Unconditional Love 3/16

(By list member Debbie Preuss, February 9, 2005)
Unconditional love is what I've found in Him
He who loves me, despite all my sin
Unconditional love, no matter what I've done
When I come to my Father, through Jesus His Son
My Heavenly Father loves me so
He's promised that He won't let me go
Though I do things that are not right
He stays with me through the darkest night
When I ask Him why He loves me so
Why He helps me in the high and low
My Father says, I am His child
n His eyes I'm whole, I'm not defiled
Unconditional love, He has for me
In Jesus His Son, I am set free
Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com/list.html

My Comments: I do love this lady’s poems. She says just what I’m thinking. I’m so glad we are free in Jesus because of God’s unconditional love to send Christ to the cross to take our place. I am not perfect by any means, but knowing that He loves and accepts me as His child, because of my faith in Jesus gives me much encouragement and strength for my journey.

Attitude 3/16

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money,
than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.

We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable.

The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.

…..Charles Swindoll, American Author and Pastor, by way of Chaplain Notes (ChapnotesMail@aol.com) (http://www.chapnotes.org) and “Christian Voices" (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.com)

My Comments: Boy, did this hit home with me! I have reacted so badly to some of the little irritating things in life, instead of counting my blessings. I have found it easier to respond correctly to the big things: miscarriage, death of parent, etc. than to the less demanding obstacles in my life: hurricanes, job changes, new responsibilities... It’s as if I know I MUST trust the Lord with the really big things, but I’m not so sure I can trust Him with the smaller, more daily struggles. I’m learning and growing and hope I’m getting better at trusting.

Too Far 3/13

God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7

I went too far, ate the whole piece of cake. It was huge. I was almost full, then I was stuffed to the gills.

I’ve been in phone conversations where I’ve said all I needed to, but just have to have one last word.  And then I’ve gone too far,  could have left well enough alone.

Sometimes a little bell goes off in my brain, “Stop now.”  If I do not heed the warning I can get myself “in a pickle”,  as my grandma used to say.

I guess it’s a case of the major base-sin, rebellion.  Otherwise known as pride:  I’ll just go ahead and do it my own way.

Little thing or big thing, turning it over to God is good.  The Holy Spirit is available and willing to help me out when it comes to discipline and self-control. When I mess up, I try and remember to confess and repent.  God may slap my hand, ever so gently, then He will restore me.  Our God is a gracious, forgiving, merciful, and loving Father.  Even when I’ve gone too far.

That is good news.

…..Sally I. Kennedy (sallyikennedy@bellsouth.net) (http://www.sallyikennedy.com) by way of “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.com) Sally is the author of  “Irish Thursdays”, "Words from the Heart”,  and “52 Little Parables from Ireland" .  She lives in south Florida, with her husband Ben.

My Comments: So often I find myself going just too far, especially with my kids. I have made my point, then I say too much. It is so easy to let my pride kick in and make that last statement or action that goes too far.

Training in God's Gym 3/12

(By Dawn Jones) 
[Edited (minor)]
Our life on Earth is a life of seasons, a life of changes. Just as some seasons are eagerly awaited and others are less happily anticipated because they are not as pleasant, so some changes life brings are welcome and others are dreaded because they are difficult, harsh and painful.
The thing that keeps us pressing on in the midst of changes, both good and bad, is the belief that God is in full control of His world and that "He hath made every thing beautiful in his time" (Eccl. 3:11a). No matter what may come our way, we have a promise of beauty!
But only God in His eternal wisdom knows how the transformation will unfold and when it will take place. He does His work as we learn to live in obedience and contentment, trusting Him, believing that He will bring us through every season of sorrow and pain into a beautiful reward.
His Word assures us, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Ps. 30:5). We can count on this. But what are we to do while the night season remains?
The answer is, ENDURE. "For ye have need of patience (endurance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise" (Heb. 10:36).
"Endurance" is the ability to keep pressing on without growing weary. It is stamina, forbearance, courage, fortitude, durability and ability to stand.
But Biblical endurance is more than just being the last man to stand. Derived from the Greek word "hupomone," which means cheerful endurance or hopeful waiting, biblical endurance speaks to the attitude with which we wait as much as it does to the act of waiting itself. It is more than just making it across the finish line; it is the outlook we maintain while we run the race.
Cheerful endurance is a powerful attitude that says, "God not only CAN change my circumstances; He WILL!" It is a mind-set that is filled with compelling confidence, trust, expectation, optimism and assurance in Christ. Hopeful waiting and cheerful endurance will not allow us to give up our dreams or turn loose of our hope; instead they call us to a deeper level of faith.
So how do we gain such endurance? The answer is not easy to accept. The Bible clearly says that the trying and testing of our faith produces endurance (see James 1:3).
Testing is the weight of choice that God uses to develop our spiritual muscles and internal stamina. When we face a trial that threatens our faith; when we find ourselves in circumstances that are incompatible with what we believe, we are in God's gym. It is then that we have the opportunity to build our endurance.
The resistance we feel can serve us in that moment. If we begin to lift the weight up off ourselves with prayer, singing, meditation and obedient responses, we will bench-press our way into cheerful endurance. The joy that comes from passing a test, knowing that we have honored God in our lives, is incomparable.
But what if we do not respond properly to God's "no pain, no gain" training program? What happens to our endurance if these weights remain upon us? The result of that condition is obvious. Trying to run a race while encumbered with weights would leave us exhausted, depressed and drained. Yet many of us do exactly that and then are perplexed at why our progress is so slow.
Instead, we must rise up in faith, as the apostle Paul admonishes us to do: "Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb.12:1).
The scripture says that WE are to throw off the weights. We must lay them down; we must rid ourselves of them because they are counterproductive to our endurance.
We are not supposed to tolerate the weight of fear, failure, bitterness or unforgiveness, or the heaviness of Satan's lies. We must press against these weights, lift them off and grow in cheerful endurance!
Is God calling you to joyful endurance? Is He calling you to a new level of faith? Do you need a fresh, dynamic, flourishing and hopeful expectation in God? Have you lost your hope that anything beautiful can come out of your life, your circumstances, your relationships, or your dreams?
Then get to God's gym. There IS hope for a better tomorrow because you have a promise of beauty! Throw off the old weights and start running with endurance.
You'll be amazed at the results!
Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com/list.html

My Comments: This came the morning after a scheduled cardiac procedure was cancelled indefinitely less than 24 hours before it was scheduled to occur. Did I need patience endurance then? You bet! I struggled for a number of hours through a day of discomfort and exhaustion trying to make sense of the cancellation. I had begun to see good explanations for why I had to have the procedure and what outcomes may be a result of the experience. Having the procedure cancelled due to a equipment failure did not fit with my carefully laid plans! I knew that God is faithful and this detour hadn’t surprised Him, but somehow that didn’t exactly help. Reading this in the afternoon, I submitted again all aspects of my life to the Lord. He has every right and my permission to rearrange my life at any time, in any way, in order to fulfill its influence, for His glory. Do I really believe that? Yes, even though it is still hard, I need to have a joyful endurance of the events that come into my life.

Divine Inspiration 3/10

"...but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as
eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40: 29-31

“The Wind Beneath My Wings”, written by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar and sung by many different recording artists, never fails to leave me with chill bumps when I hear it. This song has been used to honor many different kinds of relationships from lovers, husbands and wives, daughters and mothers--the list goes on. Whatever the occasion, whether Valentine's Day or any time the song is used to honor someone, it becomes one of life's greatest moments to know one person has inspired another's life to that extent.

This song is secular but it points out an important truth. We all need inspiration whether we freely admit it or not. It is always great when there is someone in our lives we can call the wind beneath our wings. However, there is someone we all have access to that is our inspiration if we only seek Him.

As Moses promised the Israelites before Joshua was going to lead them into the Promised Land, the Lord is always with us: "And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee; he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not; neither be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8

The dictionary defines inspiration as: "Divine guidance or influence exerted directly upon the mind and soul of man." Those who choose to live by inspiration find that it changes life from a chore or drudgery into joyful opportunities. Those who have inspiration in their lives are able to inspire others.

Jesus Christ the Lord as presented in the Bible is our greatest source of inspiration. He can use people, things, circumstances and experiences to inspire us, His people, along the way. If we are truthful, we must confess there are times in our lives when disappointments and setbacks come and we feel like giving up.

During these times, we need inspiration. There may not always be someone in our lives to offer this inspiration, but we can always turn to Christ, the Author of inspiration. He will inspire us by the Truth of His Word. He uses His written Word to inspire our weary hearts and give us an upward surge that feels like the wind beneath us lifting us up.

Let's ask the Lord to touch our minds and hearts and give us that upward surge of inspiration that changes the direction of our limp and sagging lives.

…..Ivie Bozeman (ivie@rose.net) by way of Eternal Ink (eternal_ink@associate.com) (meginrose@charter.net) and “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.com)

My Comments: I find that I struggle a lot getting caught up in the struggles that come with disappointment and setbacks. This past week was like that for several days, until I got my eyes of my circumstances and back on the knowledge that I could trust the Lord to always do best for my life.

Honk If Something Falls Off 3/7

(by Kerry S. Doyal - Grace Evangelical Free Church, www.getgraced.org) 
[Edited]
It may have been just a bumper sticker. It may have adorned no better than an old worn and dented blue pickup truck. But, it sure stirred my thinking. Hopefully it can do the same for yours.
Conjure up the image of that truck as you thoughtfully read a few times its simple yet simply profound traveling message of wisdom.
"Honk if something falls off."
Did you see it? Do you see it? Yes, I know it was meant in a humorous vein, but it presented me (a preacher's curse / blessing) with some healthy life lessons and holy reminders. Allow me to lay them out here.
First, it is no small matter to know and admit you are not perfect. Whether your life is like that humble truck, or be it a spotless, shiny Lexus (pick your favorite fancy vehicle), none of us are perfect. The sooner we admit that, the better off we all are.
That truck owner knew he had a well worn means of transportation. One susceptible to falling apart without notice. He did not need us to tell him he was not the picture of perfection. He knew it and wanted us to know he knew it. Wait a minute - you say - if he knew he might lose a part, he should not be on the road. Maybe so. But what guarantee do you have that you will never lose a piece in your travels?
Let me be clear: living an "I'm not perfect, so get over it" life is not what we are advocating here. Admitting that your imperfections show up on occasion is another matter.
Second, this driver - God bless his sweet soul - assumes that people will be so kind as to inform him if he drops a chunk of truck on his journeys: a muffler, bumper, a hubcap, the transmission. With wear and age, the old truck may just accidentally litter the road. This is not something he wants, but knows may happen.
Yet, he is an optimist. His expectation is that - brace yourself for some serious analogy abuse - as he travels down the road of life, his fellow travelers are on the same road he is on. If they see him lose something, they will let him know with a friendly, informative honk and maybe even a wave. Much like they would want him to do for them.
Maybe this dear old driver doesn't get off the farm much. Most honking is not friendly. It may be informative, but what is being conveyed is not usually helpful information. Usually it is angry, critical, judging, shaming.
Also, the waves that most often accompany a horn blast are often not full-fingered hand encounters - if you catch my drift. Indeed, if something of yours falls off in my lane of life, I'm going to let you hear about it alright. But so much for pity, compassion and understanding. Try condemnation, vilification and humiliation.
The way we respond to people's imperfections, one would think their old trucky lives meant to drop pieces in our path, at us no less. "Accident? No way! That was personal. Don't try to tell me your humanity is showing. I know better."
Oh for the assumption that if my imperfections crop up at an inconvenient time to you and unbeknownst to me, you will let me know, all the while assuming it was nothing personal. Please let me know, not every one else except me.
Such a sweet and humble request: "Honk if something falls off." It speaks of community, a shared commitment to accept and watch after one another, to cover for one another.
If one follows me long enough they will indeed see something (s) fall off. It is just going to happen. Do I want it? No. Can I prevent it. Sometimes, yes, but not all the time. Will it happen at a time and in a way that is inconvenient? Sadly, it probably will, possibly causing pain. Does it mean I wanted it to happen? God forbid!
But if - I mean when - it does happen, may I ask a simple favor? One which I will try to return the best I can. Can we count on each other to honk if something falls off?
Romans 15:7 "Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God."
Ephesians 4:29-32 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you."
Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com/list.html
My Comments: I was convicted that so often others can’t trust me to accept them for who they are and to give them the encouragement and help that God has called me to give. I need this in others, too. To let me know when I’m not all that I need to be. In a kind, humble way to let me know that I’ve lost some of Christ’s image in my life.

Slow Down! - Hope for the Heart 3/4

"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28;
 
If you are tired of some sleepy form of devotion, probably God is as tired of it as you are. 
 
Walking with Jesus shouldn't be boring or draining, it should be energizing!  Are you feeling burned out?  Jesus said, if you are tired from being overburdened, (with things that I did not give you) come to me and I will cause you to rest.
 
Nobody was busier than Jesus, yet He was never in a hurry.  He had a lot more to do than you or me, yet He never seemed to do it in a way that severed the life-giving connection between Him and the Father, or interfered with His ability to give love when love was required.  He regularly withdrew from activity to the place of solitude and prayer.  And when His disciples returned, flushed with success, their adrenalin pumping from a busy time of ministry, He told them "Come ye yourselves apart... and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). 
 
Mark explains that  "there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat."  (Mark 6:31)  Sound familiar? Constant hurry is the mark of an un-prioritized life.  It is a sign that second and third things have become first things.  We want microwave maturity.  We try to exchange wisdom for information and depth for breadth - and it does not work.  Depth comes slowly.  Following Jesus cannot be done at a sprint; you cannot go faster than the One who is leading. 
 
Today, slow down.  Do not just work for God - spend time with Him.
 
In His grip,
Steve Schertzinger
New Hope Community Church
www.nhccm.org

My Comments: Well, this certainly is convicting!! I know that I hurry too much and allow the wrong things to have a priority in my life. I must allow the Lord to set my priorities and follow Him. I need to be sure I set aside time for Him in my life. Wonderful truths...

Get Lost! 3/4

There must be a sign hanging above my head that reads, "I give advice!" No matter where I am I get into conversations with people I don't even know.

I'm not complaining. I'm grateful.

Just yesterday a man turned to me and said, "I don't know what to do with my time."

"Get lost!" I told him.

"Well, that's rude," he said. "I didn't mean to bother you."

"No, I really mean the answer to your question is to get lost," I explained.

"My wife tells me that all the time, but I think she really means she wants me to get lost, don't come back!" he said laughing.

"I understand completely, my friend. Actually what I meant was based on one of my favorite quotes, "The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others." Gandhi said that. Back in the 60's it seemed we were all trying to find ourselves. In fact, I believe many people my age are still in search of who they are or were supposed to be," I said.

"It's just that I suddenly have this free time called retirement and I'm feeling useless. I've discovered after all this time that I was my career. It's funny, I know people a little older than I who retired and went from their career to their disease," he said.

"Their disease?" I asked.

"Yes, once they let go of something greater than themselves, a purpose, a goal in life, they surrendered to their ailment. They owned their disease," he said.

Then shaking his head in disbelief, he said. "Before they became ill you could asked them about life and they'd talk about work, their family, places they've been. Now when you ask them all they can relate to is their illness.

They've lost their identity."

He lowered his head and said. "I don't want to give into life."

"So get lost! Get lost in someone else's life who needs what you have to offer. There are so many people out there who need you," I told him.

I continued, "Life has so much to offer us. It also has a time when some of what we loved about life is taken away. Even in its simplest form a sunset has to end, a ride on the carousel comes to a halt, the last lick of the ice cream cone leaves us wanting more. It is then we give up all that we dreamed about because we see ourselves on that ride, slowly coming to a halt. My friend, you are at the point in life where you need get off one ride and onto another," I said.

"Get lost, you say?" he said smiling.

"Yes, my friend. Remember the park never closes. The rides just change."

Just then a woman, I assume to be his wife, approached him.

"So what do you want to do today, Joe?"

"Get lost!" he said.

"What?"

"Honey, let me explain."

"Oh, I can't wait to hear this one," she said.

…..copyright 2007 Bob Perks "I believe in you!" (2believe@comcast.net) (http://www.BobPerks.com) by way of “Christian Voices” (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.com)


My Comments: I find that getting involved in the lives of others: students, colleagues, my children, others in need, really helps me to get the right focus. People need us... God wants us to be involved in the lives of others. We have a ministry to do so. We need to get busy getting lost. Still we need to bear in mind the ideas of my previous entry and keep our priorities right so we don’t get overworked and distressed by the work that we do.

Doubting Thomas 3/3

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
John 14:5
 
        Do you ever struggle with doubts in your faith?   Doubts that you really asked Jesus to cleanse you from your sins?  Doubts that when you leave this earthly realm, you’ll spend eternity in Heaven with Him?   Even after having walked with Him for a long time?   I have.  
        After their initial call, very little is said about most of the apostles in Scripture.   Peter, of course, seemed to always suffer from foot and mouth disease.   John, we know as the disciple, “whom Jesus loved,”.   He was secure in his relationship with his Lord.  
        On the other end of the spectrum, is Thomas.  Thomas struggled with his faith in the Lord.  Thomas struggled with his doubts. Thomas is a source of encouragement to me. 
        Most of what we know about Thomas is found after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.   However, there are a couple other passages.  The one I have quoted and one in John 11.  In the passage of John 11, Jesus learns of the death of His friend Lazarus, delays his going to him for two days then says, I’m going to Lazarus so that I can show you more of Myself (that’s a paraphrase, of course, of verse 15). 
        Thomas’ response to that is… Let us also go that we may die with him. I can almost hear him say, “we’re going to die anyway….might as well be with the Master…you know we’re going to die as soon as we step foot in Judea…”    You can almost hear the huge sigh of resignation Thomas emits before that statement, can’t you?   Jesus’ life had been threatened by the Jewish leaders and His disciples felt it would not be safe for Him to travel in Judea.  Nevertheless, Jesus didn’t allow danger to keep him from the side of His friends during this time.  His delay was so that God could show His disciples (and others) more of Himself… more of Who He really was.     Thomas had grave doubts about going into danger… even with the Master.  
        The next time, we see Thomas is in the passage I’ve quoted.   Jesus knows His time is near to die and so He spends the last precious week of His life fleshing out the teaching and instructions He’d given them during the three years they had walked in ministry with Him.     These 12 men had been with Jesus almost constantly during His 3 years of ministry, humanly speaking we would think they’d have “gotten it” by now.    They hadn’t, and Thomas becomes the spokesperson for the rest of the group.   He verbalized what some of the others were thinking but weren’t brave enough to voice to the Master.  
        Have you ever been there?   You’ve walked with the Lord for a long time, but you wonder…. Am I walking the right way?   How will God work in my present situation?   I know He can because I’ve seen Him work in the past, but… will He work in what my present situation is now?  
        Can you hear the insecurity, the fear in Thomas’ voice?   Jesus is preparing His 12 for His death; for his departure from His time on earth.   He promises to prepare a place for them AND He promises to come back to get them.   However, the disciples were still thinking on the earthly plane.   They were thinking that Jesus was going somewhere else on earth to get away from the persecution of the Jewish leaders (and that He was going to leave them here to fend for themselves against those same Jewish leaders).   They did not understand yet that Jesus would be crucified; .that that was the purpose in His coming this time.    Though Jesus had been telling them and preparing them for one of the most stressful events in their lives, they still didn’t understand.   They still believed He was here to set up an earthly kingdom… not a heavenly one.  
        So when Jesus says, He’s leaving, these men wonder… where are You going?   How will we know how to get there if You’re not here to show us the way?   Jesus then gently reminds Thomas, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.”  Then Philip joins Thomas’s querying of the Lord.  “Lord, if you’ll just show us…”   Jesus says, “I already have shown you.  You’ve seen Me…. I AM the Way.” 
        The next time, we hear from Thomas is after the resurrection in John 20: 24-29.    Jesus has been crucified.    The disciples had been feeling like all their dreams and hopes of being a part of God’s kingdom were dashed to smithereens.   In a way, it had been… for Jesus had not come to set up His earthly kingdom yet.   There were others of another fold who needed to be told the Way.  (John 10:16). 
        Thomas, of all the disciples, perhaps felt and showed his devastation at Jesus’ death more than any of the others.   It is from this Scripture that he gets the name “Doubting Thomas”.    When Jesus first appeared to the other disciples after His resurrection, Thomas was not present.   Hmmm…  Ever wonder where Thomas was that he wasn’t with the other disciples?   Perhaps he was off bemoaning Jesus’ death as well as the death of all his dreams for the future.  So that when he finally did meet up with the other disciples and they told him of Jesus’ appearance to them, he refused to believe it was Jesus.     He wanted concrete evidence that Jesus had risen again.   He wanted to “feel” the nail prints in Jesus’ hands.   
        So, Jesus comes gently into their midst again and says, “Thomas, reach here …. Touch Me…. Don’t be faithless”   Though this was a gentle rebuke to Thomas, it is also evidence that God wants us to be sure and secure of our belief in Him.   He is not afraid of our doubts in Him.   He is not threatened by our doubts.   Doubts are only a platform for God to build our faith in Him.         Thomas’ response to Jesus was one of awe, reverence and worship, “My Lord and my God”.               .  
        Let me ask you once again, are you struggling with your faith in Christ?  Have circumstances arisen that make you wonder if He’s real?   Or perhaps you’ve just fallen for some myth?   Beloved, He is real.   He wants you to “reach here … touch Me…. And be …. Believing!”.  There’s more to this… but I’ll leave it….
 
Molly Winter
Col. 1:9-10

My Comments: This really has spoken to me, because I have struggled often with doubting the Lord. It isn’t that I don’t believe He is God, all-powerful, all-knowing, unchanging and all of His other characteristics. It is that I don’t stay convinced that He cares about me, that what He is doing in my life if for my good. I know He is doing “right” in my life, but I’m not really sure that it is best. Do you hear the doubting. I struggle with wanting my way so often, instead of God’s way. Solving problems in my way and time, instead of waiting for the Lord. It is so hard to wait... is it REALLY necessary? Of course, it is and it is building patience and self-control in my life as I learn to wait and trust Him with every aspect of my life.

Christianity is not a Destination; it is a Journey 3/1

"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life
a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

As Christians our responsibility is to be Christ like. Jesus is not only our redeemer but He is a living example as to how we should live our life. When the world observes our actions and deeds, they should see a glimpse of Jesus.

Christ was crucified, buried and arose from the grave, then ascended into Heaven. He paved the way for our eventual entrance into Heaven. Our responsibility is to believe upon Jesus, seek forgiveness, desire a personal relationship with Him, then profess our faith and strive to be Christ-like.

Being a Christian is more than an arrival at our final destination. Christianity should be a wonderful, enjoyable journey, not only of redemption but of growth, witnessing and service.

In His life and death Jesus showed love with His deeds of teaching, healing compassion and sacrifice. He was concerned for and loved mankind. Jesus was not concerned with what he had to wear, eat or a home to live. He did though provide for the hungry, and was concerned for people's needs.

Jesus walked among sinners, but loved them without loving their sin. He was kind to them even when they persecuted Him.

Jesus washed the feet of His disciples without expecting them to do the same for Him.

Christ labored with His hands and His heart as He lived, worked and traveled for the short time He lived upon this earth. He healed, loved, cared for and was concerned about people's physical as well as their spiritual well being.

God gave His Son to a sin-filled world, and even allowed the world to take His life, in order that man could know a love like no other love. A love that could not only forgive sin, but forget we even committed them. God also sent Jesus as an example to teach us how we should love, forgive, provide, witness and serve others.

The Bible shows us how Jesus lived, His goodness, and mercy, His love and compassion. It gives us directions and instructions as to how we should live.

We Christians have a responsibility above and beyond seeking forgiveness for our sins. We are to walk the walk, and talk the talk. We are to show the world that we desire to mimic the goodness of Christ. We are not only to love others, but to show that love.

When people observe you, do they see the hands, feet and heart of Jesus? When you reveal what your heart contains, do they see the kind of love Jesus had for people? When they hear you speak, do they hear Jesus talking? When people see what you are doing and the places you are going, do they see the works and behavior of Jesus? Are you helping and serving others as Jesus did?

Yes, Christianity is not a destination it is a journey with responsibilities. We as Christians should never forget that we may be the only Bible some people read.

…..Betty King (baking2@charter.net) (www.bettyking.net) by way of "Christian Voices" (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.com) Betty King has lived with MS for over forty years; she is a newspaper columnist, and author of: It Takes Two Mountains to Make a Valley, But-It's in the Valleys I Grew, The Fragrance of Life, and Safe and Secure in the Palm of His Hand; they are available at local book stores, on line, or contact Betty.

My Comments: I so need to live my life looking at the responsibilities I have to those around me. I need to minister to the needs of my husband and children, to the local church members, and to the wider world around me. I don’t know whose life I will touch by the ministry God gives to me. I have tried to be more in tune to this and look for ministry opportunities in the past few months. It is difficult at times to put my own agenda for the day aside and do those things that meet the needs of others. But what a blessing it has been to my heart when I have done so.

The Lessons of the Kite 2/27

I love to make and fly kites. When my kite is grabbed by the wind and soars into the sky, my heart goes with it. But flying a kite teaches lessons, too. It takes two things to make a kite fly.
First, it must have wind. The kite has to stay oriented toward the wind catching the full force on the face. I am like that. I have to face life with its challenges and demands head on. If I avoid responsibility or refuse to fulfill commitments, I get all tangled up and crash.
Second, the kite must have a secure connection to the one in control through the string. If the string breaks, the kite falls to the ground completely out of control. The kite line maintains the orientation to the wind. In my life I must keep my connection to God strong.
There are results to learning the lesson of the kite that we don't always anticipate. First, when you fly a kite, you have to look up. When life is difficult, looking up reminds us we were made to seek God.
Second, the stronger the wind blows, the higher the kite flies. I am like the kite. When life's pressures are the strongest, I soar to unexpected heights through my connection with God. The message of the kite is, "Come fly with me."
…..Gayle Haynes (ghaynes64@dctexas.net) by way of Daily Wisdom (dw-owner@lists.gospelcom.net) (dw@lists.gospelcom.net ) and “Christian Voices) (www.ChristianVoicesWorldwide.com) Gayle has been married for 50 years. She is the mother of six. For ten years she was a psychologist in the Texas prison system. Now she spends her time writing and caring for her husband and one of her daughters who are both invalids.

My Comments: The part about avoiding responsibilities and refusing to fulfill commitments caught my attention. Although I am pretty good at commitments, I do ”put off” responsibilities until they seemingly take on a life of their own at times. I need to learn to do it now and then keep a secure connection the Lord for the grace to meet the needs I have.

Endings and Beginnings 2/25

(By list member Debbie Preuss, February 23, 2008)
Life goes on and everything must someday come to an end,
Whether it is a sunny day, or a relationship with a friend.
Some things crush our heart, so we feel we can't go on.
We find that it is hard to face the coming dawn.
We may have worked long and hard, at a job we love;
When one day we are let go, by the boss above.

As we watch our children grow, and see them test their wings,
Do we dread the letting go, or does our own heart sing?
Marriage is a pleasure; you give someone your heart.
But what do you do, if one day, the marriage falls apart?
Or if someone you love loses their good health;
What if bad decisions steal away your wealth?

There are so many changes, that we face each day.
If things suddenly end, will we be okay?
Sometimes the end is just a new chapter in our life;
Even though it often brings to us great strife.
When the ending becomes the beginning, we'll find we can go on,
Slowly, through the healing, God will make us strong.

One day we may look back at the places we have been,
And see the wisdom of the ending, when God did intervene.
Though the ending may be painful, and so full of strife,
Cling to the Savior, for He cares about our life.
So when the ending becomes a beginning, see what God will do,
For He loves His precious children, and I know He'll see us through.

My Comments: I have been through a lot of changes over the past 5-6 years. I feel like my life has pretty much changed in every area. So, I look for a little stability. Unfortunately, we learn that sometimes the areas that are feeling the most secure are the very ones that we need to give back to the Lord and release our hold. What a challenge this is.

Staying Connected in the Battle 2/25

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth for he hath not another to help him.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
 
      As I’ve been studying and reading my Bible I’ve been reminded that it’s important for us as the members of the body of Christ to stay connected with other members.   In my personal Bible Study, I came across the story of Aaron and Hur who held Moses’ arms up and as long as Moses’ arms were up with his staff, Joshua and the army of Israel had victory against the Amalekites.     
      Though Moses was the one who held his hands in the air, Joshua only had victory in the battle while he did.   Moses, being human, became tired.  His hands became heavy and it was hard for him to hold them up.   So, Aaron, the man whom God had ordained to support Moses, and Hur, a faithful man of the tribe of Judah, sat Moses down and held his arms up in the air, so that Israel could win the battle.
      As I studied this, I was reminded that if we’re a child of God (through the Blood of Jesus Christ), then when we have battles that God has directed us to, we must allow others to be a part of that battle.  They may not be in the actual fight but they may be prayer warriors, they may be those who bring us the message of God through encouraging words.
      You see, human nature makes it too easy for us to decide not to share our battles with others… Satan comes in and says, but “what would others think?”  “Won’t they think you’re not spiritual?”   He brings in shame because of the battle, when in reality the shame is found in not fighting the battle.   God has ordained that we help each other in the battles of life.   That is what the shield of faith does.  The shield of faith is rectangular in shape and has hooks on either side, to connect to the shield of the soldier on either side.  
      When we’re in a battle, we need to stay connected with others of God’s people.  We need to have the support of those who know how to pray.  We need to have the support of those who know God’s Word well enough to give us encouragement from the Word of God.   
      I’m not suggesting that we should become complainers… nor that every battle must be as public as I’ve allowed mine to be.  However, when you’re in a battle, you need to find someone who is a strong Christian who can come alongside and stay connected with them in the battle.  Then when God gives you the victory in the battle, be sure to share that victory with the ones who came alongside to help keep you going day to day.  
      When you’re in a battle, you need to have someone who can share God’s Word with you, particularly if you feel so besieged by the enemy that you find it hard to be in God’s Word yourself.     
    Paul said it this way in 1 Corinthians 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.  I am aware that this passage is often used in reference to our service to the Lord as we think of it in relationship to church activities, but is not supporting another member of Christ’s body during a time of specific battle, service to the Lord?   
     If God allows you to be a support to another, be there for them.  Stay connected with them.   If God makes you aware of someone in a particular battle and He lays it on your heart to pray for them…. Pray for them.  If He lays it on your heart to send them a card of encouragement… send the card.   If He lays it on your heart to supply food…. supply the food.  It may seem like a little thing to you but one who is in the heat of a battle, needs all the support they can get.  They need to stay connected.  A word of caution:  Don’t misuse God’s Word as a weapon against your fellow child of God.  Though God says in His Word in Hebrews 4:12   For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  It is never to be used by the wielder as a weapon against our own.   Though God’s Word pierces and divides, it is meant to have a an ultimate healing capacity when used properly.
      Perhaps you are the one in battle and your natural inclination is to pull away from the body of Christ thinking it best not to share your battle with another.    If you decide to keep your battle to yourself… even though God may have given you someone specifically in your life to support you during this time, two things can happen.  Number one, you run the risk of prolonging your battle.  War is always easier to win when there is more support on your side.  Number two, you run the risk of robbing those who would support you of the joy of the victory God wants to give you.   Your victory in battle is a source of encouragement and joy to others who’ve come alongside you in the fight.
      When you have battles in your life… and you will if you’re a child of God…Satan will make sure of it… allow others to help in your fight.
      Perhaps you’re not a child of God, yet you find yourself fighting “something”… you know not what.   Won’t you give your life to the Lord Jesus Christ and allow Him to come alongside you along with others of His children to give you support in your fight?  Won’t you do it today?
      As I thought on this, I’ve thought about the last 2+ years, when we started this journey after Katie’s diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.  I remember that day as clearly as if it were yesterday.  It was then that I reached out to you, my Christian sisters, through these devotionals and I know that many of you have prayed for me and my family.  I want to say thanks for being faithful to that call.   Thanks for joining in my battle with me.   Thanks for encouraging me to continue in the fight.  Thanks for reminding me the fight isn’t about me… but about God’s desire for victory in my life and the life of my family.  Thanks for reminding me to stay connected with you.  
 
Molly Winter
Col. 1:9-10

My Comments: The content of this message really hit home with me, since I have been through a number of battles lately and have really needed the body of Christ to help me stay strong and focused. I found a lot in this message that I need to go back over and deal with in my life. I’m convicted that I am often not available to others in the way I need to be for the battles they face.

The Lord is My Shepherd 2/22

(By Grace E. Easley)
The Lord is my shepherd, 
And I am His lamb, 
Who loves me in spite 
Of the way that I am. 
Who sees something in me, 
That other folks miss, 
And I sometimes think maybe, 
Because of this 
I've never felt bitter, 
Unloved or alone, 
Though sometimes I grieve for 
My loved ones now gone. 
For I've always believed in 
The words He has said, 
That the spirit lives on, 
Though the body be dead. 
And I feel closer to Him, 
Because of His care, 
And I know when I call Him, 
That He will be there. 
So I fear not the shadows, 
So dark and so dim, 
For my shepherd will carry me 
Safely through them.
Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com/list.html

My Comments: Aren’t I glad that He loves me in spite of the way that I am? I’m not sure that I’ve never felt unloved or alone, but I do recognize that when I feel that way, it is because I’m not allowing the Lord to meet my needs.

A Perfect Heart 2/21

A Perfect Heart
 
2 Chronicles 25:2
 2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.
 
        In my personal Bible reading lately, I’ve come across the phrase “perfect heart” several times.   This verse here is talking about King Amaziah of Judah.   He is Joash’s son who did right until the death of his adopted father Jehoiada, priest in Judah. 
        This verse says King Amaziah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart.   What is a perfect heart?  Does having a perfect heart mean you are perfect?   Does having a perfect heart mean you never sin against God?   Is my heart perfect?   Is yours?      
             As I meditated on this passage of Scripture, I realized Amaziah did what was right in the sight of the Lord as long as he saw benefit to himself in it.   After all, doing right in the sight of the Lord has many “natural” consequential benefits.  God’s laws are set out not to restrict our freedom but rather to enhance it.  Having a perfect heart means that like Jehoshphat, Amaziah’s great-grandfather, we set our heart to seek the Lord.    Having a perfect heart means we seek God’s wisdom and counsel for all we do.  We don’t do what is right just because it’s convenient or because someone influences us to do so.  We do right because we genuinely want to please our Lord.
        Amaziah did what was right as long as he could see benefit to himself.  He served God as long as it didn’t inconvenience him.  He did what was right because he’d learned doing right meant God’s blessings would flow as a “natural law” of consequences.    Then Amaziah did what God had warned His people against in Deuteronomy 8:14….Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God,  and in verse 17 of the same chapter  And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.    You see a perfect heart toward God never forgets Who his God is.  A perfect heart never forgets that it is only the grace of God that allows us to be where we are.   
        King David was a man after God’s own heart.   He made the decision early in his life that he would set his heart to seek the Lord.  His heart was completely enamored of God.   Yet, we know David was not a perfect man as we interpret perfectness today.   He made many mistakes, yet his heart was perfect toward God.   He had allowed God to come in and completely take over.  Yes, there were times David’s selfishness obscured God’s work in his life, yet while he was not completely sinless, while he did not always walk in a complete and mature walk with his Lord, his heart was God’s.   He said it this way, in Psalm 101:2   I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.   Having a perfect heart is behaving wisely before God.  It is choosing each day to walk in the path that God has set before us.   
        A perfect heart, when rebuked by the Holy Spirit of sin, immediately repents and asks forgiveness of God and anyone else who has been wronged in that sin.    David when he sinned and was rebuked by the prophet Nathan, repented and asked God’s forgiveness.  Amaziah, however, when rebuked by God did not and he suffered the consequences.  However, not only did he suffer but those who followed his leadership.    
        So, let me ask you …. Is your heart perfect toward God?   Do you walk with a heart that continually seeks to please God?  That’s what a perfect heart is… not one that never has a wrong thought pass through it, but one that when that thought comes through, immediately conviction sets in so that you repent and seek God’s forgiveness.   
        Do you serve God with a perfect heart?  A heart that though sometimes you mess up in your service for God and in your actions toward others, immediately repents and seeks restoration to the Father’s side, when God’s Holy Spirit brings conviction.    Are you like David, a person after God’s own heart?   Or are you more like Amaziah, you serve God as long as it benefits you but not with a perfect heart.   You see a perfect heart is what keeps us on the right track with God.  It keeps us from going off too far into sin.   A perfect heart is one that has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit through the precious blood of Jesus Christ.     
        Hanani the seer (prophet) told King Asa in 2 Chronicles 16:9  For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.  King Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord for a time also but then he committed a foolish act.   Hanani told Asa God was looking for those who had a perfect heart toward Him so He could take action on their behalf.
        Let me ask you again… is your heart perfect toward God?   He wants to take action on your behalf if it is.   Do you find yourself in situations beyond your control?   If your heart is perfect toward Him, He wants to be active in your life.  He wants to accomplish His purpose in your life and the lives of those with whom you come in contact.   Are you willing to allow Him to?  
        Won’t you determine today to have a perfect heart toward Him today?
 
Molly Winter
Col. 1:9-10

My Comments: I so want to serve the Lord with a perfect heart. It seems so difficult at times, but it is getting a little bit easier to run to Him when the troubles come and when I fail Him, to return to Him as soon as possible. “Lord, please help me to have a perfect heart toward You...”

Changes 2/20

(By Dale Johnson)
Our lives are full of changes 
Some we feel we cannot bear 
Those changes for the better 
Are the ones we quickly share.
But there are those that slip in 
Unannounced and uninvited 
That seem to bring the worst for us, 
Hearts full of grief...ignited...
We question why, why did this happen? 
Who caused all this disaster? 
The real question goes much deeper now... 
Who truly is our Master?
Are we the ones who hold all the keys 
To the destiny of our lives? 
Do we possibly know what's best for us 
In the midst of satan's lies?
How are we to handle life 
When changes come our way? 
Whether good or bad, we must know 
That "change" is here to stay.
We can kick and scream against it 
And "sport" a big bad attitude 
Or know our awesome God knows best 
And go to Him with gratitude.
For we don't tend to look at life 
With eternity in mind, 
We look at the very small picture 
Which often makes us blind
To all the good that eventually comes 
For those who trust in Him, 
The One who came to heal our hearts 
And build the ruins back again.
So we must fully put our trust 
In the omniscient God above 
And know that he allows changes 
For our good and from His love.
Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com/list.html
My Comments: “Yes, our God is in Control, though pressures burden the soul. He allows both blessing and sorrow in His perfect harmony...” I’ve been dealing with change a lot this week. Interesting how these messages come to minister to my present need. Trust in the Lord, with all my heart and lean not unto mine own understanding... (Proverbs 3:5-6) It is surely difficult at times.

What God Has Promised 2/18

(By Annie Johnson Flint)
God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through.

God has not promised sun without rain,
Day without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God has promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, Light for the way.

Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love . . .

My Comments: Once again, a great reminder of God’s promise of grace and help when we need it.

Commitment - A Dying Trait 2/13

(By list subscriber Stephen Kollock) 
[Edited]
I have a friend who builds houses for a living - a process that fascinates me. Not just building houses but constructing anything on a grand scale; from ships to bridges to the house or apartment you live in.
When we had our house built, I was able to see the process first hand. The first thing they do is level the land on which the house is to be built. Once that is accomplished, a foundation is dug. Then comes the floor to support the walls, which support the second floor, walls, which support the roof. All of it was lots of work, taking months to finally get to the finished product.
The reason it took so long was because it had to be done right. If one stage was done wrong, the whole thing could fall down. It takes time to build something - at least to build it right. It takes planning. It takes skill. Most of all, it takes dedication. Building anything the right way it takes someone dedicated to doing the job right.
On the other hand, it doesn't take much to tear something down. It doesn't take a whole lot of skill - picture me with a sledgehammer in the middle of your living room. In a matter of minutes a bulldozer can bring down a house that took month's to build and has stood for years.
Seems strange that something that was built with such care can be destroyed so easily. But it's always easier to tear down than to build up, isn't it. It's easier to throw out than to bring back in. It's easier to stop than to keep going. I think in our lives today we are missing an ingredient that it would serve us well to revisit: commitment.
Remember commitment. It's the idea of saying you are going to do something and then actually doing it. It's saying I will marry you no matter what and then when no matter what happens, staying married. Or saying I want to have children and even when they become the little monsters you swore your kid's would never be, you keep being their parents.
Commitment is saying you love and appreciate your parents and all their sacrifices for you to the point where you will bring them to your home instead of the nursing home in the winter of their life. The problem with commitment is really simple though; commitment requires something most us do not want to consider: sacrifice.
Commitment may mean sacrificing your time or your money or some of your own dreams because you said you would. It means walking through the fire that will inevitably burn you because you knew going in hurt could be part of the deal. But more than that, it means staying the course until the end, no matter what the cost. Commitment means sacrifice.
I am afraid in our society we have made it too easy to turn from our commitments. We find it so easy to just stop if something gets too hard, to walk away and start over later or with a different person or maybe in a different place.
We are a people of excuses. And the excuses are mostly to relieve any guilt or apprehension we have about one thing: not living up to our commitments.
Here are some examples of those who display the kind of commitment I'm talking about and wish I had more of. The single mother working two jobs for the simple reason that she made a commitment to her kids. The father who leaves his family to fight for his country because when he signed up he knew that was part of the job. The pastor who stands up for God even when he knows it will cost him his way of life.
I admit it, I've taken my share of shortcuts, letting people down along the way. But the problem is so many people take most of their commitments with a grain of salt. We have looked and found all kind of exit clauses and loopholes to get us out of any commitment we make. Now it's as easy to get a divorce as it is to get married. If you don't want the child you are carrying, you can always go to a clinic and skip the commitment that comes with parenthood. We often say we believe in something until it's really put to the test.
Sadly, many Christians have fallen into this "limited commitment" category. We are often committed as long as it doesn't interfere too strongly with what we like to do. We all like to pick and choose. "I agree with the part about adultery but the part about honoring God with everything seems a little outdated."
With commitments like these and sacrifice being a thing of the past, is it any wonder our houses are falling in?
Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com/list.html

My Comments: I very much agree with this message, and for once, I was feeling pretty good, because I felt like I am generally more committed than others to the responsibilities I have. Then, of course, the Lord started digging a little deeper and uncovering some areas where I am not so responsible or committed... so I guess I need to recommit to some responsibilities, too.

Looking for Love 2/14

(By Barbara Sanders) 
[Edited]
Jude 1:21 "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
Valentine's Day is upon us once again. With it comes cards, candy, or flowers from our husbands, boyfriends, spouses. Also coming with this approaching day is the fact that not everyone is comfortable with Valentine's Day. Not everyone is fortunate to have a husband, spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. Or perhaps some have chosen to live a single life.
This is a secular holiday - nothing wrong with celebrating our love for one another. But have you heard the song, Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places? Seems to fit right in here, especially with those that don't feel loved, loving, or have never 'met' their one true love. Perhaps they have looked in the wrong places for love, like chasing a dream and never finding it. Most of us want to be loved, but we rarely realize that what we really have is a longing to be able to be at peace with ourselves. God will give us this peace. We need only ask. But first, let's find HIS LOVE.
God loved you before you were born. He loved us all much more than we'll ever be able to perceive.
John 3:16, as you may know, says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
He's here today, calling out to the lost, the unloved, the oppressed, the frustrated, those who know no peace - He wants to 'love' you as no other can love.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)
Why not come to Jesus now, confessing your sins, believing that He died for you, and was raised again to go to the Father - and that HE is there at this very moment, at the right hand of the Father. He is the propitation for your sins and He brings Grace through faith, a free gift, to all of them 'that believe'.
Romans 3:25 "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"
Our Heavenly Father said I LOVE YOU by sending His Son in the flesh, Jesus Christ, to become the 'the way, the truth, and the life'...for each of us. May you experience that LOVE today.
"Heavenly Father, today, the day we celebrate the earthly holiday for love, may you draw those that feel lost, without hope, without love, and are searching for the love they've never known. May you fill their life with love, joy, peace, and all the things for which they've searched for years and never found. Give them the kind of peace and love that only can be found through your Son. We give you thanks for the love we feel today and thank you for sending LOVE in the person of your dear Son to the lost and dying world today. We give you praise, honor and glory. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen."
Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com/list.html

My Comments: It is such a great reminder that we have a GOD that LOVES us. We need to remember His love and trust Him for the needs in our lives. Trusting in Him for salvation is the most important act we could ever do. After that we rely on His love when those around us fail us.

Praising the Beauty of Holiness 2/11

2 Chronicles 20:21-22
 
21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.  22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
 
            I’ve been meditating on the chapter these verses are found in.   This is a favorite chapter of the Bible for me.   In fact, verse 15 of this chapter has gone with me in many a battle since I was a teenager.  With shame though, I have to confess that sometimes I’ve forgotten the verse when it seemed like there was a battle at every turn.  
      If you’re not familiar with this chapter (and maybe even if you are), I’d like to encourage you to read the WHOLE chapter.   The “he” in this chapter is King Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.   Perhaps one of my favorite Bible kings.   He had made some errors in judgment…. Made alliances that God was not pleased with, yet when he was rebuked by God’s prophet, he repented and set his heart to seek the Lord once again.   This is where we find Jehoshaphat… on his way back to a right relationship with his LORD.    He gives me hope when I mess up.
      In the middle of this, he finds himself surrounded by the enemies of God, Moab and Ammon.  They were many more than Judah… “a great multitude”.   Jehoshaphat was afraid.  This really looked bad for him and his kingdom, yet, the Word says, “he set himself to seek the Lord”…. How did He do that?
      First Jehoshaphat recognized God’s proper position not only in his life, but in the lives of those who would be his friends or his enemies.    He recognized that God was the God of his fathers.   He was God in heaven and he rules over all kingdoms… both those who recognize His Authority and those who do not.   
      Next, he recognized God as all powerful.   No one could stand against the Lord or anyone who stood with the Lord if He deemed it so.   Jehoshaphat recognized God’s past work of power in the life of Israel as a nation and the individual lives of his forefathers.    He recognized his forefathers’ submission and worship of the God of the universe. 
      Then he recited back to the Lord His promises to His children to protect them and work on their behalf when they would call on him.   Then he called on God to work on his behalf.  
      Now much of this you may have heard before.   Verse 15 being one of my favorite verses in the Bible…”Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of the great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”   That has been such a comfort to me over the years when I’ve remembered I’m not in the fight alone.   In fact, if God says stand back and let it alone, I don’t need to fight at all.  
      However, there is something more in this chapter that has caught my attention this time (don’t you just love God’s Word?   How you can read something over and over again and STILL He’ll speak to you through it?)   Jehoshaphat bowed and worshipped the Lord after God told him, He’d go with him into the battle.   Then the Kohathites (Levite descendants) the singers for the Temple… began to praise the Lord with a LOUD voice ……
      Then the most amazing thing, Jehoshaphat commanded the people to “believe in the LORD your God”… so they would be firm in their stand for God and then he appointed the singers to ‘praise the beauty of holiness’… Praise the Lord.   They hadn’t even gone out to battle yet… They just knew that it looked to be insurmountable odds against them.   Yet, something amazing happens when they started to praise God…. The Lord set ambushes for the Ammonites, the Moabites and everyone else who had come with them against Judah, so that they killed each other rather than harmed Judah.
      Wow!   As I thought on this, I thought how often do I find myself in hard circumstances where the odds of coming out intact in my spiritual, emotional and physical walk are against me?   What do I do?   Well, I must confess, I find myself whimpering and feeling sorry for myself.   Instead I should be praising the Lord.  
      Let me get a little more specific here.   What happens when I don’t agree with my husband in how he chooses to lead our household?   Do I fight against him?  Do I try to belittle him to others?   What if he wants to do something I feel God would not be pleased with?   How do I handle that?   Do I separate myself from him, either physically or emotionally by pouting about it? 
      As a wife, I am commanded to follow my husband unless what he wants to do is immoral or against what God has commanded me.    Now, I have to admit sometimes it’s very tempting to use God’s Word as a sword against my husband…. That’s misuse.  Peter told women, whose husbands weren’t following the word (and I believe this applies to men who have a personal relationship with Jesus as well as those who don’t), to live the Word in front of them (I’m paraphrasing you understand but you can go to I Peter 3 and see if I don’t have the principle right), so that as we live the Word and follow our husband’s leadership (whether we want to or not), God can work on his heart.   This principle applies to our pastor, our teachers, to anyone whom God has put us under authority.    How do we do this?
      I think the answer here is to “praise the beauty of holiness”.   I believe the beauty of holiness is the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ.   As we praise Him for His mercy… because let’s face it most of us could have it a LOT worse… then He is freed to work in and on the behalf of those who’ve set themselves to be our enemy, either physically, emotionally or spiritually. 
      Our pastor often encourages us to say and often greets us with “Well, God is good, isn’t He?”   What are you supposed to say to that?   I have to admit, there’s something deep inside me sometimes that wants to say “yes, but if you only knew ...…”  There is no but… God is good and His mercy endureth forever!
      What about you?  Do you feel surrounded by circumstances that you just don’t seem to be able to do anything about?   Do you have a relationship that has you all tied up in knots because you just can’t make the other person see your view of things?   Has God placed you somewhere you’d rather not be?    Do you feel grumpy and out of sorts and just want to complain all the time?   Start praising the Lord.   Can’t do it on your own?  Get out some good "praising God"  music on a CD or tape and get it going… listen to it, let your heart be captured by it and then start singing along…. See what God will do when you start praising Him for WHO He is, not just for WHAT He can do for you!
 
Molly Winter
Col. 1:9-10

My Comments: How often I find myself struggling with something that has occurred and I have no control over the outcome, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to be something I don’t like. According to this, I’m to praise the Lord for His person, His holiness, His mercy (that it isn’t worse). Then He can work in the situation to turn it around. I definitely need to hold on to this thought. I have felt completely overrun recently by these types of issues. I do want God to work. Can I trust Him to do best in the situation? I surely need to trust.