My Personal Security Guard

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:6-7

I was watching a mega-pastor on TV last week. His sermon was about guarding your heart. He gave all the ways his congregation should guard their hearts. I’m sure his people left thinking, “I’m going to guard my heart this coming week!” I was left thinking, “I haven’t done a very good job of guarding my heart, mind, and life so far. I’m not too sure I can follow all of this pastor’s directives without some help. I need some help with this because I’m pretty sure I can’t do this by myself.” I felt vulnerable and insecure. I felt left out there in this “cruel world” alone.

When I studied Philippians 4:6 and 7 and dug around in the verses I found (thank you, Jesus) that I have help. I don’t have to take the full responsibility of guarding my heart and mind. I don’t have to feel like the world is pounding me and I have to be “Rocky” and fight back all by myself. I have my own personal security guard.

My body guard is the peace of God. While this doesn’t sound like a very strong protector in our language (it made me think of the “peace, love” hippie movement) nothing could be farther from the real interpretation. This guard over the Christian’s thoughts and being is a military sentinel who actively dispenses whatever defensive or offensive fight techniques that are required to protect me.

Suddenly I feel secure. I feel safe. I have peace within whatever outward troubles may besiege my life. This is a divine peace in the middle of the warfare in my life.

I was asked to pray for a family that is really going through a “war” situation. While I felt helpless in their seemingly hopeless situation these verses kept resounding in my heart. In Christ Jesus this family and I can let our request be made known to our wonderful loving Father. And where we feel vulnerable to whatever is thrown at us, we have our personal security guard to take over. God will guard our heart, thoughts, feelings, and yearnings with His peace. It’s a force field around us.

Now that is protection.

I don’t face this awful stuff alone.

I am secure from any hostile attack.

I have peace from God Himself.

I have peace in Christ Jesus.

That is my personal body guard.

Stay

My neighbor is training a puppy for a family with two little girls. The puppy’s new family is so excited to have this addition as long as the dog is trained. Well Fancy (that’s the dog’s name) has got a long way to go before she will be ready to follow the rules of her new household. She has become quite the escape artist. She has found numerous ways to get under or through my neighbor’s fence. And she doesn’t come back every time you call her yet. 

She has learned a few things though. I found her down the street the other day and called and called and every time got near her she would run some more. But when I said, “Fancy, stay.” she sat immediately down and didn’t move. She got that one rule right. Fancy let me pick her up and carry her home. She knows “stay.”

Stay is what Jesus asks us to do and like Fancy we have a little trouble with it sometimes.

John 15:9-10

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.

Abide (stay) in my love.

If you keep My commandments,

you will abide (stay) in My love.

Yes, we need to be trained to follow the word of God and stay there. If we truly love our Lord we will keep His commands. And if we stay and follow His commands we will love Him more and see His love for us.

Sometimes we are the escape artists. We stray away from obeying God’s word. We know the right thing to do but we want to have it our own way. We can get into all kinds of trouble (like Fancy.) And it won’t be as much fun as we thought. Yes, Fancy has been stung by a wasp, scratched her tender little tummy, and almost hit by a car on her escape adventures. But Fancy will learn that she will be loved and cared for if she just stays obedient. And if we learn to obey the same will be true for us.

This sounds so cutesy doesn’t it? But it really hurts me to see how far some Christians will go to justify sin. They know they are living in disobedience and they seem not to care. I’ve even heard several people say, “Yes, I know God said not to do this but it makes me happy. Doesn’t God want me to be happy?”  That is not cutesy. And it’s not funny or cute when we choose to go against what God has said in His word. And it’s not going to keep you or me happy to continue living in known sin. OK that’s all I’m going fuss.

Our father God has given these instructions in his word so that we may have joy. And when Fancy has learned how to obey she will have a family that will love her dearly and she will be happy.

John 15: 11

These things have I spoken to you that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

I want all the joy that Jesus can give to me.

I want the full allotment.

And you and I can have it all from God if we will just

STAY

Proverbs Thirty-Wonderful Woman

Friday night I had a dream that turned into, well, this blog. I dreamed that I was sitting happily at a women’s conference waiting for the guest speaker to be announced and, low and behold, the hostess of the event announced that the guest speaker was me! I had no idea so I had nothing prepared. As I wound my way to the podium I was trying to put something together in my mind and provide correlating Bible verses because it was a Christian ladies conference after all. I was trying to remember what the theme of the conference was too. And as I was going up the stairs to the platform (Yes, this conference kept getting bigger and bigger in my dream) I noticed that I didn’t have on shoes! A dream analyst would have a field day with this.

I woke up panicked and stressed, heart pounding, pulse racing, fear of public speaking in place, and still trying to put this speech together. It was truly a night mare. Sorry nonexistent conference folks. Anyway, now I had this prepared speech and nowhere to give it. So here it is…..

"Thank you, ladies, for allowing me to speak to you. And thank you, (insert name of hostess), for that introduction. I know you women took valuable time to come here today/tonight.

You live busy lives every day. You (insert activities here) and your daily activities don’t stop even when the rest of the house is asleep at night.

After your busy day as you are helping the kids with the homework, your husband comes in from his busy day breezes by you and asks, “What’s for supper?” Yes, he is sometimes clueless. He has a well-organized home with happy healthy kids but doesn’t really know how it happens.

Well, ladies, give him a break. It just means you are a Proverbs thirty-wonderful wife and mom. The woman from Proverbs 31: 10-31 was just like you or maybe you are like her:

·        She lives to make her husband a success – vs. 11-12

·        She does what she has to do to craft a beautiful home – vs. 13

·        She is always available with healthy meals that everyone in the family will like – vs. 14

·        She gets up early to prepare everyone in the household for the day – vs. 15

·        She makes wise financial decisions for the family to live comfortably within the income – vs. 16

·        She tries to stay fit and energetic to accomplish all the activities assigned to her – vs. 17

·        She stays up late to make sure the household runs seamlessly – vs. 18

·        She makes sure everyone is appropriately clothed and  in correct sizes – vs. 19

·        She makes time to extend support and be involved in helping others less fortunate – vs. 20

·        She is always thinking ahead making sure the family is prepared for every seasonal change – vs. 21

·        She even finds the time to make herself look effortlessly great – vs. 21

·        She makes sure her husband has time for his “buddy” activities and his God given ministry – vs. 22

·        She celebrates her friends and neighbors and cares for them – vs. 24

·        She is not worried about how the family will fare in the future, she has prepared for any special event – vs. 25

·        She keeps her children learning and meeting their potential plus she is an active member of her church sharing her God given gifts and talents – vs. 26

·        And she makes sure her household thinks it all comes together naturally so they won’t be stressed – vs. 27

Your husband and children have every reason to realize what a blessing you are but sometimes they forget.They may not always realize the effort you are putting into their lives because you really are doing it out of love. But God is aware of all the little or big thankless jobs you do because you are a committed Godly wife and mother.

Let us pray:

Our dear Father, bless these wives. Bless these mothers. God, I pray that You will honor them for all they do. And I pray that they don’t forget to always give the glory to You. Amen."

(Applause, applause) Sit down and breathe a sigh of relief. Now where are my shoes?

According to His Good Pleasure

While my sister and I were walking on the beach last week we saw some really cutie kids. I think it was toddler week or something.

We saw one little girl sitting in a big bucket of ocean water right at the shore line. She would just stand up and sit down in the bucket and was having the time of her life. We stood with her mom for a little while and just laughed and laughed. She was obviously afraid to go into the surf but was still getting a great beach experience. She even told us, “Tootle Loo!” as she waved goodbye.

We saw another mom stand at the edge where the surf breaks holding both hands of her little boy. He was stomping and jumping and laughing and having fun. Just as long as he was holding his mom’s hands he was fearless of the waves. Of course he couldn't wave goodbye because he was making sure he kept himself in his place of safety holding her hands.

We saw one little toddler running out to the waves with her dad. She was the independent kind who definitely didn't think she needed any help but her father was there ever watchful. Her dad placed himself at the limit of where she was allowed to go and stood legs apart and hands on hips. His little girl would run into the waves just so far as dad allowed and then run out. Every time she tried to go past his limit he would get in front of her to stop her and she would run out.  This went on for a little while until she fell as a wave broke over her head. Immediately she reached for her father and he scooped her up and held her close.

My sister and I just couldn't help comparing these little incidences with how our Heavenly Father works with His children’s different personalities. All of these toddlers had a wonderful time at the beach according to their parent’s wisdom of their limits. According to their parent’s good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13

For it is God who works in you to will and to work according to His good pleasure.

There are some Christians who experience life and learn and grow more like our Lord from the safety of the “bucket.” They are still maturing as a Christian but at and within their comfort zone. And the Father is pleased because they are becoming more like Him. I kind of think of the Apostle Thomas. He wasn't sure at all about the resurrection of Jesus but Jesus came to him with love and showed him in the way he would absolutely understand. It’s OK if you’re a “bucket” Christian. My sister concluded that she fitted that description.

Some Christians have to be very close to their Heavenly Father. They can do anything as long as they are holding His hands. They don’t strike out on their own but still mature in Christ because they stay so near. They are the “holding hands” type. And God is pleased with that. I think of the Apostle John. He was just fine as long as he was as close to Jesus as he could get. My sister and I decided that I was the “holding His hands” Christian.

And then, my personal favorite type of Christian – “the fearless.” These Christians charge forward for Christ knowing that He is ahead of them setting and directing their limit. He works in their life as they run headlong for His glory. He catches them when they fall because they always reach for Him first. I think this is like the Apostle Peter. He was willing to do anything for his Jesus and always reached to Jesus for help. And our Heavenly Father is pleased with these bold and faithful followers.

Yes, our Father know our personality so intimately

that He helps us become more like Him

within our limits

according to His good pleasure. 

What’s On Your Bucket List?

A little girl came up to me this year as I was subbing for another class at her school and said, “Hey, guess what?” Now this was the first time I had seen her since last year at school when I was a substitute teacher for her class. I wasn't prepared to guess what.  No, “Hello! How was your summer? Glad to see you this year.” or even, “Who are you subbing for today?” Just, “Hey, guess what?”

Well that’s how John started his letter we call First John. No greeting. No warm fuzzy welcome. Just “Hey, Guess what?”

1 John 1:1

We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have seen. We saw Him with our own eyes and touched Him with our own hands. He is the Word of Life.

Well, just jump right in there, John. And we don’t even know who his “we” are. I mean, he was the last of the apostles alive. He was it in the eyewitness department. It was just John left to verify and give irrefutable evidence of Jesus. He said, without hesitation or preamble,

"Hey, guess what? Let me tell you what I've seen and heard. I was there with Jesus. Jesus Christ is God. He is the Word from God. He is the Eternal Life Giver. That’s it. No gray. Just truth. His name is Christ, Word, and Life."

  Then he repeats himself just to make sure we get it.

1 John 1:2-4

He, Jesus Christ, was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us – that which we have seen and heard we proclaim to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

And guess why John wrote this book? So that his readers would be able to know how to fellowship with each other and God now and eternally. Because of Jesus, we have God, the word from God, and eternal life from God. And John just wanted us to know this before he died. Theologians guess he was about 80 years old when he wrote these last letters in our Bibles. It was on his bucket list to get this testimony out to as many people as he could. And he did a very good job. Thanks, John.

My little friend at school reminded me to put the proclamation of the Gospel on my bucket list.

Sometimes I need to just get out there and say,

“Hey, guess what?’

“I personally know Jesus. Let me tell you all about Him!”

Is this proclamation on your bucket list too?

What Does A Beatitude Follower Look Like?

It has taken me 11 weeks to study the 9 simple statements from Christ in Matthew 5. I’m glad I wasn't there when He threw out these sentences. I would be the student that teachers don’t like by raising my hand when Jesus was on number 8 and asking, “What was number 2 again?”  I’m a slow one in the Bible study area. Here are Jesus’ simple sentences. Or, here are Jesus’s hard to master sentences. This is what a happy beatitude follower looks like:

Beatitudes Matt. 5:2-16

1.    “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Be helpless without Him.)

2.    “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Be hopeless without Him.)

3.    “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Be humble like Him.)

4.   “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Be running toward Him.)

5.    “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. (Be merciful because of Him.)

6.    “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Be pure because of Him.)

7.    “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Be gracious because of Him.)

8.    “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

9.    ( Or maybe 8 & ½ ) “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Be ready to stand for Him.)

Salt and Light

 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. (Be ready to give the treasure of the gospel to everyone.)

 OK, I was back studying about being a peacemaker when My Pastor Wade in one of his sermons starting explaining about Christians being light and showing with their life the glory of God (Aug. 3). I wanted to shout, “STOP! I’m not there yet. I’m only on number 7. I’m at least 5 weeks away from being a light in the world!” But then I remembered our church’s web site has an archive. Whew! So now that I’m ready to study about being a light I can go back and hear the sermon again.  And we are all glad I didn't shout in the middle of My Pastor Wade’s sermon.

(Sept. 5 NOW in my study) “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Be shining His glory.)

My Pastor Wade’s sermon was from John 14 and 15 where Jesus is telling the disciples that He is leaving and will send the Holy Spirit in His place. Jesus said (John 15:26-27) “But when the Helper (Holy Spirit) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness about Me. And you will also bear witness” The Holy Spirit lives in the Jesus believers to “clean us up” (that’s the way My Pastor Wade put it) “then shines the light of the glory of Christ so the world can see Jesus in us.”  We are a light to the world when we reflect the glory of Jesus by just being the cleaned up person God wants us to be. That’s how when people see us they will “Give glory to the Father who is in heaven.”

I will end my study the way My Pastor Wade ended His sermon:

“How are you shining for Jesus?”

How am I shining for Jesus?

Now, that’s what a happy beatitude follower looks like…Shiny!

Oh, Speaking of Salt

When was the last time you thought about salt? Most of the time we only consider it a condiment. Not high on the topic list at parties. But salt used to be very important.

Salt was used in history as pay for work done. I know if my employer paid me in salt I would be a little offended but it was that valuable and important at one time. Salt was a preservative before our wonderful refrigerators were invented. Salt was used as a cleansing agent. Salt was used as a medicinal cure. And Salt was used on sacrifices with the Israelites starting in Leviticus.

Salt was also an Old Testament Covenant agreement between two parties to symbolize a brotherhood that could not be broken until death. This covenant meant binding permanence and utmost loyalty. A Covenant of Salt was never entered into haphazardly.

In Matthew 5:13

So when Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth,” the disciples and followers that heard this had very different perceptions than we do today.

Did some regard it as being the Gospel element used to give people the greatest, most important, and valuable gift around? Yes. Did some think they were to preserve and uphold righteousness in themselves and those around them? Yes. Did some think their message from Christ should be the cleansing/ curing agent in a worldly society? Yes. And some thought of the Salt Covenant. To them this was a permanent alliance with the Lord Jesus Christ.

And when Jesus added, “but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.”

At that point in His message, I think the people there got it more than we do:

1.     The teaching of Christ and His salvation is the most valuable thing I can give to others.

2.     My job is to live, preserve, and carry on presenting the Gospel of salvation.

3.     The only thing that can really cure sin is belief in Jesus and I need to give out this remedy.

4.     Jesus is giving this covenant to me. Do I accept it or reject it? This is not something to take lightly.

5.     If I don’t grow in love, mercy, grace, peace, humility, and joy (the beatitudes He just gave) then I’m not really helping God’s eternal plan for me and those around me.   

6.     There is nothing more important than salt and so there is nothing more important than being salt for Jesus.

So even though salt is not a hot topic for us,

it is for Jesus.