Today's devotion: Sledding and praying

Today's Our Daily Bread devotion story certainly brings back memories of winters gone by. Read the story, Bible passage and insight by clicking here.

The blogger will return on Monday. Until then, enjoy your weekend and may God bless you all.

Today's devotion - Where does your help come from?

Today's Bible reading is the 121st Psalm. Be sure to read it, the story and the insight that are included with most all Our Daily Bread devotional offerings. In my mother's extended absence from blogging you can find this daily devotion by following this link.

God bless all of you today and every day.

Today's devotional - Battling distractions

Today Our Daily Bread's devotion centers on the Gospel according to Luke, chapters 10, verses 38-42. Take time to digest the scripture before you read today's devotion. Reading the Good Book adds so much more to the essay. Read today's edition by following this link.

May God bless all of you today and every day. Amen

Strengthen my hands

Since I am away from my computer for the next few days, I have set up links to the Our Daily Bread devotional page.

Please take the time to read the daily message and be inspired by its relevance to our world.

Here's the link for today's devotional reading. Be sure to read the scripture verses first!

May God bless all of you today and every day.

Share the Good News

Have you had good news you were just itching to share with someone – anyone?

You know the kind - the knock-you-out-of-your-socks kind that really blows you away? Things like your child gets accepted to Harvard; your youngest finally gets math; your daughter gets a fully paid scholarship to the institute of higher learning of her choice; you’re going to be a mom (or a dad); you’re going to be a grandparent; you’re engaged. I could go on and on, but you get the drift I am sure.

Well, I have some good news to share too, but mine comes from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Yes, you guessed it, it is the Good News of eternal life through His grace by believing in Him.

Probably the most famous of all the Bible verses pertaining to belief in Christ being associated with eternal life is John 3:16 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

It’s the first verse I memorized as a child. Perhaps that is the case for you too.

At the time, I really did not thoroughly understand the significance of such a belief. I did not understand the commitment required of me. I thought it was enough to just believe.

But, I have found that faith requires more of me, even though the apostle Paul said that “not by works so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:9 (NIV))

When I did a Bible study centered on James, I found a question that caused me to consider deeds as a significant part of the Christian, faith-centered life. One verse stood out; James 2:14 (NIV) What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?

Good question, eh?

Jesus talked about advancing His message through helping one another, explaining that by assisting a person in peril, you are actually spreading the love of Christ and His message through your acts of kindness and mercy. In Matthew 25:44-46 (NIV), [Jesus said] 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

For me, helping my fellow man is being true to my “job” as a Christian. Likewise, through this ministry of the written word spreading the Good News of Christ’s birth, death and resurrection is a true follower’s calling that, again, for me, is second to none.

Bottom line, Jesus, through His sacrifice, gave us the Good News to proclaim. It’s part of the Great Commission where Christ directed his followers to spread the Gospel to all the earth. Matthew 28:16-20 (NIV) 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

It's as simple as – you are saved by grace if you believe. BUT, that saving grace requires you to –love one another and proclaim your gift of eternal life through His grace by faith in Him.

Why not start today by spreading the Good News to others you meet, whether it’s at work or at play or in the grocery store, or at the barber shop or even at Bible study or church?

After all, “Good news kept silent is no news at all.”  ---C.P. Hia

Until next week - May God bless you and help you spread the Good News.

Abortion = Murder

Today is the anniversary of a dark day in our nation’s judicial history. On this day in 1973, the United States Supreme Court, by a 7-2 vote, affirmed a woman’s “right” to obtain an abortion for any and all reasons.

Jane Roe, et al. v. Henry Wade, District Attorney of Dallas County, 410 U.S. 113 was decided simultaneously with a similar case, Doe v. Bolton. The ruling affirmed a woman’s right to privacy under the due process clause of the 14th Amendment.

However, the Court stressed that this right must be balanced against the individual state's two legitimate interests in regulating abortions. The interests listed were protecting the unborn child’s life and protecting the woman's health.

The defendant in the case argued that the state’s interests became stronger over the course of a pregnancy. To satisfy this challenge, the Court resolved the issue by tying state regulation of abortion to the third trimester of pregnancy.

Later, the Court rejected the landmark decision’s trimester framework, while affirming Roe 's central decision/belief that a person has a right to abortion until the baby’s existence is considered viable.

This case’s decision defined viability of the unborn child as being "potentially able to live outside the mother's womb, albeit with artificial aid.” The justices added that viability "is usually placed at about seven months (28 weeks) but may occur earlier, even at 24 weeks.”

Eventually, the Court asserted that abortion is a fundamental right under the United States Constitution, which effectively limited any and all laws attempting to restrict it to a strict standard of constitutional adherence. In 1938, levels of case decision standards had been adopted by the judicial system. In this case, Roe v. Wade, the Court applied the “strict scrutiny” standard.

What does the Bible have to say about all this? A lot.

Our pastor had a lot to say about this too as Sunday was Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, which occurs every year the week of the aforementioned Supreme Court decision.

Pastor Andrew Manwarren of Newberry First Baptist Church began the message by quoting some unsettling statistics, comparing this tragedy to the Holocaust that ended the lives of 6 million Jews.

Did you know that in this country since the Roe v. Wade decision 42 years ago, 62 million (that’s right MILLION) babies have been slaughtered. That equates to 1.21 million lives lost per year; 3,315 murders per day; 138 tragedies per hour; and more than 2 baby annihilations per minute.

Inconceivable. Disgusting. Unbelievable. Agreed?

God made each and every one of us in His image, a fact that is confirmed in Genesis 1: 26-27 (NIV) where God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

With those words of Creation ringing in our ears, why would we even consider terminating a life He meticulously put together?

Why? Because we are all “wicked, unrighteous sinners,” according to Manwarren, and he is right.

The apostle Paul nailed it in Romans 3:23 (NIV) “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,. But all is not lost as Paul continues in Verse 24, “and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Another point our pastor made, which everyone should consider, is that the reasons for abortion would never be accepted as a defense for the murder of a person outside the womb.

I ask, why then would any of us accept the planned death of an unborn child? In a God-fearing society this death would be paramount to first-degree murder – murder planned in advance and subsequently executed.

As a forgiven sinner, I must confess that when my 17-year-old honor student daughter confided her pregnancy to me over 15 years ago, my knee-jerk reaction was, you guessed it, abortion. I cannot believe I even uttered the word, much less considered this “solution.”

Fortunately, the thought left my sinner’s brain almost as quickly as it entered, but not before it came out of my mouth, unfortunately.

Today, thanks to God’s common sense intervention of my murderous pondering, I have a wonderful grandson that is the first of five outstanding children born to my amazing daughter.

As I wrote in the beginning of this blog post, God has much to say about His creation of humankind and our life in Him.

You can read more of His guiding prose by turning to the following verses in your Bible – Matthew 22:36-40; Psalm 139:13-16; Leviticus 19:9-18; 1 John 4:19-21; and John 13:34. If you do not own a Bible, you can search the verses, in a translation of your choice by following this link.

When you visit BibleGateway.com, you can also check out the verse of the day and the many devotional offerings. I am taking advantage of the 365-day Devotional. You might want to take a look at it.

I end this blog with two quotes from our pastor's sermon that emphasize my Christian-inspired stand on abortion – “Abortion is a violent, anti-God act.” And, “Abortion is war against loving God.”

Until tomorrow – May God bless each and every one of you every day in every way.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

Today is my mother’s 85th birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mom, from #1 daughter and #1 son-in-law. Wish we could be there with you to celebrate, but since we can’t, I am dedicating this blog post to you – the BEST MOM – EVER!

In photograph at right - That's my mom and dad celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.

You know, as I honor my mother with today’s essay, I recall that God was so protective of parents, He included the way we should treat our mothers and fathers as one of the Ten Commandments, which He gave to Moses on Mt. Sinai.

In fact, Honor your father and your mother (Exodus 20:12a (NIV)) is so important to the Man above, he positioned this law as the first commandment that did not focus on our relationship with Him. In my humble opinion, that puts family as a close second to our relationship with
God. Agreed?

I know that I have been guilty of dishonor where my parents are concerned. You probably have too. My teenage years were a good example of sinning against the Creator by taking my parents’ direction with a grain of salt. Sure, I obeyed their rules for the most part, but there were times when the rules seemed foolish and restrictive. When that was the case, well…

Anyway, I love my mother. She is a rock. She is kind. She is loving. She is ever-thoughtful. She is a great mom. She made sure we had opportunities for advancement. She demanded good grades. She supported our ambitions.

Mom even meted out punishment as necessary, but it was always done with the attitude that, “This is going to hurt me more than it does you.” Of course I never understood how a whack with “the paddle” could hurt mom more than me – at least I did not understand until I became an adult.

Besides, as a God-fearing household, mom had the Bible to back her up on the punishment thing – Proverbs 13:24 (NIV) says, Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

When you consider that she raised four children, working full time in the process, you understand that our SUPER MOM had our backs. We never lacked for anything from our mother.

Not only, through our parents’ considerable sacrifice, did we get our education in one of the top public school systems in the nation, they also saw to it that we had a foundation in faith from Patterson Park Brethren Church.

Each and every Sunday, Mom corralled all of us, making sure we were dressed and ready for Sunday school (dad drove the church bus). We also attended Sunday morning and evening worship services as well as Wednesday night prayer meeting. We all went to vacation Bible school and I had the opportunity to go to church camp too. Still have fond memories of all of these excursions in the faith.

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) reads, Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. My mom and dad believed, and practiced, this proverb. Far be it from me to argue with its success. Not counting a few bumps in the road, we all turned out pretty good.

My mom and dad are proud of all of their children, as well they should be. They raised us to honor God and family, which is the way all parents should bring up their children. Thank God mine did it the right way. Without God in my life, I really do not know how I could have handled some of the trials I have experienced on this earth.

Thank you, mom and dad for setting your children on the right path early on.

But this is primarily about my mom, so I will end today's post with…

My mom is the best. I love her with all my heart. She is everything to me. She is in my heart. She is in my thoughts. She is in my prayers. She is…well…MY MOM!

I love you, mom.

An Irish blessing

From this Irish/Scot to all of you...

May God grant you always...
A sunbeam to warm you,
A moonbeam to charm you,
A sheltering angel
So nothing can harm you.
Laughter to cheer you.
Faithful friends near you.
And whenever you pray,
Heaven to hear you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Terry Webb - A heartfelt tribute to a true friend

 

Today I write with a heavy heart because I have lost a friend and a long-time confidant.

Terry Webb was a man of integrity, a man of foresight, a man with a plan – for his life and for this village. I cannot begin to share with you the number of hours we spent discussing life in general as well as village business, hashing out solutions to problems, addressing village needs and considering the long-term impact of decisions made by him, as village president, along with the members of Newberry Village Council.

When the idea of selling the former 41 Lumber property came up, we talked at length about the consequences of taking the property off the tax rolls. We discussed the planned move of village offices to that location. We talked about our dogs, Terry and Vicky’s Newfoundlands and our German shepherd and Chihuahua, sharing their maladies and foolish adventures. We had conversations about the garbage service provided by the village and how the administration had been instructed to save money for future needs for that enterprise operation. We talked about Terry’s school years in Newberry.

We talked about his service to all of us as a member of the United States Air Force. We discussed his job in the service as a communications specialist. As a former telephone person myself, I could speak Terry’s language, making the conversations all the more meaningful. We talked about eliminating parking on Newberry Avenue during the annual July 4 parade. We talked national politics. We talked religion.

We talked about raising rabbits. We talked about gardening. When it was learned funding was not in place for all elements of the Tahquamenon Outdoor Recreation Park project, we talked about ways to pursue grant monies to get the park built to the perception drawings that were presented to village council members as a, presumably funded, done deal.

We talked about hunting. My husband and I visited the Webb camp, enjoying a day of exploring and storytelling and good food and drink. I will never forget that day. It was fantastic. We talked about the content of Terry’s newspaper column – Village Viewpoints. We talked about the Alice in Wonderland-themed wedding of his son and how Terry made the PERFECT white rabbit – clock and all!

It seems hard to believe that I just talked to Terry a little over a week ago. This time our conversation was about the good things of life, with Terry recounting the trip he made with Vicky to Kentucky to visit with Waylon and Tabby, their son and daughter-in-law. I recall his description of their apartment and its convenient location. “You could see the roof of Sam’s Club from their front door,” Terry said.

We talked about how their blind puppy was progressing and how the puppy had visited with them recently. We talked about one puppy that was coming home because the owner could no longer care for her (she returned to Newberry last week). We talked about the upcoming gardening season, praying together for warmer weather to create a better harvest. We talked about my daughter and her children. We talked about Christmas. We wished one another a happy and prosperous new year and said we would talk soon. Much to my chagrin, we never did.

And now this.

Even though I know it is part of His plan, I sometimes just want to shake my fist at God and ask, “WHY?”

I loved Terry. I love Vicky. I will miss him terribly. I will miss his wit. I will miss his level headedness. I will miss our long-winded conversations. I will miss his gentle and caring nature. I will miss Terry Webb. God rest his soul.

Today I end with the King James Version of the 23rd Psalm, as I know Terry made that walk yesterday, and I am confident that he resides in a better place now.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Amen

Don't hide your light

As the song says, "Hide it under a bushel? NO! I'm gonna let it shine!"

Does your light shine? Or do you hide it from others because you find it difficult to share your faith? 

In Luke 8:16 (NIV) [Jesus said] “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.”

As a sinner, it has at times been difficult to shine His light, although I like to think I always try.

God has been good to my family and me. He has always been there no matter what. He has heard my pleas for help. He has guided me in the right path. He has been my rock.

Why shouldn’t I share His message with everyone? What better message is there than His saving grace?

As most know, Jesus left heaven, became man and lived among us. He ministered on this earth for three years, preaching the message of love.  Christ’s message of grace through faith in Him so threatened the religious and political figures of the day that they sentenced Him to death on a cross.

Think about it – death on a cross. Have you ever read a description of death by crucifixion? I will not share its gruesomeness here. Suffice it to say that there are very few forms of death that compare to this ghastly demise.

Bottom line – Jesus knew this was his fate. He knew he would be betrayed. He knew he would face death on a cross. Knowing the upcoming suffering that faced Him, Jesus even prayed that his Father would release him from it.

He knew. But Jesus came to earth anyway.

Jesus came as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. But, he knew he would rise, defeating death, ensuring eternal life for those who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Paul verifies this path to eternal life in his letter to the Romans, Chapter 4, Verse 25 (NIV), He [Jesus] was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Now consider this – If Jesus could preach and share, knowing the outcome of the cross, why can’t we do the same?

As Americans, we are not likely to be physically crucified for our beliefs, although we may face verbal abuse. Should that stop us from sharing the Light that is Jesus Christ?

No! Absolutely not!

As the old saying goes, “Sticks and stones my break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

Maybe we should all remember that axiom, sharing the Light that is Jesus Christ with everyone we meet. That is my purpose in authoring this blog, sharing His message. Hopefully, my posts will strike a chord in your psyche, spurring you on to pass your God-given light to the world around you.

Pay it forward, so to speak.

This blog post brings to mind the ending of a recent Our Daily Bread devotion, where author Dennis Fisher wrote, “Light up your world by reflecting the light of Jesus.”

How about you, are you ready to "light up your world?”

Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and see how its impact on your friends and relatives will light up their world. I can’t think of any better accomplishment than securing eternal life for those we love.

Can you?

My prayer today – May God guide and direct you in sharing His message with one and all. Amen

Your help can be as simple as serving at a soup kitchen.

Are you eager to do good in this world? According to the apostle Paul, we should all, if we are God’s people, be “eager to do what is good.”

Paul’s encouragement is found in Titus 2:11-14 (NIV) 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

I try every day to do something good, whether it’s for my husband, or my daughter, or my grandchildren, or for a friend, or for a stranger. Even though God does not require works for salvation, (that only comes as a gift, through God’s grace) I pray continually for opportunities to show God’s love through my works of Christian charity.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV) verifies our saving grace - 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Paul says a lot more about doing good in this world. In fact the third chapter in Titus addresses, in detail, “Doing What Is Good.” Titus 3:1-11 (NIV). You can read the entire text of Paul’s advice by clicking here.

James, another follower of Jesus, says that faith without works is dead. James 2:14-17 (NIV) reads, 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

What about you? Is today the day you actively pursue opportunities to help your fellow man?

Sometimes all that is required is sharing your dinner table with a lonely person. Sometimes it might involve a significant financial investment. Sometimes your time is the primary ingredient for assisting in a project that will benefit someone less fortunate.

As a matter of fact, my perennial prayer was answered yesterday when a sister in the faith called with a specific need, a need no one else in her circle of friends was able to provide. Although this assistance requires an entire day away from my home and travel on wintry roads, I saw an opportunity to help as God requires. I didn’t think twice.

Of course I said yes! How could I say otherwise as a Christian woman of faith?

Whatever the case may be, pray that you will find an occasion to assist someone in need. I promise the rewards will far outweigh the commitment of time, energy or funds. Just help out; you'll be glad you did.

Until tomorrow – God bless all of you as you help one another. Amen.

God provides

Sorry I missed posting yesterday. What can I say? It was just “one of those days.” Onward and upward…

This morning I decided it was time for cabbage soup. We had all the ingredients in the pantry, so I figured, “Why not?” OK, don’t hold your nose and say, ‘yuck.’ This is the best soup known to man, at least in this household’s humble opinion. It’s a combination of a variety of good-for-you veggies, and serves to jump start a healthy eating plan and/or a weight loss experience.

As I stood at my kitchen island this morning chopping the myriad vegetables, (or at least it seemed like it) I couldn’t help but think of God’s provision for our physical wellbeing.

Since I spend an inordinate amount of time in Matthew’s retelling of Christ’s exhortation about worrying, attempting to get a grip on this sin of over-involvement, I immediately recalled the verse about feeding the birds.

The “do-not-worry” passage, as I classify it, can be found in Matthew 6:25-34.  Today’s post focuses on my remembrance of Matthew 6:26 (NIV) [Jesus said] Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Good question, "Aren’t we?"

On bad-news days, one has to wonder [if we are more valuable than the birds of the air].

Why would God even bother with the likes of terrorist bombers and rapists and murderers and spousal abusers – or with any of us, for that matter? After all, none of us are without sin, no, not even one.

The apostle John doesn’t mince words on the subject. In his letter to the believers in Ephesus (today’s western Turkey) John writes, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us,” (1 John 1:8 (NIV)). But, he adds, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,” (1 John 1:9 (NIV))

A-h-h-h-h, (light bulb atop head moment) there’s the explanation. He is faithful; He is just; He forgives our transgressions. He is always there to take care of us.

I sincerely believe He is with us even in our sin. We can count on His presence.

He is there in our trials. I believe he uses trials and temptations to bring us closer to Him.

It’s been said, “There are no atheists on the battlefield.” I believe this to be a true statement as I cannot fathom a more egregious trial than battle. Who else would you turn to on the battlefield, but God?

I believe He will take care of us no matter our situation or station in life.

I believe…do you?

By the way - the cabbage soup is delicious! Yummy to the tummy!

May God bless each and every one of you every day in every way. Amen!

Pray for victims of terrorist actions

Blank. That’s my canvas today.

S-o-o-o-o, I would ask that all of you say a prayer for the people around the globe who have lost loved ones to terrorist actions. Today, I think specifically of those in Paris. We all know the Lord will comfort them and I pray they all know that He is with them, even in these dark times.

One of my favorite comfort passages in Scripture is Jesus’s introduction to the Sermon on the Mount – The Beatitudes.  I find myself turning to them more and more as I grow in the faith. Perhaps you would like to take a moment immersing your heart, mind and soul in this humble exhortation?

If so, here are The Beatitudes for your spiritual enjoyment –

Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV)
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

May God bless each and every one of you every day in every way. Amen.

With God, all things ARE possible

Romans 8:28-31 (KJV) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

OK, Titus got shoved to the background, again. This time it was because a Florida friend of mine shared one of those Facebook quizzes, and I just had to find out “What Bible Verse are You?”

Well, mine came back Romans 8:28, which our pastor preached on several weeks ago. This particular passage has always been one of my favorites, especially when you add verses 29-31 to the mix.

In fact, verse 31b,  If God be for us, who can be against us? is probably the most encouraging message in the Bible, at least for me.

Think about it, sinner that I am, if I am a believer in Jesus Christ, no one can come between me and Him. No amount of torment or toil or harassment can cut me loose from my Savior.

In fact, those who would intimidate and repudiate only makes my faith in Him stronger.

You see, I find myself turning to the Bible for solace when evil people admonish and attempt to destroy – evil people who profess belief in the same God I pray to every hour of every day.

Obviously these satanic individuals do not know God’s love or forgiveness. Obviously they do not believe what Jesus said about either. Obviously they are not Christians, because if they were, they would abide by His direction on such matters.

Remember the new commandment Jesus brought to this earth found in John 13:34-35 (NIV) “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

He had much to say about forgiveness too. Two verses that follow the Lord’s Prayer, to me, make it mandatory to forgive and forget. Do you know the verses? If not, Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV) “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

I really do not believe you can get any plainer than that, do you?

Love one another. Forgive one another. Live life as a follower of Jesus Christ. Can’t think of any better way to live out my days.

What about you? Do you love? Do you forgive? Are you a follower?

Think about it and live life according to His guidance. God expects it.

After all, with God all things are possible!

Until tomorrow – May God bless each and every one of you every day in every way. Amen.

Let's accept that we are all sinners

As the apostle Paul said in Romans 3:23 (NIV) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

This was not my intended blog post today. In fact, I was thinking about Titus 2:11-12 instead, but a Facebook post by my daughter sent this commentary in a whole different direction.

A little background – Several months ago a gay couple, Ozzie Russ and Steve Schlairet, who live in Washington County, Florida, where my daughter and her family reside, filed a lawsuit to get the right to obtain a marriage license and marry one another in Florida.

A federal court judge ruled in the plaintiff’s favor writing in his opinion that the ban was unconstitutional, and yesterday the first day the ban was officially lifted, Washington County Clerk’s office issued three same-sex marriage licenses, including one to Russ and Schlairet.

This decision is contrary to the vote of the people that banned same-sex marriages in Florida. In Washington County, the ban was approved by a 9-1 margin.

My daughter posted the following in her disgust at the pastors who protested the decision at the court house - Ashamed of the pastors/residents protesting gay marriage in the Holmes/Washington County area. Just showing what redneck pieces of trash you are. You have all sinned and continue to do so. Unless you are involved in these people's marriage it's none of your business. If God wants to condemn these people he will do so at the pearly gates. It is not your place to judge! My children are taught to love not hate and none of them will ever attend a church that one of you pigs preaches at or other protesters attend. If we have to praise God from our homes we will!

Her post got me to thinking about the issue. And, I wrote the following in reply to her opinion - Amanda, you said it so well. Jesus said, "Love one another," (John 13:34-35 NIV) not hate and ridicule and intimidate and protest. If these people are going to protest sin, they best start in their own home. None of us are without sin, so the Good Book says. Adam and Eve guaranteed that. Maybe these folks should read Mary Ann Froehlic's book, "Courageous Gentleness - Following Christ's Example of Restrained Strength." Froehlich reminds everyone that gentleness is one of the qualities that draws many to God. This book provides a biblically sound understanding of what it means to be tenderhearted and kind in your relationships with family, neighbors, coworkers and even enemies, according to Discovery House, the publishers of this work. If you do not have a copy of this book in your family, church or local library, you can purchase one through this link. When you get it, READ IT AND APPLY IT TO YOUR LIFE and your dealings with others - friend or foe.

Of course I know what the Good Book has to say about immoral acts, homosexuality being one of them, Romans 1:26-27 NIV, but I also know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ consorted with men and women of questionable morals. How else would He have been able to share his message?

How can we fulfill the Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) unless we get out in the world and preach the Gospel?

Personally, I believe in the message of the parable of the stoning of the immoral woman. Remember that one? Let those of you who are without sin cast the first stone. You’ll find the entire story in John 8 (NKJV).

I am confident that not one of those protestors are without sin. So I would suggest that they use some courageous gentleness by sharing the message of salvation to everyone, not just those that darken their church doors or follow their rules of compliance.

In my opinion, protest and ridicule are definitely no sharing God’s love for all mankind.
Jesus came to this world to offer salvation through faith in Him. We are no longer under the Law according to Romans 3:21-31 (NIV).

We, as believers, are saved through faith; saved by His grace – no more, no less. The Bible says so in Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

We are not, by any stretch of the imagination, free of sin. Even though we try to live as good, moral, Christian folk, sin permeates every facet of our life.

Food for thought? Sure got me thinking about a lot of things, not just gay marriage. How about you?

And, as is always my prayer for you, May God bless each and every one of you every day in every way. Amen!

Calm your comments

This post is about a sin I have been known to fall into, on more than one occasion. Perhaps you too are guilty of spouting off at an acquaintance or a family member, sometimes without provocation. Sometimes, it’s because you demand, in a loud or cruel voice, to make your opinions heard. Sometimes I speak before thinking – making a harsh comment when a gentle one would have made the point without the animosity showing through.  

 

God’s Word says this – A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word sirs up anger. Like yesterday, this passage is again from Proverbs. For me the Book of Proverbs is such a wealth of advice, it’s hard to leave. Find this lesson in Chapter 15:1 (NKJV). While you’re there, consider reading the entire chapter.

 

The New Testament has much to say about the way we talk to one another. In the Book of James, the author devotes several verses to “Taming the tongue.” Chapter 3:8-10 (NIV) admonishes all of us to calm our comments to others, “⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰Out of the same mouth came praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 

 

Paul calls on an Old Testament passage to make a point about the waywardness of the tongue. In Romans 3:13, the Apostle of Christ quotes, in part, Psalm 5:9 “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit,” and Psalm 140:3 “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” These verses are just two Paul references when writing that no one is righteous.

How about it? Are you guilty of talking before you speak? Are you guilty of voicing harsh words when kind ones would work so much better? My granddaddy always used to say – “Cheryl Ann, you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” He was so right; not that I am in the business of catching flies, but the metaphor stands as written, echoing Proverbs 15:1.

 

Why not come along with me in my journey to fully relying on God, by following his advice here and in many other biblical passages. As with yesterday’s post, this one, if you follow its advice, is bound to make you feel happier and will ultimately serve to make others feel happy as well.

 

Maybe together we can strive for a pleasant, God-fearing, Bible-adhering attitude, one person at a time, one day at a time. How about it? Are you game? I hope so.

 

A careless word may kindle strife,

A cruel word may wreck a life;

A timely word may lessen stress,

A living word may heal and bless.  – Anon.

 

To end today’s post I depart from my regular closing, borrowing an appropriate prayer from Our Daily Bread’s David McCasland – Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. AMEN!                                                        

Be Happy

In the new year, I have decided to adopt a positive attitude in all aspects of my life. Seems to me that by doing so, it will be easier to adopt God’s plan, and to be a true follower of His way.

Proverbs, most of which was written by King Solomon, the wisest monarch to ever rule Israel, writes in Chapter 15, Verse 13 (NIV) A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

Now I know everyone prefers a happy heart and I also know it’s better to walk around with a smile on your face rather than a frown, but the big question is how to accomplish “happy.” Who wants a crushed spirit anyway? Certainly not me, and I am pretty sure you would agree.

In my 63+ years, I have found happiness is definitely a state of mind adopted with considerable effort on some days, less on others.

If I begin my day in God’s Word, it seems the day starts off on the right foot and stays there. Writing this blog requires that I focus on God and his authoritative Word every morning – first thing.

To be honest, I never thought of studying God’s Word as an avenue to happiness, but in this, only the third day of my Retreat to Belief adventure, I have found that His Word just may be the key to the ultimate form of happiness – surrender to Him.

Make His plans for you, your plans for you. I sincerely believe that finding true happiness starts in the Bible and stays there as we follow its precepts. As I searched my Bible this morning I came across a verse that certifies my assumption. Again it’s Proverbs - Proverbs 16:20 (NKJV) to be exact, He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.

I always end my day in the Bible too. For more than 40 years I have gone to sleep with words of wisdom from the Our Daily Bread devotional. Several years ago (and I don’t remember when) I took a page out of the January booklet, the title – How to be Happy. Richard De Haan, a member of the RBC Ministries founding family, offers these Ten Rules for Happier Living:

            1.     Give something away.

2.     Do a kindness

3.     Give thanks always.

4.     Work with vim and vigor.

5.     Visit the elderly and learn from their experience.

6.     Look intently into the face of a baby and marvel.

7.     Laugh often – it’s life’s lubricant.

8.     Pray to know God’s way.

9.     Plan as though you will live forever – you will.

10.  Live as though today is your last day on earth.

Read your Bible. Pray often. Give thanks. Be happy in Him.

And, may God bless each and every one of you every day in every way. Amen. 

Do the 180...today

Are you a new creation?

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are a new creation according to the Bible. Just take a look at Paul’s second letter to the believers at Corinth where he writes in chapter five, verses 17-19 (NIV) –

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed us to the message of reconciliation.

As a follower of Jesus, your life is not always perfect. I know mine hasn’t been. I accepted Jesus as my savior and was baptized when I was 13 years old. Since that time I have committed a multitude of sins, many of which I believed were unforgiveable. My granddaddy always called this retreat from belief as “backsliding.” But granddaddy always assured me that this temporary condition can be remedied through confession of the sin and doing, “a 180 back to Jesus.”

Even though I wrestled many times over this about-face type of confession and new birth in Jesus, as I read the Bible, I found His saving grace to be a real and prominent message throughout the New Testament.

Recently as I participated with ladies of the community in a Monday evening Bible study, Mercy Triumphs, authored by Beth Moore, Moore’s study was a comprehensive examination of the book of James, an epistle that is believed by most biblical scholars to have been written by Jesus’s brother James.

During the study I found unparalleled confirmation that, as always, my granddaddy had hit the proverbial nail on the head with his 180-plan of restoring sinners to faith and getting back in God’s good graces.

My copy of the Quest Study Bible concurs with Moore’s teachings in this study with its introduction to the book of James, which poses the question, “Why read this book?” explaining, “…James shows it’s possible to believe the right things, yet live the wrong way…”

James’s commentary on how to live life as a Christian was written to the believers of the day, but certainly rings true for us today, especially if you, like me, have been a backslider and fallen away from your commitment to God on more than one occasion.

If you have experienced the same sinful condition, take heart by reading James’s closing, where he assures us of God’s forgiveness in The Prayer of Faith found in Chapter 5, verses 13-19 (NIV) –  

¹³ Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
¹⁷ Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. ¹⁸ Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, ²⁰ remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Our God is definitely an Awesome God, one who understands the human condition He created and is willing to make all of us a new creation in Him if we just confess and believe. If you are experiencing sin that you feel alienates you from God, remember we are all sinners and He is ready, willing and able to forgive.

Confess your sins today; get right with God; adopt the 180-plan. None of us are guaranteed the next second on this earth; make sure you know where you will spend eternity.

Interested in reading the entire book of James? Find it on BibleGateway.com by clicking this link.

 

And, as is always my prayer for you, May God bless each and every one of you every day in every way. Amen!

Thinking about a resolution?

Resolution; a resolve; a decision or determination: “to make a firm resolve to do something.”

Daniel refuses food from the king's table.

With the new year upon us, I could not help but think about the perennial act of making New Year’s resolutions. Many of us resolve to lose weight and get in shape. Seems I make that resolution every year! And, I always begin with good intentions, but then life happens. Living gets in the way of my resolve, causing me to break that resolution I was so intent on keeping.

Has that happened to you?

This year, my resolutions include the get fit and lose weight ones, as always, but I have added more resolutions that I feel are much more important to me, and maybe to you as well.

This year I plan to author these blog posts on a consistent basis, delving into God’s Word to learn more about his plans for us. When a blog subject comes to me, my first source of reference will be my Bible. Seems God has left his mark of guidance on every aspect of the human condition right there, in His Word.

My prayer is that you will be positively impacted by what I write, take the guidance provided in His infallible Word and use it to grow your faith and commitment to God.

 Understanding my commitment to God and you, I begin with…

 Who better to write about resolutions than Daniel?

Daniel, who was quite possibly a member of the Judah royal family, was one of those singled out by King Nebuchadnezzar to eat food and wine from the king’s own table.

Of course, the king had a reason for sharing his plenty with a captive. Nebuchadnezzar planned to train these young men from the royal family, men, “without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace.” (Daniel 1:4 NIV) After these men were trained for three years, they would enter into the king’s service.

Even though the royal fare would have been much more satisfying than that prepared for other captives from Judah, Daniel made a commitment to not drink or eat from the king’s table, thereby honoring the one true God.

You’ll find Daniel’s resolution in Daniel 1:8 (NIV)

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

One has to believe that food on the pagan king’s table would have included that which had been sacrificed to idols, which was forbidden fodder for the Jewish people (Exodus 34:15).

Also, Jewish dietary laws set strict parameters for food preparation and the Babylonian cooks would have never adhered to these rules, making it impossible for Daniel to eat the king’s largess (Exodus 12:8-9 NIV).

Not only that, but it would not be unbelievable to understand that the Babylonian diet would have included meats forbidden for Jewish consumption (Leviticus 11:4 NKJV).

Because there were no laws prohibiting the consumption of any type of vegetable, Daniel and three other Judean captives ate only vegetables and drank only water during their time of captivity.

Such resolve under less-than-optimum conditions makes me believe, that if we, as human as Daniel, really put our hearts, minds and souls to a resolution, especially one that involves growing our faith through reading and absorbing His Word, we will persevere and be the better for it.

Want to read more about Daniel and how he overcame a foreign environment through his faith? If so, you can read the entire Old Testament book by clicking here.

Make your commitment to God, and yourself, today. I did.

May God bless each and every one of you every day in every way. Amen!