Brushing Out the Tangles

Her soft snores punctuated the stillness. At first, I couldn't make sense of the sound. But a quick glance in the direction of the living room confirmed my suspicions. My cat, Courtney, lay curled up on one of the chairs, fast asleep, gray fur sticking up in all directions.

Most cats enjoy being groomed. Not Courtney. She's quick to jump up on the couch to share some family time, and just as quick to jump down if I try to get in a few strokes with her brush. Oddly enough, when I attempt to hold her still and do a more thorough job, she actually purrs. Done regularly, the frequent brushings keep the mats in her fur to a minimum, and I can groom Courtney quickly. It seems that although she's not crazy about the process, she feels better once she's brushed.

Reminds me of the often painful refining process the Lord applies in my life. I long to be the type of vessel  the Lord can use, yet I'm not quite as eager to sign up for the furnace experiences that help me become that useful, highly polished tool. Much like Courtney, I'm not keen on things that cause discomfort or pain - although I recognize the value of the experiences once I'm on the other side.

Case in point. The flight where I was given the opportunity to share Christ with a fellow passenger. I had a list of things to keep me busy for quite some time. In fact, I was actually looking forward to the down time to get some things done. But then the gentleman across from me started a conversation. It would have been easy to give a brief answer and turn back to my work.

The truth was, I had prayed that very morning to be used as a witness. Did I really mean what I said? Or had it just been a routine prayer? It wasn't comfortable to give up my free time, but I knew the Lord had orchestrated the opportunity. As I spoke with the man, I could almost feel the Lord scouring the selfishness from me.

God's Word is full of truths that, when applied, act as cleansing agents. Powerful purifiers that remove  the things from my life that make me rough around the edges. The Apostle Paul describes it accurately, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart," (Hebrews 4:12; KJV).

But one trip to the Master Refiner is not enough. Just like Courtney needs a daily brushing, I need daily refining. I know that the process is difficult, but the end result will be a clear reflection of my Master.

Is the Lord refining you? How will you cooperate with Him in this process today?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me enough to scour the rough edges from me. Help me to 'hold still' and let You accomplish Your work in my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

*I'm hosting over at Living by Grace today. Come join in the discussion!


A re-post from 11/2011

Protecting What's Important

It seemed he was taunting me. Every time I looked out the window, the stealthy squirrel was making his way off the deck, clutching a round prize in his paws. I didn't see him snap the tomatoes off the vines - I merely witnessed the aftereffects.   Although, once, he did stop on the stairs, grace me with his best profile and promptly take a bite of the stolen fruit.

Within two days, the squirrels had stripped my four plants of their ripening tomatoes. I was dumbfounded and at a loss as to how to prevent their aggravating thievery. Guns, traps, and cages came to mind - but there were no longer any tomatoes to protect.

Satan's tricks can be just as subtle as those of the bushy-tailed squirrels. As I read and listen to God's Word:

*a seed of truth takes root

*the Holy Spirit provides favorable conditions for the seed to sprout

*the sprout begins to grow

The enemy isn't pleased. Distractions come with the ability to stunt the growth that's taking place. Jesus warns us of the enemy's plan, "The sower soweth the word...And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful," (Mark 4:14,18-19; KJV).

If I don't heed Jesus' counsel, my life can become as empty as my tomato plants - with no evidence that I'm a child of the King. So how do I protect the seeds of truth God has planted in my heart?

*submit myself to the Lord

*resist Satan's distractions

*confess my sin

*draw near to God

The apostle James, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, put it this way, "Submit yourselves therefore unto God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded," (James 4:7-8).

Remember my tomato plants? My husband ended up moving them onto our front porch - where they get plenty of sunlight and the squirrels can't reach them. And I can say with a smile, more tomatoes are starting to grow.

Do you feel you've been distracted by the tricks of the enemy? What step will you take today to protect the precious seeds of biblical truth in your life?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the warning given in Your Word about the tricks of the enemy. Help me to submit to Your will, resist the devil, confess my sin, and draw near to You. I desire to produce 'fruit' in my life that will bring You honor and glory. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

*I'm hosting over at Living by Grace today. Come join in the discussion!

Dinner's Ready!

They returned today. Birds of all varieties filled the trees, each waiting for its turn at the feeder.  Beautiful birds. Colorful birds. Downy woodpeckers, cardinals and chickadees. Our feeder has remained empty for quite some time. Once filled, it took our bird-friends a few days to realize they could feast in our neck of the woods once again. The promise of nourishing seed awaits each bird that chooses to eat.

Our feeder, chock-full of tasty seed, reminds me of God’s Word, ready to provide sustenance to all who will come and partake. Jesus invites us, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst” (John 6:35; KJV). His ‘feast’ will truly bring nourishment and satisfaction to our souls.

Even as our feathered friends have access to our feeder day and night, we also have access to our Heavenly Father anytime. We have a standing invitation from our Savior to come boldly to His throne of grace, “…that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Unlike businesses that maintain set hours, the Bible shares numerous accounts of those who cried out to God ‘after hours.’ “Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord:” (Lamentations 2:19). The prophet, Isaiah, sought God at both ends of the spectrum. “With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early:” (Isaiah 26:9).

What do you stand in need of today? Hope, encouragement, direction? Do you hear Him calling your name? Pull up a chair at God’s ‘table’ and let His Word rejuvenate your soul! You won’t go hungry!

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (Psalm 34:8).

*A re-post from 2/2010.

*I'm hosting over at Living by Grace today. Come join in the discussion!

A Big Mess

It was worse than I thought. The torrential downpour had made a mess of our creek and pond. It wasn't unusual for debris from upstream to clog the pipes draining into our pond. But this time, hundreds of tree limbs and logs filled the creek, forming an impenetrable dam. Where to begin the clean up process?

The more limbs and leaf debris I removed, the angrier I became. Clearly, someone who lived upstream had put their 'junk' pile too close to the creek and the heavy rain had carried it into the water and swept it downstream to end up on our property. Ugh! What a big mess! The kind of mess that would take all day to clean up.

The process was painfully slow. Remove all the debris from the creek, load it into a cart on our lawn mower, and finally dispose of the leaf litter, limbs, and logs on the other side of our property. I had plenty of time to think. Time to reflect on how grateful I am that the Lord cleans up my 'messes.'

You know the kind I'm talking about.

That critical spirit. 

The selfish attitude. 

The feelings of pride. 

All 'messes' that need attention. 'Messes' that I'm often oblivious to. But when the storms of life come, my 'messes' come to the surface, and I realize I'm in need of help.

As I humble myself and turn to my Heavenly Father, He's faithful to use His Word to clean up each 'mess' I offer Him. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness," (1 John 1:9; KJV). Now that's a comforting promise!

His Word has much to say about my critical spirit.  "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye," (Matthew 7:3-5). As I agree with the truth of God's Word, and submit to Him, He enables me to examine my life and helps me take care of my shortcomings, rather than being critical of others.

What about selfishness? God's Word deals with this topic as well, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others," (Philippians 2:3-4). When this truth makes it to my heart, I can focus on the needs of others.

The Lord hates pride. When I give the Lord His proper place in my life, I view things the way He does, "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate," (Proverbs 8:13). I can see the destructive nature of pride and the mess it creates, "Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom," (Proverbs 13:10). I understand what happens when I give in to pride, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall," (Proverbs 16:18).

It doesn't matter what my 'mess' is, when I recognize it and relinquish it to my Father, He cleans me up and restores me!

Are you dealing with a 'mess'? Confess your sin, and allow the Lord to clean you up today!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your willingness to forgive my sins. Help me identify the 'messes' in my life that need to be turned over to You. Forgive me for being critical, selfish, and prideful. Thank You for the truth of Your powerful Word that is able to keep me clean. In Jesus' name, Amen.

*I'm hosting over at Living by Grace today. Come join in the discussion!

Every Opportunity

When I received the friend request, I knew the name sounded familiar. I repeated the name several times, and it dawned on me. The young lady had been a member of a teen Bible study I had co-taught several years earlier. It was so good to reconnect and find out that she was doing well. Now in high school, she continues to grow in Christ through an outreach on campus.

Knowing that I have the opportunity to impact lives for Jesus Christ is truly humbling. Beginning in my own family, each day offers me the chance to teach the principles of God's Word from ordinary experiences. The words of Moses reiterate this fact, "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up," (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; KJV). Basically, it should be natural to speak of the Lord and His ways. And to speak of Him often. Every time an occasion presents itself, whether to family or a new acquaintance.

Life is full of difficulties. From sibling rivalries to unfair treatment, what better time to introduce the caring, compassionate Savior, who invites us into His presence? "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need," (Hebrews 4:16). No matter what the difficulty, He wants us to leave our burden with Him, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you," (1 Peter 5:7). As prayers are lifted, and answers are received, faith in a mighty God begins to grow.

Good times can also present challenges. There is a delicate balance between enjoying a victory, and becoming prideful in its wake. Being reminded of the One who gave the victory goes a long way in cultivating the right attitude. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights..." (James 1:17a). Reviewing God's many blessings keeps us focused on His goodness, "O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever," (Psalm 107:1).

Numerous opportunities to share Christ's principles present themselves every day. I only need to keep my eyes open for the teachable moments. Each day we get the chance to make a mark on those who are in the sphere of our influence. Are we diligently teaching the ways of the Master? Pointing others to the Truth?

As you consider those on whom you have an impact, pray that the Lord would equip you to make much of Him! May we have the excitement of Peter and John, who boldly proclaimed, "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard," (Acts 4:20).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunities You give me to influence others for You. Equip me with the ability to share Your principles naturally with those You bring across my path. Help me to keep my eyes open for teachable moments, and communicate Your ways so others may grow in their faith. In Jesus' name, Amen.

  

*A re-post from 10/2010

*I'm hosting over at Living by Grace today. Come join in the discussion!

The Inspired Word

As I completed a discipleship course with some friends recently, I was challenged by the words of the following Psalm. As you meditate on the verses, may you be encouraged today!

Psalm 119:1-24 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. 8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. 9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. 13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. 17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. 18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. 19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. 20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. 21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. 23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. 24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.


Praise the Lord for His inspired Word!

Brushing Out the Tangles

Her soft snores punctuated the stillness. At first, I couldn't make sense of the sound. But a quick glance in the direction of the living room confirmed my suspicions. My cat, Courtney, lay curled up on one of the chairs, fast asleep, gray fur sticking up in all directions.

Most cats enjoy being groomed. Not Courtney. She's quick to jump up on the couch to share some family time, and just as quick to jump down if I try to get in a few strokes with her brush. Oddly enough, when I attempt to hold her still and do a more thorough job, she actually purrs. Done regularly, the frequent brushings keep the mats in her fur to a minimum, and I can groom Courtney quickly. It seems that although she's not crazy about the process, she feels better once she's brushed.

Reminds me of the often painful, refining process the Lord applies in my life. I long to be the type of vessel the Lord can use, yet I'm not quite as eager to sign up for the furnace experiences that help me become that useful, highly polished tool. Much like Courtney, I'm not keen on things that cause discomfort or pain - although I recognize the value of the experiences once I'm on the other side.

Case in point. The flight where I was given the opportunity to share Christ with a fellow passenger. I had a list of things to keep me busy for quite some time. In fact, I was actually looking forward to the down time to get some things done. But then the gentleman across from me started a conversation. It would have been easy to give a brief answer and turn back to my work.

The truth was, I had prayed that very morning to be used as a witness. Did I really mean what I said? Or had it just been a routine prayer? It wasn't comfortable to give up my free time, but I knew the Lord had orchestrated the opportunity. As I spoke with the man, I could almost feel the Lord scouring the selfishness from me.

God's Word is full of truths that, when applied, act as cleansing agents. Powerful purifiers that remove the things from my life that make me rough around the edges. The Apostle Paul describes it accurately, "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart," (Hebrews 4:12; KJV).

But one trip to the Master Refiner is not enough. Just like Courtney needs a daily brushing, I need daily refining. I know that the process is difficult, but the end result will be a clear reflection of my Master.

Is the Lord refining you? How will you cooperate with Him in this process today?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me enough to scour the rough edges from me. Help me to 'hold still' and let You accomplish Your work in my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What's On the Menu?

Fast food. It becomes an option when I haven’t had time to prepare dinner. It’s quick, convenient, and usually tastes good – although I wouldn’t want to vouch for its nutritional value. Just last week, I opted for fast food when dinner time rolled around and I hadn’t consulted my weekly menu plan. A brief glance at the plan reaffirmed what I already knew. There was no way I could make calzones and serve them for dinner, unless we were interested in a midnight snack.

Off to the drive-through. Our order was ready quickly. From the time we got in line, to the time we finished our meal, less than an hour had passed. Whoever came up with the term ‘fast’ food, was definitely accurate!

Advantages of fast food aside, I DO enjoy cooking a meal and savoring each dish at a more leisurely pace. There’s something about preparing things that are tasty and nutritional that leaves me with a feeling of satisfaction. Although fast food has its place when I’m in a pinch, my preference is home cooking every time.

In a lot of ways, time is the currency of our day. With a major emphasis placed on being productive, I can’t help considering what my spiritual ‘meals’ look like on a daily basis. Am I interested in quality ‘food’ or satisfied with spiritual 'fast food'? Am I so busy with the good, that I crowd out the best - the opportunity to spend time with my Heavenly Father?

There are days when reading a quick chapter in God’s Word and praying while on the road is the best I can do. But what truly satisfies? Those days when I open His Word, take time to sit at His feet, and really consider what He’s saying to me. The times when I pray His Word back to Him over the situations that concern me. The moments I’m completely still, reveling in the knowledge that He IS God.

The more time I spend in relationship with Him, the more I desire the things that truly satisfy my spiritual appetite. The Psalmist, David, a man after God’s own heart, put it this way, “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 find gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb,” (Psalm 19:7-10; KJV).

The spiritual hunger that I experience can only be satisfied by spending time with God. David recognized this when he cried out, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is…Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee…My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips,” (Psalm 63:1,3,5).

Spiritual fast food or a real spiritual meal? What will you choose to satisfy your spiritual appetite today?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to hunger and thirst for a closer relationship with You. Fill me with the things that will truly satisfy my spiritual appetite. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I Found It!

The perfect outfit. Hard to come by. I had a pretty good idea of what I was looking for, and the amount of money I wanted to spend. The search began. My husband's patience amazed me, as he encouraged me to try on one thing after another. From one store to the next, I searched through rack after rack, looking for something that would flatter, provide some fun color, and all at a good price. Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No.

With the clock inching toward closing time, I took a few selections into the dressing room. As I slipped into the first suit, I knew I had found the one! It fit, was my favorite color, and wonder of wonders, it was actually on sale! From start to finish, the intense hunt took an hour and a half, but success had been achieved.

There's a valuable lesson here. I was intent on finding something, and willing to spend time and effort to accomplish my goal. I knew it wouldn't be easy, and yet I was determined to search diligently for what I needed. With some effort, I was rewarded with success - I found exactly what I was looking for. The same lesson applies to my time spent with the Lord.

On a daily basis, I need wisdom. Wisdom to use my time wisely. Wisdom to be tuned in to the opportunities God gives me to share Him with others. Wisdom to be the right kind of wife for my husband. Wisdom to encourage my daughter when life gets complicated. But how do I get the wisdom I need to handle each of these situations appropriately? Diligently seeking for it in the pages of God's Word.

King Solomon, the wisest man of all time, was greatly used of God to pen the following words, "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding," (Proverbs 2:1-6; KJV).

When I'm faced with life's challenges and I need wisdom, I must be willing to seek and search for what I need, knowing that it will require effort on my part. The last time I checked, 'treasure' is not something laid out in plain sight. Or easy to find without the help of a map. The same is true of wisdom for many situations in life. It must be gleaned from the pages of the 'treasure map' of God's Word. When I seek after God's wisdom, I'll always find what I'm looking for, with the added benefit of growing closer to my Savior.

No matter what situation requires wisdom, the book of Proverbs shares the results of finding this precious commodity, "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her, " (Proverbs 3:13-18).

What situation requires wisdom in your life? Arm yourself with prayer and the Word of God, and be prepared to spend some time mining for real treasure. The precious truths you find will be worth the effort!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the wisdom that can be found in the pages of Your Word. Give me a willing heart to spend time digging into Your truth for the wisdom I need today. Thank You for the promise that Your Word contains the answers I need. Help me seek Your wisdom daily. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Tired of Just Going through the Motions?

I'm determined.

After a weekend of fast food, and treating myself to beautifully decorated cupcakes at my nephew's wedding, this week's grocery list included healthy choices. Fish, vegetables, and fruit ranked high on the list. Snacks, desserts, and junk food didn't make it into the cart. Okay, let me be honest. I've been battling the same irritating couple of pounds since Thanksgiving! It's time to do something about it.

As a kid, I never battled my weight. In fact, as I entered my teen years, I actually ate foods to help me gain weight. Good problem to have, right? Now as a forty-something adult, I'm having to re-evaluate my eating patterns and keep a closer eye on portion sizes. Clothes that have fit for the past few seasons have mysteriously shrunk while hanging in my closet. And my weight seems to be shifting to areas I never had problems with before. Welcome to a slowing metabolism.

The good news is that I'm aware of the problem. That's half the battle. Now I have the opportunity to do something about it. Educating myself, setting some rules in place, and following through on my plan will all help me achieve my fitness goals.

The same is true in my spiritual life. Sin has a way of tripping me up and causing me to drift. The gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit makes me aware of my struggle. His Word points out the importance of staying close to Him, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing," (John 15:5; KJV).

I get fed up with just going through the motions of living the Christian life. Something's got to give. I'm resolved to draw close to the Savior. When I'm aware of what causes me to drift, I can look up specific verses that deal with that issue and begin memorizing them. Timothy puts it this way, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth," (2 Timothy 2:15).

Armed with God's Word, I'm ready to put some boundaries in place. How does it work? When I struggle with over-eating, I need to remember the words of the Apostle Paul, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's," (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). And act on them. Am I really hungry? Or am I eating because I'm watching Food Network? If I AM hungry, am I eating something that is nutrient rich or just empty calories? I can avoid over-eating by determining my motive for eating and then steering clear of eating additional food after dinner.

Memorizing God's Word and putting boundaries in place, both allow me to follow through with my commitment. An accountability partner is the icing on the cake - or should I say the sugar-free topping on the fruit?! My accountability partner knows where I struggle and is able to hold my feet to the fire when necessary, as well as cheer me on when I'm succeeding.

Is there an area where you struggle? Remember, admitting it is half the battle! Arm yourself with God's Word, set some rules in place, seek an accountability partner, and follow through with your plan. You'll find yourself abiding in Him and reaping much fruit! Well worth the effort!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please show me the things in my life that are displeasing to You. Help me agree with You that those areas are sin, and to take the steps necessary to break free from sin's grip. Give me the ability to memorize your Word, set boundaries, and follow through with my commitment to live a life that's pleasing to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Time for a Little Cleaning

Springtime. Flowering trees give way to leaves. Grass that lay dormant for a season becomes lush and green. New life offers excitement and hope. Just the motivation necessary to tackle spring cleaning. You know, the kind that requires you to set aside some time, roll up your sleeves, and get down to business.

Decks and porches need to be pressure washed. Windows need cleaning inside and out. The garage needs to be de-cluttered. And yes, even the basement could stand to be organized. As I tackle these chores one by one, cleanliness replaces dirt, tidiness takes the place of chaos, and neatness overcomes disarray. It doesn't happen automatically. It takes purpose, a plan and follow-through.

The same is true in my spiritual life. It's easy to get lazy and allow the cobwebs to form over a period of time. A thorough cleaning of my thoughts, motives, and desires is just the ticket. Time to do a little analyzing.

Have I been dwelling on the truth, or believing lies? Where I've believed lies, it's time to break out the heavy-duty cleanser of God's Word and do business. "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," (2 Corinthians 10:5; KJV) Once clean, I can replace lies with truth. The Apostle Paul provides a great list of things to focus on, things that are: true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

Armed with rubber gloves and scrub brush, it's time to tackle my motives. Why do I do what I do? Am I self-focused or others-focused? Wrong motives can be done away with by applying the truth: I'm to love my fellow man as I love myself (Luke 10:27). I'm also to hold him/her in high esteem (Phil. 2:3). Just taking the time to do some spring cleaning in these areas helps me renew a proper focus.

One more area for consideration - my desires. What do I long for? Fame, wealth, power? No better cleanser to cut through the grime than Bible truths, "I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised:" (Psalm 18-1-3a). My desire is clear once again - to love the Lord and bring Him honor and glory with my life.

Do you have some spiritual spring cleaning to do? Roll up your sleeves and arm yourself with the Word of God - the best cleanser known to man!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me of the importance of maintaining a 'clean' spiritual life. Help me to evaluate my thoughts, motives and desires in light of the truth of Your Word. Show me where I've been deceived and help me to replace lies with the truth. Thank You for Your presence and Your life-giving Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Every Opportunity

When I received the friend request, I knew the name sounded familiar. I repeated the name several times, and it dawned on me. The young lady had been a member of a teen Bible study I had co-taught several years earlier. It was so good to reconnect and find out that she was doing well. Now in high school, she continues to grow in Christ through an outreach on campus.

Knowing that I have the opportunity to impact lives for Jesus Christ is truly humbling. Beginning in my own family, each day offers me the chance to teach the principles of God's Word from ordinary experiences. The words of Moses reiterate this fact, "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up," (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; KJV). Basically, it should be natural to speak of the Lord and His ways. And to speak of Him often. Every time an occasion presents itself, whether to family or a new acquaintance.

Life is full of difficulties. From sibling rivalries to unfair treatment, what better time to introduce the caring, compassionate Savior, who invites us into His presence? "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need," (Hebrews 4:16). No matter what the difficulty, He wants us to leave our burden with Him, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you," (1 Peter 5:7). As prayers are lifted, and answers are received, faith in a mighty God begins to grow.

Good times can also present challenges. There is a delicate balance between enjoying a victory, and becoming prideful in its wake. Being reminded of the One who gave the victory goes a long way in cultivating the right attitude. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights..." (James 1:17a). Reviewing God's many blessings keeps us focused on His goodness, "O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever," (Psalm 107:1).

Numerous opportunities to share Christ's principles present themselves every day. I only need to keep my eyes open for the teachable moments. Each day we get the chance to make a mark on those who are in the sphere of our influence. Are we diligently teaching the ways of the Master? Pointing others to the Truth?

As you consider those on whom you have an impact, pray that the Lord would equip you to make much of Him! May we have the excitement of Peter and John, who boldly proclaimed, "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard," (Acts 4:20).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunities You give me to influence others for You. Equip me with the ability to share Your principles naturally with those You bring across my path. Help me to keep my eyes open for teachable moments, and to communicate Your ways so others may grow in their faith. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Great Expectations

I'm not sure what I expected. My family and I were able to enjoy three different firework displays over Independence Day weekend. Two of the shows were truly spectacular. The third? Let's just leave it at 'disappointing.'

There was a large crowd, food, and entertainment galore. I guess that set the stage for us to believe that the accompanying fireworks would be amazing. As the time drew near for the display to begin, we hurriedly set up our chairs in a parking lot close to the fairground. People were everywhere.

As darkness settled over the city, the sky lit up with the explosion of the first firework. After ten minutes, the sky became dark once again. Only brief flashes of light were visible on the horizon. People began packing up chairs and walking to their cars. Surely it couldn't be over?! A few minutes later, the sky overhead lit up once again. A grand finale several minutes later indicated the end of this year's display. We began the long trek back to our car, folding chairs in tow. After all of the build-up and hoopla, we were disappointed.

Ever been there? An event or a relationship is totally different than what you expected? Fortunately, it's not always a negative thing, it can also be a positive thing. Maybe you're not anticipating much, and then the experience or relationship far surpasses your expectations. It's like that with God. As believers, whatever our finite minds think He is, He is so much more!

The entire Bible gives us an accurate picture of our Creator. He is holy. A righteous judge. A loving Heavenly Father. We get a glimpse of His holiness in the book of Psalms, "Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy" (Psalm 99:9; KJV). He challenges us, "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15-16).

His judgment is absolutely fair. "Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day"(Psalm 7:9-11). When we repent, He is quick to forgive, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

The prophet Nehemiah shows us the love of our Savior, "...thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness..." (Nehemiah 9:17). David adds to the portrait, "For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations" (Psalm 100:5). "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy" (Psalm 103:8).

Feeling disappointed today? Look into God's Word for an accurate picture of the One who loves you. He is so much more than we can imagine and He alone is "...able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think..." (Ephesians 3:20). Praise Him today, for He is worthy!

Overcoming Obstacles

At a loss. For words, that is. Ever been there? Some refer to it as 'writer's block.' I prefer to think of it as an obstacle in my path that may require some creativity to overcome, but something that can be tackled, nonetheless. Reminds me of the 'road closed' sign we saw the other day.

We were cutting it a bit close for our daughter, Riley's, senior piano recital. As we approached our destination, we saw it. The sign that stood like a sentinel warning us that exactly one and a half miles up the street, the road was closed to through traffic. We would only be allowed to pass through if we were residents along that stretch of the road, which obviously wasn't the case. How would we reach our destination? We weren't familiar with an alternate route. Fortunately for us, the construction was farther down the road than we needed to travel. We made our turn off the main road and arrived in plenty of time to enjoy Riley's performance. No obstacles.

Most of the time, obstacles prove themselves to be far more of a challenge. I'm thinking of two crafty cousins who love to sneak up on me when I least expect it. They enjoy nothing more than erecting blockades to prevent me from moving forward. Formal introductions aside, meet Fear and his relative, Discouragement. These two love nothing more than to play off one another's antics and cause havoc in my day. No matter the task for the day, when I begin acknowledging Fear's raspy whispers, doubts flow into my mind. Am I really up to the challenge of writing a devotional? There are so many talented writers out there, why would an agent choose to represent my work? I'm already behind on my work in progress, it's probably too late to make my deadline...You get the idea.

Depending on Fear's success, Discouragement wastes no time in adding his two cents worth. Regardless of his words, his objective is to deprive me of hope. Zap my confidence. These close cousins, working in tandem, create a pretty effective duo. But the blockades they erect can be tackled and overcome. God's word to the rescue!

I'm invited to believe the words of God penned by the apostle Paul , "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13; KJV). I can choose to think on the truth and dismiss the lies. I'll never know if I'm able to write a devotional series unless I try. If it's the Lord's will, I'll find the right agent to represent my work, in God's timing. I can't let the failures of yesterday shape my today. Through Christ, I can choose the right attitude for each task He's called me to do.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for who You are. Help me to see obstacles from your perspective - as challenges that can help me grow in my walk with You. Allow me to feast on Your word today, so I can effectively combat the 'road blocks' I encounter. Thank You for the truth of Your word. Amen

What do you do when you encounter an 'obstacle' on your daily path? How does it affect your productivity for the day? How do you overcome the challenges you face? I'd love to hear from you!

Perfect Provision

For days our pond was 'disturbed' by humans. Humans we had paid to fix a multitude of problems. Once finished, with the final boulder in place and the spring-fed creek raising the pond back to its normal water level, it didn't take long for 'them' to come back. Literally within hours, the wildlife we were accustomed to, had returned.

A family of four deer stepped gingerly down to the water's edge to get a drink. A red-shouldered hawk kept his gaze fixed on the pond, watching for even the slightest movement from something edible. A brown water snake glided effortlessly through the pond from one side to the other. Once again, our yard was teeming with God's creatures. I hadn't realized how much I had missed them. The pond acted as a source of life for these 'friends,' large and small alike.

Just like the pond provides for the wildlife in our yard, God's word provides for each one of us. Although the needs of the animals are different, the pond clearly meets each need. Our individual needs vary greatly, yet God's word provides for each and every one of them. From our greatest need for salvation to our daily need for wisdom and guidance. From our need to be loved, to our need for assurance of God's presence. The Bible holds life-giving words that provide nourishment for our souls.

Even as I am able to see my reflection in our pond, the law of God acts as a mirror, reflecting my sin and showing me my need for a Savior. I'm reminded of a certain Pharisee, Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He was a deeply religious man, yet, unlike the other Pharisees, Nicodemus was convinced that Jesus was a teacher come from God. For fear of the Jews, Nicodemus approached Jesus at night. Jesus responded to him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3; KJV). Seeing Nicodemus' confusion, Jesus explained further, "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" (John 3:16). Nicodemus believed these life-giving words of Christ and later we see the difference they made in his life. He and Joseph of Arimathaea boldly approached Pilate to ask permission to bury the body of Jesus, following His crucifixion. Honoring Christ was now more important to Nicodemus than honoring the Pharisees.

As I seek wisdom and guidance in my daily life, God's word reminds me of our spring-fed creek. Much like a spring, His word bubbles over with verse after verse related to these topics. The book of James encourages me to ask for wisdom, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5). If I'm to be wise, I'm to begin with reverencing God, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever" (Psalm 111:10). God promises to guide me, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye" (Psalm 32:8). He shares a characteristic of those whom He is able to guide, "The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way" (Psalm 25:9).Valuable words of life.

On those days when I question God's love for me, His word is replete with precious truth. King Solomon writes, "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me" (Proverbs 8:17). When I'm feeling all alone, scripture reminds me otherwise. "...for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5b). Again in the book of Matthew, "...and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20).

Whether your need is similar to one mentioned here, or totally different, you can be assured that God's word is a treasure trove waiting to be mined. Take time to search the scriptures today, the life giving words you need can be found within the pages of God's holy word!

Heavenly Father, Your word is truth and light. Thank you that the answers to all of life's questions can be found within the pages of the Bible. In the words of the Psalmist, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God" (Psalm 42:1). Quench my thirst, O Lord. Amen.