JESUS IS HERE

Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous! Do not
tremble or be dismayed, for the
Lord your God is with you
wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

I think I've mentioned this before but my first Christmas “piece” was at our church when I was at the ripe old age of four. I was the youngest participant and greeted the guests with four lines of welcome. All the other kids were big...primary and juniors in their departments. At dress rehearsal, I got up to say my piece and absolutely froze. There were other kids and parents in the auditorium and I was petrified.

Our teacher, seated on the front row, walked up to me. I was standing on a high part of the stage and she on the main floor. Although on the short side, she managed to gently take hold of my ankles and lovingly spoke encouraging words to me that ended with, “Remember Glendarae, Jesus is here.” I thought in my young mind, “You have got to be kidding.” I looked all over that huge room and I didn't see Him anywhere. I knew what he looked like from the pictures on the wall of our Sunday school room. I didn't see Jesus, and so as far as I tell, He wasn't there.

In all of the turmoil we are facing today, I wonder how many times, even the best of Christians have asked themselves, “Where is God in all of this?” We are facing threats on every side: riots, burnings, political conflict, death threats if you don't wear a mask, keep a distance from people, our country's freedoms at risk, education systems a mess...all too much to be hit with at the same time.

We Christians in our sincerity speak firmly regarding our belief in the sovereignty of God. That may mean different things to different folks but bottom line, we know that God is greater than any problem we face. We are used to dealing with people in person, face to face. In general conversation, we prefer person to person contact than by phone or computer. We are used to face to face conversation which is why today's masks are so disturbing. We want to see the real person, the real thing.

When God says in His Word that He will be with us, it's a promise we can count on. As believers, we have abiding in us, His precious Holy Spirit who is with us no matter where we are. Over fifty years ago, I had a brief surgical procedure to remove a small tumor. I had claimed a verse in Isaiah 41:13 for that time. I was single with no family or friends around. I hadn't said anything much to anyone about this so felt very much on my own. That verse reads:

“ I the Lord thy God will hold
thy right hand, saying unto thee,
'Fear not: I will hep thee.'

I recall the surgical nurse beginning the process of an IV to be put in my right arm. I asked her kindly if she could put it in my left arm because I had “Someone” holding my right hand. We knew each other and she understood and complied with my wish. I knew as well as knowing my own name, that the Lord my God would in His own way, hold my hand.

We need to get serious in these days about knowing and relying upon our God of strength and power. Nothing I consider negative can touch my life except it first filter through the fingers of our Heavenly Father. What we see as negative, God may see as a positive for our good. We are not to be people of fear. God hasn't given us the spirit of fear...that's Satan's doing. If I rely on God's promise to be with me, work on my behalf, then fear shouldn't enter my thinking. I have often felt that the more I fear, the more that would be solved. Satan loves that.

Whether saying a Christmas piece or being wheeled into surgery, God has promised us His loving attention and presence is ever with us. He wants us to trust Him no matter the problems or stages of life. Let's remember that God will always be the boss through anything we face.

Thank You Father for the fact that You are in charge. Keep Your hedge of protection around us and strengthen us in mind and spirit in facing the problems and evils of this world we face daily. We praise You for who You are in our lives. Help us to keep trusting. May we find a special peace by basking in Your love and care consistently. In Jesus' precious name...Amen 

GOD KNOWS

For I know the thoughts that I
think toward you, saith the Lord,
thoughts of peace, and not of evil,
to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11

This year, I celebrated 70 years as a child of God. I'm at an age where I can look back on God's goodness in my life that has come in so many and various ways. He has taught me so much through these years and for some reason, I thought as I aged that He wouldn't have as much to teach me except for those areas where I seem to need a lot of reviewing. However, there are occasions when He seems to blow me away with an old thought with new meaning.

Intimacy is such an important thing, especially with God. I'm not sure how important intimacy is to folks anymore. Nothing seems to be secret or sacred. With all the phones and computers, information about anything or anyone is right at our finger tips. We're often hesitant to be our real selves around people, perhaps even with people we know well. Our culture tends to pull us away of this closeness with others. With this thinking, our view of God is often affected.

As a little girl, the most I was told for a time about God was of His careful observation of me while holding a black crayon in His hand. I was told at home and away from home when I messed up that God would put a big black mark by my name. This told me two things...God always sees me and He was just watching for me to make mistakes so he could use his black crayon by my name.

Recently, our pastor made a comment that stuck in my mind to the point I almost didn't hear the rest of what he said. He was speaking of something I already knew that God sees everything to the smallest detail that affects us. Then he said something that maybe didn't affect anyone else but it sure did me. He said that if we have one cancer cell in our bodies, God is fully aware of that. It might be funny to you, but not to me for I was sitting there with a throbbing knee that was rebelling against being confined to a church pew.

There's not a cancer cell in my body that I know about, but for sure I sat there in stunned silence. The black crayon wasn't what registered with me in this present day. The only thing I could think was that in the privacy of that church pew, I saw with some clarity how God in that moment was concerned about my discomfort, even down to something as insignificant to anyone else as my throbbing knee.

I wonder how many of these “intimacies” of God I've missed in a lifetime. How clearly does He view any moment in our lives?

Neither is there any creature that is
not manifest in His sight: but all
things are naked and opened unto
the eyes of Him with whom we
have to do.
Hebrews 4:13

He sees it all...the big things we expect Him to know about, but also down to the smallest events. I don't know how He does it. I don't know how He tracks all the little things in the lives of His children, but am reassured He knows everything big and small taking place in my life. It's hard to wrap myself around that kind of intimacy and attention that is all based in a love for me that only can come from my loving Father. He does the same for all His children...even minus a black crayon.

Dear Father...just knowing You care about everything in my life is so encouraging. It also puts me in mind of the fact that You are aware of my every need no matter the size. You not only love me in it all but You care very deeply about me in a very personal way. I'm not worthy of that kind of care. I love You. Praying in Jesus' name....Amen

BLESSED IS HE THAT...

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which
God gave unto him, to shew unto his
servants things which must shortly
come to pass; and he sent and
signified it by his angel unto his
servant John;

Who bare record of the word of God,
and of the testimony of Jesus Christ,
and of all things that he saw,

Blessed is he that readeth, and they
that hear and words of this prophecy, and
keep those things which are written therein;
for the time is at hand.

Revelation 1:1-3

Perhaps about the last book in my Bible I venture toward for an in depth study is the book of Revelation. I've read through it on several occasions and have picked up information from it. I guess I'm not the best theological thinker there has ever been, but I refuse to give up on this book that gives us the hope, encouragement and information regarding final earthly days as well as heavenly ones. Mostly we are shown the complete victory that has been God's all along. Of great importance is seeing the final end of Satan on this earth, and his being confined to his final home.

Recently as I began another read of Revelation, I found right away that I was stuck on the first three verses. I saw an organization to them I hadn't noticed before. That is so like the Holy Spirit, our teacher, who always has new and fresh insights in the Word when we pray, asking His direction.

Verse one speaks of God and His intent on getting the message of this book , the revelation of Jesus...to John...a message having to do with things to come. Verse two then looks at John and his responsibility in extending that message. In verse two, John is referred to as “who.” He was commissioned to pass along God's message he had received through the vision God had given regarding things that were to come.

Verse three then comes down to you and me. We learn here that we are blessed (happy) if we deal with this book as we ought to do. So much more could be said about these three verses, but there is another trio of words that really places a great responsibility on us. It's a threesome that works in tandem with each other, three concepts that can't be separated from each other. In fact, the same three words found in verse 3 that I have underlined above are still words that are a good pattern for us as we delve into any of the other 65 books of Scripture.

The first word stressed is READ. Without that process, there's no real constant with the Bible. We may carry it to church, keep it handy on a bedside table or even carry a copy of it in a tote of some kind. It remains paper, ink and binding like any other book if not read. As we read, the Holy Spirit stands by to teach us what we are reading. One of the biggest mistakes Bible readers make is not inviting the Holy Spirit to teach as one reads.

HEAR is the next word in this trio in our quest for knowing God better and His will for our lives. I have, on many occasions, read my Bible, closed it and walked away with little from what I read that soaked into my mind and heart. John's next exhortation was for hearing the word. This hearing doesn't necessarily refer to the physical act of hearing. It can be hearing the Scriptures read from the pulpit or in a class of some kind. Even then, the Word may not soak into our hearts. As my Mother would say...in one ear and out the other. This hearing referred to is a spiritual, heart-soaking one that makes all the difference

Lastly is the word KEEP. This is where the Word really sticks, is incorporated into our every day living...faith with feet, walking in obedience and in close relationship with the Author of it all. Books have been written regarding a Christians intimate walk with God and being “Jesus with skin on” to the world around us. Unless I read the Word, there isn't going to be much hearing or keeping. I then find myself trying to live the Christian life in my own strength and that usually doesn't work very well. This is a trio of concepts that work together.

Our minds these days are preoccupied with a lot of things...most of which we can humanly do nothing about. God has promised will be a blessing when the Word becomes our mainstay. God delights in blessing His children. He wants an intimate relationship with us. The more we read, the more we will know God better. When we seriously hear, we'll know wonderful spiritual growth and when we keep, we will come to love serving Him like we never dreamed possible. May we be among the blessed that...

Dear Father, I'm so grateful for Your Word even though there are so many parts I have trouble grasping. May I be open to the teaching of Your Spirit and willingly walk in obedience that will please You. Thank You for Your Son Jesus, our Savior Who gave His all for me. In difficult days, may I not lose focus of Him, His love and sacrifice. In His name...Amen 

I GIVE UP

Neither yield ye your members
as instruments of unrighteousness
unto sin: but yield yourselves
unto God, as those that are alive
from the dead, and your members
as instruments of righteousness
unto God.
Romans 6:13

When in early grade school, we neighborhood kids loved playing cowboys and indians. For us, it was the wild west. We had our ropes for lasso's and anything resembling a six-shooter. If fortunate, one might get a cowboy hat or even boots for Christmas. We really didn't need all the trimmings as we trotted along as if on a horse in and out of yards and sidewalks.When a little older, but still in grade school, I was allowed to go to t

he State Movie Theater on Saturday afternoons to see usually two cowboy movies. I came to know all those guys...Lash La Rue, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Lone Ranger, Gabby Hayes, Cisco Kid, Hopalong Cassidy and who knows who else. The movies were harmless. Back then, if someone got shot, it was in the arm. Eventually there were some movies involving cowboys and indians and their skirmishes. 

Often, movies had to do with two factions warring against each other. It was during these themes I learned what a white flag meant when it was obvious that one side had completely lost their battle. Usually a couple of “losers” would ride their horses toward the enemy with one of the men holding up a white flag. That's what it was called. It may have been made from most anything, but that was the surrender signal. At that point, all fighting ceased and the losing side yielded to the winners no matter the conditions of the surrender. Sometimes, a defeated person yielded to the winner with hands up and the phrase, “I give up...don't shoot.”

You and I are in a real battle, individually speaking. Such affects our families, churches and even nation. However, our battle is usually one on one with Satan. We don't like to admit that at times in our weakness, Satan seems to win in our skirmishes. What bothers me is to think of the times we have all but waved a white flag in Satan's presence, yielding to his will in a particular fray. Even though we have the power of the God of universe ready to empower us, we still at times give in to the wiles of Satan. I wonder how many white flags Satan has figuratively received from me when I was too weak to stay in the battle.

Perhaps one of the reasons for it all is that we don't think to wave the white flag of surrender to God Himself. Such teams us up with the “good side” and with our perfect Heavenly Father. A white flag we wave before our Father is saying, “I give up...I want to live on Your terms...I don't want to fight whatever Your will is for my life.” With that, our Father accepts our yieldedness with no discussion. The terms of such a surrender are written in His Word. Where some human treaties may fail, no surrender to God is temporary or even fragile from His standpoint.

We have often sung a hymn in church entitled I Surrender All. How many times have we sung the words without the genuine giving of ourselves to our Father. I recall the first verse of that song saying:

All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give.
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

As far as God is concerned, those words sincerely sung or spoken is better than any white flag of surrender we could present. He's not looking for a white flag...He desires a loving and yielded spirit on our part, freely given.

Father, forgive the times I have sinned, given Satan a victory without even seeking You and Your strengthening. Thank You for Your patience, forgiveness and love. I want to always be in the very center of Your will for my life. I want to give up only to You. In the precious name of Jesus...Amen

WHAT IF

What then shall we say to
these things? If God is for
us, who can be against us?

He who did not spare His own
on, but delivered Him over for
us all, how will He not also
with Him freely give us all things?
Romans 8:31,32

I don't think I know of any two words that shows our lack of faith like the two words “What if...” We are living through difficult days that are more than trying. Isolation and masks have become very old. We don't know what to believe from any news reports regarding the Virus. Some report one thing while another channel or newspaper can report another. It's more than frustrating for all of us. However, the two featured words I have noted are not just for these days. They are words through our lifetime we may have used on many occasions. Let me give a few examples:

WHAT IF:
I had been a better parent
I had finished school
the stock market crashes
this virus goes on for another year
my blood tests reveal a dire problem
I have a flat tire on the way to church
I get the virus
and on, and on, and on, and on, etc, etc, etc.

Notice our “what if's” can involve not just a future concern, but can also cause us to look back. When working as a social worker with often very abused children, they usually went through testing and therapy when going into foster care. Still to this day, therapists feel the only way of healing is to cause a person to go back and relive past tragedies or horrible events for healing to take place. Most adults have never gone for any kind of psychological therapy sessions but still put themselves through the torture off and on of looking back with blame and depression. In everything listed above, there isn't one single thing from the past that can be changed. Those that look to the future, at best, aren't worth consideration because of the negative outcomes expected. Through the years, when I look at my “what if's”, in all probabilities, in the 90% area, none of my “what if's” came to pass. Only our Heavenly Father sees our futures and by faith, we know He does all things well. We can't have better assurance than the title verse Romans 8:31.

“What's” and “if's” can be positive and encouraging. They can be words of hope and dreams. They are words we mostly say to ourselves and not use in general conversation. God doesn't want to hear “What if I can't do such and such...?.” That's what we have to avoid. Using those words look back at past failures or things we wish we had done differently, shouldn't be a part of forward looking Christians.

A good portion of our “what if's” could be answered with “I can.” Ours is a positive Gospel, positive faith and message in every way. If not careful, we can find ourselves using our “what if's” as we look at God's work or lack of in our lives. “What if God doesn't...” should never cross our mind. We know that always will work all things together for our good. Despite our circumstances, God is the positive in our lives. He will always be our great I AM. With Him there are no “what if's.”

Dear Father, I'm so grateful you are the same yesterday, today and forever...the great I AM. Thank You for the knowledge that You will always do what is in my best interest with no strings attached as the world does things. Thank You for Jesus and Your Spirit who leads and guides in my life. In Jesus precious name...Amen

IT'S A GREAT OFFER

Come unto Me, all who are weary
and heavy-laden, and I will give you
rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from
Me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls
For My yoke is easy and my burden is light
Matthew 11:28-39

Recently, a friend of mine at my eye doctor's office was sharing with me regarding her recent vacation with her children to Hawaii. I told her the only thing there I would ever want to visit is Pearl Harbor. She began telling me how inspiring everything was from displays to visiting a submarine, ship and of course the Arizona monument. I told her that I was almost three years old when the attack on Pearl Harbor took place. I still remember at a very young age the gloom and doom as well as panic that set in all around me. In those days, we hadn't experienced school shootings, 9/11, terror attacks, political conflict, etc. As a result, that day was a real shaker-upper.

Today, there really isn't much we aren't exposed to as far as negative events are concerned. I feel for very young children who pick up on the fright they see in the adults in their lives with no explanation or comfort. Because of today's cultural and political climate, there isn't much that surprises us, but for me back then, hearing about Peal Harbor was horrible not just for children, but adults alike.

I've been looking today at our church prayer list. I've never seen such a variety of concerns and the list is quite lengthy. There are problems with cancer, dialysis, joint replacements, folks in nursing homes, broken bones, chemo treatments, eye surgeries, brain tumor, and then there is the missionary list with some of them facing real difficulties with illness or government pressures where they are located. 

Even that list doesn't cover the everyday things friends and fellow Christians are facing in their lives. I'm thinking of couples either struggling with their marriages or with children who are breaking their hearts. Some folks are facing financial difficulties or threats of job loss. Many senior citizens who live alone face insecurities and loneliness on an everyday basis. There are school pressures that can be nerve-wracking for students. School also means athletic programs so there is a pressure to perform well on the field or gym. For some students, they may not even be able to attend school right now putting parents in some difficult positions. Top all that with the virus scaring folks, some living in panic and well, for all of us there's nothing worth watching the news.

With all we face, what a comfort the above verses are from the invitation Jesus gives for us to draw near, to accept His comfort and understanding and with His promise to give us the rest we so desperately need. I love His invitation to become yoked up with Him. Yokes in the Bible were used by farmers to hitch a team together to pull plows or whatever needed. The oxen had to work in tandem except when a younger, more inexperienced ox was hooked up with an experienced one. The experienced ox would pull a little extra when the other ox tired out. The yoke required a new ox to go in the same direction with the older one.

Jesus invites you and me to walk in tandem with Him, following where He goes, learning from Him moment by moment. When we become resistant and want to go our own way, Jesus who is our leader and trainer keeps us in step with Him. Straining against His leadership can create problems for us He doesn't intend. We can make the Christian life a very difficult one if we choose to do our own thing and refuse to be teachable; OR we can walk together in step with Jesus. For we Christians, the choice should be obvious.

In our process with Jesus, He has special things to offer us. Recognizing we often carry heavy loads, He wants to give us rest. He offers His gentleness and easing of our burdens. His strength and encouragement are always available. We tend to just want to “plow” on alone, resisting all the benefits God offers to us in times of hardship and difficulty. How foolish of us to keep thinking, “I can handle this.”

Jesus invites...”Come unto me, ALL...” He offers His rest, gentleness and peace no matter the difficulty we face. The problem is that we can resist His wonderful offer and at times may foolishly do just that. God wants to be our burden bearer and comfort. This is an invitation we can't pass up.

Thank You Father for being the Sovereign God You are. You see into our circumstances beyond what we can know. Despite the severity of our difficulties, You always stand ready to be our comfort. May we take advantage of of that comfort. In Jesus' name....Amen 

THIS OLD HOUSE

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself
from these things, he will be a vessel
for honor, sanctified, useful to the
Master, prepared for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:21

Recently, Brian took me to my hometown for just about 36 hours or a little more for me to revisit some special places that are still meaningful to me. We started with a nearby state park that had been a special place. It was the same for my sister Kay because in our younger years, we visited there often and walked some of the trails. This time, the trek on the trails with my hubby was about 70 years from those days...in a slight rain no less. Thought I would probably meet the Lord there and He'd just take me on Home. The trek got about that desperate.

There were other places...church where I was saved and served, cemeteries where family and friends are interred, city park and so many other places we could drive to. There was one experience I had when five years old when my Mother let me walk by myself from my house to my Grandma Benbrook's house. I asked Brian to drive it to see just how far that was for a little girl to walk alone. It was the way we always went so I had no problem getting myself there.

Along the way, there were friends of my Mother's who would look out and greet me. Later I caught on that it was a set-up on my Mother's part to insure my safety. Tuesday we drove that way I had walked and it turned out to be seven tenths of a mile. Of course, this was back then when children could be out with a great deal of safety.

We drove up a slight hill to view Grandma's house that was just over it. Brian stopped and I took in the view of the house. It's the same house with some of the same features I remembered. We slowly drove to the front of the house...something was wrong. I looked carefully only to see that there it stood, empty. The inside of the windows had that dusty film on them that indicates a lack of care. We drove to the side of the house (It sits on a corner) and the look of the house there was the same. I pointed to the two windows of the living room where my Grandma's casket was placed after her death for the viewing and wake. I viewed the backyard where once was a chicken pen, where I had one time left the gate open and the chickens escaped. There was the yard where Grandma had a huge garden every spring and summer. Now, no life to speak of ...only growing weeds.

Here's my point. At one time, that was an active, loving home where my grandparents lived. They had five children who would come and go for visits. Those family times were full of memories galore and lots of fun. I loved being there at every opportunity. I felt loved there...safe, the calm before the storm of our own immediate family coming into hard times.

The house....old, dirty, not well kept and empty. That wasn't the history of that house, but now, it's different. Many of us are in the aging process or even beyond what we thought we would be in age. Like I read, “Getting old came so quickly.” I guess it did for that house as well. Despite our driving around other places, the picture in my mind of that house stayed with me. I would have loved to see children playing in the yard, a car in the drive and perhaps a big garden in back yard like I remembered. There's no reason it couldn't be like that with some paint and fixing up, but there it sits, looking very sad and alone.

No matter our ages and despite the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us, there's such a danger like that house of our becoming old in our ways, dirty with sin and no beneficial spiritual life going on in us. The Holy Spirit prompts and tugs at us but we get to the point at times of giving up on ourselves spiritually...cobwebs in the corners, no more light in the windows. It may be that there are times when one may think it's just too much trouble to get up and head for church and Bibles may rest on end tables left unread. The “smallest” of sin can be rationalized while knowing that sin is sin with God and needs to be dealt with. We may draw into ourselves, losing the joy of beneficial contacts with others who may need our touch in their lives. These things can happen for anyone of any age with so much turmoil and worrisome events going on in our day.

My prayer for us is that we wake up to the fact that our bodies are temples for the indwelling Holy Spirit. For we believers who have the Holy Spirit living in us, we have no excuse for becoming run down and of little use spiritually speaking. No matter where we are on life's experience scale, we need to have eyes wide open to the things of God because of time spent in the Word and in prayer. Any cleaning up we need, the Holy Spirit is happy to help us with that Instead of being like an old lonely house, we can be a gleaming and useful temple of the Holy Spirit as God intended for each of us to be

Thank You Father, that in our lives, You are the same yesterday, today and forever. Thank You for the years You have blessed us with, but help us to keep going for You, casting all excuses away from us. Thank You for Your Spirit's prompting, correction and teaching. Thank You for Jesus who came and made our lives so worth living. In His name...Amen 

SELAH MOMENTS

SELAH MOMENTS

Blessed be the Lord, who daily
loadeth us with benefits,even
the God of our salvation. Selah
Psalm 68:19

Through the years we have loved the book of Psalms. We may have had many reasons for this love. Most Psalms are fairly easy to read and understand. Simply said, it is a hymn book with Psalms of varying topics just as our hymn books are. It isn't just a hymn book loved by the Hebrew people of long ago but has become precious to us as well.

We know the Psalms through the leading of the Holy Spirit came to be through the pens of different people. In fact, we know the names or positions of many of the writers who penned the Psalms of different types (Messianic, wisdom, historical, nature, repentance, praise, etc.). There is no end to the possibilities of the Holy Spirit speaking to us through these precious writings no matter the place in life we find ourselves to be.

For many years, I saw the word SELAH at the end of some of the Psalms. ( I am finding some translations, especially study Bibles have left that word out of their printing.) There have been any number of opinions as to the meaning of that word. There are 39 Psalms written by “the choirmaster” and of those, 31 end with SELAH. This has brought folks to believe that SELAH is a musical term, one like our “rest indicator” in music we sing or play. A rest in our music seems to be almost an irritant, necessary for the music to make sense. It may be viewed as an inconvenient interruption. We obey it, but then move on.

Some believe SELAH is more than that. The music rest indicates one to stop singing or playing for the time indicated and then move on. However, SELAH for most is more than a forced stop. It's more of a pause. I've even heard the word interpreted as “pause and take in...think...meditate on what was just read.” However, it's not just the resting or pausing. In that moment we may pause but it's also a time to anticipate what is to come.

In all these years, as often as I read or spent time in the Psalms, I doubt I've paid much attention to that word that is as much a part of Scripture as the verses it follows. It's easy to just read through things giving little thought to what we've read. SELAH seems to suddenly appear but we to gloss over it.

In my own reading whether in Psalms or other areas of Scripture I wonder if I am missing out on some SELAH moments. Those are moments as I read where I should pause and reflect on what the written word has just said to me. These moments don't have to be at the end of reading a chapter. Such a moment might come after ready only one verse or perhaps a cluster of verses. I'm thinking of times the Holy Spirit brings a Scripture to mind and when He does, it's always important to the moment. Do I treat it casually? By that I mean feeling special about the moment, but not parking there to really take in what that verse could/should mean to me.

How often do we just take SELAH moments to meditate and ponder the things of God, to evaluate or even for just a time of praise and contemplation. We live in a day of great evil and negative distractions. We often feel frustrated that leads to discouragement and even depression. God wants to calm our spirits in these days if we really want Him to. He is as near to listening to us as the breath we breathe.

SELAH moments may entail taking a brief time to just sit and unwind, perhaps with reading or working on a puzzle. We, in our day, are missing out on moments to relax if for no other reason than to let our bodies slow down, recuperate from the stressors of life. We almost feel that such SELAH moments are a waste of time or even be misunderstood in their purpose.

Jesus took His SELAH moments, often going to one side to pray. He found rest in talking with His Father. We're often told we are to be like Jesus. Yes, He was and is God but He also came to us in human form. He had the same needs as do we. He was a Man of the Word as evident in the ways He often quoted Scripture. If nothing else, in those two ways, we can be more like Him, taking advantage of SELAH moments. Such is desperately for all of us in these days of concern. I'm not talking about our devotional times necessarily. That's a given. Those moments we need to just pause and even meditate on the right things that will renew and refresh us. It can't hurt to give it a try. We'll be the better for it.

Father, thank You for Jesus' example in every area of our humanity. Thank You too that You are always present in those SELAH moments of ours and are concerned for Your children that we be healthy in every way. Help us to take more advantage of those “green pasture” moments You lead us to. In Jesus name....Amen

NOT ME...REALLY?

Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not anxiously look about you,
for I am your God. I will
strengthen you, surely I will
help you, surely I will uphold
you with My righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

A doctor I saw today at an appointment in general conversation, said, “We are sure in the most difficult of times.” That was putting it mildly and he knew that. We are troubled on every side seeing things going on in our country we never thought possible. It's easy to see things and take on a judgmental spirit toward others, refusing to look at our own sinful ways.

A few days ago, there was a chapter of Scripture that kept crossing my mind. I knew what the chapter contained and to be honest, just didn't want to go there. I knew, however, that the Holy Spirit was prompting me to go to that place, so I did.

The chapter is Psalm 51...a prayer by David seeking God's pardon for sins that had just been pointed out to him by the prophet Nathan. David found himself in a place he never thought he would be in...much like us with our own sin. David was a good boy, son and man. No one would have believed the depths of sin to which David stooped beginning with being out of God's will. David, as king, was supposed to go to war with his army like kings did in that day. This time he stayed home. In that process, he sought out a beautiful woman he spotted across the way bathing. We know what it all led to...lust, adultery, murder of the woman's husband that ended up with the death of his own newborn son. David was a good man, weak for many days, susceptible to sin like we all are. To this we would say perhaps to ourselves, “That would never happen to me.” Really?... be careful.

David, however, when approached by Nathan regarding his sin, didn't deny any of it. He took responsibility unlike in our day when someone is caught in crime or sin of some sort. The whole thing was so heartbreaking for David. He knew he had disappointed God and in Psalm 51 confesses his sin, shame and repentance for those things.

We look around today and see people dressed in black as well as high up people in their fine clothes rioting, plotting, and lying through their teeth just to keep our country torn up. We can become pretty judgmental of them all and yet every yelling, screaming, destructive person is of concern to our Heavenly Father. He wants to save them, bring them to Himself even though we don't understand it.

In this Psalm, David prays some things that appear in very short in words. Looking , especially at the first 14 verses we see parts of Davids prayer: Be gracious to me, Blot out my sin, Wash me, Cleanse me, Purify me, Restore, Sustain me, Deliver me. David put himself out there before God in sorrow and repentance.: He says in verse 4

Against You, You only, I have sinned
and done what is evil in Your sight,
so that You are justified when you
speak and blameless when You judge.

As strange as it may seem, we cannot sin against another person. However, he recognized that his sin wasn't toward those he had hurt, but against God. Sin is anything that goes against the principles and will of God. We can hurt people and it can at times cause far reaching damage, but sin will always be toward God. David wasn't covering his wrong doing, but knew he first had to go to God.

Nestled in the middle of David's prayer is verse 10, a precious, priceless prayer he prayed with a repentant and sincere spirit. It's not a group prayer...it's a very private one and the result was clearly seen in the changed life of David.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right
spirit within me.

This is a prayer we all could pray frequently. There's a lot going on in our country, a lot that seems even beyond the bounds of wrong doing. It's easy to look at ourselves and feel pretty self satisfied because we aren't like the rest. God hates our sin and wrong doing just as much as in those bent on destruction, perhaps more because we know better, or should.

If we are wanting revival in our country, it's going to have to begin in you and me individually. We believers need to get real and transparent with God...praying for His grace, forgiveness and deliverance. May we look into the mirror of God's Word with a yielded spirit. In addition, may we be people of prayer like never before. It can't be a one time “Now I lay me down to sleep” kind of prayer. It can't be one or two-time prayers. We must pray like warriors digging in the trenches because prayer still changes things.

Dear Father, forgive me for being judgmental toward others. May I be a person more of love toward others, knowing in their wrong doing, they need You in a huge way. Help me to keep short accounts with You when it comes to my own sin. Renew a right spirit in me. In Jesus name...Amen

GOD IS GOOD

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord will give grace and glory:

no good thing will he withhold

from them that walk uprightly

Psalm 84:11

I can't tell you how much the above verse has meant to me through the last 51 years. The Christmas prior to our February wedding, Brian and I got each other new Bibles...mine red and his black. He wrote a sweet note on a front blank page, but closed it with the above verse. Every time I read the verse, which is often, I am reminded of God's goodness in our lives through the years. Brian and I have seen the goodness of God in our relationship and family, but have also seen it in our own personal lives.

Many books are written these days about the attributes of God. Often, the attribute of God that is often relegated to the end or not given as much attention as it deserves is that of goodness. God's goodness in our lives is mind-boggling if we choose to consider it. Goodness is often defined as a deep kindness shown to others whether they be deserving or not. We may think about it as being “nice.” My Mother used to tell me to be good, if I was going away from our house with others. I knew she meant I was to be well behaved in my treatment of others. God's goodness is much more than behavioral...it's who and what He is.

One might call it a tradition, but every Sunday morning at the end of the service, our pastor closes our time with:

“God is good”
“All the time” (congregation)
“All the time”
“God is good.” (congregation)

The greatest goodness God ever showed in our lives was in sending His only Son Jesus into the world. Jesus didn't come as a celebrity to prance around as many celebrities do. He came as a human being to relate to everyday people. In all the Gospels, the thoughtfulness and goodness of Jesus is evident on every page whether He was healing, teaching, or raising the dead. He set the example for us as to how to treat friend and foe alike with goodness whether deserved or undeserved.

As I've thought of God's goodness in my life, it's easy to think of the big things...education, careers, marriage, three great kids all along with the opportunities He has opened up for me in serving Him. However, lately, I've been trying to take note of so many little things that God in His goodness provides for me day after day to enjoy. I wish you could see my three rose bushes in front of the house. They are full of the most beautiful flowers. As I go onto the porch to observe them, I am facing some of the most beautiful mountains straight ahead. I realize others enjoy nature God has provided in His goodness for all, but these days, I'm taking all of these things personally as God's gifts to me.

I realize that God's goodness may also come in the form of what we consider negative events. God will always work in our lives for what is best even though it may not seem like it. Here we have to include Romans 8:28:

And we know that all things work together
for good to them that love God, to them
who are the called according to His purpose.

Don't ask me how He does that, but I trust He is always working good on my behalf, even if I don't understand the circumstances at the time.

My prayer for each of us is to concentrate more on God's goodness that comes to us in abundance. God has such a special way in His goodness that He just blesses my “blesser.” I think our Father would appreciate a thank you every now and then, even for the smallest things. Our gratitude must bring warmth to the heart of our Father. With our gratitude, He is glorified.

Father, we thank You for your goodness You surround us with every day of life. Your every provision in our lives, speaks of Your goodness and love. Thank You for Your ultimate goodness in sending Jesus, and for His love in dying for each of us. In His precious name....Amen