CHIP, CHIP, CHIP

Sculptors take a block of stone, wood, ice, a lump of clay, or other substance with the goal of revealing what they know is hidden. They envision the possibilities in the object and begin chipping or carving away with great care every part hindering the shape and beauty of what they know lies within. 

Have you felt God convicting you about your character, your devotion to Him, your priorities, or something else? He will, you know, because He loves His children. Those old bad habits you thought you conquered that crept back into your life, or the new habits you’ve formed that don’t glorify Him or edify you or His Church, He wants them gone. The devil didn’t make you slip back into your old ways; he cannot. That crafty demon of darkness doesn’t have power over you, making you do, say, or think things that dishonor God. Those are choices we make within our circumstances that he can and often does manipulate. Chip, chip, chip.

God wants His children to be like His Son, Jesus (Rom 8:29). He sees and knows the possibilities and beauty that lie within us—He knew before He created anything. But He will not make us conform to the image of Christ; He could but wants us to choose to be in the right standing with our God and Maker; only then can we be like Jesus. When we call out to our Heavenly Father, He will help us remove everything that’s hindering our walk with Him. Chip, chip, chip.

“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Romans 6:19–20

We’re on the brink of the end of 2023, and, Lord willing, 2024 begins in a couple of weeks. How have you fared over the past 351 days? Okay? Wonderful, yet there is always room for improvement. If you’re not too pleased with yourself, change doesn’t need to happen later; today can be a fresh start. Ask God to forgive you and help you get back on track with Him. Chip, chip, chip.

Sometimes, the change needed is to invite Jesus into your life by confessing your sins to God and asking Him to save you (Rom 10:9, 10, 13). When you do, you become His child and enter the royal family as a joint heir with Jesus. What a wonderful way to end a year and begin a new one.

Everything we do, say and think matters to God—they should matter to us. The choice is ours: Chip, chip, chip.

Rescued

I glanced down at our dog comfortably sprawled across my legs, feeling safe and loved, and wondered if he knew how fortunate he was that he captured our hearts three years ago. I don't think he realizes the bleak future that possibly awaited him at the animal shelter.

 

In 1998, my friend asked me if I would take her three-month-old cocker spaniel because he wasn't a good fit for her. I gladly accepted the gift. Although house-trained, he preferred living outdoors. Bubba was very independent and an excellent comrade and watchdog, welcoming my affection but never demanding attention. I soon learned that I needed his comradeship more than he needed mine. Late one afternoon, seven years later, he slowly walked up to me looking sickly; by his appearance and actions, we suspected poisoning. I caressed and held him, and he died a short time later. I thought I'd never let myself get that close to another dog.

A friend gave a blue heeler to my husband as a yard dog. He informed us that she spent her one-and-a-half years on a chain with other dogs. We soon learned from her reactions at the sight of a broom and other such objects and the sudden movement of our hands that someone had mistreated her. She was needy of affection and care and managed to "worm her way" into my heart, even though I did my best to prevent that from happening. Sheela was part of our family for ten years until a tragic accident took her life. I told my husband, "I don't want another dog." Six months later, my husband asked what I wanted for Christmas, and to his surprise, I said, "A dog."

This little tri-colored Russian spaniel occupied the first kennel among many as we viewed the available dogs at the animal shelter three years ago. Returning to the first kennel for a second look, the puppy was doubtful but hopeful. The seven-month-old dog's quiet demeanor caught our attention, along with the longing eyes and little nub tail slowly moving from side to side. The day after Christmas, I carried the puppy to our car and held him in my lap, taking him to his new home in the country. My husband and I named him Scout and have enjoyed his company. He is no longer a puppy; he will be four years old this summer, and we've learned that he is still needy, demands and needs attention, and welcomes our expressions of affection.

Many people recognize and celebrate the fourteenth day of February with thoughts and expressions of love. As I looked at Scout sprawled on his back across my lap, relaxed, with no cares, feeling loved and safe, I thought about us as believers. Do we realize how needy and valued we are? That God, by His grace and mercy, rescued us from a life without Him? That He supplies everything we need to grow and flourish as His children until we meet Him face-to-face? Do we rest in His care and feel safe, assured He will take care of us?

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16–17

Bubba, Sheela, Scout, and every other dog we've owned had no voice or choice in who cared for them. But unlike them, we do. Whether a person admits it, we are all needy, even the most proficient and independent people—we all need saving. And that's what God did: He provided the only way to keep us from perishing in our sins and being eternally separated from Him. We don't deserve His love and care, and we can't earn it. Still, God loves us so much that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

If you've invited Jesus into your life, God has an eternal home in heaven with Him awaiting you. But people without Christ face a horrible place of everlasting torment prepared for Satan and his followers.

God is love (1 John 4:16). We can love God and others only because God first loved us (1 John 4:19). Ponder our heavenly Father's great love for you today. Thank God today for rescuing you because of His unconditional love. 

Tomorrow's Yesterday is Today

If you didn't fare well this year, don't despair, give up, give in, or look back. We can't change the past, but we can learn from what went well and what didn't. Tomorrow begins a new year. But why wait? Ask your heavenly Father, who loves you deeply, where you went wrong, heed His instructions, and start fresh today in life's race, one that all humanity runs. But unfortunately, not all run with the same goal in sight. People who reject God's gift of salvation through Jesus, even though they prosper now with their eyes fixed on worldly things, will enter eternity separated from their Creator by choice. But for all believers and followers of Jesus, the writer of Hebrews says:

"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).

The believers' race is putting one foot in front of the other as we make our way daily through life, and keeping one's eyes on the finish line is essential. The apostle Paul said he focused on what lay ahead, forgetting the past and pressing forward for the heavenly prize at the end of his race (Philippians 3:13–14). To avoid veering off course or stumbling, we must focus on Jesus, the One who authored our faith is the same One bringing it to completion. We participate in this race until our life ends. Keep pushing forward; spending eternity with Him is the Father's promise to His children—heaven, the prize for which we strive. Oh, to hear the Lord say we have done well (Matthew 25:21) when we cross the finish line, meet Him face-to-face, and enter His rest. 

From my 💓 to your 💓: Have a blessed New Year, and strive for God's best!

Taking Care of Business

I can almost hear Mary anxiously asking Joseph, “Have you seen Jesus?” But he had not; they lost sight of their twelve-year-old son.

“And when they found Him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking Him.” (Luke 2:45)  

Mary and Joseph were unaware that Jesus lingered when the caravan of relatives and friends left Jerusalem after celebrating the Passover. They had traveled all day—twenty miles—when they looked for their firstborn among the folks but couldn’t find Him. So they headed back to Jerusalem and found Him sitting among the teachers in the temple. He had not been disrespectful or disobedient but said he was “about His Father’s business,” listening to and questioning the Rabbis, astonishing them with His understanding and answers. His parents knew Jesus was the Messiah but didn’t understand the “business” of which He spoke. His Father’s work was the priority of His life’s mission.

Salvation is life’s most important business to address. God wants to save all humanity from their lostness (2 Pet 3:9). If you lose sight of Jesus, turn around, He is where you left Him, and you will find Him by seeking the Lord with all your heart and soul (Deut 4:29). But if you have not yet “found Jesus” and surrendered your life to Him, yield to Him when the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart. Jesus, our Savior, is not the baby in a manger or God’s Son hanging on a cross. He is the risen Christ, King of kings, and Lord of lords. He wants you to find Him, forgive you, and have you join His Father’s family.

Dread or Joy

“The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.” Proverbs 10:24

Herod’s fears compounded, wondering what would happen to his kingdom with this One who was born King of the Jews while the wise men desired, sought, and rejoiced in meeting the Lord’s Christ.  

Instead of reporting back to Herod of Jesus’ whereabouts, God warned the wise men to go home another way. The king was furious and ordered the death of all male babies two years old and under (Matt 2:16) to keep the Jews’ new King from overtaking his authority. But God again warned Joseph in a dream, telling him to take his family to Egypt and stay there until Herod’s death.

The Good News of Jesus still strikes rejoicing or dread in people today. Joy and anticipation fill the hearts of those right with God who love and serve Him and await the return of His Son. But many without Christ live in fear of death and the unknown. Others reject Him, thinking He came to take away everything they hold dear in this world. Do you rejoice in God, our Savior, like the wise men, or do you, like Herod, “kill” His presence to satisfy selfish desires?

God loved the world and sent His only Son so that whoever trusted Him would be saved and have everlasting life (John 3:16). That news should bring you great joy unless you die or Jesus returns before you accept His gift of salvation through Christ. Those who rejected His Son face eternal separation from God and horrors far beyond our imagination.

Seek, and You Will Find

“Now, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod, the king; behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem. Saying, ‘Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His Star in the East and are come to worship Him.’” Matthew 2:1–2

An unusual star appeared in the East, one the wise men believed was of great significance in Judea. Whether the men were philosophers or astrologers, they traveled over nine hundred miles following the star. King Herod and others in Jerusalem were disturbed after hearing them ask about a child’s birth and wanting to worship Him, who was born King of the Jews. Consulting his counselors, Herod learned Christ’s birthplace was Bethlehem and informed the travelers in a private meeting, asking them to tell him when they found the child so he could also worship Him. They left, following the star, and rejoiced when it stood still over the place where Jesus was. Entering the house, they saw the child, worshipped Him, and gave gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Wise people still seek Jesus today; He wants you to find Him (Jeremiah 29:13) and rejoice in His presence. The most acceptable gifts you could offer Him are surrendering to God’s authority and your obedience (1 Sam 15:22; Rom 12:1–2). He is worthy of honor and praise as you fall before Him in worship, on bended knee, or with a bowed heart.

The Fall and Rising

"And Joseph and His mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of Him." Luke 2:33

From the angel's announcement of their child's miraculous conception and birth to His presentation to the Lord in the temple, Mary and Joseph heard much to "take in" about their miracle child. Isaiah had prophesied about the coming Messiah, calling Him, Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. And He is. But were they prepared for Simeon's prophecy about their newborn son?

Upon entering the temple with the Holy Spirit on him, the just and devout Simeon thanked God for letting him see the Lord's Christ, the hope of salvation for all people before he died. With Jesus in his arms, he blessed the couple. Then looking at Mary said that God appointed their son for the downfall and standing again of many. Did she understand the implication of a sword piercing her heart?

Jesus was the misery and ruin of some people but the joy and salvation of others. Mary witnessed her Son's rejection (even by His siblings), unfair treatment, and false accusations by many; she saw Him die on the cross for the world's sins. Mary and many others believed Jesus was their deliverer and the world's Savior. Yes, His death was heartbreaking, but He rose from the grave on the third day just as He said.

Jesus is still the Light of the world, and people must decide what they believe about Him; who said He and the Father are One. He is a place of safety for some and a snare to others—people will either gladly accept Him or blatantly reject Him to their destruction. He was and still is the Hope and Deliverer for those buried in sin, the Healer and Lifter of sick and sorrowful people. Are you among the miserable and ruined or the joyful and saved?