I often tell my Crew that there are many things in life that must be done whether we like them or not. Cleaning their rooms, helping do the dishes, schoolwork... Even things we truly enjoy can become drudgery due to repetition. I love to cook, but sometimes I just get tired of having to put food in front of my family three or four times a day!
So duty CAN be either drudgery or delight. I think one of the major factors in how we view our duties is about the language we use when we think and talk about them. For example, "It is such a privilege to have the funds and variety to feed my family healthy, delicious food. I am so thankful that God has provided for us." So next time you think of one of your not-so-favorite duties, try to think in language of delight and thankfulness.
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Romans 1:21
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!
1 Chronicles 16:34
Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.
Psalms 30:4
A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath. It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
Psalms 92:1-4
Monday, June 30, 2014
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Living Water
I am a water snob. When I was a kid, we lived in the Rocky Mountains in New Mexico where the water came out of the tap sweet and cold. After becoming accustomed to such refreshing water, I began to notice the different flavors in tap water. When I was in junior high, we moved to the Pecos River valley where the water that came out of the tap was neither sweet nor cold. So we began to buy filtered water from the vending machines in that area.
Fast forward fifteen years. I am attending the TGC 2014 Women's conference in Orlando. I understand the necessity of staying hydrated, so I have been drinking the water from the tap even though, in my opinion, the flavor leaves something to be desired. But this morning, during a break, I filled my bottle from one of the water fountains. It. Was. GLORIOUS!!! When you are used to drinking lots of water, your body really FEELS when it's missing.
This weekend I have been convicted anew of my lack of belief. I say that I believe that Christ is my greatest need. And on some level (maybe many levels) I DO believe that. But actions speak louder than words, and when I choose to spend my time on something other than God's Word, instead of God's Word, I am proving, in that moment, that I don't BELIEVE that Christ is REALLY my greatest need! I wander through this dry and weary land drinking things that aren't water!
Lord Jesus,
Forgive me for clinging to things that cannot satisfy, for elevating good gifts to god status in my heart, for not treasuring you and worshiping you as you deserve. Thank you that Christ did it all in my place, and that in Him, you are pleased with me! Fill my soul with living water that wells up to eternal life for your glory! Amen.
So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock." Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
John 4:5-14
Fast forward fifteen years. I am attending the TGC 2014 Women's conference in Orlando. I understand the necessity of staying hydrated, so I have been drinking the water from the tap even though, in my opinion, the flavor leaves something to be desired. But this morning, during a break, I filled my bottle from one of the water fountains. It. Was. GLORIOUS!!! When you are used to drinking lots of water, your body really FEELS when it's missing.
This weekend I have been convicted anew of my lack of belief. I say that I believe that Christ is my greatest need. And on some level (maybe many levels) I DO believe that. But actions speak louder than words, and when I choose to spend my time on something other than God's Word, instead of God's Word, I am proving, in that moment, that I don't BELIEVE that Christ is REALLY my greatest need! I wander through this dry and weary land drinking things that aren't water!
Lord Jesus,
Forgive me for clinging to things that cannot satisfy, for elevating good gifts to god status in my heart, for not treasuring you and worshiping you as you deserve. Thank you that Christ did it all in my place, and that in Him, you are pleased with me! Fill my soul with living water that wells up to eternal life for your glory! Amen.
So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock." Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
John 4:5-14
Friday, June 27, 2014
Misidentify
Salt and sugar look very much alike. But, if you put two cups of salt in a batch of cookies, I'm pretty sure even dogs wouldn't touch them. Similarly, many illnesses and injuries have similar symptoms but require drastically different treatment. In fact, for some, if you misidentify, the patient can die!
I've been feeling very out of sorts this week. I thought it was just nerves about leaving my family and flying for the first time in over a decade... But I realized after floundering all day Wednesday, that I have misidentified myself. It is easy for me to get so wrapped up in being a wife and a mom that I forget that "wife" or "mom" is not WHO I AM. I'm not even "daughter", "sister", "friend", "teacher", or any other human relationship, or job I have.
Who am I? I am an image bearer of the God of the universe. I am the twice-owned adopted daughter of the King of kings. Let me define twice-owned just a bit. I was talking to my daughter a while back, and I told her that she is responsible to obey God because she is "twice-owned". If you make something, you own it. God made us. In addition, Christ died to buy His people from the wrath our sin deserves. How great is that?!? With that kind of knowledge, what else can I do but worship and serve the God who made me and bought me?!? Sadly, in a terribly perverse way, when I identify myself by my relationships with people, or the jobs I do, I am trying to center my world around myself... But it's not my party.
And Samuel said to the people, "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself.
1 Samuel 12:20-22
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalms 23:1-3
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous... I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
1 John 2:1,12
I've been feeling very out of sorts this week. I thought it was just nerves about leaving my family and flying for the first time in over a decade... But I realized after floundering all day Wednesday, that I have misidentified myself. It is easy for me to get so wrapped up in being a wife and a mom that I forget that "wife" or "mom" is not WHO I AM. I'm not even "daughter", "sister", "friend", "teacher", or any other human relationship, or job I have.
Who am I? I am an image bearer of the God of the universe. I am the twice-owned adopted daughter of the King of kings. Let me define twice-owned just a bit. I was talking to my daughter a while back, and I told her that she is responsible to obey God because she is "twice-owned". If you make something, you own it. God made us. In addition, Christ died to buy His people from the wrath our sin deserves. How great is that?!? With that kind of knowledge, what else can I do but worship and serve the God who made me and bought me?!? Sadly, in a terribly perverse way, when I identify myself by my relationships with people, or the jobs I do, I am trying to center my world around myself... But it's not my party.
And Samuel said to the people, "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself.
1 Samuel 12:20-22
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalms 23:1-3
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous... I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
1 John 2:1,12
I feel so small.
Yesterday I traveled by plane for the first time in nearly fifteen years. And I was reminded of how SMALL I am. At 30,000 feet, even huge buildings look like a single lego, and cars are nearly invisible. Rivers are ribbons of brown on a patchwork of green. I was in awe thinking how much POWER was required to make this world (which seems so big to us) and knowing that the Earth is just a small planet, in a small solar system among thousands... or more. And I felt small. Remembering how small I am is so good for me, because I tend to want my life to be about me. But it's not! My life is about glorifying and enjoying my Creator and King.
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Psalms 19:1
To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
Psalms 8:1-4
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Psalms 103:13-22
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Psalms 19:1
To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?
Psalms 8:1-4
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Psalms 103:13-22
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Eternal Life or Eternal Youth
I had a fascinating discussion with my daughter this morning. It began like this, "Mama? Does the Bible say we will have eternal LIFE or eternal YOUTH?" I responded by asking what she thought "youth" was. She expressed that she associated "youth" with strength and health, but age with weakness and illness. My grandmother lives in a nursing home in town and we make it a point to visit her weekly. She has noticed how my grandmother's body and mind are fading, and she assumed that this decay is NATURAL. But it's not. I explained to her that decay comes because something has died, and death comes because of sin. Therefore, our bodies decay with age because we sin.
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
Genesis 2:16-17
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned--
Romans 5:12
But when Christ returns, we, as believers, will be sealed so that we can no longer sin-- ever again!!! It will be glorious!
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Revelation 21:4
That's point one, the second is a bit more tricky. We are told, in poetic language that we will get new bodies. We know from Christ's body, after His resurrection, that we will be able to touch and eat and drink as we do now. We know that there will be at least SOME physical resemblance to our present bodies. But that is about the extent of it...
For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
1 Corinthians 15:53-54
So... LIFE or YOUTH? My conclusion this morning is that it doesn't really matter, because all the ill effects of aging will not be present in the kingdom!
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:1-5
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."
Genesis 2:16-17
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned--
Romans 5:12
But when Christ returns, we, as believers, will be sealed so that we can no longer sin-- ever again!!! It will be glorious!
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Revelation 21:4
That's point one, the second is a bit more tricky. We are told, in poetic language that we will get new bodies. We know from Christ's body, after His resurrection, that we will be able to touch and eat and drink as we do now. We know that there will be at least SOME physical resemblance to our present bodies. But that is about the extent of it...
For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
1 Corinthians 15:53-54
So... LIFE or YOUTH? My conclusion this morning is that it doesn't really matter, because all the ill effects of aging will not be present in the kingdom!
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:1-5
Monday, June 23, 2014
Modesty Discussion
This weekend there was a thread trending in my newsfeed about modesty. I found the discussion frustrating. First of all, I find it frustrating because this is an "in house" discussion. That is to say, we really don't need to be engaging the culture at large on the issue of modesty primarily. They need the gospel. Until Christ gives them new hearts to love Him and His law, changing their attire will help their souls not a bit. So, if you are reading this, and you have not trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, I'm not really talking to you.
Now, with regards to the discussion, I typically see it playing out like this. From the guy: "You need to cover up because I'm wired to want you sexually when I see [this amount] of your body." From the girl: "I want to be cute. You just need to control your thoughts and/or look away." It is classic blame game as old as Adam and Eve. In the garden, after eating the fruit, Adam blamed both Eve and God for his fall (Genesis 3:12). And while Eve blamed the serpent (Genesis 3:13), we are quick to throw the blame with the guys. But blame is not loving. So if we claim to be Christians, LOVE, not BLAME is supposed to characterize the way we interact. We are told that all people will know us as disciples of Christ by our love for each other (John 13:35). And that love is a fruit (result) of having the Holy Spirit living in you (Galatians 5:22). We are also told in the "love chapter" (1 Corinthians 13) that love does not insist on its own way and that it bears all things. And we are commanded to show our love by trying to outdo one another in showing honor (Romans 12:10). This same concept is described elsewhere as [counting] others more significant than yourselves (Philippians 2:3).
So what is my view? Well, I am teaching my son what we believe to be modest, but also that when he is presented with immodesty, he has a responsibility to work to guard his mind and control himself. I am teaching my daughters that while they are not responsible for the thoughts of others, they do have a responsibility to cover themselves in a way that will honor their God and the eyes of the people who see them. Christian brothers and sisters, let's stop throwing blame around and making excuses, and LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:1-8
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Now, with regards to the discussion, I typically see it playing out like this. From the guy: "You need to cover up because I'm wired to want you sexually when I see [this amount] of your body." From the girl: "I want to be cute. You just need to control your thoughts and/or look away." It is classic blame game as old as Adam and Eve. In the garden, after eating the fruit, Adam blamed both Eve and God for his fall (Genesis 3:12). And while Eve blamed the serpent (Genesis 3:13), we are quick to throw the blame with the guys. But blame is not loving. So if we claim to be Christians, LOVE, not BLAME is supposed to characterize the way we interact. We are told that all people will know us as disciples of Christ by our love for each other (John 13:35). And that love is a fruit (result) of having the Holy Spirit living in you (Galatians 5:22). We are also told in the "love chapter" (1 Corinthians 13) that love does not insist on its own way and that it bears all things. And we are commanded to show our love by trying to outdo one another in showing honor (Romans 12:10). This same concept is described elsewhere as [counting] others more significant than yourselves (Philippians 2:3).
So what is my view? Well, I am teaching my son what we believe to be modest, but also that when he is presented with immodesty, he has a responsibility to work to guard his mind and control himself. I am teaching my daughters that while they are not responsible for the thoughts of others, they do have a responsibility to cover themselves in a way that will honor their God and the eyes of the people who see them. Christian brothers and sisters, let's stop throwing blame around and making excuses, and LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:1-8
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Pressing or Priority
I cannot believe that we are already a month into summer vacation! As usual, the days are not long enough for everything on my "to do" list. And so I find myself thinking through the list. I am official chauffeur for the Crew, I am primarily responsible for the cooking and cleaning (whether I do the chores myself, or delegate them), and in just a couple of short months, I will be teacher again as well. So, with the time constraints, I am faced with the question, "Is this task/project/activity a PRIORITY, or just PRESSING?" It could be both, but if it is only pressing, perhaps, in the interest of priorities, it should be put off.
The topmost priority, which CANNOT be compromised, is feeding my soul. Seeking to grow in the faith. Whatever else my days may entail, worship of the One True God is PRIORITY. And if you are a believer, it should always top your list as well. In fact, even if you are not, you were created to glorify and enjoy Him. I have heard that we will never regret a moment spent getting to know our Creator and King. And I believe it-- at least, by His grace I do.
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:38-42
The topmost priority, which CANNOT be compromised, is feeding my soul. Seeking to grow in the faith. Whatever else my days may entail, worship of the One True God is PRIORITY. And if you are a believer, it should always top your list as well. In fact, even if you are not, you were created to glorify and enjoy Him. I have heard that we will never regret a moment spent getting to know our Creator and King. And I believe it-- at least, by His grace I do.
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:38-42
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Amazing! Outrageous!
Occasionally God grants me a glimpse of the depth of my sinful nature. In those moments I am horrified at the evil I am capable of. Most of the time, I prefer to rock along, thinking that I really am "ok". These glimpses used to depress me. I would focus for days or weeks on how wicked I am. More recently, though, I grow more in awe of the love of God in Christ toward me. As I was pondering God's love toward me, in spite of my sin, a couple of songs came to mind.
The Love of God
(verse 3)
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Savor those words for a minute. The ocean, the sky, every plant and every man on the face of all the earth are not enough to express the love of God!
How Deep the Father's Love for Us
How deep the Father's love for us?
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure?
I marvel at the fact that He would love a wretch. And I marvel even more that He takes me as a wretch, but then spends years upon years to make this wretch lovely in His sight. He calls me treasure and then makes me so! Amazing love! Outrageous grace!
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah
Psalms 68:19
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.
Psalms 36:7-9
The Love of God
(verse 3)
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Savor those words for a minute. The ocean, the sky, every plant and every man on the face of all the earth are not enough to express the love of God!
How Deep the Father's Love for Us
How deep the Father's love for us?
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure?
I marvel at the fact that He would love a wretch. And I marvel even more that He takes me as a wretch, but then spends years upon years to make this wretch lovely in His sight. He calls me treasure and then makes me so! Amazing love! Outrageous grace!
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah
Psalms 68:19
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.
Psalms 36:7-9
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Be Still
My Crew slept a little late this morning. We've got big plans for going and doing this summer, and they've been waking up early in expectation of fun! But this morning, they were still sleeping, and I was in my quiet kitchen pondering and praying. And it hit me that my life is FULL of noise! Often, before I even finish my devotions, I'm having to referee an argument, or instruct an idolatrous heart. And then the demands of the day crowd in, and before I get turned around the day is over. I know it is hard to be still. To focus on knowing the Lord better, rather than all the pressing demands. But we NEED to do that! We were created to worship the Lord and serve Him! And that requires a little stillness. Not that my hands cannot be busy, but my mind needs to be intentionally FOCUSED on the Lord.
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Psalms 46:10
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
Psalms 37:7-8
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Psalms 46:10
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
Psalms 37:7-8
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3
Friday, June 13, 2014
You know me too well.
Thirteen years and four days ago, I committed to share the rest of my life with my best friend. We were both starry-eyed, and quite unprepared. (However, I will adamantly maintain that you're never REALLY "ready" for the big things of life. =)) But over the ensuing years, he's begun to talk a little more, and I've practiced listening a little more. And we have learned so much about each other!
Earlier this week, when my Honey made a comment to a friend, I told him that he needed to mortify the sin that he was, at that moment, indulging. Our friend looked at him a bit funny, as though I was falsely accusing him. But Shorty's response was, "She knows me too well." I feel the same way. There is no other person on the planet who has such clear insight into my heart. And he is faithful to call me on the carpet when I'm indulging my sin. It is GLORIOUS-- in an infuriatingly painful way.
As I was mulling this over, I was reminded that there is Another who knows me even better than my Shorty. Better, in fact, than I even know myself. Then I was drawn to these words:
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain! Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalms 139:1-24
Earlier this week, when my Honey made a comment to a friend, I told him that he needed to mortify the sin that he was, at that moment, indulging. Our friend looked at him a bit funny, as though I was falsely accusing him. But Shorty's response was, "She knows me too well." I feel the same way. There is no other person on the planet who has such clear insight into my heart. And he is faithful to call me on the carpet when I'm indulging my sin. It is GLORIOUS-- in an infuriatingly painful way.
As I was mulling this over, I was reminded that there is Another who knows me even better than my Shorty. Better, in fact, than I even know myself. Then I was drawn to these words:
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain! Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalms 139:1-24
Friday, June 6, 2014
Industrious
in-dus-tri-ous: working energetically and devotedly; hard-working; diligent:
I love reading! I was really stretched this past school year as I read about three different periods in history and some of their star characters. One of these is Teddy Roosevelt. I purchased a biography about him to wrap up the literature portion of school for my oldest. Prior to beginning this book, I knew very little about Teddy. Basically, I knew he was a president, stuffed "teddy" bears were named after him, and his face is one of the four on Mount Rushmore. I have learned through this book what a spectacular man he was. He worked hard with both his body and mind, and was well-respected by many who knew him. If you're interested in learning more, the book is titled Carry a Big Stick: The Uncommon Heroism of Theodore Roosevelt.
As I was reading, I was inspired by Teddy's life of stewardship. He worked his entire life to be a good steward of the body, mind, time, finances-- EVERYTHING-- that God gave him. And that has encouraged me to consider my life more carefully, and to work to be a good steward of the resources that God has entrusted to me.
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
Proverbs 13:4
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Romans 12:11
I love reading! I was really stretched this past school year as I read about three different periods in history and some of their star characters. One of these is Teddy Roosevelt. I purchased a biography about him to wrap up the literature portion of school for my oldest. Prior to beginning this book, I knew very little about Teddy. Basically, I knew he was a president, stuffed "teddy" bears were named after him, and his face is one of the four on Mount Rushmore. I have learned through this book what a spectacular man he was. He worked hard with both his body and mind, and was well-respected by many who knew him. If you're interested in learning more, the book is titled Carry a Big Stick: The Uncommon Heroism of Theodore Roosevelt.
As I was reading, I was inspired by Teddy's life of stewardship. He worked his entire life to be a good steward of the body, mind, time, finances-- EVERYTHING-- that God gave him. And that has encouraged me to consider my life more carefully, and to work to be a good steward of the resources that God has entrusted to me.
The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.
Proverbs 13:4
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Romans 12:11
Monday, June 2, 2014
No Change
I love experiments! (Particularly if I can contain the mess! ;)) When I was a kid, I took a water ecology class one summer in which we did a number of experiments and tests on different water sources in our area. I also did a number of experiments over the course of my junior high and high school years. When you do a long term experiment, you must make observations at regular intervals to determine the effect of whatever you are studying. As a kid, because of the small quantity of letters, my favorite observation to record was "no change". However, from a scientific perspective, "no change" is not often a helpful observation. When you are studying, you put two things together hoping for a reaction, a change. If there is no change, you have to go "back to the drawing board".
I began thinking about this idea in light of the sermon at church yesterday. In God's great grace, He gives us the gospel. Namely, that He is the Creator, Holy, Loving, and Just. He made us and we rebelled against His authority as King (and continue to rebel against Him throughout our lives). Because of the rift that this sin caused in our relationship with Him, He sent Jesus, the God-Man to save us from our sin by living perfectly in our place, and then dying in our place to pay the price for our sin. He was then raised from the dead to verify that everything He had claimed about Himself was true, and to give us hope for our own future resurrection with Him.
But here's the thing. I live in America, where it still costs relatively little for me to claim Christ. I can say I'm a Christian, be baptized, go to church on a regular basis, and even talk to everyone I meet about the gospel without the risk of bodily or financial injury. This has tended to breed a level of nonchalance about faith. I can claim Christ without any expectation of change-- at least in some groups. But that is NOT the way that the gospel works! God says again and again in the Bible that His word WILL accomplish what He sets out to do. So when the gospel enters your life, there should be CHANGE! It will likely seem very small, but over the course of time, you should be becoming more like Christ.
So, Christian, my question to you today is, are you in a state of "no change"? If your answer is yes, then I would encourage you to examine your life. Are you reading the Bible and praying often? Are you committed to a local church with whom you are gathering to worship God on a regular basis? And if your answers to these questions are no and that doesn't bother you, perhaps you've not truly believed the gospel. In which case, I encourage you, TODAY is the day of salvation!
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
I began thinking about this idea in light of the sermon at church yesterday. In God's great grace, He gives us the gospel. Namely, that He is the Creator, Holy, Loving, and Just. He made us and we rebelled against His authority as King (and continue to rebel against Him throughout our lives). Because of the rift that this sin caused in our relationship with Him, He sent Jesus, the God-Man to save us from our sin by living perfectly in our place, and then dying in our place to pay the price for our sin. He was then raised from the dead to verify that everything He had claimed about Himself was true, and to give us hope for our own future resurrection with Him.
But here's the thing. I live in America, where it still costs relatively little for me to claim Christ. I can say I'm a Christian, be baptized, go to church on a regular basis, and even talk to everyone I meet about the gospel without the risk of bodily or financial injury. This has tended to breed a level of nonchalance about faith. I can claim Christ without any expectation of change-- at least in some groups. But that is NOT the way that the gospel works! God says again and again in the Bible that His word WILL accomplish what He sets out to do. So when the gospel enters your life, there should be CHANGE! It will likely seem very small, but over the course of time, you should be becoming more like Christ.
So, Christian, my question to you today is, are you in a state of "no change"? If your answer is yes, then I would encourage you to examine your life. Are you reading the Bible and praying often? Are you committed to a local church with whom you are gathering to worship God on a regular basis? And if your answers to these questions are no and that doesn't bother you, perhaps you've not truly believed the gospel. In which case, I encourage you, TODAY is the day of salvation!
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
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