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

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

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

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

A Cough Drop Wrapper

 

Over the last several months, Brian and I have purchased enough cough drops to either sink a ship or to have stock in a particular company that sells them. Don't get me wrong...I'm very grateful for each one I have popped in my mouth that have given me moments a relief from an incessant cough.

Last summer, taking the wrapper off of one such cough drop and just prior to wadding it up to throw it away, I took a good look at the wrapper. I found four messages printed on that particular wrapper that were ever so small and short, but very profound and encouraging at the same time. Maybe I had noticed them before, but didn't read them with any intent of learning anything. Just a few days ago, I held another such wrapper in my hand. It was the same cough drop company with four little messages on the wrapper that each spoke to me in a unique way. Oddly enough, as I looked at each of the four little messages, there were Scripture verses that came to my mind, appropriate to each one. Although the world may have ways of encouraging us in good ways, God and His Word has often gone before them with the very same messages. God's messages are even more profound, encouraging and lasting even though I am appreciative of my little wrapper prompts.

#1 “Don't waste a precious minute.”

And that, knowing the time, that
now it is high time to awake
out of sleep: for now is our salvation
nearer than when we believed.
Romans 13:11

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season
we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9

#2 “Don't give up on yourself.”

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying,
Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:
therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Jeremiah 31:3

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,
whereunto thou art also called, and hath professed
a good profession before many witnesses.
I Timothy 6:12

#3 “Power through!”

I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the
Lord, and not unto men.
Colossians 3:23

#4 “Take charge and mean it.”

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of His might.
Ephesians 6:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,
do it with thy might...
Ecclesiastes 9:10

I'm always amazed at how God can get His messages to me just when I need them, especially when I'm not feeling well. I so appreciate the prompting of the Holy Spirit bringing to my mind appropriate Scriptures I need perhaps when I don't even realize I need them. I'm so thankful for the fact that:

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

I'm also reminded that if God can use something as insignificant as a cough drop wrapper, He can use you and me as well.

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for Your wonderful promptings in my life. Jesus said to His disciples that You would bring things to their recall those things Jesus had taught them. I'm grateful You continue to do just that in my life. In Jesus' precious name....Amen