Empty Gift Boxes

 "'The multitude of your sacrifices - what are they to me?' says the Lord. 'I have more than enough burnt offerings...Stop bringing meaningless offerings!'" Isaiah 1:11-13

    Have you ever received a gift which seemed it had little or no thought behind it? Or maybe someone grudgingly gave you a ride somewhere. Though the person outwardly gave, their heart wasn't in it. How did that make you feel? Like a burden or a nuisance? These are empty gift boxes.

    It's no surprise to learn God feels the same way. He who looks upon the heart can recognize falsehood a mile away. When we trudge to church and go though the motions, how does this benefit God? Does this artificial approach to worship fill our hearts?

    The prophet Micah tells us a better way: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

    Involve your heart. Give like the Little Drummer Boy or be like Bruce Almighty when he finally ceased his selfish ways and place the needs of others ahead of his own.

    "And yet I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13:1

The Molasses Swamp

 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

 2 Corinthians 4:17

If you've ever played Candy Land then you've likely been bogged down in the Molasses Swamp. That feature of the popular board game taught players to prepare for times of trouble. That's life!

This past year, the swamp has been most populated. Financial woes, health problems, loneliness, political strife, acrimony and fear have oozed over us to the point of suffocation. Will we ever climb out? 

The Apostle Paul spoke of troubles in his second letter to the Corinthians, referring to them as "light and momentary." Let's take a look at the swamp he was in at times: floggings, imprisonment, stoning, riots and trials. He was well acquainted with thirst, starvation and exposure to the elements. These were very real dangers he confronted; then why does he refer to them as light and momentary? Because they're achieving an "eternal glory that far outweighs them all!" In his last words recorded in 2 Timothy 4:8, he said, "Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." Tradition has it that Paul was beheaded in Rome by the emperor Nero.

Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But, take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Never stop longing for Jesus, our Savior. Grasp His hand; He'll pull you out of the molasses swamp.

Better Than a Gold Watch

 "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

At my age, folks I know are retiring; hanging their hat, going out to pasture. After years of early rising, gulping coffee, breakfast on the run and giving their all, they've had enough. But it's a mixed bag of emotions, too. I've noticed they feel a tad forlorn as they wonder, "Do they miss me at work?" It's a rare employee who, after they've left, cannot be replaced by another since the need must be filled. Were their decades of dedication meaningless?

The wisdom of Solomon found in Ecclesiastes 2: 18-22 says, "I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun...What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun?"

Indeed! What do they get? Used to be they'd get a gold watch, but not so much anymore.

In the verse above, Paul wraps up what's known as the Resurrection Chapter. Since death has been swallowed up in the victory of the resurrection of Christ, we have been given the wondrous task of shouting the Good News from the mountaintops! Now here's a job that can be performed at any age with little training, it has an excellent benefits package and is governed by the most loving, powerful and awesome Boss. He's the true equal opportunity employer! The toil done for Him is never in vain; when souls are won for Christ, it is never in vain. It's eternal.

"I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken away from it." Ecclesiastes 3:14

The Best Christmas Gift

 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1: 3-5

I asked my husband to recall one gift he received last Christmas. We both racked our brains but couldn't remember one thing from just one year ago! 

This exercise put into perspective the hubbub that surrounds purchasing gifts. So much effort is put into the process of obtaining things that don't last.

Compare this to the gift given by our Father: new birth into a living hope! Worldly hope is based on mere wishes, dreams and thoughts that end at the grave, but biblical hope is based on a Person - the great I Am, the King of Kings, the Alpha and the Omega - and that Person rose from the dead and now sits at the right hand of God. So great is his love for us that we are called children of God, co-heirs of Christ. The gift of eternal life is kept for us, shielded by his power in heaven. No one can snatch it from your hand or separate you from it.

This Christmas, accept the Gift that keeps on giving, one that never spoils, fades or perishes. You will remember it forever and ever!

Is This All There Is?

 "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied." 1 Corinthians 15:19

Years ago, I heard a haunting melody sung by Peggy Lee entitled, "Is That All There Is?" In the song, the writer recalls the experiences that were designed to be pinnacle but to her, they were lackluster. She, in the chorus, ponders:

"Is that all there is? 

If that's all there is, then let's keep dancing.

Let's break out the booze and have a ball,

If that's all there is."

Indeed! If all I have is this daily grind with periodic highs and lows, what's the point? If, when I breathe my last, my body forlornly goes to the ground like an animal, then why not eat, drink and be merry? 

When Jesus was crucified and laid in a tomb, it seemed the disciples had given up everything and followed Him in vain. Pitifully, they locked themselves in the upper room living in fear and despair. But, "death was swallowed up in victory" (Isaiah 25:8) when Christ walked out of that tomb and showed Himself to hundreds of witnesses.

That's the victory I walk in and this is the song I hear these days:

"Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

Because He lives, all fear is gone!

Because I know, I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living just because He lives." (Gloria and William Gaither)

Test Me

 "Go ahead, I dare 'ya!" Can you picture God giving such a challenge? Well, He did; listen to this:

"'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.'" (Malachi 3:10)

To receive, first open your hand and give - not grudgingly but with abandon! God loves a cheerful giver because He is one! To be like God, imitate Him and just see what happens. What does it mean to "bring the whole tithe?" It means to give ten percent of your income to your church or a charity, but if you are able, give more! Why not? And not just money; give of your time and talents. We came into this world with nothing and we take nothing out, after all. God is waiting, with a smile on His face, for you to test Him in this. His hand is on the lever of the floodgates, waiting to deluge you with more than you can imagine - "a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap." (Luke 6:38)

So, take up the challenge!

A Time for Everything

"There is a time for everything:
a time to be born and
     a time to die,
a time to plant and
     a time to uproot,
a time to kill and
     a time to heal,
a time to tear down and
     a time to build,
a time to weep and
     a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and
     a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and
     a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and
     a time to refrain,
a time to search and
     a time to give up,
a time to keep and
     a time to throw away,
a time to tear and
     a time to mend,
a time to be silent and
     a time to speak,
a time to love and
     a time to hate,
a time for war and
     a time for peace."
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

     Some years ago, in my walk with God, I asked myself, "If a worldwide catastrophe claimed every life save mine, would the Bible be any less relevant?" Knowing that heaven and earth could pass away, but the Word of the Lord stands forever (1 Peter 1:25), I began to read the Bible with a new zeal. If a passage popped out at me, I felt a personal connection and would write my response to it. It became a volley of conversation between my Maker and me, one that I wanted to share with others when this blog was established in June, 2012.

     I never wanted the focus to be on myself, nor was it my wish to lead anyone astray by my comments, but my desire was to create a portrait of God, using his words and mine. I hope I have done this; forgive me if I have not.

     After posting 383 entries, I feel the time is right to seek other directions. As you walk with the Lord, in the light of his word may

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up his countenance upon you

and give you peace."

 

Numbers 6: 24-26