November 2011 Archives
Book: Letters to Grandma
I rarely use this space for “commercialism” but my mom has a new set of books out that I wanted to mention. We’ve gotten some interesting responses when people see the title, Letters to Grandma, but the book is a compilation of letters which our ministry has received and which my mom (Skeet Savage) has answered from a Biblical perspective. Whether you’re dealing with financial stress, marital unfaithfulness, rebellious teenagers, etc., you will find Godly counsel in the pages of these books. If you have questions, these books may contain the answer you seek. If you mentor young ladies, these could be great resources to aid you in giving others the guidance they need.
While you’re at it, check out our other products at Wisdom’s Gate. An Encouraging Word is a quarterly magazine of encouragement for women of all ages. Plus, we have resources on revival, homeschooling, preparing for marriage, family discipleship, etc. A great Christmas gift is Pilgrim’s Progress dramatized on Audio CD.
I hope you all are having a great week. I hope to put up some more reviews and posts on what God’s been teaching me soon. This has been a hectic year but I trust God is continuing to complete the work He’s begun in you like He is in me.
All Things Work Together For Good
Lately, God’s been reminding me of the importance of rejoicing in everything. It’s easy to get our eyes off of God and onto circumstances but, in reality, that is the last thing we should do. Everything happens for a purpose: to draw us closer to God or to glorify Him in some way. Maybe it’s to finish ironing out that bad character trait we’re still holding on to or to answer that prayer for patience that we may not have actually prayed for but which God knew we needed. Regardless, we know that “all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
You may not see it now but God’s Word is true. Even if you never fully understand why you had to go through this trial, you will one day look back and realize that God took what satan meant for evil, and He turned it around for good. If life were easy, we’d see no need for God but, when faced with the reality that we have nowhere else to turn, trials are often the perfect way to bring us into the posture we should be assuming anyway: arms wide open, face up, looking for Him to appear at any moment.
Please don’t despair, my Brothers and Sisters. God has not forgotten you even for a second. He knows what He’s doing even if you don’t. Trust Him, put your hand in His, and allow Him to lead you in the path He’s chosen for you which is without a doubt very good.
Too Busy?
I spent the afternoon with a couple of my sisters mudding drywall. When my sister first asked if I’d like to go along, I was hesitant. My mind kept going to everything I needed to accomplish. This is my first week back from a 10-day trip, and there’s always much to do. As I prayed and pondered, I realized that it’s easy to always be too busy. Sometimes I’m on a legitimate deadline but there was nothing I planned today that couldn’t be put off until tomorrow so I decided to go.
I’ve commented at times that it’s nice to be busy as it keeps me out of trouble 🙂 but it is possible to be too busy. If you’re too busy to take time to help a friend, you’re too busy. If you’re too busy to listen to someone who’s hurting, you’re too busy. As my mom would say, not every phone call is a call of God but I want to be faithful to hear His voice when He does call. No matter how much I think I’m doing “for Christ,” it avails nothing if it’s not what He called me to do.
I admit I’m one of those people who are often too busy. Yes, I need to be responsible and there may be times I can’t take time to talk on the phone or take off to visit but I pray I will never be too busy to hear God’s voice and know what He desires for my day. The work I planned to do today will be there tomorrow and, as I work on it, I’ll remember the blessings of this day and the time we girls had together. “Yesterday’s gone and tomorrow may never come but we have this moment today.”
Holiness Is Not Optional
Earlier this year as I was reading my Bible, the following verse jumped out at me:
Because I have cleansed you, and you were not cleansed, You will not be cleansed of your filthiness anymore, Till I have caused My fury to rest upon you. (Ezekiel 24:13)
I wonder how many people have turned to God and been forgiven, only to quickly return to their life of sin. How our Lord must grieve! People like to overlook holiness and insist that it’s not important but Hebrews 12:14 says:
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
That doesn’t sound optional to me … unless you don’t want to see God.
First Peter 1:15-16 says:
But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’
No, friends, holiness is not optional. It is imperative if we desire eternal life. Begin to seek God today and ask Him to show you the areas of your life where holiness does not appear. Then ask Him to help you to change those things. Without Him, it’s impossible but with Him it’s attainable. Praise God!
