Week Forty-Nine - Keep Moving Forward

I'm not sure where I got these notes, but I want to let you know I am using someone else's thoughts as I write today. I use them because they spoke directly to my heart and are worthy of sharing.

God has repeatedly used Proverbs 16:3 to help me maintain focus and trust Him as I face decisions and obstacles. It reads, "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."

Here is what I found written about this verse.

"In a world saturated with distractions, driven by convenience, and crippled by inconsistency, the call to commit is countercultural. Yet, Solomon - under divine inspiration - urges us to take all our works, dreams, and duties and commit them unto the Lord. Why? Because only in holy commitment will our thoughts, goals, and outcomes find clarity, direction, and establishment.

The word "commit" here is the Hebrew word "galal," meaning to roll upon. It gives the idea of rolling your burdens, tasks, and works off your own shoulders and onto God's. Not in passivity or laziness - but in trust and total investment. Commitment is not just intention - it is action with direction.

"thy thoughts shall be established."

This means that when we give God our actions, He will firm up our thoughts. In other words, right action fuels right thinking. We live in a generation that says, "Wait until you feel motivated, then act." But God's Word teaches the opposite: Act in faith, and your thoughts will follow with clarity and strength.

Current Trends: A Culture of Half-Heartedness

        A recent Gallup poll found that only 23% of U.S. employees are "engaged" at work. That means over 3/4ths of people are doing the bare minimum.

        A Brana study found that fewer than 1 in 3 Christians who make a spiritual resolution or ministry goal see it through beyond 90 days.

        Among young adults, a study from the National Center for Education Statistics noted that task
completion and follow-through rates have dropped sharply over the past two decades, correlating with the rise in digital distraction.

We are not suffering from a lack of potential - we are suffering from a lack of commitment.

We have plenty of biblical examples of committed servants.

        Nehemiah committed his work to the Lord, despite opposition, distraction, and danger, and rebuilt Jerusalem's wall in 52 days.  Nehemiah 6:15

        Paul the Apostle was beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and opposed - but never wavered from the work God gave him.  Acts 20:24, 2 Timothy 4:7

    Jesus Christ Himself said, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." John 4:34. He is the ultimate example of diligence, commitment, and follow-through.

Committed or Convenient?

Many Christians today are waiting for the "right time' or "perfect motivation" to serve God. But true commitment doesn't wait for motivation - it creates it.

Discipline beats emotion. Faithfulness overcomes feelings. As Leonard Ravenhill once said, "The world has lost the power to blush over its vice; the church has lost her power to weep over her lack of commitment."

In a world allergic to effort, let the believer shine through diligence. Not just starting strong - but finishing faithfully.

Consider some practical steps:

1. Commit your calendar - prioritise church, devotion, and outreach. Don't fit them in, build life around them.

2. Establish a morning routine - begin each day directing your works upon the Lord in Prayer. Psalm 5:3

3. Track progress, not perfection - the Lord blesses consistency, not occasional passion.

4. Don't make vows lightly - Ecclesiastes 5 warns about making promises you don't intend to keep. Instead, commit with intent and diligence."

There is a load of good stuff there, isn't there? 

And why does it matter to me today? Because I am praying for the Lord to show me my next step. Am I to continue writing, posting, and videoing? I know wholeheartedly that He directed me into this. Now,  after five full years, how long am I to continue? What does He want from me in 2026? 

There are only a few weeks before the New Year springs upon us, and my plan is to take a pause from some of this content creation and focus on prayer and committing my work unto Him, so He can direct my steps. Please pray with me. I want to do what He wants, not what I might want. I want to keep moving forward by faith until my journey is complete.

Week Forty-Eight - Thanksgiving Eve

Tomorrow is the big day. Some of you will enjoy a huge meal with family surrounded by love and thankfulness. For others, you may be alone, have no family, no big meal, and be surrounded by nothing but your personal effects, but it is still an important day. Every day is important, with turkey or without, because it is a gift of God to be received with thanksgiving.

Usually, I host 40+ colleagues and enjoy their fellowship, but this year I am in Virginia with my daughter and her family. We have voted for steak instead of turkey and banana pudding instead of pumpkin pie, and are looking forward to football, falling leaves, and family time.

If you follow me on Facebook, I began this week with a challenge not to count your blessings but to turn your heart to praise. On Sunday, praise the Lord with your church family. On Monday, praise God for His greatness and sovereignty. On Tuesday, praise God for His entrance into your life. On Wednesday - today - praise God for His beauty and wisdom. Then, tomorrow, praise God for His abundant blessings.

I took the praise approach to Thanksgiving this year because I began seeing how self-centered my thankfulness had become. I reveled in all God had done for me, all I had, and the beauty around me but failed to revel in who He was. As I meditated on praise in place of thanksgiving, I recognised how praise lifts the mournful spirit, puts pride in its place, heals the wounded heart, fosters forgiveness, and creates understanding.

Praise means to show reverence, honor, and adoration to God, acknowledging His greatness, character, and actions. It is an act of love and humility that brings the soul to peace and submission, and ultimately, to resounding thankfulness.

One of my favorite ways to study the Bible is by words, and there are at least sixty verses in the book of Psalms that say, "I will praise." If you Google that phrase, you will find it throughout God's Word. And if you only look at the word praise, you will find an encyclopedic number of references. "He is greatly to be praised." "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord." "Praise ye the Lord."

So tomorrow, when you begin counting your blessings, remember to praise the One who gave them, for that is what the Great Physician ordered throughout His Word. You'll find praise and thanksgiving heal many wounds and create a more gentle and loving spirit within you.

Why not sit down tonight, on Thanksgiving Eve, and without counting your blessings, focus a while on His praise alone?

Week Forty-Seven -Bitter or Better

The other day, I caught myself complaining at other drivers, muttering under my breath, speaking aloud of their poor driving skills and how they inconvenienced me. And several times, the Holy Spirit spoke to warn me of my complaining. Don't get me wrong - the other drivers were crazy, but He was calling me to account for my reaction that revealed my heart of impatience and pride.

He and I had a discussion on pride and impatient comments, and I had to agree. I was not showing grace or mercy or love. Though I was the only one in the car, I was still accountable for my words and thoughts. 

Would I want them to hear me? No, not really. 

Were my comments making the driving experience better? No!

Was my distraction with the driving of others putting me in any jeopardy? Probably, because if I'm not paying attention to my own driving, busy judging others, I could have an accident. And that would most annoy me!

I'm sure we are all guilty here at times, and it is good to face our pride and impatience with a dose of spiritual reality and accountability. But let's leave driving and move on to other areas where our pride and impatience force us to consider our words.

What about at the check-out? Or waiting at a long light? Or even while we are on hold, listening to repetitive, annoying music? Does our mind start spouting complaints? Does it affect our attitude?

You bet it does! Any time we entertain negative, complaining thoughts, we are affected. It might be short-lived, but there is still an effect.

Ask yourself this: "Will my response to an annoying situation make me better or bitter?"

This is a simple way to correct myself. I don't want to be bitter and angry or be known as a complainer or unsympathetic judge of others, do you? So it is for my benefit that I rope in those hateful thoughts and weigh them by grace and mercy.

Do I make mistakes when driving? Of course I do, and so do you.

How would I want others to respond? With road rage or polite forgiveness? And shouldn't others expect the same from me? What response will make me better?

Forgiveness and grace demand I extend a measure of grace to others, even on, and especially on, the road of life.

Bitter or better? Think about that next time you're driving and see what the Holy Spirit tells you.

Week Forty-Six - Elements of Prayer

This year, I have been reading one chapter of the Bible each day. I'm recording a truth from each chapter, and then writing a short meditation. 

At the time of this writing, I've gotten as far as 2 Chronicles 6, where Solomon prays his consecration prayer for the temple, which has just been completed. He gathers an assembly of elders and chiefs, along with the Levites, who bring in the Ark of the Covenant and place it in the Holy of Holies with singers fully dressed in white linen, accompanied by trumpets and cymbals following the procession, proclaiming the goodness of God.

Solomon publicly acknowledges the hand of God in the building of the temple, as well as the preparation and the heart of his father, David. Then, he kneels down before all the congregation of Israel, spreads his hands toward heaven, and begins to pray. It is a beautiful prayer; you should take time to read it. (Verses 14-42)

Solomon's prayer blends elements such as praise, humility, honesty, hope, and even an acknowledgment of the inevitability of failure as he places the people before God, pleading for mercy and forgiveness. He asks God to forgive the people's future sins five times, and the pinnacle of the prayer is found in verse 31, where he asks that God forgive because His act of mercy will help the people to remember to "fear thee, to walk in thy ways."

So here is our challenge. What do our prayers look like? Or rather, what do they sound like? Are they mixed with elements of praise, humility, honesty, hope, a plea, and even an acknowledgment of our expected failures, along with a request for God's forgiveness in advance? 

Or are they prayers done by a list of needs with no personal empathy or emotional attachment? Are they short and lifeless? Are they full of repeated phrases or platitudes that have long lost their meaning?

Most of us know the Lord's Prayer, and that is a great starting point for learning to pray; however, we must move beyond this initial form to a heartfelt relationship in prayer. Solomon's humble recognition of God's greatness and activity is his way of saying, "Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." His requests and hopes are pinned solely upon the goodness and mercy of the great God he serves. His prayer is a humble act of recognition and thanksgiving, marked by submission to God and a recognition of His sovereignty, as well as by Solomon's understanding of his privileged position. 

This type of vivid prayer opens our eyes to God's activity and leads us to live in sincere reverence for God and a more obedient walk. So, what do your prayers look like? Are they lively or limp? What do they sound like? Full of praise or full of complaining? 

God loves to hear from His children, so whether your prayers are accompanied by great fanfare or confined to the secret place, may they be prayers full of praise, humility, honesty, and hope leading you into a deeper love and a more steadfast obedience to God.

Week Forty-FIve - You Can't Say Can't

"I can't" is a common response when people don't want to do something or feel inadequate to the task. I used to tell the college students that "I can't" means "I won't" because we can do all things through Christ. (Philippians 4:13)

Granted, there are some things we can't do, like jump over the moon or swim the Atlantic, but when it comes to life's challenges, God will prove Himself capable of helping us do things we never dreamed we could do.

Let's look at 1 Corinthians 10:13 in light of this idea of saying we can't. The scripture reads, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able: but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

This verse tells me that no problem is unique. We all face common challenges. We are all tempted to lie, cheat, or even steal, but we don't have to yield to these temptations. We can rise above the temptation. We can do all things through Christ. Seeing others who have successfully faced and overcome these same temptations gives us hope and encouragement, showing us that we, too, can achieve victory.

Our tests and temptations are tailor-made, and God is the Tailor. He gives grace for trials when we need it. And the promise of this verse is based on God's faithfulness and ability, not our own. To deny God's power is to rebel or call God a liar. He says we can, so we can!  

An attitude of can't influences our thinking, attitudes, and behavior; it inhibits our potential. It says God is unable to help us. Nothing could be further from the truth. God is at work in the lives of His children at all times, and especially when we face challenges. He isn't intimidated. He loves to take these challenges as opportunities to reveal Himself. He loves to help us succeed.

By accepting God's promise, we rise to growth and hope. It places the focus off ourselves and onto God, where the impossible becomes possible and the can't becomes can!

With every trial, God promises a way of escape. The end of a problem is just as sure as the start because God is there all the way through, and His promises never fail.

Next time you hear yourself saying, "I can't," ask yourself if that is really true! Because you can do all things through Christ, and God's promise of faithfulness means you can.

Week Forty-Four - Enjoy the Ride!

I find it hard to enjoy the ride when I don't know where I'm going. Consequently, when my husband makes a few wrong turns or takes a different path to a known route without warning me, I become unsettled and start to question. One day, he instructed me, "Just enjoy the ride," and it has since become a byword for us.

A few years ago, I took a trip to China with a dear friend, and several times, my husband, knowing I'd be challenged by the uncertainty of the experience, texted, reminding me — once again — to enjoy the ride. And I did!

As I thought about that advice, I saw parallels in the Bible: Bible characters whose journeys required this attitude.

Abraham, out looking for that city whose builder and maker was God, needed it. David, hiding in caves and running for his life, needed it. Peter, as he queried John's path in life, needed it.

The attitude of enjoying the ride doesn't mean always seeing life as rosy. It is not absenting ourselves from involvement or protecting ourselves from harm. It is a walk of faith that says, "My heavenly Father is right here beside me. I can rest in Him and not worry about the events of the path because I know and believe He is in control."

Enjoying the ride means that even when unexpected turns come or a detour takes longer than planned, there is no need to panic; continue living and reacting in faith.

Enjoying the ride means letting go of being the planner or navigator and embracing the role of a passenger. You aren't driving. God is. Giving Him the wheel relieves the pressure and stress of trying to be in control.

Enjoying the ride means taking time to see the beauty of life; to enjoy and appreciate all the tangible and intangible things as gifts from God. This increases your thankfulness and makes life much more beautiful.

The interesting thing is that everyone's path is tailor-made. No two paths are exactly the same, yet our paths crisscross and intersect throughout our journeys.

Even the paths of husband and wife, though running parallel, are not exactly the same. God so designs each path to meet the desires and needs of the individual, bringing glory to Himself and fulfillment to the individual.

The journey of life has similarities, too — birth, youth, adulthood, etc. —but these are only skeletons on which the journey is built. We don't need to get hung up on these. There is so much more to life than age.

As I look back, I see more of my journey each day. It falls into categories by decade, and each decade is marked by life's events, but one thing remains the same. My successes and failures in each era are marked by my attitude on the journey. In joys and in sorrows, when my attitude was one of faith, the ride was much more positive, strengthening, and strangely enjoyable. The places where I kept my focus on life as a walk of faith proved to be places of growth, whether the way had been hard or easy.

We read the stories of persecuted Christians and notice their intense joy and peace amid pain and suffering. How can this be? Surely they have learned the secret of enjoying the ride. I'm sure they would tell us of a walk of faith that does not demand to know what is around the next bend or grows uncomfortable and unsettled just because a plan doesn't come together.

I think they, too, would remind us to settle back and enjoy the ride because "It is God that worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure." 

Week Forty-Three - Seven Reasons Not to Worry

I remember a time when I was overwhelmed with worry. We were struggling financially, and I feared what would happen. Now, decades later, I barely remember the actual events. What I do remember are the Scriptures God used to help me overcome my worry. And they are still powerful today. 

Oh, don't get me wrong, I still fall into worry, but it doesn't get such a hold on me anymore. Even when things are tense or scary, worry can only go so far because these same scriptures pop into my mind and return my peace.

Let's look at seven reasons not to worry from chapter six of the book of Matthew. These are the verses I memorized years ago.

1. The same God who created life in you can be trusted with the details of your life.

Matthew 6:25, "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"

God knows what you need. He designed your body to need food and water. He also knows you need clothes. He designed every detail of your life, and He is meticulous. 

Oswald Chambers said, "God is my Father, He loves me, I shall never think of anything He will forget, why should I worry?" So give no thought to the basic needs of life —just don't worry about them. Be thankful and content instead of grasping for more or worrying where it will all come from.

2. Worrying about the future hampers your efforts for today.

Matthew 6:26, "Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns: yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Aren't you? Yes, you are. God loves the birds and takes care of them, but He never calls them His children. They have no promise of eternal life. You, on the other hand, are His child, and He is intimately interested and involved in every detail of your life. Take one day at a time and stop worrying about tomorrow.

3. Worry is more harmful than helpful.

Matthew 6:27, "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?"

Worry makes one unthankful. We fail to see God's goodness because we judge what we have as not being enough. Desiring more, we discount what we actually have.

4. God does not ignore those who depend on Him.

Matthew 6:28-30, "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?"

The beauty of the world declares God's involvement. Look at the magnificence of His creation and think, "If He is that involved with rocks and trees, how can I doubt He would be even more involved with those created after His image?" Discounting your worth before God is treasonous!

5. Worry shows a lack of faith and understanding of God.

Matthew 6:31-32, "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink?         or, Wherewithall shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: for your                 heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things."

Worry means we don't trust God to provide, understand, or care about our needs. Even the Gentiles, the unbelievers, need food, clothing, and raiment, and God provides for them. Why would we ever doubt that God didn't know we needed them as well? Do we believe Him to be a God who doesn't care about His children? That is what worry is saying.

6. There are real challenges God wants us to pursue, and worry keeps us from them.

Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall     be added unto you."

Hebrews 12 tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus. When we worry, our eyes aren't looking to Him; they are looking around at everything else, and we often miss blessings and opportunities because worry has us bound and blinded. Get your eyes back on God and thank Him for giving you what you need.

7.  Living one day at a time keeps us from being consumed with worry.

Matthew 6:34, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

We can't do anything about tomorrow, and we cannot change the past; we can only deal with what is in front of us, one day at a time. This takes such pressure off when we adopt this philosophy, giving us great power because we know God meets our needs and takes good care of us each day. Sufficient to the day - enough is all that matters. 

Worry heaps more than is necessary into the day, so why not chop your day down to size and take it as a single day's dose! God's not worried, why should you?

        

Week Forty - Two - Pushy Kids

Charles Stanley said, "A child needs the security of a parent who can't be pushed around." I'd have to agree. After raising five children myself, I've come to realize there just isn't the option of being pushed around if we want a happy home and successful children. When a parent yields to the demands of their children, structure breaks down, and the child, although they may never put it into words, feels insecure and unsafe. They need the parent to be the parent in the situation. Let's push some preferred Ps!

Parent - the responsible adult in the home, the one who answers to authority, be it to God or man, for what happens within the home.

Principles - the guidelines and rules for acceptable behaviour within the home, set by the Word of God and upheld by the authority of the parent. Principles must be understood by the entire family, and each member must be held accountable to fulfill them.

Pattern - the manner in which daily life happens. Every home runs differently, depending on work schedules, schooling, and the interests and activities of its members. Without a consistent pattern to life, a schedule of some sort, things get overlooked, people get disappointed, and hurts come. Generally, kids feel more secure when there is order in the home.

Perseverance - being the parent isn't always a pretty picture. Sometimes we must persevere when kids try to push us around. They need to know we will stick by our principles and strive to maintain a pattern of order in the home; no amount of their screaming or wailing will change that. The Bible even tells you not to be swayed by their crying - be the adult in the situation and stick to your guns.

Prayer - you will need the strength of the Lord to be a good, strong parent, so go to the source of strength. Bring your home and family before Him. Pray for that pushy kid and look for ways to create understanding and calm in your home. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). I think that verse was put in the Bible for parents!

Praise - don't forget to make more noise about the good things than you do about the bad stuff. Look for ways to give praise. And praise the Lord before your children. Help them see that you are relying upon the Lord, looking to Him for answers and help, and thankful for His love for your family.

Plan - don't try to parent without a plan. What do you want your home to be like? What would you describe as acceptable behaviour? Draw your plan from the Word of God and be consistent. Hope, pray, be the example, build your home using wisdom, understanding, and knowledge (Proverbs 24:3-4). Then, there is the promise of precious and pleasant riches, children that rise up and call you blessed (Proverbs 31:28), and the desires of your heart being met (Psalm 37:4).

Power - all of this equals power to parent! Kids don't come with an instruction book; we just have to do on-the-job training, but we are not without power when we parent using God's instruction book. There is power in the Word, power in prayer, and power in trusting God, our heavenly Father, the best parent anyone could have!

Promise - we all need a promise. Here is my favorite promise for parents. Psalm 115:14, "The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children." So, be the parent in the situation. Don't let them push you around. Hold true, and God will be true to you.

Week Forty-One - Imagination Station

Occasionally, during a church service, I find myself drifting off in a thousand different directions. Maybe thinking of the week's events, the dress someone is wearing, a song that had been sung, or even something that happened when I was a child. 

This day-dreaming isn't limited to church services; it also happens when I am trying to read my Bible or pray. But I don't have the same trouble when I am watching TV, shopping, or at a party with friends. Do you know what I mean?

Many  Christians have this problem. We have given our hearts and lives to the Lord Jesus, but our minds remain our own. It takes strict discipline to keep our thoughts on the things of God. It is so important that we guard our minds against stray thinking. It not only robs us of the present blessings but can lead to strange desires and sensual, devilish ideas. It gets very serious when we consider that our thoughts come from what is in our hearts!

The Bible is full of scriptures about thought control. The first one that comes to my mind is 2 Corinthians 10:5, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 

Taking every thought captive is a tall order. My thoughts jump around so quickly, I can barely hold one for two seconds! How could I ever bring every thought captive? And my imagination? I've built houses, given speeches, designed dresses, and even redecorated the church with my imagination. So that, too, is hard to rope in.

I memorized one tiny scripture years ago that helps me with some of this. 1 Corinthians 13:5 holds the phrase, "thinketh no evil." I memorized it as, "Love thinketh no evil," because 1 Corinthians 13 is the love chapter. When I catch my thoughts being unkind, angry, or disgruntled, I quote this little phrase to myself, and my thoughts usually get back into line with love and patience.

Another scripture that helps me is Proverbs 16:3, "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established." When my mind whirls and my imagination runs wild with fears and what-ifs, I throw on the brakes and give those thoughts to the Lord. I have always found that He brought me back to reality and gave me a clear way forward, one that wasn't imaginary, but real and feasible.

Here is a little poem I recorded years and years ago that might sum up our thoughts today.

Oh God, I offer Thee my heart -
In many a mystic mood, by beauty led,
I give my heart to Thee. But now impart
That sterner grace - to offer Thee my head.

Author Unknown

Oh, how we need that sterner grace! Let's put up a hedge around our thoughts and determine that our Lord not only has our heart and body, but He also has our mind.

Week Forty - Naptime

My life seems to go in cycles. At times, it is very quiet. I get lonely and wonder if I am producing anything of value. At other times, I can barely keep up. I grow weary and wonder if I am producing anything of value. These times of busyness require me to set aside time for rest. Without it, I collapse emotionally and spiritually, and my body revolts!

I don't know who wrote this, but I read, "Jesus was never too busy to take a nap." I like that! I can power nap and keep going. So did He!

But the writer didn't stop with napping. He said, "Jesus was never too busy to come aside to pray, to have a meal and cook for the disciples, and to have time for one-to-one meetings." I wished he'd stopped at napping!

How often do we find ourselves saying we are too busy to pray? We rush through our devotions, tick off our prayer list, and hurry into what we have prioritized for the day. That is not our Lord's example. He lingered in prayer, even praying all night through. Prayer was His time with His Father; it was His source of strength and time of reflection. It's where He got His marching orders.

And do we make excuses, saying we are too busy to serve others? Is an unexpected guest met with frustration? Is cooking for the family an annoyance, cutting into something you prioritize over them?

And when a needy friend calls, does your face grimace while on the phone? Are you half-listening while you do other things you consider more important? If they show up at your door, do you take time to sit and listen? If they ask you to meet for coffee, do you go with a time limit in mind? Are you too busy to give your time?

Jesus was never too busy. Yet, He was very busy, so busy that the Bible says they had no time to eat, but that didn't stop Him from giving a measure of time to those in need. His business was others - not Himself. That is the difference.

When I am too busy, I become so self-focused and task-oriented that I am tempted to dismiss the needs of those around me, as I become overly focused on my goals and to-do list. And if I am interrupted, I become annoyed. Jesus was never annoyed when people called to Him. 

Perhaps naptime was how He maintained His focus. Maybe naptime is a biblical remedy for busyness! Are you too busy to take a nap? Then you're too busy!

Week Thirty-Nine - Common and Uncommon

Years ago, missionary friend Larry Quade preached a message during a fellowship meeting here in England that really spoke to my heart. He had a section in his sermon comparing common faith to uncommon faith. This was the part that sent my mind racing. It was a challenge I've always remembered. The other day I came across notes from his sermon, and I'd love to walk with you through them. He said,

Common faith has you go a mile. Uncommon faith has you go two miles or more.

Common faith has you love your brothers and sisters in the Lord. Uncommon faith has you love your enemies.

Common faith has you give. Uncommon faith has you give sacrificially.

Common faith has you walking your Christian life. Uncommon faith has you run the race.

Common faith has you to pray. Uncommon faith has you praying without ceasing.

Common faith causes you to rejoice. Uncommon faith has you rejoicing always.

Common faith has you give thanks. Uncommon faith has you give thanks in everything.

Common faith wants you to refrain from evil. Uncommon faith has you refrain from "all appearance" of evil.

Even as I think through these today, I am challenged to measure my faith. Common faith takes me through each day, but uncommon faith sets my sights above. My mind floods with more comparisons. 

Bro. Quade said, "Ordinary Christians ask God why and how. The extraordinary say, it doesn't matter why or how, God said it, so I'll do it. Why be satisfied with the ordinary or common faith, when you can have the best and most satisfying faith, the faith with a difference, uncommon faith?

I want to never be satisfied with common faith. It reminds me of the portion where Jesus said, "Even the world does good to each other, but the children of God go the extra mile, give without expectation of return, love their enemies, and show respect to others" (Paraphrased, Matthew 7:40-48).

Common faith will get you by, but the true riches of Christ are only tasted by the practice of uncommon faith. On which side are you settled?

Week Thirty-Eight - Hedged In

England overflows with beautiful countryside, rolling hills, rock fences, and quaint farms, all with an almost effervescent green haze, but hedges too often block your view. My mother-in-law even said, "It is a beautiful place, except for the hedges." Nevertheless, I count my lucky stars to live on such a luscious isle. 

Dick Brogen's devotional began talking about being hedged in, but he wasn't referring to physical hedges. His thoughts were about God's hedge - the one He places around His children. 

His thoughts are drawn from Psalm 139. In verse one, God has searched and known us. In verse two, He knows when we sit up, get up, and what we think. In verse three, He knows where we go and when we lie down, and He knows all our ways. Verse four tells us He knows every idle word, and most marvelous of all, in verse five, "Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me." To beset is to hedge in.

Brogen then draws for us three beautiful thoughts based on the truth that God knows us and has us surrounded by His love.

Because God knows us, we do not need others to know us. Our culture perpetuates the notion that if we aren't recognized for something, we're worthless. We are told to promote ourselves, sell our idea, and put ourselves out there, but you'll be hard-pressed to find this ideology in God's Word. "These pathetic cries for attention are not necessary if we are secure in being known by Jesus. When we understand that Jesus knows us intimately and loves us deeply - despite what He knows about us - this alleviates any need to be known and exalted by others." God's love and knowledge of us are enough.

Because God knows us, we keep no secrets. In other words, we have nothing to hide. That doesn't mean we need to air our dirty laundry; it means we need not fear the dirt. Those skeletons in the closet are silenced when we hand them over to God. He knows all about them, and they don't intimidate Him. He isn't ashamed of His children.

Because we are hedged in, we are free. Most people don't like the idea of being confined or having boundaries. They believe restraint removes freedom, but the opposite is true. "Only those who embrace the limits of God have rest, joy, and freedom. To have no boundaries is to be in the prison of insecurity and doubt. When God hedges us in from behind, we have the assurance that we will not falter, fail, or return to our vomit. When God hedges us in before, we have the assurance that we will not go outside of His will or His pleasure. We can run, abandoned and protected. There are no cliffs to fall off." We are fully protected and free to venture with God wherever He calls us.

Physical hedges may obscure our view, but the hedge of God enhances our view. The sky is the limit with God, for with Him, all things are possible. Are you living with the knowledge that He is before, beside, and behind you? Do you rest and enjoy life knowing you are hedged in by His love?

Adapted from Live/Dead, by Dick Brogden

Week Thirty-Seven - What Do You Want?

One of the first verses I claimed as a young Christian was Psalm 37:4, "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." I didn't have any big tangible desires like a huge house or a fancy car, but what I wanted was the intangible: happiness, contentment, joy in knowing my life was good and blessed by God. My delight was to serve, to be a part of the church family, and to see God at work around me. 

As time went by, God planted further desires in my heart. I wanted to be a missionary, and He granted me that desire. I wanted to have a happy home and raise children who would become good citizens and love the Lord, and He gave me that desire. I wanted to remain faithful in the ministry He had given me, and for over forty years, He has met that desire. How could I ever doubt He would continue to bless as I continue to delight in Him?

What we long for matters. If our attention and focus on life remain solely on the tangible, that may be all we have. We cannot take cars and houses with us when we leave this world. One storm, one flood, one fire, as we have so lately seen, and they are swept away. But what we focus on that is intangible and eternal can never be taken away from us. 

Psalm 37:37 reads, "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace." Do you want a peaceful life? Then your focus will be directed toward a blameless life. The approval of others is not your concern. The approval of God is your priority. And when our desire or focus is shifted to Him, we enter a world of peace. The striving to please or appease others ceases, and God becomes our peace.

Psalm 37:39 reads, "But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble." The desire for righteousness leads to strength in troubled times. When we face hard times or find ourselves at odds with others, we run to the Lord, knowing He will give us strength and wisdom to endure or forgive. He is the lifter up of our head, our shield, and protector. When our desire is for righteousness, we walk carefully and thoughtfully.

Psalm 37:40 reads, "And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him." Trust isn't usually our automatic response when faced with wickedness. We typically want to fight or run, but the Lord asks us to trust Him. Sometimes we may be required to speak up. At other times, we must remain silent. But no matter, our trust must be in Him, not ourselves. He promises to help and deliver; we must trust that promise. God is delighted when we trust Him.

Do you desire peace? Strength? Help? If so, God promises to grant those desires. The only prerequisites are delight and trust. God will never fail to keep His promises, so you can safely put your delight, joy, and hope in Him. 

Jesus gives us this promise about the things we want in Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." 

Psalm 37:23 reads, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he delighteth in his way." Is that what you want? For God to delight in you? Then set your delight in Him, and watch what He can do! 

Week Thirty-Six - A Better Life

Psalm 63:3 says God's lovingkindness is "better than life." His thoughts and actions toward us are better than anything we can imagine. His loving care surpasses anything we consider precious or good, for all He has, all He is, and all He gives far outweigh and surpass our highest reality and enjoyment.

 "God's lovingkindness is better than food, better than peace, better than comfort, better than travel, better than sports, better than marriage, better than adventure, better than nature, better than every good thing we enjoy." (Dick Brogden)

We can't begin to fathom the fullness of Jesus' lovingkindness until we let go of the life we have made for ourselves. Life, as we designed it, is still too affected by sin and self. 

Are you trying to live with Jesus and for yourself? It won't work. It is impossible to run in two different directions at the same time. A better life comes only by living in one direction.

A life that is "better than life" is only truly realized in heaven, but we can begin to experience it now as we live under the shadow of His presence, where there is no iniquity and offense. We enter a better life not by trying to be good, but by accepting what Jesus has done for us and using our energy to seek Him.

A better life is marked by lips that praise Him. Lips that acknowledge the Lord. Lips that render thanksgiving. Lips that seek to bless Him by every word spoken.

And a better life is marked by practical living based on holiness and compliance with God’s Word. Does your life honor Him? Do your daily choices bring you into the place of blessing - where you are living out a better life?

A better life is marked by a soul that is satisfied with Jesus. Godliness with contentment - that is great gain. That is the goal of the better life. And it is evidenced in simplicity, a focus on Christ alone, rest in Him, and the absence of temporal clutter.

Some aspects of a better life can be experienced while on this earth, but oh, for the blessed promise of the better life to come. 1 Corinthians 2:9, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into he heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." or as Isaiah 64:4 says, "those that waiteth for him."

That eternal better life is coming, but that doesn't mean we can't taste a bit of it while we are here. He came to give us life, and to give it more abundantly now. You don't have to wait; draw near to Him, rest your soul in Him, seek His presence, and see if life doesn't get better day by day.

Adapted from: Live/Dead by Dick Brogden

Week Thirty-Five - According To, Too

Last week, we thought about God's power to answer prayer according to His ability. Today, let's look at another aspect of those two words, "according to." The "according to" that places strength and power within us.

In Ephesians 3:14-21, Paul basically records his prayer for the people in the church at Ephesus. The verses take a different focus when you read them as a prayer.

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

Such a wonderful prayer. I'd love someone to pray that over my life, wouldn't you? To ask God to grant me the strength of the Spirit in my inner man, according to the riches of God. God, who giveth liberally? God, with whom all things are possible? God, who is for me? And for my petitioner to do so based on the power of God that works in us both?

Let's not stop there, for Paul records his prayer for the church at Colosse, as well. Colossians 1:9-12 reads:

"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."

There is that request for strength again. This time, coupled not only with the knowledge of Christ's love, but also with the understanding of His will, fruitfulness, and the qualities of patience, longsuffering, and joy. 

These are prayers that recognize the abundance of God's supply, prayers that tap into who God is and what all He wants to accomplish in us, according to His power working within us. 

I don't know about you, but when I think about God's power within me, I'm humbled, fearful, and even empowered. Not by what I can do, but by what He can do according to His attributes and character. I'm not a little non-count, I am a child of God, and according to His Word, all power is given to me as well. Amazing! And when I translate this power into my prayer life, even more amazing things happen. For now, I am praying according to my belief and within God's will. It opens the door of the impossible!

Week Thirty-Four - According To

Two little words, according to, can change the whole focus of your prayer life. For example, when you withdraw funds from your bank account, you can only do so according to how much is available. When you order online, you can only request an amount according to what is available for purchase. And when you pray, your requests are only limited according to what God is able to do. 

And what is He able to do? "Exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Ephesians 3:20). And how much power is available to us? Jesus said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). How does that work? Ephesians 1:9 says, "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power." He does the work through us. His power flows through us. Paul wrote in Colossians 1:29, "Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily."

So, according to God's reckoning, we have His power working in us according to what He can do, not what we can muster up. 

Dick Brogden wrote, "We must approach prayer knowing that any answer is for the sake of the supplier, not the supplicant. This is a difficult lesson for us: to make prayer God-centric in answer as well as in petition."

Did you catch that? God is central to the answer as much as He is central to the supplication. How many times are we guilty of whining and begging before God, thinking we might use some magic word or mystical tear to tap into His graces? Do we view prayer as only a petition without thought of the God of vast supply available to those who believe? Are we so small that we think only of our puny selves kneeling in some fruitless exercise? Do we get hung up on trying to say it right, be right, or do right, so God will hear us? If so, we are praying with the wrong focus. Prayer isn't about us. That might be hard to swallow. 

Dick Brogden says, "All things, including answered prayer, are for the glory of God - not the glory of humanity. Everything that God does, He does for His own glory and purposes. Everything we do should also be for Him. The only reason this concept offends and unsettles us is because at our core we want to be the center of the universe. The sanctification process is a long lesson in embracing Jesus as the center."

When we grasp the truth that all we are, all we have, and even every petition we put forth are based on Him, prayer takes a different path. We pray, not focusing on what we can do, or what we can figure out, or what we think God should do, but we begin resting in who He is, what He has, and what He wills, according to His mercies, His riches, and His abundant supply for the answer to every prayer. 

He becomes central, capable, trustworthy, and all-powerful to answer according to Himself alone. 

Chew on this for a while, and next week, we will add to the thought according to what God has revealed in His Word!

Week Thirty - Three - Trampled in the Street

Speaking the truth is not always welcomed because the truth can be hurtful. It can also get in the way of people's goals or plans. Truth creates accountability and is a measure of integrity. It is beautiful, but it also stings.

In 1 Kings 22, Jehoshaphat and Ahab, after three years of peace, decide to take back the city of Ramoth from Syria. It sounds like a great day out! All 400 prophets agree. But Jehoshaphat asks, "Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might inquire of him?" (1 Kings 22:7).

Much to Ahab's chagrin, the prophet Micaiah is called. Ahab's words were, "I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil."

The messenger pleads with Micaiah to agree with the words of the prophets. Still, Micaiah tells him, "As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak" (Vs. 14). 

Standing before the two kings, the prophet seems to be playing a game with Ahab as he says, "Go, go ahead and go to war." But Ahab isn't easily fooled, saying, "How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?" (Vs. 16).

Even though Ahab hated what Micaiah had to say, he still preferred the truth. Not one to be intimidated, Micaiah goes on to prophesy defeat and the death of Ahab. 

We face pressure every day to conform, keep quiet, and agree, but we must not succumb to these voices. We don't have to be beligerent, we just need to remain faithful. God will take care of the rest.

Dick Brogden writes, "God expects His people to do the dangerous work of trusting Him and remaining rooted in troubled environments."

Speaking the truth, standing firm, and graciously disagreeing can be a dangerous stance. But if we go with the flow, if we shy away from the truth, if we remain silent when God is wanting us to speak, we wash truth away. 

Truth is trampled, or as Isaiah 59:14 says, "Judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street."

Someone must man the oars and guide the boat to safety. There must be those who hedge the gap, speak truth, and recognize that God is the majority. Macaiah was that man in his generation. Will you be the one in yours?

Week Thirty-Two - Stop Meddling

My sister and I were too curious for our own good. Hence, the words from our grandparents were, "Stop meddling." They were instructing us to stop poking into things around the house, but as we grew, the same instruction came if we drifted into gossip or surmising about others. "It's not your business, so stop poking your nose in. Stop meddling," was their advice. Have I always managed to follow it? Nope. And it has come back to bite me.

My Bible reading this past week was in 2 Kings. In chapter 14, Jehoash, king of Israel, and Amaziah, king of Judah, meet face-to-face, not for reconciliation, but for power. 

Amaziah, fresh from a great victory against Edom, thought he'd now take on Israel. Jehoash warned him this was not a good challenge, but Amaziah would not hear  (vs 11). The battle ends in a complete thrashing of Judah, resulting in the loss of all the gold, silver, and vessels in the Lord's house, along with all Amaziah's treasure, and a group of hostages taken by Israel.

Some things are better left alone, right? Picking fights, antagonizing others, or flexing our muscles doesn't mean we will win. There is always a cost to such actions. Amaziah lost it all. And when we create drama, stir situations, or show off, we are in danger of losing, too.

Meddling is when you insert your opinion without being asked. Meddling is when you dig for information that should be left private. Meddling occurs when you try to manage others without having the authority to do so. Meddling genders strife and sets people against you. It isn’t the way to win friends and influence people.

Ecclesiasticus 11:10 reads, My son, meddle not with many matters: for if thou meddle much, thou shalt not be innocent; and if thou follow after, thou shalt not obtain, neither shalt thou escape by fleeing." (Please note, this quote is from Ecclesiasticus, not Ecclesiastes)  This is still good advice. Meddle not! 

God gives the same instruction to the children of Israel, "Meddle not with them," in Deuteronomy 2:5. And in Proverbs 24:21 we read, “My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:”

Meddling puts you in danger of loss. You may lose friends, reputation, or even wealth. God says we are to mind our own business. That will keep us busy enough. 

Let's end with the instruction from 1 Thessalonians 4:11: "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands."

So, stop meddling!

Week Thirty One - Sowing for the Harvest

In July, Tom and I spent a long weekend in Cornwall, sharing time with two churches and five missionary families. What a blessing to see God moving there, planting new works, and bringing in more workers. Cornwall is a beautiful part of the country, and well worth a visit. But that wasn't what caught my attention. It was the testimony of one of the missionaries whose ministry underwent a significant transformation during Covid.

Bro Grissom and his wife have served the Lord in several places in England, but a few years ago, the Lord led them to plant a church in the city of Plymouth. They distributed flyers, knocked on doors, and did all the things a missionary does to get a church-plant off the ground, but not much was happening. Then came Covid, and the Lord told Bro. Grissom to begin the Ruth Project. God's instruction was to plant vegetables and give them away. So the soil was tilled, the seeds planted, and God gave the increase.

Bro Grissom has continued the Ruth Project for the past few years, but let me share with you his testimony. At one point, he began to grow weary of the planting and tending. He wasn't enjoying the work of gardening, even though things were growing well. A keen gardener visited his patch and made this statement, "You aren't a very good husbandman."

And the Lord used that comment to challenge Bro. Grissom. He was planting seeds, which were growing, and he was sharing with others, but he had missed the project's purpose. It wasn't about giving away vegetables; it was about reaping a harvest. And that harvest wasn't just the fruit of the ground; it was the souls reached by the Ruth Project.

As he talked with us about sowing seeds and sowing for a harvest, his heart burned with passion to explain the difference, a key difference that enabled a church to get off the ground and begin to grow.

When we sow for the harvest, we tend the seeds more carefully, guard them against pests, create frames for growth, and position them for sunshine. Sowing for the harvest means we are diligent, discerning, and disciplined. Seeds thrown to the ground will often grow, but those tended grow best. 

Perhaps it is time to reflect on the kind of husbandmen we are in God's ministry. Are we guilty of the same? Do we witness carelessly, throwing seed as if it were just something we have to do? Or do we witness with purpose, keeping the door open, leaving open questions that will lead to further opportunity? Do we hand out tracts like we're handing out candy? Or are we praying over the tracts and making sure the ones we distribute have a solid message? Are we sowing for the harvest or just throwing out seed?

Week Thirty - What's Cookin'?

A scripture I had never noticed before was brought to my attention in Dick Brogden's Live/Dead Devotional. Tucked away in 1 Chronicles 9:31, it reads, "And Mattithiah, one of the Levites, who was the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the set office over the things that were made in the pans." Mattithiah was the kitchen manager!

Each Levite had an assigned role or position within the temple. Their tasks varied - some cleaned, some sang, and some, like Mattithiah, were entrusted with cooking.  

Cooking is one of my least favorite tasks. That eternal question, "What's for supper?" is a source of stress for me. Probably because I'm not a foodie. I eat because my body tells me I have to. However, for my husband and children, food is a top priority. We even make jokes about being in a room full of hangry (hungry and angry) Gritts's. It isn't a safe prospect! Therefore, mealtime must be tended to faithfully.

Back in 2019, I wrote about Angels in the Kitchen. This says it all.

"Mutter, mutter, mutter! I hear my heart grumbling as I slap toast into the toaster and wait for the kettle to boil. Slinging silverware to the table, I watch the bacon impatiently while I wait for the family to get downstairs.  “Why do I have to wait on these people hand and foot?  Why do they wait for me to scream up the stairs before they come down?  Can’t they smell the bacon and hear the kettle?”

Just as I get ready to take the cups to the table, the family spills down the stairs with excitement. “Why are they so happy?  Don’t they know how irritated I am being the only one down here getting things ready?” 

“Good morning,” they all chime. 
“Ump,” I groan as I butter the last piece of toast.
Once they are all out the door, I go to my quiet place for some solace and encouragement. It’s been another hard morning, and I am anxious to hear from the Lord.

Hebrews 13 is my reading. “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” 

“Well,” I thought. “I haven’t entertained strangers this morning, and I’m sure they are not angels.” Then, I heard the Lord reminding me of 1 Peter 4:9, “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” 

“Okay, okay!”  So, I was a bit grumpy this morning. To be honest, I am grumpy at having to man the kitchen alone. I don’t like cooking. I don’t like the feeling of everyone expecting me to do it with no help. I’m sorry, but it is probably the task I despise most about housework.

I laid aside my Bible and picked up a little book I had been reading. The faded green cover revealed its age, and the writings were short excerpts, so maybe I could find some comfort there to lift my annoyance, but the Lord wasn’t going to let me off that lightly.  My eyes fell on:

  “In one of Murillo’s pictures in the Louvre, he shows us the interior of a convent kitchen; but doing the work there are beautiful white-winged angels instead of mortals in old garments. One shining spirit serenely puts the kettle on the fire, and one is lifting a pail of water with heavenly grace.
   One is reaching plates from the kitchen dresser, and there is also a little cherub running about and getting in the way while trying to help. It all serves to remind us that heaven is about us in our kitchen, and that God may help us with the most menial and humdrum tasks.” 
Adapted from Blessed Be Drudgery by Williams C. Grannett

“Well,” I continued to mutter, “there were no angels helping me today.”  Then, my eyes caught the next short thought in the faded green book, “There can never be a really happy home if there is trouble in the kitchen.”

I was guilty. I knew my bad attitude could spill over to the rest of the house. I wanted a happy home.  I felt I had a happy home, but my heart’s attitude and outward actions in the kitchen revealed something different.

“Lord, forgive me. Help me serve my family as unto you. Forgive me and change my heart and attitude. May my influence be one of genuine hospitality, coming from a heart of love and care. Help my family to overlook and forgive my selfishness and curt impatience. May grace and angelic presence abide in my heart, hearth, and home for your glory.”

Nearby, staring back at me in blank resolve was a tiny, white angel ornament recently made for me by an old friend. Was I going to allow angels into my kitchen?

I took the tiny angel and placed her near the sink as a reminder of my Lord’s instruction. Perhaps tomorrow morning, she will remind me that I am not alone in my kitchen, and serving my family, done as unto the Lord, does not go unnoticed.   

Excerpt from: Good in Everything by H.L. Gee, p 56 

Just as Mattithiah was entrusted with the kitchen, so am I. And the attitude with which I perform my duty matters. Dick Brogden wrote, "The evil you let into your heart will leap from you to your vulnerable ones." I don't want my family memories to be of an angry mother in the kitchen. What's cooking matters!

And that's not only about the physical food, but also the spiritual aspect.

What's cooking in your kitchen?

Week - Twenty-Nine - Dry Times

Enter Elijah, the prophet who bravely announces three years of drought to King Ahab. He refers to the authority behind his proclamation, and throughout the chapter, we read phrases like "according to," "the word of the Lord," and "I have commanded." Amid the sin and idolatry of Ahab's society, Elijah speaks for God. 

This was a dry and dark time for those who followed the God of Israel. Prophets were hiding in caves, some were walking carefully among the people, and in the courts, it was not a safe time to be a believer. After Elijah's bold prophecy, God hides him by the brook Cherith and commands the ravens to feed him. Once the brook dries up, God commands a widow woman in Zeraphath to care for God's man. 

From the conversation, it seems she reluctantly offers Elijah hospitality, yet God cares for all of them by providing a never-ending source of oil and meal. But when her son falls ill and dies, she begins to doubt whether Elijah was indeed a genuine prophet. Elijah, too, seems to question God's action toward the widow woman, and cries to the Lord to restore the child. 

As the child stands again before his mother, her words are, "Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth" (vs 24).

Why tell this story today? Because dry times do come. There are times when following Christ is difficult, and sometimes downright scary. We might feel like hiding away. We may need discernment in how we present ourselves to others. We may be in a dry patch, feeling alone with God as our only companion, or we may be on the edge, living solely by faith in God's provision. 

But during dry times, we need not dry up on the inside. God's promises hold true. His Word remains and refreshes the thirsty soul. Continue doing what God has commanded. Speak for Him. Place your faith in Him, according to what He has said and how He has worked in the past. His integrity is impeccable. 

Serve, give, and love according to what He has directed, for there is the place of provision, protection, deliverance, and blessing. God will prove Himself faithful. Dry times are not dry to Him.

Week Twenty-Eight - He That Ruleth

God's direct mandate is, "He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God."

Admittedly, few leaders attain this, whether in politics, education, or, sadly, even in the clergy. However, this principle of integrity and justice is admired and expected throughout the ranks of God's servants. 

For example, a father should be just and rule his home in the fear of God, and so should a mother. A pastor should be just and lead his church in the fear of God, as should all church leaders. A teacher should be just and manage their classroom in the fear of God. We could continue thinking of leadership positions that benefit from these two characteristics—justness and Godly fear.

Leadership makes us more accountable before God and others for our words and actions. It is foolish to think that we can flippantly do and say whatever we want simply because we hold a title or position. God will call us to account, so we'd best think before we speak or act. 

Dick Brogen, when speaking of leadership wrote, "If we enjoy pronouncing judgment, we are acting in the flesh and do not understand what it costs the Father to admonish His children. . . God employs an unyielding, unrelenting process to make holy those who would speak holiness." God takes the privilege of leadership seriously.

His mandate is found in 2 Samuel 23:3, "He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God." The remainder of the chapter recounts the exploits and bravery of David's mighty men of valor. This tells me that God recognizes justness and Godly fear at all levels of leadership and service. 

Given the current state of world politics, it may seem easy and warranted to point out the failures of world leaders. But that is not our responsibility. They will give an account, just as we will, before God. So let's not be too quick to point fingers. Let's use justness and Godly fear to examine our own lives first. Are we leading our homes well? Are we exhibiting good leadership skills in our workplace? Are we just with those under our care? Do we understand that all of us will give account unto God?

Humbling, isn't it? So, when and where God gives you a leadership opportunity, take it seriously. Your heavenly Father is watching.

Week Twenty-Seven - For Shame, For Shame

"Be careful, you'll fall in," were the last words I heard before I lost my balance and fell bottom-first into the freshly poured concrete. Embarassed, I raced for the house frantically holding my summer shorts as the concrete began to set. That wasn't the only shameful thing I have done, but I keenly remember feeling ashamed as I tried to salvage my dignity.

Dick Brogden says, "Shame is directly connected to self-consciousness. We were designed to live God-conscious lives, for there is no shame in Him. It is not so much that God wants us to stop thinking highly or lowly of ourselves—He wants us to not think of ourselves at all but to fix our eyes and attention on Him."

It was hard for me not to be self-conscious that day, but there is greater shame than experiencing a childhood accident. Shame comes when we realize we are sinners and the reality of our guilt overtakes our pride. Shame comes when we try to live a secret life or hide our mistakes. And, it comes when we face conviction on how self-centered we are to the exclusion of others and God. Shame exposes us.

Jesus endured shame for us. He was publicly beaten and humiliated. He hung indecently upon a cross, exposed to blasphemous ridicule. These shameful acts were done to Him, yet the Bible says, "Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame" (Hebrews 12:2). He looked past shame to finished salvation and the restoring of His place beside the throne of God.

Brogden notes, "If Jesus' antidote to shame was the delight of intimacy with the Father, then ours should be the same." This will be key as we grow closer and closer to the Lord's return. "It will become less and less respectable to be a devoted follower of Jesus. Our future guarantees more scorn, more abuse, more disdain, and more shame... not less. We despise shame, not by avoiding it but by ignoring it as we fix our eyes on Jesus. Looking to Jesus clothes us, for when our eyes are fixed on Him, He clothes us with His righteousness. He covers all our shame."

I am reminded of Romans 8:1, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit." 

For the shame our Christ endured, we should not shy away, but draw ever closer to Him. And for the promise of forgiveness and shame removed, let us keep our eyes solidly on Him. 

Week Twenty-Six - Life on MIssion

My daughter used this book for a ladies' Bible study and recommended it. I ordered a copy and enjoyed it so much that I passed the book on to my pastor. 

Life on Mission is about understanding our God-given responsibility and privilege of living and sharing the gospel. It is about living purposefully for God's glory and discipleship—the cycle of learning and training that propagates the gospel and keeps the church alive and growing. The book ends with a simple breakdown of this process.

He writes,

I do; you watch.
I do; you help.
You do; I help.
You do; I watch.
You do; someone else watches.

As I reflected on my life, I saw this process in action. 

As a young child, I watched my pastors and other church leaders minister doing ministry. Then, doors of opportunity opened for me to help them in small areas of service. I took a roll in Sunday school, played the piano, and participated in church events.

After a while, I even took on some leadership by leading my youth group. It was so scary, but the leaders were there to help me succeed. 

Eventually, I began teaching a Sunday school class, and alongside me was a helper. My helper had already completed Bible College, and she and her husband were doing an internship with the church before going to the mission field. I was so intimidated by her, but my pastor assured me I was the leader and she was there to help me. She was very gracious and encouraging, even when I was ill-prepared or didn't know the answer. She would gently and kindly help me, and I grew to love teaching God's Word, and she became a dear friend whom I greatly admired for her faithful service.

Those years of training set the path of my ministry, and now I have come full circle. Those whose lives I have ministered into are repeating this process in others, and propagation of the Gospel, church growth, and discipleship are blossoming all around because when you live your life on mission, God gives the increase.

My sphere of influence differs greatly from where I began because God took me through this discipleship process. And friend, if we are living for Christ, we are all at some point in this process. "For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).

Life on Mission is a read worth your time.