Imperatives

Deuteronomy 11:1--You shall therefore love the LORD your God and keep his charge, His statutes, His rules, and His commandments always.

II Kings 17:37--The statutes and the rules and the law and the commandment that He wrote for you, you shall always be careful to do.

Proverbs 6:20,21--My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.

Luke 18:1--He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

I Corinthians 15:58--Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Ephesians 4: 26-31--Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Ephesians 5:18-21--Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your hears, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Philippians 4:4--Rejoice in the Lord always.

Colossians 4:6--Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

I Thessalonians 5:15--See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

II Timothy 4:5--As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Always. Everything. Everyone. Do you see any wiggle room here? Sometimes we take a rather casual approach to our own behavior, with the (misguided) comment that we are not under law but under grace, so we have “liberty” to do as we please. (That’s not what the “liberty” in the New Testament enables us to do, but that’s for another sermon.) When Jesus was on earth, explaining the law, He actually tightened it up a bit, showing that the heart attitude is of the same importance as the behaviors. And now we see that our life of liberty requires a variety of behaviors always. No occasional disobedience allowed. Don’t even think it. This small collection of instructions covers nearly all facets of our behavior, and there are many other passages that tell us how to behave which imply always, even if the word is not used.

This convicts me. This is hard. It doesn’t suit my “lifestyle.” Oh, yes, I try to do these things. Except when I don’t. Of course, sometimes I have a reason (read, “excuse”) when I don’t. Or sometimes I’m just lazy. But I didn’t see the word “sometimes” anywhere in these Scriptures.

But did you notice as you read that all these things are encouraging and uplifting? These are all good things – good for us and good for others, when we do them. So what’s happening when we fail? If they’re all good, we shouldn’t fail, ever. The things that cause us to fail are all bad things, mostly inward things.

When Dr. Euler preached to us in August, he made the comment, “How you behave shows what you believe.” Do we believe God’s Word? Always?

--Lynda Shenefield

Safe in His Hands

I have no illusions that I’m a poet, but sometimes I long for a way to express myself that goes beyond mere words in a sentence. I lay in bed one night last month, and as I fought worry over a certain matter, I had this picture of a clenched hand trying to hold on to the people I care about deeply and knowing at the same time that I can’t. So came the first two lines of this poem. I sat down on the couch the next morning and just wanted to complete my thoughts. 

It is very imperfect; I completely changed the rhyming pattern after the first verse and I paid absolutely no attention to the syllable count for each line. However, I am sharing it for two reasons… One, when I showed it to my husband later in the day, he said, “That should be your next post for the Cup of Grace blog.” (Thanks, Kelly.) And two, this is an example of how I fight for truth in my mind.  God calls us to “be transformed by the renewal of our minds” (Romans 12:2) which means that we must fight for truth in our thoughts. This was my fight on the morning of December 17.

My hands cling so tightly to the things that I hold dear,

And when I feel I can’t hold on, then I begin to fear.

Yet the perception of holding on was an illusion all along,

For believing I can control our lives and keep us safe is wrong.

I can’t ensure that we stay healthy.

I can’t guarantee a pain-free life.

I can’t dictate the future my kids will grow up in.

I can’t enable relationships with little strife.

So what do I do when I realize I can’t?

When my lack of control is clear,

When fears overwhelm and crowd my soul,

When anxious thoughts are all I hear?

I make room in my soul for Your still small voice

To cut through the noise and speak,

To bring truth to the thoughts swirling my mind

That leave me defeated, hopeless, and weak.

The truth that the future rests in Your hands,

That you are greater than every fear.

That nothing happens outside of your plan,

That in all things You’re in control, and You’re near.

So, Father, help me to choose faith over fear

As I walk throughout each day,

To fight the anxieties with your Word,

To entrust them to Your sovereignty as I pray.

For even as I realize I can’t hold onto a thing

To make sure that life runs the way that I’ve planned,

I trust that Your way is better than mine,

And that we’re all held safely in the grip of Your hand.

--Amy O’Rear

Unexpected

My girls and I are doing an online devotional called Unexpected.  That is the perfect description for the past year.  Elizabeth and Bill have been on a wild ride with foster children and the joys and trials of that.  John and Bill have both found their dream jobs and will be moving with their families across the country in opposite directions to follow that dream.  Sarah and Daniel have a new baby boy, Ruben Danger, and a new house that is still in the remodeling process before they can move it.  I have had some surprise physical issues that were certainly unexpected.

            Unexpected certainly has been the perfect word for my family this year, but I am just as sure that it would describe your journey.  In fact, it describes life for every individual on this planet.  Some of that unexpected is welcomed (our little Ruben) and some of it is not welcome at all (physical issues).

            For the last several years I have heard others say, “My word for the year is (fill in the blank).”  That has never been something that has appealed to me, but I find this year that I do have a word.  TRUST.  You see, I have some “expected” this year.  Some of those seem good and some not so good. I don’t know exactly how they will play out, but I know they are coming. And so it goes.  I consider even these to be “unexpected” in many ways.  I know that in addition there will be others that are truly unexpected.  Pile on those unexpected.

Perhaps the one who faced the most “unexpecteds” in Scripture was Job.  His immediate response to those is found in Job 2:10.   “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?”  Notice the next words.  “In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”  My goal for the next year is to accept whatever comes my way as coming from God and therefore good.

Proverbs 3:5-6 is the first “trust” verse to come to mind for many of us.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.”  The first dictionary definition of “trust” is “reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.”  The second is “confident expectation of something; hope.”  My trust is in Him, not my own understanding.

I have been singing much of today and this is the song.

            “”Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word,

            Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know, ‘Thus saith the Lord.’

            “I’m so glad I learned to trust Him, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend,

            And I know that He is with me, will be with me to the end.

            “Yes, ‘tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease.

            Just from Jesus simply taking Life and rest, and joy and peace.

            Jesus, Jesus, How I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er.

            Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, Oh, for grace to trust Him more.”

            So sweet to trust Him.

                                                                        ~~Faith Himes Lamb

Lessons While Traveling

On a recent trip to West Virginia, Larry and I traveled for some miles on Interstate 77. It was a mostly sunny afternoon, and traffic was moderately heavy. Somewhere between Beckley and Princeton, we saw three deer grazing near the highway. I pointed them out to Larry and remarked that they were “unfazed by the traffic.”

Larry nodded. “Until they try to cross the road,” he added.

This remark got me thinking about how vulnerable these beautiful and delicate creatures are. Deer can jump remarkably high. I have seen one leap from a standing position directly over a five-foot fence. But they are no match for roaring eighteen wheelers—or even a speeding Kia.

Just a couple miles down the road, we spotted five more deer beside the interstate and then another group a little later. The lesson was not lost on me: animals can become so accustomed to danger that they calmly munch their lunch within feet of death-dealing instruments.

It is the same with people. We get so used to hearing blasphemy and lies that we don’t even react. The sinfulness and deceit of the world is so pervasive that we fail to step back from the danger. Movies, music, even the comments of friends are full of potentially crushing ideas and philosophies.

I don’t mean to suggest that we live “like deer in the headlights”; God is in control, and we can rest in that comfort. I do mean to suggest that we should “walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise”. Satan is like “a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” He would love to destroy you and me—to render us ineffective and unfit for God’s work.

Daily we carry out the business of our lives in close proximity to real danger. It can be so easy to keep our heads down and not even think about the fact that we are drifting closer and closer to the fatal path. Instead, we must arm ourselves with the shield of faith and fill our minds with truth so we can be wise to recognize danger and strong enough to step back—even leap over a fence—remaining whole and ready for God’s service. 

   

--Sherry Poff

Remember Your Journey

Recently, reading through my One Year Bible, a phrase in Micah 6:5 jumped out at me:

“Remember your journey.”

How was your “journey” in 2019? Over the past few years? Has your journey been filled with potholes or high hills or floods that have washed out your way? Or has your journey given you exciting “adventures” - maybe some even unexpected? Any hiker will tell you that is how any journey will be until the “finish line” is reached...both joys and difficulties.  

“Remember your journey...the benefits:”

When you walk for exercise, you know that just walking on straight, flat, smooth paths is good, but the challenge and eventually increased strength comes from climbing those hills and walking on rough surfaces. Those produce endurance and strength.

Romans 5: 3-5 - “...We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Use those “rough paths” or “beautiful vistas” from 2019 to produce new love for the Lord and stronger character traits.

“Remember your journey...the preparation:”

A fundamental part of a journey is preparing for it. Since life’s journey is continually changing, we have to have a guide...a map...a GPS. You probably learned Psalm 119:105 as a child. God’s Word is a “light to our feet” when we are walking on dark and difficult paths. On your 2019 journey, did you find strength and direction through God’s Word? It is never too late to start your preparation for your journey into next year...read God’s Word daily!

“Remember your journey...the encouragement:”

Sometimes those memories of the journey in 2019 are very happy, joyful, unexpected pleasures. We say with the Psalmist in 136: “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good...”  If we think about the whole year, I am sure God has brought people into our lives in 2019 who have “sharpened” us. Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Do you need to say thank you to someone who helped you in 2019? Someone who “sharpened” you?

“Remember your journey” is in Micah 6:5. Then in verse 8, the Lord reminds us how to carry on our upcoming journey... “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.” Those are powerful verbs of action. Wow! What a difference we can make in 2020 taking these truths to heart. God bless you!!

--Maylou Holladay

Preparing for Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! It’s almost here!

So, what have you been doing in preparation for these celebrations? Have your creative juices been flowing? I’ve seen some inspiring and whimsical favors this season. No doubt Pinterest has sparked some people’s imaginations. Those who manage Hobby Lobby and Michael’s are aware that when people create something, they use materials like wood, iron, wool, cotton, etc. We simply don’t fashion something out of nothing.

Not so, with our great God! When He speaks, power within Him pours forth. So, in all of Creation, there’s a little bit of Himself there, right? I know this sounds a little New Age-y, but God’s own Word tells us He spoke everything into existence and we humans are made in His image. His Word also tells us that our words are powerful too – the power of life and death are in the tongue (Proverbs 18:24).

If you’re like me, you don’t see yourself as powerful. Many of us think we don’t make a difference, that we don’t have much influence. But have you ever visibly seen someone’s countenance rise or fall based on something you’ve said? I know I have, and it’s sobering. It’s a sign that I made a mark on that person, potentially a long-lasting mark.

Jesus said this in Matthew 12:36-37, “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” In context, He was speaking about the Pharisees and what they said about Him. They had influence on what others thought of Jesus. Things we say also can have an influence on what others think of our Jesus. Our words can draw them closer to Him or push them away. The way we treat others while professing the Name of Jesus speaks powerfully too.

Here are some words to live by from Ephesians 4:

“Do not let any unwholesome [rotten, foul] talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

I’d encourage you to meditate on these verses before your next holiday gathering, and I’ll do the same. Holidays, with all the extra stressors and competing priorities, tend to be a hot bed of strife for many. There might be opportunities for gossip and slander and general unkindness. Bitterness and anger over past offenses may surface. Prepare your hearts with these verses and with prayer. And remember how powerful your words are. Be the reason others are drawn to Jesus!

Blessings for a wonderful Christmas!

joyce hague

All is Well

“All is well; all is well. Angels and men rejoice.” When our choir sang this beautiful song on December 8, I know I was not the only one deeply moved. While the words offer comfort and cheer, the melody somehow stirs feelings of melancholy. The combination of these seemingly disparate attitudes creates deep emotion.

I think of the scene in one of the Lord of the Rings movies when the hateful and wicked Denethor sends his son off to his almost-certain death while he himself sits to a personal banquet and orders the hobbit Pippin to sing for him. The sweet and plaintive notes of the song are juxtaposed with scenes of battle and destruction. It’s not unlike the way “What a Wonderful World” is played over scenes of war in Good Morning Vietnam.

For myself, as I listened to the proclamation that “all is well,” my mind went back to scenes from the past year: birthdays, family reunions, work days; but also hospital rooms, car trouble, funeral parlors. Life is just a mish-mash of the beautiful and the terrible. The poet W.H. Auden noted that suffering always takes place alongside ordinary events of our lives. He says that “it takes place/While someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along” (“Musee des Beaux Arts”). Similarly, while some of us are enjoying wonderful, even miraculous, joy, others are in great pain.

We have seen this truth in our own community even in recent days. It seems to me that the beauty of “All is Well” is tied up in the great need we have for peace and solace. It’s because there is so much pain in the world that the message brought by a sleeping baby centuries ago is so poignant.

--Sherry Poff