From His Word

Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.

1st Peter 4:1-2 The Message

You've already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it's time to be done with it for good. Of course, your old friends don't understand why you don't join in with the old gang anymore. But you don't have to give an account to them. They're the ones who will be called on the carpet—and before God himself.

Listen to the Message. It was preached to those believers who are now dead, and yet even though they died (just as all people must), they will still get in on the life that God has given in Jesus.

Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully.

Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

If you're abused [criticized] because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they're on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that's a different matter. But if it's because you're a Christian, don't give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!

It's judgment time for God's own family. We're first in line. If it starts with us, think what it's going to be like for those who refuse God's Message! If good people barely make it, what's in store for the bad?

So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it. 

1st Peter 4:3-19 The Message

Prayer:

Father,
          You never promised us it would be easy. You promised that You would never leave us or forsake us. We know You're as good as Your Word, and we trust You. Manifest Your Glory, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Within These Walls

13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 

14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

Exodus 14:13-14 NKJV

Who or what's the thing you fear most? Imagine running from it until you're backed against the wall - or in the Israelites' case - the Red Sea. Try as you might, there's no getting out of that situation. Behind you is the wall of the whole Egyptian army. In front of you, all you can see - as far as you can see- is a sea so wide (190 miles wide!) and no boats or ships to transport one Israeli, let alone the great multitude that stood at its shore.

And in the face of these two woeful walls, Moses doesn't say, "Start swimming" because he knows that won't work. And he doesn't say, "Get ready to fight" because that's a lost battle waiting to happen. He boldly proclaims our Promise for Today,  Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever."  And he goes on to declare, "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

When faced with fight or flight options, there isn't anything within us that would choose the tactics Moses proposed: 

Don't be afraid.

Stand still.

Just watch...

To which God added HIS walls. Verse 21b-22, ...the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.  God's walls that got the Israelites safely to the other side of the sea were the same walls that destroyed the enemy. 

The walls that seem to have you boxed in are not your end. 

Don't be afraid. Stand still. Just watch... God's got this.

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for Your Word - the Truths that light our way when there seems to be no way. Thank You, Father, that we are safe within Your walls. Manifest Your presence so that we are able to do as You commanded - Don't be afraid. Stand still. Just watch. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Endure the Discipline

 But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.

Hebrews 12:10b NLT

Discipline is tiresome. It's difficult to endure. It is not fun. Discipline can wear you out - literally. The Word of God confirms that as we read on in verse 11, No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

When I read vvs. 12 & 13, I just keep thinking, "Get a grip..." So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. In other words, embrace the training, endure the discipline, the end result will be worth it.

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for loving us enough to correct us so that we might share in Your holiness. Help us to endure the discipline and learn from it. We are looking forward to the peaceful harvest of right living. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Swallowed Up by Life

We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.
2nd Corinthians 5:2-4 NLT

In 2011, I attended the Homegoing celebration of one Mrs. Sullivan. I never met her face-to-face, but I know and love her daughter and son-in-law. That afternoon, I was invited into the private world of Mrs. Sullivan by those who loved her. It was an interesting place inhabited by a strong-willed woman who was clearly defined by her love for her family and friends, always wanting to take care of everyone, who loved to laugh, and liked to cheat at any game she played... and she let you know right up front that she would cheat. Ha!

Libby told me about one of her mother's escapades that took place earlier in 2011. Libby got a call at work - her frantic husband was on the other end to tell Libby that her mother was up on the roof with her former handyman because Mrs. Sullivan was convinced there was something up there that needed to be fixed. No one had any idea how they were able to wangle the extension ladder out of the garage, let alone climb it to get on the roof! At the time, Mrs. Sullivan was 87 years old - and her former handyman was in his 90's!  

You see, Alzheimer's had started to take its toll on Mrs. Sullivan's ability to stay in the present. Her latter years of life were being swallowed up by the dread disease. As is often the case with Alzheimer patients, those who were Christians before the onset, don't lose that relationship. They still know the Word, they know how to pray and want to, and they still worship. Mrs. Sullivan was no exception. She saw and heard things that weren't really there, but she knew enough to ask her son-in-law to pray for her and with her. 

Pastor Alan Neel explained it beautifully. We often think of death as the end of life, but that's not the truth. Mrs. Sullivan's latter years were being swallowed up by Alzheimer's, but when she passed from life as we know it, according to our Scripture for today, she put on her new body, and the dying body was swallowed up by Life. Eternal life. No tears, no pain, no heartache.

Life, full and free. Forever...

Prayer:

Father, 
           We don't always understand the why of things, but we know that You are trustworthy. We thank You for Your Word which gives us real hope in times like these. Thank You for the promises of eternity with You. Death swallowed up by victory. In Jesus' Name we give You praise. Amen

Shield of Faith

Above all, carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16 CEB

The following was penned by my daughter-in-love, currently earning her Master's degree in accounting. As in all things of her life, her studies are enriched by the wisdom that God has given her. She is a rich blessing to our family and to all those who know her. 

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“Recognize the need to be a "heat shield" that graciously and securely absorbs the fiery darts from angry and disillusioned people and protects the organization and others from undue distraction to the mission.” - Bob Dees

This aligns with not picking up or holding on to an offense. Our words speak life or death. How we respond to other people’s words or actions is a choice we make - further the fiery darts or be a heat shield. God has given us a shield made of faith to carry. May we choose each day, each moment, each email, each text, each phone call to be gracious and not be a part in the enemy’s distraction. God has called us to more.

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Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for Donna - for her pursuit of You, for her life, for her wisdom, and for her love. Help us, Father, to expertly wield the weapons You have ordained for us to utilize in the battle we wage against the enemy of our souls. Help us also to deflect the fiery darts of the enemy away from others within our sphere of influence. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Work Hard

Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Philippians 2:12c-13 NLT

That statement - Work hard to show the results of your salvation - is NOT about having to do works to earn our salvation. Our hard work is walking in obedience. Yes, God gives us the desire and power to be able to do what pleases Him, but we still have to work hard to bring our bodies into submission to His will and ways and not our own will and ways.

Paul continues: Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.  We are not the light, but rather we live our lives so that we can be the reflection of the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. As the world becomes darker in its sin and greed, God's light will shine brighter. Let us work hard to make sure there is nothing in our lives that will get in the way of reflecting Christ to those around us.

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for the desire and power to do what pleases You. Give us Your strength so that we can walk pure before You, doing all without complaining and arguing. Give us clean hands and pure hearts, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friend's Favorite - Generations to Come

O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.
Psalm 71:17-18 NLT

There are days I love going out to YouTube and listening to the music from years ago. Oh, how I remember and love those old songs of four-part harmony! Definitely NOT something my Toby Mac-loving grandkids would appreciate; however, it is part of my responsibility to make sure they know the One we're singing about - no matter who is doing the singing.

Here's something to think about. What do the people around us learn or know of Jesus after they have interacted with us? Have we been someone they can trust? Have we exhibited God's love to them? Are we someone they want to spend more time with - or someone they have to spend time with and suffer through? Do they want to hear what we are speaking to them?

The generations coming after us are learning things every day. There is no end to the world's input into their lives. If we don't teach them - if we don't proclaim the power of God to this generation - tell them of His mighty miracles - how He's brought us through...saved us, sustained us, set us apart to serve Him and to serve others and how He'll do the same for them, what will they learn? And from whom? They need to know - we have to tell them! It's our story. It's history. It's HIS story in us and for them.

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for the generations coming after us. Thank you that we can impart wisdom to them in so many different ways. Help us to form deeply, divinely-inspired love roads into the paths of their lives so that the signs to direct them to keep their lives going forward and the warning signs posted at the wrong turns can be clearly seen and followed. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Wishes

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him! The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.
Lamentations 3:23-26 NLT

I get lots of emails - more than I can usually get through. However, I like the idea of being able to communicate electronically and to let people know in real-time that I'm thinking of them via text or email, but I don't like that it's quickly becoming the only form of communication. It's detrimental to building and maintaining relationships - with each other and with the Lord. Drop God a text instead of talking to Him? You may laugh at that, but think about the one-liner toss-ups we call a prayer life...

How many times have you gotten an email that reads something like, make a wish and send this to 3 people or 9 people in the next however many minutes and your wish will come true. Or the one that says something funny will happen on your screen if you send it to X amount of people... and of course, it never happens - just like the wish thing never happens.

Let me just say this - wishes are hopeless thoughts. Hear me out before you cast me off with a Bah, humbug... There is no action with a wish, except maybe a sigh. There's no faith with a wish. I wish Jesus would come... When was the last time we fervently prayed for His return - or fervently prayed about the circumstance that led to that wish? 

If you're of the mind that a wish is a heart's desire, then base your desires on the only thing you know that is true. The Word of God. Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 

Prayer:

Father,
           Give us wisdom to see the subtle deception of wishful pining. We need You. We want to know You. Open our hearts and minds to see and know You for who You are and seek You accordingly. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen