Are You Hungry?

 

A teacher friend at school shared with me recently that she had been seeing and hearing similar messages in her personal reading, in sermons at church, and in songs in chapel. I know what she means, don’t you? “God must have a message for you” was my response, and I do believe that’s true. He brings lessons to our attention when we’re ready for them. Now here’s my recent lesson:

I have been meditating on Isaiah 55 this month. It begins, “Ho! Everyone who is thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat.” Here is an invitation to enjoy abundant satisfaction at no cost. Verse two asks, “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?” We are so prone to try to have our needs met in ways that will not work. We strive and struggle to fix our own lives. We look to people and things for comfort rather than drawing near to God.

Jesus knows that we have longings, and he is the one who can meet them. He said to the crowds on the hillside, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). Hungering and thirsting after other things only creates more hunger and thirst, but seeking to know God, to partake of his righteousness, will bring lasting satisfaction.

A couple of weeks ago, Mr. Pollock spoke in our Upper School chapel service. He challenged our students and faculty to seek for the living water that satisfies, calling our attention to John 4 and Jesus’ words to the Samaritan woman: “whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst.” This woman had spent her life in one relationship after another, but she was not fulfilled because she hadn’t come to the living water.

How many times have I myself just turned up the music or grabbed a bag of chips to fill an emptiness that only God and his word can fill? These things can be satisfying for a short time, but they will not last (except the chips. I’ll carry those on my body for a while.) Hear God’s alternative: “Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance” (Isaiah 55:2). The abundance God gives will feed my soul, and that’s food that will sustain me into the future.

--Sherry Poff

Ages & Stages

         People often discuss “seasons of a woman’s life.” From single adulthood to marriage/ childrearing to retirement, each stage provides its own set of opportunities and challenges. Whatever season in which we find ourselves, we should seize and enjoy it to the best of our abilities, making the most of the opportunities that season provides.

        Spiritually speaking, there are also stages of a Christian’s life. John addressed three groups of believers in his first epistle, commending them for their walk with the Lord. May we take encouragement from his words…

 

Ages & Stages

I John 2:12-14,17

 

 “I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake…you have known the Father.”

 

Little children hold His hand,

Whose love, by faith, they understand;

They smile and trust that all is well,

Because they with the Shepherd dwell.

To the Father’s open arms they run;

With joy’s abandon see them come,

For full forgiveness set them free

By what Christ did at Calvary.

 

 

“I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him Who is from the beginning.”

 

Fathers, too, have known Him Who

Already was when all was new.

His friendship true they’ve known for years,

His presence what they hold most dear.

Their walk is steady; He sets the pace,

And they’ll rejoice to see His face.

His promises are always sure;

With settled peace, they will endure.

 

 

“I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.”

 

Young men made strong by God’s own Word

That lives in them and is their sword.

With fortitude and zeal they fight

And conquer evil by His might.

They dare to live by what He says;

Neither toil nor pain can them dissuade,

These ones whose Captain fought and won

And gives His victory to His sons.

 

 

“…he who does the will of God abides forever.”

 

Father, keep me as Your little child,

Smiling back to You though storms are wild.

And as I age steadiness increase;

I’ve known my God and have His peace.

And always help me wield Your sword,

For You, not sin, shall be my Lord.

More than life, You are my greatest Treasure;

To be with You my joy forever!

- MaryBeth Hall 

 

God Sightings

 

Some of you will recall that we used to sometimes have services where we reported our “God sightings.” These were sweet testimony sessions of how we had seen God at work in our personal lives—such precious times of learning about one another and of praising God. So here are two of my recent God sightings.

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of talking to our Upper School students about how we can honor God by caring for the world he gave us and by recognizing his hand in the things he made. Clearly, the world we live in is not intended to last forever, but it is a very beautiful world. When we take time to notice, we can see incredible detail and beauty in God’s design. As I write, I can see cardinals, titmice, and chickadees around the feeder in my maple tree. Have you ever looked carefully at a bird feather? Next time you see one lying on the ground, take time to pick it up and examine the intricate detail. You will be amazed. Just do a google search on feathers, and you will find more information than you might have imagined. (You have to sift carefully to get past the evolutionary propaganda, but the evidence for God’s magnificent handwork is all there). This is just one aspect of the world that inspires praise for our wise creator. I was pleased when one or two students told me they were encouraged to see things differently after my encouragement.

I sat recently in the lobby at church, enjoying sunshine and the sweet fellowship of other women, grateful for the good people of Chattanooga who have opened their doors to the Grace community. Yes, we want to be back on our own corner, but aren’t we just wowed by the folks who have been so good to us? Friends, it’s really God’s goodness we are experiencing, his love and grace and beauty. He is the reason and his love is the force behind all good things we see and experience. Those of us who work at the Academy were blessed to have our breakfast provided by the staff at Morris Hill Baptist Church recently. One of the pastors there expressed sympathy with us for our longing to be in our own space, but he emphasized that they are not eager to see us leave. And then he made this wonderful statement: “There is no time limit on loving your neighbor as yourself.” There was an audible response in the room as we felt the grace of God in his words.

Last month, I asked you to look for evidence of God’s “visitation” here on Earth. I have mentioned just a couple. What stories do you have? If you’d like to share some God sightings with me, I’d love to put them together for others to read about here on Cup of Grace. The first chapter of Romans indicates that we are strengthened and encouraged when we share our experiences with others (“. . . that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me”—verse 13). See me at church or send an email. I am listed in the directory.

--Sherry Poff

 

Well, If You Want My Opinion- - -

 

Many years ago, the saying was, “Everyone is entitled to their opinion.” (Poor choice of pronouns, but that’s the way I remember it.) I’ve always thought, if one doesn’t know anything about the subject, he or she is NOT entitled to an opinion. But, that’s just my opinion.

Many years ago, there was another saying, “I disagree with what you said, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” How long has it been since you heard that one?

However, in an argument, one would say to another, “That’s just your opinion,” making it clear the speaker had no respect for said opinion, as it was only an opinion. Clearly, the speaker’s ideas were the only valid ones in the discussion. This seems to be the mode of the day; opinions have taken precedence over facts, but only the speaker’s opinion has validity, and there is so much rancor in discussions that everyone disrespects any viewpoint other than his or her own.

When it comes to discussions of events, instructions, or beliefs that we find in the Bible, my opinion – and yours—does not matter. If we believe God and believe the Bible is His Word, we should always ask, “What does God say?” Only God’s opinion is of significance; His is the only one we need to put forth. We need to compare Scripture with Scripture, all of it His words, to understand what He is saying. We need to represent His words honestly.

The people around us do not accept God’s authority or even His existence, but they also do not accept our authority. When attempting to present God’s viewpoint on anything, there is not much point in saying, “In my opinion…” We would do better to say, “God says,” and let them accept or reject Him rather than ourselves. This is what the prophets of God did. They didn’t put forth themselves as people with authority worth listening to. They said, “God said.” Even so, those who didn’t want to hear it took out their resentment on the messengers.

My opinion is that our opinions get in the way of God’s message. Our thoughts don’t explain God’s thoughts better than He did. “My religion” and “my faith” do not have compelling authority in the minds of others. What does God say? “My word that goes out from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Is. 55:11 NIV). If we want to put forth God’s Word and honor Him, we need to try to keep ourselves out of the way of it as much as possible. If we want to speak, teach, or act God’s message, let not our force, our authority, be “my opinion.” In fact, if we are to speak with grace (Col 4:6), boldness (Acts 4:29), and in demonstration of the Spirit (I Cor. 2:4), our opinion (which is a bit of our pride) does not have a part in it.

In I Corinthians 2 we are told, “We speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; but just as it is written: ‘Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the human heart, all that God has prepared for those who love Him.’ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among people knows the thoughts of a person except the spirit of the person that is in him? So also the thoughts of God no one knows, except the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words” (2:7-13 NASB).

--Lynda Shenefield

 

Breaking with Tradition at the Start of a New Year

 

A new year is upon us. I don’t know about you, but I am the girl who has always been excited about a new year. For as long as I can remember, I have written out my New Year’s Resolutions, those goals that will enable me to be the person I want to be – more disciplined and consistent in my Scripture reading, in my eating and workout habits, in keeping my house organized and clean, etc. If you read about goal-setting, you will see that goals should be measurable, limited to a certain time, attainable, etc. With this in mind, I would write out my goals, hoping that this year, I would become the better me. I like checklists, so yes, you can picture me making a fresh checklist of habits I want to strengthen, just waiting to be marked off when accomplished. Had my quiet time today? Check. Spent time in prayer? Check. Got a workout in? Check. Organized a space in the house for 15 minutes? Check. (I know many of you cannot relate to this checking things off at all, while others of you know exactly what I’m talking about.) But here’s the thing: I would invariably fail, and for those of us who struggle with perfectionism, the tendency is that once you fail in one of the areas, why not just let the others go as well? Didn’t have my quiet time this morning? Well, since it’s not a perfect day, I might as well let the other areas go without checks as well. A checklist that was started enthusiastically, around day 10 gets abandoned.

Lest I sound all negative, there are times that those goals (and even checklists) were helpful. They kept me focused, gave a plan for the day, and helped me reflect on how I was spending my time. There were many occurrences where I met my goals – multiple years in which I read through the Bible in a year, for example. Setting the goal motivated me to complete it. But here’s what I noticed, and here’s why I’ll be doing it differently this year: There was often a subtle lie that I was believing that was behind these New Year’s Resolutions. “If only I do [fill in the blank], then I will be a better person.” Happier with myself, more confident, more in control. This is the self-help gospel – striving for a better self through my efforts, my goals, my checklists. Striving so I can be the super-Christian, wife, mom, and friend that I expect that I should be. And I run myself ragged and am still constantly discouraged because I am not who I want to be.

This is not the way of sanctification; rather than being God-centered, this striving is very self-centered. I am confident, however, that goals can be set with a very God-centered perspective. I think this is the person who lays out her goals before the Lord (first making sure that her motivation behind them is biblical and not self-centered) and then seeks to meet those goals out of a place of already standing in grace and acceptance before God rather than trying to find her joy and worth in her goal-keeping. For me, this year, I think the temptation is still too strong to set my hopes and my confidence on how well I’m meeting my goals. So, I will not write measurable, checklist type resolutions this year.

Instead, I have chosen an emphasis for this year that I want to focus on. This is not anything that I will be checking off a list, but it is what I hope will draw me to the truth that self-motivated striving is a dead end. It is based on what the Lord has been convicting me of and challenged me in recently. It is the idea of Rest. Quite the opposite of striving for a better self, right? Rest in the fact that I am God’s child and stand in Christ’s righteousness before Him, not on account of my works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Rest in the belief that the things I regret about the past can be put aside, having been forgiven at the cross and are remembered no more (Hebrews 10:14-18). Rest, knowing that God is sovereign and holds me and those I love in His powerful hands, which means that our well-being does not lay on my shoulders (Isaiah 46:10; Ephesians 1:11). Rest, for my inheritance is certain and my future is secure, and these are not dependent on me (I Peter 1:3-5).

Do I still hope to have time in the Word and in prayer daily? You bet. Would I still like to keep my body active through exercise? Get my house more organized? Go to bed at a good time? Yes, yes, and yes. But when those things happen, I don’t want it to be out of a desire to feel better about myself or raise my sense of worth. As believers, our striving as we run the race God laid out for each of us, is done from a place of grace. It is when our eyes are fixed on Christ, not self, that the Holy Spirit enables us to do the work of setting aside sin and things that hinder us in our walk with the Lord (Hebrews 12:1-2). It is not our works that made us right with God for salvation, and it is not our accomplished New Year’s Resolutions that should make us right with ourselves either. Sisters, we stand in grace (Romans 5:2). So, whether you choose to set goals or not, let grace be the foundation from which you live this new year. On December 31, 2023, may we love God and His Word more and look more like Christ, not because we managed to complete our resolutions or check off our lists, but because grace enabled us to look to God and find our rest and joy in Him alone.

--Amy O'Rear