Charged, Recharged, or Drained

“Serve the Lord with gladness.” Psalm 100:2a

“Bad Anatomy.” That was the veterinarian's diagnosis for Scout. We noticed he favored a hind leg when he stood and walked. But when he started sitting in a peculiar (yet cute) way, we decided he needed a doctor’s help. The x-rays showed no broken bones or injuries but a poor bone structure in his legs and hips; his hind and front legs don’t line up. Scout is bow-legged; the doctor said he had never seen this in a young dog before. The discomfort is treatable but not the bones. Does this stop our three-year-old dog from chasing squirrels and rabbits, running alongside the golf cart, and chasing balls? Not a bit! Despite the pain, he lives “charged up” and looks forward to and enjoys these daily thrills (and naptime).

I have admired and ministered alongside three precious saints of God in their nineties (two of them for over twenty years). Mrs. Doris Johnson, who recently met her Savior face-to-face, served as a pink lady for decades, retiring shortly before her passing. The hip injury she struggled with didn’t hinder her pink jacket-wearing service, church attendance, or involvement in mission efforts.

Mrs. Larien Newcomb has also served for decades and still volunteers as a pink lady. She faithfully attends and supports the same church’s ministries and mission outreach with a spring in her step, even with the aches and pains that sometimes accompany the golden years.

Ms. Geri Campbell, my newest friend of over a year, is a sparkly blue-eyed wonder, mowing her landlord’s yard and hers with a walk-behind mower until recently. She fell and broke her neck while gardening. Although in a neck brace for a couple of months and facing four more, she actively attends her church and participates in its mission endeavors. I call these sweet ladies energizer bunnies because their batteries keep going and going. They do (Mrs. Doris did) what they do not only for the joy it brings them but to honor their Lord and bless others despite life’s discomforts.

How’s YOUR anatomy; do your “bones” line up for serving others? Do you enjoy life? What hinders you from serving the Lord, being all God created you to be; do your batteries need recharging? Let the Lord renew your strength and joy (Isa 40:31). God made each of us, even us, with our oddities and imperfections, for His service.

My more-golden-age-than-I-am friends put me to shame sometimes, spinning circles around me! Ask God for a recharge if needed; we are helpful until He calls us home when we're available. Lord, help me to be poured out wine, not whine for You. 

Know God, No Fear

The women feared the angel at Jesus’ tomb, but he told them not to be afraid. Jesus wasn’t in the grave; He had risen as He said (Matt 28:5, 6). God’s Word is without error and has enough references dealing with fear to cover every day of the year. Our crucified and resurrected Lord promised He would be with us, His Father’s children, forever, even to the end of the world (Matt 28:20). And He has been and will be faithful to His Word until that day.

You can know ABOUT God without KNOWING Him personally as your Savior. Storms of doubt and fear may assail, but they don’t stand a chance when we belong to Christ, the King, and we’re trusting and standing on the promises of God. We will prevail with God holding us: “For I, the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, “Fear not; I will help thee” (Isaiah 41:13).

2 - 1 = 4

One of my favorite potted plants flourishes with showy color and dainty flowers; although it pains me, I must divide it often for its well-being. When I do, the transplants carry on the beauty of God’s handiwork to share with others.

“And the contention was so sharp between them that they departed asunder one from the other.” Acts 15:39a

Paul and Barnabas had a thriving ministry, teaching and preaching the Gospel. But Paul disagreed with his partner when he wanted his nephew to join them as they revisited the converts of every city where they preached to see how they fared. John Mark had earlier abandoned the work of the ministry due to the labor or hardships involved, proving he was untrustworthy of the task at hand. Proverbs 25:19 does warn us about placing our confidence in an unfaithful person in times of trouble. Yet, Barnabas could have added that Paul’s judgment of young John Mark should not be a lifetime sentence. The dispute between the two was so great that the dynamic duo parted ways. Barnabas took his nephew and sailed to Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, taking a different route. Once there were two, but two men minus one equaled four carrying the Gospel. Instead of one missionary team bringing their dispute to regions they had before lovingly ministered together, two two-man teams went out. Paul and Silas traveled to areas where people had never heard and responded to the message of Christ.

Paul and Barnabas later reconciled their differences (Galatians 2:1), and John Mark proved his earlier ministry failure wasn’t a life pattern (Colossians 4:10). Paul even called John Mark “profitable to him for the ministry” (I Timothy 4:11).

Sometimes it isn’t easy to let go of something beautiful and flourishing, whether it be plants or life situations. Has God separated you from what you consider the perfect job, your extended family, a good friend, or where you thought you would retire? Sometimes partings are disciplinary. Other times, they are for growth. God’s subtractions and additions are for our benefit and His kingdom’s advancement and glory. Trust His changes. God wants His best for you and me. Blessings are on the horizon.

Not the Knot

Have you ever had knots in your hair? It isn’t the knot’s fault for being there; lack of hair care or restless sleep, twisting and turning, causes them to appear. If you’ve had knots, even in short hairstyles, you know the challenge of detangling them.

What is it that has you in a twist? I’m not referring to a good twist, like twisting your trust with the Lord, but being out-of-sorts with yourself, others (and God?). What difficulty got under your skin that changed your appearance and attitude to knotty-looking? Often those kinds of knots come from restlessness with God. We fail to seek His will because we want what we want when we want it, whether our desires line up with His plans. Other times, knots form because we don’t guard ourselves with God’s Word and get entangled with life’s busyness and cares.

It’s not the knot’s fault for being where it is. Life holds daily challenges; sometimes, knots are hard to avoid. Detangling will be tedious and, at times, painful, but it is doable.

Jesus faced a tremendous challenge none of us will ever deal with: a cruel death on a cross for the sins of all humanity. As He sought His Father’s will, He thwarted any knots from forming by praying, “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me: Nevertheless, not what I will, but what Thou wilt” (Mark 14:36). We would do well to follow Jesus’ example and entrust our desires to Abba, our Father, to carry out His will rather than ours. Twist yourself with the Lord and avoid the knots.

Filtering the Grit

“Filter everything through the Word” —I heard this message for three days each time I awoke in the early morning and again when my eyes opened from sleeping to start a new day. Filter means to pass through; limit the flow. That’s why we put a fresh coffee filter in the coffeemaker’s basket every day, so only flavorful coffee passes through to the carafe but not the coffee grounds. Who wants grit and bitterness?

Although I don’t consistently achieve what I strive for, I want to please my heavenly Father. I do my best to surrender my thoughts, words, actions, and family to God, but after hearing the same message several times, three days in a row, I’m rethinking my thinking. So, I went back to the beginning:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:1–3

The living God existed when nothing else existed. The Father and the Word, Jesus, created everything and breathed the breath of life into man, and he became a living soul. All that we are, all that we have are His. But from the first humans on earth to mankind today, we have accumulated stuff that isn’t pleasing to our Creator. Our unpleasantness doesn’t leave grit and bitterness in Him but in us.

Born-again believers who have surrendered to the lordship of Christ have the presence of the resurrected Jesus living within us. The Holy Spirit, the third person of God, comforts us, guides us, reveals sin, rebukes, and teaches us. God has reminded me to LET GO and filter through the Word, my family (my plans for them and grip on them), possessions, friendships, days and nights, desires, all I am or hope to be, and all I see, hear, speak, or think. The Owner of everything limits what passes through His filter when we trust Him with our “stuff.” But we must first let go and put our stuff in the filter for the filtering to happen.

Are we confident the Word’s results are His best? All creation belongs to Him, who existed in the beginning before anything existed. He deserves and expects of His children a flavorful taste without grit. If you agree to trust your “stuff” with Him, LET GO.

Service Call

One morning at work, a staff member placed a pattern guide sheet before me, asking me to please explain how to sew a zipper on a dress. I had to ask why he wanted to know. He showed me the pattern, explaining that his daughter needed a dress, an antebellum dress. My next question was: “Have you ever sewn a dress?” He said he had never sewn anything. This single dad, doing his best to raise six children on a tight budget, moved my heart that day. I admired him for wanting to bless his daughter by tackling such a task. I offered to make the dress, having the sewing skills needed, and asked him when he needed it. “Tomorrow” was not the answer I expected.

”And the King shall answer and say unto them, 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 25:40

What question would the King answer? The righteous wanted to know when they saw Jesus hungry and thirsty and fed Him or when they took Him in as a stranger. When did they see Him naked, clothe Him, or sick, or in prison, and visit Him? Jesus said helping and serving others is the same as doing it for Him. The ones NOT washed by the blood of Jesus asked the King the same questions. Jesus answered them, saying they rejected Him by disregarding others’ needs.

When Jesus sits on His throne of glory, all mankind will stand before Him. He will separate those cleansed by His blood from those who rejected Him—the “sheep” at his right hand from the “goats” on His left (v. 32). He will say to those at His right, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” But to those on His left, He says, “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (v. 41).

God assigns unique personality traits, talents, and skills to every person born to help others and glorify Him. Along with these blessings, He gifts born-again believers for service and sets us apart to be His voice, eyes, ears, hands, and feet to carry out His work. We honor Him when we do, although some let what God graciously bestows lie unused. God calls us to serve, and we will all account to our Maker one day.

Jesus didn’t need a dress, but I “made one for Him” that day by fulfilling His two commandments in Matthew 22:37–39: Love God above all else and others as myself. God presented an occasion to minister to someone with a need, and I’m thankful I responded rightly. My family and I have been the recipients of others’ generosity, time, and love; the dressmaking was an opportunity for me to be a “blesser.”

After working through the night into the early morning hours, I finished the dress for my co-worker. His daughter wore her dress that day to school and called me later, saying the dress fit perfectly, thanking me for helping her dad. That was a blessing enough for me. But years later, one of the three daughters told me they each had a turn through their high school years wearing that dress for the school’s recognition day; she said they called the costume: Mrs. Gilda’s dress. What better love service could they have done for me? The dress blessed God, the dad, the girls, and me. 

Finding God

“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

How does one determinedly search for and approach God unless they first believe He exists? But be careful! Even the demons believe in God (James 2:19, 20). We cannot please God without confidence in His promises, wisdom, and faithfulness. Only by faith can we believe He exists and trust the testimony of the invisible God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who says He is, I AM.

Where do we look for God? We see evidence of God in His handiwork in nature. We discover Him in the pages of His sacred Word when we earnestly look for Him; others proclaim The Word, introducing seekers to the One who was and is and is to come. How do we know we’ve found Him, and what does the Rewarder give those who earnestly pursue Him? By His grace and our surrender to Jesus, who set us free from sin’s bondage, He changes our lives and fills us with peace that only God can give. He invites us to boldly approach His throne of grace (4:16), knowing He hears and answers prayers. God makes His presence known through the indwelling presence of His Holy Spirit as He guides us, working in, through, and around us.

If people sincerely want to find God, they can: “And ye shall seek Me and find Me when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

But With God

 Isn’t it just like God? After reading an article about a four-letter word expressing its relation to God, I heard an advertisement stating that with their name-brand bleach at our side, its disinfecting qualities will keep us safe from germs!

“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

The Creator of all that exists holds all creation in His hands—nothing is impossible for or by God. The writer of Hebrews says we cannot please God without faith (Heb 11:6); Jesus said all things are possible to those who, by faith, trust in God’s ability (Mark 9:23). He alone rescues the lost; gives healing through the Great Physician; He forgives our sins and remembers them no more. And with God, we find refuge; He keeps us safe and gives peace that goes beyond our understanding.

When we are WITH God—walking alongside in agreement with what He wants and in good standing with Him—ALL THINGS are possible. What a promise!

You're Not Dead? God Isn't Done With You!

“The golden years aren’t so golden.” or “Where is the gold in the golden years?” How often have you heard one or both of these comments? Have you said them? I’m guilty; shame on me. I asked for God’s forgiveness. Are you in the golden years and guilty too?

“O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake me not, until I have shewed Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to everyone that is to come.” Psalm 71:17–18

Caleb stood on the mountain God promised him and declared his strength at eighty-five years old was the same as when Moses sent him out to spy on the land of Canaan forty years earlier. He was still God’s warrior, acting in and depending on God’s strength. Hebron became his inheritance as Moses promised because Caleb “wholly followed the Lord God of Israel” (Josh 14:6–14). God’s Word has promises for those who faithfully follow Him, and He, The Word, is faithful to deliver them. Paul, in his eighties, wrote his last letter from a Roman prison, addressing his spiritual son, Timothy. He knew his “departure was at hand” (2 Tim 4:6); he would die for proclaiming the Gospel but was ready for his eternal reward. Although facing death, the apostle urged and encouraged God’s minister to reproduce in the lives of others what he had received in Christ, that they would teach others (2:2). Paul's charge is not only to Timothy but to us also.

“So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

God is the giver of breath and life; we should not speak lightly of it, not even in jest. No matter our age, death and eternity await us all. We should seek God’s guidance and yield to the Holy Spirit’s leadership, living godly lives during our short stay on this side of heaven. If we're still breathing, God has plans for us and reasons for our being here. So, let’s use our time wisely. We may retire from job-related services but not from the Lord’s work He’s called us to until He calls us home.

Pray This Way

When we became a part of God’s family, our Father gave us access to His throne of grace and presence (Heb 4:16). We can boldly come before Him in times of need, worship, or merely bask in His presence and love on Him. How do we communicate our love for Him and our needs? Pray. Prayer is talking with God. Some people say they are uncomfortable praying publicly; others say they don’t know how to pray.

One of the twelve disciples said to Jesus: “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:2).

Jesus had already instructed His followers that their praying wasn’t to impress others or God by a pious appearance, using meaningless and repetitious words (Matt 6:5–8). He says to them, pray this way—not memorized petitions, but in like manner, talk with God:

Approach the Creator of everything that exists, the holy God of heaven and earth, with reverence and desire that everyone does the same. Our desires should be that He reigns everywhere, and all would obey His laws and be holy as He is holy. The daily bread we pray for is everything we need, not only food. We depend on God to sustain us daily, so we should pray daily. And if we want God’s forgiveness, we must forgive those who have wronged us. Evil cannot tempt God, and He doesn’t tempt anyone with sin, although He does allow testing times. We can ask Him to help us recognize temptations, for strength to overcome them, and deliverance from Satan’s deceits. Praying that God accomplishes His will is an incentive to choose His way, not ours.

“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us. And if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” 1 John 5:14–15

Some commentators say the second half of verse thirteen of the model prayer in some Bible translations was not in the original manuscripts: praising God for His dominion, power, and glory and ending with, “Amen.” Whether it was, I think God accepts our gratitude and praise for His greatness when we talk with Him, just as He received King David’s (1 Chron 29:11–13). 

Who's Driving?

“What are you doing here?” Speaking to His prophet, the question the Lord asked Elijah in 1 Kings 19:9 leads us to believe he wasn’t where he should have been. Instead of rejoicing that God had just displayed His might and sovereignty, proving to all the onlookers that He alone was the One True living God, Elijah fled at Jezebel’s threat to take his life.

God knew why Elijah hid in the cave, yet repeated His question, expecting an answer. The weary man answered, assuming he was the last of God’s prophets left alive. But hearing the Lord’s reply that seven thousand prophets still faithfully served Him, Elijah learned his assumption was wrong (v. 18).

Have you been to “that place” where you stayed a while, hiding from God and depending on yourself to soothe your fears and life’s disappointments, making impulsive decisions and incorrect conclusions? That place you revert to when you’re afraid, weary, angry, frustrated, or confused may be a physical location like Elijah’s cave or your inward thoughts.

“The fear of man bringeth a snare, but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Proverbs 29: 25

Are you where you should be? Fear and self-pity, and wrong conclusions distort the truth of where you are when you’re out of place with God—they can push you into the domain of falsehoods. Sometimes our adversary is instrumental in driving us to where we are, but other times, our hands hold the steering wheel.

Expectant Listening

You’ve placed an order. Now you anxiously wait for a knock at the door, the sound of a delivery vehicle, or a text or an email notification: package delivered. Our delivery people drop off most of our parcels around noon at the front door; that’s when and where we expect to find them.

“I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope.” Psalm 130:5

Our anticipation level to hear from God should be high after meeting with Him, whether praising and loving on Him or telling Him our needs and asking for His help for others and ourselves. Are you eagerly expecting Him, or will you miss His voice because you’re distracted, too busy, tired of waiting, or just not listening? 

God is faithful. His deliveries are always on time, in the right place, and have the correct contents. He knows what is best for us. He wants to talk with you today; are you listening?

Thump and Fall

Our breakfast nook has three floor-to-ceiling windows; I enjoy viewing God’s nature as I work in the kitchen, but the glass panes are tempting and hazardous to birdlife. They often fly into a window, and when Scout hears a thump, our playful dog wanting a playmate suddenly overtakes the stunned birds.

Too often, people give Satan credit for life’s crashes when what happens is sometimes their fault. But he’s watching, and when he sees someone stunned by a fall, he doesn’t play as Scout does with a fallen bird. His goal is to steal believers’ joy, kill their testimonies, and destroy their reputations. Painful results often follow regardless of who (or what) causes life-thumps, and repentance is often the answer for restoring broken hearts, spirits, and families.

Paul wrote: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

In Galatians 5:24, Paul says those who are Christ’s have crucified the works of the flesh (vs. 19–21). But if not vigilant, urging passions and temptations can reemerge, suddenly and sometimes by surprise, overtaking Christ-followers. The apostle calls on believers planted firmly in the Word and living rightly with God to help those taken in a fault—they sinned, unintentionally or willfully. He IS NOT referring to people who deliberately practice sinning; genuine Christians do not. The restoring Paul says to do, like resetting a dislocated bone, may be uncomfortable, even painful, but needful for healing. Still, the restorers are to act in kindness and forgiveness, not arrogance or judgment.

Our little feathered friends sometimes shake their heads, come to their senses, ruffle their feathers and fry away. Other times they don’t. Suppose you hear a thump and find someone fallen and not getting back on the right path. In that case, minister to their needs as God leads, considering everyone, including yourself, is susceptible to sudden temptation. One day you may be the one needing sympathetic restoration—no one is beyond missing God’s mark of perfection.

On Display

Chinaware never impressed me, but the beautiful stoneware I bought did. The dishes stayed on display in a glass-doored cabinet for over forty years, coming out only for special occasions once or twice a year. But their usage ended when my girls pleaded with me to use paper goods instead. The cabinet’s contents were valuable but not used.

We had to cull many belongings when we downsized to our current home. My array of dishes for daily and special occasions was an issue that I needed to address. I opted to keep my “china.” Instead of being on display, we enjoy the stoneware’s beauty and intended usefulness daily.

God’s children are His prized possessions. He made us in His image, entrusted us with spiritual gifts, and endowed us with talents for His purposes. But He will not pull you from a cabinet and make you accomplish them. You choose whether your giftedness and talents stay on display unused, protected from life’s nicks and cracks that may happen. Or you can trust and bend to God’s authority, walking in the good works He prepared for you (Eph 2:10), fulfilling and displaying your intended usefulness.

We can’t fulfill our calling in our wisdom and strength; the good news is that God doesn’t expect that of us. Paul wrote to the saints in Philippi, convinced that God would complete the work He started in them. The same good word is for us saints today: “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” Philippians 1:6b.

Chewing the Cud

Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Meditation chews the cud and extracts the real nutrient from the mental food gathered elsewhere.” Cud is food chewed enough to moisten and swallow into the stomach, then brought back into the mouth for further chewing. Meditation for a Christian is quiet pondering of spiritual truths.

Immediately after Jesus’ baptism, God’s Spirit rested on Him, leading Him into the wilderness for the devil to tempt Him. After fasting forty days and nights, the Bible says He was hungry (Matt 4:2), and the tempter came after Him at His most vulnerable moments. But Jesus refuted each temptation by bringing up God’s truths, and the devil left Him for a time. We must first know God’s Word to recall His truths and, like Jesus, use the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17) effectively.

As we read and ingest God’s Word, it goes into our memory banks and hearts. Meditation—chewing on His truths—is a choice; when we choose to draw aside from life’s busyness to “bring back up” truths we’ve read, studied, learned, and proved, we extract nutrients we need to grow, share with others, and be successful in our walk with the Lord. Pondering spiritual truths— “chewing the cud”—reminds us of God’s constant presence and faithfulness and equips us for spiritual battles.

Joshua challenged God’s people: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein. For then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8

Trendsetters

Someone likes your clothing and hairstyle, the way you apply makeup, or your mannerisms, so they mimic you. The thought that others may imitate us is one worth pondering. Someone is always watching us; we’re setting trends, valuable or harmful, whether it is intentional.

Although God holds every person responsible for their behavior, He holds Christians accountable if our actions lead others astray. To prevent this, we can daily mimic David, who asked God to search and cleanse his heart and lead him on the path of everlasting life (Psalm 139:23–24).

As we follow Jesus, the flawless Leader—the perfect example—those mimicking us will stay on life’s right path. Paul could rightfully encourage and say to those watching him:

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

One Missing Piece

“Follow Me.” Jesus saw two men fishing and invited them to follow Him, and He would make them “fishers of men.” At once, Peter and his brother, Andrew, left their nets, the first disciples to leave everything behind to heed Jesus’ call (Matt 4:18–20). God wants to save all people. Some are willing; some are hesitant, and others turn away.

“What can I do to have eternal life?” the young man asked Jesus in three of the Gospel’s accounts (Mark 10:17–22; Matt 19:16–22; Luke 18:18–23). He was a person of authority and a good man who had kept God’s commands since he was a youth. Yet, Matthew’s account says he asked what “one thing” he lacked. Jesus, knowing his heart, told him to sell everything he had and give it to the poor. Then his treasure would be in heaven, and he could take up the cross and follow Him. The sorrow-filled ruler walked away from Jesus because of his great riches, his life’s priority.

There was nothing the rich, young man could do (nor can we) to earn eternal life. It’s God’s gift to us; He saves us by His grace and our faith in Jesus, not by our works, no matter how good they may be (Eph 2:8–9). No one is good enough to enter heaven without surrendering to Jesus.

“Come, take up the cross and follow Me” (Mark 10:21b). Yielding to and walking with our Savior is costly; it requires self-denial and cross-bearing. Jesus said if we didn’t love Him above our family, ourselves, or anything this world offers, we could not be His disciple. He forewarned His followers that the world would hate them for following Him (1 John 3:13); it hated and persecuted Him first (John 15:18, 20). Cross-bearing includes trusting God with divine appointments and difficulties that may come your way. Some people don’t understand or accept the cost of following Jesus, but God’s Word hasn’t and will never change.

If you said yes to Jesus’ call to follow Him, is He first in your life? Have you given Him full access to your heart, or is there a place— “one thing”—you lack in surrendering to His authority? That missing bit, the part you’re hiding or holding back, will hinder you from having a rewarding and meaningful life in Christ. Give every piece of yourself to Jesus. 

The Flying Leap

“Jump, I’ll catch you.” So, our toddler grandson, innocent, with great confidence and without hesitation, leaped from the rooftop into his grandfather’s inviting, outstretched arms. That little boy is a grown man today, another year older but not as innocent as before: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

All of us have sinned; everyone one of us missed God’s perfection, and sin’s price is death. But thanks be to God for His gift of eternal life with Him through Jesus, who paid our debt (Romans 6:23).

Our grandson has confidence in his grandfather today but would not leap into his waiting arms from a housetop. Instead, he jumps and falls into His heavenly Father’s arms, who ably catches and holds him securely no matter the weight that falls. We can do the same, but, like him, we must first trust the Catcher to leap. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:9, 13

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:7 

Ouch!

My husband picked this beautiful wildflower bouquet for me, not knowing that thorns hid amid the leaves. His pricked hands made me wonder why some plants have thorns, spines, or prickles, so I researched to satisfy my curiosity. One source said it was an “evolutionary adaptation by the plants,”—but we know God equipped the ones susceptible to predators with protective assets. Some have visible protection, while others produce bad-tasting or poisonous chemicals. Both protectors are to ward off intruders who want to feast on them since they are rooted and cannot escape. Like my husband, those who proceed with their intrusion pay the price.

People sometimes develop “thorns, spines, and prickles” or dispense “chemicals” to keep others at bay. Why? They grow tired of being taken advantage of, bullied, or hurt by others. They finally said, “Enough!” No one would “feast” on them again. With their walls of defense in place, they felt safe. But isolating ourselves as a protective measure is not the answer.

No one was bullied or harassed more than Jesus. He knew the pain of abandonment by his comrades and humiliation, yet He kept doing what His heavenly Father called Him to do:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He hath appointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor. He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty them that are bruised.” Luke 4:18

God appointed Jesus to preach glad tidings to the helpless and distressed, heal the grieving, free those held captive by sin, restore the spiritually blind’s sight and set free those crushed or broken in spirit. Time doesn’t heal all wounds, but God can and holds everyone accountable for their actions. Forgiveness toward those who wronged you sets you on the right path towards freedom and lowers your defensive walls. Jesus is the Good News, saving souls and saving us daily in our times of need—sometimes from ourselves. 

Battened Down

With another approaching thunderstorm, we knew our dog, Scout, who fears sudden and loud noises, would soon run to one of his safe go-to places: at our feet, in our lap, or under our bed. God’s children also know where to run when Satan roars his threats, wanting to paralyze the weak, insecure, and even those grounded in their faith—that one place where no one and nothing can move us—under God’s outstretched wings. He is our Protector and place of refuge (Psalm 91; 46:1).

My thoughts suddenly shifted from Scout’s fears to board and batten siding. Have you ever wondered how a house’s covering got such a name? I have, and I satisfied my curiosity. According to one of Webster’s Dictionary definitions, batten is a narrow strip of wood nailed across two other pieces to cover a crack; strengthen the parts. Then I thought of us being Scout’s batten. His fears cause a gap in his stability, but our soothing protection fortifies him, covering the rip.

“And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:2

Fears, failings, difficulties, and crises can cause fissures—cracks in our faith. Spiritual gaps sometimes cause us to distance ourselves from our heavenly Father, making us vulnerable to outside forces. But Jesus laid His life down for us; His blood is the covering for every opening that separates us from God: His resurrection is our hope that we, too, will live again. When we surrender to His Lordship, God seals us with His presence. His Holy Spirit within us is His guarantee that we belong to Him and will spend eternity with Him (Eph 1:13–14). God’s grace has us securely battened down.

Special Me

"I can do whatever I want because my grandpa is the preacher." That was the end of the conversation I overheard my granddaughter having with the greeters one Sunday morning outside the church gym. Although only a young child, she quickly learned her assumption was wrong; she could NOT do anything she wanted BECAUSE her grandpa was the preacher.

God is our heavenly Father, and our thinking is faulty if we think we can do whatever we want, or God will let sins “slide” because we are of the Royal Family, a child of the King. We will quickly find out how wrong we are! It is BECAUSE our Father is God, the righteous King, that we CAN NOT do as we please.

Punishment from our earthly parents was not something we looked forward to but dreaded. If called for, it was needful for teaching us right from wrong and molding our character because they loved us, although sometimes they may have acted hastily and unfairly out of emotions. God takes notice of our faults. He shows His parental love by correcting us when we need discipline because we belong to Him, and He never makes hasty decisions or acts with wrong motives. We owe Him due respect because His corrections are always for our good, developing uprightness in us (Heb 12:7–11).

"For whom the Lord loveth He correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” Proverbs 3:5

Deadheads and Bloomers

“Since you have learned about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from Him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.” Ephesians 4:21–22 NLT

Deadheading is a term gardeners use to remove faded and dead flowers from plants to promote healthy and extended growth. But plants can't take off what hinders them; they need our help.

God, the gardener of His children, wants us to flourish as Christians. He prunes us to shape and encourage new growth and bear fruit but will not pick off budding bad habits and sins that stunt or encumber our walk with Him. We must treat those like deadheads, unattractive robbers of their host's needed nutrients. Unlike a helpless plant, we can and must take off unproductive hindrances that sever fellowship with our heavenly Father, anything that might cause us to stumble, fall, or not be Christ-like examples to others. If we fail to do our part, the “deadheads” will keep draining our strength and usefulness, and God will seem distant.

Paul struggled with wanting to act rightly but sometimes wrongly (Romans 7:19). We have the same struggles. Flowers (fruit) produced by human nature are unacceptable to God (Romans 8:8), but like Paul, who knew Jesus Christ was the answer to his dilemma (v. 25), we, too, can call and depend on the Sustainer of life. The Lord is always nearby, and when we, like David, acknowledge our sin, He will forgive and cleanse us (Psalm 32:8). Only then will we be Bloomers for His glory.  

Making Up

Why do we make up stories and call cosmetics make-up? Both are superficial, a covering that disguises something or someone to appear more appealing or attractive than they are. Most likely, we all have exaggerated facts to make a better-sounding story and often wear make-up (even men) to enhance our appearance. We all want to look our best, don’t we? But to what extent?

“For you are a slave to whatever controls you. And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life.” 2 Peter 2:19b–21 NLT

Although they had turned from their sinful ways, followers of the apostles’ teachings who knew only about Jesus and religious doctrines but had never committed their lives to Him were easy prey to the false teachers. They looked and acted like Christians but weren’t. “Cleaning up their house” was not enough—they didn’t turn to Jesus to cleanse, save, and fill them with His Spirit. Peter said it would have been better for them had they not known the truth; by rejecting it, they would be worse off than before after falling back into sin’s entrapments and bondage.

You can take a pig out of the pigpen, bathe it, and even put lipstick on it. But the pig will return to its mud hole because that’s its nature (v. 22). Applying cosmetics to improve our appearance is acceptable but prettying up sin is not. Spinning tales, pretending to be someone you aren’t—cover-ups—do not negate a matter’s truth or change a person’s nature. When only outward appearances change without internal change—surrender of self to Christ’s rule—a person will eventually return to their former ways. And the state of that person without Christ, entangled in and bound by sin again, is worse than before. 

Since, Sense, Scents

“For since by one man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:21–22). Death (mortality) came because of Adam’s disobedience; sin is why all people will die. Everlasting life comes from Jesus’ death and resurrection. He will raise all from death, the just and the unjust. But only those who accept God’s Son, born of the Spirit, will live in heaven throughout eternity. People who reject Jesus’ salvation seal their fate to live eternally separated from God.

“But strong meat belongeth to them that are full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). Paul addressed believers’ spiritual growth, calling long-time Christians who should be teaching others spiritually dull; they were still “drinking milk” and needed to learn the basics of God’s Word again. But the obedient listeners who the Word enriched by His “strong meat” were skilled in recognizing right from wrong and taught others.

“For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them, that perish” (2 Corinthians 2:15). God accepts the sincere efforts of believers as we proclaim His Word, even though some will receive His truth and others will reject it. We are sweet aromas of Christ to Him if we are faithful in our endeavors.

Since sin caused death, and Jesus, the Word, is the answer to sin’s curse, we must let Him exercise our senses so we can train others in the way of right living. When we faithfully obey Jesus’ command and teach others His Word, our lives leave scents that are sweet-smelling fragrances of Christ unto God.

Another Year Older

Moses’ prayer: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

Some people dread the day, even agonize, days, weeks, even months before they turn another year older. But not me, especially considering the alternative! You can go up and over the hill or be under it.

I know the moment my spirit leaves this body of flesh, I’ll be with the Lord, but until that day, I am thankful for the time I have here on earth until He calls me home. If God leaves us here another day, year, or even moment, He has not yet finished His purposes for us. We can be as confident as Paul, knowing that “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

Most of us can attest that death is not a respecter of age. Accidents, man’s hands, and disease ravage earthly tents, but God, not those or fate, takes life’s breath. God alone holds life, knowing the day of our birth and the moment of our assigned death from the unborn to the aged over a hundred years old.

Instead of whining about turning another year older, thank God for His faithfulness, love, mercy, and desire to accomplish His work in and through you. Pray like Moses, asking God that you act wisely, knowing your days will end, and get busy serving Him without complaints until He calls you home.

Recollections

Sometimes we don’t need to hear and learn new lessons but remember those we have shoved aside or forgotten; truths we need to know better. Remembering can deepen our devotion to God and stir and ground our lives in His service if we let the Holy Spirit have His way.

“I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Thy wonders of old.” Psalm 77:11

The Bible doesn’t encourage us to rehash past failures or horrible events. But like the psalmist, waiting for God to act on his behalf, he remembers the Lord’s mighty works long ago (vs. 13–20). And like Paul, in Acts 9; 2 Corinthians 11:24–33, 12:7–10, some people recall how God, through life’s experiences, brought them from where they were to where they are currently for His purposes. Remembering who God is and all He has done brings a revitalized trust and hope in His love, goodness, abilities, mercies, and forgiveness. Like the psalmist, our testimony of Him will encourage others struggling in life.

Do you need to remember the simplicity of the Gospel’s message: Jesus, God’s Son, died for our sins and rose from the dead? God loved the world so much that He sent His Son to pay for our sins—the vilest person to the best-behaved. Must God remind you that the lost and believers have flaws, including you? Do you keep God’s commands, mindful that when you don’t, God will discipline His children? God is faithful and cleanses when you agree with Him about your sins (confess) and repent of them (1 John 1:9). Do you honor Jesus’ last supper’s ordinance, joining with fellow believers, remembering His death until He returns? Do you study God’s Word and worship with them or have excuses to stay home?

Do you need to spend time in recollection? God loves you; He holds you and will never leave you if you are His child. But if you have not yielded your life to Jesus, you will spend eternity in hell, separated from God, who loves you. What truths have you learned that you need to remember?

Flawed Truths

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 3

Although Jude eagerly planned to write to fellow believers about God’s saving grace they shared, he found it needful to urge them on the matter of defending the faith. The reason for his urgency? Wicked men pretending to be religious had infiltrated God’s Church, creeping in unawares, bringing with them error-filled truths—false doctrines (v. 4). Jude urged his readers to stand fast, prepared to face and oppose by arguments and reasoning the lies against God’s truth.

Jude’s message is for us today. Deceivers’ lies that hinder believers, turn them away from the truth, or keep the lost from surrendering to Christ’s rule are powerful, originating from the highest to the humblest places in our society. Yet Paul warns us we are not to disrespect people God ordains to positions of authority (Romans 13:1–2). Peter said there would be false prophets and teachers among us, even denying the Lord who bought them (2 Peter 2:1).

We must stay geared up and ready at all times to speak and live God’s truth, refuting the deceivers’ lies brought into God’s Church, our homes, schools, and workplaces. But to “earnestly contend for the faith”—God’s message of salvation that will never change—we must know God’s Word to live a steady life grounded in truth. Are you prepared to stand in faith’s defense? 

Farewell Sermon

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

With the cross looming before Him, Jesus gave a departing message to His disciples in training. He wraps up the three years of teachings and instructions, saying He must leave them for a little while, and they would sorrow, but God would send another Comforter (John 14).

Like the early disciples, we experience the troubles and evils of this life, but through them, God develops our perseverance, character, and hope in Him (Romans 5:3). Jesus says, “be of good cheer”—take heart. He overcame the world, defeating Satan by His death and resurrection. With God’s Holy Spirit’s power working within and through us, His children, “we are more than conquerors” through Jesus Christ, who loves us (Romans 8:37). And NOTHING can separate us from Him as we journey this world (vs. 38–39).

We cannot escape the conflicts without; sometimes, we let worries disturb us within, but if we trust God with those cares, He will keep our hearts and minds in peace through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6–7).

Rumor Has It

“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary. . .?” Mark 6:3

Jesus grew up in Nazareth, trained by Joseph, Mary’s husband, in the trade of carpentry. At thirty years old, He left working with His hands and began His Father’s business, working on hearts, while teaching in the synagogues throughout Galilee.

When Jesus first taught in Nazareth, the people were amazed that He, the supposed son of Joseph, a carpenter, could speak such gracious words. They tried to kill Him because His teachings offended them, but He escaped (Luke 4:29–30). Mark records that Jesus later returned to His hometown, and when the people heard Him, they marveled, unable to deny His wisdom and mighty works. But this time, they called Him “Mary’s son.” Don’t miss the jab; their words were very intentional. In those days, you identified a man by calling him the son of his father, not his mother.

We can only imagine the judgments, ridicule, and rumors Joseph and Mary endured before and after they started their home life together. People can be cruel, carefully choosing hearers to pass on their prejudices and accusations, plotting their words so they sting and leave lasting effects. People rarely repeat news or rumors, true or false, exactly; someone usually mishears or intentionally exaggerates the story.

Jesus didn’t miss His listeners’ intent to disparage His name or that of Joseph and Mary. The people of Nazareth were offended by Him and revealed their hearts: they didn’t welcome Jesus in His hometown. But their insults, rumors, and ridicule didn’t deter His mission, although most of them missed blessings and miracles He would have done but didn’t because of their disbelief and rejection of Him.

Rumors and character assaults are hurtful and can rob people of their good name. When someone wants to “share” juicy bits of news about someone or something with you to pass along, offer to pray with them instead and keep doing your Father’s work.

Chain of Events

“So now, it was not you that sent me hither, but God” (Genesis 45:8a).

Joseph’s coat of many colors came to mind as I took my colorful shirt from the closet. How could Jacob (the favored child of his mother, Rebekah) not recognize the family turmoil stirred by his preference for Joseph above that for his other children? He was repeating history that he should have buried.

“Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children because he was the son of his old age” (37:3). Joseph was the firstborn of Jacob’s beloved Rachel, who died moments after delivering their youngest child, Benjamin. “The son of his old age” literally means “the son of old age to him.” Now seventeen years old, Joseph never acted childishly but possessed wisdom and insight beyond his years, like an older man. Jacob expressed his love for Joseph by giving him a colorful tunic (an indication of distinction); his half-brothers hated him for those reasons. His siblings envied and despised him more when Joseph told them about his dream: the family would bow before him one day (v. 11). Their hatred and jealousy were so overwhelming that they devised and carried out a plan to rid themselves of him. They didn’t care that the lie about Joseph’s death would drive their father, Jacob, into deep despair.

It wasn’t Joseph’s fault that Jacob showed him favoritism; neither does Scripture record he had a smug attitude about being the most-loved child. Yet Joseph was unfairly treated, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned. But at God’s appointed time, he served as Pharoah’s second in command over Egypt, the only land that escaped the famine because of Joseph’s wise planning. His brothers didn’t recognize the forty-year-old ruler as they requested food, bowing before him. When he revealed his identity, Joseph showed generosity and mercy to his brothers, once cruel but now fearful. Jacob’s “son of old age” showed his wisdom and insight as he told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (50:20).

Joseph was not disappointed or angry with God for the evils that came his way but understood His hand in all the events that led him to be in the right place at the right time. “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” (Romans 8:28).

God is at work in your life and mine, weaving events to carry out His purposes at the right time—if we let Him. God’s promise to His children is in the present tense; daily surrender, loving Him, and living in obedience are vital for Him to work all things together for good. We may not understand why events happen as they do or God’s plan, but we can trust His hand. What others mean for evil, God can turn to good for His glory.