I CAN

Philippians 4:13

ll of us have at one time or another spoken the two words above. Perhaps we've been asked what, when or how we can accommodate another person's cry for help or who perhaps just needed a favor done. Please stick with me on this.

I CAN...

Most of us would consider ourselves to be pretty capable and even self sufficient. At my age, I know there are a lot of things I am able to do for family, friends or myself. Such abilities have come through education or through the hard knocks of life itself. We're never totally self reliant but we like to think we are.

DO ALL THINGS...

The danger of putting literal stock in the first two parts of a verse is that we really can't do all things. I appreciate someone's desire to do all things for folks they can do, but there are limits how far each of us can go. For instance, although I have very capable and knowledgeable acquaintances, I can't think of a one I would want do perform brain surgery on me. I know I'm not bound for mars nor will I ever be asked to be president of an Ivy League university. However, I CAN DO with efficientcy what God has called me and equipt me to do. By the way, we can do much more than we think.

THROUGH CHRIST...

Now we get to some nitty-gritty in that there really is nothing we can do of any sufficiency without the strengthening of Christ in our lives. There's so much more I desire to know about Jesus. I know I haven't even scratched the surface of even the basic knowledge that is available to me about Him. Our faith would increase in abundance if we knew Him beyond the usual Sunday school stories we heard as children. Have we progressed beyond those days in really knowing more about Jesus?

WHO STRENGTHENETH ME...

Any other strengthening we seek on our own, will only be fleeting. We'll never know on this earth the strength and power available to us through Jesus Christ, not just forvarious tasks but also in the serious ups and downs of life. In these days of my life, I've come to know more and more when any strength I have is not of my own making but can only be from God himself. I have no strength in myself to keep me going. THUS...

I can do all things, through Christ

which strengtheneth me.

I praise You, my Father for not just past days but for every moment I am the benefit of Your strength. I know I can count on Your continued love because You are love. Thank You for all You are in my life even in this moment. Thank You Jesus for all You have sacrificed for me. In Your name I pray...Amen

WALK ON

He hath shown thee, O man,

what is good; and what doth the

Lord require of thee, but to do

justly, and to love mercy, and to

walk humbly with thy God?

Micah 6:8

While sitting in my chair and just moments ago, my eyes dropped to my right hand where I see Brian's wedding ring on one of my fingers. I have worn it since the night he went to Heaven. I was just recalling, while during our wedding ceremony, I tried to put the ring on his finger, but it wouldn't go on because his finger had swollen. He didn't struggle with it for public sake, but just held his thumb to the back of it to hold it on until we got down the aisle.

We didn't leave the altar as some might. We had a male soloist sing the song, “You'll never walk alone.” He sang that as we stood facing each other holding our hands together. I'll never forget how Brian looked in those moments. We left to slowly walk down the aisle as the soloist got to the words “Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart and you'll never walk alone.” For some naive reason, I thought our walk would last much longer than it did.

We all have our own private walk in this life. We may be surrounded by spouses, children, friends and even perhaps some enemies but we're still walking. Our walks might be filled with joy, happiness, and anticipations of future bliss. Perhaps we have found in this walk of ours that there are stones in our path, tree roots and small gullies any of which could cause broken legs or even broken hearts. There are those who add joy, love and maybe some humor as we walk, but the opposite can be true as well. That's just life.

Considering this walk of ours, Scripture is pretty clear as we read the above verse regarding God's expectations as we walk this walk of ours. He has shown us and made clear in His Word all he considers to be good. He especially tells us to be people who are just and who love mercy. In our day, both can be a challenge, but not for Him as He walks with us. The big thing is at the end of the verse, where we are expected to walk humbly with our God. That means that you and I are to relinquish the top shelves of our lives to our Father who is the only one worthy to be there, whether in our lives as individuals or in the lives of others the world over.

You and I are to walk on...with hope in our hearts...knowing we will never walk alone. Our loving Father walks in step beside us and also finds ways to even walk ahead of us while beside us. Don't ask me how He does it...I just know from experience that it's how He is. So let's keep walking... with hope in our hearts, a hope that only our Father can give to us.

Thank You Father for human memories that warm our hearts. We also are reminded of the sweet memories we have of You walking us through our days. May we please You by putting others first, serving and loving as we've learned through Jesus' example...in Whose precious name we pray...Amen

 

SWEET SMELLERS

Now thanks be to God who always

leads us in triumph in Christ, and

through us diffuses the fragrance

of His knowledge in every place,

For we are to God the fragrance

of Christ among those who are being

saved and among those who are

perishing.

II Corinthians 2:14:15

My daughter and I were talking the other day about perfumes and how there seems to be a kabosh on wearing such, especially in church...classes, choirs, Bible study groups, etc. It used to not be that way. Ladies loved smelling good although some at times went a little overboard with the splashing-on process.

Scripture tells us that as we triumph in Christ, we take on a special fragrance that can only come from Him. This isn't a fragrance we can purchase at some perfume counter but one only that comes from a deep relationship with Him. That fragrance comes in the form of His knowledge and has influence on those being saved and even on those who are not.

Mrs. Clifton was our babysitter when I was working on a church staff. She cared for both of our girls five days a week. On Wednesday evening, she would bring them to church with her and would check them into the nursery. She had bathed the girls and dressed them up cute as could be. In the nursery, there was one noticeable thing and that was how the girls smelled. They smelled of Tabu perfume. She too had bathed and a routine of dressing adding touches of Tabu on the neck and wrists. My girls smelled of Tabu for at least a day and how could that have happened? My girls smelled of Mrs. Clifton because she had held them, cuddled them and had drawn them close to herself all the time from the perfume she was wearing.

I must hasten to add here, though, that we must avoid becoming a “stinkin' Christian.” I've known some who may backslide or just tend to take on the things of the world and not of Christ. Our goal should be to exude that sweet fragrance of Christ at all times. Those saved around us will be blessed and the unsaved just may be drawn to Christ, the sweetest aroma of all time.

Dear Father, thank You for holding us in the hollow of Your hand and for the privilege of being as close to You as possible. What a privilege...being Your child...Through Jesus, our Lord. Amen 

GOD IS ALREADY THERE

And the LORD, he it is that doth

go before thee; he will be with thee,

he will not fail thee, neither forsake

thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8

Let me say on the onset, that I'm well aware that Moses was the recipient of the promises in this verse to be passed along to God's people. I grow a little weary of folks complaining about how others take Old Testament statements out of context. Let me say this, there is nothing wrong with referring to the above verse simply because it deals with God's character. What we see in that verse is who God is from eternity through the present on into eternity. I love any verse that speaks of God's character that is applicable to any place, any time.

Sooooo...I wonder in our lives, how many times, God knowing our every minute of life, has gone ahead of us to prepare things for when we arrived at the planned destination.We are usually surprised to find that God has already been there knowing everything about everything.

About four months before Brian's Home going, we were at the Billy Graham Cove for a seminar. At the end, when folks were busying themselves to leave, a woman approached me and put in my lap, a beautiful quilt. Brian had gone around the corner to get me something to drink for our trip so wasn't right there yet. The lady explained that she sews quilts as a ministry often making one a day. This one was almost the size of a twin bed with no overhang. . She dearly loved how God led her to one she should give a quilt to. I sat stunned with the lovely quilt in my lap. She didn't want to give me her address, as thanks from God would be enough.

Little did she know, nor I, that in about four months, I would wrap myself up in that quilt any number of times to just feel the love of it. Brian was a hugger and I missed those hugs. I hadn't made much use of that quilt until those days of Brian's Home going and even now to feel hugs of love that quilt gives is so comforting. That lady probably wasn't a teacher or leader of note, but now, these months later, the Lord knew from that moment she put that quilt in my lap that I would need and appreciate it.

My personalized car license plate hadn't arrived in time for the expiration of my present one. I was so concerned but went to purchase another one at the county court house. The lady who was waiting on me, went to get me a plate to do until my other one arrived. She came back with a strange look on her face. My personalized plate had arrived just a half hour of my arrival. How could such a thing happen? It would seem I had a Divine appointment with a license plate. I would still have gotten the plate but it was God who knew the time and place that both were all His doing. I left that building in awe, knowing God had already been there ahead of me. He often does these things in all our lives and we may chalk such times up to coincidence. With God, there is no such thing.

Dear Father...You overwhelm me with Your love and care for me and in the lives of my friends as well. May we be quick to see Your working in our today's as well as our tomorrows. I praise You and give You all the glory in it all. In Jesus' precious name...Amen 

YOU CAN DO THIS

I can do all things through Christ

which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

I saw an interesting film/article on my computer this evening. It was of a man running a marathon race somewhere in England. He was a big guy, maybe middle aged, but in decent shape. It appeared that toward the end of the race, with several meters to go, he was looking like he was going to give up and could hardly put one foot in front of the other.

Suddenly, what was called a race coach came to the man's side and began running with him. They obviously didn't know one another. You name it and he was cheering this racer on with his encouraging comments as well as running along side of him. The racer was being fold over and over, “You can do this!” With every step, regardless of the encouragement, it looked like the racer was still ready to drop out of the race. After having run so far, it would have been a shame had he just quit.

The race coach continued with the man and suddenly, a little girl ran up beside the racer, took his hand and ran with him. It was his daughter who looked to be maybe ten years old. His steps widened some as she ran with him, but he still looked like he might not make it. There were street workers, with their safety vests on who saw the scene and they began to cheer the man on.

Nearing the finish line there were people along the sides of the street who began cheering. He had so much encouragement and support, how could he possibly have failed. He didn't fail. He crossed the line, turned giving a huge bear hug to the young man who had helped him to the finish line where the racer received the medal around his neck that all participants had received.

This has a kind of familiar ring for most of us, doesn't it, especially for those of us who are of any age above perhaps 70 years old. Probably at every age, folks have grown weary in their life's race or journey. Folks get weary and even discouraged contending with various difficult circumstances affecting their lives.

In my own race, I am so grateful for those who continue to run along side of me. My children and grandchildren are such a blessing, and there are good friends who cheer me on when I slow down in my run. I have wonderful church pastors and friends who look out for me. I also have a couple of great doctors I can call on with any questions and they are quick to be of help. My biggest support in my race, is the sweet Holy Spirit in and with me in every place, at all times and my greatest advocate. He's my teacher, doctor, strength, friend and so many other things that keep me going. I know He's cheering me on, watching always for what is in my best interest, pouring His grace and mercy into my very being and loving me with a love I don't deserve or understand. All of this is mine right down til whenever I reach my finish line where Jesus hopefully will say “well done...you did it.”

Dear Holy Spirit, I don't know what I'd do without You as You live in me, looking out for me and loving me. Father, thank You for Your Spirit and for Jesus Who gave all that I may run my life's race in such a way as to bring You honor and glory. I pray these things in Jesus' precious name...Amen.

I WILL

Come unto me all ye that labor

and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

It was either the last Sunday in a November or first Sunday in a December when our pastor at the time asked for a show of hands from folks in the congregation for a special task. Volunteers were needed big time. It was time to do all of the Christmas decorating in the auditorium and other places in the facilities. I was in the choir at the time so was amazed at all the hands that were raised, both women and men.

I wish I could have raised my hand but had to work the next day. I felt even worse when on Wednesday night, I heard some folks who had been there commenting that less than half the volunteers showed up. It was really a huge job even for those who had volunteered to help let alone the job the faithful few had to do.

Probably most of us have been guilty with the two words “I WILL.” Those two words are often said in much too casual ways. When we use those two words, we forget that someone is counting on us to do what we said we would do. We see a real problem in our day with folks in all areas of life who fail to live up to promises...their word is worth nothing.

In just looking at various places in Psalms, not knowing who all was doing the writing, I noticed a hoard of I will's, very positive ones. The writers have said, IWILL...praise, sing, pray, follow, worship...and the list goes on regarding the determination of some who penned a Psalm or more. I am wondering how often, in good faith, I have promised an I WILL, and failed to keep that promise.

Aren't we glad that our Savior completely keeps His I WILL promises. God's I WILL promises are all through Scripture, but for instance, just from the Gospel of John:14. we see,

*And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (4)

*If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. (14)

*I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you. (18)

Those are just examples and Scripture is full of I WILL promises God makes to us. May we strive to either curb our I WILL's or be people of our word just as God is.

Forgive me, Father, when I've made I WILL promises to You or others and not been a person of my word. At times, I have let folks down who were counting on me. Too many times, I know I let You down when I haven't fulfilled my promises. Thank You for every promise You make to all Your children and for being who and what You are in my life. In Jesus' most precious name...Amen 

JUST WAIT

For we through the Spirit wait

for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Galatians 5:5

I've never been good at waiting. I thought I'd never get my first bike, but it came along despite my impatience. A couple of times in Psalms, we are told to “Wait for the Lord.”

Sometimes, even waiting for God to work in a particular way in our lives, seems difficult. However, when it comes to God, waiting is never wasted time. It hones our patience and strengthens our faith. Along the way, I wrote below of some waiting times in my own life.

When just young and very small

Folks said that I'd grow tall only

Just wait.

School days often seemed to crawl

No end in sight, teachers I recall

Just wait.

Only career, many a long day

No family yet, but friends would say

Just wait.

There he was, straight and tall

Is this the one? Should I let myself fall

Just wait.

Wait I did, loved being a wife

Hubby, children...such a great life, but

Just wait.

Life was life with it's ups and downs

Time's gone by with the smiles and frowns

Just wait.

But parting day came, didn't seem fair

God took him home to be with Him there.

Seems impossible, with years quickly gone

Yet, I live each day...some seem so long.

My waiting is different now in earthly state

My day will come, know not the date.

I just wait.

Dear Father...help me to wait during those times it seems most difficult. I know You are present in my life, seeing to my every need. Help me to just rest in waiting no matter the situation In Jesus' precious name...Amen 

HIDDEN TREASURE

Thy word have I hid in mine heart,

that I might not sin against thee.

Psalm 119:11

The day is as clear to me as if it were yesterday. I was attending VBS at our church and sat in the side room just off our auditorium. Ruth Young was our teacher as she usually did every summer about the same time. We were at the part of the morning I really loved. It was Bible memory time and I clearly remember memorizing the above verse that day. Through the years, this verse and others I memorized, even to this day are among the hidden treasures of Scripture I have packed away in my heart.

These treasures aren't meant to stay hidden. Years and aging sometimes push such nuggets to the back of one's memory, but are never meant to stay hidden. For sure, they are treasures to be brought forward to bless and encourage even if sometime we can't recall the “Bible addresses” of the verses. The Holy Spirit has a wonderful way of bringing these treasures to the forefront of our hearts whenever He sees fit...when He knows what we need better than we know. He can even bring things of Scripture to our minds when we might wonder “where did that come from” moment.

Such happened to me a few days ago. All I will say is that it was a gray day. I woke up, got in my cozy chair and sat glued to it most of the day. I managed to make a sandwich and go to the bathroom a couple of times but I was stuck. I had no energy physically or spiritually. My Bible sat on the arm of my chair, but I felt no desire to open it or even read anything in it. Maybe it was a culmination of things from past months. I didn't know and didn't care.

About five o'clock, suddenly to mind came “Psalm 73: 25,26”. I recognized Psalm 73 but not the verses. In curiosity, I opened my Bible to those verses and read:

Whom have I in heaven but thee?

And there is none upon the earth

that I desire beside thee.

My flesh and my heart faileth:

but God is the strength of my heart,

and my portion forever.

I had the feeling that someone must be looking through my kitchen window. In reality, it snapped me to attention. It had been awhile since even thinking of these verses, but the Holy Spirit knew what I needed in the moment. I don't know how many times I sat reading those verses over and over, but I was strengthened and encouraged more than I can say. When we have the hidden treasures of Scripture in our hearts, they aren't meant to stay hidden but to be used to bless us in every way. It's another reason for us to be in the Word, saving it so it is available for the good and tough times whether our days are bright or gray.

Father, thank You for Your Word and for Your Holy Spirit who knows our every need and can minister to us at any time from it. We don't deserve Your love but grateful You love and care for us as no one else can. Thank You for Your guiding Spirit and Son Who gave all that we might really live. In Jesus' precious name...Amen 

BEAR DANGER

Submit yourselves therefore to

God. Resist the devil and he

will flee from you.

James 4:7

Almost all children growing up have owned a teddy bear. For many years, there wasn't the abundance of stuffed animals like now. Children loved their teddy bears as friends and companions. They were soft and cuddly, mostly in dark color. I, today, own a stuffed black bear resembling a black bear in the park that Brian bought me after the first time we walked through the 11 mile Cades Cove Loop.

Black bears in the mountains have become a kind of trademark/logo representing the national park. However, they are still wild animals and must be treated as such. On one occasion while driving through a “bear block” caused by a medium size bear near the road, we noticed a young father, stooped down with his two-three year old moving closer and closer to the bear. The bear was casually feasting on the grass, not really paying attention to the crowd and especially to the young dad. That was fortunate for that young dad, because in a moment, that bear feeling threatened could have easily pounced on the dad and child. Bears can be very quick in movement. It could have been a tragedy, but the bear would have been blamed and euthanized.

Because of instances like that, park rangers have posted a variety of warning signs, such as:

“Don't feed the bears”

“Stay 50 yards (150 feet) away from bears”

“Caution, bears in area.”

Such bears cn't be confused with a child's teddy bear that may be at home on a bed. The dangers are real. Every effort is made to keep people safe, but we see so many folks being foolishly daring toward these protected creatures, who are usually minding their own business.

We can be much the same of mind in dealing with Satan. I realize we don't have a physical image of him with which to toy, but he is as real as those bears I've mentioned, except more so. Satan can be attractive, perhaps even cute, in his drawing us into his snares. We almost regard him as being “tame” and not much of a threat. That's exactly what he wants us to think of him. We may even draw a little too close to the world at times, and find ourselves not resisting Satan like we thought we would or could. Satan can be attractive and alluring, but like those wild bears, can suddenly pounce on us in very destructive ways.

Scripture says if we resist Satan, he will flee from us. Just as the park posts a variety of warning signs, God has provided His own warning signs in His Word. Tourists may make decisions all the time regarding heeding warning signs. Spiritually, we don't have any excuses for not knowing God's expectations.. We too must decide if we are going to feed Satan's ego or simply walk in obedience to God's Word. It's the safest place to be no matter the beast of the world we may meet up with.

Thank You Father for your provision of keeping us spiritually safe. You are so clear in warnings in your Word regarding resisting Satan. May we know those warnings and keep them. Keep us alert and strong in the face of Satan's ploys. In Jesus' precious and very strong name...Amen

 

JESUS WITH SKIN ON

....Verily I say unto you,

inasmuch as ye have done it unto

one of the least of these my

brethren, ye have done it

unto me.

Matthew 25:40b

Not sure how you are, especially if you live alone, but I am really uncomfortable asking for help. I'm learning more and more all the things Brian did to keep the homestead operating. I appreciate him more for all the things he fixed and created. We never had to have various handymen come to fix anything and that goes for the car as well.

In our church, we not only have a wonderful pastor and staff but such a godly group of men on our deacon board. Each deacon is assigned church members they can minister to through all the ups and downs of their lives. All are great and God gave Brian and me a special guy...Chris. He has prompted me regularly as to what he can do to be of help to me and I so resisted taking him up on it. However, the Lord convicted me in the fact that I could be depriving our deacon of the joy of serving the Lord.

Recently, I got my car parked in the garage and later found that the garage door would not work. After hesitation I called Chris. With a godly, servant spirit, he was here the next morning first thing, tools in hand. In a matter of minutes, not even an hour, he called me to the garage to push the button and up came the garage door. You cannot imagine my relief. As Chris left after my thanks, I told him that he was Jesus with skin on. He didn't really think he was all that, but he was for me and to Jesus as well.

I wonder if we ever give thought to times people have come to our rescue. Obviously, Jesus couldn't come to our aid in person, but does put a calling on all of our lives to function on His behalf. That is who and what we are called to be...His hands and feet. Because that's Who we function for, we can take no glory in whatever deed we perform because it was His calling on us.

When Jesus observes us caring and loving for others as He would if He were here in person, He is pleased. Most of the time, our ministering for Jesus may not be as huge as fixing a garage door. It's often simpler than that. For instance, Jesus said:

For whosoever shall give you a

cup of water to drink in my name,

because ye belong to Christ,

verily I say unto you, he shall

not lose his reward.

Mark 9:41

Thank you Father for those folks who are sensitive to your will and way. They seem to just know what You would have them do in the lives of folks who are in need. Help us, Father, to be counted among those folks. By the way, thank you for my deacon. In Jesus' precious name....Amen