Always the Shepherd

My sheep hear my voice, and
I know them, and they follow me.
And I give eternal life to them,
and they will never perish;
and no one will snatch them
out of My hand.
My Father, who has given them
to Me, is greater than all and
no one is able to snatch them
out of the Father's hand.
John 10:27-29

The human voice is a powerful thing. Parents hang on with great hope, listening for their baby's first word. Will she say “Da-da” first or will he utter “Ma-ma” as his first word. In all probability, most babies will come up with “Da-da” first for two reasons. “Da-da” is easier for a baby to say in beginning stages. The second reason is that most mothers coach a baby to say “Da-da.” The spoken word is how God created human beings to communicate. Voices are heard in hundreds of languages. We often enjoy concerts where beautiful singing is enjoyed. We have been orally taught all the way through our education process. Pastors preach to us and Bible teachers instruct us in the things of God's Word. The voice is indeed a miraculous function of the human body.

When problems arise with one's voice, there is a concern. Most of us have had sore throats resulting in laryngitis. I had a dear friend with a beautiful singing voice who had to take a rest from singing because of nodes on her vocal chords. Voices can be lost to throat cancer. We can be grateful that the voice of our Shepherd is never silenced under any circumstances as He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit.

We become familiar with voices. Any one of my children can call me on the phone. From their first hello, I don't have to wonder which of my children is on the phone. He or she doesn't have to give me their name. I know from years with my children the sound and inflection of each voice. I was often told that, on the phone, my sister Kay and I sounded very much alike. When I visited her home and she asked me at times to answer the phone, her friend on the other end would usually go ahead and begin a conversation until I could notify the friend that I wasn't Kay. Under the usual circumstances, voices we recognize have become familiar through close and ongoing relationships of some kind.

Many years ago, I visited a sheep ranch with some friends. That first morning, looking out a window, the hillside looked solid white as there were hundreds of sheep. We went out and observed the splitting up of the sheep as they were taken out to pasture. There were several individual groups of sheep in the main flock, each with their own shepherd. The shepherd of his flock generally rode in a glorified golf cart with a couple of sheep dogs following. Each shepherd would call to his own flock. Suddenly there would be movement in the huge flock, with sheep separating themselves to follow the departing shepherd. One shepherd began to whistle and after that another began to softly sing a song. Each flock moved right to its shepherd...why? The sheep knew the voice of their shepherd.

Jesus says in the above verse that in our relationship with Him, we hear His voice. That's not going to happen if we aren't in relationship with Him to begin with. There is then instant recognition and with that recognition, we in turn follow Him...no questions asked...followership to the highest degree. If we are anything like real sheep, it means we won't follow any person or theory Satan has to offer. We will respond to and follow only our own personal Shepherd.

The next verse lists the benefits of this relationship with our Shepherd. He promises His sheep eternal life, they will never perish and no one can pluck those sheep out of His hand. Shepherds are very protective. If need be, they will die for the sake of the sheep in His care.
We are sheep that belongs to Jesus' flock. He not only died to provide for us to utmost of protection and care but will do so right into Eternity.

Our Shepherd knows our voice any time we call to Him. It is pitiful though if we fail to recognize His voice when He speaks to our spirits through His Word or just in quiet moments of meditation an prayer. His voice is the only spiritual leadership we hear. There is a world calling out to you and me with it's culture, theories and powerful suggestions. Those voices shouldn't even be recognizable to us. His voice and guidance should be all we heed. Like those sheep on that Colorado hillside who heard a familiar voice bidding them to go to their shepherd, who responded immediately and without hesitation, can we do any less.

We can be grateful that we have the Shepherd we do and that His love is unconditional and ongoing. We also must know that Satan can never remove us from the hand of God...where no one can “snatch us” from His hand and where we find rest.

Thank You Father, for holding me close to Yourself. You have given me eternal life and I'm so grateful for that fact. Help me to stay so close to You that Your voice is immediately recognized in my own spirit. I praise You today for who You are in my life. In Jesus name...Amen

Engraved Hands

Behold, I have inscribed you on
the palms of My hands; your walls
are continually before me.
Isaiah 49:16 (NASV)

In the above verse, God was speaking to to a concerned people who were about to be taken into captivity. Although this event was inevitable, God wanted His people to have His assurance that they would not be forgotten by Him no matter where they went or in whatever dire circumstances they found themselves. His promise to the people of Jerusalem was so in depth, He promised to engrave them on the palms of His hands. Just seeing the walls of that city so precious to Him would be a reminder of His love for that city and it's people.

All of us have seen things that are engraved. Engraving means to deeply impress into something or to carve into something. If we want to be a little sober, we have all seen grave stones, all of which have engravings of some sort. Such markers used to all be gray in color but now can be black and light burgundy. They've become more decorative than before. However they are done, the engravings are deep enough into the stone to never wear off.

Some couples choose to have certain things engraved into their wedding rings...dates, Bible verses or brief words of endearment. Other types of jewelry may have engravings on them...watches, lockets, baby gifts and wedding items.

There are people in our day, who for their own reasons, choose to have tattoos applied to their skin in various of areas of their bodies. The Bible speaks against it in the Old Testament, but it's almost become a fad. We are told that a tattoo is next to impossible to have removed. It can be done, but usually with great scarring resulting. So in a sense, even the scarring will be a reminder to a person of what was once present.

No matter the items, engravings are meant to inform (send a message), meant to last and meant to remind. As I type, I look at the back of my right hand and see an almost y-shaped scar. I remember the day my hand was injured by the front paw of a very loveable dog. I was making a home visit as casemanager to a foster home. Their big dog greeted me with a stand-up greeting with paws on my shoulders. When reprimanded by the lady of the house, the dog slid down to the floor but in the process, his left front paw tore deep scratches into the back of my right hand. My hand began to protest in red, if you know what I mean. I went to a sink, washed it and then dried it with some pressure with paper towels. The foster mom retrieved the medical gear she was required to keep in the home and doctored my hand. For weeks, the back of my hand was an ugly and sore reminder of what happened that day. As time passed though, when healing had taken place, I still had and have to this day a reminder of that day and of that loveable dog who greeted me that day with great doggie exuberance.

When I look at the scar on my hand, I think of God's engraving the people and city of Jerusalem on the palms of His hands. He didn't need a reminder of them as He would never forget them as He never forgets us. For God, it was a loving gesture. Many folks who tattoo their bodies, do so out of wanting a lasting and loving tribute to someone...a parent, spouse or child. When the people of Jerusalem were taken into captivity, it could echo in their ears when God said, “Look, I have engraved you on the palm of my hand.” Their captivity was inevitable, but so was the love and presence of God.

Two things cross my mind at this point. Any kind of engraving or “skin art” are both permanent. To try to remove them only creates a mess. God has chosen to permanently engrave His people on the palms of His hands. Thus, He considers our relationship with Him to be as permanent as possible. I'm also reminded that such a thing should indicate for me personally that I'm a part of a great relationship with God beyond explaining or even at times understanding.

The main thing we must not forget is that Jesus also bears marks on his hands...scars. His scars are a result of what He did for us on the cross. Jesus doesn't have to be reminded of what He did for us that day. However, those scars should remind us of His love and provision for a wonderful relationship with Him while on this earth as well as the surety of a home in Heaven when at the end of life, when we step out into Eternity. We are a blessed people.

Thank You Father, for loving me so much. You wear me on your hands as a new parent bearing baby pictures for the world to see. You love me so much more than any new parent, close friend or favorite pet. Thank You for being You. I love You so much...In Jesus name...Amen

The Folly of Boasting

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise
man boast in his wisdom, let not
the mighty man boast in his might, let
not the rich man boast in his riches,
but let him who boasts boast in this,
that he understands and knows Me,
that I am the Lord who practices
steadfast love, justice, and righteousness
in the earth. For in these things I delight,
declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 9:23,24 (NASV)

BOASTING: excessive pride and self satisfaction about ones achievements, possessions or abilities and making those things known to anyone who will listen ad nauseum.

When young, even in my teen days, I can't say I ever heard the word “boasting” very much. The word we often used was the word “bragging.” Somehow, “boasting” sounds so pompous. Even back then, there were those in high school and college who didn't hesitate to brag about possessions, family backgrounds, accomplishments of various sorts or even their own good looks. (By the way, attend a high school class reunion and you'll find when it comes to bragging, nothing has changed with the same people.) Much of that came as a result of immaturity, because we all did and said a lot of things in those days that stemmed from the fact that we just hadn't grown up yet.

Probably the bragging I've enjoyed most during the years is when proud grandparents pull out pictures of their grandchildren. I wish I had a dollar for every picture I've looked at and doted on along with friends of children or grandchildren. Most of us have been there. We've also endured the vacation pictures of other folks who had the privilege of going places we only dreamed of. For me, they are usually fun to see.

My first week in a Christian college was an eye-opener in many respects. One of the main reasons for that was that I was in a new environment where there was more emphasis on the things of God than I had ever known. It was (and for all I know, still is) a very caring and friendly place. I loved it from the very beginning. However, I soon learned that there were those beyond the freshman year who didn't hide the fact that they were working very hard to appear to we Freshmen to be the Christian leaders of the campus. As it turned out, some were and some weren't.

We “newbies” were cautioned about one young man, a sophomore, always with a huge Bible under his arm, doing all he could to amass his own group of followers. The main way he won some naïve ones was through his bragging tactics. He didn't hesitate telling people how well he knew the Bible, how far he had come in the Christian life, how he had a high percentage of answers to prayer, etc. Who wouldn't want to be around that person? After all, think of all we could learn being around someone like that. I think the only time in my life when I truly doubted my salvation was after being around that young man for a time. I fortunately felt very led to find other means of spiritual influence in my life. That guy appeared to be a spiritual icon, at least in his own eyes. In the process, some of us felt put down and inferior both of which can cause a certain amount of doubts about things in general.

The people of Jeremiah's day were greatly disturbed when Jeremiah prophesied the coming siege of their city. The people thought they had so much going for them that surely the destruction of their city was impossible...just couldn't happen. They were quick to mention their wisdom, riches, and physical strength that would be a means of defeating any enemy. It's interesting that in our country today, we have the same boastful attitude in thinking our country can't be touched by invasion. We tend to rely on the wisdom of the wise, the money, stocks, etc. of the wealthy, and our military might. We can boast of those things all we want, but God is more powerful than those things as well as over any enemy that would do us harm. Surely we have learned since 9/11 and other terrorist attacks that we are vulnerable. Our country has seen high unemployment, tragic weather events and negative events regarding the economy in general. For the most part, we have lost all bragging rights. We have strayed far from a loving God and He will not take second place in our lives or in our country.

If the people of Jeremiah's day thought the Lord would be impressed with all they had to offer in defense of themselves, He was quick to correct their attitudes. He stated He wanted the people to boast in Him and then God gave them a list. They were to boast in the fact that they understood and knew God. He wanted them to brag on the fact that as the Lord, He exercised loving kindness, judgment and righteousness toward them. God as much as said that if the people were going to boast, then boast in those things that delight Him. God desires the same of us. Lest we feel too secure in everything that surrounds us, we must take heed lest God visit our country as he did those boastful people in those former days.

When all is said and done, you and I have absolutely nothing in this world of which to boast. God wants us to be happy people just as we as parents want our children to be happy. We know though that we won't always be happy people. Events in our lives won't always contribute to feel-good emotions. However, we can find our joy in the fact that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) Every single thing we have been given and own, even the very breath we breathe is from God Himself. Good health, job, precious children, roof over our heads, there is nothing we have that can be separated from His generosity in our lives. We have nothing to boast of when our Heavenly Father has seen to our every need, and often to our many wants and desires. It is all of Him...we cannot boast. The first words from our mouths should be words of praise for God's goodness to us in every facet of our lives.

So God says through Jeremiah that we can boast in our relationship with God and the privilege of knowing Him. We can also boast in God's practice of love, justice and righteousness in our lives. Most bragging focuses on self...how about we do a whole lot of boasting in God, in our Saviour Jesus and in the Holy Spirit who indwells, teaches and leads us every moment of every day.

Dear Father, You are too wonderful to be described. There is no way we can list every goodness You bring into our lives. Above all is Your gift of Jesus who is our Way, Truth and Life. Thank You Holy Spirit for your presence and leadership in our lives. Father, we praise You in these moments for You being Who You are every moment of every day.. In Jesus precious name....Amen

Going A Little Beyond

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,
for the LORD your God is with you wherever
you go.
Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

There's a small bookmark sitting here on the arm of my chair that I have made for the ladies who are in the Bible study I lead on Sunday evenings. I will give them out at our Sunday session, but for today, I sit looking at it. On one side is a lovely mountain picture, while on the back is typed just what you read above...the title and the verse.

In our Bible study we are looking at the life of Peter before we dig into the study of his two epistles. In our study of Jesus' latter days on earth as we are viewing the four Gospels, we are about to go into the garden with Jesus and His disciples. The dynamic there is interesting, and yes, instructive for us.

After Jesus' Passover meal with His group of disciples and with Judas having been dismissed to go finalize his betrayal plans, the group walked to the garden of Gethsemane. Just inside the garden, He asked His disciples to sit down and wait with Him while He went to pray. From that group, He asked Peter, James and John to go further into the garden with Him. By now, the other disciples would not have thought this to be unusual. For some time, that group of three had become Jesus' inner circle with Peter, he probably being Jesus' best earthly friend.

In that moment as that special trio of men sat down, Jesus asked something very simple of them. He wanted them to watch and pray with Him. However, Jesus didn't stay with them. My Bible translation says that then, Jesus went beyond them. Here was one of the most devastating times of Jesus' life. The time had arrived when he would be given over to blood thirsty soldiers. He knew from Eternity that this time would come. The evil of it all became more and more evident as He walked on the earth, growing up and then ministering to the sinful, flesh-and-blood people He had come to die for. Jesus was about to walk beyond the group...alone.

There are times in our lives when we, too, must walk beyond the group, be that group family or friends. When we face very difficult times in our lives, we usually want the company of friends and family. How many of us would go to a hospital for surgery minus any other human being at our side. Little children on their first day of school want their mothers to at least walk them to the door of the school or better yet, to their classrooms. Still, at times, we are asked to go beyond...alone. Even when one has surgery, the waiting room may be filled with lots of friends, but at the last, someone we don't know wheels us into the surgical suite where no one familiar can go. The child going to first day of school, still has to go into that classroom and take a seat with no parent around.

All of us at one time or another will be called upon to “go a little beyond” and to do it completely alone, humanly speaking. When called upon to go through those times, what do we do other than lose sleep or appetite? Such times can cause one to be weepy, become grouchy or even make foolish decisions that will be regretted later. All of those things can be very normal reactions for some, but hopefully not all at once. So, when life calls on us to go beyond and alone, what are some things that will aid us in this process.?

For those of us who are born-again Christians, our initial responses should be spiritual ones. We must realize that although at the time we are without other human contact, Jesus never leaves us. In fact, the Holy Spirit in us feels every breath we breathe or tear we shed. He's as aware of our physical pain or emotional stress even more than we are. It's hard for us to wrap ourselves around the fact that there is Anyone who knows us that intimately, but it's a fact backed by the promises of Scripture.

Scripture will be a comfort to us IF we know anything about it. It's hard to claim promises from anyone, let alone our Heavenly Father if we don't know what they are. Our Bible study group is going to be going into a study of Peter's epistles. Together, the two epistles makes up only 8 chapters. Peter through the Holy Spirit had at least one major purpose in it's writing...that being the preparation for and comfort during suffering. Christians of that day were already in various stages of persecution by the Roman government. Christians had scattered to various parts of the known world. Wherever they were, Peter wrote to them to encourage them in the hardest of times. His words would come to be life preservers for those, who although living in groups, were still walking beyond and alone. So Scripture is a major source of blessing in those “beyond” times.

Prayer is such a powerful thing and yet, we almost ask in an apologetic way for the prayers of others. When a friend is in deep crisis, I've often felt guilty telling the person that I will be praying. At the moment, it seems like so little compared to what the friend is enduring. It seems like there should be so much more to do for that friend. Think about it...I can call on the Greatest Healer with the Greatest power ever known to come to the aid of my friend. As a friend of mine used to say, “That ain't chump change.”

You and I can also learn to practice the presence of God in our lives. How many hours a day do we go without giving God a thought and the fact that He is with us through the thick and thin of life on a 24/7 basis. I love that verse in our beginning from Joshua 1 but I have to wonder about myself at times if I really believe that verse. He is present in the difficult times but also during the everyday comings and goings of our lives. He's interested in everything about your life and mine just as we were with our own children when they were very young.

We must also do all we can to keep spiritual influences flowing in our lives especially with Christian people. We need Godly influence in our activities, the churches we attend, the things we read and the friends we have. We can't have all of these things at all times to be encouragements in our lives, but I'm afraid we don't even think about the importance of trying.

So here I sit with my little bookmark. I have told Bible study ladies in the past that the teacher or preacher of God's Word will often be tested on their own teaching. I hope my little bookmark will be an encouragement for them, but for right now, it's me who is reading the back of mine for personal reasons. Last week I learned I have an eye condition that will probably require injections into my left eye. If done, it will be out of necessity and today's appointment will reveal what's to be done. In my humanity, do I feel somewhat fearful and dismayed....yep! However, I'm reading the rest of the verse that as I “go a little beyond” leaving everyone or everything familiar outside, I know I never go alone for the LORD my God goes with me.

Thank You Father, for Your presence in my life whether it be at home, in a doctor's office or at the grocery store. Your interest in me is beyond expression and I pray I will never take it for granted. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

Love, Practically Speaking

And now abideth faith, hope, and
love, these three; but the greatest
of these is love.
I Corinthians 13:13

With whatever spiritual maturity I have come to, one thing I have learned is that I Corinthians chapter 13 does not stand alone. In fact, it is nestled between two chapters that teach much about spiritual gifts. This chapter is read at a majority of weddings and there is nothing wrong with that. When viewing it through the prism of the spiritual gifts, this precious chapter can take on a much deeper meaning as we read it. The subject was important enough for the Holy Spirit to address it. In our Scripture it stands alone as a chapter and interestingly, as well as it being I Corinthians 13 in our Bibles, it has also been broken down into 13 verses.

Going through several things in an old box today, I came across a folder of articles I wrote about 35 years ago for a ladies magazine. One particular article was stuck between a couple of other articles and know it wasn't published at the time. Some of it may sound dated, but one day, I sat down, probably some time in 1979, and wrote out I Corinthians13 applying it to my life at the time. Can't help but share it with you. You may get a chuckle every now and then and that's okay or you may find yourself being critical. You might even be able to find yourself in some of the wording. Keep in mind, I had very young children at the time, one of which was still not in school.

I CORINTHIANS 13 (to me)

1. Even though I have a good gift of “gab” or can speak before hundreds of ladies, if I don't do so in love, what I've said will echo no longer than the sound of a spoon landing in the sink or two pot lids being banged together.

2. And even though I have a pretty good amount of common sense and a good head on my shoulders and am a fairly understanding person, and have faith in God's ability to work miracles in my life – without love, I'm a big zero.

3. And if I'm generous and give the last piece of meat from my freezer to a widow lady in my church, and though I'd give my life for what is right – without love, I would be doing it all for show.

4. Love suffers through late-night fevers and chicken pox, but comes through with a smile and sweet spirit; love doesn't care about Mrs. Brown's new house, furniture and wardrobe; love doesn't flaunt one's own possessions or abilities, doesn't over-rate her standing in the human race.

5. Love doesn't act in an inappropriate way for the occasion, doesn't seek to push herself into the presidency of the Women's Missionary Society, is rarely offended, and always thinks the best of everyone, giving all the benefit of the doubt.

6. She doesn't enjoy and “chew” on reports of sin and evil among friends and acquaintances, but is thrilled with reports of good – a soul won, a verse memorized, a friend's spiritual growth.

7. Love can take anything, shoulder all belief and hope, and can endure when a husband misunderstands, child errs, or financial disaster hits. Love can take it all in stride.

8. Love's always unfailingly present. Prophecies, language, knowledge and education are only temporary things; they'll ebb and vanish eventually.

9. We can never know all there is to know anyway.

10. But when Jesus comes, then all our wisdom and “smarts” will seem as nothing, for His knowledge is entire and complete.

11. When I was a little girl, I talked baby talk and understood my friends well, but not big people. I figured things out like a little girl. But when I grew up to be a woman, I put my dolls and story books away. I lost interest in mud pies and dressing up in my mother's sheer curtains and high heels.

12. Someday, all will be made very clear to me through the perfect light of God's love and I'll know as much about me then as He knows about me now.

13. So here you have three of the greatest emotions and gifts ever given to us by God – faith, hope and love – but love tops them all! It's the icing on the cake!!!

Thank You Father for being the love of my life. I know I don't have an ounce of love to give anyone except it come from You through me. Give me more love for others and more love for You as well. Thank You Jesus, for personifying love for us all. In Your precious name...Amen!

God's "Whispers"

 

Be still, and know that I am God...

Psalm 46:10a

A particular subject has been bouncing about in my mind for several days. I think most Christians have experienced special times with God when He seemed to speak so clearly to their spirits to the point of it being rather surprising. For a long time, I didn't quite know what to make of these experiences with God, but with the aging process, I believe many things spiritual in nature are becoming more and more clear.

What do I mean by “God's whispers?” Perhaps we've all experienced a stirring in our spirits... the voice of God that seems almost audible, but isn't. However, these stirrings seem very clear and pronounced in the way of some kind of instruction or even warning. We look back in review and see that such appears to be a word that could only be from God. I'm not talking about something kinky and crazy, but is a quiet thing occurring in the stillness of our own spirits.

For example, my friend Sandy is such a blessing in my life. I learn spiritual things from her all the time. Just today we were sharing some things spiritual in nature. She has in recent days gone through the heartbreaking loss of a dear friend. Although the friend had some health issues, her Home-going certainly didn't seem eminent. Not even two weeks ago, Sandy was at a hospital with another dear friend who was having surgery. After her friend was taken into surgery, while sitting with other friends in the waiting room, Sandy felt almost like she was being spoken to in a very quiet voice. The message was: “Go see Becky.” Becky was her ailing friend who was in a different hospital from where Sandy was at the time. Sandy couldn't quite grasp why there should be a feeling of urgency.

Sandy obeyed the prompting and went to the other hospital and found her friend, sitting up in bed doing some usual activities and for the most part looking well. Sandy had a wonderful visit with Becky and left feeling good that she had made the visit. I'm not sure if it was evening or the next day Sandy received a call that Becky had gone to Heaven. Some complication had crept up and Becky didn't survive it. Sandy said she was so glad she had listened to that prompting from the Lord. She would have forever regretted having not made that visit.

Many times in days past when I left our house to go to work, it wasn't unusual to feel that I should go a different route from my usual one. There were times when I learned I had avoided getting stranded behind a wreck site. Perhaps I could even have been at that site when the wreck occurred. How many times did I avoid any kind of mishap of some kind I didn't even know anything about. I have been prompted in my spirit, just out of the blue, to pray for someone. I didn't necessarily know what was going on in the person's life nor would I pry, but often learned later there had been a crisis of some kind for that individual.

When looking at God's voice in Scripture, no matter how it came to various people, there was one word I found to be associated with it a majority of the time and that word is OBEDIENCE. No matter when or how God chose to speak to people, He had an expectation of those He spoke to. He didn't want them second guessing, considering or thinking about His voice or His prompting. In every instance I saw, God expected action...instant obedience.

There are some things very important to think about when we look at this topic. One of the most important things I can think of is the importance of being honest. Hand in hand with this is one's relationship with the Lord. I've heard people speak of the Lord speaking to their hearts who are living in the depths of sin. They don't attend church, some curse God's name, while others are living in immorality (even declaring that God said it was okay). This I know about God...HE HATES SIN. God will not bless or condone it. In this process though, God gets blamed for a lot of what folks say He has said when He didn't speak to them at all.

God loves to speak to an individual who is in close relationship with Him. When friends walk together, they talk and share. God's desire is to have that kind of relationship with us. When we are people of the Word and of prayer, He feels He can entrust us with personal and more intimate instructions. We may not understand His leading at times, but He will never be wrong. He will never speak anything to you and me that goes against His Word. He will only lead in ways where He is glorified.

I wrote prior to this blog that we often use the phrase, “Just thinking about you.” I'm so grateful for promptings from the Lord when my friends have sensed that I needed a phone call. I've often received a call from a friend saying, “I was just thinkin' about you and thought I'd call.” Something (Someone) prompted her to call. Invariably it was a call I needed.

My suggestion is for us to be more alert to that still, small voice that often speaks to our spirits. If we are sensitive to our Lord as we should be, that voice may be His leading, often in ministering in the lives of other people. As Sandy and I sat talking about her visit with her friend, I shared some things in that same vein of thought I had experienced. She smiled through her tears and simply said, “It's God's whispers.” How precious when He chooses to whisper sweet somethings in our spiritual ears.

Dear Father, forgive the times I haven't been sensitive to your voice and the opportunities I've missed in following your bidding. Give me an ear to hear Your every word whether in Your written Word or in one of your special “whispers” into my spirit. In Jesus' name...Amen

Thy Word

Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:11

When I was a young girl in grade school, I asked my Mother if I could have a Bible. My friend Donna had a Bible. She even underlined things in her Bible. Can't tell you how much I wanted a Bible, but it didn't have to be like Donna's Bible. Today, even babies receive New Testaments. Receiving one's first Bible was a very big thing. My Mother said I could have one when I “joined the church.” That was her way of referring to my accepting Jesus as my Savior. To be honest, I forgot about it. It was only a year or so after that when on a sunny Sunday morning, I went forward in our church and accepted Jesus as my Savior.

Surprise, surprise...in about a month after that, I received a package from my Aunt Lee. It was a brand new Bible. It didn't look like Donna's Bible, but that was okay. I dearly loved that Bible, but I have to tell you that since that time, I have had several Bibles. Some of my Bibles are different translations, different colors, and different sizes. All are marked in with notes galore in the margins. Recently, Caleb, one of our grandsons passed by the book case in our living room where I keep most of my Bibles. He said, “Boy Grandma, you have a bunch of Bibles.” I told him, “Yes...and I use each of them at one time or another.”

Reading God's Word serves several purposes in my life. I never want it to just become routine to sit and read it. I love reading it when I'm happy, seeking counsel, preparing a Sunday school lesson or Bible study curriculum, reading it when speaking to a group of ladies, but love it especially when I'm reading it just for recreation. No matter what my state of mind or circumstances, I always want to walk away from it having learned or benefited from it's reading in some way. Most of all, it keeps me in right relationship with my Lord. There are times when I find great pleasure in just spending time looking at it's pages.

I recently came across a verse in Psalm 119. It had special meaning and still does because in the last few weeks, I've gone through a bit of a difficult time. I don't do well with change and am going through a major change right now. Verse 71 stood out as if in neon lights.

It is good for me that I have been
afflicted; that I might learn thy
statutes.

The key word for me in that verse is the word “afflicted.” When I think of that word, I think of someone who has been in a bad car wreck or who has come down with a terrible illness. “Affliction” is a word that has always indicated to me something that is physical. However, the definition, although involving something physical, can also be something that is emotionally troubling.

Change...how I hate it...and it was troubling, but how could it possibly be a good thing in my life? That verse spoke to my heart like never before. I've read it many times as I love Psalm 119 so have read it often. I saw that even in the tough times, be they physical or emotional, God's plan is that in those times, I will learn more about Him and more about His Word. The word “statutes” in this verse has to do with being obedient to God's commandments. Even in times of trouble or affliction, God wants us to walk in obedience.

One major thing I know for a fact, that although I detest change in almost any form, Hebrews 13:8 tells me that Jesus will never change. I see in that verse that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. My relationship with Him can only grow in positive ways, ways that will change me for His good and glory. That verse also says to me that if Jesus never changes, His Word won't change either. Oh, there are Bible translators I wouldn't trust to translate my last first-grade Dick and Jane book, but when it comes to the basic and trusted translations of God's Word, I can base my very salvation and life on them.

Another precious Bible I received was prior to my leaving for college. My Mother and Grandmother bought me a bright red Bible with the what we called “onion skin” pages. I still look at it and all of the markings I made while in various Bible classes. Another precious Bible I received was from my future husband for the Christmas before our February wedding. I bought him one at the same time. It would seem that for many of us, our Bibles indicate some landmark events in our lives.

No matter where my Bibles have come from, they are each precious, not because of the giver, color or types of paper. Each is precious because they are God's Word to me, His love letter to me. It's His love letter to all of us. God's Word continues to be my source of guidance and direction. Psalm 119:105 says: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Can't make it in a difficult world without it. Remember the chorus we used to sing?

“The B-I-B-L-E
Yes, that's the book for me.
I stand alone on the Word of God.
The B-I-B-L-E”

Thank You, dear Father, for the privilege of owning a copy of Your precious Word. May I never take for granted that privilege. Forgive my laxity at times when I don't read it as often as I should and for not obeying what You say to me through it. Help me to do better. In Jesus Name...Amen

Thinking of You

But I am poor and needy;
yet the Lord thinketh upon me:
thou art my help and my deliverer;
make no tarrying, O my God.
Psalm 40:17

All of us want to be thought of by someone...anyone. We live in a busy world where it would seem in the cluttering of our minds there is little thought for family, friends or acquaintances in general. People can work full time with co-workers for long periods of time without saying a kind or encouraging word. It's not necessarily deliberate, but is thoughtless to say the least. Families are spread all over the country these days. In most cases, such moves haven't been deliberate; it's just the way it's turned out with a mobile society. With that has come a lot of “out of sight, out of mind” thinking. People get busy where they are and keeping in touch can become slack.

Just because I don't live near any three of our children and don't have the privilege of seeing them as often as I'd like, doesn't mean I don't love them or don't think about them. I am happy for those who have had parents, grandparents in the same town or even neighborhood. I haven't known that kind of thing since leaving for a college in Kansas after high school graduation. However, I have found from what some ladies have told me that living near family doesn't mean that relatives give loving thought of one another.

I have received cards, letters and even e-mails that may say the usual in a closing statement: “Thinking of you.” I have said that very thing under the same circumstances and I try to be honest when I say it. If I say I'm thinking of someone and haven't, then I've lied. That I know of, the governor of my state hasn't been thinking about me. I know the President of our country hasn't been thinking anything about me. I could name spiritual leaders in our country that I'm sure as I can be who don't even know my name and that's no fault of any persons I've mentioned.

Here's the unbelievable fact of my life, and by the way, of yours as well:

God thinks about me!

Yes, me...one of millions...God thinks about me. In various places in Scripture I read from God: “Thinking of you.:” For instance:

How precious also are thy thoughts
unto me, O God! How great is the
sum of them.
Psalm 139:17

What a precious thing that the very God of the Universe, Creator, Protector, Provider and every other characteristic of positive note, thinks about me. He thinks about me not just once in awhile, but thinks of me more times than can be counted.

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

I get chills as I read the above verse. God is firm in His thinking. He wants me to have His peace in my life. I'm also assured God knows my end because He's in charge of my life and the lives of everyone else. In that process, He's thinking about me.

Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful
works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts
which are to us-ward: they cannot be
reckoned up in order unto thee:
if I would declare and speak of them,
they are more than can be numbered.
Psalm 40:5

The Psalmist, David, had more enemies than he knew what to do with. He was on the run for a very long time. If it wasn't King Saul, it was his son Absalom who was after him. David loved both, but that love wasn't returned. With little love, there is generally little thought for someone. David consoled himself in the fact that if no one else on the earth thought of him, God did...in abundance. He saw God's wonderful work on his behalf and the thoughts of God toward him that were more than he could comprehend. He states in his words that those thoughts couldn't even be counted. I pray you and I will realize that God's thoughts toward David weren't just for David. Those same thoughts and good works shown toward David are available and available in our lives as well.

On my loneliest day, even though it may be a time when I don't think anyone in the world is giving me a thought, I can rest in my mind and spirit that THE God of the universe thinks about me. He thinks about me because of His love for me. No, I don't see a face as we know faces, but I can see Him by faith, I sense His face turned toward me as He lovingly showers me with His thoughts. Every day...in every way...my Heavenly Father says: “Thinking of you!”. By the way, He says the same thing to you as well. You can hear Him in nature around you and through His precious Word.

Thank You Father for thinking of me like You do. I know Your thoughts come as a result of Your love and I so love You for loving me. I'm not deserving of that love because I let You down so often. You see everything about me and yet You consistently shower You thoughts and love on me. I can't express to You how much I love You....in Jesus' precious name....Amen

Go Wash Again

Wash me and I shall be
whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7

I can remember really struggling with the hand washing before a meal when I was about it. It really came to a crisis point then. Mother would tell me to wash my hands which I did. However, upon checking, she was clean hands...at least on one side. I then had to go wash again so that both sides of my hands were clean. She could also tell if I had used soap by looking at the towel on the rack. If I hadn't used soap, the towel revealed where the dirt on my hands had gone.

Since that time, I've learned the importance of clean hands. Working in a hospital and doctor's office taught me that I would have to wash my hands what seemed like every ten minutes. As hard as we may try though, our newly washed hands don't stay that way. We have to wash them consistently to keep them clean and even then, we can never wash them to where they are totally germ free.

We are all very well acquainted with David, the second king of Israel. He had everything going for him, we know the unfortunate events that occurred in his life, much of his own making. Through a long sage of events and heartaches, David managed to survive even when God's prophet called him out regarding his sin. Rather than rationalizing and making excuses, David went before God in true repentance. We get just a glimpse of David's sorrow over his with Bathsheba. For instance, David cries out to God:

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin. (v 2)

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be
clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter
than snow. (v 7)

I don't get the impression from David in his prayer that he thought just one side of his sin would be cleansed or any of it left on a towel. I get the impression that the cleansing God does is thorough, even to the point of a clean that is whiter than snow. How can anything be whiter than snow, but God can do anything.

Jesus did a lot of washing that we can list here. He put clay on the blind eyes of a man and told him to go wash it off. When the man did, he found he had perfect vision for the first time in his life. He also chose during that eventful Passover meal with his disciples, to wash the feet of the disciples. Culturally during that time, even slaves weren't required to wash the dirty feet of anyone. Jesus chose to do this task. Probably the disciples' feet had already been washed as they entered the room but now, Jesus chose to wash their feet. It would appear that the washing wasn't so much for the purpose of cleaning dirty feet but was more symbolic of being a servant.

Paul spoke of washing as he wrote to the Corinthian church. At one point, he spoke why the unrighteous won't inherit the kingdom of God. In I Corinthians 6:11, he wrote:

And such were some of you: but ye are
washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are
justified in the name of the Lord Jesus,
and by the Spirit of our God.

Notice that washing is listed first. The sin problem has to be taken care of or there can be no sanctification or justification. Washing of one's sin is just that important.

Paul also wrote to the Ephesians with regard to washing. He spoke of how husbands are love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it...

That He might sanctify and cleanse it
with the washing of water by the word. (5:26)

Recently heard something interesting I don't think I'll ever forget. Brian and I were in a conference where Michael Card, the composer (El Shaddai) and in-depth Bible teacher was speaking. He turned to a portion of Scripture and asked us to not turn to it with him. As I recall, it was a lengthier portion of Scripture. As he said we didn't have to turn to it, he said:

“Let me wash you with the Word.” I had already turned to the Scripture and had it on my lap but found myself relaxing and taking in that Scripture like I've not done before when hearing Scripture read. “Let me wash you with the Word”...I think even when we sit with our Bibles open in the privacy of our own special sitting spot, I believe that statement is at the heart of what the Holy Spirit wants to do with His Word in us.

How is all of this possible? Read with me Revelation 1:5:

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness,
and the first begotten of the dead, and the
prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him
that loved us, and washed us from our
sins in His own blood....

All is made possible through Jesus, His dying for us, raising from the dead in victory and providing us with victory in our lives through His washing us and cleaning us up.

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to ransom my soul.
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

AMEN

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.