Down, Down, Down

“You want me to go where and do what?”

“You heard Me. Go and preach repentance because of their wickedness.”

The prophet’s conversation with God may have sounded something like that because he didn’t want to warn the Ninevites of God’s wrath. Instead of heading to that great city five hundred miles away, Jonah traveled in the opposite direction, trying to go to Tarshish, two thousand miles away. Why? He feared Israel’s notorious enemy would repent and God, in His mercy, would forgive them. Fleeing God’s presence led to a series of events that sent him downward, farther and farther away from God.

Overwhelmed with despair in the fish’s belly, Jonah remembers God and turns to the Lord: “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came in unto Thee, into Thy holy temple” (Jonah 2:7). Jonah thought God had cast him away but remembered the Lord’s faithfulness and prayed. God heard him. The great fish that swallowed the runaway vomited him onto the shore, and he went to Nineveh. Even though Jonah wanted the city destroyed, he preached God’s message. The people, including the king, repented, and God spared them.

“You want me to do what?” Has God told you to go somewhere, but you’re reluctant to leave where you are? Has He told you to do something, but you are unwilling to bend?  Sometimes we voice our puny excuses for refusing obedience to God; other times, we silently and blatantly reject His directives. Either way, our reasonings are rebellion that may lead to events God uses to draw us back to Him. Jonah finally went to Nineveh and preached God’s message. Although his heart wasn’t right, God accomplished His purposes through the reluctant and unwilling servant. The entire city repented, and God saved thousands of souls from destruction.

God used a storm, a tossing into the sea, and a great fish swallowing Jonah to steer him in the right direction. Once in Nineveh, God used a plant, a worm, and a scorching wind to teach Jonah a lesson on compassion. Yet, he still disagreed with God’s judgment to spare the Ninevites. What is your attitude towards wicked people? Do you want their destruction or God’s mercy, forgiveness, and salvation for them? He wants to save all people and for them to trust Him. 

We sometimes disagree with God’s decisions, yet He never casts His children away. But how far down must we go before God gets our attention for obedience? Our efforts to skirt His plans are not worth the consequences that may follow. But praise God; when we pray, He hears and rescues us.

Who's In Control?

“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls” (Proverbs 25:28). “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32).

It is better to rule one’s spirit than reign over a worldly kingdom. Wise people govern their thoughts, actions, and leanings and can victoriously do this only through Christ (Rom 5:17). But the person who makes rash decisions and has uncontrolled passions and temperament is like a breached city because the enemy destroyed its protecting walls. An unwalled city (unprotected spirit) is vulnerable to Satan’s attacks and temptations. What is our “city’s” wall? Self-control—fruit produced by the Holy Spirit’s work in a submissive believer relying on God’s help (Gal 5:22–23). 

A Princess, a Pea, You and Me

He was looking for a bride, but not just any princess would do. The prince wanted a “genuine princess”—sincere, kind, loving, and compassionate. One stormy night a princess arrived at the castle, and the royals invited her to stay the night. The queen prepared her room with a bed stacked with many mattresses and, placing a tiny hard pea under them, said she would soundly sleep if she were not genuine. But the princess didn’t sleep well, tossing and turning all night. That little object not only disrupted her rest, but she awakened with bruises on her body. She was indeed a genuine princess for the prince.

Hans Andersen’s fairytale made me think of our lives as Christians, royal members of God’s family. What makes you uncomfortable as a believer? Do hearing falsehoods and witnessing our nation defying God’s Word bother you? Do others’ disagreeable actions and words cause you discomfort? They should, and, given the opportunity, we should boldly speak God’s truth every opportunity the Holy Spirit affords.

As children of the King, God calls us to live holy and different from the world’s ways, commanding us to love Him above all else and others as ourselves. And the world should notice the difference—sincere Christ-followers obey God and are genuinely kind, loving, and compassionate. Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). Not living up to God’s standards should cause us unrest. Even the tiniest “pea” in our lives should create discomfort and indicators that spark an investigation. Genuine princes and princesses want to please their Father, the King. 

Busy Bee

You watched the morning news while drinking a cup of coffee. You tidied up the kitchen after breakfast and readied yourself for a new day. Before tackling daily chores, you popped a casserole in the oven for a friend under the weather. You head outside to pull weeds from the flowers, give them a good soaking, and go back indoors to put a load of laundry going in the washer before lunchtime. Your friend’s food is delivered, flowers are happy, clothes are clean and put away, the house is in order, the children finished their school assignments, everyone has eaten, and the kitchen is clean. Now it’s time to start winding down for a new day dawning.

Guys' and gals’ chores and to-do lists may differ, and maybe your workplace is away from home, but when you return home, there is still much to be done before retiring for the evening. Then there are those pressing matters that sometimes consume our thoughts.

Sound familiar? We busy ourselves doing one thing, then remember another, and, after taking care of it, go on to something else. Or maybe it’s a stressful situation you are trying to resolve. Busy, busy, busy. But as you buzz from one project to another, do you take time for God? Although daily chores are needful, busyness and pressing matters can distract us from spending needed time with God. Stop to relax and focus on God’s divine presence and power throughout your day. If you have persistent, anxiety-causing issues, lean on and trust Him with them; ask God to show you His plans for your day and focus on those. Reflect on who He is, what He’s done—the evidence that He is the Almighty, never too busy for you. Now you’re prepared to face a new day.

Unchanging and Unfailing

Why would anyone think God does not or could not love them? God loved the world—every decent person to the most despicable ones who will ever live—so much that He gave His only Son to pay sin’s penalty. Jesus, the sinless Christ, took death’s blow that we deserved, paying the price for our missing the mark of perfection: “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Everyone who believes in Him (confesses their sins, trusts and surrenders their lives to Him) will not die in their sins but spend eternity with God (John 3:16).

God will not love you or me more or less. He is the never changing and trustworthy God who made us in His image (Gen 1:26). God is love: He lives in those who confess that Jesus is His Son, and believers live in Him (1 John 4:15–16). When we fail, and we will, His steadfast love remains. Even when God rejected Esau for selling his birthright and favored Jacob, He didn’t love one more than the other. But make no mistake, God will display His disfavor towards and discipline those who choose the way of unrighteousness. All those who reject His gift of eternal life through Jesus separate themselves forever from the God who loves them. 

No Magic Formula

“And He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matthew 13:58).

Jesus stepped out of the boat, met by the demon-possessed man who lived in the mountains amid the tombs. A crowd gathered as Jesus cast out the legion of demons from the man. Now in his right mind, the man wanted to travel with Jesus, but the Master told him to stay and tell his family of the Lord’s mercy and healing. So the man went to the Ten Towns of that region, telling what Jesus did for him, and everyone was amazed at what he said.

Jesus got into the boat and crossed the lake, where another crowd awaited. Among them was a ruler of the synagogue, who fell at his feet, saying his daughter was dying, but he believed Jesus could heal her. The curious people crowded around and followed Jesus. But along the way, a woman suffering from a twelve-year-long disorder heard Jesus was coming. Believing this “miracle worker” could heal her, she pressed through the crowd and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. Immediately, she knew her infirmity was gone. The Great Physician, calling her daughter (she was now part of God's family), told her that her faith in Him made her well.

While Jesus was still talking with the woman, messengers came from Jairus’ house, saying there was no use in troubling the Master. His little girl was dead. But Jesus overheard them and told Jairus, “Be not afraid, only believe” (v. 36). Arriving at the ruler’s home, Jesus left the mourners, mockers, and onlookers, taking the girl’s father, mother, and the three disciples with Him into the girl’s room. Taking her hand into His, Jesus told her to get up, and she did.

The demoniac didn’t ask for healing; Jesus had compassion and healed him. Jairus begged Jesus to heal his dying daughter, but Jesus lingered along the way to help another in need, and she died. But Jesus raised her to life after first casting out of the room those without faith. The woman with the issue of blood didn’t ask for healing, instead reached out in faith, believing a miracle would happen, and it did. There are many other accounts: Naaman had to dip seven times in the muddy Jordan River; the man who cried out to Jesus to deliver his possessed child said he believed but needed help with his unbelief. Paul asked God to free him of his ailment, but God said His grace was sufficient. God chooses when and how He works in our lives and the outcomes.

People who step out in faith experience God’s miracle-working power in every aspect of life. But many don’t believe in Jesus; some are mockers, and others think the impossible is just that. Fear of the unknown stifles belief, and unbelief in God’s power makes way for missed miracles. Jesus said the tiniest bit of faith could move mountains (Matt 17:20). Nothing is impossible with God. Trust Him to act justly with your circumstances even when the outcome is not as you hoped—we don’t always see the results of His workings. 

Keepers

Cain brought from the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. Abel gave to the Lord from the “firstlings”—the best of his flock. The Bible doesn’t say in Genesis 4 why the Lord rejected Cain’s offering yet accepted Abel’s. Hebrews 11:4 says that Abels’s offering (a blood sacrifice) was more excellent than his brother’s, calling him righteous. God knows our heart's motives and expects that we gladly give Him the best of our money, talents, possessions, and time.

Cain was outraged—his countenance couldn’t hide the fact. The Lord asked him why he was angry and downcast and allowed him time to correct the wrong, saying if he didn’t, sin would overtake him. But Cain’s heart didn’t change. Instead, he went into the field with his younger brother and murdered him.

God asked Cain where Abel was: “And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9b. Can you hear the irreverent tone and sarcasm in his blatant lie? “What have you done?” Omniscient God knew what Cain did, just as He knows when we do something wrong and wants us to tell the truth and confess our wrongs.

Am I my brother’s (and sister’s) keeper? Yes, and so are you (Phil 2:4). Treating others the way we want them to treat us means we will use every opportunity to concern ourselves with guarding their good name and welfare—caring about their hurts, concerns, and spiritual conditions. God’s Spirit, the Keeper of our souls, guides us to live rightly and alerts us to rethink wrong decisions to escape the impending consequences. When He asks, “What have you done” (or the good you haven’t done), it isn’t because He doesn’t know. God’s grace allows us to confess our sin and free us of its bondage.

JOY—Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last

“Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Corinthians 10:24).

After the graduation, the devastated and desperate father went from one establishment to another, looking for the person who sold his underage child the beverage that influenced his son, leading to his death. Weary from his unsuccessful search, the man went home. When he opened the cabinet to pour himself a “nerve-calmer,” he saw a note his son left where a bottle once stood. The graduate knew his dad would understand since the night was a special occasion. The message of this film I watched as a teenager impacted my life then and still rings true today.

Paul's words in this passage referred to eating meat used as a sacrifice. To some people, it was thought unclean; to others, it wasn’t. But his words apply to other areas of life as well. We should be considerate, keeping the welfare of others in mind; some people can handle things that others cannot. What we consume and activities in moderation seem harmless but may lead someone else to addiction: just one more serving or drink, one more pill to “take the edge off,” just one last-quarter in the slot, one more card game, or spin-of-the-wheel. Our actions can influence and impact others. That which doesn’t adversely affect one person may send someone else “over the cliff.” And for some participants, there is no return. Everything we say and do should glorify God (v. 31).

You Light Up My Life

“The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice, and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him” (Proverbs 23:24).

The father of godly children will be exceedingly glad, seeing they do well. How do our offspring become godly, gaining understanding and knowledge that brightens their father’s countenance? Fathers (and moms) instruct them how they should live (Prov 22:6)—the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord for everyone (Prov 9:10). Some children turn out well despite a not-so-good upbringing, but what a struggle for them. Other times, some children rebel against their parents’ godly training and choose to go their way. But when fathers rightly fulfill their role in the family, and their children live honorably, they will brighten their father’s life. “My son, give Me thine heart, let thine eyes observe My ways” (v. 6). God calls all His children for their full attention and to do what He shows us to do for our good (Deut 10:12). For it is in our hearts we decide whether to love, follow, obey, and serve our heavenly Father.

A person who selflessly serves God requires commitment and sacrifice. Happy Father’s Day to Darryl Hoychick, a child of God, dad, and husband who selflessly gives himself to the Lord’s service and others. Your family, whom you faithfully lead and instruct, loves you 💕—you light up our lives 😍. 

I'll Be Back

Some actors are famous, and their movies are so successful that sequels often follow, with the same leading actors. One of those well-known actors hinted the film’s story you were watching was not over by saying, “I’ll be back.” And he did return, sequel after sequel.

Redemption’s story did not end with Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. God’s Word says He will return: “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). But Peter writes in his second epistle that lust-filled scoffers will come in time’s final days, saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation” (v. 4). They mocked the delay of Jesus’ return, not understanding that God isn’t lax or forgetful but “is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9).

Jesus is coming back first for believers: “For the Lord, Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. . .” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The dead in Christ will rise first (yes, from the grave), then the Lord will take up us who are alive (who believed and trusted in Jesus) to meet them and Him in the air to forever be with the Lord (v.17). What a promise! The Lord’s return will come like a thief in the night, and only our heavenly Father knows that day.

Jesus will not come back repeatedly. Make peace with God before He returns; you want to be ready for His appearance. Those who rejected Jesus will face God’s wrath and judgment and be separated forever from the One who loves everyone deeply.

From Start to Finish

“O, the depth of the riches of both the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things; to Him be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:33, 36)

Why is this happening to me? When will things change? Will this ever end? People might ask these questions when surrounded by circumstances they cannot understand or control. In Ecclesiastes 3:1–8, Solomon lists events of which two God governs, although mankind sometimes tampers with: “a time to be born, and a time to die” (v. 2). All others are by our choice, yet Holy God has authority over our decisions by His divine providence.

God made all things—every person, place, thing, beautiful in His time (Ecc 3:11) to work together in harmony with His plan. We may not understand life’s whys and when's, but everything is as God has appointed, and even though we may not see the results of His doings, we should keep our eyes on Him and trust Him.

The backside of a needle-work piece with its dangling, twisted, knotted threads is an ugly mess and hopeless-looking if that’s the side you fixate your vision. But turning it over at the right time, you see the completed work: a beautiful piece of art. “Though we see not the complete beauty of Providence, yet we shall see it, and a glorious sight it will be when the mystery of God shall be finished” (Matthew Henry Commentary). Like the commentator and Paul, we can have confidence that God completes every good work He starts in each of us (Phil 1:6). 

Influential Decisions

Our little dog came running into the room at the sound of a familiar visitor, and when our son saw him, he asked: “Has Scout dropped some weight?” My husband and I laughed, explaining we had committed to each other to put away poor eating practices (fast food, eating out, processed food) last week. Even though we fed Scout only small portions of “people food,” unhealthy decisions also impacted his life.

As always, the Holy Spirit was kind when He gently showed me that our bad daily habits had adversely affected Scout, who depended on us for his welfare. But a few adjustments in menu planning got him and us back on a healthy path.

Bad habits rule us because we yielded to them: “Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.” (Romans 6:16 NLT). Unhealthy repetitive choices, whether food in excess or too little or actions, thoughts, and words unpleasing to the Lord, can quickly become bad habits that affect us physically and spiritually and influence those we care about and the innocent who depend on us for their well-being.

When God exposes something you should rid yourself of, do it at once for your good, those you love, and His glory—yielding to Him breaks the binding chains. Choose to obey God and form edifying life habits; the people we influence will notice and sometimes imitate our good practices like praying and reading the Bible daily, doing kind deeds, etc. Our choices and actions impact our lives and others.

What Do You Expect?

It wasn't good enough after giving your best efforts in the workplace, home life, and relationships; someone wanted more. Have you ever wanted to ask, “What do you want from me?” People can be persnickety and sometimes unfair in what they expect from others. But not so with holy and righteous God, and the prophet, inspired by the Holy Spirit, records what He expects from humanity: “The Lord hath told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8 NLT).

So, what’s the “good” thing to do? God’s requirements for right-living have not changed since He told the Hebrews wandering in the wilderness what He wanted: Fear the Lord God, walk in all My ways, love and serve Me with all your heart and soul; keep My commandments and statutes for your good (Deut 10:12–13). Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind (fear Him, live according to His Word, and serve Him with all your being); the second is to love others (treat them how you want them to treat you). But do not neglect yourself; keep yourself in right standing with God, who knows your thoughts and your heart.

God first, others second; that’s what God expects. How can we fulfill God’s expectations? By walking humbly with our God. But you cannot walk with God unless you know and belong to Him. Humility begins by confessing you are a sinner in need of a Savior, repenting of your sins, and surrendering to the lordship of Christ. His transforming love in our hearts helps us do what’s right, be merciful, and humbly walk with our God daily.

Inexcusable: Sin is Sin

“Therefore, thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: For wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things” (Rom 2:1).

The people group who knew they were God’s chosen habitually accused and condemned the Gentiles (those who weren’t Jewish). But Paul said, “the chosen” had no excuse for their sins before God because they—the supposed righteous ones—missed the mark of perfection just as the Gentiles: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). Their offenses were similar and just as offensive to God as the Gentiles' wrongdoings. They cast the same judgment on themselves by condemning the “pagans,” thinking God should punish them. Remember, when you point your finger accusingly at someone else, three are pointing back at you. 

Editing Unacceptable

“Mark the perfect man . . .” Psalm 37:37a.

This Scripture has brought many a chuckle in our family (and we mean no disrespect to God’s Word). We laugh because our son-in-law, Mark, occasionally and jokingly calls attention to it for obvious reasons. Scripturally, the verse tells of taking notice of those who serve and obey God. Their lives end well: “For the end of that man is peace”—with God, himself, and his life in eternity, differing from what awaits the wicked. But people sometimes pull verses or portions of scripture from the Bible to suit their desired interpretations and purposes. Imagine if someone held fast to the apostle’s words: “Let him who stole, steal . . .” (Ephesians 4:28a). Paul instructed believers to speak the truth and act honestly in every area of life; they should never steal under the pretense of helping the less fortunate: “But rather, let him labor, working with his hands the thing, which is good, to have to give to him that needeth.” Let us be diligent in being the upright ones that people notice. God’s Spirit-breathed Word warns us of altering or taking it out of context (Deut 4:2; Prov 30:5–6; Rev 22:19). 

Cross Bearers

“Then said Jesus unto His disciples, 'If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.'” Matthew 16:24

A couple of weeks ago, I used my favorite necklace to illustrate the significance of discipline. The chain is priceless to me because of the gift’s giver and the pendant’s reminder of Jesus’ supreme sacrifice for us. The Lord brought to mind another lesson with the necklace: that of following Him.

My walk with the Lord will need tending, just like that piece of jewelry that tangled easily and occasionally caught on clothes I wore. Because I sincerely desire to follow Christ daily, I must renounce self-independence, selfish ambitions, and pursuits and be willing to accept what God appoints me. The difficulties and entanglements I may meet along the way with people or situations are no surprise to Him. Nor are the troubles and griefs that have visited me; I am to endure in all these (my cross) to follow Jesus.

In this passage's setting, Jesus spoke not only to believing disciples but also to those who followed His teachings (Mark 8:34). Unless people fully surrender to God, they only go after the Teacher. They must deny themselves and take up their cross; if they refuse, they are not worthy of following Jesus (Matt 10:38). The cross we must take up pales compared to the sinless Christ’s cross He took upon Himself for our sins. 

Before You Say Yes and I Do

 

“the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23

My husband’s vision and goal in life were to be a sports coach, and, although I am not a sports fan, I knew this when we dated, when he proposed marriage, and when I said I do. As he worked towards this goal, God opened music and youth ministry opportunities along the way. After years of fulfilling his heart’s desire, God called him to preach the Gospel—what a curve ball! But we trusted God’s new direction. Looking back over the years, we saw God’s hand preparing him not to coach sports but people.

Before you say yes to the engagement and I do in the marriage, settle in your heart to obey God wherever He may lead you both. Our faithful heavenly Father directs the steps—the course of life—of the godly, the “good” people who trust Him, follow Him and try to do His will. God blesses those who bend their hearts towards Him, and the godly ones delight in the God who guides and cares for them.

Walk the Talk

We know the “topsy turvy” results when humanity lacks wisdom: there is no respect for God or fear of His judgments—God holds everyone accountable. 

People who receive the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel and profess to know Jesus as Savior and Lord and have experienced the power of the Holy Spirit then walk away from their commitment to God, take lightly and disregard the sacrifice Jesus made for their salvation. There was only ONE sacrifice worthy, and they walked away from Him after being awakened to God’s truth. For those who surrendered to God in word only but not their hearts, there is no more sacrifice for their sins (Heb 10:26), and God pardons no one without a sacrifice. He judges all wrong, but a dreadful judgment awaits those who never genuinely embrace and walk in God’s salvation. The writer of Hebrews says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31).

That Explains Why

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Prov 9:10).

So, there you have it; the reason for the disgraceful state of our nation, communities, churches, and homes—the world. When humanity lacks respect for the Lord (God the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit) and has no fear of His wrath, they lack wisdom. Lacking wisdom, they are unrepentant, act and think foolishly and make selfish, ignorant decisions. We owe the Creator of everything our trust, proper reverence, and fear of His judgments for not rightly living. When we highly esteem Him, our lives are on the path of wisdom and understanding. 

When Push Comes to Shove

Remember the beautiful magnolia tree in the woods we rescued from the smothering vines and pine trees blocking life-giving sunlight? Our trailblazer was determined to take out the massive stump in front of the tree. His heavy equipment pulled up the stump, but its weight and the pushing back and forth loosed the spidery roots of the magnolia, as careful as he was. Now it’s in shock; many of its leaves have turned brown, and the flowers stopped blooming. Our heroic efforts to save the magnolia may have harmed the tree more than helped it. In like manner, we sometimes can be too pushy with people in our efforts for their best, and rather than help them, we shove too hard, and they fade or fall away.

“Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men. . .” (2 Cor 5:11a).

Jesus said no one could believe in Him unless the Father draws them (John 6:44)—God urges hearts to yield to Jesus by His Word and by what Jesus did for sinners. He wants the lost saved and believers rightly related with Him, but we can’t make them choose salvation, serve the Lord, or live righteously. We warn those without Christ of what awaits them; we urge fellow believers who strayed from God’s truths to repent, or consequences follow. But we should not do so with coercion or pressure. Jesus commands us to tell the Good News everywhere we go (Matt 28:19–20), but God does the wooing and saving.

WHOLLY HOLY

"But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (living)” (1 Peter 1:15).

The Scripture is clear: God redeemed us by the spotless, precious blood of Jesus Christ. God came to earth as a baby—Jesus—who grew through childhood and adulthood without sinning. He did that not because He was Holy God in the flesh, who could not sin, but because He made the right decisions. Every temptation you and I face tempted Him. He was mistreated, unfairly judged, and hated, but He chose to love and forgive rather than retaliate. Jesus—God, yet all man—never yielded to fleshly desires and made the right choices. He was wholly committed to His Father and lived blamelessly.

We cannot fake holiness, and there is no such thing as “almost holy.” God expects us to be spotless in our thoughts, actions, and speech, privately and publicly. His Spirit lives within His children: He sees what we see; God hears what we listen to and is with us wherever we go. He knows when we genuinely love and forgive. God expects pureness of heart and blamelessness in our private walk, home and church life, and business matters. God is holy, and if we profess to be His follower—His child—we are to be holy like Him. Holy God holds us accountable for our daily walk. He is not only our heavenly Father but also our judge.

Distress Indicators

Crape myrtles are another of my favorite trees, boasting of their beautiful grape-like clusters of flowers. We have only one where we now live, and last year it was severely in need of attention. Lichens (a moss-like growth that attaches itself to vegetation in decline) covered the tree’s branches, proving its distressed state, needing pruning. Its leaves and flowers were few and puny-looking. At the right time, my husband reshaped the tree, gave it a good feeding, and treated the tree’s bark. The crape myrtle slowly recovered. Now in its season to shine and after a good rain, I am looking at the bud-laden tree about to burst into bloom, anxious to join the two flower clusters already boasting their beauty.

A Christian’s weariness and anxieties are signs of life in distress; they will become wearier and non-productive if not treated promptly. Sometimes, the weary can rouse themselves and cast those concerns on the Lord where they belong or seek God’s forgiveness if needed. Other times, God calls on His firmly standing children, led by the Holy Spirit and willing to help fellow believers: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Shower the needy ones with love, not judgment. Feed them with reminders of God’s promises; stand by and encourage them to trust God, who does the cleansing and pruning for His children to recover and be fruitful again—bloom for His glory.

God's Say-So

“For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying . . . God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.” Acts 27:23–24

Dismissing Paul’s warning of impending danger for the ship and passengers (v. 10), the centurion took the shipmaster’s advice and set sail with his prisoners. They soon encountered a fierce storm and were faced with the need to lighten the load to save the ship, beginning with the cargo, then the ship’s tackle, and, finally, the food. Paul reminded them that they should have listened to his warning but said God’s angel told him the storm would not take any lives, only the ship. God spared the passengers, but the storm destroyed the boat. Rebellion carries a heavy price.

Listening to others, rejecting God’s counsel, and sailing our way, often leads to treacherous waters; we toss everything feasible overboard to avoid an inevitable shipwreck. We could have escaped the wreckage, grief, and poor choice consequences if we only had listened to God. So, what does God’s child do when life’s storm has broken their ship, and they find themself amid the rubble in troubled waters? Like Paul, know whose you are, remembering God said He would never leave us. Believe what His Word says; turn back to and trust the Maker of everything that exists. He has authority over the waters’ boundaries, the rain, the winds—anything and anyone against us. Rebellion carries a high cost, but God can use the brokenness of your situation for something good: people caught in your circumstance may be clinging to and staying afloat with a piece of your wreckage and needs to hear about God’s saving grace. Tell them.

Swim, Float, or Drown

“. . . Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with much hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship but also of our lives” (Acts 27:10). But the soldiers did not heed Paul’s warning, and they set sail to transport the prisoners, the apostle one of them.  A mighty storm arose and beat upon the ship and broke it in pieces by the fifteenth day. The centurion in charge, wanting to spare Paul, ordered the soldiers not to kill the prisoners (lest they escape). Instead, he commanded everyone to jump into the water; those who could swim, swim to the shore; those who couldn’t take hold of some wreckage and float ashore. Every passenger, two hundred and seventy-six, made it safely to land. 

Why would God let Paul undergo such an ordeal? His providence. The soldiers on the ship learned of Paul’s faith in God, and it was God’s hand that spared them. The shipwreck brought Paul’s testimony to an island of people who had never heard of God’s saving grace nor witnessed His miracles. Our confidence in God during the dark and stormy days can introduce Him to those who don’t know Him and comfort and encourage those who haven’t yet learned to trust Him in life’s situations fully. God’s providence: When life storms rage against us, God sometimes uses the wreckage of our circumstances to spare those who would otherwise drown in theirs.

I SAW THAT 👀

My children thought I had eyes behind my head, and I didn’t encourage them to think otherwise. Did that keep them from wrongdoing? It did not. But it did give them a healthy fear of knowing consequences would follow. God sees everything: “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Prov 15:3). He knows our thoughts before we do. He is everywhere and hears everything. We cannot hide from or escape sins’ consequences; they will find us out (Deut 32:23). Doing wrong and choosing not to do good when we should (James 4:17) is disobedience. We are to fear God—have a reverent respect for Him and be in awe and wonder of His greatness. He loves us unconditionally, but we best remember He does not tolerate sin and wants the best for His children. Discipline will come (Deut 8:5-6). His “spankings” may sting; some are harsher than others but always for our good.

You Just Think YOU Can

“. . . And as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper” (2 Chron 26:5).

At sixteen years old, Uzziah was made king over Judah after his father's death; he reigned for fifty-two years. As long as he sought the Lord’s counsel, God helped him overcome the enemy, fortify his kingdom, increase his mighty army, water wells, food production, and livestock, and make exceptional weapons of war. His greatness spread abroad, as far as Egypt. God marvelously helped him until “he became strong” (v. 15)—he proudly attributed his accomplishments to his abilities. But unlawfully entering the Lord’s temple to burn incense on the altar of incense was his greatest rebellious act. When the priests forbade him to desecrate the offering, he angrily proceeded, and immediately leprosy rose upon his forehead. The king died a leper (v. 21), secluded from his family, kingdom, and the Lord’s house. Pride always carries consequences. We are who we are; we do what we do—we exist only and can do nothing but by God’s grace.

The "I Do" of Matrimony

Fifty-five years ago today, I committed myself to the love of my life, and he made the same commitment to me. Before our pastor, families, and friends, we vowed to God that we would love and cherish each other come what may: for better or worse; richer or poorer, in sickness or health, till death do us part. The “I Do” was so easily said that evening with hearts full of love facing our new journey together. We were young—practically grew up together as husband and wife—and not so set in our ways. But sometimes, the “I Will” to those “I Dos” was challenging: We experienced the “worse” of circumstances and each other at times, but the better was weightier. The old saying, “Love is blind,” may be true because we were clueless about our poorer beginnings—we didn’t even own a vehicle! We had little materially—we were far richer in blessings and contentment. Though we both were in good health then, God carried us through many scary ordeals of “sickness” with our children and grandchildren. Today we sympathize and help with each other’s aches and pains in our golden years. Life has been and is still good. God, the center and priority of our marriage, has always been faithful. We have upheld our vows to Him and kept our commitment to each other. If and when death parts us, we will have few regrets. Happy anniversary and blessings to you, my love. I am blessed to have you "doing" life with me.

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam. . .; and He took one of his ribs, and. . . made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said: This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. . . Therefore, shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:18, 21–24).