Showing posts with label Measure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Measure. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Promise for Today - Measure for Immeasurable Measure

…with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
Matthew 7:2b NKJV

I know people who cook by throwing a little of this and a pinch of that and a shake or two of the other and voila! Perfection… I’m not one of those people. In my whole life, I can count on one hand (with fingers left over) the number of times I’ve actually produced something edible using that method. However, give me a recipe with measurements and I’m good to go. Sometimes I even increase the measure of a certain ingredient or two to enrich the flavor. I feel confident doing that because I know the base measurement.

I understand how important measurements are, and not just in cooking. I used to be a carpenter. You’d better know how to read a tape measure AND have one suited for the job. A 36-inch door will not fit in a 35½-inch frame. Oh, it may hang, but it won’t close. Nor will a six-foot, flimsy tape measure be the best help when building an eight- or ten-foot anything.

I've been thinking about the immeasurable amounts of God’s astoundingly generous grace and munificent mercy in my life. It overwhelms me. I am humbled beyond measure when I take the time to consider what God has done for me. And then I considered the times I’ve had less-than-loving thoughts for or about others – the grudgingly-offered grace or the miserly measure of mercy I bestowed. Throwing a little of this and a pinch of that…

God set the base measurement for mercy and grace. He gave His all for all. Should we do less? We need to be able to read His measure so that we have what we need to do the tasks that have been assigned to us. Measure for immeasurable measure.

Prayer:

Father,
           You are measureless. Your footsteps too large, Your love too much, except by Your grace. Help us to live and give our lives by Your measure. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

A Silly Measure of Love

For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.
2nd Corinthians 2:4 NIV

There have been so many songs written about love that I think it would be nigh on impossible to count them all. And so many supposed definitions with feelings ranging from angst and anguish to zest and zeal, from selfish to self-less. If we haven't seen or done it all, we've at least heard about it all.  

When I was younger, we used to ask, "How much do you love me?" when we wanted something or wanted someone to do something for us.  Enough to bring me something from the other room? Or drive to the store for me? Or whatever the want was at that moment. A silly measure of love.

Paul's love was so deep that many people did not understand it.  He cared enough to confront sin in the lives of those he loved, risking their anger, the loss of their return love. Sometimes it is beyond difficult to offer a loving correction knowing that you may lose that person's affection, but Proverbs 27:6 reads, Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. It is a depth of love not easily measured. 

It was true then. It's true now. People do not like to be told what to do period, let alone what they are doing wrong. They definitely do not like to be confronted with their sin! But if you truly love someone would you tell them? How much do you love me? Maybe it's not so silly, after all...

Prayer:

Father,

          Help us to love beyond ourselves. Beyond our own selfishness. Help us to love others as You love us - to always, ALWAYS be motivated by love and not manipulation. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.


Wednesday, March 9, 2016

* What Will We Give?

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.
Luke 6:38 NKJV

God is big about giving. As with everything, He set the example. He doesn't say, "I'm snatching your money from you." "I'm taking your tithes." He says, "Bring it..." and then promises to pour out more blessings than we can hold in return. (NEWS FLASH! Blessing does not necessarily mean money! It's a blessing when you stay healthy while coworkers around you are coughing and hacking. It's a blessing when you find the perfect gift and it's on sale. It's also a blessing when your old car just keeps going.)


Whether it's your money, your goods, your time, or your talent - it's not how much you give, it's the attitude in which you give it. Have you ever heard someone say, "How much to make you go away?"  That is not a generous or grateful heart.


Grateful hearts tend to be generous. They understand what it is to have a need and have it met. Philippians 4:6b reads, Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. It doesn't say, "Tell God go get it and wait until AFTER you get it to give thanks" although many times that's the attitude we see. People who say, I prayed and I didn't get it, and then they want to stop praying ever again. It's like a spoiled brat who throws a tantrum when he doesn't get what he wants.

God knows the difference between want and need, good and bad, right and wrong, and because He IS love and loves US, He will not trade our needs for our wants, or give us bad for our good, wrong for the right.

Scripture tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights. Good and perfect gifts. Given to us from God. Our example. What will we give? What measure will we use? Our best? Or whatever it takes to make Him or others go away?

Prayer:

Father,
         Let us give good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over - with a cheerful disposition - and all for Your glory, not ours. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Thursday, January 31, 2013

* Whose is That? (Tax Time)

Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or shouldn't we?” Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell you.” When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply completely amazed them.
Mark 12:13-17 NLT

Every year around this time, the debate begins about whether or not it is "scriptural" to pay taxes. (I sometimes wonder if they've ever read the book of Mark.) They often use Matthew 17:26 as their basis for the no tax platform. Although, if you read it in context, verses 24-27, Jesus notes that taxes are not supposed to be for "free" citizens; however, read what He does.

On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “ Doesn't your teacher pay the Temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?” “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

Jesus always makes His point and makes a way where there is no way. He is our Waymaker. That's what happens when you give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God. So by all means, pay your taxes, AND don't forget to give to God what belongs to God.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You that I still live in a country where we enjoy more freedoms than restraints. We know it is not perfect, but You are. Keep us ever mindful to give You all that we have and all that we are. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Take A Stand +

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NLT

People have discussed and argued politics for years, but I haven't heard the despair and hopelessness like I hear now. I understand the angst and concerns. I really do understand…and it’s easy to get caught up in it. But you can’t jaw it to death unless you’re Samson (Judges 15). And for those looking for answers to these problems in a man or a government or a leader other than God, forget it.

It's happened before. Read the history books. And now more than ever, Edmund Burke's famous quote rings true - All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. There has to be some action.

We should start with the sword - the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6). 2nd Chronicles 7:14, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. I mentioned that the other day and someone who professed Christianity responded with, "Yeah, fat chance. You'll never get this nation to pray." Hmmm. That's why we're supposed to READ it. It doesn't say get the nation or all the heathen on their knees to pray. It says, If MY people who are called by MY name... If we call ourselves Christians… 

Putting on the whole armor for a battle is not just so you can stand there with some protection. It's so you can fight - it is so you are prepared to engage in the battle. The weapons of our warfare are not of this world, according to 2nd Corinthians 10:4, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds… 
2nd Corinthians 4:16-18 The Message reads, So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, [heaven] the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

In the meantime, let’s live our lives and fight our battles with the plan God has laid out before us. Ephesians 6:10-13 KJV reads, Finally, my brethren, 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. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Prayer:

Father,
          Keep us ever mindful of Your Word in John 3, that You loved us so much, You gave Your Son so no one should perish or be destroyed; and that by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. You didn't go to all the trouble of sending Your Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was and is. He came to help, to put the world right again. And anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is. Let us be ever aware that darkness is always overcome by the Light. Renew our minds. Change our lives. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

No Shortcuts +

The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish.
Jonah 1:1-3 NIV

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”
Jonah 3:1-2 NIV

Have you ever wondered why – when you’re serving the Lord – that you seem to get so far and then hit a wall and no matter what you do, you can’t seem to get past it? I’ve been asking God about that now for a while… I don’t think I was listening well. 

In the first verse of this prophet’s book, God told Jonah to go to Nineveh. We all know that part of the story – Jonah ran. God caused a storm and prepared the fish to swallow Jonah, where he spent three days. In Jonah’s story, I guess I never paid much attention to the details before…somehow, I always thought the fish was just Jonah’s personal conveyance to Nineveh to make sure he got there. Go straight to Nineveh. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. However, the fish did not spew Jonah on the shore of Nineveh. Following Jonah’s exit from the Fish Express (after he repented for his disobedience), the Lord told him a second time – Go to Nineveh…

I’m sure you’ve probably never done this…if I don’t like something or the thought of doing something, I’m pretty much not gonna do it…or I’m gonna find a way to circumvent or shortcut it. Sometimes, I’m even guilty of just doing it “good enough for government work.” This great Truth has nailed me right between the eyes. I just have to bring it to the Light. Confess it. Own it and then prayerfully ask for God’s strength and fortitude to make it happen. Well, I’m admitting it because Scripture tells me to confess my faults that I might be healed. And I want that. I need that.

Several years ago, God told me to scale down, simplify, get organized. I spent several weeks doing exactly that. I worked hard and I worked long. And I got down to the last closet and corner of one room, and I thought, I’ve done a lot. It’s SO much better than it was. That’s good enough. And I stopped. I did not complete what God instructed me to do. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve repeated that EXACTLY. Go through ALMOST everything – scale down, simplify, get organized… down to that last little bit and then I’m tired and I quit…and it’s like a fungus…it spreads all over again and gets bigger.

Several years ago, this would have been much easier, not to mention I was younger. I realize now there are NO shortcuts with God when it comes to obedience. He didn’t ask me if I’d like to do it, He just said, Do it. And since He is the Alpha AND Omega, He doesn’t go for half-measures. And the Truth is, there were no shortcuts to the Cross that paid for my sin…

Prayer:

Father,
          Forgive my spirit of rebellion and disobedience. Forgive me for the time lost when I could have been accomplishing what You planned for me to do according to Your Word. Help me, Father, to walk in absolute obedience to Your Word and Your perfect will for my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

* Promise Forever

He keeps every promise forever.
Psalm 146:6b NLT

I don’t know that I’ve ever read that sentence before in the New Living Translation. I thought I had, but if I did, I must have had blinders on. Talk about piercing my soul… 

Have you ever fully contemplated ‘forever’? Just forever by itself, nothing attached to it. I have a hard time envisioning it. When I was a little girl I fully believed in ‘Happily Ever After.’ That was my version of forever. I just knew someday my prince would come and rescue me and that’s how we would live…forever. I dreamed about it. Hoped for it. Prayed for it…

He keeps every promise forever.
Forever is not about NOT making any promises in order to be able to say we never break promises. That’s a falsehood.

He keeps every promise forever.
The Truth is that forever is much more than just never-ending time. Forever is commitment. Forever is trust, safety, provision.

Forever is making promises AND keeping them.
Why? Because God doesn’t just love us - He IS love.

And when the King of all kings comes for us, we will ride away with Him, and we’re going to live Happily Ever After.  Happily Ever After what? This. In John 16:33 (NLT), Jesus says, Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. He promised…

And He keeps every promise forever. Yes, He does…

Prayer:

Father,

We will give thanks to You, Lord, for You are good!
According to Your Word, Your faithful love endures forever.
You remember us in our weakness. Your faithful love endures forever.
You saved us from our enemies. Your faithful love endures forever.
You give food to every living thing. Your faithful love endures forever.
We will give thanks to the God of heaven. Your faithful love endures forever. Help us to understand Your forever love. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen


Tuesday, January 8, 2013

* When the Wind Stops

Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 
But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
“Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.
Matthew 14:24-32 NLT

This is one of my favorites. Every time I read it, I am encouraged. Strengthened. I have heard it preached from different viewpoints and they're all good. Can we recognize Jesus? Do we know Him when we are in trouble? Can we recognize God in the midst of the storms in our lives? Do we let the circumstances of our lives overwhelm us? Do we make snap decisions based on fear of our circumstances? Are we keeping our eyes on Jesus?

Some will give us that Peter DID walk on water, but they are quick to make the point that because he took His eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. And that's a great point. It is valid. It is true. However, it's not the whole story.

Let's review a little here. These were disciples in the boat, not your run-of-the-mill followers. It was the twelve. Hand-picked by Jesus. They weren't the ones who ran out to every event just to see what was going on. They weren't the fringe. They were all disciples. Disciples that had just witnessed the feeding of the 5,000 with a few loaves and fish, and gathered up left-overs... It was THOSE disciples who, at 3 in the morning, fighting heavy waves and a strong wind, who were - what was the word? Terrified. Am I judging them? Absolutely not, I'm just reviewing the facts.

You see, it was ONE of those twelve disciples - Simon/Peter. Did you know that the definition of the name Simon is hearing? Simon who Jesus called Peter. Peter which means rock. (I have to ask you - have you ever seen a rock float?) It was THIS Peter - Peter the fisherman who knew firsthand the danger of heavy waves and strong winds on the water. Peter the one we know for his blunders - that's who went over the side of the boat into the heavy waves and the strong wind.  We know he didn't sink the minute he went over the side because Scripture tells us he walked on the water toward Jesus. The point is Peter listened and he did the impossible because all things are possible through Christ. All things are possible to those who believe (Mark 9:23), but that's another topic for another day.

Truth - Peter walked on the water toward Jesus. Truth - When he took his eyes off Christ and looked at the circumstances, he began to sink. Truth - Peter cried out to Jesus and Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him and asked why Peter doubted Him. We don't know how far Peter walked. I think that's irrelevant or else God would have included it in His Word, but we know he got close enough that when he did begin to sink, Jesus reached out and grabbed him. It doesn't say Jesus ran to him to snatch him out of the water. It just says He reached out - and that's another topic for another day. Now, here's the part of the miracle that we miss. It doesn't say immediately they were back in the boat. It doesn't say Jesus tossed Peter into the boat or that Jesus carried him back to the boat. Here it is - don't miss it! Whatever distance Peter covered, they walked back because they CLIMBED back into the boat. AND according to Scripture, it was When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

After the walking. After the climbing. Was that easy? No, I don't believe so. Was it sure? Yes, absolutely! Jesus was there. And because He was, there was no question about whether or not they could walk back, or whether or not, they would climb back into the boat even though they were still in the heavy waves and strong wind.

We pray and we plead and we cry out and nothing seems to change and we wonder where God is. Too often, we believe the lie of satan that Jesus isn't there for us because our circumstances haven't changed. Can we see Him in the midst of our storm? Do we have the faith to step out in response to His bidding? Do we believe He will walk with us? Are we waiting for the wind to stop before we believe?

Prayer:

Father,
          Increase our faith, O God. Forgive us for not looking past our circumstances to see the Truth of Your Word - that You are ever with us, that You never leave us nor forsake us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

* Measure

…with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
Matthew 7:2b NKJV

I know people who cook by throwing a little of this and a pinch of that and a shake or two of the other and voila! Perfection… I’m not one of those people. In my whole life, I can count on one hand (with fingers left over) the number of times I’ve actually produced something edible using that method. However, give me a recipe with measurements and I’m good to go. Sometimes I even increase the measure of a certain ingredient or two to enrich the flavor. I feel confident doing that because I know the base measurement.  

I understand how important measurements are and not just in cooking. I used to be a carpenter. You’d better know how to read a tape measure AND have one suited for the job. A 36-inch door will not fit in a 35½-inch frame. Oh, it may hang, but it won’t close. Nor will a six-foot, flimsy tape measure be the best help when building an eight- or ten-foot anything.

I've been thinking about the immeasurable amounts of God’s astoundingly generous grace and munificent mercy in my life. It overwhelms me. I am humbled beyond measure when I take the time to consider what God has done for me. And then I considered the times I’ve had less-than-loving thoughts for or about others – the grudgingly-offered grace or the miserly measure of mercy I bestowed. Throwing a little of this and a pinch of that…

God set the base measurement for mercy and grace. He gave His all for all. Should we do less? We need to be able to read His measure so that we have what we need to do the tasks that have been assigned to us. Measure for measure.

Prayer:

Father,
          You are measureless. Your footsteps too large, Your love too much, except by Your grace. Help us to live and give our lives by Your measure. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.