MAKE A PLAN

For I know the thoughts that I think
toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts
of peace, and not of evil, to give
you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11

Just think of all the things for which we make plans. Some of our planning requires extensive thought and action such as for weddings, extensive trips, family reunions, wedding or baby showers and even funerals. Some planning may not be quite as detailed such as grocery lists or to-do lists.

Even churches make extensive plans. There are choir cantatas, children's choir programs, Bible conferences, Teacher trainings, Discipleship trainings, VBS and on it goes. We are perhaps encouraged on an individual basis be a part of a personal Bible reading program which takes some planning on our part. Some churches organize days of prayer where members are encouraged to sign up for specific times they will take part in such special times.

Like it or not, we seem to be always planning something and plans can be very good. We get more accomplished when we make plans and carry them out. In my thinking about planning, which I think we tend to do as we approach an upcoming new year, something dawned on me a couple of weeks ago. I'm really ashamed to admit to it, but maybe some of my readers would have to admit to the conclusion I arrived at. In my 70 something years, I've never made a deliberate personal plan for spiritual growth in my own life. Let me explain.

I've taken part in prayer programs at a church, have been a part of a yearly read through the Bible and have tried to actively serve the Lord through my church and outside of it as well. I've had the church prayer lists, suggested Bible readings for the week found in some church bulletins and have worked on my Sunday school lessons. Boy, all of that sounds impressive but most of those things had to do with prompting by or participation with others. I feel I've often been as much a part of peer pressure as any teenagers who are accused of such.

At first, I thought of having a personal plan...my own plan...for my own spiritual growth. I appreciate the testimonies of great saints who have prayed at least six hours a day and some who read their Bibles through 6 times a year. We can learn and be enouraged by such folks but not to the point of trying to copy all we admiringly listen to. But God views you and me on a very individual basis. He knows what will and will not work for us in our spiritual growth. With three children in our home, I learned quickly that no two of them grew at the same rate of speed, liked all the same foods, or related to their parents in the same way. I didn't expect such...it would have seemed weird. One summer when our son was very young, I think we had to get new shoes for him 2 or 3 times. That doesn't mean we took the girls and did the same for them when it wasn't required.

Soooo, I'm in the process with my Father's help to think through a personal plan that works for me. I'm excited about it because I so long for a personal intimacy with my Father and He longs for that as well. I's weary of approaching this intimacy in a mechanical way. There's nothing intimate about anything mechanical. I'm tired of following Step 1, 2 and 3. It may mean doing some things the same or in a different way.

One thing that was a wonderful new thing for me starting in May was writing out Scripture. A wonderful friend of mine showed me this without her realizing it. I went to a computer app at www.swtblessings.com where one can find monthly day-by-day schedules that can be printed out. I bought a cheap notebook and follow the daily guidance of what I should write. This slows me down as I write the Scripture that is usually no more than 3-4 verses at a time and it pushes me to concentrate more on the Scriptures.

I have time in the Scriptures that personally fits me. I've started at least once a month to read just the red letters of the Gospels to hear Jesus' voice. That's such a blessing. If I am teaching, I spend sufficient time for study, but that isn't my main reading. I have for years loved reading five Psalms each day. I use the chapter pattern: 1-31-61-91-121 where I add 30 to the initial date. I reserve Psalm 119 for the 31^st.

Just recently, I went to Wal-Mart and purchased a nice small Bible for $5.00 that has big print. I am using this Bible for my personal reading, making not one single underline or mark in it. Such markings are reserved for my teaching Bibles. This way, when I open my Bible, there is nothing to catch my eye and distract me. God can speak and I can hear Him in a more personal way. I am loving reading in this Bible as it seems to speak so clearly with nothing to distract. The Holy Spirit has full reign to speak to me wherever I am reading at the time.

Another thing I'm beginning to do is writing out my prayers. This too keeps my mind from wandering and right on what I want to say to God. It will also serve as a reminder as to what and who I have prayed for, not just praying a one-shot prayer for someone. I can express my praise to Him this way. It doesn't mean I'll never pray aloud but this writing again holds my attention where it should be.

I'm just sharing some things I have planned, that aren't mechanical, but that fits me right now at this stage of my physical and spiritual life. I may do some of these things at different times of day or not. However, you shouldn't do anything I am doing unless it fits you. Think about things you do in order to build relationships in your life. You can come up with your own plan. I am just suggesting that we all make as much of a plan to be spiritual as we would in planning a grocery list. Our Father deserves no less.

Father, I love You and long for a closer relationship with You. If I feel any distance from you, it is totally my fault. I long for a renewed intimacy in our relationship. I pray Your Spirit will guide me in this personal endeavor. I love you...In Jesus' precious name...Amen

HOLIDAY SLUMPS

Brethren, I count not myself to have
apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things
which are before.
I press toward the mark for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13,14

Like it or not, we are now in the season of spiritual slumping. We are bombarded on every side with all things seasonal. Folks didn't even get their turkey's with dressing put in the oven but what Christmas carols were being heard on television stations, merchants appeals for our money and even church activities are in high gear with programs, parties and like things. We may not bomb out too much after Thanksgiving, other than having miserable after shocks to our digestive systems...BUT...Christmas is just around the corner. Many folks ate their Thanksgiving meals with Christmas decorations already adorning their houses inside and out. However, when Christmas is done and over, what is left but trips to stores to exchange unwanted items or purchasing someone else's unwanted items put on sale. Post Christmas is a real let down for many people including Christians. We Christians will have a problem facing a seasonal spiritual slump unless we get a grip on what is really important in it all.

No one likes to admit they go through a slump time in their spiritual walk, but it does happen. The most important thing to consider when such a problem arises is if and when we go through such slumps, we recognize it isn't in any way of God's doing. A lady several years ago said that she didn't know what to do as she just didn't feel close to God at that particular time. My question to her was: “Who moved?” She looked at me in total shock that I would ask such a thing and yet admitted it was a reality check for her.

So often, I wonder despite all of the promises of God in Scripture, how He can put up with me at times. I can be so up and down at times, spiritually speaking, but God is so precious in the patience He shows me that I know comes from nothing but a very deep love He has for me. I cling to that love...count on it, because I know how very inconsistent I can be. I've come, though, to think through reasons that could be the cause for such slumps in any of our lives. It may sound very shallow but there can be things that affect our feelings and moods, even our spiritual temperature. May I suggest a few, such as:

Health problems...yours or someone dear to you
Financial difficulties
Weather...hot, cold, storms, snow, etc.
After a high spiritual experience...when you've been on the mountain, Satan awaits you in the valley when you come down.
Change in spiritual routine...Bible reading, prayer, church attendance
Conflicts of any sort

In it all, we have an underlying sense of guilt because of our inattentiveness toward our Heavenly Father who continues to be so patient with us. So how do we break out of this ebbing of spiritual desire that we may experience especially during holiday times. I can recall hearing any number of college athletic coaches after losing an important game being badgered by some TV network person as to the whys of a loss. No matter the sport, I have heard the same reply from many football or basketball coaches. They say, “We have to review our mistakes and get back to the fundamentals of the game.”

A slump doesn't mean a person isn't saved. Satan would love to get someone on that bandwagon of his. We must be aware that Satan always waits in the wings for when we go through our slumps. He loves when we doubt and question ourselves hoping it will lead to our doubting and questioning God.

Oh that we might recognize that EVERY day can be an exciting time with Jesus in our lives. With Him, every day is a holiday because of what He should mean in our lives. Plan some personal activity that is spiritual in nature after the dust has settled form the holidays. Purchase a new encouraging book to read in January. Send some nice cards to friends who may need an encouraging word. Create something...learn a new skill. Have some things to look forward to with the same anticipation you faced holiday times.

Nothing can compare with time spent with the Lord. We can come up with all types of activity but there is no short cut to becoming the spiritual person we need to be in greeting a new year.

Father, help me keep my focus on You, Jesus and Your sweet Spirit. I don't want the culture to dominate my mind. I want your mind in all things in my life. Only through Your power can it be so. I love you....Amen

Up Front With God

Humble yourselves therefore under

the might hand of God, that He might

exalt you in due time:

casting all your care upon Him;

for He careth for you.

I Peter 5:7

You may have heard a friend say of a teenage daughter, “My child tells me everything.” You may have heard such a comment. Hopefully you haven't been guilty of saying something like that. It's a statement for those who hear it, to choke on. That may be the way it is in the early growth years of a daughter/son where there is a more open relationship with a child, but when the “mean teens” set in, they become more and more private. It doesn't necessarily mean they have anything to hide. It's just a part of the growing up process. I will hasten to add that most moms I've known going through those teen years with a child are not stupid and probably know more about the goings on of their children than children know.

If someone had asked me if my two daughters told me everything going on in their lives, I would have been quick to say, “I certainly hope not.” If someone were to ask me, “Do you tell your husband everything?” Again, I would have to replied, “Mercy no.” Think how time consuming that would be when there are more important things to talk about other than a hangnail or spilled soup.

There is something from my stand point that I would also have to say... “I don't even tell God everything.” That statement may seem an odd one for a Christian to make. If I ever had the nerve to say it to someone even on impulse, I would have to recoil in shame. I don't even like the ring of that statement, but I'm afraid that so often it is true. There were things in the growing up years of our children that I enjoyed watching them at play or listening to their interactions and conversations, even in times of disagreement. There were so many things they didn't have to tell me. I was around them, and I had heard or seen them in action. In fact, much as they might disagree, I knew them better than they knew themselves. Some things they didn't have to tell me because in a parental way, I already knew. Guess what? Despite those things I already knew, I still loved it when they chose to tell me about those things I already knew. I didn't tell them I was already privy to their information, but just enjoyed listening to them share with me.

Can we be serious for a moment about this thing of being up front with God. I'm afraid at times, we don't share fully with God because we feel He already knows everything about us anyway. Other times, we may not share with Him those things we don't want Him to know. Sounds a little silly on our part. We have to know by now because of God's promise to be with us at all times, never leaving or forsaking us...even to the point of His holding us in the palm of His hand.. that He knows absolutely EVERTHING about us before we can tell Him ANYTHING. God knows the number of the hairs on our heads. That's pretty precise.

When God created Adam and Eve, He was seeking fellowship. He created everything, preparing it with those two people in mind. He loved those days when he met with them in in the garden where they shared and had times of fellowship. God didn't create robots. He wanted people with a mind and the ability to make choices. He wanted them to always choose to be with Him...walking and talking in that beautiful garden. That couple had it all. Viewing the scene, we can't believe anything could happen to that fellowship.

All was well, BUT THEN...remember that thing of “choice.” We know what happened and nothing would ever again be the same. Adam and Eve hid and to this day, oddly speaking, we seem to feel we can do the same thing...hide from God. We're smart enough to know that God sees and hears everything, but we still shy away from sharing our thoughts with Him.
 

Why do we avoid being transparent with God. One reason could be that we just aren't people of prayer, unless an emergency comes up. Maybe something in our lives is too bad to even tell God, if that's possible. It must sadden our Father though when all we can share with Him are the good things in our lives. I loved when my children shared positive things with me as well as negative ones. God our Father wants to be a personal and vital part of our lives no matter what is going on. We must regard our Father as a vital part of our everyday living, sharing the good, bad and ugly with Him. He would much rather hear everything from us personally than getting things second handed.

Father, forgive me for leaving you out of so many things in my life, even though You know everything that's going on anyway. I pray for such a closeness with You that I'll want to share everything with You. I praise You for who You are in my life. In Jesus' name....Amen

The POWER of Words

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
John 1:1

We have all probably heard at times how words can heal or hurt. Can't say I fully understood the meaning of a statement like that until adult years. I can't remember even in school while growing up the effects of bullying like many school young people speak of today. There are teens we've read of who have committed suicide because of the bullying comments made to them through time, reducing the affected young person to feel totally worthless. Adults aren't exempt from speaking unkindness to others so bullies in their youth can't be singled out. Adults often know how to reduce a person to tears even when seeming to be kind, perhaps even with a kind smile on on their faces.

There are those folks, however, who just have the knack of being encouraging and uplifting in conversation maybe when they don't even realize it. I have known some people who don't even claim the name of Christ who are kind and encouraging beyond words. Shame on we believers if most of the words we speak are negative in nature. I read an anonymous comment I found holds great truth: “One kind word can change someone's entire day.” There are numerous times I have experienced this when I received a kind word from a nurse, friend, pastor, cashier or others. I'm not talking about phony compliments. Most of us recognize those once said. Our kind words should be words of truth and uplifting at the same time.

Words are meant to communicate. Words are most commonly used in conversation. However, the are words that are sung and words we read using many sources. One of the most important thing we ever learn in life is to read.

Words change things. Words can declare wars or words can bring about peace. Words can make or break a business deal. Words can break up marriages or destroy childhoods. Words can lead others to a saving knowledge of Christ or can turn others away from becoming believers. Words can divide churches or countries. However, words can heal on a personal level or when shared with foreign country leaders. Words can stop the dropping of a bomb and bring relief to those in dire straits because of horrible circumstances. Such can bring health to the soul of another and strengthen the spirit of another.

Our opening verse speaks of the “Word.” In this verse, it is Jesus who is referred to as the Word. In reality, Jesus as the Word became God's communication of Himself to us. Sounds too simple doesn't it and yet as we read, especially in the Gospels and Jesus' use of words, we see perfect examples for us in our own use of words. Some examples of Jesus' words are:

Samaritan Woman: exposed her for her lifestyle while tender leading her to belief

Nicodemus: Uncompromising words of salvation to this man of elite standing

Peter: despite his betrayal, with words later brought Peter back to a restored relationship

Judas: At the betrayal, Jesus simply asked: “Friend wherefore art thou come?”

One place where Jesus really amazed folks was in Luke 4 where he read words of prophecyof Himself from Isaiah 61. As he finished reading, we read in verse 22:

And all bare him witness, and wondered
at the gracious words which proceeded
out of His mouth...

Words of graciousness...oh that we might learn from Him.

Not only was/is Jesus the revelation of God as God's own Word to us, but you and I often refer to our Bibles as “the Word.” Again, God has revealed Himself through that precious book most of us have multiple copies of. Persecution of every sort has been meted out in order for you and me to own even one copy of the Bible. It's an extraordinary book few of us take full advantage of. How are we ever going to know the heart of God without this precious document? In the Old Testament we not only catch a glimpse of our spiritual heritage historically but we also see throughout God's character, integrity, live and desire for our right living. The New Testament fulfills the Old and gives us so much more.

One of the most important thing we can give ourselves to is learning more about THE Word (Jesus) from the Word (Bible). About twice a year and sometimes more, I love to go to the Gospels and read nothing but Jesus words that are usually red lettered. This takes from me all of the scenery, people, etc. I just heard His words and am blessed, encouraged, corrected and loved above all expectation or deserving.

I hope you are in a church setting where the Word (Jesus) is spoken of often by name and the Word (Bible) is preached with accuracy, no manipulation, love and with a sincere desire to make Jesus known in the fullest of truth. If you aren't getting that where you are, you need to be where the Word in every form is honored and exalted without human interference with the leading of the Holy Spirit.


Sometime, take your Bible and just hold it to yourself as an act of awesome appreciation for this special blessing of God's personal words to us.

Dear Father, we too often take for granted the precious book, the Bible, that we own. Some may go days without reading it but the words in it equip us to be people of that Word who speak words to other that please You. Thank You for Jesus, Your Word to us....Amen

TWICE ADOPTED

For as many as are led by the
Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit
of bondage again to fear; but
ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Romans 8:14,15

November is National Adoption Month and it's interesting that our Jennie's birthday falls in this month because by law she is adopted but by the love of her mom and dad, it was only a procedure that made her ours officially. We had her in our care for two months when we had to make a visit to an adoption court in a nearby city. When arriving, we found the court room to be quite different from most. It was a cheerful and non-threatening court room. The judge looked very much like a sweet grandfather in his black robe. To our right was a huge wall of glass. Through that glass wall we saw a huge children's room. There were cribs, play pens, changing tables, toy boxes, small tables and chairs along with an array of rocking chairs. Children of all ages could be seen with their soon to be forever parents.

Our adoption would not be made final that day but we had to be there in order to get legal custody of Jennie for our lawyer to get all of our legal necessities going. We joined those folks until our name was called. We went through the glass doors and stood before the judge's bench. He was very kind, asked the circumstances of Jennie coming into our lives and paying close attention to her where she was cuddled up, face in my neck, sound asleep.

He admonished us regarding Jennie's rights as an adopted child. She was to have every kind of care any child would be given. We were to see to her education and rearing to be a good citizen. He also added that she had the same rights to an inheritance as any other child would have in a family. We agreed to all she would need from us.

The judge then turned his attention to Jennie who was still sleeping in her pretty new yellow dress a friend had purchased for that special day. The judge suddenly said, “Jennie, do you want to go home and live with these folks who have promised to be your parents.” It was funny because just at that moment, she let out one of those baby sighs that he could clearly hear. He smiled and said, “That's good enough for me, Jennie” and he signed the custody papers on the spot.

From that day, Jennie has been our girl. I don't think we ever made a big deal about her being adopted. It was just a free subject with no mystery. The same was true when our other two came along. Adoption was no big deal except for us, her parents. She was one of the prettiest little girls ever. A modeling agency wanted her under contract but we said no because that just wasn't the direction we wanted for her. She's always had a tender heart and yes, she's had her challenges off and on but most kids do, but she has a heart as big as she is and would do anything for anyone.

Adoption isn't for sissy's as anyone who has been through the process can know. Someone asked me what was the hardest pregnancy I went through. I quickly said that it was with our first. That was puzzling to the questioner but we who have walked the road know what all is involved. We wouldn't turn back, but the labor is a totally different experience.

It dawned on me a few days ago that Jennie is the only one in our immediate family who will know what it is to be adopted twice. The above verses should give a hint as to what I mean by that. All three of our children said “Dad” before they said, “Mom.” I understand for a very little one that Dad is easier to say but that's the way it was. When Jennie first said “Dad”, the say will come when she will also say, “Abba” referring to her Heavenly “Papa.” In both instances, she has that privilege because of being adopted...twice.

We live in a world where there are too many to count who don't know Jesus as Savior, who at this point will not know anything about their spiritual adoption until they accept Jesus' offer of that priceless gift of salvation. When they do, their adoption process is well on the way to be completed when they one day meet in person, their Heavenly Father...their Abba Pappa. What a wonderful day that will be for us all who are already His children...by Adoption because of Jesus' gift of salvation.

What do your spiritual adoption papers look like? Are they signed, sealed and delivered with the stamp of the Holy Spirit on them? Without the Spirits stamp on our lives, our adoption is far from valid.

Thank You Father for Jesus who through Him provided this gift of salvation I enjoy and couldn't do without. I'm grateful You have adopted me and that we have a bond no one of this world can know other than those who like me have become your children. In Jesus precious name....Amen