Category: Purpose

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Lessons from the Forest

I told you yesterday that I have special memories of the times we spent together in the forest hunting for and finding our Christmas tree. This was something David and I started our second year of marriage and it continued until December of 2013.

What I didn’t tell you was that those times on the cold mountain tops looking for the “right” tree were also times for me to learn lessons from the Lord.

I remember all our times when the kids were little, and we went out to the forest to cut our own Christmas trees. Even when it was just Dave and I in Montana, we would drive up to the hill behind our house looking for just the right tree.

Trees grown in the wild are never the perfect shape like the ones we find on the tree lot or at the Christmas tree farm, but the fun is the adventure we have while searching.

Only once we got more adventure than we had planned for, and it was very exciting and a bit scary. Stuck in the snow, sliding backwards down the trail, unable to stop and finally settling for any tree that was close to the road’s edge as we were getting off the mountain. But, I digress – that’s not the point of my story.

Each tree had its own beauty and charm. Each tree had grown from a small seed that fell from the pinecone years before we had come. Each tree was a testament to God’s re-creative power, and each tree took us to nature, God’s beauty, and reminded us of His love.

Some of the trees were tall and stately while others were small, scrawny and hadn’t come into their own glory. Some had branches that were weighed down with the heavy snow and others, while covered with snow lifted their branches to the heavens.

Not once did I hear a word of jealousy or remorse. No discord was found; each tree grew at its own rate and shared its own beauty with the world.

In thinking about those trees, their imperfections, their beauty, I was reminded that we are like those trees. We all have our own little quirks and characteristics, but we are all a creation of beauty designed by the Master Creator, our Heavenly Father.

“ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV

or as it says in another translation

 “I mean that you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. 9 You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about. 10 God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.” Ephesians 2:8-10 ERV

So, now at Christmas let’s all be like those trees. We are God’s workmanship, created by Him to do good.

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Worth the Wait

The countdown has started. How many days until Christmas? Come December 1, Advent Calendars will be placed in millions of homes reminding young and old that we’re “one day” closer.

The question is do we wait well. More often than not, the answer is probably no.

As children we waited on Christmas morning; it brought excitement, anticipation and an almost sleepless night.

As women we wait expectantly for 9months, 40 weeks – for the birth of a child. Each week, each month there’s a new joy of expectancy; even when we are the only ones who know we are pregnant, we’re excitedly awaiting the due date.

Then there’s the joy of planning a wedding – deciding on the right dress, the flowers, the venue, the food – registering for gifts, planning the honeymoon – you get the picture – although it’s in the future, there’s joy in the planning and waiting.

For the guys, there’s that first hunting trip of the season, getting the tag, the food, scouting the right spot, the thrill of the hunt, buck fever; or it could be the High School State Football Championship – the weekly games, the playoffs and finally the championship game.

Perhaps it’s the promotion at work, graduation from college or trade school, moving out and getting your own place or retirement. New adventures, new expectations, new experiences are all things we wait for.

It would be silly to think that any of these things could be accomplished without preparation, without the passage of time. Looking at the goal and preparing yourself each step along the way is what makes the end result so successful – so rewarding, so joyful.

Then why is it so hard to wait on the Lord?

Many times, have I heard someone get upset because they are having to wait for an answer to prayer, I will include myself in that. Nowadays we live in an instant, microwave, IM world. Some things are just worth waiting on.

Waiting on the Lord is trusting His timing – His perfect plan.

“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14

Let me encourage you with this; as your waiting on the Lord, prepare yourself to receive His blessings. Don’t be discouraged instead let your anticipation build and don’t grumble. Wait patiently!

“I patiently waited, Lord, for you to hear my prayer. You listened 2 and pulled me from a lonely pit full of mud and mire. You let me stand on a rock with my feet firm, 3 and you gave me a new song, a song of praise to you. Many will see this, and they will honor and trust you, the Lord God.” Psalm 40:1-3 CEV

Don’t get discouraged. Wait on the Lord. It will be worth every second!

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Start with a Song

That’s how my morning started, with a song. As you can tell by this posting, it was a later start than usual.

What a wonderful night’s sleep.

As I began to focus on the day, my heart started to sing:

“My Jesus I love Thee, I know Thou art mine
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign
My gracious Redeemer, my Saviour art Thou
If ever I loved Thee my Jesus ’tis now

I love Thee because Thou has first loved me
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow
If ever I loved Thee my Jesus ’tis now

I’ll love Thee in life and I will love Thee in death
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow
If ever I loved Thee my Jesus ’tis now”

This song was written in 1862 and has been printed in thousands of hymn books and sung by millions of people, but this morning it was mine to sing in the quiet of our living room. Our RV is a place of worship and this morning it was a concert hall for a choir of one.

Yesterday, Dave and I spent the better part of the morning decorating our little piece of the world for Christmas. Although you’ll see a few candy canes and a sleigh, front and center, inside and out, it will be the nativity sets that command the attention.

Our home, like yours, is a place where the Lord is honored at this special time of year.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 NLT

A message to ring loud and clear: shouted from the heavens and whispered by the heart.

“ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NLT

It’s no wonder why my heart was singing. I have been saved from my sins because He came.

Find the song that fills your heart today and sing it loudly as praise to our Lord and Savior!

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First Thoughts

What was the first thing you thought of when you saw the picture I used for this morning’s blog?

Ooooo! I thought of weariness. To be so dirty, they must be tired.

I was reading John 13 where Jesus was having the last Passover meal with His disciples and midway through the evening He got up from the table, took a towel, wrapped it around His waist, got a basin of water and went from disciple to disciple and washed their feet.

This is something the servant of the house should have done. It was customary to wash all the guests’ feet. But since Jesus and the disciples were in a home that wasn’t theirs it’s apparent there was no “servant” to perform the task, so Jesus took it upon Himself.

Peter protested. But Jesus told him that it was essential. The thing that amazes me about this is not the interchange between Jesus and Peter but that Jesus washed Judas Iscariot’s feet also. He knew that Judas was going to betray Him and that Peter would deny Him but Jesus lovingly served them like all the rest.

” But when he came to Simon Peter, that disciple asked, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ 7 Jesus answered, ‘You don’t really know what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ 8 ‘You will never wash my feet!’ Peter replied. ‘If I don’t wash you,’ Jesus told him, ‘you don’t really belong to me.’…11 Jesus knew who would betray him. That is why he said, ‘except for one of you.’…Then he said: ‘Do you understand what I have done? 13 You call me your teacher and Lord, and you should, because that is who I am. 14 And if your Lord and teacher has washed your feet, you should do the same for each other. 15 I have set the example, and you should do for each other exactly what I have done for you. 16 I tell you for certain that servants are not greater than their master, and messengers are not greater than the one who sent them. 17 You know these things, and God will bless you, if you do them.'” John 13:6-17 CEV

Jesus made Himself servant of all. He didn’t discriminate. He knew who truly loved Him and who would betray Him but He treated them all the same. It was and is unconditional love.

Do you know someone with dirty feet? Maybe not filthy dirty, might just be a bit dusty? Would you volunteer to wash their feet? There may be some in our circle who have betrayed us and others who have remained close and loyal. Jesus tells us to treat them all with unconditional love.

Is there someone today who needs you to show them that kind of love? Our first thought may be to exclude them, but let’s wash some feet!

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Well Done

Yesterday we attended a Veteran’s Day Service. Most of the men there had served in the Viet Nam War as they spoke of their service their voices cracked and their eyes filled with tears. They had been faithful to their calling, and they returned home. But some they knew did not.

It was a time to celebrate them and to thank them for their sacrifice on our behalf.

Last week we were at the racetrack with our daughter and son-in-love. As we sang the National Anthem, our hands on our hearts, I looked at Austin and my heart swelled with pride. My throat tightened and I was overwhelmed with gratitude for his service. As soon as the anthem finished, I had to hug him tightly and tell him thank you, once again, for his service and his sacrifice.

Today is the day we honor all veterans. Those who have served, some have fought in conflict, others have stood guard during times of peace, but they were all dedicated to one common goal – the protection of our country and our freedoms.

“Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service gets entangled in the [ordinary business] affairs of civilian life; [he avoids them] so that he may please the one who enlisted him to serve.” II Timothy 2:3-4 AMP

We, too, have enlisted for service. We have been called to fight the good fight of faith. We are standing, in this life, as the occupational forces representing a king and a kingdom, the kingdom of God.

Our uniform fits us for battle; we are clothed in the full armor of God. We have a helmet of salvation, a shield of faith, a breastplate of righteousness, our midsection is covered by truth, the boots on our feet are the gospel of peace and we have a sword of the Spirit in our hands.

The One who leads us has been beaten and bruised. His hands and feet were pierced through; He gave up His life to save us all and then He rose from the dead to enforce the defeat of His conqueror enemy.

“God took away the power of the leaders of this world and the powers of darkness. He showed them to the world. The battle was won over them through Christ.” Colossians 2:15 NLV

Those of us who are standing here will one day be called home from duty and when we are we will hear our commanding officer say, “‘You have done well. You are a good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will put many things in your care. Come and share my joy.’” Matthew 25:23 NLV

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Have Fun!

Going to talk about exercise for a bit this morning. When we first realize that we “need” to exercise it’s never pleasant. Accepting that we are out of shape and not as healthy as we should be is the first step. So, we decide to exercise.

The first few days you have a real commitment or at least that’s what you tell yourself. But then comes day 7 or 8; and it becomes harder to stay committed to the goal. Your muscles hurt, you’re not seeing any results yet, you start making excuses and when you do that you are on your way to failure. I know, I’ve failed many times.

When we were in Greece all we did was walk and hike. It was fun – we were off to new adventures, beautiful sites to see. Now that we are home, we don’t walk nearly as much. It’s not as much fun, however, we still need the exercise.

Now think back to our childhood days – exercise wasn’t a bad word. In fact it was called fun. To be outside with our buddies playing ball, running through the yard playing tag or football. Going hiking to our favorite fishing spot or walking the mile to the swimming pool in the afternoon heat (my personal favorite). It was fun and we were in shape.

Now of course you know this is going to have a spiritual correlation.

When we face trials and temptations it is an opportunity to exercise our faith. James tells us to count it joy because we will be developed and end up lacking nothing.

“My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. 3 You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. 4 But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.” James 1:2-4 CEV

Facing trials is like building muscle. At first, we see little victories but then to continue to develop a muscle we must increase the weigh, the repetition or both. In walking with the Lord, we’re never left to do this on our own. We have a great coach who is with us every step. Under His direction and inspiration, we come out the winner.

“You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.” I Corinthians 10:13 CEV

Jesus knows what this is all about because He went through every temptation we experience while he was here on earth. Who better to coach us than someone whose been there, done that and emerged as the Champion of Champions!

“We have a great high priest who has gone to live with God in heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us continue to express our faith in him. 15 Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:14-16 ERV

Thank you, Lord for coaching me through life and providing all the help I need to develop and finish a winner!

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Not Like the Other

Do you remember the little song from Sesame Street, One of These Things is Not Like the Other? Well, this basket of fruit has one thing, unlike the others.

Not all fruit is the same.

Paul writes to us in Galatians about the fruit of the Spirit.

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

These are all good fruit. In fact, Paul says there has never been a law written against any of these characteristics. Who’s going to condemn us if we have loving, joyful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled. These are good things, but…not all fruit is good like this.

“ A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Luke 6:43-45 NLT

Patience is a good fruit. Impatience isn’t.

Think about that. I heard Joyce Meyers say this years ago.

It’s true – “I” don’t have time to wait; “I” could do it better; “I” deserve to be treated better than this; “I” told you to do it “my” way. And it goes on and on. Most of our objections around things that make us impatient start with I.

How contrary that is to God’s character! He waited for just the right time to send Jesus. Jesus walked this earth teaching the same thing over and over, the love of God and restoration to Him, and still people didn’t get it. And now God is waiting again, He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” II Peter 3:9 NLT

Those of us who know a little something about “end-time” prophecy are watching the events unfolding in our world today with great interest. As far as we can tell, events are lining up according to Scripture for the Lord’s return.

But let’s not get impatient!

We need to continue to be the examples of God’s love and forgiveness that He has placed us in the world to be. We need to be producers of good fruit. We need to be like Jesus.

He knew time was short; soon He would be crucified but instead of lamenting His fate, He continued to serve with an unselfish love.

“It was almost time for the Jewish Passover festival. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go back to the Father. Jesus had always loved the people in the world who were his. Now was the time he showed them his love the most.

2 Jesus and his followers were at the evening meal. The devil had already persuaded Judas Iscariot to hand Jesus over to his enemies. (Judas was the son of Simon.) 3 The Father had given Jesus power over everything. Jesus knew this. He also knew that he had come from God. And he knew that he was going back to God. 4 So while they were eating, Jesus stood up and took off his robe. He got a towel and wrapped it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a bowl and began to wash the followers’ feet. He dried their feet with the towel that was wrapped around his waist.” John 13:1-5 ERV

How many times has the Lord been patient with our failings, our shortcomings, our wanderings. He has been there to pick us up, welcome us home and encourage us to “go our way and sin no more”.

And now He is asking us to become patient with ourselves and with others. To show them the same love and compassion He has shown to us. When we are patient, we are Christ-like and our lives will reflect His love.

“My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. 3 You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. 4 If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be.” James 1:2-4 ERV

Let’s remove the character trait that is not like the others, impatience, and patiently love those around you today!

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A Good Read

I have to honestly tell you that I have never been a good or ambitious reader. I can read well enough but have never learned to enjoy reading. Now, I imagine that’s a strange confession for a writer to make.

However, I LOVE reading the Bible! God’s word is a constant source of joy, excitement and inspiration.

This morning I’ve read of wars, an attempted murder and of great preachers persuading the hearts of large crowds with the message of God’s love.

I’ve also read simple-to-the-point life instructions from King Solomon. Many years ago I began reading the book of Proverbs, one chapter each day, for the month and then repeating again the beginning of the following month. There are thirty chapters in Proverbs, it serves as an instructional manual to the young. Since I am younger than some I still continue to read it.

“Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold. 2 The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both.

3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. 4 True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.” Proverbs 22:1-4 NLT

There’s quite a bit of wisdom in these few verses from Solomon. Just a few nuggets to chew on today.

Protect your reputation more than you protect your wallet – it has greater value. The best way I know to stay out of worldly trouble is to serve the Lord because He will maintain our right and our cause.

The Lord has great plans for those of us who honor and reverence Him. The “fear” of the Lord isn’t a scary thing, instead it is an attitude of humility and reverence. Deferring to God as our ultimate source in every situation.

There’s an old hymn whose words say, “Without Him, I could do nothing. Without Him, I’d surely fail. Without Him, I would be drifting like a ship without a sail”. I’ve tried doing life my way and I definitely found myself drifting.

The chorus goes on to say:, “Jesus, oh Jesus, do you know Him today? Please don’t turn Him away. Jesus, oh Jesus, without Him how lost I would be”.

Living every day, following God’s word and the example of Jesus brings a promise of a long and fulfilling life.

Make God’s word the foundational premise of every day; it’s a good read!

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Do You See It?

Last night I heard someone use the expression, “I can see the handwriting on the wall”.

Do you know that expression is from the Bible? It’s from the book of Daniel. In Daniel chapter 5, a new king had replaced Nebuchadnezzar and his name was Belshazzar.

He decided to have a party for his rulers, their wives and his concubines. As the party went on he called for the golden goblets that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem years earlier. They filled them with wine and began toasting and praising their gods of gold, silver, bronze and stone.

“Suddenly, a person’s hand appeared and began writing on the wall. The fingers scratched words into the plaster on the wall, near the lampstand in the king’s palace. The king was watching the hand as it wrote.

6 King Belshazzar was very afraid. His face became white from fear, and his knees were shaking and knocking together. He could not stand up because his legs were too weak… His face was white from fear.” Daniel 5:5-9 ERV

The king’s wisest men couldn’t provide him with the answers he needed. Enter Belshazzar’s mother. She reminded him that Daniel had always provided the answers to King Nebuchadnezzar.

“12 The man I am talking about is named Daniel. The king gave him the name Belteshazzar. He is very smart and he knows many things. He could interpret dreams, explain secrets, and find the answer to very hard problems. Call for Daniel, he will tell you what the writing on the wall means.” Daniel 5:12 ERV

Daniel boldly proclaimed what God put in his heart. Daniel recounts how God revealed himself to Nebuchadnezzar. And then he finishes by saying, “You knew all this but you didn’t learn a thing.” He went on to hold Belshazzar accountable for his arrogance and worship of false gods. And then he interprets the writing on the wall.

“You gave praise to the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone. They are not really gods; they cannot see or hear or understand anything. But you did not give honor to the God who has the power over your life and everything you do. 24 So because of that, God sent the hand that wrote on the wall. 25 These are the words that were written on the wall:

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPARSIN.

26 “This is what these words mean:

Mene:

God has counted the days until your kingdom will end.

27 Tekel:

You have been weighed on the scales and found not good enough.

28 Uparsin:

Your kingdom is being taken from you.

It will be divided among the Medes and Persians.” Daniel 5: 22-28 ERV

And at the end of this chapter, Belshazzar gave Daniel the reward that he had promised to the one who could read the handwriting. And then he was killed and a new ruler, Darius the Mede, took the kingdom.

There is so much happening in our world today that can be seen as the handwriting on the wall. Not the scribbles of a child but the intervention of God into our lives. Daniel’s stand for God continued to bring him before kings. His boldness is an example to us.

When asked to give an answer, let God give us the words. Don’t apologize – but speak boldly what He puts in our hearts.

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How Do I Know?

A question that many ask is “How do I know the right thing to do”. I think that’s a question often asked more by the younger generation; they don’t have experience to draw from.

However, we older folks are faced with some of the same questions. That’s where today’s verses come in. King David, as a young man, knew it was right to stand for God and defeat Goliath. Later in life, he knew that adultery and murder were wrong but in weakness he did both.

Here are his writings:

“The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. 9 Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. 10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. 11 They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.

12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:8-14 NLT

Our children learn right from wrong through obedience and discipline. We often learn the same lessons through experience. God’s plan is one of blessing – He wants us to learn through obeying and trusting His word.

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 20 You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NLT

The Lord wants us to follow His word and walk in obedience to Him, but the choice is ours. Joshua had led the Israelites into the promised land from the wilderness. He had led them in many battles, defeating the ungodly armies in the land of Canaan. As they began settling the land in peace Joshua gave them this instruction.

“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. 15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15 NLT

As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.

Choice – it’s a matter of choice. But how do we know?

“ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” II Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

God isn’t unfair – He doesn’t leave us wondering what is right or wrong, He says the testimonies of the Lord are true, making wise the simple. If we follow His word we’ll never have to ask, “How do I know”!

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