"He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn will tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands."
Psalm 78: 5-7
My parents gave me music lessons, braces for my crooked teeth, food and shelter, a bicycle, games and toys, an education, unconditional love, vacations, laughter and joy, but all would be hollow without the faith in God they demonstrated. If I were mad, mom would remind me, "Don't let the devil get a foothold!" If I were worried, she'd say "Cast all your anxieties on him for he cares for you." Watching birds at the feeder, mom would sing "For his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me." My parents prayed during times of distress, praised through moments of joy, accredited their Creator for all things. They spoke of their faith, they taught their children, they prayed for each grandchild as they continued to live in Christ. They showed me the Way, the Truth and the Life so I may live with Jesus for all eternity.
I can't think of a more blessed childhood than that.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Be Still My Soul
"My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty, I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul like a weaned child with its mother."
Psalm 131
The Bible is so much more than just a book, it is an ongoing conversation between my Creator and me. God knows how I get every Saturday - harried, irritable, busy cleaning and organizing, cursing the three pets who are under my feet. All I want is peace and quiet after the work week, but it eludes me even though I have lit a few candles and play a Chopin CD. He knows I must still my stirring soul and surrender to him all of my concerns. Only then am I sated.
Psalm 131
The Bible is so much more than just a book, it is an ongoing conversation between my Creator and me. God knows how I get every Saturday - harried, irritable, busy cleaning and organizing, cursing the three pets who are under my feet. All I want is peace and quiet after the work week, but it eludes me even though I have lit a few candles and play a Chopin CD. He knows I must still my stirring soul and surrender to him all of my concerns. Only then am I sated.
Oh Be Careful Little Eyes What You See
"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now, as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death."
Philippians 1:20
I desire this type of fervor. How can I exalt Christ with my body? What do my eyes see when I read or watch shows? Do I listen to edifying music or messages? What comes out of my mouth, seamless praise or acidic gossip? Are my arms open in acceptance or crossing my chest, displaying closure? Lord, may I possess the smile Jesus showed to the children. May my feet never tire of going to church. May I be seen as eager and faithful because I know that you care for me, in this life and the next.
"For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21
Philippians 1:20
I desire this type of fervor. How can I exalt Christ with my body? What do my eyes see when I read or watch shows? Do I listen to edifying music or messages? What comes out of my mouth, seamless praise or acidic gossip? Are my arms open in acceptance or crossing my chest, displaying closure? Lord, may I possess the smile Jesus showed to the children. May my feet never tire of going to church. May I be seen as eager and faithful because I know that you care for me, in this life and the next.
"For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
The Tables are Turned
"Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire...Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall."
Malachi 4: 1, 2
When the Nazis attempted to annihilate the Jews, their plan was to create a pure race. To do this, they needed to get rid of every Jew, among others they deemed unworthy of life. They obviously did not digest the above verses.The role reversal is evident here. Who is going to end up in the furnace? Who is going to be annihilated?
I think of Corrie Ten Boom and her sister, Bessie. They were imprisoned in a concentration camp for helping save Jews. Although Bessie died in the camp, she had a peaceful smile on her ashen face! She was loosed in heaven, leaping like a calf in the sunshine. For Corrie, those gates of hell on earth were opened; she walked away and was healed by the gift of forgiveness. The power of the gospel was honed by her story as she traveled the globe for Jesus.
And what became of those Nazis? Read your history books. The Lord Almighty has spoken and He always has the last word.
Malachi 4: 1, 2
When the Nazis attempted to annihilate the Jews, their plan was to create a pure race. To do this, they needed to get rid of every Jew, among others they deemed unworthy of life. They obviously did not digest the above verses.The role reversal is evident here. Who is going to end up in the furnace? Who is going to be annihilated?
I think of Corrie Ten Boom and her sister, Bessie. They were imprisoned in a concentration camp for helping save Jews. Although Bessie died in the camp, she had a peaceful smile on her ashen face! She was loosed in heaven, leaping like a calf in the sunshine. For Corrie, those gates of hell on earth were opened; she walked away and was healed by the gift of forgiveness. The power of the gospel was honed by her story as she traveled the globe for Jesus.
And what became of those Nazis? Read your history books. The Lord Almighty has spoken and He always has the last word.
A Little Bird Told Me
"Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words and a bird on the wing may report what you say."
Ecclesiastes 10:20
God reminds me to reflect him all the way through to my core, not just on the surface. What I think privately of others matters, though it remains unknown, because it is part of my character. Personally, I find it very difficult to harness my thoughts, but if I ask the Spirit, who lives within me, to curb bad thoughts at their origin, I am heading in the right direction.
Ecclesiastes 10:20
God reminds me to reflect him all the way through to my core, not just on the surface. What I think privately of others matters, though it remains unknown, because it is part of my character. Personally, I find it very difficult to harness my thoughts, but if I ask the Spirit, who lives within me, to curb bad thoughts at their origin, I am heading in the right direction.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Waiting
"And the Lord God said, ' The man has now become one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the Tree of Life and eat, and live forever.'"
Genesis 3:22
This verse has been explained to me that God did not want people to live forever in their sin, so he banished Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, posting a fearsome cherubim bearing a flaming sword at the entrance.
From the moment we are born, we begin to die as minute cells lose their vitality. As the years pass, we reach our peaks of physical stamina or vibrant intelligence, but it doesn't last forever. The step becomes slow, the eyes dim, body parts fail and are perhaps replaced, but each person has an ultimate demise due to sin. I'm so glad we don't live forever in these limited bodies!
For the Christian, life is a waiting period. We know we are promised eternal life in brand-new bodies. "Meanwhile, we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling." (2 Corinthians 5:2)
So, hang in there! Whatever burdens clothe you now will one day be exchanged for a brand-new wardrobe.
Genesis 3:22
This verse has been explained to me that God did not want people to live forever in their sin, so he banished Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, posting a fearsome cherubim bearing a flaming sword at the entrance.
From the moment we are born, we begin to die as minute cells lose their vitality. As the years pass, we reach our peaks of physical stamina or vibrant intelligence, but it doesn't last forever. The step becomes slow, the eyes dim, body parts fail and are perhaps replaced, but each person has an ultimate demise due to sin. I'm so glad we don't live forever in these limited bodies!
For the Christian, life is a waiting period. We know we are promised eternal life in brand-new bodies. "Meanwhile, we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling." (2 Corinthians 5:2)
So, hang in there! Whatever burdens clothe you now will one day be exchanged for a brand-new wardrobe.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Persistent Prayer
"When he hestitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and led them safely out of the city."
Genesis 19:16
Lot, his wife and their two daughters are the only righteous folks left in the sin- sick towns of Sodom and Gommorah. Knowing that this family was in danger, Uncle Abraham had been pleading for Lot, his nephew, in prayer. Remembering his love for Abraham, God sent his angels to lead Lot and company safely out of the city.
This demonstrates the power of prayer. Lord, remind me not to think a situation is hopeless, but to persist in prayer for my loved ones. You do hear and remember!
Genesis 19:16
Lot, his wife and their two daughters are the only righteous folks left in the sin- sick towns of Sodom and Gommorah. Knowing that this family was in danger, Uncle Abraham had been pleading for Lot, his nephew, in prayer. Remembering his love for Abraham, God sent his angels to lead Lot and company safely out of the city.
This demonstrates the power of prayer. Lord, remind me not to think a situation is hopeless, but to persist in prayer for my loved ones. You do hear and remember!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)