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