is one of those things that is the exact opposite of trust. One of our problems in these days is that we place our trust in all the wrong things, in all the wrong people.

Our ultimate trust must be in God. There is no huge organization, government or even powerful people that can meet our every need. All of those things will let us down at one time or another. We've come to rely on them for all the wrong reasons. God is our ultimate help and He still works in the affairs of men to either help us or perhaps to teach us much needed lessons.

From a spiritual standpoint as I look at the word TRUST, I had some thoughts in acrostic form that certainly isn't exhaustive.

T-rust

Here I see a basic definition for trust I believe is a good one. For we Christians, trust is simply taking God at His word

R-est

Relaxing in the arms of God

U-nderstanding

Understanding the things of God will always build our trust. The main way we do that is through studying and taking in the things of God's Word. That may be through personal reading or also through the preaching and teaching of God's Word in a group or church setting.

S-ubmission

Being in submission to God's will in all things will always reinforce the trust we have in Him. When we submit, we are saying we completely trust God in every aspect of life

T-urn

I thought of two things here. I thought of turning from those things in our lives that contribute to breaking down our trust in God. The big thing here we can do to build our trust is to turn to God in prayer at every turn. He wants to hear from us not just when we face difficulties but in the happy times as well.

Another old hymn comes to my mind and I often find myself singing to myself. The verse and chorus explains the meaning of our word:

When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.


Trust and obey---
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey.


It's all there...to be happy in Jesus....TRUST ...and submit totally to Him.



Father, strengthen me when I falter and when my trust in You is at low ebb. I don't mean for that to happy. I know from experience and Your Word that You are the only One I can trust for everything above anyone. Thank You that Jesus' blood makes my trust possible. In His precious name....Amen

Monday, October 31, 2016

Great and Mighty Things




Call unto Me, and I will answer thee,
and shew thee great and mighty things,
which thou knowest not.
Jeremiah 33:3

This verse from Jeremiah has been a precious one for me through the years. I have paid very close attention to the first three words of the verse and then secondarily to the second phrase. Both phrases are precious...I can call on God and He will answer. In my impatience, I've often felt God was a little slow in answering, but have found His answers have come in His own timing that is for my good. What I've been noticing more lately though is the next part of the verse. It's the part of the verse that I'm not sure anyone can wrap themselves around. He wants to show us “great and mighty things.” I can't even think of what all those things entail. I do see, though, that they are things that I can't even know anything about. He can do any thing at any time to show forth His might and power, even to the extent of working through the affairs of sinful men.

It was the Christmas of my fifth grade year. I had been a Christian only a few weeks so there was much I was learning as I was getting more and more acquainted with Jesus. November and December were tough months for our family. My dad had been in the hospital in St. Louis for a couple of weeks and unable to work when he got home. Even without being told, I knew times were tough. Two days prior to Thanksgiving, someone knocked on our front door and ran away. When my Mother went to the porch, there were two boxes full of groceries that included a turkey. I knew even at that age that we had only a few items in our refrigerator. It was only the second time in my life that I saw my Mother shed tears. The same thing happened at Christmas. We had a couple of small items beneath our “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree, but by Christmas Eve, gifts came from who-knows-where that were in abundance to a young girl. To this day, when I think of “great and mighty things”, I think back to those two holidays. I know adults knew what was going on, but to a child, it was miraculous.

In Scripture, when all seemed lost, Pharaoh still decided to let God's people return to their homeland. Other evil kings did things that benefited God's people or prophets, used by God whether they realized that fact or not. God can work in and through any impossible situation. Who could have imagined how the heart of a man by the name of Saul of Tarsus could be changed and he become the apostle Paul. I have seen through the years, how God can bend down into the affairs of man and functions in such wonderful ways. He has promised to never leave or forsake us no matter our problems or concerns.

I'm concerned about us today in the middle of all of the political mess we find ourselves in. I almost hate opening up my computer with all the political junk I see. I've never seen anything like it. All of the lying and conniving is of Satan and Satan is having a heyday even with the minds of Christians. I've decided today to just keep it all erased from my computer. I don't need to see all the junk. Politically, I already know what I am to do as an individual citizen. We Christians are to have the mind of Christ (Phil 2:5) and I am trusting my well being and well being of our country in God's very capable hands. My time will be much better spent in God's Word as well as making all a matter of prayer. One of our problems is that we haven't been praying enough.

Whether it be politics, social ills of our country, or economic concerns, God waits to show us great and mighty things. He waits for us to call on Him not just with the huge concerns we face as a country, but His concerns stretch to you and me with our own personal concerns and problems. Many times, it seems God is deaf to our pleas, but I don't believe He ever is. I believe He answers our every prayer. It may not be just exactly when or how we think this should come about, but God will always know what He's doing.

In these days of such confusion in our country, God cares, loves us and awaits our desire for Him to show us great and mighty things. We must put our hope in God and in God alone.

(H-aving....O-nly....P-ositive....E-xpectations) This is to be hope in the truest sense as we Christians are to view it. Our Heavenly Father is alive and well. He hasn't dozed off while we find ourselves in the middle of so much stuff. He is on His throne and is working His will that is totally in our best interest. It may not seem like that is true for the present but He hasn't failed us yet.

In these days, we have been called to prayer from so many godly leaders. Perhaps our fault at this time is that we haven't been praying consistently for our country. Whether we have failed in this area or not, we must be praying now. Our country is in desperate need of our prayers. Whether our praying seems futile or not, we are told in Scripture to be people of prayer. How can we expect to see great and mighty things, if we refuse to CALL ON HIM?

Father, we call on You today knowing You have Your hand of control on our every circumstance. We pray for our country and its leaders. Bring our country back to Yourself that we will be Your people with whom You are pleased. In Jesus precious name...Amen

Monday, October 24, 2016

THE LORD LIVES!



I will call upon the Lord,
who is worthy to be praised;
so shall I be saved from my enemies.
The Lord lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation
be exalted.
Psalm 18:3,46


In these days of confusion in our country and in my small circle of contacts, I am feeling some company among Christian friends and cohorts. We all feel a desperation as we view America's political options during this election season. Not only is the White House at stake, but our country also has a Congress and even Supreme Court with real moral/ethical issues. To boil it all down, we are a part of an America that has big problems. The major problem in this morass we view is that of sin which by the way, you and I are a part of..

What are we to do in these days that trouble us? It's a sad indictment on we Christians if we are in a state of frenzy, fear and discouragement just over politics. I'm not saying we shouldn't have concerns. But what does that say about our confidence in the fact that God does all things well? We may not see God working as we would like, but our faith should tell us God always knows what He's doing and why. He owes us no explanations. If we are in Scripture enough, we can see the whys of how God is having to deal, especially with our country. So if our faith is ebbing due to our surroundings, we must do all we can to regain our focus and faith in God.

I love Psalm 18 and the above verses from it. I even know a chorus centered on those words. I can sing them or just repeat them over and over combating all of the clamor of the world. I do not have to be a victim of all the junk...I have a choice as to what I'm going to concentrate on. Scripture whether reading, saying or singing is strengthening in so many ways. I've seen advertisements now making psychological help available for people struggling with all of the political pressures of our day. I need a Savior more than I need a psychologist.

What am I finding that is working for me? I know who I am going to vote for. I don't need anymore information or input...it's done and decided.

  • I've made my decision, I don't have to listen to all of the last minute scandalous input about anyone that the media feeds me.
  • I am allowing God to renew and revive my own spirit. There is nothing I can do about anyone else. I am expected to be personally accountable to God for my own actions.
  • I am trying to double up my time spent in Bible reading and prayer. I am praying not just for myself, but for people of name I never thought I would ever pray for.
  • Praying for government leaders is even more on my agenda these days.
  • Being a good citizen is important to me. Yes, I will vote, but I need to be accountable to obey laws and be respectful of authority.
  • Being an encourager is important in these days when so many are discouraged.

No matter the outcome of any election, God is still on His throne and in control of all of the affairs of men. Politically, things may or may not change, but we read that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. When we can't count on men in general, our faith in God need never waver. He is consistent in all His ways.

I have been reminded this week in hearing so many politicians as they have given us certain promises. Some of those folks mean well while some just want to get into office. I've heard some tell us that their way to do things is best and we should follow them. Some speak of how we can trust their word while others promise us that with them in office, life is going to be good. I have news for all of them. Only one man promised to be the way, the truth and the life. He accepted no bribes or money under the table. He was a simple servant, teacher and yes, Savior. His promises we can't necessarily take to the bank, but we will take them to Heaven as Jesus presents us to His Father.

We're going to be fine. We may have to continue with discomforts in this old world, but that's the way things are going to continue to be until Jesus comes. Meanwhile, we...

Trust and obey
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey.


Father, I pray for our country and for every candidate running for office that each will find in themselves to be honest and upright, hopefully seeking salvation and guidance through You. Thank You for the peace that passeth all understanding for we, Your children, who want Your best in all areas of our lives. In Jesus precious name....Amen




Monday, October 17, 2016

IN GOD'S HANDS


 

Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help
thee; yea, will uphold thee with the
right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10


When faced with a difficulty, I wonder how many times someone has said to me: “Just remember that it's all in God's hands.” There are times I've wanted to tell the person that I've known that for years, but it's always good to hear it anyway. I love any of the verses in Scripture that speak regarding God's hand. We are encouraged when we read of God's ability to function in mighty ways with His hands. For instance:

The right hand of the Lord is exalted:
the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
Psalm 118:16


and

That all the people of the earth might
know the hand of the Lord, that it is
mighty: that ye might fear the Lord
your God.
Joshua 4:24


All of those words regarding the capable hands of God are encouraging. However, in our day, we also must remember that we do not have a namby-pamby God who winks and blinks at the sin and corruption of the people of the earth. God is a God of grace and mercy but like any loving Daddy, He will correct His children. We're in the process, I believe of that correction in our own country. There is so much Isaiah speaks of but 14:26,27 speaks volumes.

This is the purpose that is purposed upon
the whole earth: and this is the hand that
is stretched out upon all the nations.
For the Lord of hosts hath purposed,
and who shall disannul it? And His hand is
stretched out, and who shall turn it
back?


Why should anything going on in our country come as a great shock. We may not have done some of the things of sin others have done that are more open to the public. What have our “nicer” sins been that have contributed to the overall sinful attitudes of a nation. How many of us Christians have dipped our flags of good standards, Godly behavior and attitudes of decency. We can't look down our judgmental noses at all of the sin and wrongdoing of others in our country when we have made our own contributions to the downward spiraling of our nation.

I will always say that much fault rests with the pulpits of our country where the preaching in many places has been watered down and a subtle compromised Gospel preached. We Christians have fallen for much of the “political correctness” that has poisoned us in so many ways. Look at the things of the world we have come to rationalize and even embrace. We used to have black and white...right and wrong...but now there is mostly gray where everyone decides what is right or wrong for them as individuals. We Christians to a great extent have lost our witness. The world says we look, live and talk like them and in many cases the world is right.

In Revelation 2, John wrote to the church at Ephesus...”thou hast left thy first love.” To the church at Laodicea in 3:15,16: “ I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” In that same chapter, verse 19, God says also: “ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Bottom line,

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands
of the living God.
Hebrews 10:31


In this blog, my hope is to encourage us that our very loving Heavenly Father is in charge and is in control. With loving hands He created this earth of ours and has sustained it. He sent His Son to die for us that we might have eternal life. We are too attached to this old earth. Heaven is our real home. However, meanwhile, God wants our best while we are here, but He will not compromise His Word and purpose for each of us. Despite conditions here in our country at the present, things are in His very capable hands and He hasn't given up on one of us.

Despite the negatives all around us, I'm encouraged with the following:

Thou wilt shew me the path of life:
in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy
right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Psalms 16:11


Thank You Father for Your faithfulness to Your children. I pray for our country right now. There's nothing new that can be revealed to You as far as the sinful doings of folks. Do what You must to bring us back to Yourself. Meanwhile, I thank You for Your loving, guiding and great hands that reaches out to us all the time. In Jesus precious name...Amen

Monday, October 10, 2016

SPIRITUALLY LEAN



And He gave them their request;
but sent leanness into their soul.
Psalm 106:15

Doctor's visits have never been my idea of a fun time. Several years ago, I went for my annual check up. The doctor had news for me that I continue to live with. He told me that I have Diabetes II and would need to go on medication and drastically change my lifestyle. One thing he said had to be done was that initially, I had to lose at least 50 pounds. I knew I was overweight...I didn't need to be told that. It had happened over a matter of years, mostly because of careless eating habits. I was anything but lean in physical body. I managed to lose that weight in a few months through diet and in walking my feet off at least five days a week. I felt better, but was still not the lean person my doctor had in mind. There are, however, other ways to be lean other than in a physical sense.

Psalm 106 is a wonderful, historical Psalm that speaks of God's mercy to Israel. This Psalm speaks of God's goodness in delivering the Israelites from Egyptian captivity. God made every provision for the people's escape. Even when the Egyptians chased them to the Red Sea, God provided a way of escape for them. They had prayed for deliverance and God saved them by destroying the Egyptians. Shortly after that incident though, the above verse appears almost as an indictment regarding their ingratitude and disregard for God's goodness. In a short amount of time, the Israelites constructed their golden calf to worship while Moses was on Mt. Sinai with God.

God's people were blessed beyond words. Their prayers and answers to them were evident and yet they still showed an ingratitude for the blessings of God in their lives. They were a people who murmured and complained of what they considered their sorry state. They complained for lack of the right foods to eat, water and even the leadership of Moses, God's chosen leader.

When Scripture speaks of leanness of soul, it has nothing to do with a physical state of being thin in body mass. The Israelites had prayed only for their well being and then was quick to forget God's blessings. Spiritually, they were skinny as rails....how sad. The things that brought leanness to their souls are the same things that can bring the same leanness to our souls. We live in a day that is filled with distractions, things that can pull and tug at us just as some of those things did with the Israelites. We may, too, become ungrateful.

Physically, I think all of us would like to be what I think of as “healthily lean”....not obese but not a skeleton with skin on. A happy medium is the ideal. Until a few years ago, I had never really thought of our opening verse regarding spiritual leanness. Spiritually, our goal shouldn't be to be lean, but to be healthy, strong and even muscular in our spiritual growth and appearance. Those three things can happen if we pay attention to our spiritual health.

Spiritual health-Just like with physical health, we have to feed on the right things. God has provided His Word for us. Jesus is our bread and provides living water for us that can't ever be exhausted.

Strength-As much as I hate to admit it, physical exercise actually strengthened me as well as helping to be rid of baggage my body didn't need. Perhaps there is baggage that is hindering us spiritually, slowing us down. There may be habits or associations that are keeping us loaded down, contributing to the sapping of spiritual strength.

Muscular: We will be weak unless we build some spiritual muscles. That is going to come not only as we keep in close relationship with the Lord, but serving Him and others. We also need to put on God's armor on a daily basis to fight off the attacks of Satan. Then, we are really called on to flex our spiritual muscles.

Christians who are lean in spirit are folks who often yearn for some of the world's things that amuse or entertain that aren't best for them...OR...worry may become a real habit or even preoccupation for some...OR...finally, there can be a loss of interest in the things of God. This can be evident to an individual who doesn't read their Bible on a regular basis, pray or actively participate with God's people in a church setting. There will always be indicators of the onset of spiritual leanness mostly seen in a loss of interest in the things of God.

In this Fall season, we are soon to have major times ahead of us. They too can occupy our interest leading to an ignoring of the things of God. Whether we are looking to upcoming holidays or election day, we must guard our hearts and thinking. Some upcoming events can take over our minds and spirits with anger, unanswered questions and overall bitterness. Our focus must remain on our Father who is in charge of everything...Who knows What He's doing in all events of our history. We need to stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Whether we know it or not, there are folks who count on our spiritual strength and influence. We have no time in these days to be lean in our souls.



Father, keep me strong in You.  Keep my eyes on You and not on the people and things of this world.  I want to be what You want me to be for You in such a way that it brings glory to You in every way. I love you...in Jesus precious name...Amen