CLEANIN' AND CREATIN'

Create in me a clean heart, O

God, and renew a right spirit

within me.

Psalm 51:10

This may sound odd, but there have been times I've almost felt sorry for God as I have seen Him having to work overtime on me. There's a neat chorus I don't know all the words to but the first line says it all where I'm concerned. The chorus begins “He's still workin' on me, to make me what I ought to be.” One would think at the age I am, that I would have this Christian walk of mine a little more down pat.

I have loved the above verse for many years. I think it was one of those rare Bible nuggets I came across when in my latter college days. The verse refers to two things God is more than capable of doing in my life....creating and renewing.

I recently said to our ladies class that the only Person who is creative is God Himself. We look at talented people as being creative...nope, can't happen. Creation means that something is made out of nothing. Only God could and can do that. In our verse we see God can bring into being a cleanliness in our heart no one else can bring. We can go to therapists, counselors and such that might be of help. Bottom line is the fact that only God can create a cleanliness in us no one or anything else can.

Creation may be God making something out of nothing but renewing is different. Renewing means that something of import is already in place but our spiritual subscription may be ebbing at best. I miss the days of old time revival services. Those were special meetings back in my child/teen years. It was a time of renewal, rededication. However, our going forward in a service didn't accomplish what we're talking about. Those times could be very self-gratifying, brought about for show or for feel-good moments. It's God Himself who wants to bring renewal into our lives.

Both words...create and renew...are words of refreshment. God wants to do both in you and me but it takes our recognizing personal need for more of Him and less of us. He won't force these things on us, but anxiously waits for us to want more of Him and less of self.

Father, clean us up with Your love, wisdom and power. Give us a hunger to be more like You than ever before. Thank You for not giving up on us. Thank You Jesus for Your shed blood that cleanses us from all sin. In Your name...Amen

 

ANOTHER YEAR WITH THE WORD

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet,

and light unto my path.

Psalm 119:105

Here we are again, at the beginning of a new year. It seems like the years are passing quicker and quicker, but sure it comes with the aging process. I have to wonder what I'm going to do with 2024. I wonder how different this coming year will be compared to any other new year I have lived through.

My concern for myself is that I don't want 2024 to be just another year spiritually, doing the same old things or not doing what I should be doing to live and grow in the Lord as I should. I'm not a resolution maker as I look down the road of a new year. Making resolutions for me is a mere human effort at self improvement.

Probably within the scope of my writing, every Christian I would know owns a copy of God's Word. The Bible should never become a relic of some kind for any of us. It's of no use if it isn't read, studied and allowed to change our lives.

The above verse tells us that the Word should serve at least two purposes in our lives. It is a lamp to our feet. A lamp gives more light than a candle and can clearly show where we are standing in the moment. The light from that lamp extends it's power to literally reveal to us where we are or should be traveling in this spiritual walk of ours.

We read in Scripture of folks who loved God so much that they were known by their walk with God. Without the lamp, we flounder in spiritual darkness. Any move without that light only leads to mistakes, errors and sin. With no lamp, there is no light, but God has lovingly provided both for our well-being and spiritual growth.

Dear Father, how precious is Your Word that connects us directly to You. Convict us and hold us close to Your Word as it is our spiritual life preserver. Thank You for it. In Jesus name...Amen

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

For there is born to you this day

in the city of David a Savior, who

is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

My first birthday party was when I was two years old. My Mother gathered her friends of like age with little ones of like age as mine for the party. I don't recall a thing about it and wouldn't know anything about it except for a few old black and white photos. The main food was home made vegetable soup and birthday cake. It was really for my mother to enjoy opening the presents I received.

Birthdays have always been big deals in our culture and they still are. Great hurt can come from not being remembered on one's birthday. A couple of empty cards just won't “cut the cake” so to speak. The feel and sound of ripping gift wrappings are necessary or it becomes just an ordinary day.

However, friends or relatives, ahead of one's special day may ask what one wants for her birthday. The older we get, the more that list shrinks because wants and needs become less and less. In our older years, we may express a desire for good health both physical and spiritual. We may not want a knowing friend to announce out loud our birthday in front of a group of people. Where once in much younger years, we wanted gifts and loads of attention, that seems to wane with time and age.

I have thought about what Jesus would like for His birthday this year. I know He's God but was also born physically like we were. He would have too many candles on a cake to light or blow out. If asked, “What do You want for Your birthday this year?” I think I know what a likely answer might be, and an honest desire on His part. I think He would be so pleased if we would simply give Him the gift of ourselves.

Happy Birthday Jesus and thank You for coming to a very unappreciative earth. Thank You for the greatest gift ever...that of our salvation. May we in turn be generous in giving our lives fully to You for Your use. In Your precious name...Amen 

HOPE IN GOD

Why are you cast down,

O my soul? And why are

you disquieted within me?

Hope in God;

for I shall yet praise Him for

the help of His countenance.

Psalm 42:8

I wonder how many times in my life, even beginning in very early years, how many times I have said the words: “I hope so..” I think in those early years, that I kinda, sorta knew I was wanting things to shake out to my benefit. Even as an adult, I still feel some of that even after these many years.

Psalm 42 is a Psalm of longing for God, especially in times of difficulty. We all know what those times are without giving anything a title. I also know that what may be difficult for another isn't necessarily difficult for me. The hard things of life we face are very individual but painful none-the-less. It is interestin ]g that in this chapter, verses 8 and 11 are almost identical in wording except for a last phrase and it is very similar. The cry out for God's presence at all times, especially in the hard times are so wonderfully speaking for us in this Psalm.

In just a matter of a few days, we will be looking at a new year. I'm not anticipating major problems coming my way bu t life can bring the positives and negatives during that year. But come what may, we have hope for the good and for the spiritual strength to plough through the rest. We may hope all we want but often fail to affirm that our hope can't be in the possible events of life. Whatever comes our way, any hope other than in our Heavenly Father is in vain.

Father, I'm so grateful that we a secure hope in You no matter our circumstances. In past days, we have thought we hope in doctors, neighbors and even family. All of those folks mean well but know our every need. We hope in You because You are our only help Thank You for Your individual care for us and consistent love. Thank You for Jesus who gave His all for us that our hope is safe and secure in You. In His precious name...Amen

 

PROMISES, PROMISES

The Lord is not slack concerning

His promise, as some count

slackness, but is long-suffering

toward us, not willing that any

should perish but that all should

to repentance.

II Peter 3:9

In days of childhood, we were quick to make promises. They didn't amount to much looking back but we were pretty serious about them at the time. If we made a promise we often sealed it by saying: “Cross my heart and hope to die...I'll stick a needle in my eye.” If we sealed our promise with that vow, probably most of us would have been blind by supper time.

So what is a promise? It is simply assuring firmly with an honest spirit that we will do exactly what we have told someone we will do. Of course, truth has a lot to do with promises. How often have we been lied to by someone who held a straight face stating they would come through for something on our behalf and probably had no intention of seeing that promise through.

We have learned through the years that our Bibles are full of the wonderful promises of God. Many in our lives have broken promises they have made to us. Such promises might have come from family or friends. However, even today, the media provides us with lots of promises through advertisements, news broadcasts or political events. It would seem in many areas that promises don't mean much anymore.

Aren't we thankful we have a Heavenly Father who ALWAYS keeps His Word. Scripture is full of His promises. It began in Genesis after the first sin, promising His plan for taking care of the sin problem. Noah after the flood was promised by God that there would never be again a flood that would be all encompassing like the one he had lived through. There are many promises regarding the coming of the Messiah. Along with this were prophecies of His sacrifice for the sins of humanity.

In the book of Hebrews, especially in chapter eleven we see mentioned many fulfilled promises by God on the part of Old Testament saints. It's an encouraging read. Unfortunately, we are often the recipients of unfulfilled promises so we tend to be a little hesitant in our believing in promises given to us at anytime.

Because God is faithful, keeps His Word and we have been on the negative end of broken promises, our faith is so necessary and grows as our relationship with Him grows. God never has and never will break a single promise He has declared on your and my behalf.  

I'm so grateful Father that You can be completely trusted concerning every single promise we see in Your Word. You have more than earned our trust. We love You and are so grateful for Your loving us, encouraging us in our relationship with You. In Jesus precious name...Amen

SCAREDY CAT, SCAREDY CAT

The LORD is my light and my

salvation; whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the strength of

my life; of whom shall I

be afraid?

Psalm 27:1

It's been a long time but very clear in my mind putting up with name calling. When in the very young elementary years, being called a SCAREDY CAT wasn't unusual. It usually occurred when someone older was daring me to do something I feared or really was afraid to tackle whatever the challenge. Adults usually get past such name calling but often are challenged none-the-less minus the name calling.

In Scripture, we meet folks who had to face their own fears. Most of their fears we can understand. Some of those fears may not always have been clear. For instance, David as a shepherd had to kill some fierce animals in order to protect his sheep. As an adult, we see David fleeing for his life from Saul. Did David love God? He certainly did love God but in his humanity still faced times of fear.

The above verse was written by David. If fear had come into David's life, he was quick to say how he came to see it. From what we see of David, he didn't park himself in the middle of fear, staying there until the cause passed over. He saw such circumstances in light of how he viewed the Lord in his life.

When we rely upon our Lord as our light, He can guide us through any circumstance. Our Lord will save us in the direst of negative events. Finally, David saw the Lord as his strength...strength when at one's weakest.

We are living in a culture of fear. Even TV ads try to scare us with health threats including new out breaks of whatever, safest cars to drive, right candidates to vote for and don't forget wars all over the place. No matter the scare tactics of Satan, we see in II Timothy 1:7 that “God hasn't given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Father, we are so grateful for Your guidance, protection and wisdom in our every circumstance. Help us to rest in You despite what our culture presents from one day to another. Use us in these days to be encouragers. In Jesus name....Amen

CHANGE ME, LORD

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.

II Corinthians 3:18

In today's culture, it's easy to look around at others, often Christians, judging regarding changes they need to make in their lives. We can dwell too often on the shortcomings of others instead of looking in our own spiritual mirrors.

In 1977, Evelyn Christenson wrote a book that totally blew my mind only next to the Word of God itself. I have a very old copy of it that book that I still pull out every now and then. Because my first few readings of this book had such an impact on my life, I still learn from it every time I read it. The title of the book is “Lord, Change Me.” It's such an old book, and I'm not even sure it can be purchased in a regular bookstore anymore but might be ordered.

Evelyn had been a wonderful conference speaker in prior to 1977 and to my knowledge continued to do so for several years. She wrote even more books on the subject of prayer. This book had prayer scattered throughout but the main subject of the book had to do with Evelyn and her coming to the recognition of needing the Lord to really change her instead of her family and friends.. When people like Evelyn do a lot of teaching, they can get lost in subjects and lose their depth with the Lord. Evelyn came to that recognition of that in the 1970's and was devastated, but determined to get on track with the Lord.

Evelyn went before the Lord over several days and weeks. She was to the point of being willing to totally give up all conferences and writing if it meant her getting back to the relationship with the Lord where He could make real changes in her life. She was saturated with the things of God, but she realized that she wasn't saturated with God Himself.

That can happen so easily. We are faithful to read our Bibles in a scan-like way, pray the usual memorized prayers, faithfully attend church, giving and service. We know about God and His expectations but perhaps fail to really know Him intimately. He so wants a close relationship with you and me. We must be willing to let Him change us into His will and image. I've heard people say that no one really likes change. This kind of change, however, can turn our lives upside down for the Lord. He would be so pleased.

Dear Lord...I know my life isn't what it ought to be for You. My desire is to be changed more into Your image but I can't do it myself. I must have Your power to make the kind of difference in my life that is needed. Help me to not look at changes others need to make, but those that I need to change. Thank You for Your love, patience and forgiveness. In Jesus' precious name.....Amen

 

SO VERY BLESSED

Blessed be the LORD, Who daily

loads us with benefits, the God

of our salvation!

Psalm 68:19

At the beginning of this calendar year, I came to a decision. For the first New Year, I was without Brian and for most of 2022. It had been most difficult adjusting to being alone without the earthly love of my life. I can't tell you the family, friends and neighbors who stepped up to see to my well being in every way. God used each one of them in different ways that led me to reaffirm what I already knew....that God is still on His throne and has promised to never leave or forsake me.

Many days seemed darker because of emotional difficulties and a phone call would come or mail from some folks I didn't even know very well. I loved being in my house, just looking around at all that was so familiar. I had never hung one thing on the walls of our house. Brian had always done that because it just wasn't my thing. It felt good seeing those things.

By the middle of Januy, it dawned on me one day how very blessed I am despite missing Brian so very much. I was being blessed all over the place but rarely tracked any of those things. I decided to make a BLESSED notebook. It started with January of this year.

You and I are blessed all the time and often just chalk it up to daily circumstances. I'm amazed at the things I've written in my BLESSED notebook. I put down the date and then write only one or two brief sentences that describes a special touch from the Lord I want to remember.

In the beginning of my book, I copied several verses from Psalms that contains at least one reference to blessing. Many of my blessings would make no sense to anyone and might sound very much on the strange side but were blessings to me such as: “Neighbors brought me some good potato soup for supper.” Some might refer to special blessings from a sermon or just in reading ones Bible.

All in all, I'm amazed when thumbing through my notebook on perhaps a difficult day how I'm blessed and brought to remembrance the wonderful goodness and love God has brought into my life and using others to do the same. In this Thanksgiving season, we shouldn't be counting our blessings just in one holiday time. We can be doubly blessed by staying aware of God's goodness and blessings each day even if we can't begin to write them all down.

Bottom line is that we are so very blessed in so many ways every day of our lives, and not just on one day in November.

Thank You Father for the way You bless us every day of our lives. Forgive my not having a spirit of gratitude for all You do in my life. I'm so blessed to the point I lose track of all You pour into my life every day, not just on a holiday. I love and appreciate you. Thank You Jesus for Your loving sacrifice and I pray these things in Your sweet name....Amen 

LET THE SON-SHINE IN

Ah, Lord God! You have made

the heavens and the earth by

Your great power and outstretched

arm. There is nothing too hard for You.

Jeremiah 32:17

Fall is dwindling here where I live but there is still some beautiful color along the highways and the mountain hillsides. Visitors come from all over the country to take pictures and just inhale the Fall air. They are mostly gone now getting ready for the holidays.

I was sitting in a parking area that had a wonderful view of mountains near and far where folks were parking there as well. I saw there was often some disappointment because there didn't seem to be as much color on the mountain sides nearest to us. Some would wait awhile and then reluctantly take pictures half-heartedly.

I had sat there for awhile prior to some tourists arriving and had noticed something very interesting. The mountains we were looking at looked as green as could be. It was a rather dull day with darker clouds hovering. When the sun managed to peek through in small ways on the seemingly green areas, those areas lit up with the beauty of Fall colors. When the sun withdrew, things were dark on the mountain sides again. It was the warmth and beauty of the sun's rays bringing out the Fall beauty...perfect for picture taking.

How often do our lives loose their luster and beauty of our spiritual walk. Problems of all types come into our lives and can bring a dullness in us that we might not even notice. Our sunshine is different...it's our SON-shine. Our lives can be colorful and beautiful when we walk in the light of Jesus and maintain a close relationship with Him. So....let the SON-shine in.

Thank You Father for Jesus and all He means in our lives. Help us to love and appreciate Him more. May we allow Him to so shine in our lives that He will be seen in us. In His precious name...Amen 

 

KEEP GROWING

As you therefore have received Christ

Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

rooted and built up in Him and

established in the faith, as you

have been taught, abounding in it

with thanksgiving.

Colossians 2:6,7

I recall as a little kid that we had the best of neighbors. One of my favorites was old Mr. Rennie. Everyone in those days were”old” in their 60's. He always had a huge garden and in the summer I would go to his backdoor and ask if I could eat a tomato. He had taught me how to pick just the right ones for eating. We would both get a tomato and then sat on his back porch steps and each ate our tomato's...with salt of course.

When I would see him just sitting on his front porch, enjoying a tall glass of iced tea during warmer days, I would stop in front of his house while on my tricycle and simply ask, “Mr. Rennie, whatcha doin'?” I can't tell you how many times he would answer me with the same words, “I'm just watchin' the grass grow.” I always just took for granted that it was exactly what he was doing without questioning the purpose of it all.

Lately, I've been thinking about the personal growth of Christians in general, of which I are one. At this time, Fall has all but fallen and growth of anything in nature is coming to almost a standstill. Mr. Rennie wouldn't even be able to watch any grass grow with all the weather changes, let alone sit on his front porch.

My prayer for us is that in these cooler, more confining days, we will make every effort to continue to grow in the things of the Lord. Perhaps more indoor time can be spent in the Word, reading healthy materials, praying, or contacting folks we know are in need of some attention. People speak of wanting to know God's will for their lives when everyday of life God gives us is His actual will. His callings for special activity will come, but our growth should be a very daily thing.

Remember: We can't let the grass of the world grow under our spiritual feet.

Thank You Father, for Your patience with us and loving us beyond measure. Keep us growing in You, knowing that's Your will for us....because of Jesus...Amen