SPIRITUAL BUDS

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 42:5

Many of us might find ourselves a little wealthier if we could have one dollar for every time we have heard “I hope so.” Most often the word is used in a very downcast manner, but that is not the meaning or intent of the word.

I have also considered the phrase “Keep the faith.” I used to hear that said sounding like some kind of cheer, called out by someone usually wanting to encourage someone. I have come to see the two words FAITH and HOPE as words that are to be encouraging. Non believers use both words in their own way, just perhaps helping others to be of good cheer.

I have looked at these words before, and although I'm primarily looking at the word HOPE, I still want to give attention to the word FAITH for us to once again see them in light of spiritual importance.

                                                        F-orsaking              H-aving

                                                        A-ll                          O-nly

                                                        I-                             P-ositive

                                                        T-rust                      E-xpectations

                                                        H-im

One thing I see both words have in common is that both requires some activity on our part. Those activities can be on the uncomfortable side for us. One part tells us to “forsake all” and that's a word we don't care for. It generally means giving up thing(s) we don't want to give up but the key added word there is “all.” God may convict us of something we need to get away from be it habits, people, pastimes, etc. Forsaking means to give something up totally, never to revisit it again.

Hope, however is a very positive concept. The hard part of this is the word “positive.” We live in a very negative time. At times our first inclination is to thing about what won't or can't happen. Hope, however, is purely a positive concept. We wouldn't hope to be in a car accident or burn the dinner. It means our focusing on the good that can happen in any situation of our concern.

Be it faith or hope in our lives, the one Person that might not be considered in the moment is the Author of both...our Father. He has meant both for our joy and well being. In our complete trust in God, hope can walk us through any situation. We can trust and rest in Him with a smile of anticipation when we trust only Him and hope in those expectations He will work for our good.

Help us to trust You, Father, in all things and to plant our hopes and desires in You alone. May we function in Your power and Yours alone. In Jesus name...Amen 

 

OR ELSE....

Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am

your God...

Isaiah 41:10a

Our children were quite young when we would make occasional weekend visits to see my Mother. I remember the first time we experienced something quite new on her part. Her TV was on all the time, but found she was doing something quite unique....when ads came on TV, she pushed the mute button and then restored the sound when the advertisements came back on. Not being used to something like that, it was bit irritating to the five of us.

I am finding in these days, that I am tending to do the same thing. Back when we made a grandma visit, the ads weren't so many and their content for the most part were harmless. In recent months, I've been paying attention to TV ads and have found that a good many of the ads we see, and think we ignore are all very threatening.

For instance, home remedies are available for just about every kind of physical condition one could think of. In many cases, the product presented would seem to be the only hope for healing there is. Oh yes, and has your husband purchased life insurance for you and himself. In these ads, men are usually as lacking in caring as in sense. Car insurance has really come on the scene with threats regarding charges for repair but their insurance is the answer and you should respond favorably...or else. There is a spray for fruits and veggies to kill germs before cooking. If not....well...or else.

I am so grateful that I love and serve a Heavenly Father who convicts us when needed. As any parent would do, He gives us caution about playing with sin and it's results. We are encouraged to follow His Word and provides His Spirit to teach and lead us. Our rebellion/disobedience will always get God's attention. He lovingly gets our attention in those times. We should consider then that an “or else” is certainly called for.

Father, Satan would keep us in turmoil from every direction. Not only does the media delight in keeping us unsettled in many ways, so Your power is greater still in protecting and calming us. Thank You. In Jesus name...Amen

JOY TO THE WORLD

You will show me the path of life;

in Your presence is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures

forevermore.

Psalm 16:11

For many years, I have loved the Christmas carol Joy to the World. For many years, I didn't really pay much attention to the words. The first sentence of this particular carol is significant, at least as I have seen it.

JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME!

I believe it to be a truth that the earth knew no joy until the arrival of Jesus. You see, joy is of God, a part of spiritual fruit. Only believers can know true joy. With the coming of that precious baby boy came a joy the world hadn't or would ever know without Him.

Sometimes in Sunday school we may have been given a good definition of joy: J-esus first, O-thers second and Y-ourself last. In reality, the saying should read: Jesus first, Jesus second and Jesus not even last. Joy is nothing you and I can conjure up, manufacturing or humanly working into our personalities. We may have happiness through serving others and even in having what we might think of as good lives. Joy is another thing altogether.

LET EARTH RECEIVE HER KING.

Now we have joy...a joy straight from God, ours for the accepting, enjoying and sharing. May we always be welcoming of that Joy brought to us by a King. .

Help us Father to know the difference in happiness and joy. The world offers happiness in various ways, but Your joy is the real thing. Thank You for that Joy Jesus brought to us and continues to make available to each believer. Thank You too for Your Gift that is joy unspeakable and full of glory. In Jesus' precious name.....Amen 

 

LEST WE FORGET

Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all His benefits.

Psalm 103:2

There was a statue that for many years was situated in front of our local VFW in my hometown. It was of what looked to be a wounded soldier and I think the lettering on it was “Lest We Forget.” As a kid when I saw or heard that phrase, I wasn't sure what it meant. Of course later, it took on meaning regarding that and some other things I should never forget about.

We of the older generation are often accused of being forgetful and at times we are. Everyone is at one time or another. What younger folks fail to realize is the older one becomes in age, the more that person has stored in their brains, so, information isn't always easily retrieved when put on a spot.

Feeling forgotten is something just about every human being will sense at one time or another. There is ONE who will never forget any one of us and that's our Heavenly Father. He will never leave us or forsake us, a promise we can hang on to for dear life.

However, how many times do we forget Him and His goodness in our lives? We get busy with holidays and varied celebrations and often our Father is put on a back burner of our lives. God is the nearest and dearest to us...The One who sent His precious Son to this dirty old earth eventually to die for us. It's so easy for us to have lapses of thought and consideration of the One who is the reason for the season...may it never be....lest we forget.

Father God, may I never forget or be thoughtless of Your presence and activity in my life. I never want the things of this world to take presidense over my love attention and appreciation for You. May I never forget how You have worked in my life and loved me when I was so unloveable. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

 

OBEDIENCE RECOMMENDED

Children, obey your parents

in all things, for this is well

pleasing to the Lord.

Colossians 3:20

When a very little girl, I always knew when Christmas was around the corner. There was no hint of it to speak of. There was no big deal about all the gifts and trimmings until well into December. Our Charlie Brown Christmas tree didn't go up on a stool until sometime later and just before THE day. There was one program at church celebrating Christmas the Sunday evening before Christmas.

So how did a little girl have any big expectation about the holiday. I knew because I was usually asked two questions on the part of family members or close adult friends. One question had to do with what I wanted for Christmas. The next comment with many adults in my life would have to do with my behavior in past days and had I been minding (translated: obeying) my parents. That obedience thing seem to have a lot riding on how many and types of gifts I might receive on that exciting day.

It's odd to me and convicting as well that we have a lot to say about obedience as it relates to children. There seems to be an expectation for them that is off the table for adults. The verse I referred to in this blog is one of few in the Bible where children in particular are admonished to be obedient.

Incredibly, God's Word often speaks of a believers attention to obedience in appropriate areas just as with children and expectations of them in this area. Our obedience toward our Father is essential. We may not receive a trove of gifts at Christmas time for such obedience, but no matter, we are gifted every day from You, our loving Heavenly Father...no holiday necessary.

Thank You Father for the gift of Your Son through whom we are loved and given the gift of eternal life. Thank You for all You all bestow in our lives through Your love, protection and provision. You don't wait for holidays to gift us and we are grateful for Your presence constantly in our lives. In Jesus precious name...Amen

 

The B-I-B-L-E

Thy word have I hid in

mine heart, that I might

not sin against Thee.

Psalm 119:11

Thinking back, I could take you to a side area, like an open room that looked into our church auditorium. That is one of the area's used in the summer for the junior department's Vacation Bible School. Sometimes we spilled into some of the pews in the bigger area for singing or special classes, but that was the VBS home for we juniors at the time.

It was one of those summers I recall memorizing the above verse. In those younger years, we memorized many verses where we didn't quite comprehend their meanings, but the words still stuck at least in my own mind. Around that time, there was also a short chorus we sang with great gusto, that you might remember as well:

“The B I B L E

Yes, that's the book for me.

I stand alone on the Word of God

the B I B L E.”

These days, when teaching adult ladies, I often give them a caution about those early learning days. We often memorized verses or choruses but were too young to really grasp their meanings.

I think most of us struggle with singing hymns of perhaps commitment that we don't pay much attention to when it comes to application. Do I, with anticipation, hide (memorize, meditate) God's Word in my heart. There are many benefits in doing so but the verse mentions keeping us from sin. Again, do I stand firmly on His Word, knowing it's the only true source of my spiritual strength. I'm saying to myself that if I'm going to quote or sing such precious words, I should be sincerely strive to live up to them.

Father, I thank you for precious childhood memories in Your house with Your servants. Thank You for using them to teach me and others the importance of Your Word throughout these years. May I live up to their efforts and Your love in how I regard and live up to Your precious Word. In Jesus precious name....Amen

 

GIVE THANKS

...in everything give thanks;

for this is the will of God in

Christ Jesus concerning you.

I Thessalonians 5:18

This week, I received the most beautiful card from Carol, a dear friend. It looked to be the designer type of card and on the front along with some beautiful touches, were the words that caught my attention: GIVE THANKS FOR ALL THINGS. It's a card I already adapted for use in my Bible as a bigger-than-usual bookmark.

Tis the season of thanksgiving and gratitude. We usually decide at this holiday time that we won't just confine our gratitude during this one season. Sometimes, that thought and hope gets lost somewhere in the rest of the year.

The hard part sometimes is giving thanks in ALL things. ALL THINGS may refer to those happy times that are ours, but ALL THINGS means just that... ALL. I've found perhaps later that it's in those negative times I learn the most about my Heavenly Father and His expectations. It's in those things when I think I learn the most. They are a real part of that ALL.

I also noticed that the above verse is only the latter part of a bigger sentence. The beginning of the verse tells us that we are to rejoice always and pray without ceasing. There's just comma's after those phrases. The period comes at the end of the above part of the verse.

Notice those three words...always, ceasing, and everything. It all works together to create in us a consistent spirit of giving thanks. It won't be just in November we are to rejoice, pray and give thanks. It's supposed to be our lives, every day we live and breathe.

Have a wonderful time this week of gratitude but also that all of us would do the same the other 51 weeks of the year. Blessings, my friends.

Somehow, Father, our thanksgiving for all You mean to us seems rather watered down because we just can't fully express it. Everything we have has come from You, even Your precious Son Jesus. Thank You for Him and for Your sweet Holy Spirit Who guides and teaches us. In everything You are so faithful. May we be found faithful but only for your honor and glory. We love you. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

PRECIOUS HANDS

Fear not, for I am with you; Be

not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, yes, I will

help you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Recently, I was looking carefully at my hands recalling what I remember of them from time past. Now they are wrinkled, some fingers swollen or twisted from arthritis. No matter the time, past or present, I don't know what I would do without them. I can't imagine how folks manage who have lost use of their hands through accident or physical conditions.

It's interesting when a baby comes into the world, it's usually with a shrill cry, legs kicking and tight-fisted hands boxing the air. You can force your finger into those those two little fists but it can be difficult. There is an unbelievable strength there. In fact, if you can get your index fingers worked into those little fists, with little effort, you can raise that baby in an almost standing position without it falling. If you try this, another adult should be near with open hands. I've done this several times in various settings and it was the same every time.

The hands I'm most grateful for are the precious hands of God. There are several verses in Scripture that speak of the strong functioning of God's hands on our behalf that are worth looking up. I've always loved the fact that God holds me in the palm of His hand. I don't know how He does it for us all, but He can manage it. Pity the thought that we might allow our hands to be fisted, resisting the precious guiding of God's hands in our lives.

With gratitude, on our part, one of the greatest ways to show that gratitude for all His special care for us .is to more often fold our hands in prayer.

Father, You provide the greatest tender, care for us as You lead us with your hand as a loving parent would. Better yet, You keep us close to Yourself in the palm of Your hand. Help us to relax more in those facts as we face a culture in turmoil. You are our only true security and we thank You. In Jesus' precious name....Amen

 

 

IMPORTANCE OF NAMES

...that at the name of Jesus every knee

should bow, of those in heaven, and

of those on earth, and of those

under the earth.

Philippians 2:10

Names are of such importance to us. They don't just identify people, but names bring to recall things to be remembered or to be forgotten. There are names we all could call out that would immediately register with us in some way. They might be names of foods, products, criminals, pastors, vacation spots, car names, known tragedies, etc. We mostly think of the names of family members and friends.

I often wondered when going through my school years, why my parents named me what they did. My first name has caused more problems for me especially in those beginning years. People who didn't know me or my family pronounced my name in every which way you can imagine and at times, it was embarrassing.

There is a name we don't speak as often as we should and that name is JESUS. It's a name quickly recognized and a name with meaning like no other. Unlike most names, His name encourages, blesses, comforts, is full of love and calls to mind our Savior. Some people in time past have tried to erase that name from our attention but it will never happen. JESUS is the name above all names past, present and on into eternity.

Father, there is such comfort and assurance when we speak the powerful name of Jesus. Thank You for His precious presence in our lives, knowing His name holds power beyond any other name. In Jesus' precious name...Amen

A BLESSED NATION

Blessed is the nation whose

God is the Lord., and the

people He hath chosen for

his own inheritance.

Psalm 33:12

There are a lot of concerns for our nation these days. We're looking at a major election to be held this week. I've heard some folks speak with great concern, fear, questions and WORRY in all caps. There is room for concern because our nation isn't what it was for some of us who lived through the “happy days.”

We've come far away from those times. Drastic changes as in a nation don't just happen overnight. They happen gradually so we can get used to what seems like little negative things that at the time don't mean much. Satan loves to work that way and as it has happened, we now look in our nation's mirror wondering how we got to where we are.

Who ever thought our children would be caught up in an educational mire that teaches Satan's ways above anything academic. Somewhere along the line, there weren't folks to ask questions. The events we see on newscasts these days are mind blowing as we see school shootings, demonstrations on school/university campuses and behaviors that often seem beyond evil. The problem is that those young ones grow up to be leaders in schools, politics, legal areas and every other place in our society. The evil they learned, they are now passing along to today's youth.

We know in the end times that things are going to get worse and worse. Meantime, we Christians can't just fold our hands and wave white flags of surrender. We still have the responsibility to be people of prayer and yes, people with a voice. Christians often feel it ungodly to express concerns to ungodly leaders. It can be done when bathed with Scripture and prayer.

Let's be praying in these days like never before for our country. There are so many who need Jesus in their lives. He's really the only One who can make a difference in lives but we can do our part in living out the Gospel and leading godly lives that are pleasing to Jesus. We are told in these days to really be praying. It's unfortunate that we haven't been consistently praying for our nation through months and years, but it's never too late.

Father, I pray for ways to make things right in our country and that fellow Christians will stand for what is right like never before. Give us the wisdom and courage to take our stands, to be the best Christian citizens we know how to be. Bless our elections and keep them clean and legal. Help us to do our part in working to make our nation a Godly place. In Jesus' precious name....Amen