THE GIFT OF GUIDANCE

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

One of the careers available in most of our public schools is that of being a guidance counselor. It, in many cases, can be a very thankless and unappreciated job. I came to know many of them while a case manager with foster children. One of my jobs was to keep in contact with each child's school and that was generally done through a guidance counselor and at times a vice-principal. One of their frustrations is that they often have the same students coming to them with the most trivial of issues, often just to get out of class. I saw many of them grieve over those students who really needed help and counseling, but would never darken the counselors office for fear other students might see them there.

We all need guidance. If nothing else, there are times we just need to talk to someone, seeking a word of wisdom from another person. All of us find ourselves in need of counsel at one time or another. However, I hasten to say that very often, folks may not be careful with regard to who they choose to confide in. I have often said, “Everyone has a best friend.” That means that even though one may promise confidentiality, they may be tempted to tell another person.

When an adult is in need of guidance of some sort, there is nothing wrong with seeking advice or even more in-depth counseling. I can't imagine even with regard to seeking the simplest of advice, going to a non-Christian for that advice. Scripture tells we women to go to an older godly woman for our counsel or to their husband. Women should stay away from counseling sessions with pastors. Many a pastor has ended up with moral problems after lengthy counseling sessions with sobbing women. In seeking counsel, we must be careful who we approach for such.

I feel such a sense of security knowing no matter my problem or concern, I have available to me the BEST guidance possible provided by my Heavenly Father. Much of the advice I need can be found in God's Word. His Word is very in depth, not as simple as some would think. God's Holy Spirit is ready and willing to reveal His wisdom into our lives if we seek it. For instance, the Spirit can teach us and advise us from the Word. 

Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. John 16:13

Jesus was introducing the Holy Spirit's work to His disciples prior to His leaving and the Spirits coming. The Holy Spirit would guide them (and now us) into all truth, especially of the things of God. Every time you and I open our Bibles, the Spirit stands ready to teach us the things of God that will guide us into truth. If we read the Word, meditate on it, many of the answers we seek in this life would be answered. The world would tell us that such is just too simple. With God, nothing is simple.

God's guidance is continual:

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

We don't have to make appointments for counsel, guidance or even encouragement from God's guidance in our lives. We often run to others for those things without bothering to consult God and what His will might be for us in any given situation. His guidance will benefit us in every way.

For this God is our God forever and ever:

He will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14

This precious Guide of ours is a forever thing with God. It makes no difference where we are, He is there an available to us. This guidance isn't just for certain stages of our lives. God wants to guide us not only every moment of our days but until the end of our days.

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How an I except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

Acts 8:30-3

God may choose to use us to be guides and speak through us in being of help and counsel to others. This becomes a tremendous responsibility for us when God entrusts us with guiding another into His Words of truth. All of we who are God's children will have these opportunities to be guided by the Holy Spirit to someone or someone to us who needs spiritual guidance.

We are a blessed people. We weren't adopted by salvation into God's family and then left to fend for ourselves with no direction for our lives. He is too loving a Father to do that. He takes His parenthood in our lives in a most serious way.

Father, You are so wonderful in all Your provision for us. You care about our every decision and personal concern. We are a blessed people as we see how You do everything because of Your love for us. Thank You! In Jesus' precious name. Amen

SHELTER IN THE STORM

The Lord's our Rock; in Him we hide,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Ira D. Sankey

Gone are days when we sang hymns in church that almost always painted a picture in our minds of God, His Son and His Spirit. Then, the music of the church said something to our hearts and spirits and not to our physical urges. The above words to an old hymn paints a picture of the Lord in our minds we cannot dismiss.

I can recall days when storm shelters were very familiar things, found usually in the back yard of houses. My Dad's parents had one that I don't think they ever used except to be a place to put jars of canned goods my Grandma had put up with veggies from her garden and cherries from her cherry tree. However, whether or not used for it's intended purpose, it was there should a weather calamity occur. A storm shelter was underground with a secure door on top. During a terrible storm or tornado a family was safe underground no matter the chaos that was occurring above ground. A family never knew how long they would be in that shelter so provisions had been made for food, lanterns for light and quilts to snuggle under. It was a place of safety, security and provision...all needs met. It wasn't a place where people lived...it was a temporary safe place until a storm was gone. It wasn't even a place we cousins could go into or play in. It was considered to be a shelter and shelter only...no playing.

There are in our day many dog shelters. I have known folks who have gone to such to find a new family pet and have had great success in that process. The dog in the shelter had perhaps come just from the streets, from abusive homes or having been a part of a litter of puppies owners just couldn't care for. Aside from the reasons, animals in a shelter have full provision...warmth, food, exercise, roof over their heads and perhaps medical help if affordable for the shelter. The dog isn't there because it wants to be. It's there because of great need and stays there until a permanent home can be found for it. A shelter whether for people or animals is meant to be only a temporary place.

In my recent review of Psalm 91, that is my favorite chapter in the Old Testament, I have been pouring over the first verse of that Psalm that also assures me of God's provision and protection:

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty

I am so blessed as I look at that verse and see the wonderful provision for shelter God has provided for my life. They may not be literal places in most instances but spiritually speaking, they are as real to me as the sun in the sky or the moon at night.

In that SECRET PLACE I am alone with Him and no one has to know I'm there or what is going on between me and my Father. I can pour out my heart to Him whether they be my concerns or yes, my joys as well. It's a place of comfort where I am accepted, loved and understood. I come apart frp, that place feeling refreshed where no one knew where I was for that moment. I was in my secret place where I felt sheltered.

All of us should appreciate SHADOWS. In the heat of a summer day, sitting in the shade of a tree in one's yard can be soothing. Folks who hike the trails in our mountains will tell you how much they love the trees along the way. Hikers can stop anytime along the trail and sit on a rock under the shade of a huge tree with many long limbs that are covered with leaves. There is protection from the heat of the sun bearing down, but are also refreshed by the breeze that comes from those rustling leaves while sitting in their shade. God has His way of providing shade for us in the heat of weary days. Shade from a tree too, is not permanent. It's meant to be a temporary stopping place to rest and catch one's breath.

We are such a blessed people as God has made every provision for our spiritual well being and safety if we will only learn to go to Him with our needs and yes, our fears. We must first feel the need of Him in those dire times. He's faithful in His watch care over us all the time but a shelter is a place we must voluntarily run to where God awaits with an open door.

For thou hast been a shelter for me,
and a strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in thy tabernacle forever:
I will trust in the covert of thy wings.
Psalm 61:3,4

Thank You, Heavenly Father...for always standing ready with your open arms of safety and shelter for me. Help me to see You are the One to run to, not other human beings who can't begin to help and protect me like you can. I love you today and am so grateful for Jesus in my life....Amen.

THE JOY OF OLD LADYHOOD

So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom
Psalm 90:12

For the last several years, I have wondered why many women I have known, have resisted the inevitability of aging. It can be some of the best years of our lives or we can end up being bitter, miserable old ladies. Pardon my using the term “old lady” if you feel it isn't politically correct. Growing up, I heard most older ladies...50 and over...referred to old ladies all the time. They often would use the term with each other, but that would not be acceptable today.

I formed in my own mind what an old lady was when I was at the ripe old age of about 10 or 12 years old. I watched for characteristics of many older ladies it was my privilege to have any contact with. From so many of them, I picked up on things I saw I associated with being an old lady.

Tonight after my bath as I was putting lotion on my arms and hands I thought of a day I took our girls to see a dear older lady friend. Beverly wasn't in school yet as I recall. The sweet lady took hold of Beverly's hand and Beverly always having been an observant person looked at the back of the lady's hand. The lady noticed Beverly touching the skin on her hand and commented to Beverly “Those are wrinkles.” Beverly quickly said, “They aren't wrinkles, they are ruffles.” I looked at the back of my hands tonight and thought of that incident and quietly thanked the Lord for my “ruffles.”

Beverly's daughter Madelyn, has proven to be as perceptive as her mom. When Madelyn was three or there abouts, she and her mom were visiting with us for a few days. We went out on a mountain trail. I walked several feet in front of the three of them, and when I did, Brian said to Madelyn, “Who's that old lady up there?” I loved her reply as did Brian and I think of it often. Madelyn replied, “That's not an old lady...that's Grandma.” We've all in our childhood had the same observations at one time or another as we looked at those dear ones of age we loved and respected.
 

Let me share some things I observed at that young age by just watching old ladies I knew. Many of those things I would hope to incorporate in my own life, but I will pass on some of them.

I learned that one can pray out loud anytime, not just in church. I learned that from Aunt Ida who I could hear praying through her open front door when I would walk by her house. I also learned the same from Mrs Vineyard who often prayed in her chicken house down the alley from my house. I could hear her as clear as could be.

I thought when a old lady, you had to have a big, old, torn up Bible you carried to church. They also carried huge purses. When one is old, I didn't think they would want to carry heavy things. Some of those purses held candy that was passed out to us kids. I never saw one of them with kleenix...only nice cloth handkerchiefs sometimes with crochet trims on them.

There are some things I observed that I haven't adopted for myself at this stage of my life. Older ladies almost always wore hats to church...morning and evening. They all wore lots of perfume. They wore odd black, lace up shoes to church with small heels on them. The shoes didn't come above the ankle. They loved being with God's people and always seemed to be very pleasant to everyone.

If I saw older ladies during the week, they wore house dresses with an apron and many times a sun bonnet if they were working in their gardens. I just knew they all did crochet or knitting in their spare time. Some had health issues but for many, those issues amounted to bad colds. You didn't hear then of health issues like we hear of today.

There's more I could review but it causes me to look at my life, my activity, my spiritual walk and what service I can be in the Lord's work. I want to be a prayer warrior like many of those dear ladies were, faithful to God's house and feeling such a family spirit in my church family.

I love the promises of God regarding the aging process that we can claim in our everyday lives.

And even to your old age I am he;
and even to hoar (gray) hairs will I carry you;
I have made, and I will bear; even I
will carry, and will deliver you.
Isaiah 46:4

No matter our stage of life, God promises to be with us every minute of those stages. He wants us to stay in close relationship with Him. He wants us to seek His wisdom with all of life's decisions we are called on to make in these days. We need not resent or resist this wonderful stage of life. God isn't finished with any of us. We have the wisdom of life experiences to share with younger folks who ask. I choose to glance at the back of my hands, hands that have served in more ways than I can count, and be grateful to God for every “ruffle”.
 

Now also when I am old and grayheaded,O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation and thy power to every one that is to come. (Psalm 71:18)

Amen and Amen

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

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

We all have decisions to make in this life. Some are of great importance while others are everyday events. I think of the important decisions that have been most meaningful in my life...to accept Jesus as my Savior, where to go to college, where to work after college, who to marry and a few career choices that were of life-changing importance.
 

Every day, we make decisions. We decide what to eat, what errands to run, spiritual habits of the day, what phone calls to make, household chores to be done and after that mix, we decide when we're going to go to bed. Those decisions seem so routine, we don't even consider them to be decisions, but they are.

The older we become, it's amazing the decisions we are called on to make. With age, there are decisions to be made that may be physical in nature. For years, I went occasionally for physical checkups, didn't know what prescription drugs were and was a pretty healthy woman. With the years, those things have changed. I now decide about medications and types of doctors I need to see. Fifty years ago, we saw one doctor who did everything from treating bad colds to taking out tonsils. Such is not the case anymore. It's not unusual for our primary doctors to send us to ENT's for sore throats or ear aches, or to a cardiologist for a heart check. Everyone these days, it seems needs a specialist for whatever ails them. This creates even more decisions that have to be made.

The medical decisions don't bother me though as much as those things that affect my spiritual life. All decisions are important, no matter their nature, and God is interested in every decision. Every decision I'm called on to make is going to affect my life in some way. For instance, Scripture speaks to this activity of decision making that are of great help:

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE HEARD ALL THE FACTS ABOUT A SITUATION BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION.

We are quick at times to “jump the gun” and make quick decisions without getting all the information we need. Prov. 18:13 tells us
He that answered a matter before he hearth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

WE SHOULD NEVER LEAVE GOD OUT OF OUR DECISION MAKING

God stands waiting for us to seek His wisdom and guidance as can be seen in
Psalm 25:4
Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

NO MATTER THE DECISION, WE SHOULD ALWAYS MAKE A HABIT OF FLOODING OUR LIVES WITH.

Such can relieve us great anxiety not just during times of decision, but at any time in life. Philippians 4:6 gives wonderful words of advice.

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

SEEK DIRECTION FROM GODLY PEOPLE
Sometimes in desperation, we seek out the quickest and best council we can find without regard to their walk of faith. I'm not talking about roofers, plumbers, etc. even though a Christian workman may be more trustworthy. Prov 12:15 speaks of wisdom as being a spiritual thing...wisdom being from God Himself.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

TRUST IN THE LORD
Our world today doesn't encourage trust. There are folks who will let us down. No matter who those people are, they may not mean to break a trust with us, but it does happen. Jesus is THE One who will never let us down or lead us astray. He can be trusted through the thick and thin of life. Prov. 3:5-6 says:

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Notice that last phrase. In acknowledging Him, we are including Him in everything in our lives that affect us. It's a precious promise of His direction in our decision making.

Decision making where some really important things are concerned will come to us more often than we might wish them to. Jesus wants to be a part of all that concerns us. His offer of trust is just another way He shows His deep love for us. He will lovingly lead us in the right directions for our lives. He may use His Word or may bring others into our lives who become “Jesus with skin on” to be of valuable assistance for us.

Thank You Father, that You don't want to leave us drifting around with no direction in our lives. Help us to have such lives of prayer that it won't be a sudden event when we need to ask You for guidance at special times. We thank and love You for the love You shower on us that we don't deserve. In Jesus precious name....Amen

A GOOD NAME

A good name is rather to be chosen
than great riches, and loving
favour rather than silver and gold.
Proverbs 22:1

It was always interesting in high school watching girls writing boys names on their notebooks. The guy didn't have to be someone they were even dating...it could be just a crush. There was something of meaning for a girl just writing that name. When my husband and I were dating, I must admit I didn't even give a thought to doing that. Of course, I also wasn't in high school at the time. The day came when Brian proposed, I accepted and a wedding was planned.

About two weeks before the wedding, Brian brought me a bank card. He was opening a checking account for us and I had to sign the card. He may not remember that moment but it's as vivid to me as if it were yesterday. In that moment, I absolutely froze. It suddenly dawned on me that at the age of 30, I was taking on a new name. From anything I could learn about Brian, he was a godly man of character and integrity. His name wasn't mine quite yet, but I remember thinking I didn't want to bring any shame to that name. Once a name is tainted, it's very difficult to clean it up.

As I write, we are at our daughter Beverly's home in Florida where they have been for about eight weeks. Yesterday, she took us to the Holy Land Experience near Orlando. I had heard of this place and wanted to go to it but never had reason to even visit Florida until now. So much of it was wonderfully fascinating and all was done with great class from the surroundings to presentations. While walking across the temple plaza, I looked up and on a huge wall in front of me written in various scripts were those holy names of Jesus. I just stood there for a moment gazing at that wall. When reading any of those names, only clean and holy thoughts have to run through the minds of those reading that wall.

Just in looking at some verses in Scripture, it's refreshing see some things said about our Lord's name:

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10

Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; tho art great, and thy name is great in might. Jeremiah 10:6

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12

There are so many other verses that speak of our Lord's name that would be too many to list but in the final analysis, Philippians 2: 9-11 is the capstone for me with regards to that precious name.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,
and given him a name which is above every name;
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of things in heaven, and things in the earth,
and things under the earth.
And that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.

Why do some folks curse using God's name? I believe it's because it's the most powerful name anyone could possibly use to make their point. It also speaks of who and what they are in their standing before God.

What about our names? When someone hears our name spoken in a group of people who would know us, what would come to their mind? This is where our testimony is at stake not just before Christians but before the world. A good name, once smeared through worldly activity and associations, is easily damaged perhaps for a lifetime. The loser of the good name is often oblivious to what is involved in such a loss. Solomon tells us in his book of Proverbs, 22:1:

A good name is rather to be chosen than
great riches, and loving favour rather
than silver and gold.

Any time our name is mentioned, it should speak in the mind of others the things of God and goodness. We aren't perfect but Jesus in our lives and His Words on our lips should be of notice to others. May it be so in our lives.

Dear Father, I never want to besmirch Your name in any way. May I always bring honor to it in all I do or say. Thank You for all of Your precious names I see in Your Word. I love you Amen.

SPIRITUAL GPS

...My father, thou art the guide of my youth.
Jeremiah 3:4b

It's never been our fortune or misfortune to have a car with a GPS system. It isn't that I don't know much about one because I've been in the car with friends or family who do have one. I guess they serve their purpose, but have learned that GPS's could use a little more refining. I had one friend who got a new car and had trouble with the voice in her system...she couldn't get it to shut up. I was with another friend when she was told to make a left hand turn onto a one-way street...going the wrong way. We laughed at the time, but it could have really been a problem. For me, despite computer read outs and guidance systems in a car, just give me a good old road map or atlas containing route information in every state. I can remember the day when I could walk into any gas station and pick up a free road map. Those days are definitely a thing of the past.

However, we choose to get from one place to a distant place, we often need help unless we've made the same trip many times. My first trip alone to our Smoky Mountains was almost a nightmare. I was around 23 at the time and was pretty sure of where I was going. When in Tennessee, I decided to take some back roads to the mountains. I thought if I pointed my car east on a two-lane road that seemed to be going straight, that I'd get there. After all, my dad had often told me what a great sense of direction I had. After an hour of wandering, I pulled up to an old beat up gas station that had one pump. The pump looked age-wise like it could have been new in the 1940's, A middle-aged man was in a chair leaning against the front wall. He had his faded overalls on with a beat up straw hat on his head. As he approached my car (that was about out of gas at that point), I noticed he didn't have many teeth. I went through my “lostness” with him and he took pity. I didn't have an abundance of money and told him that. He let me pay half on the gas and let me know that I was a mighty long way from my destination. He got me going the right way.

Whether on a vacation or finding our way through a city to a new job, we need to arrive at our destination with some success. The same is even truer with the spiritual road we are traveling. We need God's guidance more than I think we realize. I like to think of this process as God's Pathway System. Where our car systems are handy and efficient most of the time, God's guidance will never fail. He knows every curve in the road, rural lane, expressway ramp, residential streets of our lives. There are no wrong turns with God. Our problem often is that with our turns and curves in life, we choose to go our own way and then wonder what happened. Jesus made a wonderful promise to His disciples in John 16:13a that is still in effect today. He said;

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come,
he will guide you into all truth...

We have no excuse if we find ourselves driving into the ditches of life, spiritually speaking. We have truth, straight from God's Word that will guide us into right living, right spiritual direction. When we find ourselves having gone off the road of truth, the blame cannot be put at the feet of Jesus. He's given us all we need from His world.

Not only do we have the assurance of God's guidance in our lives, but this guidance isn't intermittent...come and go. He promises us His guidance on a continual basis. One place this is found in Scripture is in Isaiah 58: 11:

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

When Scripture tells us something God WILL do, we can believe it and stake our lives on it. people pay high prices for special doctors and counselors to give them advice and guidance. Depending on the expert, they may or may not be available for appointments when someone needs their help. God doesn't keep office hours. He is available to us every moment of every day.

One of best of all assurances in this special GPS is found in Psalm 48:14

For this God is our God forever and ever:
He will be our guide even unto death.

In that verse, we have a life-time guarantee of God's guidance. There isn't an automobile manufacturing company in the world that can give us that kind of guarantee on their GPS systems. God, however, is in a position to be with us anytime, anywhere with His guidance available through the Holy Spirit directing us through our Owner's Manual, His Holy Word.

Remember though, when He gives us the way to go and we decide otherwise, we will find ourselves in more ditches of life than can be imagined. “He leadeth me, o blessed thought...by His own hand, He leadeth me.”

Dear Father, help me to be teachable and responsive to every step You want me to take. Thank You for loving me even when I choose to go my own way. I'm so grateful for the direction of Your sweet Holy Spirit. I love You and thank You for loving me....Amen

Open My Eyes

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit
of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of Him:
The eyes of your understanding being
enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope
of His calling, and what the riches of the glory
of his inheritance in the saints.
Ephesians 1:17,18

One of my girlfriends in junior high school got a pair of glasses. I went with her to pick them up and I suddenly fell in love...with glasses. I had never even had a pair of sun glasses that I can remember, but in that moment in that doctor's office, fell in love with glasses. I talked my Mother into letting me get my eyes examined, but was unhappy to learn my eyes were perfectly fine. That was my seventh grade year.

During my freshman year, I found I was really and truly having a problem seeing the chalk board (boy, is a piece of equipment lost in most of today's classrooms). I couldn't figure out the problem. I had long ago forgotten the eye doctor visit. After several weeks, I again mentioned it to my Mother and went for an eye check. My sight had really deteriorated in that two year period of time. It's just something that happens to folks of any age. From the day of receiving my new glasses to this day, I am a glasses wearer. I could have gone to contact lenses but just never have. I almost feel undressed if I don't have my glasses on.

Glasses serve any number of purposes. There are some occupations that require safety glasses to be worn. I have a pair of sunglasses prescribed by my eye doctor. Over the counter sunglasses are purchased by the thousands of people every day to block damaging sun rays. I have seen people of every age wearing glasses...even a two year old. Why? I don't know of a person living who wants to have problems seeing or who want to go blind.

There are diseases that attack eyes. I have macular degeneration in both eyes. I have monthly injections in my left eye to fend of the damage that can be done by that disease. There are other problems that can attack one's eyes and if it does, we want to do everything possible to to avert any eye damage.

I have to wonder how careful we are about our spiritual eye sight. If we are so careful to protect our physical eyesight, I have to wonder what measures we take in protecting our spiritual vision. Christians at one time or another may have “I” problems. These problems may come on slowly, hardly noticeable while some may come on us in quick fashion. Being a backslidden Christian isn't usually something that becomes a part of us overnight. It usually happens through spiritual negligence. In this condition, one's spiritual sight is dimmed. With this dimming can come a spiritual blindness to God's truth that is dangerous. So what are some things we can do keep our spiritual vision clear.

First and elementary, we have to keep our lenses clean. One thing I hate about glasses is how they can become dim from everyday use...dust, cooking, finger prints, etc. There are common ordinary things that can lessen our ability to see the things of God and they may be every day things...busyness, hobbies, jobs, children, etc. None of these things are necessarily wrong until they dim our spiritual vision.

Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth You have for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unlock and set me free.
Clara H. Scott

Then we must set our sight deliberately on the things of God. This is something that just happens. In this area, we must set out to have spiritual vision. Spiritual growth isn't just going to happen. These summer months are among the most dangerous for Christians where anything spiritual is concerned. Vacations, uncomfortable weather conditions and anything else that is different in these summer months from the other nine. I hasten to add that for some Christians, some of these spiritual sight problems may be problematic all twelve months of the year

Along with distractions comes a laxity in personal spiritual routine. Bible reading may become almost non-existent along with praying on a regular basis. Church attendance may go by the wayside. It's through these things we keep our spiritual lens clean and clear. A part of this clearing of vision is protecting our sight. There are things we should determine we aren't going to look at or participate in. This is tough in a world full of temptation and evil. God has promised His power to we believers in facing those things Satan throws our way.

My prayer:

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

In Jesus precious name...Amen

The Proverbial Heart

Let not your heart be troubled:
ye believe in God, believe also in Me.
John 14:1

In March I had to go to the Emergency Room because of a reaction to an antibiotic. This happened to me several years ago so knew what was done there in a brief time and was sent home. It just wasn't going to happen that way this time. I had an ER doctor, overly aggressive insisting I had been the victim of a heart attack and he was going to admit me to the hospital. To be honest, I was fit to be tied. I knew I was probably about ten miles away from having a heart attack. It was proved after three days and a heart catheterization that I had beautiful, not damaged heart arteries.

Despite that experience, nothing can diminish my interest in hearts, especially hearts I have found in the book of Proverbs. Much is said in that book about various conditions of our spiritual hearts that might do us well to look at...a kind of heart checkup that won't hurt any of us to review. Let's look at some of the heart conditions, spiritual in nature, that can afflict us if we aren't careful.

Heart That Rejects Reproof (Correction)

And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof. 5:12

We don't like to be corrected. Sometimes it's because of pride or can be because we are on the defensive. However, we learn from correction. It may come in a direct way, by learning from another person's example or through experience of trial and error. The heart of humility will accept reproof as coming from the Holy Spirit through another source.

Heavy Heart

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. 12:25

This is the person who is depressed or filled with anxiety. Very often it can be noticed that when one is “down” even their posture can be different. The answer is twofold. Dn't worry about something you CAN do something about...just do it. Then don't worry about anything you CAN'T do anything about. See Philippians 4:6

Indiscriminate Heart

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. 15:2

Even the word “heart” isn't mentioned in this verse, we know that our words come from the heart. This is the person who usually knows the latest gossip and might not hesitate to spread it around. This person is one of betrayal and hasn't learned the importance of discretion and knowing what and what not to say. All of us must remember that everyone has a “best friend.” Even an innocent slip of the tongue can cause great damage.

Proud Heart

An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. 21:4

Most people struggle in this area and it often is recognized for what it is. The proud person is one who is unteachable. Many times, the prideful attitude can be seen in one's face or even in some bodily movements. Pride is that wall that is erected that keeps us from sweet fellowship with God. It's a wall we have to take down. It's not a wall God will tear down for us. Pride was evident in the children of Israel who murmured and complained against God. God brought judgment on them for such behavior. God hates pride. It will keep us from being all God wants us to be.

However, all is not lost. In Proverbs, we also receive some great encouragement

Keep thy heart with all diligence;
for out of it are the issues of life.
4:23

For as he thinketh in his heart,
so is he....
23:7a

The Bible is our EKG. It will reveal to us all areas of spiritual heart trouble. It also gives us good “how to” information in remedying any spiritual heart problems we may have. For our main solution in this area, Psalm 119:11 gives us some great advice:

Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
That I might now sin against thee.

God will never leave us without answers. He loves us down into the very heart of each of us. He desires us to be clean and pure of heart as we see in Psalm 24:3,4

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who shall stand in His holy place?
He that hath clean hands. And a pure heart;
who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity,
nor sworn deceitfully.

Dear Jesus, only because of what You did in dying for each of us can we ever hope to be pure of heart as you were. Holy Spirit, keep convicting and teaching us from Your Word, helping us stay on track. In the precious name of Jesus....Amen

MIRRORS

“Mirror, mirror on the wall...who is fairest of them all.” 
 

I believe this came from a fairy tale, but never did I see that in full bloom like I did on one particular day. It was the first day of junior high school. Former sixth grade girls came together from four and an out of town school came together for their first day of seventh grade. When I got there prior to the first class, I was shocked. It seemed that all of those girls had congregated in the bathroom that was a good size room. Over several sinks was one long mirror on the wall. Girls were pushing here and there to look in the mirror in order to put their last curl in place or to put makeup on they hadn't worn much of until that day. That mirror was of vital importance on that day and other days as well. That mirror became a real security item for vulnerable girls away from grade school for the first time who felt they were suddenly someone different than they had been at the end of sixth grade.

When trying on my wedding gown at the store for a final fitting, I stood for a time in front of a three way mirror. Then a lady took me to a door and told me to go inside. There I found myself in a very small area surrounded by mirrors. In that small area, no matter where I looked, I could see a different view of myself in my gown. If there had been any problem with that gown from the front, back or sides, it wouldn't have been hard to see it.

Mirrors are important to women and men alike. Mirrors show what we look like and what improvements we need to make in our appearances. There's nothing wrong with mirrors if they don't become an obsession. Mirrors come in all sizes and shapes. Some can be carried in a purse while some hang on a wall. There are mirrors that are floor length while others may hang in a home for decoration only. However, just about everyone who passes by a mirror will do a quick check of what they look like.

Along with the various kind of mirrors we can purchase and use for whatever purposes, we can find in Scripture something about a mirror. Even though Scripture may refer to mirrors as being a “glass” the purpose is still the same. Our spiritual mirror isn't meant to be a wall decoration. Our spiritual mirror also comes in various sizes and shapes. It is the entirety of the Word of God, our Bibles...that mirror can show us on any given day what we look like to our Father and what smudges of sin and self need to be removed.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearer
only, deceiving your own selves
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not
a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural
face in a glass:
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and
straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
James 1:22-24

Here we see the word “glass” that in Scripture refers to something that reflects. If it's a glass we look into, we will see our spiritual reflection. In the above verses we see a command to be doers of the word of God. We see if we are only hearers of the Word and not doers, we walk in disobedience. The Word of God is our mirror that gives us instruction in living for and serving God. The Word becomes our spiritual mirror that will reveal not just the things we are doing right but also convicts of those things we are doing wrong...sin. Some will see sin and just walk away from that precious mirror with no corrections. I can just about guarantee that not one of those junior high girls standing before that long mirror in that bathroom walked away with a hair out of place. We must be just as meticulous in looking into God's Word seeing what we look like spiritually. We must not walk away without responding to what our wonderful mirror shows us.

We have wonderful opportunities of beholding God in ways the world will never understand. It is a process by which we are miraculously changed to be like Him through the Holy Spirit.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass
the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same
image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit
of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18

James again tells us that our mirror is the perfect law of liberty. If we are doers and continue in God's will, we will be a blessed people.

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,
and continueth therein, he being not
forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this
man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 1:25

I don't know about you but I want God's blessing on my life. I have no excuse because I know the answer is my response to my spiritual mirror...the precious Word of God.

Father, I thank You for Your Word brought to us by Your Spirit. It's all about Your son Jesus and our being more like Him. As we look into Your mirror, may we be quick to comb away the sin and repent of those smudges of sin we see in our lives. In Jesus precious name...Amen

ALL OVER THE PLACE

Thou compassest my path and my
lying down, and art acquainted
with all my ways.
Thou has beset me behind and
before, and
laid thine hand upon me.
Psalm 139: 3,5

It was in college I read a book entitled “Your God is Too Small.” I can't tell you what an eye- opener that book was for me. I probably grew as much spiritually in college as I did in my previous years after my salvation at the age of 10. It was a very small book, but packed full of pointing out how big our God is and how we tend to keep Him in our own small boxes. I realized at that time I had a Sunday school view of God and His presence in my life. We'll never understand it all, but we are slack in putting into every day practice what we do know about Him and His all-encompassing presence.

As I write, Brian and I have been on the road visiting family. I find it isn't that often I think about the wonderful fact that God can be with me no matter where I am or where I go. It seems like such a simple concept in the theological view of things, but I am wondering if we know how blessed we are to have the watch care of our Heavenly Father every single place we go. Oh, we know as believers that the Holy Spirit dwells in us, but how often do we even give that fact a thought? It seems almost trivial to think God is with me when I go to the grocery store, run an errand, go out to lunch with a friend or when I go to get my hair fixed, but facts are facts.

I'm so grateful for God's continual presence when:

• visiting a friend in the hospital
• going to the doctor for my monthly eye injection
• comforting a friend going through a difficult time
• speaking with a young friend who is going through a difficult pregnancy
• our country seems to be bottoming out at times
• just sitting in my chair reading
• having a sandwich for lunch
• sitting in my favorite spot in the mountains
• concerned for my children and grandchildren.

It's hard to fathom how no matter where I go, God is not only with me, but already there at my destination. As I have left from where I was, He was there and remained there as well. He's above me and beneath me.

However, really thinking on those particular things also remind me of some things I might not want to think about. I love thinking about God's direction and protection in my life, but can it always be a good thing? Yes and no! What about when I:

• have a rotten attitude
• speak harshly to someone
• neglect spiritual responsibility
• share in spreading gossip
• fail to keep a promise
• show little respect for authority

You see, God is always present during those times as well. Such is just a fraction of the sin we commit toward our Heavenly Father often without even giving such a thought. If such things and others negative in nature are against God's wishes for us, then we call those things sin and He's as aware of those things as any good we do in His name.

Not long ago, our ladies Bible study worked on the topic of practicing the presence of God in our every day living. This doesn't mean just being aware of any good or sin God sees in us wherever we are. We have opportunities to not only be aware of His constant presence, but to put into practice doing everything for God's glory no matter how big or how menial.

I'm encouraging myself to be more aware that He is with me with His love and concern, and yes, with his guidance and direction. I also want to be more appreciative for how He views me in such a personal way....just as He does you. No matter the joy or heartache...the safety of life or peril, nothing can touch us without it first passing through the fingers of God. That's something I'm really trying to continue to learn, even if it takes some difficult times to teach me.

Thank You, Father, for Your loving care over us when we don't even realize You are present in every day life and events. May the thought encourage us to love and serve You with the greatest of love on our part and dedication to please You in every aspect of our lives. In Jesus' precious name....Amen