Week Twenty-Two - Together

Over this year, Tom has preached on two verses that contain the word together. Philippians 1:27 speaks of striving together, and John 4:36 talks about rejoicing together. Every time he preaches these verses, my heart rejoices, and my imagination takes off. Let me tell you why.

The verse in Philippians paints a picture of what is happening to us now. We aim to live a Christian life, stand alongside each other, and "strive together for the faith of the gospel." 

Oh, how we need to continue in this manner. The days are evil, and the time is growing short. We want to be found faithful and prepared for our Lord's return, so we encourage each other and set a loving example for those around us—striving together.

The idea is to strive simultaneously with one another or seek something jointly. It even means wrestling in company with others. You can't miss the instruction. As the children of God and Christ's body, our mandate on earth is to spread the Word, be light and salt, and stand for the Gospel. That takes actual labor and a joint effort to do it properly.

As missionaries, we see this striving together through churches supporting us financially and prayerfully as we aid in the church's fulfillment of the Great Commission. But even in every individual church, the members must strive together to keep the church alive and growing. We are all striving together to fulfill the Lord's commands.

With this picture of striving together toward a goal or a joint outcome, we see the future rejoicing together, as mentioned in John. The verse describes those who sow and those who reap jointly rejoicing when the harvest is complete.

For example, when a soul is saved, those who witnessed, those who watered, and those who joined in prayer all rejoice at the new birth. They labored together and rejoiced together.

When a church pays off its mortgage, those who gave, those who prayed, and those who directed the finances rejoice. They labored together, and now they rejoice together.

When we all get to heaven, those who served, those who prayed, and those who gave will rejoice. They strived together for the sake of the Gospel, and now they will rejoice together.

I find these two verses so encouraging and motivating. As we serve, pray, and give to further the Gospel, we know we are striving together. And when we once stand before our King, there will be no regret. We will rejoice that our laboring together has brought us great reward.

So, dear Christian friend, keep up the work. Stay faithful. Stay true. 1 Corinthians 2:19 reads, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him."  Or, indeed, them that labor together!

Week Twenty-One - What's on the Menu?

I wish I could remember who said this, but his idea has stuck in my head, and I'd like to explore it with you a bit today. Here's what he said. "God is not a buffet. He's a menu with only one entree." 

The speaker indicated that we can't pick and choose when it comes to our eternal salvation. Jesus is the only way to God. He is the once for all, the only name under heaven given for salvation. If we go around tasting and trying other ways, we risk missing the true way. 

I agree. Jesus is the only way to salvation. And, reader, if you haven't yet tasted His love and forgiveness through repentance, I adjure you to taste and see that the Lord is good and gracious. He is ready and willing to forgive. Our part is to believe. 

But here's the thing with the Lord. Once we become a child of God through salvation, we step through into a most miraculous banquet room. No good thing will He withhold from those who love Him. We are now complete in Him, and all that is His is ours. 

Spurgeon put it this way, "When Jesus is the host, no guest goes empty from the table. Our head is satisfied with the precious truth which Christ reveals; our heart is content with Jesus, as the altogether lovely object of affection; our hope is satisfied for whom have we in heaven but Jesus? and our desire is satiated, for what more can we wish for than "to know Christ and to be found in Him"? Jesus fills our conscience until it is at perfect peace; our judgment with persuasion of the certainty of His teachings; our memory with recollection of what He has done, and our imagination with the prospects of what He is yet to do."

These truths are a variable banquet for our souls. We feed upon the Word through the aid of His Spirit. We desire the sincere milk and the meat of the Word. No one ever goes away from the banquet table empty. And the table is always full, always varied, and always fresh as we feed upon the Word.

So what's on the menu? Christ - who passes all understanding, fills our longings, and is sweeter than honey. Come and enjoy!

Psalm 19:7-10

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever:
the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Week Twenty - You Needn't Do Without

"Nobody loves me. Everybody hates me. I may as well go out and eat worms." Do you remember hearing or saying this when you were a child? Or maybe you catch yourself repeating this to yourself as an adult. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not everyone hates you. Eating worms won't actually change anything. And even if you feel no one on this earth loves you, God is watching over you with eyes of love, more love than you can imagine.

Just as God loves His Son, Jesus loves His people in the same manner. John 17:26 reads, "That the love wherewith thou (God) hast loved me (Jesus) may be in them, and I in them." We are recipients of God's love through Jesus, a love without beginning and without end. We need never fear losing His love because it will never cease. It is called everlasting love, for God is love. Spurgeon says, "You can easily find the beginning of your love to Christ, but His love to us is a stream whose source is hidden in eternity."

Do you have a marked beginning of your love for Christ? Have you understood your need for a Savior and placed your faith in His sacrificial gift of Calvary? If so, you can securely rest your soul in this love.

Because God's love is without any change. 

When things are going great and you feel like you're on top of the world, His love is there. When you're in the pits, and things seem dark and uncertain, there is still the comfort of His abiding love. He is steadfast and true. His loving heart remains faithful. He doesn't blow hot and cold like we do. 

God's love is without any measure and wholly dedicated to His children. He loves us and gave Himself for us. It is a love that is unbreakable, unshakable, and unwavering. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from His immense love. "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, Nor height nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

Dear Christian friend, if you are feeling down and out today, grab hold of the truth of God's eternal love. He is there beside you. Rest yourself in this love, and let Him lift your spirits.

But, if you do not know this love, today is a great day to turn to the Saviour and accept His love poured out for you on Calvary. Ephesians 2 describes us as children of wrath, disobedient, and lustful. But then comes the blessed hope of verse 4, "But God, who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us."

And that makes all the difference. It makes John 3:16 come alive. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."

God's love is always there for you. Your part is to believe in and accept His love. You needn't do without it!

Week Nineteen - The Fruitful Vine

My friend lived in an ancient stone house down by the river Wye in South Wales. Over the front door and all along the upper windows grew this beautiful wisteria, producing gorgeous purple flowers that drew the eye and created the perfect adornment for the old stone cottage. 

At my home, I had English ivy that grew and covered the neighbor's wall beside my back deck. I enjoyed the beauty of this hearty vine, even without purpling flowers like my friend's wisteria.

Did you know that the Bible describes the wife as a vine? Psalm 128 says she is a "fruitful vine by the sides of thine house."

As we begin thinking of Mother's Day, let's take that description and consider two qualities of the mother: beauty and fruitfulness.

Our homes reflect who we are. Some mothers love to decorate their homes for each season, while others prefer consistency. Some love a variety of colors, while others maintain a defined palette. Some homes are known for the smells from the kitchen, while others are full of crafting materials. Every home is different because it reflects the preference and personality of the occupants, most certainly the mother.

My husband likes to tease me about nesting. Since we often travel and stay in different places, I find myself trying to make a little home in each place. Even when living out of a suitcase, I tend to nest. This is how a woman reveals her heart, by decorating her home and creating a loving atmosphere. 

The mother often leads in this nesting, which is precisely what Titus 2 instructs for the younger women: that they love their husbands and children and be keepers at home. 1 Timothy uses the word guide; they are to guide their house, make it beautiful and fruitful.

When we look at the woman in Proverbs 31, we see her beauty and fruitfulness encircling her home like my friend's wisteria. She was known in the gates for the beautiful fruit she produced. Her fruitfulness, and ours, stemmed from how she managed her home and cared for her family. She was indeed a fruitful vine to her husband, producing not only children and a side income but also a good testimony, an example of wisdom, and a reputation of godliness. She was a living testament to the power of beauty and fruitfulness. Her impact on her family and community was profound, inspiring us all to strive for the same.

When I reflect on the qualities of the woman in Proverbs 31, and I compare them to the beauty and fruitfulness of a wisteria enveloping a home, I am challenged. Am I, like her, an attractive and loving adornment to my husband and children? Am I producing excellent and beautiful fruit in my life? Do others see the fruit of my home and life as a blessing? These are the questions that resonate with me as I consider the impact of my role as a mother and homemaker.

The family and community's reaction to the woman in Proverbs 31 was praise, and I love that final verse: "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."

Let's be mothers and grandmothers whose lives create beauty and bring praise not only from our family but also to the Lord.

Happy Mother's Day.

Week Eighteen - F.A.T

Fat. Is that a dirty word to you? Does it make you feel uncomfortable? For me, it is a constant battle. I'm not wildly overweight, but I carry more pounds than the charts say I should. It always amazes me that I can gain five pounds in two or three days, yet it takes over a month of hard work to get rid of them. 

But today, I want us to take a different view of this word.  Psalm 92:14 says, "They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing." 

Fat and flourishing—that sounds a bit more positive! The word fat here doesn't refer to the weight we carry. I think you'll like the Bible definitions.

It means full of sap, juicy, rich, or wealthy. It also has the idea of being vigorous.

Flourishing means to be green with growth, productive, and prosperous. 

So, let's combine those two definitions. Even in old age, we can still be active and productive, full of energy and growth.

I had a little thing recorded in my journal from a book by Clint Clifton defining fat this way.

F - Faithful
A - Available
T - Teachable

What an excellent way to look at what we should be as Christians, both young and old, because these three things will make us active, productive, full of energy, and growth. We have a purpose, even in our old age!

Verse 15 gives us that purpose, "To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him." When the young ones see us, they should see the life of Christ shining through our lives. Even if we aren't up chasing little ones in the nursery or playing volleyball with the teens, our attitude should be one of positive flourishing that shows the Lord's goodness and righteousness. The young ones need us to show them Christ and the joy of serving Him.

I don't know about you, but I want to remain fat and flourishing in my old age. I want to keep my little light shining for the next generation and the ones the Lord brings into my life for spiritual influence.

So the next time I think of myself as fat, I want to say, "Yes! I am faithful, available, and teachable. Use me, Lord, for Your glory."