WATER, WATER

But whoever drinks of the water
that I will give him shall never
thirst; but the water that I will
give him will become in him a
well of water springing up to
eternal life.
John 4:14

Water is something we take for granted. It has been a lifelong friend and necessity for all of us. While we may drink it in various forms, we also have water in the foods we eat. When it rains, we benefit from it's moisture even to the point of humidity in the air that we sometimes don't care for. We have fun with water. If you are a boater, fisherman, water skier, swimmer or just a wader in a stream, water can be most enjoyable. We bathe in it for cleansing and doctors scrub in it prior to surgery while some folks have to have it for various forms of therapy.

Water is prominent in Scripture beginning with it's creation in Genesis 1. Not too far into Genesis we meet Noah and his family who are living in a time where civilization was evil to the core. God made a decision to wash it all away and begin again with Noah building an ark in preparation for a massive flood that would destroy everything except for those harbored in the ark.

In Exodus we meet Moses leading a very ungrateful people out of slavery in Egypt. Along the way, rations dwindled and there was a need for food and water. Amazingly along with manna from Heaven for food, God also provided water from a rock. Amazing....water from a rock. They had already crossed the Red Sea where the power of water was shown in it's fullest, but no fuller than the power of God who controlled it.

An important use of water was/is for baptism. John the Baptist baptized people in his day and had the privilege of baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River. Jesus saved His disciples from drowning in the Sea of Galilee during a storm. He also washed His disciples feet using a basin of water. So water has been down through time vital for many reasons, especially keeping a human body hydrated.

When droughts come bringing a desperation for water, people do any number of things to encourage rain. There has been seeding clouds, praying for it and even digging for it. Many farmers I recall had wells near their houses. I remember drinking well water while at the farm of a relative. It tasted so different, so good and so cool.

Jesus, in John 4, sat down at a well in Samaria and spoke with a woman who came mid-day for water. There were two things wrong with this as the Jews of that day would see it. First Jesus was in Samaria. Jews would walk many miles around Samaria without entering it. Next, he spoke with a woman at the well, especially with no one else around. He had sent His disciples for provision. All this was put to one side because Jesus had a message for this woman and the same lesson that would come down through the centuries to us.

When Jesus saw this woman, He engaged her in conversation on the subject of water. She was thinking of physical water that would have tasted good at that time in the heat of the day. However,, Jesus had a different kind of water in mind. He spoke to her of spiritual water, a water that would never run dry. It would flow from the inside of a believer and hydrate that believer in ways physical water could never do. She appeared to be fascinated with what He was teaching and became a believer almost on the spot. She couldn't wait to tell others of this experience and many of them too sought that spiritual water Jesus spoke of.

So how does anyone experience that filling spiritual water Jesus spoke of then and still makes available to people in our day?

*Without a salvation experience, spiritual water isn't available. This point cannot be ignored.
*Once saved, we will stay refreshed by being in God's Word, drinking from it in abundance.
*Prayer is that connecting water hose available to us that keeps us refreshed and blessed in so many ways. Prayer is our lifeline to our Heavenly Father.
*This spiritual water needs no well, will never become scarce, but is available constantly no matter where we are or the circumstances.

Just as Jesus spoke to that Samaritan woman that day, so He extends the same information and invitation to people today. Sometimes while pouring a glass of cold water  into a glass, we might want to reflect and thank Jesus for that spiritual water available to us with no well or faucet required

Father, thank You for Your Son Jesus, the giver of that water to every believer from Him that is always available to us. Thank You for it's strengthening and sustaining power in our lives. Thank You too for the refreshment we find in You every day. Keep us close and in Your Word daily. Forgive us of our sin and keep us close in these days of evil and confusion. Amen.

IMAGINE THAT

For the weapons of our warfare are
not carnal, but mighty through God to
the pulling down of strong holds:

Casting down imaginations, and every
high thing that exalteth itself against
the knowledge of God, and bringing
into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ.
II Corinthians 10:4,5

Imagination can be a wonderful thing. It's that part of us that dreams, creates and plans. There is nothing wrong with imagination when used in it's correct context. Paul speaks of imagination in terms that are negative. The people in Corinth were facing a lot of negativity in their lives in their cultural circumstances, similar to what America is facing today. Satan loves playing with our minds and works heavily in our imaginations. Think of the times our thinking about our own circumstance begins with two words...”What if.” Those two words can take us down a very negative path imagining things that haven't happened and probably never will. This was happening with the Corinthians...negative imaginations. It would appear they were feeding on those imaginations rather than on the knowledge of God.

We are faced on every side with circumstances that contribute to our negative imaginations and thinking. In fact, they are so negative they strike fear of the present and future days. Protests, killings, people burning buildings...”What if.” Political manipulations, politicians who don't seem to care about regular citizens, statues of our historical heroes trashed...”What if.” Flu symptoms, being alone and vulnerable, finances drained...”What if.” With just the mention of some of those things, our “What if” thinking kicks into high gear.

This week, while reading in II Corinthians, I came across the verses above, verses that struck me in my spiritual heart in such a different way, mostly because of the events of our present time. Paul gives a simple command to cast down anything that tries to exalt itself above God, get rid of them, and refuse to entertain them. Sounds impossible, doesn't it. However, we also know that with God, nothing is impossible.

There are times I feel sorry for God. I don't know how He tolerates any of us on any given day. We don't have to murder anyone, rob a bank, crush another's spirit, etc. What we forget is that to God sin is sin. I realize some sins are more far reaching and crushing, often affecting dozens of people for a lifetime. Scripture brings me back to the fact that God is sovereign and is very capable of taking care of Himself and of all of us for sure.

I feel bad for people who weren't born in the times I was. This is one of my problems in that I have some other times to compare with today's events. I remember a country that was loyal, never questioned the treatment of the American flag and for the most part, where people were happy. Sure there were problems. We lived in a fallen world like we do now. All lives mattered. I didn't know a thing about abortion until I was out of college. We weathered wars that were heart breaking. Yep, we had our messes, but we're in a mess right now so what do we do.

One of our biggest mistakes we make as Christians is that we feel there is nothing we can do because we are individuals and what can one person do. I was feeling a little of that as I was praying the other day, but it came to me...what if every concerned Christian dedicated themselves to be people of prayer like never before? Praying in church is fine, but I'm talking about all of us dedicating ourselves to be people of prayer on a daily basis.

So in this time, WHAT IF we:

Commit to prayer and Bible study
Are faithful to our church in every way possible
Cast out our own evil thinking that isn't of God
Allow God to rule our minds and imaginations
Bring our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ
Take advantage of the weapons of warfare God has made available to us.
Speak in love for God to another He may put in our paths.

Change will never come except on an individual level. We can't wait for other person to get right with God. It must begin in us individually and then What If can be changed into What Is because of personal obedience to Jesus. I can't change anyone else...just me...just imagine!! Then I must partner with God to be a personal witness to others of His love.

Dear Father we are seeing confusion and evil in abundance these days. We may fret and worry, but in that process, forget that nothing escapes Your sight. You remain in charge of every circumstance and You will handle such circumstances for purposes we may never know. Help us to lean on You and trust You in these complex times. In it all, we are gratteful that Jesus died for every person no matter their background. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and my friends...giving us a life that can be lived for You. In Your precious name...Amen

SPLASHIN' IN THE WORD

Isaiah 43

Recently in some hot days and in seeing some TV ads of children playing in sprinklers, splashin' in a pool or even dancing in the rain, my mind went back to my sister Kay and I in younger years playing with the water hose in our back yard. Mother would adjust the nozzle, hang it over a clothes line and then turn it on full blast. Kay and I ran in and out of the falling water, even jumping two-footed in any puddles that developed. We hated to go into the house to dry off and get into dry clothing. We wanted to keep playing, but there was a time to stop. It felt good...it was fun.

This past week, while reading in the book of Isaiah, I got stuck on chapter 43. I was being refreshed over an over as I “splashed around” in those pages and always hated stopping because of other things that had to be done. God was speaking to His redeemed people back then, but I am one of His redeemed as well now. I'm not sitting in Israel, but in the mountains of Tennessee. I'm still one of His redeemed. When I saw words for Israel, I just slipped my name in there claiming those same blessings God continues to spray into my life that I can just splash around in with the greatest of delight. Take a look:

1.But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator,

O Jacob, (Glendarae), and He who formed

you, O Israel, (Glendarae)

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have

called you by name; you are mine!

2.When you pass through the waters, I will

be with you; and through the rivers, they

will not overflow you. When you walk

through the fire, you will not be scorched,

nor will the flame burn you.

5a. Do not fear, for I am with you....

Are you with me yet? Read back over those verses, child of God, and splash around in God's wonderful words to us. MORE...

13. Even from eternity I am He, and there

is none who can deliver out of My hand; I

act and who can reverse it?

ONE MORE...

19. I will do something new, now it will

spring forth; will you not be aware

of it? I will even make a road in the

wilderness, rivers in the desert.

Get out your pencil and do some digging in Isaiah 43...the deeper you dig, I believe you will strike water...that wonderful water Jesus spoke of to the Samaritan woman in John 4. When you do, just splash with rejoicing in the promises of God. We need refreshing in these days and only our Heavenly Father can provide that for us.

Thank You Father being our refreshment in times of the dust of turmoil. May we take more personally Your love and care for us and not regard what we read from Your word as just general information. You are so precious to we undeserving people. Thank You for Your loving patience. In all these things, may Jesus be praised. In His name....Amen

REMEMBER

Remember those who led you, who
spoke the word of God to you and
considering the result of their
conduct imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:7

Think back...who is the very first Sunday school teacher you remember? What is the name of the first pastor you remember standing in the pulpit of your church when you were just a kid? Who were some people in the church you may have admired as a very young person...folks you watched and observed? As a very little girl, I remember how the older ladies smelled so good from various perfumes, soaps or bath powders. Remember for a moment those church folks who smiled, handed you a piece of candy, hugged you and maybe corrected you for not behaving in church.

I said to my husband the other day when folks think of their favorite school teachers, most will leave out one of the most important teacher in their lives. I don't know all their names in each of your lives, but I know the position they held. That teacher I'm referring to is the teacher in our youngest school years who taught us how to read. There wasn't any skill taught so vital to the rest of our educational/life success. Without reading, we could go no further even in elementary school. So when I think of that teacher, I think of Miss Irene, my first grade teacher. She had also taught my mother when she was in grade school.

In church, my mind and heart goes to Nellie Barker. She was our preschool Sunday school teacher who had come from England. We loved the way she talked. Many in class couldn't yet pronounce their “r's” so called her Nellie Bawka. She was about as round as she was tall with gray hair. She loved teaching children. There were huge Bible character pictures she put up on the walls of our room. She put them halfway down the wall so we could easily see them. We didn't have fancy Sunday school literature then, but she made Bible stories live. She was a hugger and often expressed her love for us. I can remember her voice and how she would pat her sweating forehead with her handkerchief. Thank you Nellie Bawka for setting several of us on the right path of loving the Bible and Sunday school.

We are in a season of honoring moms and dads. Blessed is the person who has known nothing but godly parents who taught him or her the things of God from the very beginning of life. They were taught prayer before meals and at bedtime. A parent read Bible stories to them when young and shared things from the Scriptures as they grew through their teens. Such parents still encourage their children from the Word at appropriate times.

At our adult stage, we have a lot to look back on. We have been so blessed by all the spiritual input that has been put into our hearts and not just in our childhood years. Even during our adult years, there are teachers, preachers, Bible study leaders...all and more who have and who continue to invest in our lives spiritually. I've had several pastors and Sunday school teachers in my adult live who have enriched me in the things of God. I presently have a great pastor and Sunday school teacher who bless me on a regular basis with their teaching. I'm not the only one who is benefiting from such people of God.

Many of my remembrances in this area are already in Heaven. I believe as I continue to remember and be blessed by those folks that God sees and His rewards for those folks continue. We must remember that we are all teachers too. We may not preach a sermon or teach a Sunday school class, but people are hopefully being blessed by our lives lived and they will remember.

 Let's take a little time and think back on those who taught us so much but perhaps knew little of their own influence on us. One of the best ways to remember them would be to stop and thank our heavenly Father for each of them and their influence in our lives.

Dear Father, there is so much to remember about Your goodness in our lives. We think of Jesus giving His all for us as well as Your sweet Holy Spirit Who still ministers in our very beings. Thank You for being You in our every breath and step. Rather than our problems, may we remember what a blessed people we are. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

MINDSET OF THE DAY

For the mind set on the flesh is death,
but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace
Romans 8:6 (NASB)

When in grade school, I remember struggling with the multiplication tables. They just looked like a hodge-podge of numbers that made no sense. To this day, I'm not sure but what I was right, but have come to grips with the need for knowing them. I recall a teacher using a phrase I often heard my Grandma Benbrook use: “Glendarae, you have to set your mind on it.” I knew what she meant because I had heard her use that saying if I was struggling with anything else at the time. Country folks often used that phrase so it came naturally in my Grandma's vocabulary.

For several years now, I have loved Romans 8. It is filled with love, security and encouragement, all in abundance. Any Christian needs those things from their Heavenly Father. Just as children need those things from their earthly parents, the need is even greater from their Heavenly parent.

However, there is much more to the chapter than warm words of affection. I've read this chapter over and over for several years, but it's only been in recent days, the Holy Spirit has stopped my reading at about verse 8. In the translation I am using, I came across a word that caught my attention. I saw from verses 5 through 7 the word “mindset” four different times.

Although I know in my mind what “mindset” means, I looked up a few sources for the definition of the word. I came to the conclusion that a mind set is just that...having set ones mind in an established way of thinking or reasoning. My mindset is my established thinking about anything. In that process, I've set my mind on any number of things that can be beneficial or can do damage to me in some way. Most of our struggles will be based in our minds...our thinking.

There are those folks in Scripture who set their mind on some things, some good and some not so good. Solomon comes to mind in the beginning days of his reign when God wanted to grant him what he most wanted. Amazingly, Solomon chose wisdom. He speaks of it later in Ecclesiastes 1:13 where he said he set his mind to seek and explore wisdom.

The King in Daniel 6:14, set his mind on delivering Daniel from the lions den. Jesus had to speak words of correction to Peter when Peter stepped a little out of bounds. In Matthew 6:23 Jesus told Peter he wasn't setting his mind on God's interests but mans.

For myself, much like those multiplication tables, I have decided if I am to be all for Jesus He wants of me that it's not going to happen unless I set my mind to do just that. The lazy, hazy days of summer are around us. Such days can be detrimental to maintaining a close walk with the Lord. During such days, there are many distractions that can pull our minds from one thing to another. If our minds aren't set with a spiritual determination to maintain consistency in our walk with the Lord, straying is very likely.

We are going through some very unusual days right now. Because of the virus, there are isolation mandates and our lives seem to have been turned upside down. However, we must not waste these days for we've been granted some time to use in beneficial ways. There's cleaning we can do along with yard work. Closet cleaning might be a worthy activity we can do. However, there are spiritual activities we should maintain: regular Bible reading, times of prayer, church attendance (when allowed), finding ways to encourage others, and other things we can do to enrich the lives of others as well as our own.

Among other Biblical persons mentioned above, next to Jesus, Paul probably had as strong of a spiritual mind set as anyone we can read about. He gave good advice to the people in Colossae when he said to them in chapter three, verse two:

Set your mind on the things above,
not on the things that are on the earth.

May it be so for each of us as we determine to have our mind set on the things of God no matter the time of year, problems to be faced or in every day living...come rain or come shine.

Dear Father, I pray I will have the right loving mind set on spiritual things that would honor You in every way. Help me to keep my mind on Your Word and on Your will. May I stay focused on the things that are important and that would please You. In Jesus precious name...Amen

WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?

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

In recent days, I had an interesting conversation with my daughter Beverly. She had an important seminar coming up and as usual I assured her of my prayers. It was to be the kind of situation where she and three others would appear together by computer where other agencies of like business could write in their questions to be asked of any of the four young women participating. Beverly knew some folks who would be submitting questions that caused her concern because of some past experiences. She mentioned to me that a sentence from Scripture had come to her...”Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.” She had found great encouragement in that, but I ask you...”Where did that come from?”

I smiled to myself because while a social worker I was faced with a lot of negative confrontations with state workers, in our agency and with foster parents. There were times I didn't want to face a day knowing what was coming. That sentence from Psalm 23 that Beverly mentioned was one that had “come” to me several years ago and she and I had never discussed it. Many a time, I remember a quick prayer I would voice saying, “Well dear Lord, it's time for You to set the table.”

Perhaps you like me have had those moments when suddenly, a Bible verse or phrase from one suddenly came to mind as if out of nowhere. I can guarantee for the believer that such is never an accident or something you yourself come up with. This happens so often with me. The appearing verse may seem to have little meaning in the moment, but may come to me in preparation for a situation I didn't see coming. The Holy Spirit sees ahead of us. He lives in every believer and knows what we need from His own Word.

You could probably remember verses that have spoken to your heart on occasions seemingly out of nowhere. You may have even wondered “Where did that come from?” Some phrases that have “come to me” at various times of need are:

*”I will never leave or forsake you.”
*”I hold you in the palm of My hand.”
*”For with God, nothing is impossible.”
*”I will guide you with My eye.”
*”Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”
*”Rejoice in the Lord.”

Here's my concern for all of us. Those things the Spirit has swished through my mind often in an unexpected moment are things from the Word I have already read, studied in depth, heard in a sermon or perhaps from the encouragement of others. All of that stores up in our minds. The Holy Spirit then has a lot to remind us of from His Word that we have already accumulated in recesses of our minds. He can impress us in any way He wants, but our being in the Scriptures gives us ongoing inspiration for any day.

When these moments of inspiration come to us, our response shouldn't be “Where did that come from.” As believers we should recognize the Source, pause and express our gratitude with praise and thanksgiving. What an honor and blessing that we should be recipients of such precious, loving attention from God Himself.

Thank You Father for Your Word and Your Holy Spirit Who ministers to us through it. Help us to respond as we should to the prompting of Your Spirit and walk in obedience to all we read in Your Word. We praise You for all You have done through Your Son, Jesus in saving us for eternity. It's in His name we pray...Amen

CLEANING A PLOW

The steps of a man are
established by the Lord, and
He delights in his way.
Psalm 37:23

When just a little girl and having displeased my Mother in some way, she would sometimes say, “Glendarae, straighten up or I'm going to clean your plow.” I knew about plows from having relatives who were farmers. After a day of plowing, a farmer would usually come back to the barn area where if needed would hose off their plow of stuck on dirt and weeds. That way, the plow was clean, serviceable and ready for work the next day. Somehow, those few words became words of caution when dealing with misbehaving children (not that I could ever have been accused of misbehavior).

A day or so ago, I prepared to do my usual daily reading in the book of Psalms...in fact it was the seventh. After reading Psalm 7 that meant my next step was to add 30 to that and then read Psalm 37. I was tempted to go back a day and go from there. I have to tell you that Psalm 37 usually “cleans my plow” because it's a Psalm that invariably convicts, corrects and turns me inside out spiritually. However, it is a Psalm that also instructs and lovingly encourages. When reading it, there is always something brand new for me to “chew on”, probably because of where I am spiritually on any given day.

I bravely turned to Psalm 37 and jumping out, first word of verse one, was a word I've hardly paid any attention to...”fret.” It's a word that isn't used much anymore, but is still relevant to our day and in my life personally. Fretting isn't just worrying although it can be a form of it. When we fret, we are all consumed with whatever negative circumstances have come into our lives. We're like a dog with a bone. We are obsessed with the situation and can even become resentful, complaining and moody.

So as I jumped into the first verse, I saw “Do not fret because of evildoers....” That was enough that I could have parked there for a good bit of time. I can work up a good anger seeing all the evil going on around us that I can do nothing about on my own except to pray and clean up my own life. That's enough on a personal level for me to handle.

I read on and in verse 7 saw: “Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way.” It goes on to speak of a man who prospers because of wicked schemes. This is an easy one to understand, and can really “eat our lunches.”

Verse 8 really contained the capstone of the subject: “Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.” That's a pretty good reason for avoiding being a fretful person. In mulling over the evil of others, we are exposed more and more to evil thinking. It can almost become a friend if we aren't careful.

Proverbs 37 doesn't leave us hanging with no advice or encouragement. Throughout the chapter are single words that speak for themselves. These words give us guidance and direction hopefully keeping us from fretting. Some of these I noticed are: Trust(3), Delight(4), Commit(5), Rest(7) and, Wait(34). You can take in these words and their complete phrases that aren't long at all if you turn to this chapter.

Scripture may at times “clean our plows” and be uncomfortable as we read in the Word, but through that process, we are made more usable for the Kingdom if we are clean, allowing the Spirit to wash us down and cleanse us. Yielding to the cleaning process of the Spirit will be a lot easier than if we have to yield the hard way. How clean are our plows today?

Dear Father, I'm so grateful for how clearly Your Word speaks to me and for Your Spirit who teaches me what I am to learn. I want to be a clean vessel. I know I fret too much about the evil around me. When I worry or fret, I'm as much as taking my concerns out of Your hands. Thank You for being sovereign and in charge all the time of all things. If it weren't for Jesus I would be totally lost and alone and I pray in His precious name....Amen

THE IMPORTANCE OF ROOTS

Therefore as you have received
walk in Him,
having been firmly rooted and
now being built up in Him and
established in your faith, just as
you were instructed, and
overflowing with gratitude.
Colossians 2:6,7

We may be seeing the beauty of Spring here in the mountains. It seems a long time coming with all of the weeks of rain, swelled rivers and rock slides that we have been experiencing. Trees are flowering as are jonquils in all their golden glory. Some wild flowers are making their appearances. We would usually be seeing Spring lovers from distant states coming to enjoy it all but present circumstances are preventing that.

Prior to grass greening up, are the weeds making appearances. Obviously, we didn't do a good job last Fall in ridding ourselves of these pests. They poke their leaves and even blossoms above ground almost in a taunting way. I'm amazed at how weeds can disguise themselves as pretty blossoms and flowers. My granddaughter recently brought me a small bouquet of such heather-looking blossoms. I put them in a cup of water and even then, they refused to die and lingered for days.

There is a lot to be said for weeds. They are tough with a determination to exist on their own terms. Much of their success is due to good roots. Roots represent beginnings. We hear of roots that are related to people and the importance of the roots of their ancestries running deep...an indicator of health, security and belonging. Even with good roots, people have little bragging rights compared to the most important root mentioned in Scripture found in the book of Isaiah 11:1,2:

Then a root will spring from the stem
of Jesse, and a branch from
his roots will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and strength,
the spirit of knowledge and the
fear of the Lord.

I realize roots are important for so many reasons in the natural sense, but the promise of Jesus coming from the stem of Jesse, the root that would bear fruit and be all for the world it needed. That root could never be uprooted or destroyed. It (He) would bear fruit that we have benefited from that will see us into eternity.

We benefit in so many ways through that precious root, Jesus. What exactly do roots do for any plant life?
* they provide nutrition for whatever the plant is
* they provide stability for a plant as it grows holding it in place, and
* their work is unseen in bringing forth fruit or beauty

Roots don't just happen. They come in the very beginning from a seed. Seeds don't just become plants. It takes good soil, water, and eventually sun as the root forms, matures and sends sprouts upward through the topsoil. The root even then continues to feed the plant ensuring it's survival. To fully survive, the plant must stay grounded in the earth via the root.

If we are to grow in Christ, it will mean being rooted and grounded in His love. It will mean our spirit is watered with the Word of God on a regular basis and being people of prayer. It also means there are times we need to do some “weeding” in our lives. Weeds (sin) destroy and sin can easily slip into our lives causing heartache and even destruction.

Our goal should be that of growing in the Lord and being fruitful for His glory. Speaking of the blessed person in Psalm 1:3, we have a good description of what we should aim for in our relationship with the Lord:

He (the blessed person) will be like a tree firmly planted
by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season.
And it's leaf does not wither; and in whatever
he does, he prospers.

Spring is here and as much as we can enjoy the beauty of God's nature, we should be just as concerned for our own spiritual growth that can come only when we are grounded and rooted deeply in Jesus Christ. May our desire be to grow deeper and deeper in Christ so we will be more fruitful, and yes, beautiful for His glory.

Dear Father, keep me growing and flourishing in You. I want to be fruitful for Your kingdom and glory. May I be alert to any weeds of sin that can seem to sneak into my life. Forgive me for all the times I sin and disappoint you. Thank You for Jesus who makes life worth living everyday. In His precious name....Amen

ALL WILL BE WELL

The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, be with you
all. Amen
Philippians 4:23

It's an odd verse to use in closing out this brief look in the book of Philippians. This Friday blog will be the last one I'll do on Fridays. There are churches beginning to come together again which will hopefully begin to get folks back on track. If not, I would encourage you to stay in the Scriptures whether your church begins to meet or not. We will all feel some isolation at times that don't necessarily have anything to do with a pandemic. It is the Word that will feed and heal us. Riding on the spiritual coat tails of others will never suffice.

Through this book, I see Paul giving these people he loves so dearly a sense of hope and a sense of destiny. Some of you have heard from me how I break the word “hope” down.

H-aving O-nly P-ositive E-xpectations.

Paul encouraged HOPE all through this book not only for those then, but also for us today. Keep in mind that hope always looks forward, never backward. So let's be doing just that.

The book of Philippians should be an easy read for us. It contains only four chapters two of which contain 30 verses. All total, there are only 104 verses in the entire book. This book is so full of familiar verses that a one seated reading is not laborious at all. It's not only a book of instruction, but of great encouragement and practical for our every day living. I've been reading this through a few times for my own help and hopefully for you as well.

Paul gives his friends such words of encouragement that are trickling down to you and me in our day. One of my first acquaintances with this book came through a very distant relative who at the time as teens, she and I were only a couple of years apart. Her life verse was 1:21. (Any Scriptures I share in this blog will be from Philippians so I will only use references.) I had never read this book or much of anything in it at the time. As I did though, her verse took on real meaning for me as well.

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

That's a mouthful. You don't know how often I've questioned myself as to how much meaning that verse has for me. It's a verse toward the beginning of this book. Paul felt it was wonderful living and serving Jesus, but to die and be with Jesus would be best of all. We so cling to life on this earth that it would seem nothing could be better despite it's trials. There are many times in my life when I have looked back, but when in Heaven, there will be no looking back. ALL WILL BE WELL.

In this life, we struggle to really know Christ as faithfully and lovingly as is possible. It isn't an easy endeavor however. In 3:10, we see

That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection,
and the fellowship of His sufferings, made conformable unto His death.”

I can't tell you how often I've heard this verse quoted. It sounds so good, but if someone claims that verse as her/his own, it's a lot to come to grips with. Jesus' power looks good but are we willing to go through the sufferings and even die in order to know Him. Death might mean dying to self or in our age, it could mean physical death. So, how badly to I want to know Him? Is any suffering I go through cause for my griping and complaining. When was the last time I died to self or to things that bring pleasure to self that might not be in my best interest. Turning it all over to Jesus and relying on His Spirit will bring us where we should be if we are sincerely seeking Him. ALL WILL BE WELL.

There are other verses that speak for themselves not just to claim, but to incorporate into our very beings.

I can do all things through Christ strengtheneth me.” (3:13)

“Not that I speak in respect of want:
for I have learned, in whatsoever
state I am, therewith to be content”
(4:11)

How I praise Jesus for the strength he instills into my life both spiritually and physically as well. In that strength, I can do more than I think I can do. He equips me in every way to be for Him what He wants. In that same vein, Paul speaks of contentment. I think I am pretty content most of the time, but most of the time just doesn't work. Several years ago, I heard a good definition for contentment. The person said, “Contentment is letting God be God.” I love that because it is so true.

No matter the state or condition of my circumstances, I have to learn to be content in the fact that God is in and ever with me. I can rejoice in the good and rejoice as well through the difficulties. We are strengthened by our Father to do and be anything for Him. In that strength I can be content no matter my circumstances. Remember: ALL WILL BE WELL.

Thank You Father, for this precious book so full of Your encouragement and instruction so that we might really know You better, putting into action our service for You and toward others. Our gratitude too for Your faithfulness and patience with us when You see us struggle unnecessarily, but as You wait for us to come to You with our every need. Thank You for Jesus who paid it all. In His precious name...Amen

REMEMBER THE WILDERNESS

And thou shalt remember all the
way which the Lord thy God led
thee these forty years in the
wilderness, to humble thee,
to prove thee, to know what
was in thine heart, whether thou
wouldst keep his commandments,
or no.
Deuteronomy 8:2

Talking to some friends lately about being in captivity, not because of being imprisoned in jail. but of feeling captive to a negative situation in our lives. Captivity is where we are put in a place with seemingly no way out. It might be a habit or any kind of negative happening in our lives.

What the Israelites went through in the wilderness in the beginning and even intent was not a captive situation. The Israelites were happy to return back to their home land. They had no idea though, what a time of testing they would experience in a 40 year period of time. As I was reading in Deuteronomy 8, I realized the people were being given some back-of-the-wilderness instructions.

This verse took me back...back to some of my own wilderness wanderings. My first trip was leaving my home town to go to college in Kansas. It was my first time to be away from home for a span of time. I didn't know anyone, the surroundings very different. I can't tell you the things the Lord taught me while attending that Christian college in my four years there. I felt a depth of loneliness that first year I had never known before. After college I went to a city next to Chicago where I worked in a Christian center with young people and some adults of a different race than my own. Not only was I lonely, but was in a cultural situation that for me was very different and challenging. I adjusted, but for a time, there were many tears when my head hit the pillow at bedtime.

I could go on as could you, but in verse 2 of this very informative chapter, my eyes stopped there realizing how God listed some of His expectations of His people in this venture toward a home place many had never known. God was hoping there would be some lessons learned in that time, some spiritual skills developed and a strong relationship with God Himself strengthened.

First, God wanted them to be in a loving relationship with Him.  He meant them no ill will.  There was so much catching up they had to do spiritually.  God wanted there to be a willingness on their part to love Him and find happiness in Him even in the wilderness.

Second, God wanted them to come to realize their only sufficiency was God Himself. No more self-sufficiency was in order in the desert. God wanted something very new from His people. He wanted their eyes off of selves and on to Him. If it took the wilderness to accomplish that, so be it.

Third, God wanted them to know their own hearts. It would appear they didn't know themselves very well. In many respects, they were getting reacquainted with the God of their fathers while coming to know themselves better. This took real self-examination regarding their obedience on an individual level. In that time, it was vital that they trust and have faith in God to the point of choosing obedience.

That chapter revealed even more hopes for God's people. God wanted to be remembered by his people, that they would worship Him only. God cautioned the people that as parents chasten their children, so He would also chasten them as needed...all out of love.

I look at my wilderness days and can see myself in all of these areas. Away from home for the first time, I went for a time with no close-by support system. I learned quickly that God was my support and that no matter where I lived, He would always be with me. All of this was very humbling for me. I came to know quickly that I didn't have a heart totally given to the Lord. I thought I was in pretty good shape spiritually but the wilderness taught me so much more regarding my need for a closer relationship with the Lord. All of this drove me to God's Word, hanging onto every word for dear life.

As uncomfortable as our wilderness times may be, it pleases the Lord when those times drive us to Him. I think of some friends today away from family in a nursing home. Some are in a hospital bed with few visitors. We have missionaries in distant places away from home and family who may feel at times they are in a foreign wilderness. I'm thinking of some friends who in recent days have become widows...alone, facing their new normal.

I've also come to know that a wilderness for us isn't necessarily a place, but can be where we are emotionally or spiritually. Despite who, what or where we are, God got there before we arrived. He has a wonderful way of being with us and still meeting us at another place. We are so loved by God who wants only what's in our best interest. We will benefit so much better if we decide to walk in step with Him wherever He chooses to lead us. When they come, I pray I will never waste a wilderness moment.

Dear Father, thank You for those times when I was totally dependent you, away from all the familiar. You ministered to me in wonderful ways. I'm so much the better because of Your love and provision. In it all, You wanted to pull me to Yourself. Thank You Jesus for making my life so rich. In Your Name...Amen