* The History of His Stories

So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 NLT

When my kids were little, I used to read to them. And like all kids, they loved it. But what they loved more was the stories I used to tell them about other family members - pieces of the history of their lives. Most every family has them - even if your childhood wasn't Ozzie and Harriet - stories they tell over and over because the kids love to hear them. I was reminded of our text and this very thing tonight as my granddaughter, Amelia, and I sat talking about life and how God puts us all together for a reason and a purpose. His stories intertwined in ours.

I used to wonder why it always seemed like it was the older ladies who told the best stories. But tonight, I experienced the God-given "Aha! moment" as to why that is the case. When I was a young mother, I just tried to hang in there well enough to get through life and do what I had to do to keep my head above water. And most days seemed like they came in like a flood. I knew God was out there and I knew somehow He would see me through because His Word said so.

When I was young and declared, "I've never seen the righteous forsaken or God's seed begging bread." I was declaring it by faith! Now that I am older, when I say the same thing, I am testifying of the proven goodness of God!

When I was young and declared, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." I was declaring it by faith! Now that I am older, when I say the same thing, I am testifying! You see, I've got many completed stories. It's the history of His Stories completing our stories.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for loving us enough to bring all of us together, as only You can. Bind our hearts and souls together to You with your love, Lord, and bring all things to our remembrance, so that we don't forget anything You have done for us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* How Much More...?

So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

Matthew 7:11 NLT

I hear it several times a day...I'm sure you hear it too...

I can't do much more... How much more will it take? I can't take much more...  How much more am I supposed to take before I....? I do much more than... 

How much more? WAAAAAYYYYYY more... How much more would Jesus do, take, give...?

Would you leave everything good and perfect and come down to an imperfect world and heal the hurts and illnesses, raise people from the dead, and teach wisdom and success to people who would beat you and ultimately, kill you? 

Have you given your life's blood to redeem mankind's transgressions? Hebrews 9:14-15 NKJV tells us  ...how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 

How much more?

WAAAAAYYYYYY more...

Prayer:

Father,

Let us not look to the limits of our flesh, but rather to the Author and Finisher of our faith. Help us to walk before You with clean hands and a pure heart. Change our heart's attitude from How much more can I take to How much more can I give... In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Preparing the Soil

“But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams.”
Mark 4:20 The Message

Here we are at the end of August and after seeing pictures of Sandy's harvest from her summer garden, I'm contemplating a fall garden. Her vegetables made my mouth water just looking at the pictures! 

Everyone knows it takes good soil to produce a good harvest. What if you don't have good soil? Do you just forget about it and give up hope for ever having a "harvest beyond their wildest dreams"? Never! Never give up! There IS a way to prepare the soil. Add lots of organic matter - compost, fertilizer, etc. It will stink to high heaven at first, but when it reaches its fullness, according to gardenorganic.org, the finished product is "dark, rich, crumbly, and sweet-smelling." And that type of rich soil will produce!

Obviously in our text for today, Jesus was teaching in story form, likening us to the different kinds of soils to receive God's Word (the seed). So, what if WE don't have good soil? What if we're lacking what it takes to produce a great harvest? What can we do? Add lots of organic matter. I can hear you now - "What?!? What does eating organic have to do this?" Relax. I'm not talking about eating organic food. 

Organic matter consists of things that were once alive, but are now dead. Stuff that is no longer useful to us until the heat of the compost pile turns it into something used for good. Breaking it down in practical application. We are to be dead to sin: anger, hatred, lust, gossip, lies, etc. Whatever you struggle with -  throw it on the pile. Add to that the occasional "fertilizer" of life's circumstances - throw it on the pile. When we give to God - whatever that may be - according to Philippians 4:18, it comes before Him as "a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God."

Turn it over to God and let the fire of the Holy Spirit cook all the garbage out of it and make it useful to prepare the soil of our hearts to receive God's Word and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams.

Prayer:

Father,
         We welcome the work of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. Let the fire of the Holy Spirit cook all the garbage out of it and make it useful to prepare the soil of our hearts to receive Your Word and produce a harvest of souls for Your kingdom. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* I Have to...

Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing.

Luke 10:39-40 NLT

And after reading the text, all the "Marthas" groan collectively. Relax. I'm not here to beat you up or down. I was just thinking of how many conversations I've heard this week that contained the words, "I have to..."

I have to complete this project. I have to get this out the door by... I have to pick up... I have to drop off... I have to go... I have to come in... I have to take... I have to give... I have to... I have to... and all of it with an underlying tone of stress. As if the things that had to be done weren't enough, then there are the...if this happens, then I have to do that... if that happens, then I have to... Sound familiar?

We all do it. subtle satan at his best or worst, depending how you look at it.

In this present time, where we're all trying to be king and queen of the multi-taskers and how much we can get and / or get accomplished, and how we're going to keep it - Jesus' words still hold true. Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.

What do you have to..?

Prayer:

Father,

           I want to sit at Your feet. I want to soak in Your Words. I want to bask in Your presence. I have to. Keep me focused, Father. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

* Single Track with Garbage

And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God.

Ezekiel 11:19-20 NLT

One of the men I work with is a long-distance trail rider in his off hours. He has several North American Arabian horses and is quite knowledgeable and likes to share what he knows of the horses, the trails nationwide and what is required to be proficient in his preferred pastime. More often than not, I learn something new from him - not that I'll ever personally utilize it, but my kids or grandkids might, and many times, God uses something Al tells me to spark an illustration of His Word. 

The one that most spoke to me is this. Al said his horses do much better on a trail that is termed a "single track with garbage" than they do on an established wide trail or open field. (Obviously, single track is one horse passes at a time; garbage means lots of brush, rock, etc.) I thought that sounded illogical until he explained an established wide trail or open field can be a total distraction for the horse. Lots of things to look at and the horse gets competitive with the other animals. In addition, there is very little concern on the horse's part for how he steps because there doesn't appear to be any danger.

On a single track with garbage, the horse is very focused and carefully picks its steps. There are usually no distractions - or at least, very few. The horse is highly unlikely to break and run and is extremely responsive to the rider's slightest touch of instruction... and it was right there that God tapped me on the shoulder to get my attention.

Now, I don't know about you, but there are times, (even though I know I'm NOT) it feels as though I'm walking alone. I reiterate - I know I'm not - but it's a hard path I'm on. I can't see a clear path in front of me. I don't see the water source ahead. At times, the way is so close that it's hard to see at all. And I have to watch every step I take. There's the underbrush of life's debris and distractions to stub my toes or twist my ankle or cause me to fall and come up lame. 

However, I know it is in the tough spots that I am most focused on following His lead and the most responsive to His slightest instruction. God hasn't taken me on this single track with garbage so that I will be confined and alone. No, I may not be able to look around to see where I am or where I am going, but I am not lost. I am found. The Great I AM, the Omnipotent Way Maker has chosen this single track with garbage. He's brought me this way so I can know Him better and trust Him more. 

Prayer:

Father,

          Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path and by Your grace, I will follow only You. Completely close my eyes, my ears and my spirit to anything that is not of You. Guide my every step, O God. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

* It Wasn't Me

Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, If you know? Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

Proverbs 30:4-5 NKJV

Have you ever noticed how many people when asked a question that begins Who did… will respond with, It wasn’t me.  Often, it’s not even about anyone being in trouble or catching the blame. It’s just a simple quest for information - Who did whatever. Well, I got a new perspective on that today.

Have you ever had one of those days when nothing seems to go well? By mid-day, you’re asking yourself why you are where you are, doing what you’re doing because you don’t see how any of what you’re doing is working for anyone’s good. And doing this mundane, inane task can’t possibly have any eternal effect, etc…  That was my day today. And just when I was ready to be less than gracious about it – at just that precise moment, I received an e-mail anecdote about a woman who lost a contact lens.

You’ve probably read it before. The gist of the story was a lady, climbing a mountain, lost her contact lens and couldn’t find it on her clothes or on the ledge where she was. She felt scared because she was halfway up the mountain and her vision was then blurry, so she prayed for God to help her find it. She did not find it where she dropped it, but she made it to the top, and came all the way back down the mountain without the lens. The story goes that at the base of the mountain, a climber in a different group jokingly asked if anyone had lost a contact lens because they’d found a contact lens being carried by an ant. The tale continues with the statement that her father was a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a picture of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption, Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You.

Now, no one has proven that particular story to be true, but most of us could tell something similar in principle that HAS happened in our own life. And that’s where I got the new perspective… When we come face to face with the wonder-working, amazing faithfulness of God, we have to say, It wasn’t me…

Do you know who Agur is? Do you know his father, Jakeh? Me, neither, before today. Stick with me, I’m going somewhere with this. You’ll remember that names were given because of their meaning back in the Old Testament – well, Jakeh means pious – devout, moral, dutiful. The ONLY mention of this devout, moral, dutiful man is that he was the father of Agur, and that is all that is known of him.

Agur means gatherer; or the collector – I have no idea what he gathered or collected, and neither does anyone else because nothing is known of him beyond what is recorded in Proverbs, chapter 30. However, Agur and Jakeh are not just mentioned in that chapter; Agur wrote Proverbs, chapter 30. The chapter is subtitled, The sayings of Agur, so maybe he just collected sayings and his form of riddles about things for which he didn’t know the answer.

I don’t want you to think he was having a tough day or questioning why he was where he was, doing what he was doing because he didn’t see how any of what he was doing was worth anything, but verse 2 reads, Surely I am more stupid than any man, and do not have the understanding of a man.

And here’s the wonder-working, amazing faithfulness of God. Agur and his devout father, Jakeh, have a place in the book of Proverbs which is generally understood to be the book of wisdom to live by, contained in the living Word of God.

Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name? It wasn’t me…

So today, when I was asking myself why, I realized, It wasn’t me…  Thank God.

Prayer:

Father,

Lots of times, I don't know why. I may not be able to see any good in it – I can’t eat it and it's awfully heavy. But, if You want me to, I will. Because when You looked for the perfect sacrifice to atone for my sin, it wasn’t me. And when the veil that separated us from You was stripped away, it wasn’t me who did it. But it was (and is) me who desperately needed a way to be cleansed from my sin. And it was (and is) me who was SO not worthy of Your mercy and Your grace. Father, if there is anything that can be done with these human hands to accomplish Your will, let it be me. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

* A Go-By

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1st John 3:16 NKJV

In your line of work, do you ever use a Go-By? They're very similar to a template, but much more practical and hands-on. They can be a real timesaver; not only are they instructional, but you also have the end result in your hand, so you know what you're supposed to have when you're finished. It's a sure thing to complete because it's all right in front of you.

In the engineering world, there are all kinds of go-bys. One may work better than another, but all of them are about getting the job done. Finishing what I started. Taking it to completion.

Our walk of faith comes complete with Go-Bys. If you can't do it like Abraham, try Jacob. If that doesn't work for you, how about Isaiah? Or Moses? How about we don't let another day go by, without modelling our lives after the Consummate Go-By, Jesus Christ? The One who loved us so much that He laid down His life for us... That's the example to go by.

Prayer:

Father,
         Help us to see and to understand the ultimate sacrifice of Your love toward us. Help us to lay down our lives, our love, our time... In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Making the Most of the Moment

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.
Psalm 37:7 NLT

I got a "surprise" visit on Saturday from my son and daughter-in-love and our miracle baby. He had called the night before to say they were coming into town, but on such a quick turnaround and so many people, I didn't expect to see them till Sunday. However, the Saturday phone call was "See you in about 10 minutes." I cleared the papers off the table, then went outside to sit on the porch and wait for them. 

It was very warm, after all, this is Texas and it is August. I tried swinging a little to get a little air circulating, but to no avail. At first I thought, "Forget this - I'll wait in the house." However, I discovered that if I sat perfectly still while waiting, the gentlest of breezes caressed my cheek and cooled me down. It was lovely and so peaceful.

And in that moment, I was reminded that whether in the heat of the battle or just the season I'm in, when Jesus calls me to His side, if I would be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act, instead of rushing to do something just for the sake of doing something, I would feel Him and know His peace.

I love it when God shows up, don't you?

Prayer:

Father,
         Thank You for making the most of our moments. Thank You for revealing Yourself in intimate ways so that we can know You better and love You more. Help us to be ever mindful of Your ways. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

* You're All Wet

Elijah challenged the people: “How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow him; if it’s Baal, follow him. Make up your minds!”
1st Kings 18:21 The Message

This is one of my favorite chapters in the Old Testament - several great lessons all rolled into one. However, for this time, I just want to focus on the last half of the chapter to make - or I guess I should say "re-make" the point.

I believe with all my heart that we are at the place in the timeline of life where God is calling His people out of apathy. Out of complacency. I want to encourage you to NOT be moved by what you see in this world. It doesn't matter how much someone rains on your parade.

Don't be disheartened or discouraged. It doesn't matter what it looks like. Current events do NOT change God. They do NOT adversely affect His plan. And when you dare to stand in the face of adversity for the cause of Christ, it doesn't matter how many people tell you you're all wet. Learn this lesson from Elijah. Let's pick up from where we started with verse 21. 

Nobody said a word; nobody made a move.

Then Elijah said, “I’m the only prophet of God left in Israel; and there are 450 prophets of Baal. Let the Baal prophets bring up two oxen; let them pick one, butcher it, and lay it out on an altar on firewood—but don’t ignite it. I’ll take the other ox, cut it up, and lay it on the wood. But neither will I light the fire. Then you pray to your gods and I’ll pray to God. The god who answers with fire will prove to be, in fact, God.”

All the people agreed: “A good plan—do it!”

Elijah told the Baal prophets, “Choose your ox and prepare it. You go first, you’re the majority. Then pray to your god, but don’t light the fire.” So they took the ox he had given them, prepared it for the altar, then prayed to Baal. They prayed all morning long, “O Baal, answer us!” But nothing happened—not so much as a whisper of breeze. Desperate, they jumped and stomped on the altar they had made.

By noon, Elijah had started making fun of them, taunting, “Call a little louder—he is a god, after all. Maybe he’s off meditating somewhere or other, or maybe he’s gotten involved in a project, or maybe he’s on vacation. You don’t suppose he’s overslept, do you, and needs to be waked up?” 

They prayed louder and louder, cutting themselves with swords and knives—a ritual common to them—until they were covered with blood. This went on until well past noon. They used every religious trick and strategy they knew to make something happen on the altar, but nothing happened—not so much as a whisper, not a flicker of response.

Then Elijah told the people, “Enough of that—it’s my turn. Gather around.” And they gathered. He then put the altar back together for by now it was in ruins. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes of Jacob, the same Jacob to whom God had said, “From now on your name is Israel.” He built the stones into the altar in honor of God. Then Elijah dug a fairly wide trench around the altar. He laid firewood on the altar, cut up the ox, put it on the wood, and said, “Fill four buckets with water and drench both the ox and the firewood.” Then he said, “Do it again,” and they did it. Then he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time. The altar was drenched and the trench was filled with water.

When it was time for the sacrifice to be offered, Elijah the prophet came up and prayed, “O God, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make it known right now that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I’m doing what I’m doing under your orders. Answer me, God; O answer me and reveal to this people that you are God, the true God, and that you are giving these people another chance at repentance.”

Immediately the fire of God fell and burned up the offering, the wood, the stones, the dirt, and even the water in the trench.

All the people saw it happen and fell on their faces in awed worship, exclaiming, “God is the true God! God is the true God!”

Here's the thing. God was - and IS  - the true God even before the dueling oxen!  Even if people think you're all wet...

Prayer:

        Answer me, God; O answer me and reveal to this people that You are God, the true God, and that You are giving these people another chance at repentance. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* ICH Events

God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Matthew 6:34b The Message

Have you ever seen the email titled "Headlines for the Year 2059"?  Some are funny. Some are laugh-out-loud political pundits. Some were just plain disturbing when I came to the stark realization that it could happen and it wouldn't take many more years... Then I caught myself thinking about those particular ones, but only for a moment because I know what the Word of God says about the wiles of the enemy and messing with your head. 

Those are the ICH Events. You know what I mean... It could happen. How many times have we spent hours, days, months worrying about It could happen...  Do you remember how many people bought into the whole Y2K thing? It boggles the mind to think of how much money was spent on that ICH event.

People worry about things because of how it will affect them or their lives or their money or their stuff. Here's what God has to say about that. Matthew 6:19-34 NLT

"Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.“Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? "So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today."

So, I'm just sayin' - if you're going to fill your head with something, fill it from God's Word - because His Words are the only thing we can know WILL happen and the only Truth that never changes. 

And it could happen... today.

Prayer:

Father,

          Help us to rightly divide the Truth of Your Word and to keep it forefront in our hearts and minds. Let Your Word be in charge of all we say and do. Give us rhema word, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* The Image of...

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Colossians 1:15-16 NKJV

Growing up, I always thought I was adopted... that is until I saw the picture of my maternal grandmother. Then I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I was not. The image of my grandmother at 19 or 20 is uncannily my face at that same age. Isn't it funny - when a baby is first born, friends and family who are not on the scene always ask, "Who does she look like?" Well, in our case, our newest addition (my granddaughter) has her mama's sweet disposition and looks like her daddy. There's no doubt whose child she is. 

My granddaughter is 12 weeks old today and just got back from her first trip to the beach. There are lots of pictures and a few short video clips to record her actions and reactions. I look at the images and I'm mesmerized by the way her "today" face takes me back in time to the face of many yesterdays...

And as is often the case, every new thing she does is seen through new eyes for her parents (and grandparents) too. Watching her reaction to the water and white sand is like seeing it all for the first time and yet the number of times we've been to the beach cannot possibly be tallied. How wondrous it is to experience life anew, wouldn't you agree?

According to Scripture, that's the way it can be - and IS - when we choose to become a new creation in Christ! Old things are passed away and behold, all things have become new! (2nd Corinthians 5:17) And in Romans 8, we're told that we are conformed to the image of the Son (Jesus) who - according to our text for today - is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 

So when people look at us, what do they see? Are we the image of our Father? Do we look like Him? Act like Him? Is it easy to spot the resemblance? Is there any doubt whose child you are?

Prayer:

Father,
         Let our light - Your light inside of us -so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify You, Father, knowing Whose child we are. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Full-time Ministry

Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.

1st Samuel 12:24 NKJV

I have a great respect for the offices of pastors and elders and apostles and teachers and missionaries and those whose job it is to "run the church." I know the dedication it takes. The sacrifices. The around-the-clock hours. The isolation and sometimes extreme loneliness. You don't get that kind of anointing to fulfill that kind of ministry without a high level of commitment. I honor their ministry and their lives, but this is not to them.

Wow...full-time ministry. Oh, how some long to be in full-time ministry...

How would you define ministry? The dictionary says it is the profession and services of a minister. What is a minister? Well, the dictionary does list member of the clergy as one definition. Another is somebody's agent or representative. Still another definition is a government diplomat ranked under ambassador. What does it mean to minister? First definition - help somebody. Give help to somebody in need. Wait a minute... Aren't we to represent Christ? Aren't we supposed to help others? Doesn't 2nd Corinthians 5:20 say we are ambassadors for Christ? Then we are ministers to the lost and dying world around us!

Every Scripture that instructs us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, to serve Him in truth with all our heart, to do anything - and everything - for Him with ALL that we have, with ALL that we are, with ALL that we possess - none of those qualify the instruction with just only pastors...only elders, no, only apostles and teachers. No, no, no! Deacons and missionaries only.

Is that what it says? Absolutely not - it is directed to ALL of us. Are we alive all the time? Are we breathing all the time? Are we a Christian (all the time)? Then we are in full-time ministry. How are we doing so far?

Prayer:

Father,

          Open our eyes to see Your Word. Open our hearts to the living, breathing part of Your Word. Help us to see we are to be Your hand extended, spreading the Truth of You in word and deed. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.