Ponder or Pounce

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be [d]successful Joshua 1:8

The Lord is reminding Joshua of the covenant He had with Moses and that he must be faithful to read and study the law. He must carry it out and do what it says to be successful.

The words, “be careful to do everything”. To do, not to think about, discuss, debate, philosophize, pontificate, or even memorize, but DO! Ouch! When God says He will give you something, He often means He will bless and make your efforts and hard work successful. We must work together with Him. We must be faithful to the task to which He has called us. We must even suffer with and for Him. Salvation is a free gift, totally underserved, but taking the land of our spiritual inheritance is a 24/7 job!  The pay is out of this world, but the work is intense and takes focus and faithfulness in obedience to His Word.

Jesus, how often we read the Word and ponder on the it, but do nothing with it. Forgive us and help us to realize that reading, hearing, even pondering on the Word is not enough. Salvation is a free gift, but we must seek, find, accept, and work out our salvation to receive the promised blessing and success. Sometimes, Father, it seems so simple and easy, and other times impossible without Your divine strength and resurrection power working in us. You ask nothing of us without supplying everything we need to do what You require. Help us to believe and not doubt. Pondering is sometimes necessary, but we must also pounce – attack Your will with enthusiasm, and faith. May we be pouncers, not just ponderers.

A GOOD FATHER

You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, He’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.1 Peter 1:17    The Message

God loves us and meets our needs, helps us in times of trouble as any good father would, but he also corrects us and hold us accountable for the way we live and respond to Him.

When I read this today my mind immediately went back to my first year of teaching 2nd grade in the inner city of Columbus, Ohio. Charlie came to my class mid-way through the year. I was told he had been kicked out of several schools and to do my best with him. He was obviously ADHD to the max!  I knew how important it was to be the one in control of my students and class and determined not to allow him to deprive the others of learning. Trust me he was a challenge for someone who had prepared to teach secondary students and was trying to teach phonics and addition and subtraction to second graders!!

One day when it was time to go home, it was snowing quite heavily. As the students lined up, I told them we wouldn’t leave until all coats and hats were on and zipped up. We waited nearly five minutes for Charlie to comply, but I was determined to win! I walked them to the door and said goodbye to each until I got to the last student, Charlie. He had taken off his coat and was ready to tell me where to go! Seriously!?? I stood in front of him and reminded him that he could not leave without his coat on and zipped. We stood there for about ten minutes in a starring contest. Finally, I took his coat and forced it on him (that was back when you could touch children) He was furious! I told him I cared for him and would not let him get sick on my watch, and marched him across the playground holding his hand so he couldn’t remove his coat. I let go once he stepped onto the public sidewalk and turned to go while he cursed me and took off his coat!

As I was preparing to leave for the day the principal called me in to her office and told me I had been reported by Charlie. He stomped into her office and told her to fire me! We both smiled, but then she told me a little more about how Charlie had a very poor home life and had been moved from school to school. I did not expect to see him again.

The next day, to my surprise, Charlies showed up for school and entered the room calmly. As I looked at him, he had a frown on his face but a hint of a smile in his eyes. He proceeded through the next 2 weeks as my helper and seemed quite happy. Then, his mother moved again, and Charlie was gone! But I believe Charlie knew someone truly cared about him enough to make sure he obeyed and was safe in the storm.

That’s the kind of Father we have. He loves us enough to hold us accountable for our decisions and actions and gives us warnings and sometimes corrections. He will make sure we stay on the right track so we can be safe in the storms of life and spend eternity in the warmth of His love!

Father thank You for you undying, unconditional love that not only helps us when we are in trouble, but warns us and corrects us to keep us out of trouble!

Not of This World

20 If you have died with Christ to the [j]elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were still living in the world, do you submit to rules and regulations, such as, 21 “Do not handle [this], do not taste [that], do not [even] touch!”? 22 (these things all perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men. 23 These practices indeed have the appearance [that popularly passes as that] of wisdom in self-made religion and mock humility and severe treatment of the body (asceticism) but are of no value against sinful indulgence [because they do not honor God]. Colossians 2:20-23

I grew up with a lot of good rules, rules that were to make me a better Christian and make me pleasing to the Father. The problem was I didn’t always see the value or why those things that I shouldn’t do were so bad. Not doing those things didn’t change my heart, they just made me look good to others and to myself. I had friends in less strict denominations who were taught how to evaluate different types of entertainment and why certain choices were better than others. Many of those strict rules led me to judge others inappropriately and feel superior to them spiritually. Oh, if we would seek Jesus and follow His word instead of man-made rules, meant for good, but in truth, were taking the easy way out. It is so much easier to say, “Do not do that,” rather than take time to teach why certain things are dangerous to our spiritual health and do not please God. To instruct in where and how to find answers in His Word. We need to make sure young Christians know how much God loves everyone and that we were chosen to worship and reflect His glory. We need to make sure they know how to respond to and pray for those who reject God’s love. We need to point them to Jesus, not some rule book.

Lord Jesus, help us not to look at others and judge according to man’s rules, but love and help all under our influence to seek Jesus and look to Him for wisdom and principals to live by. I love the phrase, “What would Jesus do?”  Help us to know You so well that it becomes our first response to do what You would do if you were in each situation. How would You show love, compassion, correction, concern? Oh Father, we need to be more like You. Please help us to be good examples of ones who love and belongs to our heavenly Father. Help us to keep our eyes on the eternal, not the temporal. Help us not to get caught up in worldly arguments or concerns, but to remember this world is not our home!

Sabbath Rest Every Day

16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you(AE) by what you eat or drink,(AF) or with regard to a religious festival,(AG) a New Moon celebration(AH) or a Sabbath day.(AI)17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come;(AJ) the reality, however, is found in Christ. Colossians 2:16

Paul is telling us not to live by the old code, because Jesus is the fulfillment of the requirements of the law.

As I read this passage, I was cut to the heart by the thought of not having to keep the sabbath. I have grown up on Sabbath keeping, sometimes to the extreme, but still a constant reminder that I serve a God who knows I need rest. As I read this morning I began weeping at the thought of not keeping the Sabbath. What do you mean, don’t let anyone judge me by my Sabbath keeping – that is the one test I could actually pass!  As I sat weeping, I heard the Lord say to my spirit, I am your rest. I fulfilled ALL the law! When you are weary, come to Me. Rest is coming away with me to a quiet place, whether physically or mentally. Rest is living in complete assurance that I am in control, that I love you unconditionally and that I know what is best for you. Rest is ceasing from your labors, because when you come to Me you must lay it all down and focus on Me. That cannot be accomplished in one day only, but in your daily walk and labor for me.

Lord, please help me to fully understand this concept and take advantage of Your 24/7 seven days a week offer to rest. Rest that comes to me physically, mentally, and emotionally through quiet time with You. Teach me to rest in You, as You bring quiet to my spirit and calm to my anxieties and fears. Thank You for bringing all things to completion that I might enjoy freedom and rest in You.

Imitators and Models

6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. 1 Thessalonians 1:7 NIV

Paul was bragging about the Thessalonians converts who had accepted the Word and stood firm in their faith. The world around them could see the change and news spread of their radiant faith.

“You became imitators of us and the Lord,” caught my attention this morning. Their lives were so full of Christ that they became the gospel to their world. They were following the example that Paul, Timothy and Silas had taught them. These were Paul’s children (disciples) in Christ; therefore, they exhibited that same joy that Paul had. They accepted the truth from his lips and his example before them.

 Oh, if this could be our desire and desire of our churches, that others see Christ through us and will join with us in following Christ. Not that we are perfect or flawless, but like Peter, we are continually running toward Christ. Wherever we see Him at work, we want to run to be there with Him.

Jesus, help us to be world changers. Help our churches to be full of world changers. Oh, Father, we can’t change even one person, but you can change us and use us to be an example that others want to follow us as we follow YOU! That can be so scary, but we know it’s not about us, but what you are doing in us that attracts others to You!  May we yield this day to You for Your purposes and Your glory. Work in our minds today and give us clear thinking. Thank You for loving and transforming us to reflect Your example and glory!

Behavior That Reflects God

10 Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by [f]doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin]; 1 Peter 1:10 AMP

I love this version because it spells out so clearly what Peter is saying to believers.  Your behavior is the test of your relationship with God. Peter spells out the behaviors in verses 5-7, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and love! And then he affims that when you continue to grow in these things you will not stumble spiritually.

When I trip over a rock and am tempted to stumble, I must grab hold of which virtue applies and hold on tight to move forward in my calling (faith) in Christ. The evidence of these virtues in my daily walk will be a witness to others of the Christ-light in me. Others will be drawn to that light and want to join me in that walk. None of these virtues are perfected in me yet, but as I continue to walk in His light and increase in my knowledge of Him daily, I find I want to be more like Him and grow in self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and love! These are the virtues that will enable me to be a blessing to others.

Dear Jesus, I see Your face and hear Your voice calling me repeatedly to be a blessing and leave the results to You.  Holy Spirit, only you can convict and call to repentance. Only You can correct and open the eyes of the spiritually blind. My responsibility is to BE A BLESSING TO SOMEONE TODAY, not in my own strength, but Yours!  Father, help me to live not in my weakness, but Your strength and power!!

Clean House and Dig Deep

So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You’ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God. 1 Peter 2:1-3 MSG

Peter is addressing new Christians and encouraging them to leave the ways of their sinful past, since now they know God through Jesus, and can get all the nourishment they need to grow into maturity with God.

I love theses verses, especially verse three that says we grow and can become mature (whole) in God!  This has been my experience with God over the years. I find it ironic that my physical age has nothing to do with my spiritual age. Physically, I mature whether I want to or not. This fall I will have been here 81 years physically and 74 years spiritually. My spiritual growth depends on when I entered the family of believers, how much milk I consumed before I began to choose solid food with a conscious desire to grow in Him. And as with any growth, there can be spurts and plateaus, healthy and unhealthy times. It all depends on my choices. Sometimes the meat of the Word is hard to digest and Jesus walks with me as I continue to chew. Other times, I feast on the dessert of an extra serving of understanding that is easy to swallow!  It’s difficult to judge spiritual growth and maturity. In some areas I feel like a wise old lady and in others I feel like a child who needs more food to conquer the world!  Sometimes I feel like a teen who isn’t quite sure what to believe, and then those rare moments where I become a cry-baby. Thankfully, I have a Father who pushes me forward, walks with me until I process truth, and even corrects the cry-baby in me. I am never alone on this spiritual journey to wholeness and maturity. God gives me opportunity each day to grow and allows situations through which I can grow, but the choice is always mine. The question today is what kind of spiritual food do I desire – meat that must be chewed before it can be digested or soft baby food that takes little effort to swallow?

Father, thank You for the variety of food you have offered through the years that has helped me continue to grow into wholeness and maturity. Where I am right now, only You know, but I know I want meat, not pureed beets and applesauce. I love the times when you provide a surprise dessert and I leave the table more than satisfied. I also thank You for the tough steak that is hard to chew and takes time to digest but helps build strong spiritual muscles!  Your Living Word provides all the food I need to grow and mature and complete Your plan for my life. Thank You for Your daily manna!

The Mystery of God

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:3

Throughout the Bible, mystery buffs will notice a protagonist and antagonist. They will notice some information is clear and factual, while other information is given in clues, parables, metaphors, similes, and coded language. While the truth and solution is right before our eyes, it takes focus and intention to uncover that truth and practice it our daily lives. The joy for those of us who love to solve mysteries, is that there are always new clues and truths to uncover throughout life. We can discover who and why, and see it how fits together, but the complete resolution is always one episode away. We must keep watching, waiting and investigating more clues. The funny thing is, we already know the end, the final solution, but we just don’t know when. We must stay tuned in and continue looking for all those hidden treasures in Christ to be discovered daily.

Lord, I love a good mystery. Throughout my life, I thought I had it all figured out. I was sure I had uncovered all the clues, only to find another and another until I realized, You would never stop giving more clues, more hidden treasures, more secrets of the kingdom! The idea of uncovering clues makes the adventure of being a part of Your kingdom more fun! Open our eyes to see the treasures before us and to embrace the personal clues, twists and turns, knowing they always lead us to You and the final episode in heaven!

Christ! No More, No Less. 

Christ! No more, no less. Colossians 1:28 The Message

Paul is very explicit, Jesus Christ is the Message! There is no “but” or “and”.

To be mature, to be holy, to be pleasing to God, look to and accept the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ and live for Him and like Him. If it looks like Jesus, if it sounds like Jesus, if it acts like Jesus, it is Jesus in me the hope of glory. If it doesn’t look, act, sound like Him, it is ME!  The only way to be sure I look, act and sound like Jesus is to spend time with Him and live in a state of surrender to Him through prayer and study of His life.  Simple, but not always easy. How to live by such simple standards in complicated world?  Stop trying to combine loyalties and serve only ONE master- Jesus Christ!

Father, this is such a simple message, but we sometimes make it so complicated. So many decisions, so many choices, so many angles and tangles must be answered with one question, “What would Jesus do?” There are many times when I know the answer but do not have the courage to make the “Jesus” choice. Forgive me, Jesus, and strengthen my resolve to be obedient to Christ only! Teach me what that looks like in my world and remove my fear of rejection by man. Much better to be rejected by man than to forfeit an eternity with YOU!!

Daily Rest

16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you(AE) by what you eat or drink,(AF) or with regard to a religious festival,(AG) a New Moon celebration(AH) or a Sabbath day.(AI)17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come;(AJ) the reality, however, is found in Christ. Colossians 2:16

Paul is telling us not to live by the old code, because Jesus is the fulfillment of the requirements of the law.

As I read this passage, I was cut to the heart by the thought of not having to keep the sabbath. I have grown up on Sabbath keeping, sometimes to the extreme, but still a constant reminder that I serve a God who knows I need rest. As I read this morning I began weeping at the thought of not keeping the Sabbath. What do you mean, don’t let anyone judge me by my Sabbath keeping – that is the one test I could actually pass!  As I sat weeping, I heard the Lord say to my spirit, I am your rest. I fulfilled ALL the law! When you are weary, come to Me. Rest is coming away with me to a quiet place, whether physically or mentally. Rest is living in complete assurance that I am in control, that I love you unconditionally and that I know what is best for you. Rest is ceasing from your labors, because when you come to Me you must lay it all down and focus on Me. That cannot be contained in one day only, but in your daily walk and labor for me.

Lord, please help me to fully understand this concept and take advantage of Your 24/7 offer of rest – rest that comes to me physically, mentally, emotionally through quiet time with You. Teach me to rest in You, as You bring quiet to my spirit and calm to my anxieties and fears. Thank YOU for bringing all things to completion that I might enjoy freedom and rest in You.