So Now You're saved---What Else is New?

You may have read of Paul's miraculous encounter with Christ as he met Him and determined to follow Him--pretty spectacular! So where are all the bells and whistles heralding you into His kingdom? All still quiet, right? Still waiting for your miracle, proving you now have a new, loving Master who promised to keep you safe and hold you close, you--but none of your troubles have gone away. Except for the fact that you believe you will someday see Him face-to-face in the sweet by and by. You are sure of that--most of the time, but when something unexpected happens, in the darkness of our night, we tremble a little--what if we're wrong? 

Your feelings are normal for a new baby Christians--don't all infants want what they want, and they want it NOW? They constantly demand their parents immediately fulfill their desire for a shiny toy they want NOW. They gradually learn that some things come today, others as they start learning how things work and later attend school to learn new skills and knowledge. (After all, no good parent will hand his car keys to a 12-year-old who still thinks traffic lights are for optional behavior.)

And when new people come to our country, they must follow rules and study about joys and responsibilities of its citizens in order to become card-carrying citizens of this earthly kingdom, must study a little of its history and goals before gaining entry and rights of a citizen, Same laws for us new citizens of God's Kingdom, learning  we need to follow His instruction to learn and grow and please our Father, and as we work through each level of learning, what He wants and expects from us and gives us additional responsibility for what we learn. 

A sincere commitment to our promised future is demonstrated by our efforts to please Him, honor Him and desire to devote our efforts in learning more about Him and this new eternal life and home He has promised. He knows we will stumble off His path set out for our journey and forgives us; He grades us on our faithful effort, not on perfect results--He knows--and you will learn--no one in this world (except Jesus) has or will ever attain perfection. Your honest efforts will gain a gold star of approval won by Jesus and bestowed by Him on whoever follows Him, even during our missteps, and He promises to keep our journey from going off its track, all the way Home! 

And below is a good section of His roadmap you will need to carry with you as you go onward.

My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.  1 Cor 2.4-5

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him—1 Cor. 2:9

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.    1 Peter 1:13

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians10:31

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.   Colossians 2:2                                       

Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.       Romans 12:2

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.    Romans 12:12

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

But he said to me, " My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me"    2 Corinthians 12:9

 What does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul?  Deuteronomy 10:12

 

Eden 2.0

 Started off perfect. Two people plus God. In slithered Satan. Two people plus Satan. Now it's world 2.0 filled with hate, evil, God's presence only a memory for the miserable couple, now lured from love by greed, barred from their perfect relationship with their Creator. God's world, God's rules! The world still groans from its loss of Eden. We live in the carnage left from this broken family, yet some of us still search for God and, as He promised, Seek and you will find Him, and H, unwilling to make a choice will help you avoid pitfalls created by the fall.

True to our fallen nature, there have often been opportunities to choose Life or various failures-- always with great consequences. Other times we flipped that coin of choice and gambled on the coin landing on edge (what are the odds, really?) 

His chosen people, the Jews, knew their history and yet believed in being broadminded and chose to divide their worship of God with other false Gods. The resulting weakness and discord led to their being conquered time and time again, enslaved by their enemies. Their sorrow led them to repent, return to their true God and being restored in His fellowship--not once, but repeatedly throughout history. You might call it a "repent and repeat" philosophy?

Remember when Abraham offered his nephew first choice in quality pasturelands and Lot chose the lush land near a town where heathen gods were in control. He was saved by his uncle by the skin of his teeth--without his wife, left behind because her longing gaze went back to the easy life they had enjoyed there. Enjoyment of evil lasts only for a time, and then the judgment.

Egypt quickly went from a sanctuary to slave master and Israel gladly followed God's servant Moses who freed them to return home, feeding them daily through the desert, their very clothes never wearing out during their long journey. However, their gratitude to God soon wore thin and they again rolled the dice and gambled, splitting their loyalty with an idol, resulting in all those adults, who had shared this heresy, were doomed to die in the desert, leaving their children to enter the Promised Land. 

Similar accounts abound throughout the Bible, recounting the frequent failures and renewals of this Yo-yo people. 

We're too smart to fall for that, right?  We're sophisticated; we can safely juggle morals and desires, vacillate between faith and fun, right and wrong, temporary happiness and soul-deep joy. We're NOT weak; we're broadminded. Problem:  deep inside we have a moral compass, a small spot in our spirit designed for God's residence and leadership, which He uses to keep us on our walk with Him. We absolutely cannot travel in two directions at once and get anywhere; we cannot have it both ways. There is no neutral goal. Heads or tails?

Every day, you flip that coin, choosing Who you will honor, follow, obey, serve, love. 

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”            Luke 16:13

 Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.        Matthew 7:7

Growing Pains

 Have you ever experienced a loss so painful you described it to yourself as "That just knocked my props right out from under me and where do I go from here?" I have, a few times, but somehow something better followed the devastation, sooner than later. Often the something better came quietly, without trumpets and flashing lights, but quietly, gently, unnoticed unless you're expecting it and watching for it.  So, Child of God, lose that "rained on, poor me" attitude and watch, wait for your Father to show you the next step, but don't sit waiting for a roadmap from where you sit all the way Home.

God has given me a few extra years and a long memory, enabling me to sit, looking back over time and see the path I blindly followed, not knowing how things would end up.  I found a few surprises that gradually increased the strength of my faith and understanding of the God I was born to serve.

The term "double trouble" hardly describes my early 40s--losing my 62-year-old mother to cancer while struggling through a 7-month-long divorce, not something you bounce back from, but gradually I realized new independence and confidence going forward with two daughters in high school and college and then their marriages, then continuing not quite alone, with God. 

I had always been reluctant to quit a job, never trusting the unknown for a better future--sort of a bird-in-hand rule. I had left my first adult job when I married and moved out of town, left the next when my first child was on the way, and post-divorce, I certainly depended on the job I had, despite the worldly culture and unfairness there, so my next test a few years later was being laid off right before Christmas, along with a couple of other over-40 ladies, replaced with younger girls we had trained! No Panic!

As I cleaned out my desk (after the past 14 years), I remembered God had once solved another unsolvable problem. We three had needed a more dependable car but had no room in my budget for a car or for repair bills--and found a 3-year-old Dodge Charger, only 12 miles out of warranty. Needed a new car, couldn't afford one, got one--and somehow it was paid for before having a single repair bill. Can you say blessing? 

Clutching that last paycheck in hand, I deposited it and went directly to the unemployment office, then to a temp agency, where I worked for several weeks until they sent me to Abbott Labs, who offered me the position, at a slightly lower salary than I was used to, but in faith I took it, and began moving toward a debt-free life, finally achieved before retirement at 65.5, including home mortgage!  One day I thought I was knocked off my feet, a few weeks later was safely ensconced in a dependable job where respect, trust and security reigned. 

My future turned a new page as I followed blindly, trusting my gradually increasing faith, even today, approaching my 90th birthday joyously. I began this praise devotional series to my Father in Heaven in 2015, which will continue so long as I can get to the computer and record what I know of His thoughts and His presence. Of course, I look forward to the end of this journey, but even now He is present with me every day. Blessed!

No matter the future, whatever circumstance or mischief from our enemy Satan, never give up. Plant your feet, stand on God's promises, count on His love, and leap over any obstacles in your path, because His path will lead you Home at last. 

Never give up. Give it to God. 

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2-3

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”   (John 16:33)

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”–Psalm 91:2

“For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” - Philippians 2:13

Piecing Things Together

 Enjoy jigsaw puzzles? A while back I had a neighbor in Assisted Living who spent her afternoons bent over jigsaw puzzles, day after day, month in and month out, humming hymns as she worked. I wondered why she found them so gripping, week after week. Simple bits of colored cardboard in peculiar shapes that somehow became identical to the tiny photo on the box top. This took dedication, perseverance and patience, and she never gave up until her job was complete--and then she began again on the next one!

I remembered when as a child I had struggled to complete even a single puzzle; I often found there were a few pieces missing and once found a few leftover pieces that had no place in the puzzle. and I marveled at her skill. 

Even today I sometimes feel lost, as though something is missing in my life because I can't see a solution to my current problem and I'm fearful of finding answers to my many questions about my future. Also, I occasionally see extra pieces of my life I should change--they just don't fit my picture of what a Jesus follower should be, and I despair--until I remember I know Someone who sees the whole picture of my life from His perspective and He carefully, fits together my life in living color and He has laid aside a pile of extra pieces that didn't fit His picture of me, off to one side. 

I know I can trust my Heavenly Father's work in choosing only those pieces that perfectly match His picture of me.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2-3

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe" (Ephesians 1:18-19).

Wake up!

 Wake up, Get up, Suit up, Show up--there is a battle to be won. There is a time to shelter in prayer, in worship, but never turn your back to the enemy of God and His people, who knows and prepares for the great battle to come--Remain vigilant! Hold the fort! Be ready with the mighty weapons your God has provided you. Help train those warriors new to the Faith, who may not understand what/who is coming, who may not yet realize that in this battle, there are only two options: Fast Forward or Retreat, no safety in comfortable rest stops along the way.

Work while the day is here.  Daily read your Roadmap (Scriptures) before setting out for the battleground. 

You snooze, you lose.

All roads may lead to Rome; only one way leads to Heaven.  He said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32,

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.    John 14:6

Who is Jesus?

Most of us have heard of Him; many of us think we know Him, Few of us understand Him fully. He wasn't a prophet, though He fulfilled hundreds of ancient prophecies about His coming. He was not just a good man, He lived His days on earth with the rest of us, yet was unique in that He never sinned, He lived His life and gave it to pay the penalty for all the sins of mankind, past, present, future. He wasn't a created being like the rest of us.

Instead, He was and is Creator and Ruler of All There Is. and now sits on His throne in the heavenlies, ruling over His Creation.  And He promises that ALL of us will see him (at least once) when our Judgment Day arrives. What comes after that? We each get to make that decision--and please understand: by postponing or failing to make the decision, we will ultimately, unhappily, by default, seal our fate: never to see Him or any joy again. He made it easy, just follow His instructions in our daily lives and each day we are another day closer to Heaven and life and love forever.

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.  John 6:35

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt. 5:14-16

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." 7So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8“All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11

“My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” - John 10:27- 30

1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.    John 14:6

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'" (John 8:12)

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11-25, 26

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:5

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.   Philippians 3:20

 God explained my path to follow in this way:

                            Moonlight

The moonlight spreads its silvery glow
Transforming ordinary things below.
The wonder is--if truth be known,

The moon has no light of its own!

If it went off on a path of its own,
I'd see what it is--a mere chunk of stone!

Its true nature exposed, scarred by its past,
Then the source of its light, revealed at last.

By faithfully circling around the sun,
The beauty it shares is easily won.

When my life on earth, Father, is finally done,

Let it show I steadfastly turned 'round Your Son. 

          

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE?

 Dear Family and Friends,

This morning I received a wake-up call so strong I hesitated to share it. After praying and considering it the rest of my day, my first instinct of "too little, too late" and just now read my email devotionals from 3 pastors I follow, which encouraged me to share my awakening and am compelled to share a note of courage to us all.

Like many concerned Christians, I had almost given up on saving our country and our people. I regret to confess that sadly I had mentally bid farewell to the world, counting it as lost. Many of us, I fear, have heard enough about earth's last days that we're beginning to hunker down, clutching our loved ones, mentally bidding the rest of the world farewell -- and perhaps--good riddance.

Now, I'm older than our dear Pastor Jeremiah, and the only muscles I have left are above my neck and in my heart, so I had mentally given myself a pass from the biggest battle we will face in this world, yet this world needs each of us and we were each carefully placed here at this time for a purpose--for God's purpose and to glorify Him. 

While I was moaning (praying) this morning, I was interrupted by a clear picture of all the times Israel left God, was enslaved, redeemed and forgiven, only to repeat. Perhaps Sunday morning Christians and the rest of us must go through a dark patch of history, along with those who we believe deserve it, before God snatches us back from the brink! (Perhaps the Israelites thought they faced the end too) 

He seems to be saying to me, "Your nation has had it so easy, you thought I owed it to you. Now you must take your turn with My discipline as is fitting to remind you whose you are--now, roll up your sleeves, hunt up that suit of armor gathering rust in your hall closet, listen for marching orders and stop packing for your trip home--I'll tell you when the battle is over. You have work, much work, to do before I call you home! Reread the last pages of My book:         W E    W I N!

At my age, I figure my chances of being around for the fireworks to come are slim, but I have family I love, including 2 tiny great-grandsons and want them to know our God and be safe from evil as they enjoy their time on earth, before following me to Heaven, without any distraction from the terrible evils we have allowed to run free. I know you hope for safety of your own loved ones too.

We all crave to arrive home to be with the Lord, but it could be decades, eons, weeks or seconds before the trumpet will announce that day. Yes, it could be tomorrow--perhaps not--but when He comes, His bride, the church, must be ready, prepared, without guilt for work never done.

Dear Ones, I pray our Father gives each one of us the vision and determination to say, "Not yet.  Lord.  Lead us, give us wisdom and strength and courage to speak, love, act, and vote together." We may be the last generation of adults educated before moral choice is dead history, never to be known by our children in tomorrow's schools! Don't wait by the door to be taken out of this mess, waiting for someone else to fix what's broken--good riddance to it. So long as we each know someone not yet booked in for this flight to Eternity, let's not act like the game is almost over, wash our hands and wait - alone - by the door without holding the hand of a friend or family member and bringing him with you to the Door to LIFE, while it is still open. Don't show up alone! 

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.  Romans 8:16-17

 I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. Philemon 1:6

 

Growing Up

 Thinking about my newest family member, my great-grandson and watching him grow and learn more about the world around him, has shown me a clear picture of life's stages and milestones as we grow and learn about this broken world and the next perfect home now being created for our eventual home, if we choose to walk toward it.

He already has strong opinions on what he wants and needs at 9 months and insists on getting it   N O W!  As his simple diet gives him strength and his eyes see more things just out of reach, he will begin to try to get what he wants and he will squirm, crawl, climb and stretch out his hands to reach something new, something so attractive that he will push himself to find a way--learning to walk, to extend his reach to sample more new things daily. Never satisfied to stay quietly in his crib, playing with simple toys that formerly amused him, he grows as his vision of the world grows.

Occasionally, a child is born with problems that fail to allow him to grow and mature due to our imperfect world, tainted by sin of our first mother and everyone is saddened by the tragedy of its fail to grow and mature, perhaps growing to adult size, without the ability to care for himself, thrive or understand the world around him.

Perhaps that is how our Father God sees us, watching us discover new things about the world we hope and try to ready ourselves for--or are we sitting in our crib, waiting for someone to feed us and bring us new toys to entertain us, never venturing to crawl across His floor, never trying to use our unformed muscles to extend our reach, our potential capabilities we were born with.

Many Christians are content to live in the shadow of His palace, feeling our way through life, wishing to become wiser, stronger, bolder, to prove our devotion, yet never see why we're missing the life like other people we know--with abilities we can only dream of. We're now bored by the pablum for babies and covet the meat other Christians seem to thrive on, with their strong teeth devouring strength-giving vegetables and proteins. 

We've read about the exploits of God's people throughout time and finally we cry out to our Father, "You used them and blessed them mightily--why not give me those abilities?"

Then, if we truly listen for His reply, we hear Him say, "I thought you'd never ask. Remember, I challenged you, "You have not because you ask not?"

As your eyesight clears, you can now begin a dialog with your Creator as you grow and learn what He expects you to do: learn, grow, serve, and love, one day at a time.

        “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” - Romans 8:26

The Good Parent

 We didn't choose our parents--they chose us. They invited us to share their home, their lives, taking responsibility for training us to build good, wise, strong adults who can make intelligent choices for their lives. 

Some parents choose to ignore their duty in this regard; they figure the "universe" will teach their unfortunate children to avoid repeating mistakes through conflicts and lost battles with someone stronger, often resulting in bitter, unhappy people who learn to fight for everything they want.

Some doting parents want their children to have all the finer things they themselves never had, everything they want; the parent will sacrifice themselves to indulge every craving, creating disillusioned immature adults who will believe the world owes them whatever they want, when they want it--with no effort from themselves. Their goal becomes more, more, more! 

Blessed are the children of wise, dedicated parents who try to instill in their children self-respect and respect for others, teaching them the balance between privilege and responsibility. In short, these parents are more concerned that others will respect their children than whether their children will love them. They strive to instill a moral compass leading to the child choosing the wiser path for their future. 

Would the wise parent let a 5-year-old play in the street, dodging traffic? Would he buy a 14-year-old a car?  Is it cruel to deny his child such fun when they see other kids with those playthings?  A wise parent sees farther ahead than his child can visualize. A wise child raised in love can trust that his parent knows things he himself cannot fathom.

God tells us He is our Loving Father, and proved it through the life, death and resurrection of His Son Jesus for our sin and rebirth. If He could sacrifice His beloved Son in our behalf, would He be petty enough to deny us anything we desire, unless He knew (as we do not) what great harm would befall us if He allowed it.

Why do we have problems? Exercise and effort build muscles. Problems build spiritual strength and faith--same thing. Our lives are spent experiencing problems, leaning to overcome them and learning from them how to trust our Father more every day. Want to know your future? He says, "No way!  Know, trust Who holds your future!"

    “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.  I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

 2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.          James 1: 2-4

Bad News

Queen Latifa once made a movie about receiving bad news--the worst news--death just around the corner, she didn't take it well. In fact, she blew all her savings on one last extravaganza party, using all her assets for nothing of permanent value--a marathon of fun. Of course, the happy ending eventually proved the doctor wrong, she saw the error of her ways and had a wonderful happy ending.

But in fact, all of us have a day like that in our future and there is no guarantee of a happy ending. Who and what you are will have a bearing on your outcome on that fateful day. Unless you prepare for it, you may spend your handful of days on this earth striving for fame or fortune, leaving you alone, empty-handed, to face the God you have learned so little about, and unprepared to enter the paradise you may have heard of, leaving you to pay the cost of your self-serving past, the hard way. 

Following examples of wealthy, successful people you admire, perhaps you wisely invested income for rainy days ahead to guard against hard times, and bought life insurance, but that will only protect loved ones you leave behind--what insures your future on that judgment day, which comes to us all? Oh, yeah, back when you were going to church every Sunday or so, you probably took out "fire insurance"--Remember that? You'll be okay, no problem, but what about those around you? 

Your mama raised you to be polite when you enter someone's home--always take a little gift for your host or hostess--at least flowers or?  But what can you give to the Creator of All There Is?  When you were younger, you told yourself once you learned a little more and had time to plan, you would give more time and money to the church. Someday you would make Him proud. Someday. 

Someday is now! One day. Will you meet Him empty-handed, remembering the friend you kept promising yourself to bring to church, the empty offering basket you kept promising to fill "next time"? Or will you greet friends who are there because you introduced them to His perfect love?   

One day is all we have. Invest in leisure and self or invest in Eternity?

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”(Matthew 6:19-20)

 

WHAT IF..........?

TODAY IS ALL YOU HAVE

Stop!!! Breathe. It's got to be a joke--or nightmare! But it's written on your mirror. Boldly. In huge letters. But who would have, who could have done it? What if----? 

Okay, think. Just in case, cancel today's game of golf, or was it tennis? Think of something very special, a great day of fun to look back on and rem- but wait, if it's true, you won't be around to remember it! Your heart is beating hard and fast at the thought.

Something great, a big splash, a party for your friends to remember you for. You would never feel their gratitude, your reputation for your past will be what folks will remember about you. That surely won't improve your future.

Reputation? Tucked away you surely have a list of good deeds you would someday do, to make up, perhaps, for any sorrows you ever caused friends or family. Oh, yeah, you remember a few--dozen! But they can't be done in one day. You've gotta make the most of today, no time for self-pity.

You could have thought about improving your reputation by doing a few good things for the world around you. You are lost. No hope?

Oh, yeah. whenever anyone asked, you always said, "Sure, someday I'll go to church with you. I'll change my ways."  And you were going to, but first you wanted to have your fill of good times and enjoy yourself before getting serious.

Well, you did that for sure. but the clock is ticking; the sun is racing toward the horizon--and you'll never see it again!!! You're alone now--your good-time friends are off having fun so ---- Will you disappear totally in a puff of smoke? Go somewhere horrific to spend your time in regret and loneliness? God forbid!        God?

We're not promised tomorrow--Today is the only day you have, Tomorrow may vanish as a puff of smoke.

Sunset of your day comes without warning. Will you face it alone?

You might try this "God, I avoided You, denied Your role in my life, my existence, denied Your right to my life and obedience, denied Your great love. I give whatever moments are left of my life to You, as pitiful as it is, nothing held back.

              "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:7).

              "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin"                                 (Hebrews 4:15).

             “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20)

Why Not, Lord?

 I worshipped on Sundays; I read the Bible, yet I always seemed up to my ears in problems. Hadn't I endured two years watching my mother die of cancer during a seven-month long divorce struggle with only a few specific days when I felt God's presence. Mother's burial was the worst, yet the sweetest, knowing my God stood beside me, keeping me on my feet. In between a few ah-ha moments when occasional glimpses of sunshine broke through the clouds surrounding me. I knew God was--and is--in control of the world, but I felt His distance from my daily life.

I had read enough Bible stories about God's intervention in helping men overcome disastrous odds, unsolvable problems melted away before His sovereignty. After the dust settled on the two major crises I just mentioned, other surprises seemed to pop up with increasing intensity: Both daughters married the same year. My miracle car, which God had provided though my budget could neither afford repairs if the old one or payments for a new one, finally wore out. my crippling terror of tornadoes dominated me, my house was broken into (thankfully, all that was lost was my mother's wedding ring, pearl earrings from my Dad, and a turquoise bracelet--nothing that affected my comfort in the home and wherever those things are, they still belong to God and I would NOT want to have them in MY pocket when God decides to collect them!), I lost my job where I had worked for 15 years. At one point during those years, while rereading the miracles God performed in those long-ago superhumans God used so mightily, I got fed up and talked to God about it. 

You did it for your people then and they seemed never fearful, ever faithful; what about me? Why not ME?  I want to be strong and do good things to please you. I went to sleep that night with those words on my lips. Remembering this now, I seem to sense God releasing a deep breath and saying, "I thought you'd never ask." and I remembered: ye have not because you ask not! Oh, nothing seemed any different the next days or years following, yet......

From that day I threw down the gauntlet, (daring God?) small changes in circumstances, new positive friends, new little changes in how I spent my time prepared me for another distinct life, very different from before. I believed in my independence from every fear--I was now bulletproof, fearless! Miniscule daily changes often happen without your awareness, but with time and distance, looking back and seeing your changes and growth takes your breath away, even though you know you're still far from your goal of pleasing your Maker!

And I slogged through each with increasing gratitude, recognizing God was bound to have more for me just ahead, and He did: a 15-year career at Abbott Labs, where I thrived and found time to develop my as yet untapped talent of writing (little knowing how dominant that would become some 20 years later.) I seem to have acquired through these blessed years a level of financial wisdom, which God blessed, a boldness to share my faith, complete trust replacing any former doubts, experiencing and acknowledging God's absolute presence daily, and the joy which overcomes any physical attributes lost or greatly diminished during these 8+ decades and call it an excellent trade, preparing me to one day meet Jesus, face to face.

 

... , you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." ... can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you ... " And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, ...   Matthew 21:22

 

Doubt Your Faith Much?

 O)f course not! Nor me. I walk with God all day, read Hus Word, talk to Him, trust Him for my daily needs. Doubt? Who, me?

However, in the gloom of oncoming night, just a smidgeon perhaps. In throes of a nightmare, a category 5 hurricane of troubles piled so high I can't see daylight, much less "feel" God's presence, His protection, His love?  Truth? I quake in fear of being alone in the cold, dark universe.  What if...?

Not nearly as often as I once did; it now presents very occasionally and briefly, because through the years I have seen His hand bringing me through many crises, building my trust and security and confidence, consciously reminding me daily of His Presence, His Power, and unfailing Promises kept as He successfully brought me through, building my faith-muscles and confidence in His constant presence as He steers me through this battle-scarred mess His flawed creatures have  created of His world and our lives.

Doubts used to freeze my brain, making it difficult to pray, until one day I rebelled against these thoughts that held me at a standstill -- my mind was flooded with strong words that always quiet any doubts trying to cripple me: DON'T DOUBT YOUR FAITH; DOUBT YOUR DOUBTS!

Once I heard a story of a child who was asked "What do you do when Satan knocks on your heart's door?" She smiled and said, "I let Jesus open the door."  Same thing I had learned.

 Memorize a few scriptures that can wipe out any doubt trying to move in. Wake up each day taking inventory over all the ways God has guided you through detours, crossroads to negotiate on your way Home to Heaven. At first perhaps you can't see over the huge problem filling your view of the world. Brain freeze. Start with basic truths of God's presence: life--you are here after all and could be in lots worse places. 

You have air to breathe, probably food and shelter, perhaps family or friends, the Bible, which shows myriads of examples of God's provision overcoming chaos and loss. Be still and think back through your own life about all the terrible auto accidents that never happened, the narrow escapes you have experienced as you learned to follow Him more closely, His guiding hand teaching you to remember pitfalls so as not to repeat them--God is faithful. loving, patient as we gradually lean on His superior understanding of what will be best for us, in spite of our efforts to do life on our own terms. 

God is.  and you are His. That's all there is. 

          To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion                                                                      and power, both now and forever. Amen.  (Jude 1:25)

Mr. Know-it-all

 Have you met him? Are you him? Have you met Mr. Yes Lord?  Big difference in the success of their respective lives.

Mr. Know-it-all kneels in prayer to seek answers about his future, which decisions will be blessed with success, and he waits patiently for his roadmap to appear.  Mr. Yes Lord kneels also, thanking God for His watchful eye keeping him secure and blessed, then asks what is His will for today, and then arises to meet the day, alert and confident that he will receive any up to date changes required by the day's trials.

Mr. K accomplishes little for God's kingdom because he expects to receive a roadmap and calendar revealing a 5-year plan at least, so he will understand what is ahead before he sets out. After all, he wouldn't want to waste his time on anything other than a sure thing. So he sits, waiting for God to reveal His plan. And God waits for him to get up and begin the task He will reveal all--gradually, eventually, or in eternity, when Mr. K will trade in his human mind, suited for earthly living, for a glimpse at God's eternal, complicated weaving together all the many strands of unexplained life of ALL God's children.  

One little perk of 20th century living is the motion-activated electric light. If you wait outside the door for the light to turn on, you will remain in the dark, clueless to see what's inside. But if you step inside, without slowing down, your way will be well-lit so long as you walk in the light. Stop moving forward, stop for a nap, and the light goes out!

Same thing. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world." That's His promise to tell us what we need to know, when we need to know, and if we're looking back later, we may receive insight on what He was doing while we weren't looking!

He even gave us His book, filled with examples, good and bad influences, demonstrating how lost and confused we get if we try to use our human logic instead of following his step-by-step guidance. He used the whole nation of Israel to show that following our own choices can lead to slavery to sin, loss and loneliness. He assured them daily of His providence by providing manna, food for the day, and 2 days supply on Friday for the Sabbath,  

He could have told them to bring food for the journey but chose to demonstrate His provision daily, even while disciplining them by extending their short journey from Egypt to the promised land to 40 years and denying all the adults who had left Egypt and sinned, falling into unbelief by refusing them to enter the land. They had forfeited their right to partake of His Land--only those who  had left Egypt as children would inherit. 

Do you want to know your future or are you content to know the One Who Holds Your Future? Beloved, walk in the light you have today!

 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.  John 1:4

“The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.” - Psalm 19:8

The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:130 
 

Help Wanted: Diversity United in Love

So now you're saved. What's next? Relax in His care? Did Jesus relax?

A truth often overlooked is the axiom that something--an organization, an orchestra, a church, for example, is more valuable than the sum of its parts. No, really. Ponder this. A church is like an orchestra.

Both need a leader to teach, direct and harness together many different people with various talents and goals for a common goal. Many members, many individual goals and hopes of being part of something none can accomplish on his own. (After all, who would enjoy listening to a drummer alone? A piccolo would seem to screech.  It takes many people with unique talents and jobs to produce results:  Music through an orchestra--growth and service through a church. Yes, even a pew-sitter is a participant in the overall makeup of the congregation, praying for the pastor and others, whose problems he sees around him, bringing visitors to the church's potluck dinner, smiling, greeting those around him daily (Yes, even the biggest pain in his neck at the office). 

We're accustomed to seeking recognition for anything we do that is praise-worthy for ourselves. We want admiration for our efforts and feel like we're being rained on if no one notices, and few of us receive all the recognition we crave. But on the other hand, as Jesus followers. we're not judged for every small thing where we fall short of the glory of God, because of His grace.  Once we see and confess our need for redemptive rescue from our sin nature, we acknowledge where we stand in God's court of eternal law and hope that somehow, He will enable us to call Him Father and wish for our lives to fulfill His plans for our lives. Now, trusting His guidance, the sky is our limit as we learn more about His goals for our growth Next, He sends us to school as any loving parent would do, so we will thrive in the environment where He places us.

We begin at kindergarten level: spend time in His church and do our homework: read from His Holy Book to prepare us for upcoming tests and exercises to build our relationship with Him and each other. (Do you now see purpose behind some of those tough days or weeks you have passed through?)  His textbook teaches us about life: with Him or without Him. His church reinforces our training and offers many ways we can survive our on-the-job training--earn as we learn!

During those kindergarten days, we wonder -- and dread a little bit -- that He will immediately require us to be His ambassador to darkest Africa, far from our comfortable seat in the pew of our neighborhood assembly. Soon we begin to feel that He has many others more sanctified and better prepared for that life and grow content in our back row pew, content to doze, basking in the warm, undemanding corner we claimed as our own. And for new members of His family, that's a good start, but growth is expected for us living people and responsibilities added gradually and demonstrate actual life. 

Eventually, this can get boring, listening to the preacher, who isn't perfect after all, and begin to seek somewhere else to nourish our spirit and spoon-feed us all the blessings we came to expect would drop into our laps. Lately it has seemed that the preacher had begun to expect us to do something more--but there are plenty of others in their pews he could draft for his little projects--we came to be taught, not to teach someone else. Maybe another church---? 

Well, we flunked that test. They call Jesus the Great Physician, right? How do doctors learn their job? They are told "Watch a procedure, perform the procedure, teach the procedure"--on the job training!  We were not called to sit comfortably and observe His obedient team, but to suit up and join them on the field of combat and no one else can take our place--they are all busy covering their own part He assigned only to each of them! 

Do you have a job in your church?  Preacher? No, got one already. Music director? Got one of those too. Teacher? Let's face it. They always need more of those but until you actually open your Bible regularly, you would embarrass yourself if you volunteered for that. Choir or orchestra member? No voice, no training, but whose fault is that? You consider preparing yourself for your next job, but today you can begin where you are, with the personality and enthusiasm God gave you: Speak to someone else nearby your pew, invite someone to attend with you next Sunday and introduce them to folks after the service. Do something, while still learning to do something more, so you will be ready to say yes when God leads you to your purpose. Get up from your easy seat in the stands, suit up, get down to the battlefield and join your family's cause. Getting rid of bad habits takes restraint; forming good ones take discipline and effort.

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!     1 John 3:1

“Give me understanding, that I may observe Thy law, and keep it with all my heart. Make me walk in the path of Thy commandments, for I delight in it.” - Psalm 119:34-35

 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.   1 Peter 2:9

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” - Philippians 1:27

4For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us 

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16

4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5And there are varieties of ministries, and the same But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 6There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.  1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 11

 

Would You Decline an Invitation to a Feast?

Once long ago, while getting acquainted with a new family member, I was unable to find an acceptable rely to her comment "My husband leans toward the Catholic".  What came to mind I rejected:  he could starve to death while leaning on a refrigerator door.  Decades later I learned a reasonable, kinder explanation I wished for on that day.

No one makes a habit of eating only one day per week--Humans require daily recharging of energy to get through their day. Our spirit requires daily recharging to keep us on our daily path. Going to church once a week may give you a needed boost, but not enough to permit you to grow spiritually, to learn the Godly behavior needed to follow our Leader Jesus and serve His kingdom.

The Bible illustrates His truth and provision for His children in the great exodus of His people from Egypt after freeing them from slavery. He didn't tell them to pack provisions for their journey: no one brought food supplies and their entire wardrobe for the journey. After surviving the night of death by obeying God's instructions and eating their dinner--the first Passover feast--they left the next morning, trusting Him to provide for them. Daily for 6 days a week, they would find manna for that day's meal and on Fridays there would be a double helping to cover their Sabbath meal. 

Juist as He provided for their physical needs daily, so He also desires to do for each of us to come to His Word for nourishment of our spirit, encouragement and strength to conquer that day's problems and trials--and expects us to come to His table daily for nourishment, refueling on His wisdom, endurance and courage to triumph over doubts, tribulations, and whispers in our ear straight from our enemy who hates us as he does our Savior Jesus.  

While we may survive frugally on a single helping a week from His table. 1 John 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  e, we will never thrive and will miss opportunities to serve His kingdom -- we will arrive in Heaven alone, taking no friend with us, smelling of the fire we narrowly escaped, perhaps our coattails still smoking.

John 13:35 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 

1 Corinthians 3:16  Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?

Worthy of our Trust, Due our Faithfulness and Loving Obedience

 

13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  Colossians 1:13-14

Be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.     Col 1:9-11

     15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.  Col.  1:15-16

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together     Col.. 1:17 (col.)

      6Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.  Col 2:6-7

“See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”  col 4:17

                        My answer is "Yes, Lord"  What's yours?

                Do you really have anything better to do?

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,   2 Peter 1:5

 

The Joys of Aging

What? Yes! there is a special joy as your days bring Heaven closer. Remember Christmas morning when you dug into your stocking to find all the little treasures inside? The best was always deep into the toe. For a child of the King, the best, after much anticipation, comes last! Check out the Bible's list of Godly men and prophets -- Noah was 80 when he began building God's ark. Abraham became first of Jesus's earthly lineage because he was given a child in his 80s. Years of faith and obedience led to blessed accomplishments--in Moses' life and many others. 

As your 9th decade looms on your horizon, you become hyper-aware of the many blessings God has brought you during your journey. You may become aware that your memories seem to cluster around one Godly attribute or another which remain, celebrated and fresh, in your memory. Thanks to arthritis or other such frequent companions, we now have time to sit and remember our long relationship with our King, to pray for those we love who need His presence in their lives, to begin our eternal life praising our Lord even before we join that huge choir at His throne.

Some of us find our aging mind concentrating on how others treat us; others--children of Royalty--tend to focus on good memories, remembering times we have treated others well and been blessed and acknowledge God's hand of protection, guidance, and love.  

Some may still feel resentment for slights and hurt feelings in a glow of self-pity for all the suffering they have survived-- but the point He wants us to remember is not the pain, but that He was with us, and we survived, a little stronger than the day before!  Perhaps He has noticed we are lagging behind on the golden trait of forgiving.  And then He reminds us of those forgotten times when we failed Him and came to Him for forgiveness. or have hurt someone and been forgiven. And we remember all that Jesus suffered without complaint the penalty as He paid the sin death we earned, 

Sometimes for example, when He discerns our need for gratitude, he brings to mind all the narrow escapes He brought us through or all the good times we have shared in His prese4nce. We may or may not clearly recall details of blessings bestowed over a lifetime, but we will remember all the sudden growth spurts in our spirit, or days we felt His hand holding us up in times of extreme pain, fear or despair--He was surely there--we survived, right?  

Earthly friends may desert you or be unavailable or dealing with their own problems, just when you desperately reach out for their help. No one was there for Jesus in His last moments here on earth and He resolves that no one belonging to Him will ever be completely alone or helpless, but always safe in His hand, softening the blows this world delivers and holding us close, promising to wipe away our tears and bring us joy in His presence forever.

Today's crises will be forgotten as we reject worry and doubt sent by the enemy and give our hearts, minds and spirit into Jesus's never-ceasing watch care. And no matter how bad yesterday was, it was not all bad:  now you're now a day closer to Heaven!

Trust with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.    Proverbs 3:5-6

I will love those who love me and those who seek me diligently will find me. Proverbs 8:17

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” 1 Timothy‬ ‭6:6-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬