One Gave All

 "Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.'" Exodus 14: 13, 14

    Liberty is a precious gift but it comes at a price. Throughout history, the lure of power causes one people to oppress another as they wield their weapons over bent heads. Lines of white crosses on rolling hills of green ribbons testify to the ultimate price paid by the many. 

    One cross above all rises on a hill called Calvary at the very apex of history. On it was crucified the one Man who gave all to purchase spiritual liberty for mankind. He did not die in battle; He laid down His life of His own volition. Why? Was it to bring freedom to those oppressed by the Romans?

    Be they Romans, Egyptians, Germans or Russians, the names change but the agenda never does. The thirst for human power is never quenched, apparently. No, the foe Jesus conquered was much deadlier than these. This antagonist fights for human souls but our Hero defeated Satan when He left behind His graveclothes and ascended into heaven, where He reigns at the right hand of God the Father.

    Who redeems your life from the pit? Who heals all your diseases, forgives all your sins and crowns you with love and compassion? Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's? (Psalm 103: 2-5) Who proclaims freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners? Who binds up the brokenhearted? (Isaiah 61:1) Jesus is the answer.

    Stand firm, Christian soldier; the victory is yours because One gave all.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 

A Genuine Imitation

 "The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see, they have ears but cannot hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them." Psalm 135: 15-18

    I had a wallet when I was a kid that was embossed in gold letters: Genuine Imitation Leather. I wish it were that easy as an adult to spot falsehood...or maybe it is? 

    The Bible speaks of idols, when people would fashion a golden calf or something similar to worship. They would even go so far as to sacrifice their child on its altar (Leviticus 20:3).

    It may not always be so easy to identify idols in America, but an idol is anything in which a person places their allegiance, trust or hope instead of God.

    If we are upset about something, do we call a friend before giving it over to God to handle? When the stressors of life overwhelm us, do we pour a glass of wine and escape in a movie? Do we overeat to dispel ghosts from the past? Perhaps anxiety tempts us to treat ourselves to something new on Amazon because we "deserve it." Will a vacation quiet the voices of worry? Are we looking to the government to fix the blights of society? Do we desire the affirmation from others to fulfill our identity?

    Where do we place our hope? In whom do we trust? The above verse tells us that we become like what we worship. If we place our hope in the Lord, we will begin to resemble Him. Peace will replace worry. Truth will supplant lies. Faith will work on our fears. Self-control will stay our hand. Contentment will close our wallet. Wisdom will still our tongue. Hope will light our future. Repentance will foster forgiveness and love will melt icy hate. 

    Jesus identified himself as being the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He also correctly labeled Satan as the father of lies (John 8:44). If we are not following Jesus, we are being led by lies. 

"No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say...'Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?'" Isaiah 44:19-20

The Blanket

 "You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain." Psalm 139: 5, 6

    One of my most precious memories is one of my mother tucking me in at night. The grime from play had been washed away before crisp, cotton sheets enfolded me. The cool autumn evening had ushered in the need for the pink wool blanket with the satiny edge to be brought from the cedar chest. In the pale light, my mother's form bent over to tuck the sides beneath the mattress, the woodsy aroma settling over me like a warm embrace. With a kiss and a prayer, she reminded me each night that Jesus loved me. I still have that blanket as a tactile reminder of how the love of Christ was introduced to me through my mom.

    This morning, I woke with that memory; I felt God's Presence there at my bedside. The richness of His love blanketed me in security till, like a child, I looked up at Him and said, "I love you." In reply,  this verse came to mind: "When I awake I am still with you." (Psalm 139:18)

    Let the robin's morning song and the welcomed warmth of the rising sun wrap you in the love of God this day. Feel His hand upon you; He loves you so!

"He walks with me and He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own.

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever know."

-In the Garden

"If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139" 9, 10

Witchy Woman

 "When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead." Deuteronomy 18: 9-11

    I met a good Christian friend for tea the other day. We had much catching up to do so, after two hours of yakking, Sue concluded our visit with a prayer request for a friend she has known for decades. During their last get together, Sue was quite shocked to hear her friend declare out of the blue: "I want to be a witch, a green witch, to be exact." 

    In disbelief, Sue had sputtered, "What exactly is a green witch?" The friend, who was otherwise a reasonable woman, went on to explain that a green witch is someone who loves nature, focuses on the wonders and mysticisms of the earth and even mixes potions for the healing of others using such odd ingredients as cats' whiskers. 

    By this time, poor Sue was incredulous but it was the friend's next statement that really floored her: "You could be a witch, too!"

    In sadness, Sue and I pondered how someone she thought she knew so well could be so deceived. We grasped hands across the table and prayed fervently for this friend and others like her, asking for the Holy Spirit to guard our own hearts and minds in Christ Jesus lest we be mislead ourselves. 

    The topic of witchcraft isn't some childhood fantasy from the Wizard of Oz. God solemnly warns about dabbling in the darkness of the occult because He knows just how damning those sinister spirits can be. As the times of our world draw closer to their culmination, Satan ramps up his attacks - especially honing in on God's people. Such buzz words as "mindfulness" and "finding balance from within" should be red flags, as are crystals and potions. 

    Be on your guard. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9)

"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." Ephesians 5:11