WHAT'S NEXT

But you must continue in the things

which you have learned and been

assured of, knowing from whom you

have learned them,

and that from childhood you have

known the Holy Scriptures,  

which are able to make you wise

for salvation through faith which

is in Jesus Christ.

II Timothy 3:14,15

Time is a funny thing.  We live in every moment of it and rarely give it any attention.  About the only time we really notice time is when looking at our seasons, being late 

for an appointment, leaving on a long awaited trip or even supper ready when the family usually sits down to eat.  Time is important in music.  There isn't a piece of music worth anything if time is disregarded.  It just becomes a page full of notes that can't be interpreted in any way.  

We all use time in different ways.  The most important though are those times we inhale and exhale.  That's a vital part of time that we keep on breathing.  Our bodies have a way of letting us know some things about time.  When a child, there is the desire to grow taller, and mature physically and every other way.  However in those days, we don't consider that growing process through time brings us to where we find ourselves to be aging parents and grandparents.  Time is wonderful for the human body but for some of us who have used up alot of time, it shows in the form of wrinkles, bifocals, slow in step, pain in the joints....it all and more goes with the territory.

Time, however, in spiritual terms can take on a different look.  Spiritual growth depends on each individual child of God.  It doesn't necessarily mean that when a Christian has been a child of God for twenty five years, that they are spiritually mature in that scope of years.  We all have had friends and family members who have known Christ as Savior since childhood but who haven't matured much beyond that in spiritual years.

In facing a new year, i can't help but look back at the last fifty two weeks and wonder if I have grown in the Lord as I should have.  This kind of growth is very personal...we can't ride on the spiritual coat tails of others.  Do I know Jesus better, love Him more, serve Him faithfully and live to bring Him honor and glory on a daily basis?  There's always more to be done, but I pray I will be more aware of the importance of time in everyday living, to make the most and best of it with my Heavenly Father at the helm of my life.  If we aim for spiritual growth in coming days, time will tell and God will be glorified.

I thank You Father for the time You have given me to enjoy so many phases of life.  Best of all is having You in my life 24/7.  May I make good use of whatever time You choose to give me in days to come.  I want You honored and glorified in my life, no matter the time.  I so love You in it all....in Jesus' name....Amen

 

BY FAITH    

Now faith is the substance

of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

Not too long after Brian and I were married, I learned I would have a special assignment the rest of our married lives.  Anytime we had reason to take a trip beyond the comfort of where we lived that might even take us away over night,

my job was to have a road atlas on my lap.  It made no difference if I already knew the way or even if he did, that atlas had to be handy.  I didn't mind too much as I've always been fascinated with maps but still I would be asked frequently how soon

we would need to turn or stop. 

I've been reading this week in Hebrews and especially over the last couple of days in chapter 11.  That's where we see the listing of the Old Testament saints, some by name and others not.  You may call me unobservant, as there has been something I've been prompted to think about.  I would include the entire list, but in short we see:

By faith Noah...

By faith Abraham...

By faith, by faith, by faith with other names mentioned.

So what?...you might ask.  Well, I think I've had a bit of that kind of attitude when I've viewed these folks of faith that are mentioned.  We can almost dismiss each person's experience because we know how things turned out for each one.  We read about their lives and feel we know the results as to what happened.  They had no idea at the time what was coming in their futures.

There are times in our own lives we want to know what's coming.  When we think like that, it's not faith.  There's no hope in knowing the outcome of coming events.  Noah built an ark.  Noah didn't even know what rain was, let alone a flood, but he put His faith in God and kept sawing and hammering despite what the crowds of people might have said.

Abraham was such a man of faith.  Yes, at times he asked questions regarding but put His faith and life in the hands of God, never imagining all God had in store.  He was called to pick up and move when older in age, father a child in old age, asked to sacrifice his only son with no coming previews of his life.  God faithfully provided a substitute at that time.  Looking back at Abraham's life, we see a grand result of there being multitudes that would populate the earth because of his faithfulness.

As people of faith, God may lead and direct in ways we can't imagine.  He may do that through events in our lives both positive and negative.  Our job is to place our hope through faith in Him.  He never makes a mistake and we can trust His bidding.

Father, thank You for Your leading in our lives.  We may not understand Your calling at times, but we know You will always have our best interst in mind as You lead.  Increase our faith and, thus, may You find us faithful.  In Jesus name....Amen

 

FLOODS HURT

Save me, O God for the waters

have come up to my neck,

Psalm 69:1

I have never been on the receiving end of a weather-type flood.  When young, we would often  drive to the very end of our state to observe the Mississippi River that was flooding at the time and causing great damage, but we stayed safely on a high road.

We could ask Noah about what living through a flood is like.  Prior to the flood, he hadn't even known what rain was but in cooperation with God was saved on an ark Noah had built.  The ark saved his family and choice animals...all humans and animals to replenish the earth.

In a year or so, many folks in the eastern part of our state and surrounding states, came to know quickly of what damage and heartach flooding waters can cause.  Most floods come as a surprise, something out of nowhere. This flooding came from the after effects of a hurricane that had hit Florida.  The flooding was an extension of that hurricane.  Many fled to high ground for safety.  Some folks could only go to their roofs hoping for rescue.  The moving waters were ferocious,  destroying bridges, uprooting trees and carrying homes and businesses to total destruction.

Yep, I've never heard of a storm, that from a human standpoint, seemed to be of any good use.  One thing such floods cause in the normal person is a sense of panic and feeling they've lost all control in their lives.  Hopelessness in the heart can seem to set in quickly.

David's flood was different.  He was king but on two occasions in his life, he had to flee for his life.  Saul was first after David to kill him and then of all things, Absolom his son wanted him dead.  Emotionally and spiritually, David felt not just swamped but felt himself in a flood of despair and need.  You see, floods aren't always just made up of rushing, destructive water.  Emotional floods can cause that same sense of hopelessness and loss as a physical flood.

Psalm 69 is a wonderful Psalm that was written by David when he felt totally overcome.  He knew the only answer was crying out to God in those moments of sinking.  God would be David's life, comfort and direction in those floods he couldn't humanly control or understand.

The same is true for you in me in days when we feel hit by everything but a Semi truck.  When in a time of utter despair, whatever the flood in our lives, Psalm 69 is a prayer we can pray to our Father when we can't seem to even put a sentence together.  This is a longer Psalm but so well balanced in attitude and help.  If you are facing any kind of flood right now, and it can happen in the holiday times, join David in prayer.  God heard him....but God hears us as well.

Father, You know when our hearts are breaking and when we see no solutions near.  We are so grateful that in these times, You have answers and comfort.  Help us to rest in You in our times of feeling so overwhelmed by human flooding.  Thank You for Jesus...and in His name we pray.   Amen

A

  ABUNDANT PURPOSE

The thief does not come except to

steal, and to kill and to destroy.

I have come that they may have

life, and that they may have it 

more abundantly.

John 10:10

Any couple who has welcomed their first baby into the world has big dreams for that child.  For some time, they concentrate very much on baby ways....cuteness, growth, cooing just right and even maybe some future dreams for that baby.  There isn't much to go on when there isn't alot about that baby parents know regarding personality, talents, education capabilities, etc.  

I say those things because amid the special excitement Mary and Joseph must have felt with their coming Baby, I'm sure they dreamed dreams for Him like any parents would.  They were well aware their situation was different from others, but when Jesus was born, in those moments, he was a flesh and blood Baby.  When He was born He had the very same needs any baby would have.  He had to be cared for like any baby.  We celebrate this special Baby this time of year and rightly so.  His parents didn't know ahead of time what we have come to know about Jesus.  We've been able to see Him an adult, in the Word.

 That sweet Baby was to have quite a future.  God knew all about it and I'm sure Jesus did in His early years.  As a mom myself, I wish I could have known more about His growing up years.  We mom's are interested in things like that.  We just know He came to adulthood with an earthly, yet Heavenly, purpose.

Even during this Christmas season, I've been reviewing in my mind some of Jesus'

statements of purpose in His life.  Down through time, His purpose became our salvation and full life.  Jesus was quick to tell people who He was and used great examples in getting His purpose across to others in terms any of us can appreciate.

 I love the above verse as Jesus spoke of some of the dregs of society and even considering them and their low lives, He made clear how He had come for them.  The verse prior to the above one, Jesus begins by saying simply that "I am the door."  We can read a series of I AM'S Jesus stated during His ministry, all lindicating what He intended to be in the lives of others...door, shepherd, vine, way, truth, life, etc.  I guess what I'm saying is while I love this time of year...and there had to be an earthly beginning...He came with such purpose.  In it all, He became and is our Savior, our present in abundance and our future with Himself.

It was a Silent Night, Holy Night, but thankfully there is another song we sing now  ...Christ the Lord is Risen Today.

Father, thank You for Your precious gift of Jesus.  We can't imagine this gift from a Father's heart to a sin occupied world.  We can't thank You enough for loving us

that much and for Your love extended in and through Jesus who gave Himself for each of us.  Praying in that precious name, Jesus....Amen 

 

POST THANKSGIVING

Oh, give thanks to the LORD,

for He is good!  For His

mercy endures forever.

I Chronicles 16:34

Sitting here in my comfy chair in the corner of my livingroom, I'm recalling a scene in my house this last holiday Thursday.  I saw children of varying ages playing in and outside, coming and going with usual activity.  In the kitchen area around the table were adults, young to me because three of them are my children.  Their spouses were there along with a few others.  They were talking and laughijng, enjoying one anothers company.  My first thought was about Brian not being here and if he were, would be as observant as I was.  What a joy to witness it all.

Everyone has gone to their homes.  I have some leftovers in the freezer I hope to enjoy in some upcoming days.  The house is quiet and I must admit, I love the quiet but so enjoyed the activity.  I've always loved Thanksgiving as a holiday, but at the same time find myself wondering why it takes a holiday to emphasize a spirit of gratitude.  Even that gratitude can get lost in the food, football games and other activities on a specified holiday.

I did one of my acrostics that I think can apply to us everyday, not just on one day.

T-ake...H-eart...A-nd...N-otice...K-indness...F-rom...U-nusual...L-ocales.      Perhaps it would benefit us to pay more attention to daily blessings God so abundantly pours into our lives on a daily basis, often coming to us in unusual ways.

We may not have the usual trappings of the holiday...day off from work, sweet aromas coming from ovens, families enjoying each other's company, but why can't everyday be days of gratitude and thankfulness?  These post days, perhaps we need to add two words to our daily vocabulary and use them frequently...THANK YOU.  Our first big thank you on a daily basis should be to our Heavenly Father; then extending honest thank you's to those we meet and greet on a daily basis.  In it all, no turkey and dressing is required.

A BIG THANK YOU,  Heavenly Father, for Your goodness in our lives...a goodness not one of us deserves.  You've given so much and we so little but we love You and want to love You even more.  Help us to have an attitude of gratitude everyday we live....in Jesus' precious name....Amen