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."

Week Seventeen - What in the World Can We Do?

Sometimes, we feel like giving up when we listen to the news. We may feel powerless to guide our communities or positively influence what is happening around us. We witness things changing before our eyes that we never imagined would be accepted by society. 

We may think that the world is becoming worse than it has ever been, but if we read our Bible, we will find that the world has always been as evil as it is now. The flood is an example of that, and so is Israel's history, as well as the rise and fall of different cultures documented in our history books. The availability of today's media means that we are more aware of the global problem of evil. 

So, what did the faithful do when faced with blatant evil in the Old Testament, the Roman Empire, the Reformation, and other eras? They remained faithful and did five things continuously, which we can still do in our era.

1) They continually sought the Lord. 1 Chronicles 16:11 reads, "Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually."It is important to remain faithful to God and stay connected with His church. Always keep yourself engaged with the Bible and make sure that you are surrounded by God's love (Jude 21). The more we seek Him, the more we will be able to see Him. Therefore, it is essential to keep our eyes focused on the Lord and not let fear take over.

2) They continued to praise God. Psalm 34:1 says, "I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 40:10 reads, "Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified."

There is such a supernatural power in praise. According to Isaiah 6:13, we should put on the garment of praise to combat the spirit of heaviness. Praise lifts us to hope. As we seek the Lord, praise brings us thankfulness and comfort. It allows us to look beyond today's problems to the future, a future securely in God's hands. He has already won the battle over evil, so praise Him for this truth.

3) They continued to pray. Scripture teaches us to pray in faith, to come boldly before the throne, and without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). When you examine the prayers of the Bible, you find many recorded during times of great evil, as the faithful knelt before the Lord, pleading for protection and deliverance, and God heard and answered their prayers. The book of Revelation tells us that the prayers of God's people are a sweet incense rising to heaven. These prayers act as a catalyst for final justice, and that's why our prayers are so powerful.

4) They continued to wait. And here is the clincher. We might seek the Lord, find praise in our hearts, and keep ourselves before Him in prayer, but do we understand the instruction to wait? Hosea 12:6 says, "Turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually." We don't know the future, but we do know our God. His promise is, "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faith (Isaiah 40:31). Waiting indicates trust and the blessings of waiting are apparent. Waiting indicates we believe God will answer. It gives us time to pray and allows the Spirit to do His work in our hearts. It shows our reliance upon God and demonstrates spiritual wisdom that keeps us from undue trouble or running ahead of god. Waiting reveals our faith in God and shows we look to Him and no one else.

5) They continued to hope. Psalm 71:14 reads, "I will hope continually and will yet praise thee more and more." We serve a God of the impossible. He knows everything and has everything under His control. We can never go wrong placing our hope in Him, for with Him, all things are possible. Instead of trying to figure things out ourselves, we will find greater joy and more praise by placing our hope solely in His wisdom and everlasting love.

This old world is tumbling to its end. We know that to be true. So, what in the world can we do? We can remain faithful, keep ourselves before the Lord with praise and prayer, and wait upon Him to do all things according to the purpose of His will (Ephesians 1:11). We needn't feel desperate or forsaken, for we are not! We have hope. When you read the end of the story, you see that the prayers of the saints are answered. God will make all things right. 

Week Sixteen - Forever Gracious

As we navigate life's storms, I want to share some beautiful truths about God's eternal ways. These truths, which have comforted me in my own journey, remind us that we are not alone. They are like a compass, guiding us toward His wisdom and graciousness.

Spurgeon writes with such eloquence that I may quote directly at times. He is commenting on Habakkuk 3:6, which reads, "His ways are everlasting." 

God is the same yesterday as He is today. He never changes. While we vary and shift, God is eternal, everlasting, and always true. His steadfastness brings us great comfort. When we face scary times, we can rest ourselves in these truths. They are anchors in the storms of life. 

When I faced cancer a few years ago, God placed 2 Timothy 4:17 on my heart, and it sustained me. "Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me and strengthened me." Keeping my eyes on His perfection, eternal love, and graciousness enabled me to walk that path in greater comfort and deep assurance. If you are in a storm today or looking for hope, take time to consider today's thoughts.

We can rest ourselves in the gracious consistency of God:

1. Because the Lord's ways are the result of wise deliberation. I love Ephesians 1:11. It has become a stalworth for me. He, God, "worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." Nothing takes Him by surprise or happens that He has not foreseen. He factors our every moment into His ways. Just meditate on that and see if that doesn't amaze you. All things, everything, nothing is outside His awareness, but it is used within His will to accomplish His plan.

2. His ways are the outgrowth of an immutable character. God's attributes are fixed and settled. He is the Eternal One, gracious, faithful, and wise. He acts according to His nature. He knows no shadow of turning. So when you read His Word, you can believe His promises are true. He will not change. He does not lie. He is faithful and consistent to the nth degree. He always loves you. He is always faithful to you. He is always watching over you. These things do not change because God does not change.

3. His ways are the embodiment of irresistible might. Spurgeon writes, "The earth is said, by the prophet, to be cleft with rivers, mountains tremble, the deep lifts up its hands, and sun and moon stand still, when Jehovah marches forth for the salvation of His people. Who can stop His hand, or say to Him, 'What are You doing?' " God has irresistible might. Beyond our comprehension. What does that mean for you? It means God is your defender. No weapon fashioned against us can stand. (Isaiah 54:17) And I love Proverbs 21:30 & 31, "There is no wisdom nor understanding or counsel against the Lord. The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord." Our forever gracious Lord is strong in might and wisdom. He is our unconquerable deliverer; nothing can withstand Him. Proverbs 18:10 reads, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." Oh, how safe we are in the mighty hand of God! 

4. His ways are the manifestation of the eternal principles of right. His Word will stand. His Word is truth, eternal truth. While "evil breeds decay and involves ruin, the true and the good have about them a vitality which ages cannot diminish." We are eternally secure because we have placed our faith in the eternal principles of God. He will never act outside these principles. We might not understand what He is doing, but that does not change the truth that God is always right and works by wise, unchanging, powerful, and eternal principles. His plan is for final justice. He will make all things right in the end.

These truths are of great comfort in a world spinning to its end. They bolster the souls of the saints in times of storm and uncertainty. Those who know Christ as Saviour can rest solidly in God's forever gracious ways.

So today, if you are facing a storm or deep in the midst of one, grab hold of the anchor of these truths and let Him be your eternal shield. He is forever gracious.