January 2023 Archives
Nothing New
Ecclesiastes 1:9 tells us that “there is nothing new under the sun.” I’m aware of the truth of this statement when I am writing. It seems like everything has already been said, some of which I have said myself. At times, I have to search to see if I have already written on a topic or if I’ve just thought of it for a while. Too much redundancy can make a blog boring, and I’m aware of that, but I also know we sometimes need reminders of basic truths as we become overwhelmed by whatever life throws at us. It’s easy to get our minds off of Christ and onto our problems, and however I can help you to focus on Him, I want to do so.
I started this blog over 13 years ago, and I still thank God for giving me this outlet. My mom was the one who suggested it, and now that she’s gone, I view it as a small way of continuing her legacy as well. Any talent I have for communicating in writing was passed down from her to an extent.
I started this hours ago but had some distractions, and now it is evening. I hope you have a great week. Don’t forget to spend time with the Lord each day. He is the only One who can give strength for whatever life may bring.
Are You “Occupying”?
As I write this, I am in Pennsylvania on our first speaking tour of the year. My brother speaks; I run the book tables. We’ve worked together for a long time, and I praise God that we are still able to do what we do.
I will be fifty this year which is causing a lot of reflection. From here on out, I view each decade as a milestone. Obviously, fifty is big because it’s half a century. As George Younce used to say, I most likely have more years behind me than I have ahead of me. So what will I do with the years that I have left?
I’m thankful that, for the most part, I don’t feel like I have wasted my life. I pray that I don’t start now. I know a lot of people retire to their recliners with remotes in hand, but the people who inspire me are those who are older than me and are continuing to faithfully serve the Lord. I’m not sure Christians ever really retire. It seems like there is always someone who needs encouragement or counsel. So it’s important that those of us who know God stay close to Him, both praying and reading our Bibles, so that we have something to pass on to others.
I may be older than you; I may be younger; but we are all aging. We all have a job to do, and that job is to “occupy” until He comes. So, what does that look like? It will look different for everyone.
How you “occupy” depends on what God has called you to do, and that calling will be different for everyone, but God has called every one of His children to do something for Him. If you are in a job that you hate, pray about that. Are you where God wants you, or are you merely doing something to make money? If you find yourself yelling at your kids, evaluate why. A mom recently told me that she had to stop taking naps because inevitably her children would wake her up, and she would get annoyed. Be in tune to figure out the root of your frustration so that you may stop and not sin.
The year is still young. Tomorrow is another day. If you’ve been living life for yourself, it’s not too late to regroup. That’s the wonderful thing about our Father. We can always stop, repent, and change what we’re doing. He is always there to help get us back on the right track. So, as we go through another year, let’s “occupy” together.
Have You Turned from Wickedness?
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? says the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? When the righteous turn away from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All his righteousness that he has done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has sinned, in them he shall die. ~Ezekiel 18:23-24
Wow. Do you ever feel bad for prophets? God gives them messages to deliver and, although the intent was to give people a chance to turn from their wickedness, more often than not in Scripture, they turned against the prophet–sometimes ignoring him, other times wanting him dead. I suppose things haven’t changed that much. People still do not want to be confronted with sin and yet, if they don’t repent, they too will die in their trespasses, cut off from the life that they could have had in Christ.
It’s easy to talk about “sinners,” but what about those in the Church who are not converted? First Peter 4:17 tells us, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
The beginning of the year is a good time to evaluate where you are in your walk with the Lord. I realize that you are most likely back with your nose to the grindstone, but a close relationship with the Lord is vital. It’s easy for the enemy to keep you too busy to have time for God. This can quickly breed indifference which can then lead to a life of sin before you realize how far away from Him you’ve gotten. Don’t let this happen to you.
I’ve been reading Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth’s book on Holiness which has opened my eyes to the fact that holiness is not just doing good things. We need to be full of the Spirit so that His holiness flows through us at which point we can be a light to a dark world that desperately needs Jesus.
Happy New Year 2023!
Happy New Year! I hope you had a blessed month reflecting on our Lord’s birth and the reason that He came. My heart never ceases to well up with gratitude that He was willing to leave “the splendor of Heaven knowing His destiny.” As Dottie Rambo sang, “There’s no feeling like this if that isn’t love.”
As usual, I’m still processing a lot that I can’t put into words just now, but I expect my thoughts will be reflected in future posts. Meanwhile, my brother and I were talking today about extremes which seem to be based on a person’s background. For instance, if you grew up in a legalistic home, you may have decided that the Law doesn’t matter while those who grew up in churches where grace is emphasized to the point that sin is communicated as no big deal may become strict in trying to do everything right. And the pendulum continues to swing from generation to generation while never stopping in the middle. There are too many ditches within Christendom that I would like to encourage you to find the middle ground. Stand firm on your convictions but make sure that you can back them up with Scripture. With everything else, I expect that there’s a balance that can be found if you are willing to be open. And don’t stop being willing to learn. Know the Scriptures well so that you can spot error a mile away, but don’t assume everything is wrong just because you never read a Scripture a certain way. Often, Christians understand Scriptures differently. Both conclusions can’t be right. Don’t arrogantly assume that yours are always the ones that are.
That’s my thought for tonight. I hope to write again soon. God bless you!
