Monday, December 28, 2020

TAKE A DEEP BREATH


Then the Lord God formed man of
dust from the ground, and
breathed into his nostrils the
breath of life; and man became
a living soul.
Genesis 2:7

Any woman who has gone through labor and delivery of their much awaited birth of her baby knows what it means to hear that first cry of her baby upon delivery. That cry may come in a spontaneous way, with some pats on the back of the baby or with more drastic measures if necessary. My babies came before there were sonograms to check pre-birth health issues where now, problems may be detected early. No matter how perfect that baby looks at birth is to no avail if that baby doesn't take it's first breath and that first cry is heard.

At the time of creation when God completed the making of man in His own image, He then breathed into the nostrils of that man and with that breath, brought man to full life. Our breathing to this day is a part of God's original creation of us. Notice in the above verse that man physically was complete physically except for one thing...no breath, no life. If we could only grasp that the breath of God giving physical life began back then and extends to you and me today.

Paul speaks of that holy breath of God while preaching on Mars hill found in Acts 17:25, Speaking of God, he said:

...nor is He served by human hands, as
though He needed anything, since He
Himself gives to all people life
and breath and all things.

There are so many other things to be said about all of this. Books have been written regarding the Pentecost experience with the Holy Spirit descending and indwelling those saints who were that day, but I won't tackle all of that. There is one more verse that is just so precious regarding the Scriptures found in II Timothy 3:16,17 and it reads:


All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness.

That word “inspiration” I have been taught means “God breathed.” What a wonderful picture of God's working with the authors of Scripture so say exactly what He wants said to us...God breathed. What a picture.

Scripture gives us several areas where God's breath upon or in His people are important, the very activity of God that keeps us alive and functioning. It is one of those wonders that happens when we go to Heaven that our breathing and heart beating cease almost in tandem. Family in attendance always watch for that last breath. However our breathing doesn't stop there. It has been said when we exhale here on this earth, our next inhale will be in Heaven. What a wonderful Heavenly Father is ours Who has provided all we need to faithfully serve Him in the here and now.

Father, You are too wonderful for words. Thank You for every breath you allow me in this life and for the precious privilege of being Your child. Thank You for Your own breathed book that is available to all who choose to soak their lives with it. I love you dearly and Jesus too for his supreme sacrifice. In Jesus' precious name..Amen 

Monday, December 21, 2020

WE ARE BLESSED


For the Lord is good and
His love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues
through all generations.
Psalm 100:5

Who doesn't love birthdays? When very young they were often days l counted days toward...presents, birthday cake, favorite meal, friends and family, etc. Even though we may celebrate those days that are ours or someone elses, bottom line is that for most of us, it' s just a day on another person's calendar. For years now, what I have celebrated,regarding a friend's birthday is it being someone who is a dear part of my life.

Such is how I feel about the birthday of Jesus. I don't object to celebrating December 25 with the frills of it through the years. I said my Christmas “pieces” at church programs, sang in Christmas choirs, decorated trees and shared gifts. I love all of that and perhaps it's my age, but I find myself celebrating Jesus and His life more frequently than just on one day.

If you are a Tennessee voter, you, like Brian and I received a card (not in envelope) that was probably mass printed and sent out to us from our local state senator. Both sides had snow scenes, beautifully done. On one side the picture seemed gray and white...a barn in a lovely area of falling snow but brightly on one side of the barn, a huge American flag in color.

The back of the card showed a Christmas greeting from the gentleman and his wife again with snow a theme. Brian looked at the card first and found the card interesting. Just above the senders names was the Bible verse I have printed above. I looked at the verse and for a moment wondered what it had to do with the season.

Looking at the verse further, it doesn't seem in the least “Christmas-sy” unlike all the lovely Christmas cards we have sent or received with verses that apply to Christmas. I read the verse over and over...how appropriate it is for the day in which we live. When we are surrounded with chaos, bad tidings of questionable joy and our faith being questioned in many areas, here I saw this precious gift of Psalm 100:5.

This card recognizes, yes, that Jesus came to earth. He couldn't be all those things mentioned in that verse if He hadn't. I love celebrating birthdays. I guess that's where I am at this time in my life with the Christmas season...what can I give Him for His birthday. I can't give Him anything to merit my salvation but, I can be Jesus with skin on, serving others in some special ways.

In these days, this “Christmas verse” is a reminder of why Jesus came, who He was and who He continues to be down through the years to where we are in our present day. I am reminded that Jesus is good. That has become such a trite word but it runs deep blending with His love that is a forever thing. I am assured of Jesus' faithfulness that is mine and that extends into my forever.

As a mom, I love remembering my children on their birthdays, however, like other parents I don't just gift my children on their birthdays. I celebrate each of them for who and what they are on many a day. I pray I will also do Jesus that honor, not just on one day of the year but on every day. I'm not downing Christmas. I love the season and the festivities. I guess I just have a personal hope for all of us who love Jesus that we would, in these days, not just think about a Baby, but of a very special Man, a good and loving Man whose faithfulness will endure down through all generations that includes our children, grandchildren and beyond. He will be there for them as He continues to be for us.

Father, thank You for sending Jesus, Your Son, who not only lived for us but died for us as well. Because of His magnificent gift, we are forgiven, loved and promised an eternity with You. Thank You that we can celebrate a Merry Christmas every day of the year because of Jesus. In His precious name...Amen

Monday, December 14, 2020

DON'T YA LOVE IT?


The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed
never cease, for His compassions
never never fail.

They are new every morning; great
is Your faithfulness.

The LORD is my portion,” says
my soul, “Therefore I have hope
in Him.”

The LORD is good to those who
wait for Him, to the person who
Him.

It is good that he waits silently for
the salvation of the Lord.

Lamentations 3:22-26


If you don't read another word I write at this time, please...please grab hold of the above verses and squeeze all the spiritual juice you can get out of them. There are times in my reading when I seem to land in a spot in my Bible that is too precious to explain. It may be I had put my pencil or bookmark there with no intention in them being there. I'm not a hide and seek Bible reader. I'm not one to just open my Bible, point on the page and read where my finger lands. I'm not saying God can't lead in that way, but it usually hasn't worked for me. Today, I opened my Bible and there was my pencil, but immediately saw some underlining from time past I had long forgotten about.

I've usually avoided the book of Lamentations as it has seemed to be such a sad book. As I read the underlined verses, I saw a prophet with hope. Times had really been rough to put it mildly and he remembers some of those experiences just above those at the top of this page. In it all, he sees hope, a hope that is based in the mercy of God. I realize this book was written eons ago and would seem to have nothing to do with us in this day. Despite all of the terrible circumstances of his day, Jeremiah still saw God in such a positive light that it is mind boggling. We too should look for God's mercy and goodness in our own day.

I wrote in my Facebook today a statement I had written in the front of my Bible. I have no idea where it came from but helped me in my thinking about Jeremiah's writing. It says:

Until God opens the next door,
praise Him in the hallway.

I believe that statement spells out what Jeremiah was feeling. Circumstances for God's people at the time were terrible with perhaps no light at the end of the tunnel. They had been a people who turned to their own way, not Gods. However, in it all, Jeremiah began to express his own personal feelings about what God meant to him in his own day where sin was abounding.

As I read, I saw words He used with regard to the Lord in his life. Jeremiah lived in a time of sadness but still when he looked at his Lord, he was reminded of His consistent goodness and blessing. He used the words:

lovingkindnesses...compassions...faithfulness...
portion(source of happiness and blessing)...
good...Savior

All of that in the worst of times is how he saw His Heavenly Father. I'm wondering in these days of ours if we ever stop to do the same. God in His mercy has been every one of those things and more in my own life. I'm loving reading those verses over and over, thanking the Lord for the hope He extends me and you as well. We are truly a blessed people.

Father, thank You for how Your word speaks so clearly to our every need. Thank you too for your patience and for the hope You instill in us. In it all, thank You for Jesus and for Your sweet Holy Spirit's presence. In Jesus' precious name...Amen 

Monday, December 7, 2020

ANGRY AT THE WORLD


But now ye also put off all
these; anger, wrath, malice,
blasphemy, filthy communication
out of your mouth
Colossians 3:8

When very young and especially when in grade school, we have all probably heard the words, “I'm mad at you.” Looking back, the reasons were pretty lame compared to adult standards. The anger could be caused by something as simple as refusing to play a game another friend wanted to play. It all looks so simple now. With children, we also know that being mad at another friend didn't last long and play could restart an hour later with anger forgotten.

Several years ago, while reading my Bible and studying the book of Colossians, I came across chapter 3. It's one of those portions where the Holy Spirit stopped me in my tracks. Since that time, I've often invited ladies to join me in periodically using that chapter for a sincere time of spiritual inventory. The chapter contains some “put off and put on's” that are really quite clear. Prior to those, verses 1-4 are wonderful verses of assurance regarding our relationship with Jesus Himself.

I'm recalling the first time though that it dawned on me, the importance of that chapter. I sincerely try to remember when beginning any Bible reading to ask the Holy Spirit to teach me and even stop me where I need to stop and really think. On that particular day, I got down to the above verse. I read through the first phrase and came to “anger.” I paused for a moment wondering why that verse stood out to me. I tried to read on but I kept coming back to “anger.” I recall saying out loud: “I'M NOT ANGRY.” Then I decided to prayerfully ponder the possibility that I was. I realized that through the years so many things had happened in my life that gave me pause to be angry and through those years had just stuffed it all inside.

Anger is a very strong emotion. It can go from a simple annoyance rapidly to anger and perhaps even to hostility. We see it in the news almost on a daily basis. Who could have seen into the future the unkindness shown by the nicest of people. It would never have crossed our minds. As believers, what are some steps we can take to help with any anger we are dealing with? I'm working on these things myself on a daily basis.

*In Proverbs we are cautioned to not make friends with angry people. Good place to start.
*Understand that unbelievers don't have the strength we have to control themselves or even to love others.
*Be quick to pray. When those negative feelings begin to rise up, pray immediately. It doesn't have to take hours, for God can act on our behalf at any time.
*Be in the Word. Satan hates hearing the Word. It was so with Jesus in the wilderness and is the same with us in our wilderness times. Quote or even read Scripture aloud as often as possible
*When anger is building, put it in check quickly. It's something that grows fast and becomes overpowering if not handled in the moment.
*There's nothing wrong with admitting when we're angry...we are human beings. Confess it quickly to the Lord. Anger and guilt is never a good combination.
*Lastly, guard your mind. Don't watch TV news on ANY station. Be careful what you read or who you listen to. This has been among my latest moves and it feels great.

Our world needs our love and prayers more than ever. We musn't under-underestimate the power of acts of kindness, words of friendship/love and expressing words of blessing in another's life. If we aren't Jesus to others who need Him, they may never find Him.

Father, help us to be more in control of our emotions. Lead us to action only with situations where we can make a contribution for good. May Your Holy Spirit continue to remind and prompt us when we need direction and better yet, help us to respond in ways that would please You. In Jesus' precious name...Amen