Oh, That Men Would Praise the Lord for His Goodness!

 

Recent events both in the world and in the lives of people I know have brought to my attention the lovely life I have. The fact that I enjoy good health, have a working car, can attend interesting events, am able to worship regularly with other believers—all these and more inspire me to thank God over and over for my good life. I know that I did nothing to earn my blessings. Nor did you.

Nor did many people of the world do anything to earn their much-less-enjoyable life. It is true that we can bring illness and disaster upon ourselves by our own foolishness, as noted in Psalm 107:17—“Fools, because of their rebellious way and because of their iniquities, were afflicted.” But just two verses later we read that, when these people cry out to God, He saves them. And sometimes the trouble comes totally unexpected. 

John tells the story of a blind man who was healed by Jesus. The disciples wanted to know “who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should be born blind?” Jesus replied that the man’s blindness was not caused by sin but was “in order that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9: 2-3).

Whatever our lot in life, we should be giving glory to God, both in our private worship and in public testimony. When I was a young girl, I was attending one of those all-day-meeting-and-dinner-on-the-grounds affairs at an old country church in the hills of West Virginia. After our sumptuous picnic lunch (dinner on the grounds), we all met back inside the church for a standing-room-only service. I recall being just inside the door, surrounded by tall people. I could just hear the preacher asking if anyone had a word of testimony for the Lord. Silence. He asked again. More silence. Then the preacher held up his Bible and in a loud voice proclaimed, “The Bible says, ‘Let the redeemed of the LORD say so!”

I didn’t know it then, but now I know that this verse is found in Psalm 107:2. Following that verse are many different situations in which people might call upon God for help. A repeated refrain in the psalm says, “Oh that men would praise the LORD for this goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men.”

As James reminds us, every good gift comes from God. The Sunday afternoon nap, the rain for the tomatoes you might set out this week, health to get up and get your work done, freedom from war, salvation from deserved punishment. And sometimes the good gift is relief from pain, comfort in a time of war, help in the midst of grief.

Life is full of experiences that we might deem good or bad, but all are opportunities to honor and praise God for his goodness. If you were in church to hear Dima and Maria Kotik, you were surely blessed as I was to hear how God has upheld them in very difficult circumstances. You heard Maria say that she finds help and comfort in praying scripture. These dear people are a wonderful example of those who might be tempted to complain but who praise God instead.

So this week, regardless of what happens to us: Let the redeemed of the LORD say so!

--Sherry Poff

The Dented Cup

 

Sacrifice is counter-cultural. We live in a society that affirms a “me-first” life. Shoving people in line on Black Friday, honking and yelling our way down the street because Grandpa is driving too slow in front of us, ranting and raving about our Amazon delivery being delayed to day three… Even the idea of self care can lead to an expectation of self-first being the most important way of living. I must know what I need When used appropriately, it is good to find rest and reset, but when it becomes idolatry, it leads us away from Christ-likeness. Yet sacrifice is the theme of the gospel for the believer.

We are constantly fighting against self, sin and Satan. All three pulling us and pointing us away from the Living Sacrifice. All three thriving on the moments we turn inward, self centered, prideful. And those choices leading us to times of folly and dissatisfaction and despair. While sacrifice may be counter-cultural, it is in fact Christ cultural and because of His work in our lives, should be the hope of our hearts. 

As a parent, I find my lack of sacrifice to be glaring. The number of things that pull at me the moment I sit down on the couch for the first time of the day: “Mom, this toy needs new batteries.” “Mom, I’m hungry.” “Mom, come look at what I did!” “Can you play a game of knock-out?” The requests go on and on. And all I want to do is live my life, my way. And yes, there are times for the little ones to practice patience, or receive a “no,” but when the little demands on my own time and interest can be answered with love, a sacrifice of time or energy, that goes a long way too. Because we know this to be true: there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:13)

 One of Gavin and my college professors, Dwight Peterson, used to share an illustration in some of his messages. He talked about a time he and his wife had gone out for a fast food meal together. While getting the drinks for the two of them, Dwight grabbed two lids to put on the cups. As he popped them on, he noticed one cup was slightly dented. He went back to the table and moved to hand his wife the dented cup. Immediately convicted about the lack of love this was showing, he switched it and took the dented one for himself. Such a minor, minute detail that would have caused her no harm, and yet he realized the intent of his heart was to provide the better option for himself. Sometimes Gavin and I laugh to each other as we find ourselves reaching for the slightly better option and reference the dented cup. 

All of these are such small examples of sacrifice. Which, again, I believe shows the immensity of the “me-first” lives we live. Today we celebrate Easter. Resurrection Sunday. The celebration of life eternal because of the greatest sacrifice ever made. So, let’s take a moment to remind ourselves of this sacrifice:

Romans 5:8 “But God shows His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Isaiah 53:5 “But He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds are we healed.”

The perfect, righteous Son of God bearing the weight of our sin, fulfilling the punishment of our death, feeling the separation of the Father. Physical, spiritual torment and abuse at the hands of the ones He loves, the ones He created. The sacrifice that freed, gave hope and a future, destroyed guilt and death. Unmatchable, incomparable. And it is with this freedom through sacrifice that we are called to sacrifice for others. To live counter culturally and continue to model Christ in us. Take the dented cup. 

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

 --Sandy Gromacki

Just Like Jesus

Today is Palm Sunday, remembering the last week of Jesus' life, from His triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the bitter betrayal, the trial, crucifixion and then glorious resurrection.  Tucked in the middle of these events are the last instructions Jesus gave His disciples.  At one point Jesus said, "Do this if you want to be like Me."  What could make us like Jesus? John 13 tells us what we are to do to be like Him.

Jesus "got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself.  Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.  So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, 'Do you know what I have done to you?  You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.  If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.' "

Edith Schaeffer, in her book Common Sense Christian Living, described her motivation for being a servant to those in her home.

"How do I regard my having run upstairs with tea or having served breakfast in bed, or having continued for years to do this kind of thing for a diversity of people, as well as for my husband and children?  How do I look at it?  Do I feel like a martyr?  Let me tell you.

"First I say silently to the Lord, perhaps not always, but really almost every time:  'Thank you, Lord, that there is a practical way to serve you tea (or breakfast in bed or whatever it is I am doing for someone).  There would be no other way of bringing you food, or doing something special for You.  Thank you for making it so clear that as we do things that are truly in the realm of giving of ourselves in service to others, we are really doing it for You.  These things can be done so often!'

"Second, I go on remembering something of this sort: 'Now Fran really needs this.  He is talking so seriously to this person, and right now this refreshment will pick up both of them.  I'm sure they both need a bit of blood sugar.  This wheat muffin and cheese will give good nourishment, too, for whatever is coming next.'  I walk up the stairs, you see, really thinking of the individuals I am serving, whether adults or my children and grandchildren, in one or another circumstance of life.  A flair of imagination gives me the idea of putting a rose on the tray, or adding some hot nuts roasted in the oven, as I imagine the pleasure the sight and fragrance will bring to eyes and nostrils!  This is the fun of serving.  If you have never surprised anyone in the midst of ordinary life, you've missed a lot of the satisfaction that can be spread through days."

Until I read Mrs. Schaeffer's words, I had not seen myself serving Jesus as I served others.  But you recall His words in Matthew 25.  "I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to Me. . . . Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to me." 

Brennan Manning in his book, The Rabbi's Heartbeat, said "Servanthood is not an emotion or mood or feeling; it is a decision to live like Jesus."  May we live like Jesus, this week and every week.

                                                                            ~~Faith Himes Lamb

Wait is an Action Verb

 

“God wants us to adjust our lives to Him so He can do through us what He wants to do.”

                                                                                                                          Blackaby

 

“How is it that God will use me?” is often a question we each might pose when profound change or flux or trial is brought into our lives. We have the very evident desire to be actively serving, but God Himself has not revealed the task. This universal question is posed by the young, urgently seeking God’s direction for their lives; by the middle-aged, experiencing times of tremendous change and responsibility; and by senior saints, realizing that God is not finished with them yet; and also by churches or Christian organizations, struggling through times of financial or spiritual trials. Often Isaiah 40, “but they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength…” becomes that source of great inspiration, especially for those in these times of tremendous stress. How much, however, do we really understand the meaning of the verb wait?

Wait is an action verb. Action?! It would seem to be a passive thing, yet God instructs each of us to be a part of the refining process He calls wait. God encourages us with the injunctions of renewing our strength, running, walking, not fainting, but waiting seems to be the ultimate challenge because the responsibility for the outcome is in hands other than ours—in God’s hands. Wait by its very nature becomes one of the ultimate acts of trust for the person who “walks by faith and not by sight.”

Our Church—Grace—has been waiting and waiting and waiting for God to allow our campus to be restored. It seems as if we have been confronted with roadblocks that have challenged our senses of right and wrong, pressed at the “it is not fair” button, and—at times—left us with a lethargy caused by—what we believe—is too long a wait. God has not forsaken us, but . .  

Uniquely, the timetable involved in waiting is not ours, but God’s. He who does all things well asks us to look for, to hope in, to eagerly expect His direction in our lives. It is in the waiting, then, that our patience and confidence in God is confirmed. Yielding to this process conforms us to Him, more like His image. The product of our waiting is God’s.

As we wait for the coming of the Savior, we are to live in dependence upon God, and we are to walk with Him in fellowship. It is in His presence and leadership that we find our source of strength. We also learn of God’s blessings along the way as we wait. Our sister church Morris Hill welcomed and assisted our Academy. First Adventist has graciously housed our Church family. Our teams of folk who set up, serve, tear down without complaint have encouraged us. We have learned much in our wait.

Thus, the comfort, peace, and joy found in His presence promised to us especially as we wait has been ours. We do not find spiritual benefits in seclusion. We find them in following God’s plan and purpose in our daily activities as we depend upon Him to direct our every path. In one sense, we “must be about [our] Father’s business.” This direction stems from the minute to the earth shattering. In it all, we must be “quiet and wait for the direction of His presence.”

 God is at times silent, and we long for a sense of His presence or for prayer to be answered as we wish. Thus, His leading is dependent upon our determination by faith to set Him always before us. He is always intimately concerned for us, always seeking to bring us more into conformity to the image of His dear Son all in order that we might be usable vessels. Our responsibility, then, is to wait in faith upon that which we know to be true.

Scriptures challenge believers to “walk and not faint, to run with patience the race[—a marathon race—] set before us,” and “to rest and wait patiently” for Him. This is not action centered on our own activities which we perceive will honor God or focused upon our own calculations or perceptions of His Will, but it is an action centered on the ability to place with confidence our entire trust in God’s direction. The worthiness of the object of our trust continues to challenge us to continue moving forward for Him.

The answer and plan will not always be given to us. Our walk before the Lord is a step-by-step walk. Based on God’s character, we can say with the psalmist: “therefore will we not fear.” Confidence and faith in His provision do not, in this life, always reflect themselves in breezy joy. Confident, hopeful people are marked by perseverance and a refusal to seek illegitimate relief during their ongoing struggles because they choose to actively wait upon the Lord.

We, then, actively and with thanksgiving wait.

 --Janet Hicks

 

Reputation Matters

 

Proverbs 18:17, “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.”

Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”

Have you ever known a Biblical principle your whole life, and then one day you get a real-life lesson in it? That happened to me recently when a situation arose between two people I have known for almost 40 years.

We will call them Hazel and Myrtle for anonymity's sake. Myrtle came to me with a complaint about how Hazel had treated her. I believed it straight away, because Hazel had a reputation for being a bully, being arrogant, always thinking she was right about everything, and throwing fits to get her way. I could make a list of all the times I had seen her bully others. I was angry about this incident for days, because I deeply care for Myrtle, whom I viewed as somewhat defenseless.

I began to grapple with what my own response to this incident should be. But the Holy Spirit encouraged me to hold my tongue, to mind my business, and to wait and see what would happen next. Several Scriptures came to mind on these topics. I wrote pages and pages in my journal trying to sort out what my response should be. I wanted it to be godly and wise and not reactionary. I prayed over the situation many times. The ruminative thoughts were taking up too much space in my head, so I had to mute Hazel on social media limiting my thinking about her and the incident. The topic was hot in my mind still, so I was tempted to talk with others about it, but by the strength of the Lord alone, I didn’t (except closest family).

Then one day, 3 months after the incident, Hazel came to me with her side of the story. I knew she would eventually come, but she came much differently than I expected. I braced myself and whispered a silent prayer hoping for a godly response. I had never seen her like this. She was almost in tears, humble and contrite even. The arrogance absent. Normally she would brag about how she had gotten the best of somebody, but not this time. She said it had taken her this long to talk about it, because she had been so hurt. Myrtle had gone-off on her in a way she had never seen. It was a much bigger story than I had known. (Eventually, Myrtle apologized to Hazel for her bad behavior and  explained the circumstances leading up to the outburst.) Myrtle had not told me the whole story.

I was stunned at Hazel and Myrtle’s uncharacteristic behaviors, and I was forced to try to decide who to believe. Although Hazel had a reputation of behaving badly, I had never known her to lie. Myrtle had a reputation of being kind and patient with others and also for being truthful. Each was speaking from her own perspective and thankfully had made peace between themselves without my interference. I was thankful the Holy Spirit had reminded me of the verses above and kept me quiet, because it could have gotten even uglier had I intervened.

I was reminded of some things:

Reputation really does matter. What will people believe if someone tells them something negative about you? (I have had this happen to me.) People who have known you, especially a long time, will notice patterns of behavior. Will they trust your word, because they have never known you to lie? I couldn’t believe Myrtle would act that way, but Hazel was not known as a liar. But neither was Myrtle. That’s how I came to understand that they were both telling the truth as they saw it. Later, Myrtle admitted to me that she had apologized for her bad behavior, so it confirmed that Hazel was still being truthful.

It’s good to wait and let the whole truth come out before deciding what is true. This is especially true with social media. Some people make money out of others’ outrage. Outrage causes people to react on their pages where the money is made. So, they will slant the truth to deceive or to rage bait. Have you ever fallen for that? I have. As in Paul Harvey’s “Rest of the Story,” there is always another side to consider if we want to be critical thinkers instead of jumping at the first idea thrown to us.

It’s good to mind one’s own business and stay out of strife. (I Thessalonians 4:11, “…and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs…”) I don’t want to be known as a “pot stirrer.” Do you? I want to be a peacemaker. This is pleasing to the Lord. He wants us to get along. Sometimes it ain’t easy, and I’m glad I had lots of time to sort through my thoughts. I don’t always have that luxury, but hopefully, I have learned through these experiences. I bet you have stories of your own and can relate.

Blessings and peace,

joyce hague

A Crown of Beauty

Do you have a favorite ring or necklace that you like to wear, or perhaps a cute pair of earrings? If you see me at any given point in time, I will be wearing my engagement and wedding rings and probably also another ring on my right hand that my husband gave me when we were dating. As a teenager I had no desire to get my ears pierced, but in college, on somewhat of a whim while out with my friends, I went for it. So now, I often don a pair of earrings. On occasion, I also put on a necklace or bracelet. Many of us have an assortment of jewelry, even if it’s small. However, regardless of whether you own necklaces, rings, or bracelets, there is an accessory mentioned repeatedly in Proverbs that is vital for all of us women.

The book of Proverbs celebrates the beauty, not of jewelry and precious stones, but of wisdom. Read these verses and notice how it speaks of wisdom:

-- Wise instruction and teaching are “a graceful wreath for your head and necklaces for your neck” (1:9, NASB).

-- Wisdom and discretion are “adornment to your neck” (3:22).

-- In response to wise teaching, “bind them on your fingers” (7:3).

             In other words, a far better accessory than a gold necklace or a new pair of earrings is wisdom. Wisdom makes beautiful; it adorns its wearer with a quality that comes from the Lord Himself (Proverbs 8:22). I am sure we have all met these women... Whether or not they wear any jewelry at all, they exude wisdom. We are drawn to them and want to learn from them.

             And what about physical beauty? Proverbs speaks to that, too. Listen to this shocking verse: “As a ring of gold in a pig’s snout, so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion” (11:22). Wow! We can put on our best outfit and adorn it with beautiful jewelry, but if we lack wisdom, we will just look like a dirty pig wearing a nose ring! This doesn’t mean that we should get rid of all of our accessories of silver, gold, and precious stones. It does mean, however, that we need to be aware that those things don’t truly make us beautiful. Maybe somewhere along the way, we have been tempted to listen to the world’s definition of beauty and need to be reminded of what God calls beautiful. As we pour into the next generation who are being bombarded with false messages of beauty, let’s be sure to teach them what beauty according to God’s word really is.

            I love Proverbs 4:9, “She [wisdom] will place on your head a garland of grace; she will present you with a crown of beauty.” Ladies, may that be the beauty we chase after.

-- Amy O’Rear

Mission-Minded

 

I’ve been delighted recently to see the little stack of missionary prayer letters on the table as I come into church. We used to have a Women’s Missionary Fellowship at Grace. The group met monthly to hear about missions, pray for specific needs, and have a little refreshment. From time to time, we also took on projects to meets needs we read or heard about. I have forgotten—if I ever knew-- why we stopped this practice, but I loved it.

Some time after the group dissolved, I realized I needed a specific time to pray for missions, so I adopted Wednesday as my missionary prayer time. I have a folder with prayer cards and letters to help me focus on individuals and the various fields represented. This is why I am especially happy to see the prayer letters.

It is a great privilege to have a part in mission work around the world through the medium of prayer. When I read Melissa Baccarella’s occasional Sunday morning emails and then pray for her neighbor or for an upcoming community outreach, I am eager to read her next email to see how things are going. Then I am able to praise God for the things He’s doing in Italy. It’s the same with the Lethers family in Togo, the Freeze family in Cambodia, the Arces in Venezuela, and on around the world. With all the things going on here in the United States, it’s easy to forget that there is a big world out there where God is at work. It’s good for us to focus away from ourselves now and then and think about the needs of others. We both get a perspective on our own blessings and develop compassion for people in other lands.

But let’s not leave the evangelism to career missionaries. I think it’s appropriate for each of us to see ourselves as missionaries to the people we interact with daily. Maybe you’re a member of a book club or a gym. Perhaps there are people you see regularly when you go running or stop in for lunch at a favorite restaurant. These are opportunities to spread the gospel through conversation and actions.

Jesus left his disciples with instructions to be his witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). That was in the city where they were living, in their region, in a neighboring region, and then all around the world. As followers of Jesus and spiritual descendants of those early disciples, we have a similar calling.

I heard recently of a man who said that knowing he was dying “removed the filter” from his mouth and made him bold to witness. That challenged me to think about how I might lovingly introduce more of the gospel into my daily conversations.

When we all get to heaven some day, one thing I hope to do is talk with believers from around the world and hear their stories of how they came to know Jesus. And we can have a little of that right here on earth.

Please join me in reading the missionary letters and praying regularly for their work. And I’d love it if you want to ask me now and then who I’ve been witnessing to.  

--Sherry Poff

Let There Be Light

 

Ask me today what one of my biggest fears is… the dark. It’s a little embarrassing as an adult, but I know I’m not the only one, so I’m owning it. I remember back in middle school and high school a very specific picture of this fear, now funny to me, though I likely would still react the same way. I had two pet rabbits that lived in a hutch out on the side of our yard. Our whole yard was surrounded by woods. I often forgot to feed the rabbits during the day so it was a daily failed routine that I would end up remembering right before my bedtime. I would go outside, in the dark, surrounded by those woods, imagining every horrifying monstrous creature ready to spring out at me while I sprinted full speed, dropped the food in their dish and fled back to the house, slamming the door behind me, heart beating a thousand miles a minute.

You would think I would have learned my lesson and fed them earlier. I did not. Suffice it to say, I prefer the light. I think there’s a reason for that in our hearts. And in fact, the Lord has been reminding me of His light the past couple of months. It’s easy to stumble into the dark in our own lives - our thoughts, sin, social media, political arguments, stress, anxiety, boredom, fear; they all can pull us into dark spaces. But in God’s Word we are pointed to the Light over and over again. 

Starting at the very beginning, God said, “Let there be light.” He separated the light from the formless, empty darkness. In His goodness, at the creation of the world, the first thing He did was bring light.

Here are some of the other examples of light in the Word that God has placed in front of me recently (though there are countless others not included here!):

-        Psalm 119 “Open my eyes so that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Noting the picture here that eyes closed equals darkness. Opening our eyes brings light to what we have not seen, or could not know on our own - truths of God’s Word.

-        Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek and find me, when you seek me with your whole heart.” Have you ever played hide-and-seek? The best hiding places are the dark hidden spaces. When you seek, you’re bringing the hidden into the light. God is always in the finding and He is the light.

-        Luke 11:33-36 “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” Jesus IS the light. When our eyes are on Him, we let only light in. When they are on anything else, we find ourselves in darkness, no matter how bright it seemed for a season. Christ alone lights the path.

-        Saul’s conversion in Acts 9 has a couple of miraculous moments of light. Both the bright light that struck him to the ground before he heard the Lord’s voice, and the darkness that fell from his eyes days later as he had been blinded. From that point on we see Saul’s life turned completely to the light of the gospel of Christ.

Along with these scriptures, a few songs have stuck out to me with their words of light:

-        “Be Thou My Vision”: “Thou my best thought by day or by night; Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.” “High King of Heaven, Thou heaven’s bright sun.”

-        “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”: “O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free! Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

I am so thankful for the fullness of light in God’s Word. When I think of light I think of goodness and hope and joy! What examples come to your mind when you think through these things?

 

-Sandy Gromacki

He Prays for Me

I got to have my grandmother until I was in my early forties, but when she died I was desolate. I remember weeping, "But who is going to pray for me now?" I knew that every single day my grandmother prayed for me, my husband, and my children.  She prayed because she loved me.  As I faced life without Gram, my older sister, Lloys Jean, hugged me and promised me that she would pray for me. And she has.  What I didn't remember was that Jesus Himself would pray for me.

One of my resolves for this year is to be more faithful in prayer for those I love.  I want to be the spiritual anchor for others that my grandmother was for me.  But in the last few days I have been considering the most important Prayer Warrior of all.  I don't remember grasping this fact before:  Jesus prays for me! What a precious thought.  In John 17: 9, in the last hours of Jesus' earthly life, He said "I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me for they are thine."  He was praying for His disciples, but He was praying for me as well.  John 17:20 says, "I pray not for them alone, but for them also which shall believe through their word."  That's me!  I am one who believed what God recorded in His Word.  I believed what those early Christians said.  And Jesus prays for me.

The subject comes up again in Hebrews 7:25. "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them." He is interceding for me.

One of the most important prayers Jesus has prayed for me is mentioned in John 14:16.  He prayed the Father to give another Comforter who would abide with me forever.  When Jesus would no longer be with believers Himself physically, He made sure someone would  speak up for me.  He knew I couldn't handle life by myself.  There are times when I am overwhelmed.  All I want to do is cry and call His name over and over.  I don't know what I should pray for.  That's when the Spirit steps in for me.  Romans 8:26, "The Spirit also helps our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

I don't remember this wonderful promise being covered in a sermon or Sunday School lesson, but it's true. I want this to be a part of my consciousness.  I have an amazing Comforter, a faithful interceder.  Praise the Lord!

                                                                        Faith Himes Lamb

 

God Uses Many Instruments

 

I cannot remember any of my personal interactions with either of my grandmothers that each did not seek to use for good—my good. Each in her own unique way sought to influence me to do right and to live my life for someone else’s benefit. Dad’s mom was quiet and offered her advice for consideration: “Think about this.” On the other hand, my mother’s mother was friendly but didactic, and she offered her wisdom in a positive “I want you to do this” manner. Each of my grandmothers provided an example of stability and strength in the face of difficulty that only children of God possess. I learned at an early age, then, that “God is a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Dad’s mother lost her oldest son during World War II. She took her loss with great difficulty, but she learned over the years to place her grief before the Savior. She sought to share her modest means with others by way of her table, which always had room for just one more. She had a meek and quiet spirit which, along with her hospitality, taught me the virtues of “holding my tongue” instead of impetuously disagreeing with whatever suited my argumentative mode. She sought to show me personal consistency. She gave me genuine affection.

My other grandmother was extremely practical, organized, and she rarely rested. She was a fountain of activity, pulling me along with her. I can’t prepare green beans without remembering her advice:
“Choose carefully, be sure the beans are crisp enough to snap, do not use too much water or the vitamin content will be lost,” etc. (Oh, they were 19 cents a pound back then. The price of green beans was an important discussion topic for the women in our family.) The advice was to look carefully at the ways of my household (Proverbs 31:27). Grandma taught me to be attentive to the details of my family’s spiritual and physical needs, to monitor my attitude continually, and to try to see the best in someone. She always explained that God had his hand in every situation.

Paul teaches us the nature and value of relationships between the members of different generations in Titus. Every one of Paul’s injunctions speaks of the carryover which we must make among the realms of the spiritual, the intellectual, and the practical. Right doctrine will influence the manner of life of a believer. Right living will solidify spiritual understanding and spiritual empathy for others. All that we learn will we reveal in our lifestyle. A goal in our relationships is to allow us to help and to encourage each other to live in a Christlike manner. I needed the influence of each of my grandmothers.

“But speak thou the things which become (are suitable to and reflect) sound doctrine.” This imperative specifically addresses the need for older men to be sober (vigilant), grave (honest, worthy of respect), and temperate (discreet) in their living. An individual’s attitude of mind is to be one that leads to prudence and self-control in life. These attributes are the opposite of frivolity and carelessness. Noah’s walk of obedience was hindered by careless, unheeded actions in his later years. Thus, the word temperate implies a discretion that is protective to the believer. It is important, therefore, that a seriousness of purpose be found as an identifying mark in each believer’s life. Our lives provide a spiritual benefit for others: saved or unsaved, older or younger. 

Paul’s instructions to Titus continue to state that soundness, wholesomeness, or rightness should characterize our being. Each believer is to have knowledge based on the principles of the Word found in the higher spiritual virtues of faith, love, and patience. Our practical Christianity is based on Jesus Christ, our foundation.

Women are to possess these virtues also. Paul speaks about our deportment reflecting the holiness of our living. We are not to be slanderers, gossips, or false accusers. We are to be temperate and teachers of good things. Paul places an emphasis on the teaching ministry older women were to exhibit as a natural outgrowth of the relationship built in their lives with younger women. In our day, extended ministries such as MomCo, mom’s prayer groups, Sunday school, or Awana provide important opportunities to move between generations sharing Christ’s love.

It is important for younger women and older women to mingle together as they all seek to move forward for the Lord. The context of Paul’s admonitions to Titus is the home. Somehow, we wonder why it might be necessary to learn the need to love one’s husband or children or in-laws or other family members. However, learning consistency in putting the needs and concerns of your family first is “caught” by seeing the example of respected women of God.

History shows us that believing women in the first century spent time together, worked alongside one another, and encouraged others in their walks of faith. It is not a small wonder, then, that Eunice and Lois are complimented for their Godly influence on Timothy.

A woman’s character and its resulting fruit, then, is openly displayed and shared with those younger women with whom she spends time. As a young mom, I was so grateful for the advice the nursery workers gave me when I needed help with my babies. As I learned to lean on several Godly women, I learned more about having right spiritual outlooks for my living because an atmosphere of love and trust had been developed across the generations of women in our church.

As believing women, we are to be like our Savior. We are to be influences one to another “for righteousness’ sake.” We are to be encouragers. A softly spoken word, a gentle admonition, a steady helping hand, and a heart of love can be among the gifts we present to one another in the Savior’s name.

 

--Janet Hicks

 

 

Beautiful Things

 

On this cold winter day, let’s think of some beautiful things to cheer ourselves!

 Here’s my list (in no particular order):

 The sweet faces of my grandchildren

The Hiwassee River cascading over rocks

Christmas lights (the more, the better!)

Chocolate chip cookies (the smell and taste, just lovely)

Beaches, especially at sunset (and dolphins)

Snow and men made of snow

A clear, starry night

Beautifully illustrated books

A full moon rising over a river (especially if you’re on the water)

The Rocky Mountains

Relaxing music on Pandora and music by John Williams

A crackling fireplace – even if it’s just a video

Frozen waterfalls

Handmade Valentines

Sunrise from the view of an airplane

A passion flower

Wedding gowns

Pink fleece hoodies

Stained glass illuminated from behind

I’m smiling as I made this list, and honestly, I’ve been feeling a bit glum today. Make your own list and see if you respond the same way!

Now consider the words of David in Psalm 27:4,

“One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”

There’s nothing more beautiful than the beauty of the LORD! He blazes brightly upon His throne. Consider His might and power. Our minds cannot fathom it! No one is greater than Him. He possesses all knowledge and wisdom. He created all things, so many amazing and beautiful things that work together for His glory, beautiful even in a fallen state. Goodness, Beauty, and Truth originate in Him. The joy of the LORD strengthens us in dark, difficult times. He never leaves us alone. Isn’t that wonderful?! The fruits of His Spirit are available to us and can be manifested in us. He is holy!

I could go on and on…feel free to linger on these thoughts and add to them. There’s so much that could be said about our wonderful LORD.

Be cheered and warmed!

 

joyce hague

Our Treasure

 

Our Treasure

In his classic allegorical work Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan writes about Christian’s journey to the Celestial City. It is a fascinating narrative chronicling the life of a believer. Early in the story, shortly after Christian enters the narrow path through the wicket gate, he comes to a man named Interpreter. Interpreter shows Christian seven different scenes to help prepare him for the journey ahead.

            In one of the rooms that Interpreter shows Christian, two children sit in chairs; their governor has told them that they will get “his best things” at the beginning of the next year. The older child, Passion, is unwilling to wait and pouts until he is given a bag of treasures with which he plays. The other child, whose name is Patience, is mocked by Passion who is busy with his new toys; nonetheless, Patience waits with endurance for his reward. Meanwhile, Passion’s treasures quickly turn to rags.

            Interpreter explains to Christian that Passion is like the people of this world; they must have their treasures now. We see this as we look around, don’t we? It’s the seeking after wealth, fame, acceptance, beauty. It’s measuring success in life by how the world does. It’s looking with envy at our friend’s large and well-decorated home, buying all the latest beauty gadgets to hold age at bay, or frantically pursuing all the options for our children to be exceptionally successful in the eyes of the world. It’s a focus on the here and now – setting our affections, time, and energy on things that won’t last.

            Meanwhile Patience in the story understands that the best is yet to come. He can wait with endurance, even while he sees Passion with all his treasures. Interpreter explains that in the end, Patience will have the treasure that far outweighs Passion’s, and where Passion’s didn’t last, the riches that Patience will receive will last forever. Interpreter says, “He who has his inheritance first, uses it and spends it; but he who has his portion last, has it forever.” In I. Peter 1:4-7, Peter writes of an inheritance that is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,” and that the knowledge of this future treasure can give us joy in the present, even in suffering.

            We also recognize though that we have been so very blessed even here on the earth, but at the same time, we understand that the blessings we have received are gifts we steward, not things or people in which we seek fulfillment and joy. We hold them loosely, understanding that all we have is ultimately the Lord’s. We see our blessings as they relate to eternity and furthering God’s kingdom rather than how they enhance our own well-being.

            As we steward well that which the Lord has entrusted to us and choose not to run after the things of this world, we “set our mind on things above” (Col. 3:1) and run with patience the race that is set before us (Heb. 12:1). For we know that our true inheritance is not in this world, but in the next, and that the experience of seeing our Lord will be the greatest treasure of all.

-- Amy O'Rear

JOY

 

As every new year begins, people all over the world assess the previous year and set new goals for the coming year.  All over social media, you see people post about the number of books they have read in graphs by genre. Some post about their health journey; others find something else to assess and post. Not only do we see people posting about their goals and resolutions; many of us share our word or slogan for the coming year. Yes, I’m guilty!

As I was thinking about this new year, I had chosen the word “grow” as my word for the year. My focus was growing more in my love for God and His Word.  Over the Christmas break, I was privileged to spend a week and a half with family and during that time, I attended several church services. The Sunday before I left, my son’s pastor spoke on the passage in Psalm 73:25-26 (ESV): “Whom have I in heaven but you?  And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” He shared 4 points:  Nothing other than Jesus satisfies; Nothing other than Jesus stays constant; Nothing other than Jesus gives true purpose; Nothing other than Jesus and those things that are related to Him are forever.

What struck me most about his message were two visuals he shared. The first visual was that of an oval inside a black box.  Inside the oval in large letters was the word “ME." On the outskirt of the oval were the words “Jesus” in medium print and “world” in small print.  This image represented a horizontal focus on life.  It represented less Jesus, more drama, more selfishness, more complaining, more bitterness, more gossip, more pride, more anger and MORE ME!

The second visual was similar to the first, except there was no box, and the image was a white circle. Inside the circle in large letters was the word “JESUS.” On the outside of the circle were the words “community, church, friends, family, and work.”  This image represented the vertical focus on life.  It represented MORE JESUS, less drama, less selfishness, less bitterness, less gossip, less pride, less anger, less of me. 

These visuals reminded me of a song I used to sing with my students and children’s church kids: 

Jesus and others and you, what a wonderful way to spell joy.

Jesus and others and you, in the heart of each girl and each boy

J is for Jesus, for he has first place.

O is for others you meet face to face.

Y is for you and whatever you do.

Put yourself third and spell JOY!

I find myself singing this chorus a lot. Circumstances arise each day that cause us to focus on what is happening around us and take our focus off of Christ.  When these circumstances arise, we need to remember that only God can satisfy. Only God has true purpose. Only God remains constant and consistent. Only God is for eternity.

My goal this year is to focus more on Jesus and less on me, so that I can not only grow in the Lord, but I can also enjoy “the joy of the Lord, which is my strength.”  As you go through this coming year, keep your focus on God and the needs of others around you.  Only then will you will be able to enjoy the blessing of Joy in your life.

Have a blessed New Year in the Lord!

 

--Bonnie King

Mary, Did You Know?

 

I do realize that Christmas season is over. However, the birth of Jesus leads to the life of Jesus, then death and resurrection and the never-ending story of the King. So I’m circling back to Bethlehem, but with the mindset that as we begin our New Year, we head in the direction of Easter where we will honor the worst and best days of history.        

I read this poem around Christmas this year in a collection of other poetry and pieces pulled from L. M. Montgomery’s works. Think Anne of Green Gables when Matthew gives her a dress with puffed sleeves. *cue all the tears* This poem is reminiscent of the “Mary Did You Know” song we all hear one-thousand times around the holidays. It’s unique in the juxtaposition of grief and joy Mary would have felt as a mother. 

Mary did know that her baby was the Great I Am. That He was the promised Messiah, would fulfill prophecies, and save His people from their sins. She likely didn’t know all of the details of this or the specific picture that would play out. I love how this poem speaks of His mercy and healing and hope, while also describing His pain and agony and fatigue. Fully God, fully man. I hope this poem reminds us of the great things Jesus has done for us as it presents itself in a beautifully worded imagining of His mother, Mary.

 

If Mary Had Known
           L.M. Montgomery

If Mary had known
When she held her Babe’s hands in her own
Little hands that were tender and white as a rose,
All dented with dimples from finger to wrist,
Such as mothers have kissed
That one day they must feel the fierce blows
Of a hatred insane,
Must redden with holiest stain,
And grasp as their guerdon the boon of the bitterest pain,
Oh, I think that her sweet, brooding face
Must have blanched with its anguish of knowledge above her embrace.

 

But if Mary had known,
As she held her Babe’s hands in her own,
What a treasure of gifts to the world they would bring;
With healing and hope to the hearts that must ache,
And without him must break;
Had she known they would pluck forth death’s sting
And set open the door
Of the close, jealous grave evermore,
Making free who were captives in sorrow and darkness before,
Oh, I think that a gracious sunrise
Of rapture had broken across the despair of her eyes!

 

If Mary had known
As she sat with her baby alone,
And guided so gently his bare little feet
To take their first steps from the throne of her knee,
How weary must be
The path that for them should be meet;
And how it must lead
To the cross of humanity’s need,
Giving hissing and shame, giving blame and reproach for its meed,
Oh I think that her tears would have dewed
Those dear feet that must walk such a hard, starless way to the Rood!

 

But if Mary had known,
As she sat with her Baby alone,
On what errands of mercy and peace they would go,
How those footsteps would ring through the years of all time
With an echo sublime,
Making holy the land of their woe,
That the pathway they trod
Would guide the world back to its God,
And lead ever upward away from the grasp of the clod,
She had surely forgot to be sad
And only remembered to be most immortally glad!

 

If Mary had known
As she held him so closely, her own,
Cradling his shining, fair head on her breast,
Sunned over with ringlets as bright as the morn,
That a garland of thorn
On that tender brow would be pressed
Till the red drops would fall
Into the eyes that looked out upon all,
Abrim with a pity divine over clamor and brawl,
Oh, I think that her lullaby song
Would have died on her lips into wailing impassioned and long!

 

But if Mary had known,
As she held him so closely, her own,
That over the darkness and pain he would be
The Conqueror hailed in all oncoming days,
The world’s hope and praise,
And the garland of thorn,
The symbol of mocking and scorn
Would be a victorious diadem royally worn,
Oh, I think that ineffable joy
Must have flooded her soul as she bent o’er her wonderful Boy!

 

--Sandy Gromacki

Happy New Year!

 Happy New Year!  So what Is your word for 2026?    I think that choosing a word has replaced making resolutions. It has been years since I made a list of resolutions, but I want to focus on my spiritual growth.  In February I will celebrate my seventy-third spiritual birthday.  When I was a child I visited a home where a child had grown physically, but not in any other way.  Though he was six or seven years old, he lay in a playpen, was fed through a bottle and had his diaper changed. What a tragedy it would be if in these seventy-three years I had never grown. 

I am choosing to focus on peace.  I need specific instructions on how to produce peace in my life.  Colossians 3:15 tells me to let the peace of Christ rule in my heart.  How do I do that?

First, Isaiah 26:3-4 says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusts in thee.  Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength."  I must keep my mind centered on the Lord, claiming peace.

Second, Philippians 4:6-7 tells me to pray.  "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  I must keep the lines of communication with God open.

Third, I must keep my communication from God open.  Psalm 119:165 says, "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."  I want Him to talk to me.  If I love Him, I must love what He says to me.

Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the spirit.  The third fruit is peace.  If I am showing spiritual fruit, peace will be evidence of that.  

Psalm 34:14b says I am to seek peace, and pursue it.  Whatever you are choosing to focus on, seek peace. Pursue it.

                                                                ~~Faith Himes Lamb