Knock, knock. Who's there? What is white and black and red all over? Kids love jokes and puns and to be able to come up with the right answer proves you are able to think outside the box. I remember being asked, what is black and white and red all over. I had to give in and get the answer from the questioner. It is a newspaper. Black is the color of the ink and white is the color of the paper and the red is really 'read' for reading all over.
There is something black and white and should be read all over. It is God's word, the Bible. God's word on the printed page is more than a good book. It is actually Jesus on paper. John is very clear as he writes in the first chapter of his book, the very first verse. "In the beginning was the word and the word became flesh and dwelt among us."
God's spoken word became flesh and flesh became paper and ink. Imagine the power of a word that can create light and atoms and laws. He said, "Light!" and there it was. Wow!!! Never would I have believed that I could speak and something would appear, but, today we all can. The remote control has been invented that will respond to a voice and turn on your TV and change channels and there you have an image. Of course, it isn't flesh and blood, but it is in your home on the screen and talking and moving and maybe even singing and dancing.
It is a little miracle, but the big miracle was Jesus becoming flesh and blood, leaving glory and coming down to earth and getting dirty and even bloody as He obeyed God Almighty. God wanted to make sure that we would be able to understand the what and why of spiritual things, so He inspired people to write down history - His Story - with the exact words meant to convey His thoughts. We have His thoughts in our hands as we open the Bible. We have Jesus in our hands as we read the Bible. Jesus reveals Himself to us as we read His word.
How you treat the Bible is how you treat Jesus.
Friday, June 28, 2019
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
#Security
Around my neighborhood many yards display those little signs advertising the security company that has wired their house for protection. The little sign is a warning as well as an advertisement. It tells possible intruders that someone is watching twenty-four/seven. If there is a disturbance there will be an immediate notification to that company who will respond by notifying the police. It is a deterrent, not a guarantee.
Society cannot guarantee anything, anything but change. Mankind does have it's limits. We make promises and we try to keep them, but there are so many variables in life, so much that we have absolutely NO control over that it is a miracle if we do keep a promise.
Unfortunately, our world is an unsafe place. There are people who have no qualms about taking things that do not belong to them. We can lock our doors, own an attack dog, invest in a security system, but all this may not work. John 10:10 tells us that "The thief comes but to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that you may have life and life to the fullest."
There is a place of certainty that we enjoy. Paul, who had been through some terrible circumstances since his conversion, spoke with confidence in Romans 8:39 and 39 that absolutely NOTHING could separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus. His list covers everything he could think of. He still knew that God was good and experienced His love even in trials and tribulations.
That thief is wily and deceptive. He is after your heart and will work to try to get you to doubt God's love for you. He may even get you to think that little ole you can take yourself out of God's hand by sinning. Paul wanted us to be assured that once you are in God's hands, you are there to stay. There is no power that can unclasp God's fingers. You are definitely in good hands when you are in God's hands.
Society cannot guarantee anything, anything but change. Mankind does have it's limits. We make promises and we try to keep them, but there are so many variables in life, so much that we have absolutely NO control over that it is a miracle if we do keep a promise.
Unfortunately, our world is an unsafe place. There are people who have no qualms about taking things that do not belong to them. We can lock our doors, own an attack dog, invest in a security system, but all this may not work. John 10:10 tells us that "The thief comes but to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that you may have life and life to the fullest."
There is a place of certainty that we enjoy. Paul, who had been through some terrible circumstances since his conversion, spoke with confidence in Romans 8:39 and 39 that absolutely NOTHING could separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus. His list covers everything he could think of. He still knew that God was good and experienced His love even in trials and tribulations.
That thief is wily and deceptive. He is after your heart and will work to try to get you to doubt God's love for you. He may even get you to think that little ole you can take yourself out of God's hand by sinning. Paul wanted us to be assured that once you are in God's hands, you are there to stay. There is no power that can unclasp God's fingers. You are definitely in good hands when you are in God's hands.
Saturday, June 22, 2019
#SecondNature
When you have made an effort to form a habit and it gets to the point that it becomes 'second nature', you don't even have to think about it. It just takes over.
Last night about 9:00 my phone rang. I have had so many robo calls that I, sometimes, don't pay close attention. I just let it ring. I was standing close to the phone and decided to answer. It was my son and he rarely calls me, so, I was concerned. "What's wrong?" I asked. "Mom, I have lost my truck key. I have been searching the parking lot and haven't found it." He had gotten off work and was heading home. "Are you up to driving here?"
He knew the trepidation I felt about driving down a busy four lane highway in the dark to a place I had never been and asked if I was up to it. Barley a second went by and I answered, "Where is your spare key?" After following his instructions and finding the spare, I headed to my youngest son's room to ask him to go with me and began changing shoes for driving. The phone rang again and "I found it." hit my ears. "Hallelujah!" I exclaimed.
Almost immediately God held up His little mirror before me to allow me to see something important.
I saw that my first instinct was to get busy and help. I saw that my first instinct was NOT to turn to God and seek His help. I have been really trying, especially at work, to draw God into my time more frequently. God, with His little mirror showed me that I have to be more intentional in order to form the second nature that automatically takes over all the time.
If your smart-phone is on the dash and shows the traffic conditions ahead and just an occasional glance will tell you what to avoid, you would keep glancing. It would become second nature to ensure you of a safer trip. God does, so, want to be involved in our lives. He wants us to keep glancing at Him. I could have immediately started praying for the keys to be found, but, I started changing my shoes! But, God, who knows me so well, just let me be me for a few seconds and then held up His little mirror to show me, ME.
Last night about 9:00 my phone rang. I have had so many robo calls that I, sometimes, don't pay close attention. I just let it ring. I was standing close to the phone and decided to answer. It was my son and he rarely calls me, so, I was concerned. "What's wrong?" I asked. "Mom, I have lost my truck key. I have been searching the parking lot and haven't found it." He had gotten off work and was heading home. "Are you up to driving here?"
He knew the trepidation I felt about driving down a busy four lane highway in the dark to a place I had never been and asked if I was up to it. Barley a second went by and I answered, "Where is your spare key?" After following his instructions and finding the spare, I headed to my youngest son's room to ask him to go with me and began changing shoes for driving. The phone rang again and "I found it." hit my ears. "Hallelujah!" I exclaimed.
Almost immediately God held up His little mirror before me to allow me to see something important.
I saw that my first instinct was to get busy and help. I saw that my first instinct was NOT to turn to God and seek His help. I have been really trying, especially at work, to draw God into my time more frequently. God, with His little mirror showed me that I have to be more intentional in order to form the second nature that automatically takes over all the time.
If your smart-phone is on the dash and shows the traffic conditions ahead and just an occasional glance will tell you what to avoid, you would keep glancing. It would become second nature to ensure you of a safer trip. God does, so, want to be involved in our lives. He wants us to keep glancing at Him. I could have immediately started praying for the keys to be found, but, I started changing my shoes! But, God, who knows me so well, just let me be me for a few seconds and then held up His little mirror to show me, ME.
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
#Doubts
No guilt should be felt when you have doubts. Doubting only proves that you are human. You are not a robot programmed to do without thinking. You were created in God's image. You were created with a mind, a will and emotions just like God. That mind serves it's purpose by questioning and reasoning. The will serves it's purpose by making decisions based on what the mind has concluded and the emotions are to be under the control of the mind and will.
Doubts are a good thing. It is what you do with them that matters. You could just hide from them and stick your head in the sand. You could let them control your thinking and let them take over your emotions and become a fool. You could take them to God.
If you were a student in a physics class and studying to take a crucial exam and could not understand how to solve a problem and the professor was sitting at his desk, would you even hesitate to go to him and ask questions? If you doubted your ability to solve the problem with your limited knowledge, would you not want to learn how to work it out when the resource was available?
The problem solver is available, always. He even asks you to come to Him. Isiah 1:18 is for you. He says; "Come, now, and let us reason together." He is waiting for you to come to Him. You don't have to get dressed up in your Sunday best or even wash your face. He says, come, now. When you have doubts, go to Him now. Tell Him what you are thinking.You could give Him reasons for needing to know. He has big shoulders and will not be offended. Then, wait on Him to respond. It may take a while because you may not be ready to the answer. Your ducks may not be in a row and other issues may need to be addressed. Don't give up. Keep seeking and knocking and asking and if you are serious about knowing the truth, the answer will come at the right time.
The process is full of wonder and delight. The Treasure Is The Trip. The getting of the answer increases your knowledge of God and yourself.
Doubts are a good thing. It is what you do with them that matters. You could just hide from them and stick your head in the sand. You could let them control your thinking and let them take over your emotions and become a fool. You could take them to God.
If you were a student in a physics class and studying to take a crucial exam and could not understand how to solve a problem and the professor was sitting at his desk, would you even hesitate to go to him and ask questions? If you doubted your ability to solve the problem with your limited knowledge, would you not want to learn how to work it out when the resource was available?
The problem solver is available, always. He even asks you to come to Him. Isiah 1:18 is for you. He says; "Come, now, and let us reason together." He is waiting for you to come to Him. You don't have to get dressed up in your Sunday best or even wash your face. He says, come, now. When you have doubts, go to Him now. Tell Him what you are thinking.You could give Him reasons for needing to know. He has big shoulders and will not be offended. Then, wait on Him to respond. It may take a while because you may not be ready to the answer. Your ducks may not be in a row and other issues may need to be addressed. Don't give up. Keep seeking and knocking and asking and if you are serious about knowing the truth, the answer will come at the right time.
The process is full of wonder and delight. The Treasure Is The Trip. The getting of the answer increases your knowledge of God and yourself.
Friday, June 14, 2019
#WorkOut
Scads of workout apparel is available. From underwear to outerwear, there are so many choices. It is fun shopping and dreaming that if I put that outfit on it will make me active. It is not magical and will not make me active, sad to say.
There are some words that should be understood as active wear. Love and Faith and Prayer are active words, not just feelings. Prayer is not just wishing. Even Jesus, God's only begotten son, diligently prayed and He still is. He is interceding for His brothers and sisters today, for you and me. The words that speak of His prayers present the meaning of making a case for our needs. Just as a lawyer thoughtfully gives the facts and the reasons for the judge to understand and agree to the request, Jesus is presenting our case to the Judge. We are to actively do the same when we pray and not just wish for a good outcome.
Faith without works is dead! You think you have faith, but there is no real evidence of it. True faith works on God's Word. True faith is actively walking one step at a time trusting God is true to His Word. Faith is walking on water and keeping your eyes on the creator of the water. It is being able to say to yourself "though He slay me, yet shall I trust Him."
Then, there is Love! We want the feeling that human love gives and we want that before we do anything loving. That is not the way true love works. God loved us while we the most unlovely and had done n-o-t-h-i-n-g to deserve His love. Love is thinking of the best interests of the beloved. Love takes the initiative and even makes a sacrifice for the one loved. Love continues to love even when there is no evidence of it being reciprocated.
What a work out we can achieve if we put on Prayer and Faith and Love and we don't have to go shopping for this apparel.
There are some words that should be understood as active wear. Love and Faith and Prayer are active words, not just feelings. Prayer is not just wishing. Even Jesus, God's only begotten son, diligently prayed and He still is. He is interceding for His brothers and sisters today, for you and me. The words that speak of His prayers present the meaning of making a case for our needs. Just as a lawyer thoughtfully gives the facts and the reasons for the judge to understand and agree to the request, Jesus is presenting our case to the Judge. We are to actively do the same when we pray and not just wish for a good outcome.
Faith without works is dead! You think you have faith, but there is no real evidence of it. True faith works on God's Word. True faith is actively walking one step at a time trusting God is true to His Word. Faith is walking on water and keeping your eyes on the creator of the water. It is being able to say to yourself "though He slay me, yet shall I trust Him."
Then, there is Love! We want the feeling that human love gives and we want that before we do anything loving. That is not the way true love works. God loved us while we the most unlovely and had done n-o-t-h-i-n-g to deserve His love. Love is thinking of the best interests of the beloved. Love takes the initiative and even makes a sacrifice for the one loved. Love continues to love even when there is no evidence of it being reciprocated.
What a work out we can achieve if we put on Prayer and Faith and Love and we don't have to go shopping for this apparel.
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
#Perseverance
Those little post-it notes are so useful. Just write a note to remember something to do on a certain day and stick it to the calendar. Hopefully no strong wind or a little brush against it will occur before the day comes for the 'to do'. They aren't designed to stay forever. They are pretty temporary, but useful.
Faith is something else. Faith is better than Gorilla Glue. True faith is the hanging-in there stuff. Real faith perseveres, no matter what. You can't know what kind of faith you have until it is tested. Believe me, God knows if it is a post-it kind of faith or if it is the hanging-in there kind of faith and He wants you to know, also.
So, the testing comes. You may dread it or hate it, but, it not only proves the validity of your faith, it also does a work in you. James 1:3 points out that this testing produces endurance. If you start out with a faith muscle that quits easily, the tests help you exercise that muscle till it can persevere and endure hardship and pain. And, not only that, but this results in being complete and being approved by God.
Just think on this verse for a while - "Blesses is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
Faith is something else. Faith is better than Gorilla Glue. True faith is the hanging-in there stuff. Real faith perseveres, no matter what. You can't know what kind of faith you have until it is tested. Believe me, God knows if it is a post-it kind of faith or if it is the hanging-in there kind of faith and He wants you to know, also.
So, the testing comes. You may dread it or hate it, but, it not only proves the validity of your faith, it also does a work in you. James 1:3 points out that this testing produces endurance. If you start out with a faith muscle that quits easily, the tests help you exercise that muscle till it can persevere and endure hardship and pain. And, not only that, but this results in being complete and being approved by God.
Just think on this verse for a while - "Blesses is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
Saturday, June 8, 2019
#EasyDoesIt
He was in a perplexing situation and sought counsel. He knew his power was at stake and the citizens could, very easily, reject his authority and follow the other leader. The suggestion was made for him to capture the people's loyalty by telling them that he had heard them and understood and had a plan that would make it easy for them. He really had their best interests at heart, he told them. Instead of taking the long, hard and dangerous trip to the temple in Jerusalem to worship, he would build shrines closer by. So, he did. He built two shrines and placed golden calves inside.
The people believed him. They had no Biblical world-view. They had just been concerned about their jobs and families and working hard to take care of all their needs. They had not taken the time or effort to read the Word of God and had no foundation to base an ideology on. It seemed so logical and caring for their leader to be concerned about them that they believed him. He had accomplished what he set out to do. He had been afraid that by their trips to Jerusalem they would be influenced to turn away from him and he found a way to keep them in the fold.
You can read the story of Rehoboam in 1 Kings chapters 12 through 15. After reading, perhaps you will see how easy it is to believe a lie when you have no truth in your head to compare it to. Perhaps you can see that politics is still the same today, with men and women promising to make it easy for you. Perhaps you can see that just because candidates say they have your best interests at heart may be because they want to keep you in their fold.
The people believed him. They had no Biblical world-view. They had just been concerned about their jobs and families and working hard to take care of all their needs. They had not taken the time or effort to read the Word of God and had no foundation to base an ideology on. It seemed so logical and caring for their leader to be concerned about them that they believed him. He had accomplished what he set out to do. He had been afraid that by their trips to Jerusalem they would be influenced to turn away from him and he found a way to keep them in the fold.
You can read the story of Rehoboam in 1 Kings chapters 12 through 15. After reading, perhaps you will see how easy it is to believe a lie when you have no truth in your head to compare it to. Perhaps you can see that politics is still the same today, with men and women promising to make it easy for you. Perhaps you can see that just because candidates say they have your best interests at heart may be because they want to keep you in their fold.
Sometimes 'easy' is a dangerous place to be.
Caution: A sure way to not be misled is to regularly read the Bible asking the Writer to help you understand what He wrote and to help you apply it to your life.
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
#DamnTheTorpedos
David Farragut was in command of the Union Fleet in Mobile Bay, Alabama during the Civil War. The year was 1863. This bay was well guarded with mines (called torpedoes) scattered in the water and the fort on land, with cannons. The Union ships moved forward, but one was destroyed by a torpedo and the rest stopped, afraid to go further. That is when David Farragut took charge and demanded to his crew, "Damn the torpedoes!!! Full speed ahead." He took his ship through the danger and the others followed and after a hard fought battle, succeeded.
I have always been the kind of girl that thought the way David Farragut did. I see opportunities and scarcely consider the problems that might arise. It has most always been "full speed ahead". It has been so easy for me to say 'yes'. If hindrances come, I will figure it out then was my attitude. I don't like waste, whether time or money or food and taking time to ponder was a waste.
Somehow, I have gotten through the waters filled with torpedoes with just small mishaps. But, aging has ways of slowing people down. My balance isn't what it once was and my strength isn't either. Now, I have to make sure I have good footing before I go full speed ahead. I still go full speed ahead, just a little slower.
But God!! I do love that, "But God", because it indicates His involvement. There were a couple of 'sticky' incidences in my life recently that gave me pause. Then a devotion came in my e-mail that stood out like a bolt of lightening. The title of this devotion was "Stand Still". After reading it, I knew that God had planned for this to be in my e-mail box at this time just for me. I am to stand still!! I am no longer to go full speed ahead, I am to stand still.
Oh, I am not frozen in place physically, but in the spiritual realm, I am, at this time, to stand still.
Moses told 600,000 Jews at the Red Sea to "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Jahaziel told all Judah when armies were coming against them, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Then David wrote in the Psalm 46:10 "Cease striving and know that I am God." "I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up...and set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord." Psalm 10:1-3
Still standing!! and singing!!
I have always been the kind of girl that thought the way David Farragut did. I see opportunities and scarcely consider the problems that might arise. It has most always been "full speed ahead". It has been so easy for me to say 'yes'. If hindrances come, I will figure it out then was my attitude. I don't like waste, whether time or money or food and taking time to ponder was a waste.
Somehow, I have gotten through the waters filled with torpedoes with just small mishaps. But, aging has ways of slowing people down. My balance isn't what it once was and my strength isn't either. Now, I have to make sure I have good footing before I go full speed ahead. I still go full speed ahead, just a little slower.
But God!! I do love that, "But God", because it indicates His involvement. There were a couple of 'sticky' incidences in my life recently that gave me pause. Then a devotion came in my e-mail that stood out like a bolt of lightening. The title of this devotion was "Stand Still". After reading it, I knew that God had planned for this to be in my e-mail box at this time just for me. I am to stand still!! I am no longer to go full speed ahead, I am to stand still.
Oh, I am not frozen in place physically, but in the spiritual realm, I am, at this time, to stand still.
Moses told 600,000 Jews at the Red Sea to "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Jahaziel told all Judah when armies were coming against them, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Then David wrote in the Psalm 46:10 "Cease striving and know that I am God." "I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up...and set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the Lord." Psalm 10:1-3
Still standing!! and singing!!
Saturday, June 1, 2019
#TreasureHunting
This book was written to show that from the small, everyday stuff to the hardest thing you might face, God proves Himself faithful. In doing so, He scatters treasures along your way. P J Brown
Cokesbury and Christian Book Distributors and Amazon and Kindle and WestBow Press carry
"The Treasure Is The Trip".
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