Fixer-Upper

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Home designers and contractors recommend restoration for some projects, while others need demolishing and rebuilding. Depending on the repairs and renovations needed or wanted, they usually complete their work in one to four months.

We choose to make some life changes; others are needful. We are all “fixer-uppers” worth fixing—God wants every life “fixed.” But He doesn’t restore unbelievers who surrender to the Lordship of Christ; He demolishes sinners’ pasts, washes their sin-stained hearts white as snow by the blood of Jesus, and sets them on a new foundation to build their lives upon—Christ Jesus.

Although changed instantly, new believers (and established ones) must choose to live as God’s reborn creations in Christ. That means daily putting away the old nature, desires, ways, and company that wants to creep back into and debilitate their lives (and our lives). God’s sinless Son died for us so we could be made right with God. 

Everyone needs “fixing up,” and God wants us fixed. As His new creations, we are to build our lives on Jesus, the Solid Rock and tell others how they can be born again, reconciled to—made right with, and brought back to God (2 Cor 5:17–21).  

God's Courtroom

Isaiah 55:7  “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”

Showing remorse over one’s breaking man-made laws goes a long way when standing before a judge and the jury; a cocky and unrepentant attitude worsens matters. The same is true of those who disobey God’s commands, except they stand before Holy God, who ALWAYS rules with justice.

To “return to the Lord” implies that man once walked with God sinlessly. But sin entered God’s perfect world. God is ready to forgive sinners who admit and turn away from their evil doings, disreputable companions, and wrong paths and return to Him. He shows mercy and abundant pardon—forgiveness is plentiful to those who forsake their heart’s ungodly intentions, pride, selfishness, and plans that oppose what He wants.

Our courtrooms today have judges who rule rightly and some unfairly; people claim there is no God, but that doesn’t negate that He exists. Everyone is accountable to God, the Just and Righteous Judge, and will give Him an account of our lives. 

Death Screamed Yes, but God Said No

You see today the face of love, joy, and childlike trust in God you would envy if you knew our grandson, Timothy. His contagious smile lights up a room, and you will never hear him complain or speak poorly about anyone, no matter the circumstances. He loves the Lord and people; whether it’s raining, cloudy, or the sun shines brightly, Timothy says, “It’s a beautiful day today.” He is the essence of Christlikeness, and God’s favor shines on him.

Job’s wife wanted him to curse God and die because of the grief, pain, and destruction that came to their family (Job 2:9). Elijah, in a moment of fear and weariness, asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:1–4). Death comes to some Christians because their unrepentant lives disparage the name of Christ (1 Cor 5:1–5). Sadly, some people in desperation take their own lives, as did Saul’s armorbearer when he saw that his king was dead (1 Sam 31:5). Death happens for many reasons; often, we don’t understand why. Still, The Almighty has power over not only life and death but everything regarding us and His creation: “To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

Timothy is thirty-four years old. Twenty-nine years ago today, death unsuccessfully tried to take him from us, but praise God, He said, “NO!” God has a purpose for our grandson being here, one that blesses all who have the privilege of knowing him. And God has plans for your life until He calls you home.

Could Have—Would Have

It wasn’t the first garment I made but the first dress. And this wasn’t just any empire waist, A-line style dress; it was for a “special date.” My mama agreed to let me make it and bought all the supplies I needed. All went well until I unpenned the pattern from the cut fabric pieces and saw that I didn’t place the dress top or bottom on the fabric’s fold—the front of my dress would have a seam. I was so disappointed in myself for not being more careful. I finished the dress, but that seam stared at me like glaring eyes. When I went to bed that evening, I asked God to please make that seam disappear so the dress would look right, but it was such an insignificant matter, a silly request; I didn’t think God would. And you know what? He didn’t. Did I believe He COULD have? Yes, I did; that’s why I asked Him. But I failed to ask in faith, believing that He WOULD. I didn’t expect God to come through with a miracle.

A father asked Jesus to heal his son but needed help with unbelief: “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:23–24). And you know what? Jesus healed that father’s son.

Mark’s Gospel also says: “Therefore, I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24). No one but me noticed the seam on my dress. Although I penned a stylish, narrow gross-grain ribbon tied in a small bow with long streamers as a distraction, I knew it was there. The dress was and has been a reminder of a missed miracle, the power of prayer, and the right way to pray. James writes why God doesn’t answer some prayers: “Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:3). God hears our prayers. But sometimes, we ask Him for wrong things with improper motives. 

Sore or Soar

Untended wounds leave nasty sores that will take longer to heal. Unused muscles can leave you feeling sore and lethargic without proper exercise. “Sore” attitudes can ruin your day and affect the joy of those around you. “Sores” can become obstacles that hinder you from soaring to unimaginable heights.

How do we rise above these life “sores?” Treat physical, spiritual, and emotional hurts promptly, or they will worsen. Regularly use your muscles to avoid soreness and your strengths and influences to avoid being sorely disappointed in yourself for not being all God created you to be. Attitudes are contagious. If you’re having a bad day, don’t spoil the joy of others with a sore disposition. Get right with God and spread blessings, not soreness.

We can rise above life’s demands by depending on God instead of ourselves. When we trust God, our faith in Him increases—so does our ability to contend with our spiritual battles, sins, and life’s difficulties. We catch God’s updraft and soar like an eagle, communing with God. He is our confidence and strength to fulfill our daily duties as His children:

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 

Looking Back

Hindsight tells me that God tries to prepare me in advance for coming events, but I’m not always attentive and sometimes resistant. If we wait to gear up for a battle we see on the horizon or are in the heat of one, injury or defeat is likely.

Paul says Christians don’t fight against flesh-and-blood enemies but evil rulers and authorities and evil spirits of the heavenly world that our physical eyes can’t see; mighty powers in our fallen world. Our battles are against the devil’s clever schemes.

We cannot fight and win spiritual wars in our strength. Paul urges us: “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. . . —and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:10–11, 13).

Nowhere in God’s Word are we told to lay aside His armor, no matter how weary or discouraged. Stay ready at all times. Maintain your ground fully dressed in God’s protective covering, using the sword of the Spirit—the power of His Word—and prayer. The battle is the Lord’s; He fights for and with you. 

Report Card

“Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:11

Knowing and hiding God’s Word in my heart yet still facing struggles daily, I can’t imagine how people cope with every-day-life not having His Word to cling to with the hope of His help and interventions. As I stood before the bathroom sink, the Lord once again spoke to me as I thought about and prayed for the people He put on my heart that morning. He reminded me of Abraham's faith test with his son, Isaac. By not trusting and waiting on God, the old patriarch made many mistakes and failed many times in his lifetime but learned through his failures the one who called Himself, “I AM,” was trustworthy. He surrendered the promised son into his heavenly Father’s hands to do what was best. Had God tested Abraham’s faith? Yes, He did, and this time, Abraham passed, acing the test!

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

As believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, The Light of the world is in us; the Word is ready and willing to light our way if we let it. Or does your “glass” need cleaning for The Light to shine through? An unclean vessel hinders The Light and faith from doing their work. What grade would you get today on brightness and believing God?

Order my steps in thy word and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133

I had two premature babies. Three days passed before I could hold our son in my arms to comfort him, bind with him and say everything was okay. Although I knew his being in the incubator immediately after birth was best for him, I didn’t like being apart from him. Seven days would pass before I held our baby girl. I saw her for only a moment, and then the medical team took her to another hospital hours away to care for her critical needs. I knew what was best for my babies, but I still longed to have them with me. I didn’t know then what I know now about trusting God, but I was learning. God was teaching me His Word and testing me. Sometimes my scores were low, but God didn’t give up on me. And although I faltered and, at times, behaved selfishly, I learned to trust Him more as I let Him establish my steps according to His Word.

Paul says we can rejoice in life's struggles and difficulties because these develop perseverance, character, and hope, faith (Rom 5:1–5). My testing grades have improved because of the trials God has helped me through since those early training days, and I’m still learning and growing in my walk with the Lord. Some days are better than others, but I can say today without hesitation, “Lord, I want what You want more than the desires of my heart.” Open your report card; your scores show how you handled life’s tests. If you aren’t satisfied with your grades, it isn’t too late to make improvements. God demands and honors obedience. 

Sniff, Sniff

Fried fish is one of my favorite foods; I enjoy cooking it, the aroma, and the delicious finished results. Had I neglected to wash the shirt I wore while cooking, the mouth-watering fragrance would transfer to the clothes hanging next to it in the closet. One whiff would alert others to what I had done; the once pleasant fish-frying smell was now an unpleasant odor.

Alluring sins can be pleasurable and attractive, but they lead down paths that leave on you traces of where you’ve been, even the secret pleasures. People who go where and do things they shouldn’t carry lingering “scents”—“fishy” telltale signs. Paul said of believers: “If any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thess 3:14–15). And concerning all humanity, he said that bad company corrupts good morals (1 Cor 15:33). Who we keep company with matters because their “smelly scents” affect those near them.

Are we judging others by recognizing their wrong choices and reacting accordingly to their actions? No, we’re obediently responding to the results of their deeds contrary to God’s commands. We are all prone to missing God’s mark of perfection, but by admitting and repenting (turning away from our sins), He cleanses us white as snow and wool (Isa 1:18), and we carry the scent of God’s forgiveness. 

Forgiven and Forgotten

This time of year brings daily facing and battling the swarm and piles of lovebugs outside the door. Sweeping away the live and dead critters, especially on the glass doors, leaves a mess. In desperation, I sprayed the door frame and glass with the house pesticide since they are pests. And it worked! The doors’ hazy, drippy-looking residue isn’t attractive, but neither is the barrage of bugs that gathers on them. We can now go outside without facing the cloud of insects. Soon the bugs will disappear, and I will clean the doors, knowing they will stay bug-free. That is until next year.

Sin’s ugliness is nasty and messy; we must rid ourselves of it before what is ugly gets “pretty.” Yes, God does the cleansing, but we must first humble ourselves before Him, admit our sins, and turn from them. Only when we bend to God will He forgive and cleanse. Consequential residues sometimes await us for our poor life choices, and we sometimes struggle to forget our failures. But praise God, our heavenly Father chooses not to remember His children’s forgiven sins; those are gone forever.

“For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. For as far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:11–12

Blessings Await

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Glories await God’s redeemed ones, washed clean by the precious blood of Jesus when we enter heaven’s gate. But in this passage, Paul refers to God's unfathomable blessings for us here and now. The Creator of all prepared them before the earth's foundation and wants—waits to pour them on us.

You may think I love God but don’t “feel” blessed. Pointedly, Jesus told His disciples: “If you love Me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). He went on to say if we love Him, we will keep His words, and the Father will love us; They will come and dwell within us (John 14:23). The key to receiving God’s unseen, unheard, and unimaginable blessings is our obedience.

Disguised Creepers

Can any of you Baby Boomers like me recall the taste of a genuine orange, cola, and “Dr” soda? They no longer taste the same because the manufacturers have watered them down. We’re also finding foods in smaller packages, a smaller size, yet at an increased cost. This year we discovered that the home pesticide we have used for years, keeping our place bug free for a year at a time, is no longer as effective. Cleaning products, the same thing—watered down. Do the manufacturers of these products not think we’ve noticed?

Have we developed the mentality that “it is what it is?” Lord, help us! People are also settling for watered-down and re-sized standards in our society, principles God and our nation's founding fathers never intended. How did this happen? Subtle changes. It starts with a watered-down and resized “something” that evolves into a falsehood one person or group believes, then another creeping into home life, schools, government, and churches. Sadly the “bad guys,” sometimes disguised like the “good guys,” have and will continue to stifle truth and integrity, and it will get worse:

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13

Paul urged Timothy to stay strong and faithful in the Lord’s work. He spoke of the coming time when people would no longer accept God’s sound doctrine, calling the last days perilous and people’s morals corrupt (vs. 1–4). These folks wanted their ears “tickled”; they heard what they wanted from those who opposed God. We are living in the “last days.” Subtleness has turned to unashamed, blatant rebellion against God. When what people say and do differ from God’s Word, even in the smallest detail, it is a sin, no matter who they are or how they spin their agendas and narratives. Judgment day is coming. 

Echoing Words

“For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak anything.” 1 Thessalonians 1:8 

The letter from Paul, Silas, and Timothy to the church of Thessalonica commended the believers for their faithful work, loving deeds, and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. While the three men lived and ministered among them, the Thessalonians joyfully received the truth of God’s Word. They became followers of them and the Lord despite severe suffering from their countrymen.

Paul tells us the believers’ sounded out the Lord’s Word—their trumpeted message echoed from place to place. They TOLD AND LIVED the message they proclaimed so plainly and effectively in every place they traveled that Paul, Silas, and Timothy didn’t have to say anything about their faith in God; it was evident everywhere throughout Greece. Can you imagine this said of you? Can I of myself? It could happen—it SHOULD happen.

Jesus’ final instruction to His disciples as He ascended into heaven was for them to daily teach others to obey God’s commands and make disciples every place they went. Our Lord’s words are for us as well, God’s ministers, to tell and live the same Good News. Does our message echo from place to place?

Thieves in the Treasury

The auditorium was almost packed; no one counted, but at least four hundred people attended that night’s performance about the gates of heaven and the flames of hell. Per the agreement with the play’s director, the offering taken each night would go to him for putting on the production. One evening, as the offering plate reached the third-to-last row of pews in one section, a woman unashamedly emptied the pile of bills into her open purse. Taken aback by such an action, no one around her knew what to do without causing a scene, leaving the matter in God’s hands to deal with her. But that evening, she went home with hundreds of dollars that belonged to someone else.

God called His people to repent for not obeying His ordinances, taking advantage of the less fortunate, and withholding from Him His due, calling it robbery: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, ‘Wherein have we robbed Thee?’ In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation.” Malachi 4:8–9

The Bible discloses that Judas (the disciples' treasurer), tax collectors, the selfish rich, and the government often unfairly took from others. Taking money or anything that belongs to someone else is nothing new, and not giving God His due is still robbery. Malachi writes that God said, “Test Me.” God said He would rebuke the destroyer of the Israelite’s crops, and nations would call them blessed if they acted rightly (vs. 10–12). God overflows us with blessings when giving our tithes and offerings for His work. His benefits, not always financial, provide for our needs. He says to us today: Test Me and see.

Has our nation failed to keep God’s laws, taken advantage of the less fortunate, and withheld from God His due (not only finances but respect and reverence)? Yes. Is our nation cursed? What do you think? 

The Blessing

The lady sitting across from me in the Bible study class said she always prayed a blessing over her husband before they retired for the night, yet lately, she felt like she was saying the same thing each evening. There’s nothing wrong with repeating prayers if they are sincere; God knows our hearts.

Since this wife was genuinely concerned, I wrote Numbers 6:24–26 on a note and passed it to her, saying I had read the passage that morning, and it blessed my heart: “The Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace.”

What better way to honor someone you care about than by praying God’s favor on and His protection for them, that He be pleased with and merciful and compassionate towards them; give His approval of and grant well-being and tranquility? It’s also a blessing we can ask of our heavenly Father for ourselves. 

You Asked for It—You Got It

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:21

The Israelites complained incessantly to and about Moses after they left Egypt: they were going to drown in the Red Sea, they didn’t like the food, and there was no water. But hearing Canaan’s spies’ report about giants in the land far outweighed the abundance of goodness God promised. They cried out, wishing they had died in Egypt or the wilderness (Num 14:2). So God gave them what they wanted. The giants would not be a problem for them; instead, they would wander in the wilderness for forty years and die. Moses would only see but not enter the land of promise because of his act of disobedience. But Joshua and Caleb believed God would be their deliverer; they would enter Canaan with the people’s children under twenty years old.

God is merciful and longsuffering with our doubts, whinings, and desires, but the time may come when He says, Enough. We must be careful about our complainings and what we wish for; we may get what we want: “As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you.” Numbers 14:28

Burned

Cooktops, ovens, grills, toasters, hair irons, and clothes irons are helpful conveniences we have that serve us well. They are harmless appliances until heated, and if not used with caution, they can cause burns and leave lingering scars. I know because most of those listed bear my DNA, even though used cautiously. Some of the marks from decades ago are still faintly visible.  

As servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, we sometimes get burned or maybe just a little singed doing the Lord’s work. But the injuries that made your wounds and mine pale compared to Paul’s and the many other heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11. Paul often needed to defend his apostleship, but his proof of service was in the scars he bore in serving the Lord: “. . . For I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” Galatians 6:17b

Paul’s stoning, beatings, shipwreck, weariness, lack of basic life necessities, and the burden he had for God’s people (2 Cor 11:24–25) stamped indelible marks on his life. Your service to the Lord may have left you scarred as well, or maybe it’s something you did wrong or something you should have done that you haven’t done, and you are dealing with fresh wounds. Sin wounds and scars our lives, but Jesus can heal burned spirits, broken hearts, people-caused wounds, and self-inflicted ones. Scars remind us of God’s faithfulness and forgiveness and sometimes where we’ve been and should be now.

Senses at Work

Sense means to understand; grasp.

Common Sense = Plain, practical, instinctual, sound perception or judgment of a situation

No Sense = Meaningless or inability to understand, grasp

Nonsense = Make no sense; behaviors, words, or things of no importance or value

“And straightway Jesus constrained His disciples to get into a ship, and to go before Him unto the other side” (Matt 14:22). Jesus knew He was sending the disciples into a storm; it was a faith training session. The twelve saw Jesus miraculously provide a meal that generously fed thousands with a boy’s lunch of fish and bread the day before. What a mountaintop experience! God’s urgings may send you here or there to do this or that, and you see Him move in a mighty way. But in turn, He rewards your obedience with a storm. Struggles often follow life’s highs—exercises for faith to grow and strengthen.

After rowing all night against the storm’s winds and waves, the men were exhausted and fearful. But Jesus saw them through the early morning’s darkness and walked on water to meet them (v. 25). No one can walk on water, no matter how deep or shallow the water is unless it is the Lord Jesus Christ.

The disciples feared for their lives because of the storm and maybe thought, why is this happening? Now they were afraid of the shadowy spirit walking on water: “For they all saw Him and were troubled. And immediately He talked with them and saith unto them, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” (Mark 6:50). We often fear the unknowns in the darkness; they don’t make sense because we’re not looking with spiritual eyes and miss the truth.

Peter answered the unrecognizable figure, saying IF it’s You (Jesus), command me to come to You on the water. Peter knew the Teacher’s voice; he didn’t need to question His words. Yet Jesus graciously said, “Come” (Matt 14:28). At Jesus’ bidding, Peter stepped on the water and walked toward Jesus until his fear of the raging storm around him overpowered the faith that got him out of the boat. He lost sight of Jesus because of his circumstances and began to sink. But God didn’t let him drop like a rock in the sea. As Peter went down, he cried, “Lord, save me!” And Jesus did. When He entered the boat with Peter, the winds and waves stopped at once, and the disciples were amazed. Storms happen, but they also have an ending; God is their maker and ender.

Jesus bids all to “Come”—God wants all humanity saved from sinking into eternal death. He wants everyone to declare about Jesus, like the disciples who worshiped Him that day, saying, “Of a truth, Thou art the Son of God” (v. 33). But many have and will continue to reject Jesus’ invitation and spend eternity in hell instead of heaven.

Do you sometimes miss Jesus’ voice because of being preoccupied with your reasonings, self-doubts, and doubts that God is near, hears, or cares? He is and does. Looking back at the three vocabulary phrases, we can better understand how we sometimes miss our Savior’s activity. Common Sense says: No one can walk on water, but Jesus could, and we can walk above or through life’s stormy waters when He’s with us. No Sense says: Why is this happening? We can’t grasp God’s ways that are far beyond our understanding. And Nonsense says: It’s a ghost. God is long-suffering and wants us to move beyond the things that sometimes make no sense—our reasonings, doubts, and fears—and walk to and with Him.

We can and should trust God with our “Senses.” When you and I do, miracles happen, faith increases, and spiritual growth occurs just as it did for the twelve that day. After the men willingly received Jesus into their ship, they were IMMEDIATELY on the other side of the earlier stormy waters (John 6:21). Jesus will supernaturally move us forward where God wants us when we let Him.

Brush-Off

A dental hygienist visited our class when I was in the third grade to stress the importance of proper dental care for healthy teeth and gums. She gave each student a tablet to chew and then passed a mirror around for us to look at our teeth. Some of my teeth had a pink tinge here and there, but many of my classmates’ teeth were red. We knew our teeth needed brushing but didn’t focus on each one to clean them thoroughly.

Do you sometimes pray the way I at times hear myself say, “Lord, forgive me of all my sins,” or “Forgive me where I’ve failed You?” I’m not saying it’s wrong to pray that way or that God won’t forgive you; He will. In the model prayer, Jesus said to pray, “Forgive us our sins.” When we prayed and received Christ as our Savior, we didn’t have to name our sins one by one for Him to forgive us—He forgave all our sins.

We know when we sin and fail God, falling short of His glory; the Holy Spirit lets us know. And if we know we have, we should stop that moment and ask God for forgiveness for that sin or failure. But if we are distracted, neglectful, brush aside or ignore the Holy Spirit’s conviction, and forget God dealt with us about an offense, we can ask Him to remind us of those times. He wants us to remember. God holds us accountable for unconfessed sin—it is ugly and causes decay. He wants our hearts clean of each one without a tinge of residue. There is freedom in confession and repentance, knowing God has thoroughly cleansed and set us free from specific sins that had us bound.

Assigned

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17

 Every believer has assignments. Jesus left us instructions to go and tell the Gospel message and teach others God’s commands. The moment you surrendered your life to Christ, God’s Holy Spirit provided you with at least one spiritual gift to help build up His Church: the ability to give wise advice or a message of unique knowledge; great faith; the power to heal or perform miracles; ability to prophesy, discern God’s message from that of another spirit or speak in or interpret unknown languages (1 Corinthians 12:4–11). Each of God’s gifts is necessary for His Church to function effectively.

Can you perceive God’s will? Do you enjoy serving or encouraging others, researching and communicating God’s Word, or freely giving your time and resources? Are you a “natural-born” leader and organizer? Are you compassion-driven for people in need? These are called motivational gifts (Romans 12:6–8). These tendencies don’t happen “by chance;” they were God-appointed.

God-given talents: Do you have a beautiful singing voice, carpentry, plumbing, cooking, or sewing skills without formal training? Are you known as a “Jack-of-all-trades?” Are you good at working with numbers? All of God’s gifts are good and vital to His Church. But even though we serve in His gifts, for His glory, and care for the needy yet lack love for one another, Paul says we are only a loud noise (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Diverse types of people are beneficial to the body of Christ. You may be one of the “people gifts” Jesus appointed after He ascended to His Father: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the saints for ministry and the building up of the Church (Ephesians 4:11–13).

Just as the human body has distinct parts, believers are uniquely part of God’s Church. He gifted us for His divine purposes; He made no mistakes, and God does not change His mind. Our mission is to lovingly minister in unity with our gifts, talents, and skills in His name as His eyes, mouth, hands, and feet. God gave us our assignments—are we doing our “homework?”

The Boo-Boo of Bobos

“Mommy, I need a Band-Aid®!” As I examined my children's superficial wounds, moved by their tear-filled eyes throughout their childhood, I did what most mothers do: I cleaned and disinfected the bo-bo, put on a bandage, and kissed it to make it feel better. Sometimes none was needed, but I don’t think I misled them into thinking those actions healed all wounds. Instead, my actions showed my love for them, and I cared about their hurts. But children grow up and, like us, learn that some injuries need more than ointment, bandage, and kiss.

Barrenness wounded Sarai’s heart; she desperately wanted a child. God told Abram and her they would have a son, even though they were far beyond their childbearing years. So, Sarai waited and waited but grew impatient and took matters into her hands by having a child through her handmaid. Sarai’s barren life distorted her view of God’s care and might; she lost sight of His promise. But she wanted what she wanted when she wanted it, and her impatience caused a worldwide wound. No Band-Aid® or ointment could heal the events that followed Ishmael, whose descendants are the current Iraqi nation. Sarai didn’t trust that God controls our circumstances; He never makes mistakes, and His timing is always perfect. God faithfully kept His promise—Sarai miraculously had a son named Isaac at age ninety.

We may do what seems right, but the key—God’s promise—to having what we desire is to desire what God wants: “Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:4–5

I confess that I must guard my thoughts on why God allows women to give birth to children who don’t want them while those whose hearts ache for a child can’t. Our daughter and her husband faced this challenge. But God opened the door for them to begin adoption proceedings for the unborn child of a mother of two children who knew she couldn’t care for a third. The mother let our children share her pregnancy journey, and our daughter was with her during her son’s birth. Years later, they adopted a special needs preschooler no one else wanted. We’ve watched both grandsons, who needed our children’s love and care,  grow into young men. Their parents, with hearts overflowing with love for others, are adopting two more children who are siblings. But a governmental glitch wounded their hearts by halting the process for them and other adoptive families from finalizing their adoptions underway. God can heal such wounds. His will, His timing.

We must trust the great Physician’s healing power with our wounded bodies and aching hearts, just as you and I want those who come to us for care and healing of life’s hurts to believe we will do what’s right for them to be well. I may not understand why God allows some things, but I don’t doubt that our heavenly Father sees and knows everything and wants His best for you and me.                 

Slish Slosh

We had to replace our washing machine with one of two choices. One style cleans the contents with an agitator centered in the tub that rubs against the laundry and swishes it back and forth; the other type uses high-frequency vibrations to do the job. Although the machines are different, they have the same goal: Disturb the contents for the best results.

People can be like washing machines; some are blatant agitators. They enjoy “rubbing” others the wrong way and stirring up strife. The ultrasonic type quietly vibrates their evil intentions, cunningly keeping their victims in turmoil, often unaware of what’s happening—two different trouble-causers with a common goal. But unlike a clothes washer that cleans its contents, these “people washers” want disturbance and distribution of their dirty contents.

Discord and chaos stirrers want you involved in their shenanigans, but be wise and avoid them. “Be not deceived, evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33)—bad company contaminates good morals. Paul warned the Corinth believers to beware of smooth-talking false teachers who denied the resurrection, wanting others to engage in their evil beliefs and life practices.

In 1 Corinthians 5:9–13, the apostle also said to separate ourselves from immoral believers. We are not to keep company with people who call themselves Christians yet indulge in sexual sin or those who are greedy, abusive, drunkards, swindlers, and the like. We can minister to them without being buddies or “hanging out” together. The apostle Peter names evildoers and busybodies among murderers and thieves (1 Pet 4:15). And the psalmist gives this advice and warning:

“Keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.” Psalm 34:13-16

Evildoers want followers. David said the Lord’s face is against those who speak and do evil and cuts off the remembrance of such people. After I leave this earth, I want others to remember me for having lived well-pleasing to the Lord.

A Thankful Sista

“Great is Thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23b

I have many sisters in the Lord, but only one Sister, one Sissy, and five Sistas. Our Wednesday night supper team consisted of seven of us: one in her forties, five in the sixties to seventies, and one in her eighties. We prepared weekly meals for an average of forty Bible study attendees for three years. Teamwork. None of our duties was less vital; no task was beneath our doing; we needed and depended on each other. We ladies called ourselves “Sistas.” The camaraderie we shared was unique.

I recently posted an article about three impressive women in their nineties that I had the privilege of working and studying the Bible alongside; women who inspired me by their dedication to the Lord. My “eighties” Sista recently entered that decade and group of remarkable women. Although we no longer live nearby or serve alongside each other, our hearts are united. Mrs. Catherine Bashrum, with her warm, winning smile, still faithfully serves our Lord, shares His love, and prays like a warrior.

I’m grateful for God’s saints who set examples for us to follow, and I thank Him for the service opportunities He places before us. We don’t deserve our Father’s love and compassion, but He renews His mercies for us daily: Great is Thy faithfulness!

Our supper ministry together was successful and helpful; God’s hand was in and on it. We gave Him credit and glory because we could not have done the task without Him. Trusting God, dependence on His guidance, supporting each other, and giving and receiving encouragement are crucial elements for carrying out our Father’s appointments. Thank you, Mrs. Catherine, for your two girls—Brenda Hall and Beth Foster— Dorothy Johnson, and your beloved husband, Grover, now with Jesus, and Shannon Bryant, for your service and the priceless memories. I can say, like Paul, “I thank God for every remembrance of you.” 

Thirst Quencher

“If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:35

The little hummingbirds flew around daily, persistently trying to get a drop of nectar from the two feeders, but they were empty. It wasn’t that I was too busy to prepare the sweetened water; I thought I would do it later. But “later” turned into two weeks, and when I finally filled one, my husband commented how they were swarming. Hummingbirds know to ready themselves for their long journey to escape the cooler weather on the way. So I hurriedly prepared the nectar for the second feeder. Seeing them happily feeding blesses my heart every time.

Have you ever started a day doing this and that in your morning routine, thinking you’ll get to prayer and Bible reading in just a few more minutes? Then those moments turn into hours, and before you know it, it’s dinner time. Like hummingbirds, we must prepare ourselves. But our preparations are not for a once-a-year trek but a day-to-day journey. For us, spiritual food is as vital as physical food, and we will never find the “Feeder” empty.

Jesus is the nectar we need daily; He is always available in plentiful supply and never runs dry, but we can. He offers us to drink freely from Him, fill ourselves with God’s Word, seek, talk, walk with Him, and rely on His guidance. Believing in Him and filled by Him, we are ready to face each day, fully nourished and equipped to accomplish God’s plan with His Spirit empowering and flowing through us. As we help and “feed” others along our journey, we bless and honor our heavenly Father.

3:16

The time I awoke was 3:16 AM, and the time flashed in my mind like that of a blinking digital clock. Was this something to write about, but about what? I asked the Lord, and the thought came: Scripture! John 3:16 came to mind: God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to pay our sins’ debt, and with Jesus as Lord of our lives, we have eternal life with Him. I went back to sleep, wondering what I would find in my search through God’s Word.

As I read through the Bible’s other sixty-five books that morning for what God said in 3:16 of each one, I found some didn’t have three chapters. Some chapters didn’t have sixteen verses. Most of the 3:16 passages needed the surrounding verses for a clear understanding. While reading, God reminded me that His holy presence dwells in each born-again believer (1 Corinthians); He inspired the written Word for our benefit (2 Timothy). James warns that envy and strife breed confusion, and John wrote in the Book of Revelation that God despises lukewarm Christians. But Malachi 3:16 grabbed my attention:

“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.”

Malachi writes that those who feared and revered Yahweh strengthened each other often by mutual encouragement, and the Lord heard. Not one word spoken in His name goes unnoticed by God. He not only hears what we say about Him but authorized an unnamed registrar to register in His presence each person in His Book of Remembrance who honors Him.

David hinted that he knew of such recordings when he said in Psalm 56:8, “Thou tellest my wanderings: put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book?” He knew that God saw his faithfulness and remembered the injustices, abandonments, and heartaches he underwent. He believed God kept each tear that pooled in his eyes and the ones that fell. God “bottled” David’s tears, and the registrar recorded his name in the Book of Remembrance.

In Hebrews 3:13, the writer, who feared and revered God, urges all believers to do the same: encourage right-living and give godly counsel to each other daily to escape sin’s deceitfulness as long as life lasts. And in 10:24–25, he says we should meet regularly (for worship and Bible study), excite others (spur each other on) to persevere in the Christian walk, and do good works while showing God’s love. When we do, the registrar adds our names to the Book of Remembrance that God will open one day and read for all of heaven to hear. What will the book reveal of you and me as all of heaven listens?

Wordless (revisited)

Someone randomly bombarded my blog with comments promoting a business opportunity. As I scrolled through my articles, deleting his commentary, I came across this post I wrote a couple of years ago. Maybe someone needs reminding of God's love and care:

“In the same way, the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26 AMP

You've been in His presence, and God has always been faithful. But today is different. You’re tired—no, exhausted, frustrated, and confused. You’re feeling just a little disappointed that today you are not the mighty warrior of God you usually are. There is a cry from your heart, yet no words fall from your lips. Your thoughts seem scattered, without form or sense. You stay silent as you wait in His presence, struggling to find words to pray, not knowing where to begin or how to phrase the burden of your heart. You are in God’s presence, and today you are wordless.

Even people who know what to say, how, and when may one day be wordless before the Lord. But God, who was faithful in the past, is the same trustworthy and loyal God today and will be forever. Jesus said in John 14 that when He left this earth, He would not leave us as orphans (v. 19). His Father would send another Comforter, One who would walk alongside us, shoulder to shoulder. One who would teach and lead us into truth and bring to our remembrance God’s Word—One who would abide with us forever. God is faithful to His Word. He sent another Comforter—the Holy Spirit, the Comforter who helps us in our weakness.

Has a weakness left you wordless? Do you have doubts that God hears you or cares? Have you forgotten who you are in Christ? Is it a burden you have carried that God wants you to roll onto Him? God, who searches and knows all hearts, hears as the Holy Spirit intercedes on your behalf, bringing your deepest, unspoken needs, requests, and cries before Him. As you are in His presence wordless, you can rest assured that God hears you; He loves you, wants His best for you, and will care for you.

Step Wisely, Stand Wiser

My newest friend, Joyce, told me that a narrow, single-strap brace that supports the kneecap proved very effective for her, thinking it may help me. When we moved, I gave away several styles I had tried in the past that didn’t work, but I thought one more try couldn’t hurt. And she was correct; my aching knees aren’t as achy. But do these braces keep me from taking cautious steps? Not a bit. I may not need to step carefully, but knowing the unstableness of my knees compels me to walk cautiously.

“Wherefore, let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12

Every born-again believer is susceptible to temptations. They can overtake us in our weakest moments or when we’re distracted and not watchful. But even more, the areas where we think we are strongest are prime targets for the adversary of our souls because we often leave them unguarded. And unprotected strengths in our lives become significant weaknesses, marks with a bull’s eye on them. 

The devil walks around, seeking to destroy us (1 Pet 5:8), but God is faithful to make ways of escaping life’s evil lures when they come (v. 13). Let us not be so proud as to think we are beyond being taken by any temptation, small or big, no matter how strong we think we are.

Lovebugs and People

As I swept all the bothersome little creatures from outside the door, patio, and inside the house, I remembered this article I wrote a couple of years ago:

God didn’t create lovebugs (or other pesky insects) as pests; they became bothersome after the fall of humanity. Is there anything good about lovebugs since then? They don’t bite or sting; they feed at night on dead vegetation, redistributing nutrients back into the ground, and adult lovebugs live only a few days. But they swarm and seem to be everywhere—what an aggravation!

People can be annoying like lovebugs, at every turn and sometimes in your face. Like it or not, I sometimes annoy others and even aggravate myself. And you can also be irritating. God didn’t design this human tendency; our bent to do wrong nurtures it. We may have learned annoyance as a child; it may have developed from being rejected or hurt; it may be a tool to garner attention or purposefully irritate someone. But sometimes, annoying others is a silent cry for attention. 

Can any good come from annoyance? When God allows the same bothersome people to cross your path, it’s for a purpose: He wants you to pray for them. What if He chose you as the friend desperately needed, someone to listen and show patience and kindness? God chose you to point them to Him. But what if God used those irritating people to help you realize you have been annoying? An annoying personality will not draw others to God’s love and saving grace. 

Lovebugs don’t intentionally harm or irritate others; they are how God created them. The same God made us with reasoning to choose good or evil, and He holds us accountable for our behavior. Purposefully irritating others, interjecting a good “jab,” excusing it with, “I was just kidding,” or taking part in conversations with intentions to annoy, hurt, or falsely accuse are unacceptable. The mouth speaks from what’s in one’s heart. One day, unless God forgives, we will answer to our Maker for every meaningless, hurtful, and harmful word, regardless of our reasons.

“But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36) 

Circle-Living

It was another 3:30 AM wake-up. I grabbed the notepad I kept close by and jotted down what I heard with a clear vision of a tripod sign standing on the ceramic tiled floor—CAUTION: Slippery when wet. And this Bible verse came to mind:

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.” Ephesians 5:15

“Circum”—a prefix meaning around. Is the Bible telling us to walk around in a circle? No, and yes, but not by walking around and around aimlessly. Addressing saints, Paul tells us to be imitators of God, His children of the light (v. 1, 14).

“Specere”—to look. We must be careful how we live (walk), not as unwise, but wise because the days are full of evil (and slippery). If we cautiously and vigilantly look about with 360° vision, we can avoid the sins of the darkness (vs. 3–7) by living wisely. Confessing our sins and daily yielding to the lordship of Christ to live rightly, our fruit-bearing lives demonstrate what pleases God: being filled with His Spirit, praising and thanking Him, and serving one another.

We must spend our time wisely; we can’t get back spent time.