IT'S HISTORY

Jesus Christ, the same
yesterday,
today
and forever.
Hebrews 13:8

Looking back, one of the joys of my life was the privilege of teaching both World and American History in a Christians school in Virginia. We had been home educating at the time. Brian was transferred to that locale and in the church we joined, I was asked to take a teaching position in it's school. The second year there, I taught both history classes in the high school. I found the students at first doubtful about getting into the subject as it sounded boring but I tried to make it as interesting in various ways to make their time well spent.

In the process of preparing for these classes and in getting the teaching of History in my own mind, I felt getting my own self prepared as much as possible. One of the main things I came to grip with was what History really is. In preparing bulletin boards and the whole ilk that is expected of teaching preparation, I recall the final thing I did on one wall of the classroom. I purchased somewhat large cut out letters and on one wall, I positioned those letters where they stayed for the entire year. The sentence was simple but true as could/can be. It read:

HISTORY IS HIS-STORY!

Did you catch what that statement says and what it means? Some of us have very protective feelings about our history and heritage from Columbus discovering our country, the establishing of our Constitution, victories in war, survival of various kinds, etc. I don't know what to think of adults, some in government who are willing to sell us down some liberal river historically.

Let me explain something. Something happened that first week of creation other than the things we think of. One of the most meaningful things that happened was the beginning of history. History is measured by time. Our human history began that week with the establishment of light and dark, day and night...time itself. We measure history by time/days. With every day from then to now has been history, our history as we look at it from a human standpoint. However, it was God who created it all and from that first day until right now, history is God's story...His-story.

That history has moved in a very wide ranging way from the garden of Eden. Still, we have extended from that first couple as has everyone. All has occurred from then to now under the careful watching of God Himself. Civilizations grew and spread...still God's story remain His. It's a story, a people He hasn't always liked and at times had to punish and yet, a people from wherever He has still dearly loved...loved to the point of sending His Son to die for mostly ungrateful citizens of the then earth.

We often think of Jesus in terms of coming to earth as a baby. We read of His ministry and His ultimate sacrifice for mankind. We rejoice with His resurrection and so look forward to seeing Him again either through death or through His second coming. However, a quick look at Genesis 1, we see Jesus an active part in the creation of all things that first week. Jesus didn't just pop up on Christmas. He's been at the core of history from the very beginning of the earth as we know it. His history goes back into eternity...a term we can't begin to comprehend.

Even today, Jesus watches a people He loves desecrating those things precious to Him...people He died for. I think He grieves with every Christian that is martyred, church that is burned or spray painted with evil words, historical persons in books or in some form spit upon or destroyed. As much as I look back at my own appreciation of the history of my country and family, God is grieved as we are at the ingratitude and evil doings of evil people we are seeing in our day. Remember that in what we are seeing, many of the protesters are paid by big name people with wealth beyond our imaginations who hate our country as it is. They are paying for all of this to be done. Despite the evil, God sees and God knows in His time how to deal with it all.

I rest in the fact that history is all God's story, past and present. I know just a small part of it. I also rest in the fact that God knows how to take care of every situation in our day as He has done in days past. We claim a belief in the sovereignty of God. It's time we believe that fact. So what now?

First, we must never lose sight of the fact that as individuals, we are a part of this great historic story. People may never remember me years from now, but God allowed my footprint to exist on this earth and I have made my contribution as only God sees. We must make our time count. Next, we must pray like never before. Prayer moves things, gets things done beyond our scope of view. Every evil person we see functioning as has been seen lately needs us to pray for them. We can't throw up our hands and give it all up. When we entertain such an attitude, Satan laughs.

Father we sometimes feel our worry and concerns about present circumstances can change things in our circumstances or our world in general. Help us to boldly take all these things to You knowing You have a plan and will work that plan for Your glory. Use us as You see fit, but only for Your glory. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

WATER, WATER

But whoever drinks of the water
that I will give him shall never
thirst; but the water that I will
give him will become in him a
well of water springing up to
eternal life.
John 4:14

Water is something we take for granted. It has been a lifelong friend and necessity for all of us. While we may drink it in various forms, we also have water in the foods we eat. When it rains, we benefit from it's moisture even to the point of humidity in the air that we sometimes don't care for. We have fun with water. If you are a boater, fisherman, water skier, swimmer or just a wader in a stream, water can be most enjoyable. We bathe in it for cleansing and doctors scrub in it prior to surgery while some folks have to have it for various forms of therapy.

Water is prominent in Scripture beginning with it's creation in Genesis 1. Not too far into Genesis we meet Noah and his family who are living in a time where civilization was evil to the core. God made a decision to wash it all away and begin again with Noah building an ark in preparation for a massive flood that would destroy everything except for those harbored in the ark.

In Exodus we meet Moses leading a very ungrateful people out of slavery in Egypt. Along the way, rations dwindled and there was a need for food and water. Amazingly along with manna from Heaven for food, God also provided water from a rock. Amazing....water from a rock. They had already crossed the Red Sea where the power of water was shown in it's fullest, but no fuller than the power of God who controlled it.

An important use of water was/is for baptism. John the Baptist baptized people in his day and had the privilege of baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. Jesus saved His disciples from drowning in the Sea of Galilee during a storm. He also washed His disciples feet using a basin of water. So water has been down through time vital for many reasons, especially keeping a human body hydrated.

When droughts come bringing a desperation for water, people do any number of things to encourage rain. There has been seeding clouds, praying for it and even digging for it. Many farmers I recall had wells near their houses. I remember drinking well water while at the farm of a relative. It tasted so different, so good and so cool.

Jesus, in John 4, sat down at a well in Samaria and spoke with a woman who came mid-day for water. There were two things wrong with this as the Jews of that day would see it. First Jesus was in Samaria. Jews would walk many miles around Samaria without entering it. Next, he spoke with a woman at the well, especially with no one else around. He had sent His disciples for provision. All this was put to one side because Jesus had a message for this woman and the same lesson that would come down through the centuries to us.

When Jesus saw this woman, He engaged her in conversation on the subject of water. She was thinking of physical water that would have tasted good at that time in the heat of the day. However,, Jesus had a different kind of water in mind. He spoke to her of spiritual water, a water that would never run dry. It would flow from the inside of a believer and hydrate that believer in ways physical water could never do. She appeared to be fascinated with what He was teaching and became a believer almost on the spot. She couldn't wait to tell others of this experience and many of them too sought that spiritual water Jesus spoke of.

So how does anyone experience that filling spiritual water Jesus spoke of then and still makes available to people in our day?

*Without a salvation experience, spiritual water isn't available. This point cannot be ignored.
*Once saved, we will stay refreshed by being in God's Word, drinking from it in abundance.
*Prayer is that connecting water hose available to us that keeps us refreshed and blessed in so many ways. Prayer is our lifeline to our Heavenly Father.
*This spiritual water needs no well, will never become scarce, but is available constantly no matter where we are or the circumstances.

Just as Jesus spoke to that Samaritan woman that day, so He extends the same information and invitation to people today. Sometimes while pouring a glass of cold water  into a glass, we might want to reflect and thank Jesus for that spiritual water available to us with no well or faucet required

Father, thank You for Your Son Jesus, the giver of that water to every believer from Him that is always available to us. Thank You for it's strengthening and sustaining power in our lives. Thank You too for the refreshment we find in You every day. Keep us close and in Your Word daily. Forgive us of our sin and keep us close in these days of evil and confusion. Amen.

IMAGINE THAT

For the weapons of our warfare are
not carnal, but mighty through God to
the pulling down of strong holds:

Casting down imaginations, and every
high thing that exalteth itself against
the knowledge of God, and bringing
into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ.
II Corinthians 10:4,5

Imagination can be a wonderful thing. It's that part of us that dreams, creates and plans. There is nothing wrong with imagination when used in it's correct context. Paul speaks of imagination in terms that are negative. The people in Corinth were facing a lot of negativity in their lives in their cultural circumstances, similar to what America is facing today. Satan loves playing with our minds and works heavily in our imaginations. Think of the times our thinking about our own circumstance begins with two words...”What if.” Those two words can take us down a very negative path imagining things that haven't happened and probably never will. This was happening with the Corinthians...negative imaginations. It would appear they were feeding on those imaginations rather than on the knowledge of God.

We are faced on every side with circumstances that contribute to our negative imaginations and thinking. In fact, they are so negative they strike fear of the present and future days. Protests, killings, people burning buildings...”What if.” Political manipulations, politicians who don't seem to care about regular citizens, statues of our historical heroes trashed...”What if.” Flu symptoms, being alone and vulnerable, finances drained...”What if.” With just the mention of some of those things, our “What if” thinking kicks into high gear.

This week, while reading in II Corinthians, I came across the verses above, verses that struck me in my spiritual heart in such a different way, mostly because of the events of our present time. Paul gives a simple command to cast down anything that tries to exalt itself above God, get rid of them, and refuse to entertain them. Sounds impossible, doesn't it. However, we also know that with God, nothing is impossible.

There are times I feel sorry for God. I don't know how He tolerates any of us on any given day. We don't have to murder anyone, rob a bank, crush another's spirit, etc. What we forget is that to God sin is sin. I realize some sins are more far reaching and crushing, often affecting dozens of people for a lifetime. Scripture brings me back to the fact that God is sovereign and is very capable of taking care of Himself and of all of us for sure.

I feel bad for people who weren't born in the times I was. This is one of my problems in that I have some other times to compare with today's events. I remember a country that was loyal, never questioned the treatment of the American flag and for the most part, where people were happy. Sure there were problems. We lived in a fallen world like we do now. All lives mattered. I didn't know a thing about abortion until I was out of college. We weathered wars that were heart breaking. Yep, we had our messes, but we're in a mess right now so what do we do.

One of our biggest mistakes we make as Christians is that we feel there is nothing we can do because we are individuals and what can one person do. I was feeling a little of that as I was praying the other day, but it came to me...what if every concerned Christian dedicated themselves to be people of prayer like never before? Praying in church is fine, but I'm talking about all of us dedicating ourselves to be people of prayer on a daily basis.

So in this time, WHAT IF we:

Commit to prayer and Bible study
Are faithful to our church in every way possible
Cast out our own evil thinking that isn't of God
Allow God to rule our minds and imaginations
Bring our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ
Take advantage of the weapons of warfare God has made available to us.
Speak in love for God to another He may put in our paths.

Change will never come except on an individual level. We can't wait for other person to get right with God. It must begin in us individually and then What If can be changed into What Is because of personal obedience to Jesus. I can't change anyone else...just me...just imagine!! Then I must partner with God to be a personal witness to others of His love.

Dear Father we are seeing confusion and evil in abundance these days. We may fret and worry, but in that process, forget that nothing escapes Your sight. You remain in charge of every circumstance and You will handle such circumstances for purposes we may never know. Help us to lean on You and trust You in these complex times. In it all, we are gratteful that Jesus died for every person no matter their background. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and my friends...giving us a life that can be lived for You. In Your precious name...Amen

SPLASHIN' IN THE WORD

Isaiah 43

Recently in some hot days and in seeing some TV ads of children playing in sprinklers, splashin' in a pool or even dancing in the rain, my mind went back to my sister Kay and I in younger years playing with the water hose in our back yard. Mother would adjust the nozzle, hang it over a clothes line and then turn it on full blast. Kay and I ran in and out of the falling water, even jumping two-footed in any puddles that developed. We hated to go into the house to dry off and get into dry clothing. We wanted to keep playing, but there was a time to stop. It felt good...it was fun.

This past week, while reading in the book of Isaiah, I got stuck on chapter 43. I was being refreshed over an over as I “splashed around” in those pages and always hated stopping because of other things that had to be done. God was speaking to His redeemed people back then, but I am one of His redeemed as well now. I'm not sitting in Israel, but in the mountains of Tennessee. I'm still one of His redeemed. When I saw words for Israel, I just slipped my name in there claiming those same blessings God continues to spray into my life that I can just splash around in with the greatest of delight. Take a look:

1.But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator,

O Jacob, (Glendarae), and He who formed

you, O Israel, (Glendarae)

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have

called you by name; you are mine!

2.When you pass through the waters, I will

be with you; and through the rivers, they

will not overflow you. When you walk

through the fire, you will not be scorched,

nor will the flame burn you.

5a. Do not fear, for I am with you....

Are you with me yet? Read back over those verses, child of God, and splash around in God's wonderful words to us. MORE...

13. Even from eternity I am He, and there

is none who can deliver out of My hand; I

act and who can reverse it?

ONE MORE...

19. I will do something new, now it will

spring forth; will you not be aware

of it? I will even make a road in the

wilderness, rivers in the desert.

Get out your pencil and do some digging in Isaiah 43...the deeper you dig, I believe you will strike water...that wonderful water Jesus spoke of to the Samaritan woman in John 4. When you do, just splash with rejoicing in the promises of God. We need refreshing in these days and only our Heavenly Father can provide that for us.

Thank You Father being our refreshment in times of the dust of turmoil. May we take more personally Your love and care for us and not regard what we read from Your word as just general information. You are so precious to we undeserving people. Thank You for Your loving patience. In all these things, may Jesus be praised. In His name....Amen

REMEMBER

Remember those who led you, who
spoke the word of God to you and
considering the result of their
conduct imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:7

Think back...who is the very first Sunday school teacher you remember? What is the name of the first pastor you remember standing in the pulpit of your church when you were just a kid? Who were some people in the church you may have admired as a very young person...folks you watched and observed? As a very little girl, I remember how the older ladies smelled so good from various perfumes, soaps or bath powders. Remember for a moment those church folks who smiled, handed you a piece of candy, hugged you and maybe corrected you for not behaving in church.

I said to my husband the other day when folks think of their favorite school teachers, most will leave out one of the most important teacher in their lives. I don't know all their names in each of your lives, but I know the position they held. That teacher I'm referring to is the teacher in our youngest school years who taught us how to read. There wasn't any skill taught so vital to the rest of our educational/life success. Without reading, we could go no further even in elementary school. So when I think of that teacher, I think of Miss Irene, my first grade teacher. She had also taught my mother when she was in grade school.

In church, my mind and heart goes to Nellie Barker. She was our preschool Sunday school teacher who had come from England. We loved the way she talked. Many in class couldn't yet pronounce their “r's” so called her Nellie Bawka. She was about as round as she was tall with gray hair. She loved teaching children. There were huge Bible character pictures she put up on the walls of our room. She put them halfway down the wall so we could easily see them. We didn't have fancy Sunday school literature then, but she made Bible stories live. She was a hugger and often expressed her love for us. I can remember her voice and how she would pat her sweating forehead with her handkerchief. Thank you Nellie Bawka for setting several of us on the right path of loving the Bible and Sunday school.

We are in a season of honoring moms and dads. Blessed is the person who has known nothing but godly parents who taught him or her the things of God from the very beginning of life. They were taught prayer before meals and at bedtime. A parent read Bible stories to them when young and shared things from the Scriptures as they grew through their teens. Such parents still encourage their children from the Word at appropriate times.

At our adult stage, we have a lot to look back on. We have been so blessed by all the spiritual input that has been put into our hearts and not just in our childhood years. Even during our adult years, there are teachers, preachers, Bible study leaders...all and more who have and who continue to invest in our lives spiritually. I've had several pastors and Sunday school teachers in my adult live who have enriched me in the things of God. I presently have a great pastor and Sunday school teacher who bless me on a regular basis with their teaching. I'm not the only one who is benefiting from such people of God.

Many of my remembrances in this area are already in Heaven. I believe as I continue to remember and be blessed by those folks that God sees and His rewards for those folks continue. We must remember that we are all teachers too. We may not preach a sermon or teach a Sunday school class, but people are hopefully being blessed by our lives lived and they will remember.

 Let's take a little time and think back on those who taught us so much but perhaps knew little of their own influence on us. One of the best ways to remember them would be to stop and thank our heavenly Father for each of them and their influence in our lives.

Dear Father, there is so much to remember about Your goodness in our lives. We think of Jesus giving His all for us as well as Your sweet Holy Spirit Who still ministers in our very beings. Thank You for being You in our every breath and step. Rather than our problems, may we remember what a blessed people we are. In Jesus' precious name....Amen