A Dark Night
April 1st. A day when many are pulling pranks on friends and family while others are reflecting on the night Jesus and the disciples shared before He was crucified. Maybe your day has included a little of both.
I can only imagine what Jesus must have felt like eating with His disciples, full of heaviness concerning what the next morning would bring while His disciples were totally oblivious. It wasn’t that He hadn’t tried to prepare them. He had. But there was no way that they could grasp the gravity of the situation.
Maybe they thought that He was being overly dramatic. Maybe God in His mercy kept them from understanding what was about to take place until they absolutely had to know. Regardless, His words about dying and leaving them seemed to go through twelve ears and out the others. Jesus must have felt so alone sitting at supper that night.
More amazing than anything was the fact that, when they asked Jesus who it was that was going to betray Him, He told them, and they totally missed that too.
A while later, He and eleven of His disciples went out to Gethsemane. He allowed Peter, James, and John to go with Him a little further and asked them to watch and pray with Him. I expect that they still didn’t grasp what was happening or they probably couldn’t have slept. Here Jesus was surrounded by His closest friends, but He was functionally alone during His greatest trial. He woke them up a couple of times and then finally let them sleep, knowing they would need their rest to get through the days ahead.
I can only imagine the terror they felt when they were rudely awakened by an angry mob wielding swords and torches. Peter sprang into action, taking his own sword and cutting off a soldier’s ear. He no doubt thought this was when Jesus would rise up and overthrow the Roman government, with some help from His followers of course. But He could not have been more mistaken. Instead, Jesus told Peter to put his sword away. Then He healed the soldier’s ear!
Later that evening, as Peter was in the distance, trying to see what would become of Jesus, he denied three times that he had known the One that he had once called Lord. After hearing the rooster crow, Peter’s heart smote him, and he wept in remorse. Judas, on the other hand, realizing that he had made a grave mistake, went out and hung himself. Jesus would have graciously forgiven Judas, but instead of asking, Judas ended his life.
Scripture doesn’t record where most of the other disciples were at this point. I expect they had gone into hiding. And who could blame them? The Romans were not a people that one would want to spar with. If they arrested Jesus, it wouldn’t be long before they would go after His followers.
And so the evening ends. Jesus is on trial, His followers are scattered. One disciple is dead, and one is full of remorse. Surely, things can’t get any worse. Or can they?
Becoming Mature
“A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” ~Proverbs 16:9
For as long as I can remember, I have not liked change. This includes change of plans. If I know that I cannot do something that I’d really like to do, I can usually deal with it. If I am planning to do something and then something comes up so that I can’t follow through with my plans, it is really hard for me to handle. In the last few months, I have had several changes to plans, and yet it has been obvious that God was redirecting. This does not always make it easy, but I find that He is giving me the grace to accept His will which is not always what I had planned.
It is easy to sing “Take my will and make it Thine,” but it is not easy to mean it. Deep down, the majority of people still desire to have their own way. “I surrender all” becomes something we think we mean until we are asked to do so. I have learned, however, that true joy comes from following the Lord regardless of what He asks.
Years ago, someone told me that maturity is when you can laugh at yourself. At the time, I thought I’ll never be mature then. But now I often tell on myself when I do something stupid as I can see the humor in it. And you know what? People really don’t love me any less.
It’s fun to watch children as they desire to get bigger. Some moms get a tape measure to track their child’s growth. I expect the child doesn’t realize how big he is getting until he compares the mark on the wall that measures his current height to the line which was made a year ago. So it is in spiritual growth. I know for myself that I get frustrated by the areas in which I am not seeing progress, but every once in a while, I realize that I responded differently to a situation than I would have once upon a time, and what rejoicing there is as I thank the Lord for continuing the work that He has begun in my life.
I don’t know where you are at in your Christian walk. Maybe you are full of overcoming victory. I expect some are discouraged by the lack of growth that they see. Whatever you do, do not give up. When you fail, acknowledge it, ask for forgiveness and help to conquer that area, and move forward. Maturity does not mean doing everything perfectly, but it does mean responding appropriately. I am still being stretched. My routine is currently disrupted. I continue to seek God daily for wisdom about the plans I’m making this year. I expect I’ll have more plans I will need to change. But I trust that I am growing in all of these and that He who began a good work in me will complete it (Philippians 1:6), and He will do that for you as well.
Second Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ~2 Timothy 1:7
I wish I could quote this verse to everyone who is fearful these days. Whether it’s fear of getting COVID, fear of losing a loved one, or worry about how they are going to pay bills, fear is running rampant and, unfortunately, some are turning that fear to blame. Blaming friends, the government … anyone they can think of in order to let out some deep-seated frustration and anxiety. I understand where these emotions are coming from, but I encourage you to turn that fear into prayer. God is able to meet every need beyond what you can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). The problem is that we don’t often ask.
David Livingstone trod the dangerous jungles of Africa because he believed that nothing could harm him until it was God’s time to take him Home. I agree with his assessment where Spirit-led children of God are concerned. If you are seeking Him and His Kingdom, you must trust Him to complete the work that He has begun in you. God is not obligated to protect you from your own foolishness, but He will lead you in the paths that He desires you to go and will give you peace in the midst of your storms if you will but look to Him to do so.
Please know that I am not making light of your situation. I am not even saying that you don’t have a reason to be concerned. I just want to encourage you to turn your fear and anxiety to prayer and trust. God is able.
You Are Making a Difference
I don’t know about you, but I often wonder if I am impacting anyone’s life. I feel like I do my best to encourage others and hold a standard in order to be an example but, at the end of the day, does anyone notice or do they just pass me off as a crazy lady? I expect many times that it’s the latter, but lately, I have been reminded that people really do pay attention more than it may seem. Humanly, it would just be nice to receive proof before I’m lying in a cold grave somewhere.
If you’re a parent, it can be especially tiring as it seems like everything goes into your child’s ear and out the other, but I expect that they are catching more than you realize. It may take 20 years for you to see how much influence you really had, but I imagine that it’s there just the same.
Maybe you are trying to be a light to your work or community. Don’t stop. I know the battle can be weary and oftentimes thankless, but your Father in Heaven is watching, and He will be glorified through your faithfulness.
Walking in the Spirit is not always easy, but it is vital. You have been placed where you are for a purpose, and that purpose is to bring glory to the Father. This comes through exhibiting fruit that only He can give: peace, joy, love, gentleness, patience, kindness, self-control. Every time you give into the flesh whether it’s through your language, your attitude, the tone of your voice … you are discrediting the God that you profess to serve.
So, my friend, I want to encourage you to keep pressing on. Don’t give up. Don’t become discouraged. You are most likely making a difference more than you realize. Let’s pray that those who come behind us find us faithful. And let’s continue to encourage each other to love and good works.
CD Report: Who We Are (3 Heath Brothers)
I first heard this group by watching the National Quartet Convention’s live stream. People talk about family harmony, and I admit that there is not much that I like better.
Dream Small reminds us that it’s not only the big things that matter. Every little thing that you do for Christ counts in eternity.
If you’ve forgotten who you are in Christ, you need to listen to This Is Who I Am.
They included an a capella version of the hymn It Is Well.
Smell of Smoke compares the trials we go through to the deliverance of the Hebrew boys who “didn’t even smell of smoke.”
“It’s not about thinking less of yourself, but thinking of your Self Less.”
I Believe You is a timely song. No matter what anyone else says, we can cling to the words of our Father since every word He’s spoken is true.
Moms will appreciate the Mother’s Day Song.
We Choose Life is the first strongly pro-life song I’ve heard since Gold City recorded “Only God Knows.”
Other songs include: Give It to Jesus, No Matter What, and Shake in His Shoes.
Make Your Requests Known
Have you ever prepared for a vacation, praying fervently that it wouldn’t rain so that your family could make the most of the beach or monuments or whatever else you had planned? While you prayed against the rain, I can imagine someone in that same region praying for rain to cool off the summer or water the drought. This is how I feel when I pray for our president and against some of the laws that he wants to institute. While I ask God to keep some things from coming to pass, I know there are others who want these things to take place. So, what should I do? Stop praying since whatever will be will be? I don’t think so.
Philippians 4:6 tells us:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
I feel like that is God’s message to us in this season. Do not fear the future but, instead, talk to God. Let Him know what concerns you and boldly pray against the things that you know do not please Him or even the things that would present a hardship for your family. If there are things you would like to see happen, ask Him for those things. There’s a reason that God is called a righteous Judge. I can picture him in Heaven, listening to the petitions of one side and then hearing the cries from the opposing side. I expect that sometimes He weighs His decision based on the fervency of the prayers. But, ultimately, He answers according to what is best for His children in the long run, and that which will most completely accomplish His plan.
I have friends who are happy with the way the election turned out while others think this is God’s judgment and are preparing for the End Times. Regardless of which camp you are in, I hope that you will not become complacent. Our work does not end at the polls. We need to daily make our requests known, striving to be led by the Spirit instead of being guided by fear. When you see answers to your prayers, rejoice. Thank Him for those answers, but don’t stop praying for our leaders. Pray that God will guide them and turn their hearts to Him. And don’t view those who see things differently as your enemy. Christians need to band together and encourage each other while seeking to be a light to a dark and depressed world.
Photo by Alessio Lin on Unsplash
Love Mercy
I have adopted Micah 6:8 as one of my life verses:
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?
I pray often that God will help me to walk humbly in His sight, but I wonder, What does it mean to love mercy?
As a teenager, I thought of this verse in conjunction with my sister Mercy. I knew it was not really referring to a person, but there were days that I had a hard time loving her. She is 8 1/2 years younger than I am, and she thrived on annoying me. Then again, it didn’t help that I was easily annoyed. Fortunately, I let her live to see adulthood, and we have become good friends. We are still different in a lot of ways, but we are definitely sisters. We are both grateful for God’s mercy toward us, and we strive to extend that same mercy towards each other (which is not nearly as difficult as it used to be).
Probably the most quoted passage on “mercy” is Matthew 5:7:
Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.
Luke 6:36 tells us to:
Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
So what is “mercy”?
Dictionary.com defines it as “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.”
The first examples that come to mind are parent and child relationships. In my case it was a sibling. Or it might be a boss with an employee. If you are working for someone and you make a mistake, I’m sure you would like him to be gracious to you instead of firing you on the spot. But mercy can be extended to everyone you know. Even if you are not in authority over a person, you may find yourself tempted to slander him or her or to get even with someone who has hurt you. Instead of acting on those impulses, it would be better to take a deep breath and remind yourself that, just as you are in need of mercy, so is the person who has wronged or inconvenienced you.
I like how Micah 6:8 tells us to love mercy. This goes beyond just appreciating it when people show mercy to me. Joy should well up inside me when I see mercy extended to others as well. I should love granting mercy to those in need of it. I realize this is not easy, especially in a highly charged political climate these days. But if you love the Lord, this should be your posture. Life is not all about you. It is about how you can honor God by showing mercy and forgiveness to others. When you feel pride rising up and wanting to take offense or hold a grudge, remind yourself that sometimes you are the one in need of mercy and strive to treat others as you desire to be treated. Let’s let this world truly see Christ!
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Bible Study Review
I hope you are having a blessed December. After a moderate fall temperature-wise, we are finally getting the cold temperatures that Michigan is used to this time of year. I don’t prefer cold weather but I try not to complain since every season serves a purpose.
Last week I wrote up a review of the Bible studies that Family Renewal (the company I work with) sells to send to our email list, and I thought I would share this with you all as well.
Years ago, I didn’t see the importance of Bible studies or devotionals but I have changed my mind on that. Although I read my Bible every day, and I read through the Bible to make sure I don’t miss anything, it can still be easy to read over a lot since it is so familiar. For me, going through a Bible study causes passages to jump out at me that I may not have noticed before. It forces me to slow down as I read the Word so that it becomes life. I have opted to do my studies at night before I go to bed so that I can ponder them if I need to instead of jumping into my day and forgetting what I’ve read. I don’t do this every night, but I like having a study that I can pull off my shelf and dig deep in order to examine my heart through the light of God’s Word.
So without further ado, let me describe the studies that have been a blessing to me and help you to choose the one that is right for you.
A Lamp Unto My Feet is a study on Psalm 119. I view this as a starter study. If you are new to Bible studies or if you have a teenage son or daughter who would be interested in studying, this could be a good place to begin. Psalm 119 is all about loving God’s Word and His laws. I found myself worshiping as I went through this study. You will be inspired and encouraged each day.
He Leads Me Beside Still Waters is on the book of Psalms. This too is an encouraging study. You will meditate on various Psalms, answer questions, and then it will suggest another Psalm that you can read. I feel like we can learn a lot from David since Scripture called him a man after God’s own heart. Psalms is a good place to begin.
Pressing On Toward the Heavenly Calling is a deeper study which goes through the epistles. Then at the end of each week, you will read a portion of Acts and learn a little more about Paul’s life.
The above are all 12-week studies, but if you are someone who has walked with God for a long time and is strong in your relationship (or want to become so), I highly recommend a 24-week study titled The Walk of Repentance. I have gone through this three times in the last 15 years or so. Two of those times, it took me over a year to finish. It’s hard-hitting, as it covers topics such as Biblical Submission, The Repentant Heart, The Lifestyle of Repentance, The Process of Repentance, Overcoming Self, Overcoming the Flesh, Controlling the Tongue, Double-Mindedness, Biblical Love, Biblical Forgiveness … just to name a few. 🙂 Each of those topics takes a week and within those weeks, you will be looking at root issues. For instance, the week of Biblical Forgiveness, you will learn about “Our Need for Forgiveness,” “Appreciating Our Forgiveness,” “The Basis for Forgiving Others,” “Commanded to Forgive,” and “Handling an Offense.” See what I mean? It’s not for wimps, but you are diving into the Word in a way that a lot of people have probably never done. This can also be a good counseling tool. There is very little commentary as you are looking up Scripture verses in whichever version of the Bible you use and writing down what the Bible says about each topic.
The newest additions to our Bible study line are some studies for women. The Word Study Scripture Journal for Ladies and The Word Study Scripture Journal for Young Ladies are designed for mothers and daughters to study together or individually. Each week begins with a hymn. Then each day, you will read a scripture verse, write it down, do a word study, write down the practical application, and keep a prayer journal. Although that sounds like a lot, I expect that most days will not take more than 15-20 minutes.
All of these studies are on sale through the end of the month so you will want to order right away.
Although they are not Bible studies per se, I would also like to mention my brother’s books Questions God Asks and Questions Jesus Asks. I mentioned that I do Bible studies at night, but in the morning, after my regular Bible reading, I like to read a devotional or a book that will help me to focus on the Lord. These can be perfect for that. They may be used in family devotions or individual study. They could also make good gifts for your pastor or small group leader. We are currently selling them as a set for $19.99 or you may purchase them individually.
Thank you for taking time to read my Bible study review. I hope that you will find at least one study that will help you to grow in your walk with the Lord this coming year. After the year we just had, I think we could all stand to refocus and remember that this world is not our final home. Let’s not neglect to draw ever closer to our Father, looking into His wonderful face until “the things of earth become strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
Testify Anyway
It seems like inevitably whenever I post about a certain topic, I am tested in that area. Likewise, whenever I publicly praise the Lord for increased health or some other positive thing that He is doing, I have a setback. This can cause me to think twice about giving God glory for anything, but you know what? If I give in to that temptation, satan has won so I am going to testify anyway.
The fact is that God is good. Period. Nothing I am going through changes who God is. He is the same yesterday and today and forever. Besides, we are told to rejoice in all things, and I expect this is why those tests come at those inopportune times.
If you are hesitant to share an answer to prayer, I encourage you not to hesitate any longer. Maybe your cancer is in remission but you are afraid to mention it in case it’s a fluke and it comes back. Praise God for His healing touch. If it does come back there is a reason, but it doesn’t make Him less worthy of praise. I want to take hold of that perfect love that casts out fear instead of letting fear control me.
I began writing this post back in 2019, but I expect that we need this reminder now more than ever. This has been a rough year for everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, color, or financial or social status. Different people have been hit in different ways, but I doubt you will find anyone who was not negatively affected in some way. At the same time, if you think about it, I’m guessing you have experienced blessings this year as well. I know that I have.
So, my friends, let’s not neglect to tell others of the good things that God has done for us. You may need to be sensitive and not share about your good fortune with someone who is at their rope’s end right now, but find people who you know will rejoice with you and let them know how good God has been. Ask others what God has done for them. If they can’t think of anything, encourage them to think about it until they come up with at least something positive that came out of 2020.
As I look ahead to 2021, I have concerns that could turn into paralyzing fear if I let them, but I am choosing to look to God instead of focusing on what feels foreboding. I encourage you to do the same. Don’t let the enemy find you cowering and afraid to give God glory in case things get bad again. Instead, testify anyway. Praise the Lord for every blessing He brings your way, no matter how small. Let’s enter the new year with rejoicing!
Photo by Kevin Schmid on Unsplash
CD Report: No Depression in Heaven (The Chuck Wagon Gang)
Some of my older readers will especially appreciate this CD where The Chuck Wagon Gang sings the gospel songs of the Carter Family. Old, familiar songs sung in Chuck Wagon Gang style. The title alone would cause me to purchase it this year. 🙂
Songs included are: When Our Lord Shall Come Again, Am I a Soldier of the Cross, The Meeting in the Air, The Heart That Was Broken For Me, Honey in the Rock, There’s No Depression in Heaven, The Old Gospel Ship, On the Rock Where Moses Stood, Anchored in Love Divine, There’s a Hill Lone and Gray, Somebody’s Boy, and The Bible in the Cabin.
