In the End...

We all like to "comment" about others and the things they do for the Lord. We say, "I would do it differently." Of course we would. Each and every person would do things differently if given the opportunity. Only God knows whether someone's heart is right in their service to Him. Only God knows... and He isn't telling. Our job is to fear God and keep His commandments. Leave everything else up to God.

Ecclesiastes 12: 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Waiting...

Waiting. It is not something that any of us likes. A wise person, however, learns to wait to speak. They make sure they have all the facts, "fact" checks again, then waits some more before speaking. If more would do this, then there would be a lot less anger and strife in our family and church relationships.

Proverbs 29:20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Proverbs 29:11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Climbing to the Heights

“O Shepherd. You said you would make my feet like hinds' feet and set me upon High Places".

"Well", he answered "the only way to develop hinds' feet is to go by the paths which the hinds use.”
― Hannah Hurnard, Hinds' Feet on High Places

Climbing to the heights of closeness to God does not happen by staying in the valley. It involves struggle, effort and going off the beaten path in order to see His glory.

2 Samuel 22:33-35 - God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. 34 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places. 35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.

In the Midst of Trials...

Good things to do when in the midst of turmoil! Give, Call, Sing, Glory, Seek, Remember...

Psalm 105:1-5 ~ O GIVE thanks unto the Lord; CALL upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. 2 SING unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. 3 GLORY ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. 4 SEEK the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore. 5 REMEMBER his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

Looking at the Flip Side: Love and Hate

In reading our Bible we often read simply to check off an item on our "to do" list for the day. We don't allow God's holy Word to penetrate our mind or our heart. We don't mull over, digest, or discern a larger meaning. Take 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 for example. It is a familiar passage, but I imagine you have never read it in the manner I'm about to show you. (As a reminder, "charity" is another word for "love".)

⁴ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Hate is impatient, is hurtful and harsh; hate resents others success; hate boasts and brags, is prideful.
 
⁵ Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Hate behaves indecently, looks out for himself, is easily provoked to anger, thinks evil of everyone before thinking any good.

⁶ Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

 Hate exults at wickedness, but deplores truth;

⁷ Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Hate gives up, discredits all things, distrusts all things, despairs in all things. 

⁸ Charity never faileth: 

Hate fails.

When you look at the qualities of love from the "flip side" it brings a whole new understanding to the passage. Instead of saying, "Sure, I'm long suffering. I'm kind. I don't envy and am not prideful," we must think to ourselves, "Ooh, I was impatient with the kids this morning. Ouch, I spoke harshly to my husband last night. I did think I should have gotten a 'Good job!' on the project instead of my co-worker; after all, I work longer than she does and I have more experience." And so the new conversation could go throughout the rest of the passage.

Next time you are reading your Bible, think about the "flip side". Don't allow yourself to be deceived into thinking you "have arrived" in your spiritual walk. 

Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Did You Hear...?

It is a sign of a perverse and treacherous disposition to wound the good name of another, when he has no opportunity of defending himself. ~ John Calvin

When someone tells you a negative about another, it is wise to go to the one being spoken about for the truth.

Proverbs 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

Psalm 101:5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

Proverbs 10:18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

Joy of the LORD

...the joy of the LORD is your strength. ~ Nehemiah 8:10

Overwhelmed by His joy and peace in the midst of transition. Thank you, LORD!

Growing Pains

As I received news today of a young couple welcoming their 3rd son into the world, I was reminded of a truth: There can be no growth without pain. Labor pains to bring a new baby into a family. "Growing pains" for a child to add another inch to the doorway. As I look back, I realize that each time there was growth, regardless of the area, it was ONLY after a tremendous battle, a trial of faith... a growing pain. I don't know what the Lord has planned, but I eagerly await to see how He will enlarge our coasts.

1 Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

Psalm 5

Psalm 5:7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.

11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

12 For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

 

 

Psalm 4

Psalm 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

2 O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing*? Selah. (*leasing - a lie, untruth, falsehood, deceptive thing)

3 But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

7 Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased .

8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Melting?

Doing a little reading on the phrase "my God" and came across this verse. Joshua was reminding the people about the 10 spies who caused the children of Israel to not go into the land to possess it. BUT he followed the Lord. Even though Joshua had to endure the 40 years in the wilderness as everyone else did, God kept him alive so that he would one day go in and possess the land. Don't be discouraged when those around you "melt" the heart, cause fear or confusion. FOLLOW THE LORD instead.

Joshua 14:8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God.

The Other Realm

Most of us study Scripture with the physical realm in mind. However, God is more interested in the spiritual realm. For example, we read passages on parenting or marriage then focus our attention on the do's and don'ts involved and whether we agree with it for "these days". We neglect the greater picture... that these lessons are there to teach us from the physical realm what our relationship with God should be in the spiritual realm. Pondering much today...

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Digging Deep

People who say they are Christians, but by no means speak or conduct themselves in any Christ-like manner have discouraged many in the last few months. Not isolated situations, but widespread... across the world. 

I've been asked, "WHY? How can they ___ if they profess to be a child of God?" It is simple. The answer lies here:

Proverbs 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.

Don't be discouraged. Pray! God knows the hearts. You keep doing right... you keep following His Word... dig deep.