The Big "IF"

This then is the message which we have
heard of Him, and declare unto you,
that God is light, and in Him is no
darkness at all.
I John 1:5

Little words in our English language are interesting. Our little word “if” is no exception. It has even been stretched into a little longer word...”iffy.” If something is “iffy” in it's use, the indicator is usually that something is uncertain, or something that could go either way. Otherwise, “iffy” indicates uncertainty or what is questionable. I don't like anything that is “iffy,” especially when someone tries to trip me up with a spiritual question or statement.

“If” is a conditional word and we've all used it or heard it used in some familiar ways, such as:
“IF you get your chores finished, THEN you can go with your friends.”
“IF you study hard, THEN you will pass this test.”
“IF you accept Jesus as your Savior, THEN you will have a home in Heaven.”

I think you get the idea of the word being used in a conditional way. Also notice that with”if” statements, the word “then” may appear after the initial statement. Otherwise, an “if” statement almost always requires a “then” reply. Scripture is full of “Ifs.” As I've been studying in the book of First John 1:5-10, I found, as I love to do, a pattern in many of the words.

The opening verse 5 lays a foundation for the rest of what John wants to say in this chapter and each of the last five verses has an important “if” statement. Three of those verses (6,8 and 10) are “If we say” statements. The other two verses (7 and 9) are “if” statements that requires action on our part. No matter the type of verse, we are still confronted with conditions we are called on to meet. As you read, you will see a * in each verse, that indicates where the word “then” should be.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him,
and walk in darkness, * we lie, and do not the truth. (6)

If we say that we have no sin, * we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (8)

If we say that we have not sinned, * we make Him
a liar, and His word is not in us. (10)

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light,
* we have fellowship one with another, and
the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleanseth us from all sin. (7)

If we confess our sins, * He is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness. (9)

I have in my possession a very tiny book, written by Amy Carmichael entitled IF. Some college friends gave it to me in January,1991 as a birthday gift. The first time I thumbed through it, I thought it surely wouldn't take long to read. After some introductory pages, I found, through the rest of the book, only one sentence on each page. Every sentence begins with the word IF. Each sentence is meant to really pry into the heart of the reader. It probes the depth of one's Calvary love, (a love Jesus had for us on the cross) in many of life's situations. In fact, one is instructed to not move to the next page until the one page being read has been fully absorbed. For instance:

“IF I covet any place on earth but the dust
at the foot of the Cross,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.”

Back in 1991, I could never have thought of coveting any place on earth. But now I live in one of the most beautiful places on this earth that I dearly love. I was forced anew to consider that page.

Here's one other of several probings from this little book:

“IF I can write an unkind letter, speak an
unkind word, think an unkind thought
without grief and shame,
then I know nothing of Calvary love.”

These and the other statements in this book are all “If/then” statements. The “if” parts of the sentences aren't meant to make excuses for oneself, but to force one to come face to face with Jesus and His sacrifice of love for all.

Most of us don't need to use the word “if” when it comes to the spiritual. We basically know who and what we are before God, what our shortcomings are and what we need to do about them. I love that Scripture brings us to the basics; nothing terribly hard to understand of the issue of sin. Our problem is being obedient to the Word of God because of our love for Him with no Ifs, ands or buts about it.

Dear Father, I don't want there to be any “if's” on my part in my relationship with You. Help me to be transparent all the time with You and respond with obedience to Your Spirit's convicting prompts in my life. Thank You for not giving up on me. I love you. In Jesus' name....Amen.

BROKEN

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and a contrite heart, O God
thou wilt not despise
Psalm 57:17

Several years ago, I spent about a year going back to school for training in the medical assistant field. Aside from many career choices available to me when young, I wanted very badly to be a nurse. Circumstances prevented that choice at the time. That time of training as a Medical Assistant only served to give me a deeper appreciation of God's creative genius in forming the human body. Think of the functioning of these miraculous human machines, things the body does to take care of itself...things we don't have to give any thought to. I don't tell myself to breathe nor do I have to make my heart beat. My eyes blink, my hair grows, the digestive system does it's job and on and on it goes. Again I say that God is just so very smart.

One of the amazing things I learned during that time of training was how the human body takes care of broken bones. I broke a bone in my wrist on one occasion. I could only recall the pain and the resulting cast that was put on that wrist. It had to be on there for what seemed like an eternity. The pain subsided and I then had to learn to do many things left handed. When the cast came off, there were therapy sessions required and soon, life got back to normal.

All I could see for a time was swelling, but the miraculous healing was not brought about through a doctor's instruction, the cast I had to wear (although it was a necessary nuisance) and even therapy sessions. The healing was taking place inside the wrist where I couldn't see what was happening. The moment that bone broke, that bone, though broken apart began an amazing process. Without using long words, I learned that at the time of setting the break, a fluid was released that began to wrap itself around that broken area of the bone. That milky looking fluid, the bone's super glue, kept wrapping itself around that break and formed what is called a “callus.” Specialists will tell us that if we have had a broken bone, that at that break is one of the strongest places on that bone that can be imagined. On an x-ray, it's noticeable where a break has taken place. That's how doctors can read an x-ray and give a bone history either to a patient or even to a court of law when looking at child abuse issues. So the bone, by God's masterful design, quietly does it's job and we don't have to think about it.

We read of shepherds in Scripture. One thing a shepherd did if he had a sheep that insisted on straying from him and the flock was to break the leg of that erring sheep. The shepherd would then carry that sheep around on his shoulders. The shepherd, for the sake of the sheep's safety, had to break a leg of the sheep in order to break the will. I've had times in my life when I wanted to go my own selfish way and because of my resistant will, God had to take measures to break that sinful will in me. He may not have allowed one of my bones to be broken, but His methods were holy and sure and often were heart breaking for me personally. The result of that brokenness though, in the end, was very beneficial and brought me back and near to my Shepherd.

Some broken things just can't be fixed. One day while emptying my dishwasher, a large handled knife dropped from the top rack to the bottom one. I suddenly heard the sound of breaking glass. Looking in I saw that the knife had landed on the inside of a 9x13 glass cake dish and had broken that dish into three large pieces. It had been my Mother's dish. It still had an old piece of tape with her last name on it taped to the underside of the dish. She had used that dish to take food to church potlucks or to homes where there had been a death in the family. That dish meant a great deal to me and with great sadness, I carefully wrapped its pieces and placed them in the garbage can. Broken...no super glue could mend it or even salvage it in any way. It was like something special in my life had died. But we are not dishes of glass. Life may have brought some chips and nicks here and there into our lives. We may go through times of breaks, but with the Lord, never to the point of total destruction.

Any loss in our lives can break us if we try to handle it alone. God will never waste those times and will bring us back to wholeness. A broken bone even after healthy healing will never be as it was before...the mark on that bone will always be there. However, in God's plan, that bone becomes stronger because of that break. The same is true for us. God wants us to learn from those broken times in our lives and come out stronger in the end. There are any number of things that can bring about breakage in our lives, such as:

...betrayal
...divorce
...death of loved one
...erring children
...persecution
...financial woes
...health issues
...broken friendships
...teenage breakups
...job loss

You could add to that list any of those things that caused you to go through a broken time in your life. We have to keep in mind that as those things happen, God is working to bring mending to our situation even though we can't see Him working. He will bring a new strength into our lives that we never thought could be possible.

In all of this is a reminder found in Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” There are two things to remember from this verse when we go through those broken-heart times. The first thing is that our Lord is nigh...close...to them of a broken heart. Then He honors those who are of a contrite spirit...that person who is repentant of personal sin and self seeking.

I must also remind us that Jesus knew a lot about being broken as He walked this earth. He saw broken people everywhere He went and their needs. He also went through His own time of brokenness. We too often forget what the perfect Son of God endured for us. In First Corinthians 11:24, Paul takes us back to that last supper time of Jesus with His disciples. “And when He had given thanks, He brake it (the bread) and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Jesus didn't have any broken bones on that cross, but He certainly had a broken heart for the sins of mankind. No matter what we go through in this life that breaks our hearts and spirits, we must remember that Jesus suffered like no other. He can relate to our breaks and hurts. He's not a removed Savior but is near, sustains and heals us.

Someone put a wonderful prayer on Facebook lately that I thought was so encouraging. No author was given but it reads as follows:

Lord
Enlighten what's dark in me
Strengthen what's weak in me
Mend what's broken in me
Bind what's bruised in me
Heal what's sick in me,

and lastly, bring

to life what
has died in me.
Amen

By the way...God wants to use our brokenness in ways we can't imagine possible.

Warm and Cozy

In the multitude of my thoughts
within me thy comforts
delight my soul.
Psalm 94:19

Growing up, I never had a jacket. Let me quickly say that in my early grade school days, that wouldn't have been unusual for most of my friends and me. One either needed coat or sweater. My grandmother was an expert at knitting. I always had a heavy, wool sweater to wear to school and to wear outside for play. Of course, when the cold weather set in, I always had a warm winter coat. As warm as my sweaters were, being wool, they were often itchy when I got a little overheated during play. Just that fact often led me to try to get out of the house without my sweater. I can still hear in memory, a familiar reminder ringing in my ears ...”Glendarae, put your sweater on..it's chilly out there.” or “Put your sweater on or you'll catch your death of pneumonia.” I must admit I never really understood that last statement.

I must confess that more often than not, those sweaters were warm and even cozy on chilly fall days in Southern Illinois. My grandmother finally quit knitting them for me because I grew so fast she couldn't keep up. I knew every sweater she ever knit for me was done with love and a certain amount of pride.

There are many places in Scripture that are warm and cozy spots. We almost feel guilty at times when we go to those places to soak up our Heavenly Father's tenderness and warmth He feels for us. I often feel I must read the deep, theological places that teach complicated truths and that convict me of sin and wrongdoing. Those places are important for us to take in, but there are other places, many found in Psalms, where we can curl up with those precious passages, something warm to sip on and just soak up God's love and care for us.

For instance, I have loved how Jesus responded to the little children who wanted His attention. Ever been with adults with children acting up to get attention? Most adults would shoo them away for a brief time so the adults can visit.. but not Jesus. Reading Psalm 23, that speaks of my Shepherd always calms my spirit...it speaks of His deep love and care for me. We almost casually read about Jesus feeding more than 5,000 people. Jesus was concerned for their physical welfare while the disciples wanted to just send them home. I love reading about Jesus' visits to the home of Mary and Martha. It would seem, He could just relax and unwind there...good food, warm fellowship. Jesus was so very human and we often lose sight of that fact.

Romans 8 is a wonderful chapter, filled with promises from God that encourages and warms the heart. It's a New Testament chapter I curl up with often. I feel the warmth as much as putting on that wool sweater on a chilly fall day. To know there is no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ; to be assured that as we are led by His Spirit; we're assured all over again of our security in Jesus; the assurance that ALL things in my life work for good; that if God is for me, who can be against me; and how good to know also that nothing can separate me form Jesus' love and through Hi., I'm assured I am more than a conqueror. If those things don’t warm the spiritual cockles of our hearts, I don't know what will.

The four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) were given to us for a purpose. If all God had to offer of His Son Jesus was to die on a cross, then there would have been need for only two or three short chapters describing the events of Jesus' death and resurrection. God wanted us to know His Son, Jesus' love for people in every day life, leadership, firmness in conviction, concern for people of varied afflictions, and His attention to those of all ages and walks of life. I can be encouraged and comforted in reading of His varied miracles knowing that He is still working miracles in my life and the lives of others. Jesus isn't just the Man we read of in a book. We need to fall in love with Him all over again and allow His Words to wash over us with comfort and warmth:

Chapters 14-17 in the Gospel of John are chapters of comfort. It was Jesus last opportunity to comfort His disciples prior to His being betrayed in the garden. Cozy up and read:

Let not your heart be troubled;
ye believe in God,
believe also in me. (14:1)

I will not leave you comfortless:
I will come to you. (14:18)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give
unto you: not as the world giveth, give I
unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid. (14:27)

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in
you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall
be done unto you. (15:7)

Chapter 17 in most Bibles is written in red. This is the true Lord's Prayer. The other He gave to the disciples wasn't a prayer for them to pray. It was an outline of things to include in a prayer. This chapter is one big prayer that Jesus prayed for His disciples and is a prayer that is just as much prayed for you and me today.

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also
which shall believe on me through their word; (17:20)

So read that chapter as if sitting in the physical presence of Jesus as He prays for you.

Jesus is still actively working on our behalf and that concern began back into Eternity. He is still waiting for those special times with us when He can speak peace,comfort and warmth to our hearts. As my mother would say, “Don't forget to put your sweater on...it's chilly out there.

Thank You Father for the way You love and comfort me all the time. I find such warmth in Your presence not just in tough times, but at regular times when I just want an extra portion of Your friendship. Thank You for who You are in my life. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

What Goes Around

And let us not be weary in well doing:
for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us
do good unto all men, especially unto them
who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:9,10

We received a phone call from our grandgirl Madelyn. She had some really huge news to share with her Grand-dad and me. We were at her house just a week or so ago. With her birthday coming up, we decided to get her a nice scooter she had been saving her money to purchase. My husband and I both remembered with fondness childhood days of riding a scooter, so with pleasure, we bought Madelyn a scooter. We realized there was an added benefit for us in having our scooters. It taught us about balancing on a bicycle and using handlebars at the same time. Madelyn's great news was that after riding her scooter for a few days, she was finally able to ride the bike she has without the training wheels.

With that phone call, came a flood of memories. When in first or second grades of my youth, children didn't automatically get bicycles. For one thing, bikes didn't come in assorted sizes and colors. Most of my neighborhood friends started with scooters. As much as I loved my scooter, I looked forward to the day when I could ride a bike.

A friend on my block got a new girl's bike. I was at about third or fourth grade at the time. I asked her if I could try riding her bike. With some reluctance, she agreed to let me try. I didn't tell her I had never ridden a bike before. I got on that bike and took off like an expert. I didn't really know much about applying the breaks, but managed. A dream was born in me that day of having my own bike.

One September before Christmas, my mother took me to a friends house. That friend had a bike for sale and my mom wanted to see if it was the size bike she should purchase for me “some day.” That Christmas, by the Christmas tree was a bright, shiney, red bike. To be honest, I recognized it right away to be the one I had seen with my mom that Fall, but it had a new red paint job, a basket attached to the handle bars and it looked brand new. From that day on, I was a bike addict. When I left home to go to college, several years later, one of my last ventures was to ride that bike out to our city lake on some back country roads.

After college graduation, for a time, I worked at a Baptist children's home an hour or two from home. I was in charge of some of the girls there. A favorite thing to do was going for bike rides as there was a nice park close to the facility. Just the thought brought back wonderful memories of my bike-riding days. There were several bikes parked near one of the buildings. One day, I decided to take the older girls on a bike ride. We took off into the wind. Suddenly I noticed that the left pedal on the bike I was riding was clicking against a part of the bike frame. That sounded and felt familiar. The handle bars, an odd shape also felt very familiar. I had the group stop while I checked a hidden crease of the blue bike I was on. There in that crease, was the leftovers of red paint. I stood with tears coming down my face in front of those girls...it was my old bike...my friend for years from grade school through high school. When I left home, my mother had asked me if she could give my bicycle to someone who could enjoy it as much as I had. I never knew what my mother had done with my bicycle and now I knew. She had given it to the children's home for other children to enjoy. Just as she had done for me, she had the bike repainted, but a different color.

My encouragement for us is that we faithfully serve God and others. Sometimes we may be called upon to serve others in big ways, but most often, it will probably be in very small ways. I have been learning over the past few years that I may not know the results of such kindnesses until Heaven. However, many times, it is the little things that can often come to our attention. These times are encouraging to us and blessings beyond words. Our service for others isn't supposed to be for what rewards we receive for giving of our time, belongings or even money. In fact, we should do such, not even anticipating earthly rewards. How wonderful, though, when our Heavenly Father gives us a little peek back at how He was able to use something we might have thought insignificant that turned out to be of great importance to someone(s) we might not have even known.

It's such fun serving the Lord just knowing we can be a blessing to someone in His name and at times being what I call, “Jesus with skin on” in the lives of others.

Thank you Father for honoring us by using us in Your service. Help us to serve with humility, not seeking the praise of others. Help us to be willing to serve You in any way possible with no expectation of reward or praise. By the way, thank You for my bicycle that other girls in a children's home could enjoy and for my mother's generous spirit. I love you...in Jesus' precious name...Amen.

Warm and Cozy

In the multitude of my thoughts
within me thy comforts
delight my soul.
Psalm 94:19

Growing up, I never had a jacket. Let me quickly say that in my early grade school days, that wouldn't have been unusual for most of my friends and me. One either needed coat or sweater. My grandmother was an expert at knitting. I always had a heavy, wool sweater to wear to school and to wear outside for play. Of course, when the cold weather set in, I always had a warm winter coat. As warm as my sweaters were, being wool, they were often itchy when I got a little overheated during play. Just that fact often led me to try to get out of the house without my sweater. I can still hear in memory, a familiar reminder ringing in my ears ...”Glendarae, put your sweater on..it's chilly out there.” or “Put your sweater on or you'll catch your death of pneumonia.” I must admit that I never really understood that last statement.

I must confess that more often than not, those sweaters were warm and even cozy on chilly fall days in Southern Illinois. My grandmother finally quit knitting them for me because I grew so fast she couldn't keep up. I knew every sweater she ever knit for me was done with love and a certain amount of pride.

There are many places in Scripture that are warm and cozy spots. We almost feel guilty at times when we go to those places to soak up our Heavenly Father's tenderness and warmth He feels for us. I often feel I must read the deep, theological places that teach complicated truths and that convict me of sin and wrongdoing. Those places are important for us to take in, but there are other places, many found in Psalms, where we can curl up with those precious passages, something warm to sip on and just soak up God's love and care for us.

For instance, I have loved how Jesus responded to the little children who wanted His attention. Ever been with adults with children acting up to get attention? Most adults would shoo them away for a brief time so the adults can visit. Psalm 23, speaking of my Shepherd always calms my spirit...it speaks of His deep love and care for me. We almost casually read about Jesus feeding more than 5,000 people. Jesus was concerned for their physical welfare while the disciples wanted to just send them home. I love reading about Jesus' visits to the home of Mary and Martha. It would seem, He could just relax and unwind there...good food, warm fellowship.

Romans 8 is a wonderful chapter, filled with promises from God that encourage and warm the heart. It's a New Testament chapter I curl up with often. I feel the warmth as much as putting

on that wool sweater on a chilly fall day. To know there is no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ; to be assured that as we are led by the Spirit, we're assured all over again of our security in Jesus; the assurance that ALL things in my life work for good; that if God is for me, who can be against me; and how good to know also that nothing can separate me form Jesus' love and through Him, I am more than a conqueror. It that doesn't warm the spiritual cockles of our hearts, I don't know what will.

The four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) were given to us for a purpose. If all God had to offer of His Son Jesus was to die on a cross, then there would have been need for only two or three short chapters describing the events of Jesus' death and resurrection. God wanted us to know His Son, Jesus' love for people in every day life, leadership, firmness in conviction, concern for people of varied afflictions, and His attention to those of all ages and walks of life. I can be encouraged and comforted in reading of His varied miracles knowing that He is still working miracles in my life and the lives of others. Jesus isn't just the Man we read of in a book. We need to fall in love with Him all over again and allow His Words to wash over us with comfort and warmth:

Chapters 14-17 in the Gospel of John are chapters of comfort. It was Jesus last opportunity to comfort His disciples prior to His being betrayed in the garden. Cozy up and read:

Let not your heart be troubled;
ye believe in God,
believe also in me. (14:1)

I will not leave you comfortless:
I will come to you. (14:18)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give
unto you: not as the world giveth, give I
unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid. (14)

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in
you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall
be done unto you. (15:7)

Chapter 17 in most Bibles is written in red. This is the true Lord's Prayer. The other He gave to the disciples wasn't a prayer for them to pray. It was an outline of things to include in a prayer. This chapter is one big prayer that Jesus prayed for His disciples and is a prayer that is just as much prayed for you and me today.

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also
which shall believe on me through their word; (20)

So read that chapter as if sitting in the physical presence of Jesus as He prays for you.

Jesus is still actively working on our behalf and that concern began back into Eternity. He is still waiting for those special times with us when He can speak peace,comfort and warmth to our hearts. As my mother would say, “Don't forget to put your sweater on...it's chilly out there.

Thank You Father for the way You love and comfort me all the time. I find such warmth in Your presence not just in tough times but at regular times when I just want an extra portion of Your friendship. Thank You for who You are in my life. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

Walking in Darkness

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should shew forth the
praises of Him who hath called you
out of darkness into his marvellous light.
I Peter 2:9

Several years ago when our Jennie was just under a year old, our family made a trip to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. Jennie was riding on her dad's back in a child's back pack. We took a conducted tour of the cave and even had the treat of eating in their underground dining area. Halfway through the tour and I guess as close to the bottom of the cave as the tour went, the tour guide instructed our small group to stop where we were and cluster together as closely as we could. He wanted us at least in close touching distance from each other. His reason for this was that he was going to flip a switch that would turn out the lights in that area of the cave. He cautioned that we would find ourselves in a darkness we had never
experienced before and when the light went out, we shouldn't move at all.

He counted down from three as I recall and the lights went out. From most in the group, there came a quiet,verbal gasp. The shock of the darkness was huge. It was a darkness that was suffocating. Within a few seconds, the tour guide lit a match. You can't imagine the light that came from that small match in that total darkness. I have never been in a physical darkness like I was that day. The guide mentioned that if anyone were to become lost in that darkness, they could go insane in a matter of days. I will never forget the effect we all felt when that one little match was struck. We could feel ourselves as individuals feeling physically drawn, almost leaning in to that little light. I was reminded that in a very dark place, even my little flicker of a flame of witness can have more of an impact than I can realize.

During a recent visit with our daughter Jennie, we went to all sorts of places. We did some hiking in familiar areas, some car touring through beautiful scenery and visited other places of note. One place we enjoyed was Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg. That is a fascinating place for children and adults as well. One thing I noticed while there was the lighting in most of the aquarium...it was pretty dark, especially in the long clear tunnel that featured several types of marine life that seemed to swim above and to the sides of individuals passing through. Many other areas were very dimly lit in order to feature different sized displays of varied fish and sea life. I understood that need of lighting and still do.

In the beginning of our wanderings, it wasn't so bad as the entrance area and a little beyond was well lit, but as we proceeded through the aquarium, the light became dimmer. From there, the various display areas became darker to the point that I personally felt somewhat off balance physically. The unguided tour was wonderful, don't get me wrong, but I was very glad toward the end of a main tunnel, to see the gift shop in the distance, where, of course, there was plenty of light. I didn't buy anything there, but was glad to walk through it to the exit door where, outside, there was a great abundance of light...no feeling of being off balance or off kilter. Darkness can affect us in various ways.

Scripture speaks in several areas about darkness, mostly a spiritual darkness that we can become exposed to or even find ourselves in the very middle of. We live in a country of moral and spiritual darkness. It's a darkness that God hates, but that a good majority of Americans are choosing.

Woe unto them that call evil good, and
good evil; that put darkness for light, and
light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet,
and sweet for bitter!
Isaiah 5:20

This verse speaks where many in our country are right now with regard to morals and standards...good is no longer just good and evil is coming to be seen in more of a good and positive light. What used to be wrong behavior/lifestyles are now being rationalized and accepted by many. Things anymore aren't just black and white, but morals and standards are viewed as being more gray where people can decide for themselves what is good or evil. When this mentality sets in, in reality, a person has come into the realm of darkness and has fled the light God intends for each of us. As Christians, we are meant to be people of light and discernment. The encouraging part of that verse is: “Woe unto them...” The “woes” of Scripture are never positive when God pronounces them. He takes care of things in His time.

As I write, just this week, our country has suffered another tragedy in the killing of nine Christians, while sitting in their church during a Bible study. A visitor to the group stood, shot nine of those in attendance that ushered them right into Heaven. All of the “why” questions began to pour in to various media outlets. It's interesting to see commentators and experts scramble for answers as to how this and similar events can happen. I have the answer...the darkness of evil. Some say it's guns...no, it's evil. Others say it's mental illness...no, it's evil. There are thousands who struggle with mental illness who never kill anyone or even think of it. Some experts say it's a lack of jobs or education, and then, of course, there is the confederate flag that is just another excuse added to the list. We know all have sinned and come short of God's glory. Sin is at the root of it all. As individuals and thus as a country, nothing can be cured unless the problem is diagnosed. The diagnosis is sin/evil and the answer is Jesus. Sound too simple? Well, it is simple. Jesus never made salvation difficult for anyone, other than for Himself.

I have since thought that in this dark world, we make our way through it the best we can with very limited spiritual light. God will give us all we want of His light, but even that light here can't compare to that light we will one day know. We wander through this dark world, but we see light ahead that the unsaved world doesn't see at all. We born again ones find hope in the light ahead of us and one day will realize the fulness of the light of His presence. Gone will be the darkness and shadows we have known in a sin-fallen world. Heaven's light will come from Jesus, THE Light, and we will bask in that Light for eternity.

In “light” of what has been written, I feel the necessity to revisit at least the last part of the opening verse:

... that ye should shew forth the
praises of him who hath called you
out of darkness into his marvellous light.
I Peter 2:9b

Thank You, Lord Jesus for being my light in a very dark world. Help me to share Your light to those around me who need Your light in their lives as much as I do. In Your precious name.

AMEN

Not Left Defenseless

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

I recently watched a series of films on the History Channel dealing with the anniversary of the battles that took place at Normandy during World War II. How we had as many of our soldiers survive during the charge up those beaches, one can only guess. One of the things I hadn't realized was because of various barriers the Germans had put along the shoreline, landing boats carrying the troops could not come close to the shore. Many soldiers disembarking hoping to get safely to shore, often stumbled and fell into the water near the shoreline and were easy targets for German soldiers in their hidden bunkers. What had caused such a problem? Most soldiers were carrying backpacks that weighed from 60 to 90 pounds each. I can't imagine trying to charge the shore with all of that weight on soldiers' backs.

Far be it for me to question all of that. The soldiers were well equipped. In those days though, nothing was manufactured in light weight form like it is done today. It was also noticeable that each soldier I viewed was well equipped as far as their weapons, helmets, sturdy footwear, etc. To go into that kind of battle, soldiers had to be armed, equipped and dressed for the war of their lives.

In the spiritual realm, I'm wondering what makes us think we can do battle with Satan on a daily basis, barely equipped to do battle, except with self effort. Haven't we learned yet that we go to battle with Satan from the moment we open our eyes in the morning until closing them at night when we go to bed. It may not feel during the day that anything at all is going on in the way of sin or temptation, but it is. Most often Satan wants to engage us in small skirmishes that we hardly notice, but they can grow to full-blown battles. I sometimes feel that I may be so calloused toward sin that at times, I hardly recognize it. After all, many sins seem to be very small and insignificant. No matter the size, we must do battle at every place or we will become calloused and the battle for good and God won't seem all that important.

God loves us and wants us to walk in victory. Victory only comes after a contest or battle. God would never leave you and me defenseless, unable to do battle. He's given us His armor with which to defeat evil and the Evil One. The armor the Roman soldier wore was tremendously heavy and burdensome. I'm surprised they could be effective as loaded down as they were. Fortunately, God's armor isn't physically heavy.

I'm referring, of course, to Paul's description of the armor of God he wrote of in Ephesians 6:10-18. I will only make note of them. A very important statement Paul made in the beginning was: PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD. You see, in this battle of ours with that wonderful spiritual armor God has provided, Paul knew that no one would come to us each morning and dress us in the armor. It is something we must feel the need of and apply it if it is going to be of any use at all. Every piece of this armor is necessary to be worn regularly. Not one piece of it can be left behind. Satan will always look at the most vulnerable places in our lives and will strike there. Why do we even need the armor? Paul tells us in verse 11: “...that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Whether a wife, grandmother, stay at home mom, businessman, caregiver, etc., we all face Satan's tricks and temptations. If we don't care, then we don't need to bother with the armor. If, however, we want spiritual victory and strengthening, the armor will be important to us.

We have been somewhat programmed to picture our spiritual armor to look like the armor of a Roman soldier. I wish we could get that picture out of our minds because although the pieces of it may be appropriate in the comparison, that's where the similarities stop. Could we just for a moment, get the gist of what God intends each of those pieces to be in our lives? Could we begin to think of what those pieces represent and those qualities and strengths God wants to build in us? Please pay more attention to the quality, not the item.

Truth – (Loins girt)

Righteousness – (Breastplate)

Gospel of peace – (Feet shod)

Faith – (Shield)

Salvation – (Helmet)

Word of God – (Sword of the Spirit)

You see, as we have read the entire portion of Scripture, we have concentrated on a picture and pieces of the armor instead of the significance of each spiritual item. There is one that is prime above the others and that is SALVATION. If we don't know God's sweet salvation in our lives, there is no point in the others. Oh, there are unsaved people who are people of truth, who live good lives, are peaceful people. I've seen those things in some unsaved folks more than in some saved folks, which is a sad commentary on we Christians. Without salvation and the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit, those other things will never come to any kind of fruition as God intends. Those things together make up a mighty arsenal, not too heavy to carry physically, but heavy in spiritual power and might.

Paul wraps things up in verse 18 by saying:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication
in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with
all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Our armor is to be all wrapped up in prayer. That is an area where most of us are lacking and yet it is the connector. Our praying in the Spirit energizes all of those other pieces of our spiritual armor. It should be our prayer that we will allow the Spirit to activate each of those attributes into our lives, readying us for any spiritual confrontation we will face.

Father, I know I have no strength on my own, except in and through You. I try to take too much on myself and end up discouraged and defeated. Forgive my lack of faith and reliance on You. Help me stay armed for any battle Satan wages against me. I love You...in Jesus' name...Amen

What a Mess-II

Let your speech be always with grace,
seasoned with salt, that ye may know
how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:6

With my last blog, I made every attempt to express my concern over the mess I grieve over when I look at the slippery slope our country is descending into. It would seem than few people are speaking up for right in our day. Those who do, especially of any name recognition, are severely criticized. The world with it's theories shouts their thinking in our faces everyday, but Christians, according to those same people, are to keep their opinions to themselves.

Last week, I wrote of the struggle I think many of we Christians are dealing with, that I believe begins in the mind. Such doesn't mean that as we deal with our own personal mind sets, we walk around with sealed lips. If Christians don't stand for the things of God, who is going to? We find ourselves in the mess we are in today primarily for two reasons (among many) that have brought us to this point:

...Christians for too long have been giving in to the things of the world. It's a gradual happening. Fifty years ago, most churches in our country stood strong and firm regarding moral issues which believe it or not, stemmed the tide of sin. Sin has always been among us and will continue, but there at least was a hesitancy when Christians and the church took strong stands. As we gave in to the world, ever so gradually, pulpits in our country toned down their messages. Christians began to compromise and testimonies were diluted. With those things happening, one of the biggest resulting disasters for our country was that many compromising Christians jumped on the bandwagon to elect people into high offices they shouldn't even have been put in. I'm speaking of people of all political leanings. That leadership in the highest of offices, have sold out the integrity and morals of our country. It's the worse conglomeration of ingrates I've seen in my lifetime. People have also continued their avid support of Hollywood and thus, it's influence. We Christians have to take some of the responsibility for our contribution in this process. For change to come, it will have to be God's doing through His people.

...Not only have Christians given in to the world, but those left with any spiritual integrity have stood by with mouths shut. I grow weary, as I'm sure many of you do, at those on soap boxes spouting their personal opinions about world conditions who say very little. By getting my mind set where I think God wants it regarding an opinion on any subject at all, doesn't mean that I'm never to speak up or to take stands. However, what I speak should be true to those things of God whether the world wants to hear it or not. Gays in our country are such a tiny number, but we are made to think that probably half the folks in our country are gay. How have they gained such power? It has come with the winking and blinking of good people who never felt a moral threat in it all. Now all sorts of famous people are getting on the bandwagon that they are gay or transgender. It's becoming a fad because in the circles of the rich and famous, such “come outs” make big bucks for them and their agents.

Some verses of Scripture have re-emerged for me in the last few days that might arm us for the spiritual battle we face in these days. When it comes to what I allow into my mind, I am reminded of Philippians 2:5 (and the three verses after it):

Let this mind be in you, which was
also in Christ Jesus.

If we look at the three verses after this, we get an idea of where Jesus' mind was. We read that He wasn't interested in being a person of great reputation and was a very humble man. He was interested in being a servant...the very Son of God from the splendor of Heaven came to serve. He touched sick, dirty and dead people. He washed dirty feet. He fed thousands of people. On the mind of Jesus, was to walk in total obedience even unto death. How often are you and I convicted by something preached or that we read in our Bibles and ignore God's call to obedience? In every battle we fight in our day, it is most important that we have the right mind set.

Caution:

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth;
keep the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3

I am not saying that you and I should be mute regarding the evil we face in our world. However, my words need to be measured words that meet with God's approval. How often do we pray a prayer like this verse before we speak or communicate, especially if found in contentious settings. I understand that even if I speak in love, those of opposite opinion will consider my speech to be hateful simply because it doesn't meet with their opinion. We can still speak out of love and concern even though there will rarely be agreement with those on the “other team.” We don't need to go looking for a fight. If we are right with God, perhaps even one on one, the fight will come to us. May we be faithful to God in our words, speaking with caution and yes, love.

Be prepared:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be
ready always to give an answer to every man that
asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with
meekness (gentleness) and fear (respect).
I Peter 3:15

I'm not sure we understand what oddities we are in a sin fallen world. Somehow, we always wonder why people disagree with the stands people of God take. There may be some around us as we are in general conversation, who just might wonder about the how's and why's of who we are. Notice our verse suggests that we be ready to speak WHEN someone asks us the reason for our hope. This indicates such a person will have seen something in us that creates a curiosity regarding our hope. Our answer can be simple: “I have hope because of Jesus Christ in my life.” Here's where being prepared comes in. If someone pursues in asking what is meant by that statement, can we give an informative reply that would benefit that person, perhaps leading them to a personal pursuit of that same Hope we have come to know? Bottom line is that no matter the mess, Jesus is the answer. There is nothing going on that is greater than He is, or greater than He can handle. He sees the evil of our day beyond what you and I see in our own circles of life. He is far more grieved than we can ever be regarding this sin-fallen world.

These are mere days of practice for us as we take our stands for right and for the Lord. It's not going to get any easier. I see a day when any sharing of Jesus can be ruled as being politically incorrect and even illegal. Conditions for Christians are certainly not looking good at the present time, but we shouldn't be surprised. Scripture speaks of what the “last days” will be like, and those indicators are evident even now. We need to be praying earnestly for the mind of Christ in us. We should prayerfully speak when opportunities present themselves, but at the same time, have the wisdom in knowing what to say or what not to say.

Lastly, may you and I be convinced of the wonderful HOPE we have in Christ and be ready to sincerely share that HOPE with others who are seekers. Many folks who have fallen into various sins and lifestyles are basically seeking HOPE. However, they are looking in all the wrong places, so we should lovingly and respectfully be willing to share that HOPE with others when we have opportunity. We may be ridiculed in return, but that wonderful HOPE will have been presented.

Dear Jesus, I want Your mind in all I do. I know I won't have Your perfection but I want to be as much like You as I can be. Help me to be a light in this dark world and to be an influence and witness for You in ways that would please You. Thank You for Your guidance and direction in my life. I love You with all my heart. In Your precious name....Amen

Only God Can Make A Tree

And he (the blessed man) shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth
his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall
not wither; and whatsoever he doeth
shall prosper.
Psalm 1:3

My husband and I were driving home from church on a recent Sunday. A part of that trip is through an area of mountains. I made the comment that it's good seeing all of the trees with their green dresses on. During the winter, most of the trees on the mountains to me “go to sleep.” They lose their leaves and stand at gray attention for two or three months. I love when all of the varying shades of green return. I never cease being amazed at all of the shades of green God created, let alone all of the plants, weeds, trees, bushes and grass types that exhibits that color. I've always said that green must be God's favorite color because He created so much of it on this earth.

Scripture tells us a lot about trees and thought it would be interesting to see what some of the verses have to say. I will let the verses speak for themselves. I have put the “trees” words in bold print for emphasis.

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying,
Of every tree of the garden thou mayest
freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge
of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it:
for in the day that thou eatest thereof
thou shalt surely die.
Genesis 2:16

She (wisdom) is a tree of life to them that
lay hold upon her: and happy is every one
that retaineth her.
Proverbs 3:18

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
and he that winneth souls is wise.
Proverbs 11:30

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good
fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth
evil fruit.
Matthew 7:17

...who His own self bare our sins in His own
body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins,
should live unto righteousness: by whose
stripes ye were healed.
I Peter 2:24

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches;
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of
the tree of life, which is in the midst
of the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:24

Just in those verses we find a variety of trees...knowledge of good and evil, tree of life, good/corrupt, and then we read of THE TREE. That tree was the one that made all the difference in the world for us all. Without that tree, the cross that Jesus died on, we would have no life, wouldn't know the difference between good, evil, pure or corrupt. Worse of all, without it, we would know nothing about that tree of life that we can eat of in Heaven.

Recently in one of our church bulletins, the following analogy was written. As I compared Psalm 1:3, with that little article about trees, I was very blessed. The tree planted by water and the benefits that come from being like that tree are enormous. As I read, I couldn't help but be blessed, especially as I find myself living in an area of trees that can only be counted in number by God.

Concerning Trees...and Us
Have deep roots,
Branch out,
Be flexible,
Keep growing on the inside,
Bloom often,
Show your colors,
Point your trunk upward,
Raise your limbs to heaven,
And bring forth good fruit,
As long as you live.

Father, we are so blessed by the various aspects of Your creative genius. A poet once wrote that only You can make a tree. Only You can change the human heart and I pray You will do Your work in mine. I want to be that “tree example” You would have me be that can be accomplished only in Your power. May it be so for Your glory. In Jesus' name....Amen

SPIRITUAL DEHYDRATION

Whosoever drinketh of this water shall
thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of
the water that I shall give him shall
never thirst: but the water that I shall give
him shall be in him a well of water springing
up into everlasting life.
John 4:13

My husband and I were driving through a special mountain area and came to a trail we had hiked in the past and decided to hike the trail. We hadn't made preparations for this hike ahead of time...it was just a spur of the moment thing. The trail took us one mile UP to a cabin area. The UP part was rather steep and tiresome. We knew the trip down would be easier. Brian was wearing good shoes for hiking, but I was only in my moccasins...they were comfortable. I would find later that they weren't comfortable for a hike. Not only that, we had no bottles of water with us.

Hiking up to the cabin was about the most exhausting trek I had been on in a very long time. We took extra time to sit on the porch of the cabin and enjoyed the view and aromas that are present in such a setting. We headed back down the trail and I became so exhausted, I could hardly put one foot in front of the other, even going downhill. I knew immediately that I HAD to have water or I would probably pass out before we could get to the car. Fortunately, there was a beautiful, clear stream bouncing off of rocks...cool and clear...that I was able to drink from. I can hear you now, “You shouldn't do that.” I agree and would never recommend it unless you felt like I did at that time.

Our bodies will give us signals when we are depriving it of fluids. People have died from dehydration. Dehydration basically is when the human body doesn't have enough fluid to keep it functioning. It means that there is more water loss than water intake. At first, ones mouth or throat becomes uncomfortably dry so we simply get something to drink. If there is no water intake, we can be uncomfortable in general, headache may set in and even confusion can result. Death can eventually occur even in a matter of days if the human body is not hydrated. Dieters take water pills to help with losing weight. Not only is the body deprived of essential fluids in that process, but also of essential minerals. So under different circumstances, the body can be robbed of more than just fluids.

The Word of God speaks a lot about water. It speaks of the physical need of water. While in the wilderness, the Israelites found themselves without water. I would think that nothing could make people angrier than being in the middle of a desert area...hot and dry...having run out of water. Their approach to Moses was less than cordial and they demanded that Moses do something about the situation. Moses went to God for a solution and we read God's answer to the situation.

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. Ex. 17:6

In this time of desperate need for something as simple as water, God met that need. God still meets the physical needs of His people. He may not always provide our needs in usual ways. Who could have thought...water from a rock...but our God is full of love, compassion and surprises.

One of the most memorized portions of Scripture by many Christians is Psalm 23. It gives us so many sweet assurances regarding our Good Shepherd and how He wants to function in
in our lives. In verse 2, we read:

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

This is one of the most calming and reassuring verses we can find in Scripture. We see two things our Good Shepherd wants to do for us. Here we may move abit from physical water to a restful and secure place. I know of times God has “made” me to lie down. He will do that when we refuse to lay down and rest in Him. He has ways of getting our attention. Sheep won't drink from turbulent or dirty water and by the way, He doesn't want you or me to have to drink from that kind of spiritual water, the water of the world that can contaminate and infect us. He wants us to drink from the fresh, pure water of His Word. God knows what can happen to us when we get away from Him. Again:

For my people have committed two evils, they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13

Later in Israel's history, two unfortunate things happened and they were things of the people's own doing in that time of sin and turmoil. God's people would be and eventually were judged, found guilty and sent into exile for their sin. They turned their back on God, the provider of living waters....the very Fountain, Himself. They then compounded their sin by digging out cisterns, most being very fragile to hold whatever water they could catch from any source. That wouldn't even be water that would be usable. We too make choices. When we turn from the living God, we are bound to make follow-up choices that don't honor God and that can lead us in a downward spiral.

Jesus spoke with such encouragement to folks when He spoke of the last day and the great feast we Christians anticipate. In the meantime, Jesus gave a sweet assurance of His continual supply of spiritual water, as much as we want of it. We can have that spiritual water of His to the point that it will just overflow from our lives. It's not a water we can get from a stream or a faucet. This is available to those who have accepted Him as Savior.

If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37

A final promise from God and His Word looking to future days of which you and I are now a part:

And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones, and thou fat thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. Isaiah 58:11

May it be so...come Lord Jesus!