Faith Memories

Remember His marvellous works
that He hath done; His wonders,
and the judgments of His mouth.
Psalm 105:5

The Israelites had won a great battle over the Philistines outside of Mizpeh. It was a tremendous victory brought about through God's strengthening of His people. It was such a momentous moment that Samuel the high priest, felt it necessary to do...something special to commemorate the wonderful event. He chose to do something we would consider rather unusual:

Then Samuel took a stone,
and set it between Mizpeh and Shen,
and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying,
Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.
I Samuel 7:12

The word “ebenezer” means “stone of help.” Samuel didn't want the people to ever forget what God had brought about through them in that battle. He wanted there to be some thing they could always look at and remember more what God had done than what they had done.

It is interesting that this very thing is spoken of in the second verse of a very old hymn, Come Thou Fount. As a child, I remember singing it and always wondered what “ebenezer” was. The first two lines of the second verse say

“Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by Thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.”

I sang that song about raising my own ebenezer, but had no idea what I was singing. However, even today, I wonder if there aren't ebenezers we can look back to in our own spiritual walk. We may not have left special rocks along the way, but we have special spiritual memories we can remember “hitherby God's help I've come.”

An assistant pastor of ours in a Bible study recently mentioned the term “faith memories.” I love that term because that's what an ebenezer actually means. He mentioned stressing those in the lives of our children and grandchildren. Such faith memories are faith building for children and for we adults as well. There are times when God brings us through some tough battles both individually and as families. We all need to recognize His necessary part in those battles being won.

Human memories can be faulty or lacking, especially as we grow older. In general, we tend to not think or ponder on the blessings of God...ebenezers...things we take from God with little remembrance of those big and little blessings, victories that changed our lives. It means determining to be more conscious of our faith memories.

I will remember the works of the Lord:
surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
Psalm 77:11

There are times when we go through very disturbing events in life. We can focus on those events and become discouraged or depressed, but often remembering those victories or special events orchestrated by God for our benefit can encourage and uplift us.

Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed
within me;
my heart within me is desolate.

I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all thy works;
I muse on the work of thy hands.
Psalm 143:4,5

It is so easy for we Christians to get off track...lose our vision, enthusiasm and spiritual focus. I would like to think that the surrounding world and it's problems don't affect me but they do. If I find myself in such a rut, it's hard looking up and over the edges of that rut to see God's sunshine let alone being able to think upon the spiritual victories of the past He has brought me through. That may never happen for you but it does me on occasion. No matter the battle or war we face, God stands ready to strengthen us beyond any expectation.

Where are those spiritual landmarks of victory that have blessed us beyond words? Perhaps we need to get those “ebenezer rocks” out of the closets of our minds. As we remember those precious times of victory and God's goodness, we are renewed in spirit and others may share in those times be they our children or friends.

Thank You Father for all of the “ebenezers” I have stored in my heart of those times You've given me of blessing and victory. I am so undeserving of the richness I have in my relationship with You. Forgive my ingratitude. I love you....in Jesus' precious name...Amen

.

God's Positioning System

I will instruct thee and teach thee
in the way which thou shalt go I will guide
thee with mine eye.
Psalm 32:8

Amazingly, Brian and I have never had a GPS (Global Positioning System) in our most recent cars. After all of the stories I've heard from folks about their adventures with those gizmo's, I must say I'm just as glad I don't have anything like that. One person told me several years ago that their installed system told them to always make left hand turns. This person knew most of those turns were incorrect, especially if instructed to turn on a one way street going the opposite way. Some have spoken about the female voice (or what seems to be female) that they can't seem to even turn off when they want to turn her off. I've also heard of drivers who are perfectly happy with their system and haven't seemed to have any problems at all getting to where they want to go.

Despite whatever system any of us use to get to where we want to go, we can find ourselves on the wrong path. In our day, many rely on computers that suggest where to order clothes, where to find someone who makes home repairs or even in some cases, folks who are looking for love and companionship off of a computer screen. Our computers often become a type of guidance/positioning system. Many of our young people today are taking much of their advice and guidance from people on electronic devices, people they don't even know and have no reason to trust.

Any GPS is dependent on satellites in space that feeds information of one's position fed to various devices. Those devices aren't just found in cars. In our day, there is equipment to locate almost anyone or anything which is frightening to me. Even animals can be tagged whether family dogs or animals in our national park that can help in locating any tagged animal at any time.

Why all this hodge-podge of thinking? I, like some readers, have as of late, been overly exposed to an overload of political information. Something that has always fascinated me regarding our top political leaders is how they and their families are guarded over by the Secret Service. It is known at all times where those leaders and families are, doing all possible to insure their safety. I recall the Sunday morning when George and Barbara Bush attended First Baptist Church Dallas. Secret service checked people at the door, others were located near the Bush's and some standing at side walls. Others sat in the congregation, making themselves as incognito as possible. You could see many of those agents, some with eyes on that special couple, others with roving eyes looking for any problems and all with devices in their ears informing of locations and timing of departure.

Anyone who has had teenagers in their homes have heard at one time or another, “I never have any privacy.” Let me in on a secret you and I may not think of very often. There is no one, anytime, anyplace who has privacy where God is concerned. God has His own Positioning System. Because He, right now, is not in human form, doesn't mean we are ever off His grid of observation. We can find comfort in God's omnipresence in our lives, but at the same time, there are some whose lives aren't perhaps where God would have them be, who might ask that teenage question...”Don't I ever get any privacy even away from God?” I have news for any of us no matter where we are in relationship to God...He is ever present and observant in our lives. He is our positioning system. Hopefully we can feel a comfort and security in that fact. Scripture speaks often in very loving terms of God's tender and loving presence in our lives.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
beholding the evil and the good.
Proverbs 15:3

Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord,
and not a God afar off?
Can any hide himself in secret places
that I shall not see him? Saith the Lord.
Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith
the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:23,24

What an awesome thing that God is always with me, guarding my every step, hearing every word. That is love beyond my comprehension and security even the best the secret service could ever provide. When in God's will, I am at rest with his omnipresence. If some are not where they should be in God's will, perhaps that sweet fact will draw them back to Him where He longs for them to be.

Let's pray:
O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Psalm 139:1-5

Thank You, Father, for all of that....In Jesus precious name.....Amen and amen.

God's Positioning System
I will instruct thee and teach thee
in the way which thou shalt go I will guide
thee with mine eye.
Psalm 32:8

Amazingly, Brian and I have never had a GPS (Global Positioning System) in our most recent cars. After all of the stories I've heard from folks about their adventures with those gizmo's, I must say I'm just as glad I don't have anything like that. One person told me several years ago that their installed system told them to always make left hand turns. This person knew most of those turns were incorrect, especially if instructed to turn on a one way street going the opposite way. Some have spoken about the female voice (or what seems to be female) that they can't seem to even turn off when they want to turn her off. I've also heard of drivers who are perfectly happy with their system and haven't seemed to have any problems at all getting to where they want to go.

Despite whatever system any of us use to get to where we want to go, we can find ourselves on the wrong path. In our day, many rely on computers that suggest where to order clothes, where to find someone who makes home repairs or even in some cases, folks who are looking for love and companionship off of a computer screen. Our computers often become a type of guidance/positioning system. Many of our young people today are taking much of their advice and guidance from people on electronic devices, people they don't even know and have no reason to trust.

Any GPS is dependent on satellites in space that feeds information of one's position fed to various devices. Those devices aren't just found in cars. In our day, there is equipment to locate almost anyone or anything which is frightening to me. Even animals can be tagged whether family dogs or animals in our national park that can help in locating any tagged animal at any time.

Why all this hodge-podge of thinking? I, like some readers, have as of late, been overly exposed to an overload of political information. Something that has always fascinated me regarding our top political leaders is how they and their families are guarded over by the Secret Service. It is known at all times where those leaders and families are, doing all possible to insure their safety. I recall the Sunday morning when George and Barbara Bush attended First Baptist Church Dallas. Secret service checked people at the door, others were located near the Bush's and some standing at side walls. Others sat in the congregation, making themselves as incognito as possible. You could see many of those agents, some with eyes on that special couple, others with roving eyes looking for any problems and all with devices in their ears informing of locations and timing of departure.

Anyone who has had teenagers in their homes have heard at one time or another, “I never have any privacy.” Let me in on a secret you and I may not think of very often. There is no one, anytime, anyplace who has privacy where God is concerned. God has His own Positioning System. Because He, right now, is not in human form, doesn't mean we are ever off His grid of observation. We can find comfort in God's omnipresence in our lives, but at the same time, there are some whose lives aren't perhaps where God would have them be, who might ask that teenage question...”Don't I ever get any privacy even away from God?” I have news for any of us no matter where we are in relationship to God...He is ever present and observant in our lives. He is our positioning system. Hopefully we can feel a comfort and security in that fact. Scripture speaks often in very loving terms of God's tender and loving presence in our lives.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
beholding the evil and the good.
Proverbs 15:3

Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord,
and not a God afar off?
Can any hide himself in secret places
that I shall not see him? Saith the Lord.
Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith
the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:23,24

What an awesome thing that God is always with me, guarding my every step, hearing every word. That is love beyond my comprehension and security even the best the secret service could ever provide. When in God's will, I am at rest with his omnipresence. If some are not where they should be in God's will, perhaps that sweet fact will draw them back to Him where He longs for them to be.

Let's pray:
O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Psalm 139:1-5

Thank You, Father, for all of that....In Jesus precious name.....Amen and amen.

God's Positioning System
I will instruct thee and teach thee
in the way which thou shalt go I will guide
thee with mine eye.
Psalm 32:8

Amazingly, Brian and I have never had a GPS (Global Positioning System) in our most recent cars. After all of the stories I've heard from folks about their adventures with those gizmo's, I must say I'm just as glad I don't have anything like that. One person told me several years ago that their installed system told them to always make left hand turns. This person knew most of those turns were incorrect, especially if instructed to turn on a one way street going the opposite way. Some have spoken about the female voice (or what seems to be female) that they can't seem to even turn off when they want to turn her off. I've also heard of drivers who are perfectly happy with their system and haven't seemed to have any problems at all getting to where they want to go.

Despite whatever system any of us use to get to where we want to go, we can find ourselves on the wrong path. In our day, many rely on computers that suggest where to order clothes, where to find someone who makes home repairs or even in some cases, folks who are looking for love and companionship off of a computer screen. Our computers often become a type of guidance/positioning system. Many of our young people today are taking much of their advice and guidance from people on electronic devices, people they don't even know and have no reason to trust.

Any GPS is dependent on satellites in space that feeds information of one's position fed to various devices. Those devices aren't just found in cars. In our day, there is equipment to locate almost anyone or anything which is frightening to me. Even animals can be tagged whether family dogs or animals in our national park that can help in locating any tagged animal at any time.

Why all this hodge-podge of thinking? I, like some readers, have as of late, been overly exposed to an overload of political information. Something that has always fascinated me regarding our top political leaders is how they and their families are guarded over by the Secret Service. It is known at all times where those leaders and families are, doing all possible to insure their safety. I recall the Sunday morning when George and Barbara Bush attended First Baptist Church Dallas. Secret service checked people at the door, others were located near the Bush's and some standing at side walls. Others sat in the congregation, making themselves as incognito as possible. You could see many of those agents, some with eyes on that special couple, others with roving eyes looking for any problems and all with devices in their ears informing of locations and timing of departure.

Anyone who has had teenagers in their homes have heard at one time or another, “I never have any privacy.” Let me in on a secret you and I may not think of very often. There is no one, anytime, anyplace who has privacy where God is concerned. God has His own Positioning System. Because He, right now, is not in human form, doesn't mean we are ever off His grid of observation. We can find comfort in God's omnipresence in our lives, but at the same time, there are some whose lives aren't perhaps where God would have them be, who might ask that teenage question...”Don't I ever get any privacy even away from God?” I have news for any of us no matter where we are in relationship to God...He is ever present and observant in our lives. He is our positioning system. Hopefully we can feel a comfort and security in that fact. Scripture speaks often in very loving terms of God's tender and loving presence in our lives.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
beholding the evil and the good.
Proverbs 15:3

Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord,
and not a God afar off?
Can any hide himself in secret places
that I shall not see him? Saith the Lord.
Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith
the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:23,24

What an awesome thing that God is always with me, guarding my every step, hearing every word. That is love beyond my comprehension and security even the best the secret service could ever provide. When in God's will, I am at rest with his omnipresence. If some are not where they should be in God's will, perhaps that sweet fact will draw them back to Him where He longs for them to be.

Let's pray:
O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Psalm 139:1-5

Thank You, Father, for all of that....In Jesus precious name.....Amen and amen.

Trusting As The Days Go By

What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.
In God have I put my trust: I will not be
afraid what man can do unto me.
Psalm 56: 3,11

Have you ever given thought to the fact that we often trust people and situations first before putting our trust in the Lord? In good times and bad, God is in fact the only One who can do anything about any situation we face. I remember the old hymn I remember our church singing when I was quite young. The title is simply “Trusting Jesus.” I love the chorus to this great old hymn written by Ira Sankey and Edgar P. Stites:

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him what e'er befall,
Trusting Jesus—that is all.

There are people in whom we place trust. As children, we trusted our parents and close relatives. We trusted policemen, teachers, pastors, and even that the postman would deliver family mail at certain times of the day. We still today trust our food supply that it is safe. We trust the brakes on our cars to work. We trust good friends to keep our confidences. We even trust the air we breathe. There are many ways we trust and never give second thoughts to them.

Without trust, people can become paranoid. Those folks are always fearful that someone or something is out to hurt them. Many people find themselves in a constant state of fear and their fears are very real to them. Fear is one of those things that is the exact opposite of trust. One of our problems in these days is that we place our trust in all the wrong things, in all the wrong people.

Our ultimate trust must be in God. There is no huge organization, government or even powerful people that can meet our every need. All of those things will let us down at one time or another. We've come to rely on them for all the wrong reasons. God is our ultimate help and He still works in the affairs of men to either help us or perhaps to teach us much needed lessons.

From a spiritual standpoint as I look at the word TRUST, I had some thoughts in acrostic form that certainly isn't exhaustive.

T-rust

Here I see a basic definition for trust I believe is a good one. For we Christians, trust is simply taking God at His word

R-est

Relaxing in the arms of God

U-nderstanding

Understanding the things of God will always build our trust. The main way we do that is through studying and taking in the things of God's Word. That may be through personal reading or also through the preaching and teaching of God's Word in a group or church setting.

S-ubmission

Being in submission to God's will in all things will always reinforce the trust we have in Him. When we submit, we are saying we completely trust God in every aspect of life

T-urn

I thought of two things here. I thought of turning from those things in our lives that contribute to breaking down our trust in God. The big thing here we can do to build our trust is to turn to God in prayer at every turn. He wants to hear from us not just when we face difficulties but in the happy times as well.

Another old hymn comes to my mind and I often find myself singing to myself. The verse and chorus explains the meaning of our word:

When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey---
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey.

It's all there...to be happy in Jesus....TRUST ...and submit totally to Him.

Father, strengthen me when I falter and when my trust in You is at low ebb. I don't mean for that to happy. I know from experience and Your Word that You are the only One I can trust for everything above anyone. Thank You that Jesus' blood makes my trust possible. In His precious name....Amen

Great and Mighty Things

Call unto Me, and I will answer thee,
and shew thee great and mighty things,
which thou knowest not.
Jeremiah 33:3

This verse from Jeremiah has been a precious one for me through the years. I have paid very close attention to the first three words of the verse and then secondarily to the second phrase. Both phrases are precious...I can call on God and He will answer. In my impatience, I've often felt God was a little slow in answering, but have found His answers have come in His own timing that is for my good. What I've been noticing more lately though is the next part of the verse. It's the part of the verse that I'm not sure anyone can wrap themselves around. He wants to show us “great and mighty things.” I can't even think of what all those things entail. I do see, though, that they are things that I can't even know anything about. He can do any thing at any time to show forth His might and power, even to the extent of working through the affairs of sinful men.

It was the Christmas of my fifth grade year. I had been a Christian only a few weeks so there was much I was learning as I was getting more and more acquainted with Jesus. November and December were tough months for our family. My dad had been in the hospital in St. Louis for a couple of weeks and unable to work when he got home. Even without being told, I knew times were tough. Two days prior to Thanksgiving, someone knocked on our front door and ran away. When my Mother went to the porch, there were two boxes full of groceries that included a turkey. I knew even at that age that we had only a few items in our refrigerator. It was only the second time in my life that I saw my Mother shed tears. The same thing happened at Christmas. We had a couple of small items beneath our “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree, but by Christmas Eve, gifts came from who-knows-where that were in abundance to a young girl. To this day, when I think of “great and mighty things”, I think back to those two holidays. I know adults knew what was going on, but to a child, it was miraculous.

In Scripture, when all seemed lost, Pharaoh still decided to let God's people return to their homeland. Other evil kings did things that benefited God's people or prophets, used by God whether they realized that fact or not. God can work in and through any impossible situation. Who could have imagined how the heart of a man by the name of Saul of Tarsus could be changed and he become the apostle Paul. I have seen through the years, how God can bend down into the affairs of man and functions in such wonderful ways. He has promised to never leave or forsake us no matter our problems or concerns.

I'm concerned about us today in the middle of all of the political mess we find ourselves in. I almost hate opening up my computer with all the political junk I see. I've never seen anything like it. All of the lying and conniving is of Satan and Satan is having a heyday even with the minds of Christians. I've decided today to just keep it all erased from my computer. I don't need to see all the junk. Politically, I already know what I am to do as an individual citizen. We Christians are to have the mind of Christ (Phil 2:5) and I am trusting my well being and well being of our country in God's very capable hands. My time will be much better spent in God's Word as well as making all a matter of prayer. One of our problems is that we haven't been praying enough.

Whether it be politics, social ills of our country, or economic concerns, God waits to show us great and mighty things. He waits for us to call on Him not just with the huge concerns we face as a country, but His concerns stretch to you and me with our own personal concerns and problems. Many times, it seems God is deaf to our pleas, but I don't believe He ever is. I believe He answers our every prayer. It may not be just exactly when or how we think this should come about, but God will always know what He's doing.

In these days of such confusion in our country, God cares, loves us and awaits our desire for Him to show us great and mighty things. We must put our hope in God and in God alone.

(H-aving....O-nly....P-ositive....E-xpectations) This is to be hope in the truest sense as we Christians are to view it. Our Heavenly Father is alive and well. He hasn't dozed off while we find ourselves in the middle of so much stuff. He is on His throne and is working His will that is totally in our best interest. It may not seem like that is true for the present but He hasn't failed us yet.

In these days, we have been called to prayer from so many godly leaders. Perhaps our fault at this time is that we haven't been praying consistently for our country. Whether we have failed in this area or not, we must be praying now. Our country is in desperate need of our prayers. Whether our praying seems futile or not, we are told in Scripture to be people of prayer. How can we expect to see great and mighty things, if we refuse to CALL ON HIM?

Father, we call on You today knowing You have Your hand of control on our every circumstance. We pray for our country and its leaders. Bring our country back to Yourself that we will be Your people with whom You are pleased. In Jesus precious name...Amen

THE LORD LIVES!

I will call upon the Lord,
who is worthy to be praised;
so shall I be saved from my enemies.
The Lord lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation
be exalted.
Psalm 18:3,46

In these days of confusion in our country and in my small circle of contacts, I am feeling some company among Christian friends and cohorts. We all feel a desperation as we view America's political options during this election season. Not only is the White House at stake, but our country also has a Congress and even Supreme Court with real moral/ethical issues. To boil it all down, we are a part of an America that has big problems. The major problem in this morass we view is that of sin which by the way, you and I are a part of..

What are we to do in these days that trouble us? It's a sad indictment on we Christians if we are in a state of frenzy, fear and discouragement just over politics. I'm not saying we shouldn't have concerns. But what does that say about our confidence in the fact that God does all things well? We may not see God working as we would like, but our faith should tell us God always knows what He's doing and why. He owes us no explanations. If we are in Scripture enough, we can see the whys of how God is having to deal, especially with our country. So if our faith is ebbing due to our surroundings, we must do all we can to regain our focus and faith in God.

I love Psalm 18 and the above verses from it. I even know a chorus centered on those words. I can sing them or just repeat them over and over combating all of the clamor of the world. I do not have to be a victim of all the junk...I have a choice as to what I'm going to concentrate on. Scripture whether reading, saying or singing is strengthening in so many ways. I've seen advertisements now making psychological help available for people struggling with all of the political pressures of our day. I need a Savior more than I need a psychologist.

What am I finding that is working for me? I know who I am going to vote for. I don't need anymore information or input...it's done and decided.

• I've made my decision, I don't have to listen to all of the last minute scandalous input about anyone that the media feeds me.
• I am allowing God to renew and revive my own spirit. There is nothing I can do about anyone else. I am expected to be personally accountable to God for my own actions.
• I am trying to double up my time spent in Bible reading and prayer. I am praying not just for myself, but for people of name I never thought I would ever pray for.
• Praying for government leaders is even more on my agenda these days.
• Being a good citizen is important to me. Yes, I will vote, but I need to be accountable to obey laws and be respectful of authority.
• Being an encourager is important in these days when so many are discouraged.

No matter the outcome of any election, God is still on His throne and in control of all of the affairs of men. Politically, things may or may not change, but we read that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. When we can't count on men in general, our faith in God need never waver. He is consistent in all His ways.

I have been reminded this week in hearing so many politicians as they have given us certain promises. Some of those folks mean well while some just want to get into office. I've heard some tell us that their way to do things is best and we should follow them. Some speak of how we can trust their word while others promise us that with them in office, life is going to be good. I have news for all of them. Only one man promised to be the way, the truth and the life. He accepted no bribes or money under the table. He was a simple servant, teacher and yes, Savior. His promises we can't necessarily take to the bank, but we will take them to Heaven as Jesus presents us to His Father.

We're going to be fine. We may have to continue with discomforts in this old world, but that's the way things are going to continue to be until Jesus comes. Meanwhile, we...

Trust and obey
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey.

Father, I pray for our country and for every candidate running for office that each will find in themselves to be honest and upright, hopefully seeking salvation and guidance through You. Thank You for the peace that passeth all understanding for we, Your children, who want Your best in all areas of our lives. In Jesus precious name....Amen

IN GOD'S HANDS

 

Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help
thee; yea, will uphold thee with the
right hand of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10

When faced with a difficulty, I wonder how many times someone has said to me: “Just remember that it's all in God's hands.” There are times I've wanted to tell the person that I've known that for years, but it's always good to hear it anyway. I love any of the verses in Scripture that speak regarding God's hand. We are encouraged when we read of God's ability to function in mighty ways with His hands. For instance:

The right hand of the Lord is exalted:
the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly.
Psalm 118:16

and

That all the people of the earth might
know the hand of the Lord, that it is
mighty: that ye might fear the Lord
your God.
Joshua 4:24

All of those words regarding the capable hands of God are encouraging. However, in our day, we also must remember that we do not have a namby-pamby God who winks and blinks at the sin and corruption of the people of the earth. God is a God of grace and mercy but like any loving Daddy, He will correct His children. We're in the process, I believe of that correction in our own country. There is so much Isaiah speaks of but 14:26,27 speaks volumes.

This is the purpose that is purposed upon
the whole earth: and this is the hand that
is stretched out upon all the nations.
For the Lord of hosts hath purposed,
and who shall disannul it? And His hand is
stretched out, and who shall turn it
back?

Why should anything going on in our country come as a great shock. We may not have done some of the things of sin others have done that are more open to the public. What have our “nicer” sins been that have contributed to the overall sinful attitudes of a nation. How many of us Christians have dipped our flags of good standards, Godly behavior and attitudes of decency. We can't look down our judgmental noses at all of the sin and wrongdoing of others in our country when we have made our own contributions to the downward spiraling of our nation.

I will always say that much fault rests with the pulpits of our country where the preaching in many places has been watered down and a subtle compromised Gospel preached. We Christians have fallen for much of the “political correctness” that has poisoned us in so many ways. Look at the things of the world we have come to rationalize and even embrace. We used to have black and white...right and wrong...but now there is mostly gray where everyone decides what is right or wrong for them as individuals. We Christians to a great extent have lost our witness. The world says we look, live and talk like them and in many cases the world is right.

In Revelation 2, John wrote to the church at Ephesus...”thou hast left thy first love.” To the church at Laodicea in 3:15,16: “ I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” In that same chapter, verse 19, God says also: “ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Bottom line,

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands
of the living God.
Hebrews 10:31

In this blog, my hope is to encourage us that our very loving Heavenly Father is in charge and is in control. With loving hands He created this earth of ours and has sustained it. He sent His Son to die for us that we might have eternal life. We are too attached to this old earth. Heaven is our real home. However, meanwhile, God wants our best while we are here, but He will not compromise His Word and purpose for each of us. Despite conditions here in our country at the present, things are in His very capable hands and He hasn't given up on one of us.

Despite the negatives all around us, I'm encouraged with the following:

Thou wilt shew me the path of life:
in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy
right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Psalms 16:11

Thank You Father for Your faithfulness to Your children. I pray for our country right now. There's nothing new that can be revealed to You as far as the sinful doings of folks. Do what You must to bring us back to Yourself. Meanwhile, I thank You for Your loving, guiding and great hands that reaches out to us all the time. In Jesus precious name...Amen

SPIRITUALLY LEAN

And He gave them their request;
but sent leanness into their soul.
Psalm 106:15

Doctor's visits have never been my idea of a fun time. Several years ago, I went for my annual check up. The doctor had news for me that I continue to live with. He told me that I have Diabetes II and would need to go on medication and drastically change my lifestyle. One thing he said had to be done was that initially, I had to lose at least 50 pounds. I knew I was overweight...I didn't need to be told that. It had happened over a matter of years, mostly because of careless eating habits. I was anything but lean in physical body. I managed to lose that weight in a few months through diet and in walking my feet off at least five days a week. I felt better, but was still not the lean person my doctor had in mind. There are, however, other ways to be lean other than in a physical sense.

Psalm 106 is a wonderful, historical Psalm that speaks of God's mercy to Israel. This Psalm speaks of God's goodness in delivering the Israelites from Egyptian captivity. God made every provision for the people's escape. Even when the Egyptians chased them to the Red Sea, God provided a way of escape for them. They had prayed for deliverance and God saved them by destroying the Egyptians. Shortly after that incident though, the above verse appears almost as an indictment regarding their ingratitude and disregard for God's goodness. In a short amount of time, the Israelites constructed their golden calf to worship while Moses was on Mt. Sinai with God.

God's people were blessed beyond words. Their prayers and answers to them were evident and yet they still showed an ingratitude for the blessings of God in their lives. They were a people who murmured and complained of what they considered their sorry state. They complained for lack of the right foods to eat, water and even the leadership of Moses, God's chosen leader.

When Scripture speaks of leanness of soul, it has nothing to do with a physical state of being thin in body mass. The Israelites had prayed only for their well being and then was quick to forget God's blessings. Spiritually, they were skinny as rails....how sad. The things that brought leanness to their souls are the same things that can bring the same leanness to our souls. We live in a day that is filled with distractions, things that can pull and tug at us just as some of those things did with the Israelites. We may, too, become ungrateful.

Physically, I think all of us would like to be what I think of as “healthily lean”....not obese but not a skeleton with skin on. A happy medium is the ideal. Until a few years ago, I had never really thought of our opening verse regarding spiritual leanness. Spiritually, our goal shouldn't be to be lean, but to be healthy, strong and even muscular in our spiritual growth and appearance. Those three things can happen if we pay attention to our spiritual health.

Spiritual health-Just like with physical health, we have to feed on the right things. God has provided His Word for us. Jesus is our bread and provides living water for us that can't ever be exhausted.

Strength-As much as I hate to admit it, physical exercise actually strengthened me as well as helping to be rid of baggage my body didn't need. Perhaps there is baggage that is hindering us spiritually, slowing us down. There may be habits or associations that are keeping us loaded down, contributing to the sapping of spiritual strength.

Muscular: We will be weak unless we build some spiritual muscles. That is going to come not only as we keep in close relationship with the Lord, but serving Him and others. We also need to put on God's armor on a daily basis to fight off the attacks of Satan. Then, we are really called on to flex our spiritual muscles.

Christians who are lean in spirit are folks who often yearn for some of the world's things that amuse or entertain that aren't best for them...OR...worry may become a real habit or even preoccupation for some...OR...finally, there can be a loss of interest in the things of God. This can be evident to an individual who doesn't read their Bible on a regular basis, pray or actively participate with God's people in a church setting. There will always be indicators of the onset of spiritual leanness mostly seen in a loss of interest in the things of God.

In this Fall season, we are soon to have major times ahead of us. They too can occupy our interest leading to an ignoring of the things of God. Whether we are looking to upcoming holidays or election day, we must guard our hearts and thinking. Some upcoming events can take over our minds and spirits with anger, unanswered questions and overall bitterness. Our focus must remain on our Father who is in charge of everything...Who knows What He's doing in all events of our history. We need to stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Whether we know it or not, there are folks who count on our spiritual strength and influence. We have no time in these days to be lean in our souls.

Father, keep me strong in You.  Keep my eyes on You and not on the people and things of this world.  I want to be what You want me to be for You in such a way that it brings glory to You in every way. I love you...in Jesus precious name...Amen

A Cough Drop Wrapper

 

Over the last several months, Brian and I have purchased enough cough drops to either sink a ship or to have stock in a particular company that sells them. Don't get me wrong...I'm very grateful for each one I have popped in my mouth that have given me moments a relief from an incessant cough.

Last summer, taking the wrapper off of one such cough drop and just prior to wadding it up to throw it away, I took a good look at the wrapper. I found four messages printed on that particular wrapper that were ever so small and short, but very profound and encouraging at the same time. Maybe I had noticed them before, but didn't read them with any intent of learning anything. Just a few days ago, I held another such wrapper in my hand. It was the same cough drop company with four little messages on the wrapper that each spoke to me in a unique way. Oddly enough, as I looked at each of the four little messages, there were Scripture verses that came to my mind, appropriate to each one. Although the world may have ways of encouraging us in good ways, God and His Word has often gone before them with the very same messages. God's messages are even more profound, encouraging and lasting even though I am appreciative of my little wrapper prompts.

#1 “Don't waste a precious minute.”

And that, knowing the time, that
now it is high time to awake
out of sleep: for now is our salvation
nearer than when we believed.
Romans 13:11

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season
we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9

#2 “Don't give up on yourself.”

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying,
Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:
therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Jeremiah 31:3

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,
whereunto thou art also called, and hath professed
a good profession before many witnesses.
I Timothy 6:12

#3 “Power through!”

I can do all things through
Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the
Lord, and not unto men.
Colossians 3:23

#4 “Take charge and mean it.”

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

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,
do it with thy might...
Ecclesiastes 9:10

I'm always amazed at how God can get His messages to me just when I need them, especially when I'm not feeling well. I so appreciate the prompting of the Holy Spirit bringing to my mind appropriate Scriptures I need perhaps when I don't even realize I need them. I'm so thankful for the fact that:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness
That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works.
II Timothy 3:16,17

I'm also reminded that if God can use something as insignificant as a cough drop wrapper, He can use you and me as well.

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for Your wonderful promptings in my life. Jesus said to His disciples that You would bring things to their recall those things Jesus had taught them. I'm grateful You continue to do just that in my life. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

Zucchini Bread

I will abundantly bless her provision:
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
Psalm 132:15

Not by works of righteousness which we have done,
but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration,
and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ
our Saviour.
Titus 3:5,6

One summer, I had the brilliant idea to plant a garden in our back yard. Brian prepared the soil for us and put some railroad ties around the garden plot. We planted the usual things that grow quickly such as radishes, but also planted two or three other things. At one end I fixed some mounds in which I planted zucchini seeds. Our garden came along pretty well. We had to be gone on vacation for one week and when we arrived home, we were sick to find that some neighborhood boys had pulled up our green bean plants.

The boys had left the zucchini plants in place. I often looked back wishing they had done something with those instead of the green beans. I was such a beginner and didn't realize I had planted monster plants. We had zucchini growing...and growing...and GROWING...to the point of being almost frightening. For one thing, we weren't big zucchini eaters and we had these vegetables growing not just in quantity, but the longer they were on the vine, the larger each zucchini grew. Those things got to be huge.

Recently, a dear friend in my church brought me some lovely vegetables from her garden. She brought tomatoes, yellow squash and a large zucchini squash. I smiled when I saw it because it struck a memory chord in my mind. However, when I saw it, I knew immediately what I was going to do with it. I did what we did so many years ago.

Those many years ago, our girls were at least around junior high age and our son not that far behind. A dear lady had given me a recipe for Zucchini Bread. We had a nice freezer in the garage...aha...zucchini bread. Each of us had an assigned thing to do in this process. A high school girl was visiting with us so we put her to work as well. I think we ended up with about 25 loaves of zucchini bread in our freezer. Some of them I gave to friends at holiday times, but as a family, we have never tired of zucchini bread.

I often wonder when my children are in a grocery store and pass by zucchini in the produce section if it conjures up memories of those torturous days of grinding, stirring and baking on very warm summer days. But, at the same time, do they still remember the sweet smell in the house of those days gone by.

As much as we had an abundance of zucchini back then, I'm often reminded of the abundance of things God pours into our lives. He doesn't just give us small dribbles of blessings. Everything we are and have are from Him. So often we don't count the blessings God gives us day after day that we just take for granted. It seems there are some days, God's blessings come in such abundance that I almost want to ask Him so slow down a little as I'm feeling overwhelmed with His goodness. Just as the zucchini kept coming, I was reminded that the goodness of God keeps coming as well. It seems those blessings get bigger and bigger to the point I don't know what to do with it all.

I look back and am grateful for what I learned from the zucchini crop in our garden. It all kept coming and coming just as God's goodness does in other ways as well. On our worst day, God's love keeps coming even when we don't deserve it. It comes in any number of ways and we need to track those blessings and not jam them in a storage place of the mind to be enjoyed later. We are to count our blessings not just at Thanksgiving, but on a daily basis. Like my zucchini that seemed like it would never run out, God's goodness to us will never run out.

In case you happen to have an abundance of zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes or even rhubarb, here's our family recipe to help with that abundance if you are in to baking. Enjoy!

ZUCCHINI BREAD
Heat oven – 350
Grease & flour 2 loaf pans
Bake 1 hour 15 minutes

In large bowl, mix:
3 eggs
2 C sugar
2 tsp soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp nutmeg
½ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp allspice (can omit)
½ tsp almond extract (important)
1 C salad oil

To mixture, alternate adding flour and zucchini:
Grate 3 cups unpeeled zucchini
3 C flour

When complete add:
1 C raisins
1 C chopped pecans

Bake and enjoy. As well as enjoying the bread, remember our Bread of Life who gives all things to us in abundance.

Thank You Father for Your goodness in my life. Forgive my ingratitude that I will appreciate everything you grow in me with Your abundant touch. I give You all the glory for who You are in my life. In Jesus precious name...Amen

Rest Awhile

And the apostles gathered themselves
together unto Jesus, and told him all
things, both what they had done, and
what they had taught.
And he said unto them,
Come ye yourselves apart into a
desert place, and rest awhile:
for there were many coming and going,
and they had no leisure so much
as to eat.
Mark 6:30,31

For many years, I have served the Lord in any number of capacities. Having been on the staff of a very large church, I knew what it was to be responsible in many areas of service. Some of those areas were comfortable for me as they fit my abilities and gifts. Some things I was called on to do were almost more than I could handle. After some special events and conferences, I was beyond exhaustion and really at a very spiritual low. I was told from various sources that it was better to burn out than rust out.

For years, I have seen common folks doing great things in the churches they attend. Many of those folks are handling responsibilities that many years ago would be done by those only in the ministry. It is mind boggling the wonderful talents and abilities found in common laypersons who simply love the Lord and want to serve Him. Along the way, I learned some hard lessons, some I'm still working on.

As I do on occasion, I have again been in the Gospels, reading only the red letter words. These are those things spoken by Jesus. I don't do this all the time but love doing it occasionally. It blocks out the scenery, individuals, harassment by the religious entities of the day and even locations. There are so many times when the everyday human side of Jesus comes out in a strong way in His words and concern. Our opening verses do just that.

The disciples had been busy men. They had been out teaching and ministering. Jesus called them together and reviewed with them what they had been doing. He recognized how busy in ministry His men had been. He recognized their weariness even if they didn't see it in themselves. His suggestions are wise and very thoughtful of them. He suggested three thing to them:

*Come apart (get away from the familiar and congestion)
*Get off to a desert place (referring to a place away from people), and
*Rest awhile (The meaning of rest: “rest.” It isn't a foreign word or hard to understand.)

I believe we feel guilty if we do any one of these three things let alone doing all three. Jesus knew the urgency of the work, but He also valued each of those men and what was best for them at the time. He cared about their health both mentally and physically. He didn't want martyrs. He wanted strong, healthy men to carry on the work.

There are times when we are called upon to do the over and above, but serving God in shot gun fashion isn't wise. By that I mean doing all sorts of things all over the place, being busy for God and receiving lots of praise, but ending up of no worth to God, family or friends. Scripture tells us that whatever we do for God to do it with all we are giving glory to Him. The weary, bedraggled, worn out and perhaps even ill worker for God will receive lots of glory for themselves and not for God. I've been there and done that and have known many other than me who wear the same martyrdom badges. In all we do, Jesus calls to us to “rest awhile” but even in that, many workers by their actions don't believe Jesus knows what He's talking about.

May I give some practical suggestions:
*Are the things you are doing what God has called you to do. For instance, I know folks who can't carry a tune in a basket singing in the church choir. They are basically there to have the best seat in the house. They need to take a good look at their talents and gifts and implement them
*Know your God-given gifts and abilities. There's no more frustration than taking on jobs in a church you aren't equipped to do. There may be gifts in one that need to be developed that will come through learning, work and prayer
*Maintain a healthy body. Take care of the “temple of the Holy Spirit” through eating, rest and healthy living.
*Protect those things you are called to do. Don't take on more than what you are called to do. Learn to say NO. We can't do everything and Jesus doesn't expect us to.
*Whatever you are called to do must be done in God's strength and not your own. Whatever our responsibilities, they should be bathed in prayer, giving God all glory.

As old as I am, I do wish I had learned the things above years ago. I have learned a little about setting boundaries. At this point in my life, with God's leading, there are three things I am doing for Him right now. I will take on no other heavy responsibility unless God tells me to do something different. I have a peace with these things that have me working in the area of my God-given gifts and am at peace with that. In it all, I also have rest. Jesus also said elsewhere:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and
are heavy laden, and, and I will
give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn
of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto
your souls.
Matthew 11:28,29

Thank You Father, that I can come close to You and find peace and rest through the rigors of life. Thank You too for Your personal concern for me, as You desire Your best for my life. In Jesus' precious name...Amen