When my daughters were young, one of our favorite movies was Pollyanna, the 1960 Hayley Mills version. It is based on a book written in 1913 about a girl who was orphaned at a young age and had to come live with a very dour but wealthy aunt. Pollyanna had been taught by her missionary father to always look for something good in every situation. She called this "the glad game". Her aunt was critical of this game and attitude and, in essence, told Pollyanna her optimism had nothing to do with reality. Actually, the term, 'pollyanna', has come to mean an excessively or blindly optimistic person or as being unreasonably or illogically optimistic.
Long before Eleanor H. Porter wrote Pollyanna, God inspired writers throughout the Bible to issue imperatives about being glad and rejoicing in all situations. Psalm 32:11 tells us to "Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart." Paul writes in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice!" James instructs his readers to, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance."
Today we can play the glad game with confidence, knowing that we are not being excessively, blindly, unreasonably, or illogically optimistic, but that we are obeying biblical commands to be glad and rejoice. As believers, we can do this because we know the truth of Romans 8:28, "...that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Distractions and Choices
Martha was distracted. There was so much to do. Jesus was there with many others. The food had to be cooked and served and peoples' needs had to be seen to. Mary sat at Jesus' feet with an attitude of worship, listening to His words with an open heart and mind.
So many everyday things tend to distract us from worship. Doing good things can be distraction - we can even become too busy doing things for the Lord. Psalm 27:4 tells us, "One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple." If you could choose only one thing to ask of the Lord, what would it be? We see where the Psalmist's priorities were.
Most of our choices for the use of our time are not between good and bad but between good and better. Time with the Lord, in His word is essential.
To lessen distractions and choose the best thing:
1. Choose God's way at every opportunity
2. Commit yourself daily to God before you even get out of bed.
3. Cultivate a "hot heart" for the Lord.
In Luke 10:41, Jesus said, ..."Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Choose wisely today.
So many everyday things tend to distract us from worship. Doing good things can be distraction - we can even become too busy doing things for the Lord. Psalm 27:4 tells us, "One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple." If you could choose only one thing to ask of the Lord, what would it be? We see where the Psalmist's priorities were.
Most of our choices for the use of our time are not between good and bad but between good and better. Time with the Lord, in His word is essential.
To lessen distractions and choose the best thing:
1. Choose God's way at every opportunity
2. Commit yourself daily to God before you even get out of bed.
3. Cultivate a "hot heart" for the Lord.
In Luke 10:41, Jesus said, ..."Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things, but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Choose wisely today.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Light
I love light. I think this is one reason I like my house so much. It is so open and has so much light. Every morning I start opening blinds at the first hint of daylight. I want the morning light to come in.
I do notice something, however, as the light begins to grow and become brighter. I see the dust I missed on the sideboard and on the hardwood floors in the living room. I can clearly see where the paint is nicked on the wall going into the kitchen. As the light shines through my front windows, the smudges become obvious. Light shows the dirt and imperfections and scars.
This is what happens in our spiritual life. The brighter the light of God's truth shines on us, the more we see our sin. The closer we grow to the Light of the World, the more obvious are the dark places of our soul. John 3:19 shows us that evil is uncomfortable (to say the least) with the light and prefers darkness. Ecclesiastes 2:14 tells us that fools walk in darkness while Isaiah 2:5 calls the Israelites and us to "walk in the light of the Lord."
In 1John 1 we learn that "God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." Wow! That is a lot to get our heads around. God's word speaks much of light and darkness. Jesus declared Himself to be the Light of the world and said that "he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life."
We must choose light. Matthew tells us that we are the light of the world and we are given the command to let our light "shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." So, as this new day dawns and begins to reveal the dust on my floor and the smudge on my window, I pray for God to shine His light on those places in my heart that need cleaning up so that I might go out to bring glory to Him.
I do notice something, however, as the light begins to grow and become brighter. I see the dust I missed on the sideboard and on the hardwood floors in the living room. I can clearly see where the paint is nicked on the wall going into the kitchen. As the light shines through my front windows, the smudges become obvious. Light shows the dirt and imperfections and scars.
This is what happens in our spiritual life. The brighter the light of God's truth shines on us, the more we see our sin. The closer we grow to the Light of the World, the more obvious are the dark places of our soul. John 3:19 shows us that evil is uncomfortable (to say the least) with the light and prefers darkness. Ecclesiastes 2:14 tells us that fools walk in darkness while Isaiah 2:5 calls the Israelites and us to "walk in the light of the Lord."
In 1John 1 we learn that "God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." Wow! That is a lot to get our heads around. God's word speaks much of light and darkness. Jesus declared Himself to be the Light of the world and said that "he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life."
We must choose light. Matthew tells us that we are the light of the world and we are given the command to let our light "shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." So, as this new day dawns and begins to reveal the dust on my floor and the smudge on my window, I pray for God to shine His light on those places in my heart that need cleaning up so that I might go out to bring glory to Him.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Easter
It's the week of Easter, Holy Week, if you will. I find myself introspective and contemplative. I was studying the 53rd chapter of Isaiah last week and was absolutely amazed that Isaiah accurately predicted the first Holy Week over 700 years before it happened with incredibly specific details. And yet, the Jews, who had Isaiah's prophesies, still didn't believe.
Isaiah vividly described Jesus as one who "was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief". He was "like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers." The verses that get to me the most are 5 and 6."But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray,, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him."
This is the heart of the gospel. Christ was my substitute; He took my place; He stood in my stead. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God Himself." Christ justified me by becoming sin for me. I have the righteousness of God Himself because of what Christ did at Calvary. I deserve the wrath of a holy God because I am a depraved, sinful being. The wages of my sin is death.
However, Romans 8:1 tells me, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Isaiah 1:18 says, Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow."
I am overwhelmed.
It is the week of Easter. I am a chosen child of God. I have been justified by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. I am being sanctified daily through the work of the Holy Spirit. I will be glorified when I see my Lord and my Savior face to face. Amen and amen!
Isaiah vividly described Jesus as one who "was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief". He was "like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers." The verses that get to me the most are 5 and 6."But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray,, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him."
This is the heart of the gospel. Christ was my substitute; He took my place; He stood in my stead. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God Himself." Christ justified me by becoming sin for me. I have the righteousness of God Himself because of what Christ did at Calvary. I deserve the wrath of a holy God because I am a depraved, sinful being. The wages of my sin is death.
However, Romans 8:1 tells me, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Isaiah 1:18 says, Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow."
I am overwhelmed.
It is the week of Easter. I am a chosen child of God. I have been justified by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. I am being sanctified daily through the work of the Holy Spirit. I will be glorified when I see my Lord and my Savior face to face. Amen and amen!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The Fall
Recently I fell on the concrete in my driveway while putting away toys my grandchildren had been using. I didn't fall gracefully. I landed on both knees then toppled over awkwardly. It was not a pretty sight. And it hurt. I had to sit some moments squeezing my eyes tightly and biting my lip. Finally I was able to get up, go inside and share my humiliation with my husband, my daughters and all my grandchildren. The grands were fascinated and wanted to see Grandmama's skinned knees.
The knees were very sore and messy and oozy for some days. Then the scab began to form. Now the knees felt some better but still tender and developing an ugly dark thick scab. Eventually this began to go away and was looking like my knee again, but it was still a little tender. After many weeks, this healing process seemed to be completed, but I noticed something interesting and little disturbing. I have a scar. Now it may lessen with time but it looks as though this is what my knee is going to look like. How much better it would have been if I had never fallen.
Those two paragraphs were written to make my spiritual application. Sin is painful, humiliating, messy and awkward. Because God's word tells me if I confess my sins God is faithful and just to forgive me, I know my sins won't be fatal. However, the healing process may be long, with pain lasting for a while, possibly forever. In many cases, the scars of sin will last a lifetime. How much better it would be if I avoid those sins that will pain and ooze and scar.
1John 2:1 says, "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin." We are not powerless against sin. Romans 6:14 tells us, "For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace." The Holy Spirit within us gives the power to avoid the fall into sin, the injury of sin, and, ultimately the scars of sin.
The knees were very sore and messy and oozy for some days. Then the scab began to form. Now the knees felt some better but still tender and developing an ugly dark thick scab. Eventually this began to go away and was looking like my knee again, but it was still a little tender. After many weeks, this healing process seemed to be completed, but I noticed something interesting and little disturbing. I have a scar. Now it may lessen with time but it looks as though this is what my knee is going to look like. How much better it would have been if I had never fallen.
Those two paragraphs were written to make my spiritual application. Sin is painful, humiliating, messy and awkward. Because God's word tells me if I confess my sins God is faithful and just to forgive me, I know my sins won't be fatal. However, the healing process may be long, with pain lasting for a while, possibly forever. In many cases, the scars of sin will last a lifetime. How much better it would be if I avoid those sins that will pain and ooze and scar.
1John 2:1 says, "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin." We are not powerless against sin. Romans 6:14 tells us, "For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace." The Holy Spirit within us gives the power to avoid the fall into sin, the injury of sin, and, ultimately the scars of sin.
Friday, March 13, 2009
"Catching" Spring
Every year for as long as I can remember, I have been determined to "catch" spring. I want to know exactly when it arrives, when the first robin is out looking for worms, when the tree in my backyard has the very first bud on it and when the azaleas first begin to pop. Well, in all these years, spring has managed to surprise me. It seems I wake up one morning and the tree is full of buds, there is a whole colony of robins in the yards on Calhoun road and the azaleas down my driveway have hundreds of buds and one or two blooms. I can just depend on this.
I know that I had better put out more feeders filled with Nyjer seed for the goldfinches that will soon be here and clean and fill the hummingbird feeders. It is time to find the best price on ferns and get two big ones to hang outside my sunroom. Daylight savings time is already here and spring seems to have arrived. I want to go buy every bedding plant the nursery has and start digging in the dirt. I want to pull weeds. I want to sit outside and read and feel the warm breeze on my face. I want it to stay spring forever.
It won't. Summer will come and I will love the fresh vegetables and the cicadas' symphony and the long daylight hours. Then when I think I cannot endure the heat any longer, the cool breezes of fall will come with the brilliant colors of dying leaves and planning for Thanksgiving family gatherings. Then on to winter and rainy days and Christmas and bare trees. Then, before you know it, I am trying to "catch" spring again.
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven..." Ecclesiastes 3:1.
I know that I had better put out more feeders filled with Nyjer seed for the goldfinches that will soon be here and clean and fill the hummingbird feeders. It is time to find the best price on ferns and get two big ones to hang outside my sunroom. Daylight savings time is already here and spring seems to have arrived. I want to go buy every bedding plant the nursery has and start digging in the dirt. I want to pull weeds. I want to sit outside and read and feel the warm breeze on my face. I want it to stay spring forever.
It won't. Summer will come and I will love the fresh vegetables and the cicadas' symphony and the long daylight hours. Then when I think I cannot endure the heat any longer, the cool breezes of fall will come with the brilliant colors of dying leaves and planning for Thanksgiving family gatherings. Then on to winter and rainy days and Christmas and bare trees. Then, before you know it, I am trying to "catch" spring again.
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven..." Ecclesiastes 3:1.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Correction
As I was hurriedly typing in Microsoft Word the other day, I kept getting words underlined in red. Of course this meant I had misspelled, so I had to go back and correct. The Holy Spirit is our "red underline" when we misstep in our daily walk. If we are sensitive to His leading, we will note that check in our spirit, tug by our conscience or the recall of convicting scripture. In Job 37, Elihu describes some things that God might use for correction. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells that God's word is for correction. Jeremiah 5:3 tells of a stiff neck, rebellious people who refuse to take correction.
As I type and have words underlined in red, I can choose to go back and correct or I can finish my document with misspelled words. Someone reading it will notice that I have misspelled words. These will distract and my document will not be as effective as it would have been had I made the corrections. The same is true with our lives. We cannot serve and glorify our God effectively if we allow sins in our lives to go unconfessed and uncorrected. David said in Psalm 51, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." May this be our constant prayer today as we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, sensitive to His correction.
As I type and have words underlined in red, I can choose to go back and correct or I can finish my document with misspelled words. Someone reading it will notice that I have misspelled words. These will distract and my document will not be as effective as it would have been had I made the corrections. The same is true with our lives. We cannot serve and glorify our God effectively if we allow sins in our lives to go unconfessed and uncorrected. David said in Psalm 51, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." May this be our constant prayer today as we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, sensitive to His correction.
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