WHO'S YOUR DONKEY?

I will instruct you and

teach you in the way you

should go; I will guide you

with My eye.

Psalm 32:8

There were probably many Sunday schools who use the same materials who had a recent lesson in Numbers telling of Balaam and his donkey.  For years, I didn't pay much attention to the incident, but it really had a huge impact on me with now teaching it. 

 Simply, I'll review the bulk of the incident.  The king of Moab called for a medium by the name of Balaam from a distant city.  Balaam began the trip riding on a donkey that had been his for years.  However, on this trip, his donkey's bahavior was curious and suspect.

Three times, Balaams donkey misbehaved in such a way as to interrupt the trip for Balaam.  Three times the donkey avoided something only it could see...the angel of the Lord in the roadway with sword drawn.  That angel was there to make sure Balaam didn't get to achieve his task...that of putting a curse on God's people who were in route to the Promised Lane.

After it was beaten on three times, God gave the donkey a voice and God also got into the conversation.  Something I had never noticed in this incident was that the donkey saw the danger, but it was invisible to Balaam.  The donkey, by God's leading, had actually saved the life of it's master.  Through this event, Balaam came to yield himself to God.

When finished, I asked my ladies, "Who's your donkey?"  You see, we have all had one or more through the years.  It's a person who can often see things ahead of us we don't discern.  It can be any incident of life where God may use others to lovingly give us a caution regarding  a risky decision we are about to make.  At those times, God may have given a friend some insight we need to hear and perhaps heed.  You may have been one of those donkey's in time past, speaking with love and caution to another person.  Most of us have been on both sides at one time or another.

Sooooo....who's your donkey?

Father I thank You for those folks you have impressed to be honest with me regarding a questionable decision I may be considering.  You work in so many wonderful ways to love and guide us, even at times in unusual ways.  Thank You for those who have cared enough to speak up.  In Jesus' precious name....Amen.

 

GOOD CHEER    

These things I have spoken

to you, that in Me you may

have peace.  In the world

you will have tribulation; 

but be of good cheer, I

have overcome the world.

John 16:33

It wasn't until my college days that I learned about being of good cheer.  I always thought such a statement was reserved for Christmas greetings.  The above verse somehow didn't dawn on me that the thing of good cheer is for every day of the year.

I had a friend who just about drove me crazy telling me more than I wanted to hear for me to be of good cheer.  I had left home to go to a distant Christian college where I knew no one.  I must say that I wouldn't have considered my life to be one of good cheer.  I wasn't real clear on what cheer even was.  The main use of that word only reminded me of friends who had been cheer-leaders in past school days.  During an athletic event, they were loud with the message of loyalty to our school and always had a huge smile.  I don't think I ever saw a cheerleader at a game with a frown on their faces.

Still, my friend often during a week would admonish me to be of good cheer.  The hint for him was that I wasn't (and still not) a big smiler.  That's a big indicator.  He meant well, but it wasn't the encouragement I needed.

Such encouragement eventually came my way as I became more acquainted with the above verse.  The cheer spoken of isn't a cheer where someone goes around giggling through their faith.  Cheer is something much more in depth...cheer has a source and that Source is Jesus.  With Jesus, cheer is more a deep happiness based on the peace we have in Him.

Jesus said Himself that the things He spoke had real purpose, one of those being a peace that goes far beyond understanding.  Through that peace, comes almost in a natural way, a spirit of cheer.  Jesus stressed our cheer based in Him would be good.  Entertainment may give us a brief time of happiness, but cheer for the Christian is meant to be ongoing despite the ups and downs of life.  That kind of cheer has only one source, that being Jesus Himself.  So dear friend, BE OF GOOD CHEER.

Father, You do work Your will in so many ways.  Something like cheer may seem like a small thing but all You do in our lives is BIG and with purpose.  Thank You for Your using and loving us, especially through Jesus, and in that precious name I pray....Amen

BEE IN YOUR BONNET

Make no friendship with an angry man,

and with a furious man do not go.

Proverbs 22:24

It's a saying I used to hear "old folks" say when I was a little girl.  If someone was upset or really angry, it wasn't unusual to hear someone say that whoever it was had a bee in their bonnet.

It's amazing but in my growing up days, I can't recall witnessing alot of anger in people.  There were concerns regarding WW II and then even into the Korean War days that seemed to occupy people's minds.  I'm sure there were frustrations and insecurities in peoples lives, but one rarely saw anyone "fly off the handle."  It there was alot of frustration in lives, indications of anger were usually kept at a low.

If I were to describe our culture today, it would have to somewhere have the word ANGER in it.  People are even being paid to be angry taking it to the streets of various cities.  However, most angry folks don't have to be paid for their personal anger outbursts.

The above Scripture gives us a caution regarding our associations with angry people.  It's easy to take up the cause of an angry friend, thus, it's best to stay away from people who seem to live and delight in being angry.  Anger can be catching and destructive, and before we know it, we can be caught up in someone else's anger to the detriment of our own more calm leanings.

We must not allow the anger of our culture to take over our lives.  God is an amazing healer even in the area of our emotions.  Like other emotions that may entangle our lives, He always knows what to do and how to love us through it all...

Father God, I thank You that I can come to you no matter where I am emotionally.  Despite my ups and downs at times, I'm  so grateful for comfort and assurances of Your Holy Spirit.  I pray I will be more a person of love and forgiveness even if others don't seem to deserve it.  In Jesus' name....Amen

  

LIFE IN THE BUILDING

 Or do you not know that your

body is the temple of the Holy

Spirit, who isin you, and

whom you have from God, and

you are not your own.

I Corinthians 6:19

With job changes, moves and all, Brian and I had the privilege of being members of more than a few churches.  In thinking back to the various worship centers we sat in for services and even special events, all were different in size and even decor.  Each large auditorium had it's own personality, depending often on the geographical area of it's location.

Each of the auditoriums we were privileged to be in, however, had just about the same things as any other worship center one might visit.  These auditoriums have pews, carpeting, nice light fixtures, and usually windows of various sizes.  The platform is usually a little higher than the main floor upon where there might be chairs and a pulpit.  Many churches in our day have given up on pulpits.  Pastors like to prance around with a computer in hand while trying to get at least one spiritual pinciple over to the people.  Most churches still have a choir section although in many places, choirs aren't THE thing anymore.  Usually a piano is present and maybe an organ.  Other instruments may be seen on or near the platform.  Some facilities are more ornate than others but all are supposed to serve the same purpose.

Let me say that no matter how lovely and even ornate, that huge room sits hour after hour in dimness or darkness, nothing happening and as dead inside as anyone's clothes closet.  There it sits, nothing happening.....UNTIL...

the temples begin to arrive.  Yes, that's we believers bearing IN us the Holy Spirit of God.  In Old testament days, God's Spirit resided in a wilderness tabernacle or a beautiful temple of Solomon's building.  Our New Testament temples are soooo much better.  Nothing can light up and warm up a church auditorium like the arrival of temple after temple, with the warmth, love, chatter, laughter along with a good number of hugs.  God in unique form, in those moments, has arrived and hopefully, we are ready to be blessed in abundance.

So from one temple to another....see ya Sunday.

Thank You Father for the honor of our having Your Holy Spirit in we believers.  May we be aware of the honor and yes, responsibility of being Your temple.  In Jesus' precious name....Amen

NOT AGAIN

How beautiful are the feet of

 those who preach the gospel

of peace, who bring glad tidings

of good things.

Romans 10:15

It's been a tough week in our country.  One week ago today, life was pretty normal for people, if we can define NORMAL anymore.  We went about our daily business with few  questions about anything.  It's amazing the ways we can be yanked out of what we consider to be our norms.  A young man, Charlie Kirk was assisinated before a crowd of young people on a college campus.  Such a setting wasn't new to Charlie.  He has been talking to and encouraging college-age young people for some years with a listening ear and a strong message of faith.

At my age, my mind drifted back to other times.  I was working in a Christian center in a very needy area.  One day, I was called from my apartment in the center to the one and only TV we had in the building.  President Kennedy had been killed by a sniper.  The feeling was daunting and breath taking.  Little did I know then that I would also see assasinations or attempted ones times over:  Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King, President Kennedy and then his brother Bobby.  

Evil doesn't need a reason for what it does through it's followers.  Reasons for such behavior  is often impossible to explain....politics, race, money, influence, etc.  In these years, it's been heartbreaking to see how evil has multiplied in so many areas of our culture.  

The culture I live in now is so incredibly filled with a darkness it's hard to make our way through.  Few of Satan's tactics have changed.  Humanity has just given him more permissin to do his own thing.  The saving grace in all of this is Jesus.  He was Charlie's main message delivered wherever he went, without hesitation.  Folks will debate why this happened to this young man.  He wasn't a threat socially or politically.  He WAS a voice for the Lord He loved and wanted others to know His Savior.  Even much of the culture we live in today, doesn't want to hear that message.  An evil culture is much more threatened by Charlie's life message that was getting through to a young generation and it had to be snuffed out.

Charlie's voice is silenced physically but will still be heard.  What about the rest of us?  How bold are we in speaking of our love for Jesus when given the opportunity or when not.  What is our personal responsibility to speak the name of Jesus boldly.  I have as much responsibility to speak of my Lord to others as any young person. May we feel it a privilege to speak of Jesus whether in the presence of friend or foe.  We all have that blessed privilege.  Thanks Charlie for your encouragement.

Father, give us a boldness in these days to stand for You, speaking Your name often.  Thank You for the message that backs up Your name.  Thank You for Charlie's life and influence.  May we be willing to be used by and for You at every opportunity.  In that precious name, Jesus....Amen

KEEP RUNNIN'

Therefore, we also, since we e

surrounded by so great a cloud of 

witnesses, let us lay aside every

weight, and the sin which so

easily ensnares us, and let us

run with endurance the race that 

is set before us.

Hebrews 12:1

My Sunday school lesson was wrapped up for Sunday.  It is the first of a new series on the Israelites heading out for the Promised Land.  It was timely.  I had noticed posted signs in our neighborhood regarding a half marathon race that was going to be happening.  The participants were to run passing my front porch. I hadn't witnessed such a thing but thought I would sit on the porch and watch the spectacle.

 I'm not sure where the race started because many racers looked like they had been running for awhile.  The interesting thing for me was in seeing the variety of racers.  Some I was concerned about racing because they looked like they should have been on a front porch like me.

The variety of racers  was a good example  of common ordinary American citizens.  The youngest racer I figure to be in first grade.  Her daddy was right there with her.  There were others who were younger.  They were in strollers on riding on their dad's shoulders.  The oldest racer I would guess to be around 70 years of age.  There were very few of those.  Some racers were in good shape, looking like exercise was a part of their lives.  A few even seemed to be on the professional side of running.  Most were just average folks.  Some looked like they were wondering what they had gotten themselves into.  There was obesity represented that caused concern.  Three ladies, good friends were dressed alike in their pink ballerina outfits with decent length skirts.

Some folks ran, some walked apace while others shuffled for a time.  Many stopped to bend over.  I was surprised at the number of folks who ran while doing something on their cell phones.  That's pitiful but it's their thing, not mine.

I doubt very seriously the Israelites were a part of such a spectacle.  They and our racers had a few things in common...they were  headed for the finish line while maintaining life in the meanwhile.  Along with the is always the need for God's direction in lives.  As God directed His people back then, so is His desire to do the same in our day.  We don't have to be just running or walking though life.  He wants to direct us every step of the way.

Father, we are so blessed knowing You are always with us every step of our lives.  You desire our obedience in this life.  May we realize that our race in this life can be even more fulfilling with Your hand of love and leadership in our every day of earthly life.  In Jesus name....Amen

Death Scares

For me, to live is Christ,

and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21

I have been amazed in recent days, ads or words of advice regarding the coming death of older citizens.  I've seen two articles, each predicting the death of an oldler person that could be coming within a year or less. These articles appeared on commercial advertisements.   When I first saw these articles, I knew right away that God didn't have anything to do with them. 

One article gave five indicators to watch for and the other listed six things.  Both were very similar in content.  In viewing these lists, many of the predictions or conditions can be found in most adults of any age but it's all coming at we older folks.

Death, we know, is something we all face unless Jesus returns soon.  I view many of my acquaintences who have long gone over the DEADline or expectancy of three score and ten years the Bibe mentions.  I recall when in grade school, ladies of age in my church who didn't have much time left, if you know what I mean.  Most were 65 to early 70's in age and weren't expected to be with us much longer.

I have noticed that such ads have also been intended to frighten anyone who views them on their computers of television sets.  Various medications are presented in threatening ways...we better order them or trouble is ahead.  Such thngs are often pushed by well-known healty-looking people  of some fame.  Such meds or even types of equipment are pushed to the point of being rediculous.  We can watch and hear such things only so long until we may begin to bite on it all.

Bottom line is that God is totally in charge of when I will meet Him in a very personal way.  I realize I need to take care of myself and be as healthy as I can be.  I also realize that God is still in charge of your life and mine.  We may take some meds prescribed by a doctor but I've never had a doctor do that in a threatening way.

I love the above verse.  Sometimes it might be a little hard to accept but it's a fact.  Paul enjoyed living for Jesus while here on earth, but also saw all the benefits of getting to be with the Lord looking toward Heaven.  Let's remember that God is still in charge of our lives and knows what He's doing all the time.  He is the all-knowing One we can listen to and trust in, no matter what the advertisers say.

Father God, I so thank You that I can rely on Your wisdom regarding my future.  As long as You want me on the earth, may I serve and love You faithfully.  I pray for Your strengthening right now and praise You for Your goodness and care.  In Jesus' precious name...Amen

 

HE WALKS AND TALKS WITH ME

Teach me Your way, O LORD;

I will walk in Your truth;

unite my heart to fear Your name.

Psalm 86:11

 When just a very little girl, I always sat with my Mother in church.  She didn't sing like most people as I came to know that she sang alto.  However, with everyone else singing, I sang soprono with most of the others.  The very first hymn I ever learned by heart was IN THE GARDEN.  I first memorized the chorus and to this day, I can find myself humming the melody of that precious song.

The chorus had a special beat to it from my young standpoint.  It was almost like one could sway, arms flying as if moving in the wind.  The chorus says:

And He walks with me

And He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own.

And the joy we share, as

we tarry there,

None other, has ever, known.

It might be hard for folks to think of me as being immaginative but it would be true.  Early one sunrising morning, this chorus really brought all of that out in my almost four year old body.  

 Mr. Prock owned our corner grocery store.  He and his wife lived across the street, about four doors down.  No one was stirring in our house so early in the morning with pajamas on as well as my house slippers, I left the house to go down to the Prock's house.  You see, they had the most beautiful flower garden you could have ever seen.  It had no fence and a part of it came right up to the sidewalk.

I walked into their garden and with a flurry of emotion and song, moved about the small paths of the garden singing my favorite chorus.  Mrs. Prock heard me and came outside to see what I was doing.  I really think she had been watching because she had called my Mother.  Mother came and saw me in my dew-dampened pajamas and soaked house slippers.  She reprimanded me for such an outburst but I think I detected a slight look of humor on her fact.

I still love that hymn, because it speaks so well of our relationship with the Lord....the privilege of walking and talking to us, assuring us of His presence at all times.  The joy comes when we tarry with Him every time we have an opportunity.  We don't have invade anyone's garden.  With Jesus, every place can seem like a beautiful garden.  He will always walk and talk with us no matter where we are.

Thank You Father for sweet memories, especially spiritual outings with You.  Help us to really enjoy special times with You, unplanned and enjoyable...a rejoicing time.  In Jesus....Amen

PRECIOUS HANDS

My Father, who has given them

to Me, is greater than all:  and

no one can snatch them out of

My Father's hand.

John 10:29

In some recent days, there was something that came to my attention I hadn't given much thought to.   I had worn a ring on my right hand for some time that I really paid little attention to.  All of a sudden, I had an episode with that ring on my finger.  One morning I was awakened with some pretty terrific pain on that hand.  I struggled to get the ring off but with all the swelling, it wouldn't budge.  I went to my neighbor to see if he could sever the band in some way, releasing the ring which he did.  For a few days, I still felt the pain that hindered me in any number of ways in using it.

I have thought since the recovery of the hand, about our bodies, so wonderfully created by God.  Most of our bodies we never give a thought to such as:  swallowing, eye blinking, breathing, hair growing, toes that assist with our walking, joints that bend and the myriad of things our hands do at our bidding.  

Because of the incident with my ring,  I found myself handicapped in doing many of the usual things I do with them, even typing on my computer.  My right hand didn't want any pressure brought to bear on it, but still had to make use of that hand despite the pain.

I'm so grateful that there is never damage to God's hands.  He doesn't only hold us securely in His hand but according to Isaiah 49:16, we see:

See, I have inscribed you on

the palms of My hands;

your walls are continually 

before me.

We are not only held securely by our Father, but our name is etched in His hand.  Our hands may give us some problems and become hard to work with at times, but His has us securely wrapped in His powerful ones.

Thank You Father for the security we have in You.  Satan may come at us full force at times but he'll never be able to pull us from Your hand.  Thank You for the spiritual safety we have in You.  In Jesus' name...Amen    

LOVE THOSE THREE'S

Then He said to them all, "If

anyone desires to come 

after Me, let him

deny himself,  

and take up his cross daily

and follow Me."

Luke 23:24

Anyone who has been in Sunday school or Bible study classes could tell you that I tend to watch for key words in Scripture as well as phrases.  There are just some interesting things that catch my eye mostly while doing my own private reading or study.  I realize folks have said as long as I can remember that seven is God's perfect number.  I'm not about to question that as there are many reasons for taking that view.

I've never paid much attention to the "sevens" in Scripture but have really noticed some three word groupings that I have found interesting.  For instance:

Father   Son   Holy Spirit

Ask   Seek   Knock

Sun   Moon   Stars

Ham   Shem   Japeth (Noah's boys)

Faith   Hope   Love

Walk   Stand   Sit  (Ps. 1)

Peter   James   John

Abraham   Isaac   Jacob

I'm sure there are many more that could be listed, but the three's came to my thoughts because of the above verse I found in my personal reading.  Jesus was having a serious session with His disciples.  He's mentioned again that He is going to die and be raised the THIRD day.  Jesus, despite the news He gives His disciples, He is still encouraging them to stay focused on Him and mission.

In essence, I can't believe Jesus wouldn't even in this day, request the same of you and me.  He gave them three things to do that are each dependent on the others.  The order is a tough one both then and now.  If we REALLY want to follow Him, three things are required each of which is very difficult...deny self, take up whatever cross we are called on to carry and DAILY follow Him.  Wow, that's some job description, but not impossible if we are relying on His Holy Spirit.  

What a joy that the very Son of God desires our followership...what a privilege to be called to walk in His way.  Even a cross we are called to bear can be a blessing if we have denied self and have the desire to follow Him without hesitation.

Help us Father, to have a strong desire to follow You no matter our circumstances.  We can only do this in Your power and through You loving, guiding hand.  Thank You for the privilege of Your calling in our lives.  In Jesus name..Amen