Imitate the Father

So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does."

John 5:19

This is our youngest dog, Jethro. He is a spry German Shorthaired Pointer, and we love him! Right now, my husband and I miss him terribly while he is attending obedience camp. 

Last week, we had the opportunity to go to the camp to see his progress in learning basic obedience commands. As the trainer called out a command, Jethro quickly completed the desired task. I was impressed. 

After showing off a bit, the trainer gave me the opportunity to try using the commands. Though I said all of the words, my visual cues were a big mess. Ultimately, I confused the heck out of the poor pup as I said one command and signaled another. As it turned out, I was the one in need of remediation! 

Sure enough, as soon as the trainer reclaimed the authority of Jethro, the little guy followed orders like a champion. When he saw the trainer give a signal, he knew the action to take. 

As I thought about the process of training a dog, I couldn't help but compare it to my own spiritual training. Just like the dog was quick to imitate the cues of the trainer, so I should be quick to imitate the cues of the Father. 

In the Bible Jesus explained that He does nothing on His own, but rather imitates what He sees the Father doing. What a lesson this is for me! 

How many disappointments and difficult situations could I avoid if I refrained from doing anything on my own, and instead only imitated what I see the Father doing? 

Father, make your actions clear to me, so that I might accurately imitate You. 

Lindsey Pond

Accountable

I remember the day well.  Dad loaded my sister and me into his red and white Blazer and took us straight to the place of our elementary dreams - Wal Mart. We pranced inside the bargain superstore, and made a beeline to our favorite pink aisles.

                As we stood with eyes as wide as saucers, my dad placed crisp $5 bills in each of our tiny hands. 

                Quickly, Ashley perused the Barbie aisle, looking intently at each doll and accessory that fell within her price point. After picking over each trinket and treasure, she always settled on the item with the most functionality. A simple doll was never enough. She wanted the doll's hair to magically grow or her outfit to be reversible or her car to go all by itself.

                While Ashley spent her energy assessing the features of each plaything, my sights immediately focused on the one little baby doll that I could afford. It wasn't a difficult decision for me. After all, I already had three more dolls just like her at home. They were so cuddly, so soft, and so in need of my rudimentary mothering.

                "Are you sure you want to spend your money on the same thing you already have at home?" Dad asked, just like always.

                "Her clothes are different," I replied with a grin. Dad didn't argue with me. He just said, "Okay," and led us promptly to the checkout line.

                Lately, this memory has come to my mind a lot, as the Lord has forced me to embrace the idea of accountability. Accountable. The word is constantly on my mind. Just as my dad let me be solely accountable for spending $5 at Wal Mart, my Heavenly Father allows me to be responsible for spending my life.

                I am convinced that there is nothing that will make the sun seem brighter, the sky appear bluer, or the birds' song sweeter than a brush with mortality. Back in 2008, when my breast cancer diagnosis was new and frightening, I was abundantly aware of how I spent the days of my life.

               But, now, perhaps I'm taking God's grace for granted. Perhaps, I've become cozy with my status, because, sometimes I forget to live abundantly. I forget to share the love of Jesus with the waitress who is obviously fighting to hold back tears. I forget to smile at the kid in the grocery store whose mom has been barking hurtful words for the past 30 minutes. I forget to tell my husband how smart he is, and what an honor it is to be his wife. I forget to praise God for the rain that is making my garden grow. I forget to be.........accountable.

                In this new season, I am challenging myself to be accountable for my days by being intentional about Jesus. My goal is that I will spend my life well by making much of Him and less of me. I want to be accountable. Do you?

Lindsey Pond

Taste the Rainbow

For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.

Matthew 12:34

Doesn't my lunch look yummy? All week, I've been very conscious of every morsel that I've put into my mouth. Something about this time of year, when all the new buds are blooming, makes me want to treat my body with the utmost care.

 For most, me included, my diet determines much. It seems to affect my mood, my energy, my outlook, and, of course, my waistline. So, I'm adopting Skittles' famous motto, and I'm "tasting the rainbow", but not the candy variety. Instead, I'm chowing down on colorful fruits and vegetables. It's amazing how they make me feel like I could easily conquer a giant. 

As I was devouring my kaleidoscopic meal, I realized that the old church-y phrase, "garbage in, garbage out", really does hold true. Those sweet little Sunday School teachers actually did know something! 

When I put pepperoni pizza and cookies 'n cream ice cream in my body, I'm pretty much worthless. I feel sluggish and weak and desire nothing more than to plop down on the couch and tune in to a streaming episode of Downton Abbey. But, when I'm careful to eat healthy foods, I move about like the Energizer Bunny. 

Folks, the Word of God works in the same way. When I'm intentionally spending time feasting on scripture, I am far more apt to erupt with Godly speech. However, when I'm filling my mind with trash, then I'm sure to communicate the filth within. 

Lord Jesus, please give me the discipline to fill both my body and my mind with pure, nourishing things. 

Lindsey Pond

Wait Time

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 27:14

Do you enjoy waiting? In my city, there is really nothing exciting to do, so eating out is the chosen social activity. Thus, new restaurants are a big deal, especially new chain restaurants.  Within the last year, we've gotten our very own versions of Panera Bread, Corner Bakery, and Chuy's. I'm sure there are others, but these 3 are the most familiar to me.

I remember trying to dine at each one, during its grand opening week. And, as you might've guessed, they were all full of patrons, with lines of prospective eaters extending out the restaurant doors. All for an enchilada. Or a bagel. Or soup in a bread bowl. Mmmmm, soup in a bread bowl! 

When, I entered these places and found that I couldn't immediately sit down, I was so annoyed by the busyness! I don't wait well. I don't know of many people who are especially good at waiting. 

Our culture has taught us to be RAPID! IMMEDIATE! INSTANT! Some even refer to the current trend as the microwave culture, too busy to wait around for results. 

Unfortunately, this "now, now, now" mentality has spilled over into my spiritual life. Do you know what I mean? Is this happening to you?

When I put myself before the Lord, I demand that He speak. I want answers/guidance/vision/direction NOW! This practice couldn't be any further from Biblical teaching. 

We are told to wait upon the Lord.

And, not only are we to wait, but we are to wait patiently, with bravery and courage. 

Oh, Father, I'm reminded today of my impatience as I seek you. Lord, help me to wait on you by not taking a single step beyond that which you've ordained. Teach me to wait with patience, bravery, and courage. 

Lindsey Pond

How Does Your Garden Grow?

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 

1 Corinthians 3:6-7

I'm a good 'ole Southern woman. I love antebellum architecture, iced tea, and weeping willows. I could sit for hours shelling peas on a hot summer porch, listening to nothing but the symphony of insects. But, more than anything, I love the gardening culture of the South. 

If you're like me, you're chomping at the bit to be safe from the last frost of the season, so that you can start digging in the dirt. Some unwind with a massage. But me? I just sink my knuckles into the deep, rich soil of the earth. I never outgrew the appeal of making mud pies. 

Last week, I decided to take my chances with the extra warm winter, and I began planting my vegetable garden. My husband expertly worked to build wooden boxes for me to try my hand at suburban horticulture.  When the boxes were filled to the brim with soil, we carefully laid the tiny seeds in their new beds, covering them gingerly with a dirt blanket. 

Finally, our task was complete.  I looked on with the pride of a new mother, just sure that those babies would develop and grow as expected. After all, I had done such a good job of planting them!

You know, I often do good jobs. I am very gifted at a lot of things. I know a lot of stuff. And, I am a bright spot in many people's lives. I have shared my faith countless times to thousands of people. I do SUCH a good job. . . Are you ready to throw up yet? 

As I was looking on those seeds, I was immediately convicted as I thought that my good job had any bearing on the growth of those plants. After all, wasn't it God who created those seeds? Wasn't it Him who provides rain to nourish those seeds and sun to grow them? Isn't it He who puts just the right atoms in the atmosphere to produce favorable conditions for growth? Really, isn't God responsible for it all? 

He is. 

On my own, I am responsible for no growth. Only God grows things. Only He plans and plants and cultivates and matures and harvests good things. Not me. Not you. Only Him. 

So, maybe you're like me today. Maybe you, like me, need a reminder that while we can do good things, only the Lord grows things. 

Father, remind me constantly that You, alone, are the grower of good things. Remind me to give You all credit, leaving nothing for myself. 

Lindsey Pond

Solid Faith: Day 5

Do not conform any longer 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

When your faith is in money you work and save. When you place your faith in relationships, you structure your life around people. When you believe in yourself, you get out there in the mix to prove your worth.  When you place your faith in God, you do—what?

 Years ago, a friend said to me (with some resignation), “It always gets back to the same thing, doesn’t it” By that, she meant Bible study and prayer. Today I would add a third: obedience. We have a culture both in and out of the church that is hypocritical, double-minded and sin-hardened. In the words of Jeremiah, “they don’t even know how to blush.” (6:13)     

Of course, God will judge. But that’s not the point.

You cannot walk, grow in grace or experience the blessings of faith if you unashamedly cherish sin in your life. No matter what kind of terms you think you and God are on, “you are dead in your trespasses and sins.” (Eph. 2:1-3) Dead people can’t feel God’s pleasure or receive His rewards; dead people can’t experience the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.   

In the book of James we learn that faith without works is dead. These are some of the works of faith: reading and meditation on The Word, confession and repentance from sin, time for both speaking and listening to Him in prayer.

Like the proverbial journey of a thousand miles, the process of transformation begins with a single step, then another and another—each firmer and more certain than the last. Then one day we will take that last step and come face to face with our God, our reward and our home.

Nancy Shirah     

Solid Faith: Day 4

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek      

                                                                       Him.                                                                  

  Hebrews 11:6

No matter what your worldview, there are details about the original creation beyond absolute confirmation by either science or Scripture. As an old preacher said, “Nobody can say for sure how it all came about. Only one person was there when it happened.”  Fortunately, we know something about the “one person.”

Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that Has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it…He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave  the right to become children of God—children born not of natural decision, nor husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

In Christ, light more powerful than any darkness came into the world. Through Him, we can know grace, truth and eternal life. We can experience it, live in it, be led by it.

How do we experience it? We believe that He exists and we seek to know Him. The problem is that a lot of people offer lip service to this search, but get out of bed, put on their shoes and go through their day looking to something else for enlightenment, truth and future meaning. When we believe money exists, we work for it and spend it, when our life is defined by relationship, we cultivate and prioritize them, and when we believe in our own abilities, we seek education and a career.

Often it is only when these fail us that we look to God—sometimes for an answer, sometimes to fix blame. And He will graciously meet us at our point of need. But it is only the consistent and faith-centered seeker after God who experiences His pleasure, His presence and His rewards.

Nancy Shirah

Solid Faith: Day 3

By faith we understand that the universe was formed by God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.               

Hebrews 11:3

Until about 150 years ago, it was generally held that the world and everything in it were the result of outside forces. Today many accept as absolute fact that every aspect of the natural world, from the farthest galaxies to individual cells, has arisen from two factors: time plus chance. We live in a bottom-up creation on a closed-off planet.  

However, science has proven to be its own worst enemy. As each new generation of instruments reveal more of the inner secrets of the natural world, scientists discover new and more complex systems. (Darwin thought cells were just a bubble of jelly he called protoplasm.) Reverting to damage control mode, science has introduced other agents to explain this expanding knowledge, such as unrepeatable cosmic first causes (And who caused the cause?) and intelligent visitors from other galaxies who shaped our planet’s progress. (Don’t bother to ask where they came from!)

My point is this: don’t back-off Hebrews 11:3 and other verses that speak of the reality of a Creation event. What this verse is saying is that God—who is outside and over His creation—brought our solid, visible world from the immaterial and invisible; in this case, from the energy of His Words. All the “smart people” have to offer are straw men and naked emperors.

But this is the really good news: in the universe planned and formed by God, we didn’t just inherit a material place on which to conduct business for the few years of our existence. Inherent in His Creation is “the right to become children of God—children not of natural descent, nor of human decision, or a husband’s will, but born of God.”  (John 1:12)  And that makes all the difference.

Nancy Shirah

Solid Faith: Day 2

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen..

Hebrews 11:1  (NASB)

In this beautiful verse, we find the ultimate definition of faith. But it is not a definition that yields the full depth of its truth to a superficial reading. When we dive into the deep waters of the original language, there is hidden treasure waiting.

In the Greek, “assurance” is hupostasis. It is a scientific term referring to that which rests on the facts. Some of its synonyms: support, substance, steadiness. Interestingly, its opposite is hypothesis—an assumption or theory.

 “Conviction” is used in this passage as a sense of “a proof” or “a certain persuasion.”

 Finally, hope, as it is spoken of in Scripture, is always characterized by two qualities: it is something good and it is something we must wait for.

 When we put it all together we see that faith is something—though still future—that is good, substantive and factual, and of whose reality we are persuaded.

 This is true of all the things one hopes in, isn’t it? Money, happy relationships,  personal resources. Yet Scripture says true contentment, security and meaning can only be experienced when our faith is fully placed in God--who is invisible Spirit.  How can we have a factual conviction regarding God when no one has ever seen Him? (At least we can count our money and hug our loved ones!)

 All the questions we have about God have been answered in Jesus.

 “No one has ever seen God the only begotten Son who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.”       John 1:18

Surprisingly, the author of Hebrews does not begin his instruction on the nature of father with Jesus. Exhibit A is something that was basic truth in the author’s day. Today it is the ground zero of a cultural controversy: Creation.

 Nancy Shirah

Solid Faith: Day 1

The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.                      

Hebrews 11 (The Message)

What is faith? A leap in the dark? Your biggest dream projected into a future reality? Or are you like the little boy who said, “Faith is believing what you know ain’t so.”

In the book of Hebrews, the author makes some pretty big claims regarding the nature of faith: it is a fundamental fact of existence, faith in God is the foundation of a worthwhile life and the key to understanding what we can’t see. 

 To put it another way, faith is not only something we do; it is something that is.

Everyone lives by faith. Even those who would consider themselves non-religious look to something to give their life purpose: successful relationships, intelligence or abilities, their bank balance. We get up every morning, conduct our day’s business and crawl into bed at night confident that something we are placing our faith in today will give meaning and security to our tomorrows.

Yet, no matter how hard we work and dream, life may not go according to plan: the loving words and actions of those at the center of our universe may not translate into long-term commitment, that bright future may never be realized, today’s net worth may not translate into tomorrow’s spendable cash.

But in this passage, we are given an amazing promise. When our faith is centered in God, we gain a trustworthy perspective on today and an insight into tomorrow.

Nancy Shirah

Comfort

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 

 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

I don’t know how you feel ladies, but it makes me shudder to relive my troubles. However, hindsight gives me a much better perspective of the comforts that came my way in the midst of them. God makes it perfectly clear that while He may not have sent them, He does not intend them to be wasted. And one of the prime reasons is so that I may comfort you in your troubles.

So how do we comfort others? Some things we’re pretty good at doing. All we need is for someone to pass around the list and there’s a meal for that new baby, or your friend just home from the hospital. It takes little more than appearing with a hug, when your best friend has lost a loved one. And anytime we can lend a listening ear. I fear, however, that we miss some of the long term needs for comfort. There is never enough in the cupboard for the single mom. The young widow is alone forever.

This year has been a long one for our daughter. Circumstances have tested her stamina, but she can recount blessings by the dozens. Take the parcel that arrived in her mailbox one afternoon. As her boys helped her open it, their eyes popped. Inside were gift cards for McDonalds—you know that means Happy Meals, and toys. Add to that the latest rage in dinosaur silly bands. Pretty exciting. Then for mom, a gift card for school supplies, and a note of encouragement and promises of prayer. As mom read the note she burst into tears at the thought of someone caring enough to think of her. You know what, in most cases comfort comes in small packages.

How about your personal stories of trouble and pursuant comfort? It may be the hardest thing for you to do; there will be lots of emotions surface. However I do encourage you to go back, examine, and write down all the places you can see God’s hand intervening in comfort. It may have been but a whisper of the Spirit, perhaps a scripture, most certainly the hug of a friend. Having identified the marks of comfort, you will be a comfort in turn to someone mired in one trouble or another.    

Thank You, Father, for the comfort from above. May I be sensitive to my friend, presently in need of a hug from You.

Nancy P

Comfort

I remember your ancient laws, O LORD, and I find comfort in them. 

 Psalm 119:52

I recently received a thank you note from a friend for a meal I had taken. Her appreciation for the “comfort food” as she put it—plain old roast chicken and potatoes, veggies and salad, and still-warm cinnamon cake—got me to thinking. Did I have a comfort food? Do you? What is comfort food anyways?

The term was added to Webster’s dictionary in 1977, so it certainly is recognized terminology: “Food prepared in a traditional style having a certain nostalgic or sentimental appeal.” Roast chicken would fit, as would my favorite prime rib with all the fixings. Whenever we sat down to a roast beef dinner, it was in the company of family and friends, dished up with familiarity and considerable camaraderie. Of course there is the other twist to comfort foods—whatever you turn to in the cupboard when you are highly stressed—that would be dark chocolate!

I laugh when I think of the apparent comfort food of the Israelites, grumbling as they were to Moses and Aaron in the desert: “Why didn’t you let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat?” (Exodus 16:3a The Message)

Well, this morning I sat down to my other favorite comfort food—God’s word. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth (Psalm 119:103). I think about yesterday’s list and savor the comforting flavors of the Spirit’s truth and revelation and intercession. I munch with delight on the following time-honored staples:

·         Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. Isaiah 40:1-2

·         Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.  Isaiah 49:13

·         “The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.”  Isaiah 51:3

·         “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you;”  Isaiah 66:13a

·         “Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.” Jeremiah 31:13

·         “Proclaim further: this is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.’” Zechariah 1:17

 Nancy P

Comfort

But the (Comforter), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 

 John 14:26

Jesus’ trip to the cross seemed certain, at first glance, to mire the disciples in hopelessness. As He washed their feet in the upper room the final night of his life, He predicted Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial and His impending departure, He most certainly caused great waves of fear to ripple through their very beings.

 Yet He managed words of comfort as well, words like: “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later” (John 13:36b); “I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3b). Then He did something totally amazing. He promised to ask the Father for a gift, the gift of the Spirit to live in each one of those who love Jesus (John 14:15-21). Jesus was not destined to remain on earth forever: “I tell you the truth: it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the (Comforter) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7).

A radical thought. And Jesus calls the Spirit the Comforter! What more could you want—THE Comforter, on board. The expectation of earthly comfort has just been raised to a new level.

What will be the marks of comfort? Let’s list a few:

·         He is “the Spirit of truth”. John 14:17

·         “He will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26

·         “He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:8

·         “He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known you.” John 16:13-14

·         If you live by the Spirit, the “fruit of the Spirit” will ripen in you. Galatians 5:16-25

·         We do not know what to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express…in accordance with God’s will. Romans 8:26-27

 I don’t know about you, but I certainly am comforted by knowing that Jesus did not abandon me to the wiles of the world. Spirit, I release my troubles and fears to You, knowing full well You will encircle me with the convicting truths of the Father.

Nancy P

Comfort

If all I have to look forward to is a home in the graveyard, if my only hope for comfort is a well built coffin,

Job 17:13 (The Message)

Whew! I’m so glad we settled some things yesterday. God is the author of all comfort, always there to “comfort us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:4a). There is no one I’d rather run to than the Father for a hug when I’m in over my head or have merely skinned my knee.     

 So what happens on the days when I forget how close my heavenly Father is, days when I cannot see His face? Job was having one of those days, make that many more than a few of those days, and his friends were not helping to comfort him in the least. Granted, they came; but they didn’t get it. Silence would have been preferable to useless prattle. No wonder Job calls them “miserable comforters” (Job 16:2). May we never be guilty of such perversity.

 We get a glimpse of Job’s angst as he looks to the grave—a home in the graveyard, a well built coffin, neither a source of hope. He knew better of course. And in the end, when “the LORD answered Job out of the storm” (Job 38:1), Job applauded God’s glory. His confession rings loud and clear: My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you (Job 42:5).

 That is the confession we have when we know Jesus as personal Lord and Savior. Our hope extends way beyond the graveyard, our resting place not in a rosewood coffin but in the “bosom of Abraham” (Luke 16:22). Jesus’ trip to the cross symbolizes eternal comfort.

However, bad days and troubles will come our way just as they did for Job. We are not immune. In fact, the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives (2 Corinthians 1:5a). But then too, through Christ our comfort overflows (2 Corinthians 1:5b). Once we have experienced the comfort of the Lord, we are capable of comforting others in like fashion.

Ah sweet Jesus, just as we have suffered and been comforted by You, may our comfort overflow to our friends in the midst of their troubles.

Nancy P

Comfort

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.

  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

The year was 1950 and I was eight. As my dad handed over the funny pages of the local newspaper one evening, he pointed out a new comic strip. On the spot I fell in love with the “Peanuts” gang: Snoopy on his doghouse, WWI flying ace, red scarf flying behind; Snoopy’s best friend Woodstock at the typewriter; Schroeder tickling the keys of his baby grand; Lucy in her booth, offering 5 cent “psychiatric help” instead of lemonade; Linus dragging his blanket in the dirt; Charlie Brown—you were a “good man Charlie Brown”—in the end, just for once, I wished you’d get to kick the football. For fifty years Charles M. Shulz, creator, jarred us out of complacency with his unique brand of social commentary.

 Take Linus’ security blanket for instance. Before Shulz, who deigned to dignify a piece of ratty flannel with twisted satin edging? Imagine with me in four comic frames:

·         Linus: “Oh how I hate Mondays!”

·         “Relax!” says Lucy. “How can I relax with my blanket in the wash? Why does she have to wash it anyway?! It wasn’t very dirty! I GOTTA HAVE THAT BLANKET! I can’t breathe! The walls are closing in on me! I’m getting weak! Gasp-Gasp-Help me, somebody! Help me!!!” 

·         Lucy: “Hold on! Here it comes! From the washer to the dryer to you!” Linus: “Saved!” Sigh!

·         Lucy: “In medical circles that is known as the application of a spiritual tourniquet!”

 In spiritual circles, comfort would be the appropriate terminology. While you may not remember having a “favorite” comfort object of your own, the family photos do not lie. Perhaps you even wished, like Linus, you could have carried your security blanket into your present situation:

·         Charlie Brown: “What are you going to do when you get too old to drag it around?”

·         Linus: “Who knows? I’ve been thinking seriously of having it made over into a sport coat!”

 The truth is, in spiritual circles comfort abounds. Compassion and comfort are attributes of our heavenly Father. Rest assured His blanket of comfort will never wear thin nor be relegated to the rag bag.  

O God of all comfort, Father of compassion, I clutch Your blanket of comfort to my troubles today.

Nancy P

Just As I Am

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.

John 6:37

It is fitting that we close this week’s devotions on old hymns with “Just As I Am.”  Rev. Billy Graham always closed his services with the singing of this song. It has been the most famous invitational hymn in history.

Trust and Obey

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Sometimes terrifying circumstances come into our lives. There are financial crises, health crises, spiritual dilemmas, and other things that threaten us.

I Need Thee Every Hour

Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 

 2 Corinthians 3:5

Sometimes it takes a valley in our life to make us realize how much we need God. Growing up we are trained to be independent and to “stand on our own two feet.” Then comes a crisis, and we fall apart. That’s when we realize how much we need God.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.

Psalm 119:2

Where is your focus today?  Did you begin this day by turning your eyes toward Jesus or by turning them toward the things of the world?

Amazing Grace

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. 

 Ephesians 1:7

 It seems the older I get the more I think about the hymns I grew up singing. They are full of theology. They help us praise God. I find myself singing them as I walk around the house or drive down the highway. What an influence they have had on my life! This week I want to share some of the history of a few of these great hymns.

 Of course, I have to begin with “Amazing Grace,” the most recognized and the favorite hymn of most of the world. The word “grace” certainly has a sweet sound. Grace is God doing for us what we don’t deserve. “Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me”—nothing can be more uplifting.

This great hymn, written by John Newton in 1779, describes the way God had reached out and saved a wretch like him. Mr. Newton had a godly mother. Because she was not in good health, he spent hours standing by her knees hearing Bible stories and memorizing Bible verses. She died when he was only seven years old. As Mr. Newton grew up, he fell deeper and deeper into sin.

As a part of the British navy, he spent much of his life on ships. Once a ship Mr. Newton was on was met by a brutal storm. He realized the danger he was in and called out to God. He remembered the verses his mother helped him memorize as a young child. He recalled the Bible stories she had taught him. He recalled the tearful prayers she had prayed for him.

God, in his grace, reached out to Mr. Newton. John Newton had chosen an evil lifestyle. Because of God’s grace, his life was changed. Mr. Newton later became one of the most powerful evangelical preachers in British history. That’s why he called God’s grace amazing.

The words of this hymn tell how God gives us life, calms our fears, pulls us through dangers.  

Regardless of our present lifestyle or things in our past, God’s grace, His goodness toward us, can save us and can raise us to our heavenly home. Paul’s writing in Ephesians 2:8 tells us we can only be saved by God’s grace. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation. It is God’s grace alone that saves us.

Source: Then Sings My Soul, by Robert J. Morgan, 2003

Georgia

Major Truths From Minor Prophets: God Takes Great Delight In Us

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

The Old Testament is full of stories of the wayward Israelites. They were God’s chosen people. He rescued them from bondage in Egypt. He gave them the Promised Land. He destroyed their enemies. Yet they repaid His love by worshiping other gods. They disobeyed the God who protected and loved them through the years.

 Zephaniah, a contemporary of the prophet, Jeremiah, was sent to warn the Southern kingdom of Judea. They would not heed God’s final warning to repent. They were taken captive by the Babylonians and spent seventy years in exile.

 The Minor Prophets all referred to the day of the Lord. This term never refers to twenty four hours. It is an indefinite period of God’s judgment. It applies to the present generation and sometimes includes future generations.

The third chapter of Zephaniah gives hope to the remnant of believing Jews. It also applies to another remnant, the New Testament church. We are included in God’s family. Thank You, Lord.

Zephaniah 3:17 gives us four great truths. First, Our Lord is mighty to save. We need no other god. Jesus Christ is the Savior. He alone brings salvation. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” ( John 14).

Second, God takes great delight in His children. How do you feel knowing that the God of the Universe takes great delight in you? I know I am humbled because I do things that cause Him grief. We were put here on Earth to glorify and serve God. How many times do I let Him down? This verse makes me want to bring Him delight instead of sorrow.

Third, the verse says that God will quiet us with His love. Do you long for peace? I have a favorite verse I share with friends who are going through trials. You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you (Isaiah 26:3). Our Heavenly Father ‘s  love gives us a quiet spirit.

Finally, He rejoices with us with singing. Imagine spending eternity with a God who rejoices with us. I can’t imagine God singing, but He can do anything. If He could appear in a burning bush to Moses, I’m certain He can singl

Dear Father, Thank You for Zephaniah. His truths fill me with joy and hope.

Janice Yandell

Major Truths From Minor Prophets: Jesus Was Expected

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old from ancient times.

Micah 5:2

What a privilege Micah was given. Tucked back in the fifth chapter of this little book is the prophecy telling the birthplace of Jesus. We usually think of Isaiah and Daniel when we think of the prophecies of the coming Messiah. Here we have a major truth from a minor prophet.

Jesus’ family lived in the little village of Nazareth in Galilee. How could He be born in Bethlehem? It was all about taxes. Each family went to his own town to register. Joseph’s lineage was from the tribe of Judah, so he went to Bethlehem, the town of David, in Judea.

I am so glad that God included Jesus’ birthplace in the many Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. When we sing Oh Little Town of Bethlehem ,we know that Micah told about it hundreds of years before Christ was born.

In this one verse Micah also gave us another great truth. He told us that the Messiah’s origins are from old. Jesus didn’t come into existence as a little babe in a manger. He was from the beginning. God’s Word tells us that in other places.

 On the sixth day of creation God was ready to create man. Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground) (Genesis 1:26).

Who was the us and our? Genesis 1:2 reveals one of them.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

John begins his gospel by telling us about the other us and our. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning (John 1:1).That is Jesus.

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have always been. They were at creation and they will always be. What a great truth. The Trinity is not an easy concept to understand. As a Christian I have grown to know them better from studying the Bible and learning of their special tasks.

A simple way for me to explain a complicated concept is to say that God the Father could not look on sin. He is holy. He sent His only Son to Earth to give His life as a sacrifice for the sins of all men. When Jesus arose and went back to Heaven, God sent His Spirit to live in the hearts of every Christian. Thus you have the three in one in a nutshell. Praise God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Dear Father, Thank You for the two great truths from this Minor Prophet.

Janice Yandell