God's Workmanship

Just recently my beloved unbelieving husband brought me an article from the Tulsa World newspaper. The title of the article is, Priest: Stealing is OK at times. The priest from northern England made a statement that reflects Man’s Ways vs. God’s Ways.  His statement caused a disturbance in the congregation, fellow clergy, shop owners and police. The priest told his congregation that it is “sometimes acceptable for desperate people to shoplift – as long as they do it at the large national chain stores, rather than small, family businesses.” The priest also said that, “Shoplifting could help people who are legally entitled to welfare benefits but have them delayed for bureaucratic reasons.”

When man depends on his own reasoning of what is right or wrong, he rejects God’s Ways, “thou shalt not steal.” (Deuteronomy 5:19 [show] [19]"'And you shall not steal. (ESV)
) The Holy Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit is our Instructor, our Guide and the One who reveals the wisdom of God to us as our sensitive Counselor. (John 14:16, 26 [show] [16]And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, (ESV) [26]But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (ESV)
; 16: 7-13.)

Some might agree with what appears to be a “compassionate” priest, when they read his reasoning to why he said what he did. But again, Man’s Ways are not God’s Ways and to ignore what God says can cause another to stumble, and in this case those that are struggling with the hardships of life or those that are young in their faith. (Psalm 119:9, 165 [show] [9]How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. [165]Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.
) We in the end know that those in authority as in the priest’s case, distort what Scripture says and in the end brings about destruction. (II Peter 3:16 [show] [16]as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. (ESV)
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We as God’s people have a responsibility not only to observe God’s Law but to obey God’s Word and then to teach other’s God Ways. God’s children are nourished by His Words through faith. It brings delight to their spirits when they receive it and produces growth, so that they might live a righteous life before God and others. One way we can teach others to live out their faith is to teach them the importance of giving to others in need. This in itself will help those that are facing difficult times and show them the love of Christ in a practical way through the offering of money and the overflow of our abundance.
God’s Word is the same yesterday, today and forever. It is changeless and all powerful. When we apply it in our lives to do things God’s Way, we see that our circumstances as a time to lean on God for His direction and strength. We also learn to be interdependent on one another in the body of Christ for accountability and receive their support and encouragement.

Take time today to read the amazing Scriptures posted and be encouraged of God’s continuous faithfulness, power and hope of years past. Let it encourage you as you look at your circumstances and the purpose and hope God has in store for you and your life. (Joshua 1:8 [show] [8]This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (ESV)
; Psalm 19:7-11, 119 [show] [7]The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; [8]the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; [9]the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. [10]More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. [11]Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
:160; Isaiah 55:11 [show] [11]so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
; Matthew 24:35 [show] [35]Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (ESV)
; I Peter 1:24-25 [show] [24]for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, [25]but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (ESV)
; Hebrews 4:12 [show] [12]For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (ESV)
; Romans 15:4 [show] [4]For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (ESV)
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Let me ask you, what is your opinion of what this Priest said to his congregation? Do you see the importance of God’s Way vs. Man’s Way? What could this priest have instructed his congregation that would have lined up with God’s Word? We can see there is a reason God has set His rules and regulations before us. It is up to us to appropriate what He instructs us and He will surely bless us. (James 1:22-24 [show] [22]But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23]For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. [24]For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. (ESV)
; Luke 11:28 [show] [28]But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (ESV)
; John 13:17 [show] [17]If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (ESV)
: James 1:25 [show] [25]But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (ESV)
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Have a blessed day!!

Since it’s the Christmas season, I’ve been watching “White Christmas” a number of times, and the housekeeper in that movie is what I would call a legitimate “eavesdropper,” a “busybody.”  She listens in on private phone conversations for the pure “need to know the info” thrill of it.  I’m not afraid to admit it.  I’m a people watcher.  More than that, I listen to random conversations.  I’m not really listening, however, just to be nosey.

I am listening for the purpose of discovering a need and trying to figure out if I can help in any way.  I call this “needs-dropping.”  For instance, one day I was in a women’s clothing store and I overheard a woman say to the salesclerk, “Please hang on to that box it came in because I’m moving and I’m trying to get as many boxes as I can.”  Having moved 4 times in the last 6 years, after this last move, I kept my boxes (some of which I had to buy) and they were neatly broken down and stored under the basement stairs waiting for my next move.  I had about 140 boxes down there. 

Now I am getting ready to move from Michigan to Oregon but to a 675 sq. ft. loft where the only room with a door is the bathroom.  Needless to say, there is no place to store 140 boxes worth of stuff and have furniture as well (unless I plan to use the boxes as a sofa, chairs, tables, and bed), so I’ve been giving stuff away right and left.  This is how God has been working with me:  I had just been thinking about what to do with all those boxes…literally, not two days before this encounter.  Along comes this woman with an emergent need.  She happened to start browsing near me, so I said to her, “Excuse me, I just overheard you say that you were moving and needed boxes.”  (This is where the “deer in the headlights” look comes into play, so I quickly moved on.)  “I have about 140 boxes from a recent move that I thought I would be re-using but it turns out I won’t be needing most of them and you are more than welcomed to them, if you’d like to come and get them.”

She seemed a little confused, so I explained about moving to the smaller place, etc. and repeated my offer.  She was ecstatic.  It turns out her sister was almost ready to lose her house, and she (this lady) was getting divorced, so she was moving into the sister’s house to take over the payments and her sister and the sister’s family were moving in with their mother.  Apparently, this woman was going to attempt to move her stuff, quickly unpack her boxes, then help her sister pack her stuff (all in the same house, remember).  Now, however,  she would be able to take her time unpacking her stuff because there would be plenty of boxes.  I gave her all my information and directions to my house and she said she’d be there that evening.  True to her word, she called and came to my place and we loaded all those boxes (including a big box of bubble wrap and packing paper) in her father’s big SUV.  She promised she would recycle them by giving them to people who needed them for moving, gave me a big hug, and off she went.  A providential meeting met two needs:  hers, to get much needed boxes, and mine, to dispose of  boxes I didn’t need.  Though we have each other’s information, neither one of us has called the other.  Not because we don’t care, but because we both recognized it for what it was.  There was no other commitment implied or needed other than the exchange, for which we were both grateful.

Barnabas is one of my favorite men of the Bible (Acts 11:24 [show] [24]for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. (ESV)
).  He was a “needs-dropper.”  He paid attention to people and, more importantly, cared about them and wanted to help them in any way possible as the Spirit moved him.  As God’s workmanship, we are to be mindful of other people’s needs and we are called to minister to them–not as much as we are willing, but as much as we can (I Peter 1:22 [show] [22]Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, (ESV)
).  If we did everything only to the extent of our willingness, very little would get done.  Barnabas would recognize the need, walk alongside the needy one for however long the season of need lasted, and then move on to the next person.  Undoubtedly, he formed some longlasting friendships with some of these people , but I believe, for the most part, his goal was to serve God by ministering to people in need just for that particular time.  And while he was serving them, he would speak of the things of the Lord and they would grow and mature in their walk with the Lord.  If they didn’t know the Lord, Barnabas would introduce them to his wonderful Savior.  His name means “son of encouragement” and he lived up to that name beautifully. 

It’s almost Christmas.  Another 12 days.  People are being very careful with their spending, of course, and I’m sure many of the charitable organizations are feeling the pinch of the economy this season as people struggle to tend to their own families.  But giving doesn’t always mean digging into your pockets or purses.  In God’s Word, though giving financially is part of helping, the two greatest commandments have to do with loving.  The first, to love the Lord with all your heart, mind and strength; the second, to love others as you love yourself.  That’s what giving is in God’s eyes.  I have often said that writing a check is easy, so much easier than giving time or energy.  You can make more money, but you can’t get any of those other things back once used. 

But you certainly don’t walk away empty.  There is a miracle of Christ recorded in Luke 17 [show] And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! [2]It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. [3]Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, [4]and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him." [5]The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" [6]And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. [7]"Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'? [8]Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'? [9]Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? [10]So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'" [11]On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. [12]And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance [13]and lifted up their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." [14]When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. [15]Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; [16]and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. [17]Then Jesus answered, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? [18]Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" [19]And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well." [20]Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, [21]nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." [22]And he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. [23]And they will say to you, 'Look, there!' or 'Look, here!' Do not go out or follow them. [24]For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. [25]But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. [26]Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. [27]They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. [28]Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot--they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, [29]but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all-- [30]so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. [31]On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. [32]Remember Lot's wife. [33]Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. [34]I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. [35]There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left." [37]And they said to him, "Where, Lord?" He said to them, "Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather." (ESV)
, verses 11-17.  He healed 10 lepers, but only one came back to thank Him and he, alone, got the spiritual blessing.  The others were only cleansed on the outside, but this man’s faith–because he recognized Who had healed him and came back to glorify God–cleansed him on the inside and saved him.  When you are obedient to the Spirit’s leading to help someone who has a need, you are glorifying God and He blesses you for your faith.  (2 Corinthians 9:11-12, 15 [show] [11]You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. [12]For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. (ESV) [15]Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (ESV)
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These can be the smallest of services, by the way.  I was walking my dog to a grassy area near my little shop and always pass a beauty salon at the end of the strip mall.  It was a blustery, cold day and an elderly man was trying to help his wife into the salon.  She could not seem to even raise her foot enough to get up to the curb, though he had her right hand in his right hand and his left hand securely holding her elbow.  Still, she was uncertain and unsteady.  It took only a smile from me and a “Need some help?” with my hand extended to get her up the curb toward the few steps it took to get to the door.  They were both so grateful, I think more because they were not overlooked but “noticed,”  and not passed by, but helped.  It took literally seconds, cost not one cent, but we all benefitted from the act.  It feels good to help someone.

This Christmas season and throughout the whole year, step out of your own self and step into the world of others by “needs-dropping.”  You will be blessed, I promise you, because God sees and is pleased.

Merry Christmas to all of you and may God bless you abundantly in the year to come!

Quite recently, I was in New York City. Yep, my first visit to the “The Big Apple.” I have never been in a place where there were so many different languages and dialects spoken. If there is a “sweet spot” in this melting pot of a country, it must certainly be New York City.
Naturally, there is no want for places to shop…from the sublime—Cartier, Bergdorf Goodman, Macy’s, Armani and the like—to the…well, not so sublime, and everything in between. But as I passed people gazing in shop windows, one of the things I heard repeated over and over was, “Oh, I just love that!” If I had a dollar for every time I overheard that expression of adoration, I could have paid for the train ride there and back and everything that I spent while there.
It occurred to me that we use the expression “love” so much that it has lost the deeper significance of its meaning. It is so haphazardly used in our everyday conversation that, when it is used, one has to consider the depth of the affection for the person or object for which it is expressly meant. I mean, come on! I’m not sure when someone says, “I just love this hamburger!” that the depth of their feeling for what is essentially ground beef (we hope) is appropriate.
My friend and I stopped for lunch (finally) at Serendipity, famous for the movie of the same name. We were seated in one of the upstairs rooms. While my friend was using the restroom, I watched a small group of children while they played. During this time, I noticed in my peripheral vision that a man stood up who was also seated at their long table. I turned my head to glance and discovered that we were seated right next to Jude Law who was the man standing and speaking to a man further down the table. I thought of taking a picture, but decided not to bother, though my daughters may have enjoyed seeing him. Still, no one else was taking pictures or asking for autographs and just left him to his friends, so I followed suit. I learned long ago that they are just people, not idols.
When I told my daughter that I had seen him, she said, “Well, I watch “Holiday” as often as I can and I just love him!” There was that word again! And it really got me thinking.
First Corinthians 13:13 [show] [13]So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (ESV)
tells us, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Why is love greater than faith and hope? Faith and hope are something that we do as human beings. But love is something that only God fully understands and freely gives. Love came down from the heavenly place where He was rightfully worshiped and adored and became a man. Not a man of wealth or power or position, but a mere son of a Jewish carpenter from Nazareth. Love was not born in a warm, clean, protected environment, but in a dirty stable amongst the livestock and His bed was the trough from which these animals fed. Can you imagine taking your beautiful newly born baby boy and wrapping him up and then laying him in a wooden feed trough on a bunch of straw? That was the Plan…God’s Plan for the salvation of mankind and Jesus was willing to submit to His Father’s Plan because, as part of the Trinity, He so loved us. He gave up everything, including His life, so we could gain everything.
I have seen so many parodies, as I’m sure you have, of the man in the stands at a ball stadium, holding up a sign that reads “John 3:16 [show] [16]"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)
.” The world laughs as this enactment. They snicker and sneer, yet if you were to ask them what the significance of that reference was, they would not be able to answer you.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” These are the words from John 3:16 [show] [16]"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)
. The significance to us as mortal beings is staggering. Let’s break it down:
“For God so loved…” God saw the state we were in. He knew from before time began that we would turn our backs on Him and do whatever we wanted, no matter what the consequences. He knew we would forsake Him and His love for us in order to pursue our own passions, our own lusts despite the outcome, even to death.
“…the world…” That’s ALL of us, not just a chosen few. He loved us then, before we were ever conceived; He loves us now; and He loves us in the future we don’t even know. His plan was meant for all of His creation–you, me, everybody.
“…that He gave…” Forget about that Tiffany necklace or that shiny new car or that slightly too expensive KitchenAide mixer you’ve been hinting after! You’ve already been offered the greatest gift you will ever find under a tree or wrapped in the finest paper with a beautiful velvet bow. God GAVE; He GAVE all that He had in order that we may LIVE.
“…His one and only Son…” You won’t ever, in all your life, be given a gift like the Gift that was given to you by God in the Person of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for you on the cross. Try to imagine for one moment that you have been asked for the life of your only child, who will be tortured, ridiculed and die a horrible death, so that the likes of an Adolph Hitler or an Obama bin Laden could be spared for eternity, should they accept that gift. Honestly, I have one son. He is 36 years old and has a lovely wife and two adorable children, a boy and a girl. I’m here to tell you right now, I would not do it. I am incapable of giving up my son or either of my grandsons so that you or anyone else may have eternal glory. The Bible says in Romans, chapter 5, verse 7, “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.” What does this mean? It means that most people wouldn’t die for someone who is morally upright, who lives according to a strict moral code. There may be only a few more who would die for someone who is “good,” according to the world’s standards. Why? Well, we usually get to hear about all the “good” things that person has done. I am always reminded of the philanthropists with whom the media in all its various forms is enamored. We hear about the millions they give (though they are not sacrificing by any stretch of the imagination) or the various and sundry causes they support or the people they have helped and someone noticed simply because of their celebrity status. The Bible tells us that they have already received their reward because they are getting pretty good “press” from all of it. Of course, there are other people, like policemen, firemen, soldiers who put their lives on the line daily to protect their little corner of the world. There may be someone out there who would give their life for that kind of person as well. But the Bible tells us “rarely” and “might possibly” may these situations occur. Only Jesus Christ was willing to die for the wicked, the Bible tells us “while we were yet sinners.” That means, He died while we continued to sin (and continue to sin, I might add).
“…that whoever believes in Him…” Now, we’re not talking about a casual, “Oh, yeah, I believe Jesus was a real Person who lived a long time ago. He was a prophet and a teacher.” No, we’re talking about “I believe that I am a sinner. I believe that God had to have this Plan for my sake. I believe His Son, Jesus Christ, came down from heaven, was born of a virgin, suffered and died on the cross and rose again three days later. I believe He now sits at the right hand of the Father and is the only way I can have an audience with the Father by way of prayer. And He is the only way I will ever see the Father’s face.” That’s what we’re talking about here. And after you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, you have to live that way, too. I know a lot of “in the moment” Christians. Lots of them! They get caught up in the moment of an altar call or a praise song or corporate prayer (the whole congregation is praising and praying) and they accept Christ as their Savior. They may go home on fire, but guess what? The first sign of trouble and they start to hide their little lamp under a bushel because they are afraid of ridicule and/or reprisals from their loved ones or their friends or their co-workers. Pretty soon, from lack of oxygen, that flame dies down. It’s barely noticeable. You have to do some serious work on your knees (i.e. praying) to get that flame burning full force again. You have to pray for courage and strength and boldness. God guarantees you peace and joy in Him, but the world is not guaranteeing you anything just because you came to that saving knowledge. Be prepared and make sure your armor (from Ephesians 6 [show] Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [2]"Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), [3]"that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." [4]Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. [5]Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, [6]not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, [7]rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, [8]knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. [9]Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. [10]Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11]Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. [12]For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. [13]Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. [14]Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15]and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. [16]In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; [17]and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, [18]praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, [19]and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, [20]for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. [21]So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. [22]I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. [23]Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [24]Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. (ESV)
) is in place. Don’t take it off! Stay in the Word and keep that Sword of Truth sharp because the Enemy is prowling around like a hungry lion ready to devour you. But, just as David learned to fight those bears and lions and wolves that attacked his sheep, which gave him the faith and confidence in God to fight and defeat Goliath, you will be given that same strength through the Lord Jesus Christ. But you must be prepared and study your Bible!
“…shall not perish but have eternal life.” Hey! In case you didn’t notice, here’s the payoff! You will be saved from an eternity in Hell and, worse yet, an eternity of being separated from your heavenly Father. When you hear a person say that they are “saved,” you know what they are talking about now. They mean saved from eternal damnation. I know there are a lot of people (the Bible calls them “false prophets” and warns us to be on the lookout for them) telling you that “everyone is going to go to heaven because God is a merciful God.” They conveniently forget the verses where it tells you that He is a jealous God and He is a just God. He’s not going to reward someone with an eternity in heaven if they have turned their back on Him all their lives. What about the person who has done the good work and chose the hard path that the other guy opted out of? Not going to happen. This verse—John 3:16 [show] [16]"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)
—assures you and me of a place in glory with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, but first, you have to believe!
So, now you see what the world “love” is really all about. You see that it shouldn’t be used lightly, but sparingly. I love my children; I love my grandchildren; I love my brothers and sisters and parents and all my extended family. Most of all, I love the Lord and am so grateful that He loved me first and called me into a relationship with Him. In this way, I can know true love and the peace and joy and hope that come with it.

Psalm 57:10 [show] [10]For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
–“For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”

Psalm 59:16 [show] [16]But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.
–“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”
And here it is in a nutshell:
Romans 3:22-26 [show] [22]the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: [23]for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24]and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25]whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. [26]It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (ESV)
– “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when He held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for He was looking ahead and including them in what He would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate His righteousness, for He himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in His sight when they believe in Jesus.” (New Living Translation)

Just recently, I was talking to a dear Christian friend of mine, who was sharing about her job and how she loved taking care of the little children she had been assigned to. Even though she loved what she was doing and was very faithful to her employer, she was becoming frustrated and discouraged over the lack of appreciation and respect she received in return.

She examined her life and realized that she had been doing so many things right and yet the return was less than satisfying and very confusing. She wondered what she was doing wrong and why she was not blessed for all of her hard efforts. She went on to share, that she had been faithful in her Christian life, consistent in tithing, reading her bible, prayer and fasting. She was a Bible teacher in her church and was faithful to be there every time the church doors opened. Had God not seen her efforts and could God not change her working circumstances? After all, she was doing her part!

Her story brought back to my remembrance, my early years in my own Christian walk with the Lord. My life was filled with excitement. It started with falling in love with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I worshipped Him through song and praise. His Word became my daily food as well as fasting and tithing on a regular basis. Prayer was the ultimate part of my Christian life, you might say, it was the topping on the cake!

My marriage of almost 42 years, this coming November, met everything to meant even then. I worked hard at being a submissive wife and showing biblical love. I prayed for my precious unbelieving husband without ceasing. In return, I received rejection, persecution and a great division in our marriage. My husband didn’t want to hear the name of Jesus mentioned, did not want prayer taking place in our home and ridiculed me for reading my Bible. Life had become the very opposite of what I had prayed for and desired in my marriage.

I remember, like my dear godly friend, going to the Lord and pleading with Him that my husband be saved, and that my marriage would be one that would glorify Him. I had become so defeated and discouraged. What was wrong? Did God not see I had done all the things that a Christian wife should do?  Did God not see that I had poured my life into His Word, prayer, loving and serving Him with all my heart?

God being slow to anger and quick to compassion, spoke to my heart, with His sweet and gentle voice. He reminded me that the things I did as a Christian is what a Christian is supposed to do. I had to sit back and examine my own heart at this point. I realized I was bargaining with God and expecting Him to come through with some sort of payment, like saving my husband and giving me the perfect godly marriage, for being obedient and faithful to His Word.

Have you ever wondered why things never change? Or what is the point of working hard as a Christian, only to see things around you either staying the same or getting worse? Do you ever wonder why God doesn’t see what is going on and intervene on your behalf? Trust me; this is where I was and what I was doing? I was questioning God, instead doing all the things God called me to do, just because it is right. With no strings attached but just shear obedience.

God reminded me that even if my circumstances never changed, He was enough. He had given up so much for me, by sending His own Son to die for me on the cross for my sins. ( John 3:16 [show] [16]"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)
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That God called me to himself and not my husband. I was responsible to God. God was not responsible to me. Jesus had set the example of how we live in a troubled world with success and obedience, even if the end is death. Dying to self, living for God, doing His will not ours.  (Matthew 26:39 [show] [39]And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." (ESV)
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Satan had told me a lie, just as he had Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:4-5 [show] [4]But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. [5]For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (ESV)
) Be perfect and keep it up forever. I had tried and found out I could not. I might have fulfilled many of the duties of a Christian but I was failing in my attitude and expectations of what God was to do for me. I realized I had much to learn about my walk with the Lord and what it truly means to live out the life of a Christian, no matter what God allows into our life.

If you find yourself dealing with these same issues, I encourage you to examine your heart and see if perhaps you to have bought into Satan’s lies. He insists that you be perfect like God and keep it up forever. He is the master at playing that game but fails to remind us he lost! He wants to make us believe that God doesn’t really care. Satan is the master at planting doubts in our mind about who God is and the way things are supposed to be for God’s children. Satan wants us to quit, destroy our testimony and walk away from God.

The devil forgot one thing, God never lets go of those He loves. Those He has called to Himself and the purpose He has for each of our lives. My husband is still, after all these years, not saved. Did that stop me in my service to God, no! In fact, when I could not change my situation, save my husband by my good works or manipulate God into doing what I thought was best, I had only one thing left to do, surrender! (Jeremiah 29:11-13 [show] [11]For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. [12]Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. [13]You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (ESV)
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My beloved, what a Savior we have. He loves us and knows what is best for us. If you would like to leave a comment, I would love to hear it. You are an important part of my life in Christ Jesus and I cherish your thoughts. Have a blessed day in Him.

Today, I was preparing for a weekly study I lead in the book of Proverbs. (For those of you who are interested, it is called Woman of Wisdom by Myrna Alexander.) It has gotten chilly here in Michigan as fall, true to its name, descends upon us. This is “tea weather” for me. I don’t usually drink tea the rest of the year, but in the fall, I don’t know, it just seems to hit the spot. Not wanting to get up time and again for a refill, I picked a larger mug. It has a colorful array of sheep wrapped around it. They are happily leaping and frolicking, each with a flower in their mouth. They are fat and fluffy and smiling. The verse above the heads of these cheerful creatures reads: “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)
Now, the handle of this mug is in the likeness of a shepherd’s hook and it has a rather delicate point at the base where it is connected to the cup portion of the mug. Shortly after I received this as a gift, the handle broke. (Why do my stories always have to do with things that are broken?) I was upset by this and was determined to fix it, so I used a product called “Gorilla Glue” to do just that. Every time I use this mug, I am hoping the glue lives up to not only its name, but everything the bottle claims it will do. Let’s face it, even on a chilly autumn day, a lap full of hot tea would not be my idea of a warming solution. I try to remember to hold it with two hands and to set it back down gently after each sip. I wash it carefully by hand to further ensure that the glue will continue to work and the handle will stay intact.
Why would I go through all this trouble? Why not relegate this adorable piece of pottery to the league of other broken mugs which have now become pen holders, bedside eyeglass caddies, or toothbrush receptacles? It’s not like I don’t have many other mugs in the cupboard all standing at the ready to be of service to me or my guests.
Well, as in all things that elicit a kind of emotional response from us and cause us to go to such lengths to protect it, this mug has a history and, therefore, an importance to me.
When I was going through my divorce, the world did not know it. By that, I mean, life went on as usual. I numbered myself amongst the “walking wounded.” No outward appearance of pain or distress, but inwardly, bearing a remarkable resemblance to the devastation we all witnessed after 9-11. Unbeknownst to me, for the same reasons, there was a group of women in my large church enduring the same trial at the same time, though in various stages. One of them, then an acquaintance and now my dear friend, invited me to go with them on one of their weekly outings. After that, I became a regular “member” and we would encourage one another, share horror stories, and celebrate all victories, small or large, which we would encounter along our grueling paths. We all loved the Lord and would use God’s Word as our main source of comfort and edification. One Christmas, I was given this “sheep” mug, thereby welcoming me into the group. It is a sweet and practical reminder of who we are in Christ and all that it means to be one of His sheep.
The verse reminds us that, despite what proved to be a negative setback in our personal lives, it did not need to negatively impact our spiritual walk. It reminds us that our husbands’ various and sundry shenanigans did not alter the fact that we were, ARE, and will continue to be “God’s workmanship.” Psalm 139 [show] O LORD, you have searched me and known me! [2]You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. [3]You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. [4]Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. [5]You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. [6]Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. [7]Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? [8]If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! [9]If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, [10]even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. [11]If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," [12]even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. [13]For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. [14]I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. [15]My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. [16]Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. [17]How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! [18]If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. [19]Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! [20]They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain! [21]Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? [22]I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. [23]Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! [24]And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
is a great portion of Scripture which tells us that we were not crafted by the hands of our spouses. To make it personal, my ex-husband did not “create my inmost being” or “knit me together in my mother’s womb.” That was God’s doing. I am HIS workmanship. I do not praise the name of my ex-husband because “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” It is not his “works” that are “wonderful” nor his “eyes” that “saw my unformed body.” He did not ordain the number of days I will walk this earth and he is not “in the depths” or “in the air” as “I rise on the wings of dawn” or “settle on the far side of the sea.”
Most importantly, my ex-husband did not create me in Christ Jesus. He did not prepare the works I will do in the Name of Jesus Christ so God may be glorified. No! And, again, I say, “No!” Only a loving Creator would go to such lengths. Only a loving Father would carefully watch me and lovingly “hem me in” and lay His hand upon me as if to say, “This, this is MY child. She belongs to ME and I will take every measure to keep her heart protected and keep her safely in the fold.”
I don’t have to hope that God’s promises, like the “Gorilla Glue,” will remain true and intact. I know that He will not allow me to “flee from His presence” though I have tried—out of rebellion and shame and will, because I am human, continue to do so from time to time.
To all of you who are struggling to fit a man-made mold, remember this: There is no one, not one person, whether they are mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, boss, friend or even spouse, of whom you can say, they will “search me” and “know me,” follow my every movement out of love, care and concern like God the Father does.
So, it is only to Him that we offer this entreaty:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”
I trust my Father, my Savior. His “thoughts are precious to me” and when I awake, “I am still with Him” and He is with me. For this, I am truly grateful.

(All quoted references are from Psalm 139 [show] O LORD, you have searched me and known me! [2]You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. [3]You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. [4]Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. [5]You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. [6]Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. [7]Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? [8]If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! [9]If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, [10]even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. [11]If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," [12]even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. [13]For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. [14]I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. [15]My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. [16]Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. [17]How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! [18]If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. [19]Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! [20]They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain! [21]Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? [22]I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. [23]Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! [24]And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
, except as otherwise noted.)