Understanding

She was just a little thing — discovering a new school, new friends, new teacher. It wasn’t easy, and of all things a real thundercloud rolled in early that year. Her teacher was certain she heard this child say something unkind about her. Mom was “appalled,” and asked the child about it. The little girl explained what she had really meant to say, but there was no convincing this teacher, so the mom just let it go. A few days later, “mom” found a paper on which her little girl had written a note. It went something like this, “Dear Jesus, you know I didn’t say that. Even though my teacher said I did, that wasn’t what I meant . . .”

Misunderstanding is painful for all of us — whether we are 4 or 94. To be understood is one of life’s greatest gifts. Relationships can be seriously affected by the amount of understanding between those involved. During a specific “season” in life, I was having a tremendously difficult time. I so badly wanted to be understood, and each day felt another crushing blow as I was unable to see that become a reality. Then, the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart, “Seek not to be understood, but to understand.” That brought a whole new vision to the circumstance. He didn’t change the circumstance, He changed me!

The problem of misunderstanding isn’t new. Clear back in Joshua’s day we read of misunderstanding. Here these people are building an altar to be sure their descendents don’t forget the true and living God, and the whole army of Israel is getting ready to fight them — thinking that this altar is being built to worship falsely! How in the world did they come up with that idea? Well, Joshua 22:11 tells us, “Now the children of Israel heard someone say . . .” Isn’t it amazing? Human race hasn’t changed much in all those years! All it took was a “reliable source” and before long the whole army of Israel was taking off in a erroneous direction to fight a battle that didn’t even need fighting.

So many of our problems become non-existent when we exhibit understanding within the love of Christ. When misunderstandings come, talk TO Jesus about the problem. Then, with His Spirit, talk TO the person you are having the misunderstanding with. No one likes to be misunderstood. Telling “your side” of the misunderstanding to a whole host of "others" can lead to so much more confusion then simply taking care of it directly in Christ’s love.

When all was said and done and the Israelite leaders talked to the people building the altar, they realized the truth. War was evaded, and between them stood an altar of Witness that the Lord is God!

By: Janene A. Dubbeld

For God’s Glory

Take it With You

“. . . Now the children of Israel heard someone say, ‘Behold, the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh have built an altar on the frontier of the land of Canaan in the region of the Jordan — on the children of Israel’s side. . . The children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the alter, Witness. ‘For it is a witness between us that the Lord is God.”

Joshua 22: 11, 34

The Scary Mask

My sixteen year old relayed the story – still laughing as he told us. He and his younger brother were playing “monkey in the middle” in our church gym. In the middle was our older son – while our younger son held the ball. Suddenly, our younger son began pointing, yelling. His knees went weak and he literally began wobbling around – and almost fell over with fear. Our older son thought he was just trying to get him to “look” so he could hit him with the ball and win.

Finally, his terrorized yells convinced him. When he turned around, there was a face at the window – a horribly, scary, awful face! Of course, “older brother” knew it wasn’t real. It was simply another young person – inside a mask. Before long, they were laughing together in the face of fear.

Unbelief is like a scary mask. It terrorizes our faith with fear! Its ugly face shows up in the windows of our life – causing our heart to grow faint, and our prayers to shrivel up into heartless pleas. God is pleased when we come to Him with a strong belief in Who He is and what He is able and WILLING to do for us. We can possess an uncompromised trust in the All powerful, All knowing, All loving God that we serve.

Recently I came across a quote that I absolutely love. In fact, it spoke so much to my heart that I put it up on my refrigerator. It simply says, “I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved by what I believe, and I believe God.” Sam Wigglesworth

See, life throws us a lot of junk to deal with – as well as glorious days to revel in. Reality can be a whole lot like a “scary mask” sometimes. It blocks out our “faith fact” that He will live in us – and does rule over all. Retaining our faith in the face of fear is an overcoming challenge only accomplished through the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony. We must stand up and declare Who He is!

God gave us free will – the gift to choose. Our choice does not have to be dependent upon how we feel, what the situation currently is, or the momentary circumstance. Our choice is just that – our CHOICE! We can choose to BELIEVE GOD!

It is HIS desire to be our “present help in time of trouble.” It is our CHOICE to allow Him to be all that we need.

It is HIS desire to be our Provision AND our Provider. It is our CHOICE to receive His Provision AND trust Him to provide for ALL our NEEDS.

It is HIS desire to reveal to us the Father heart of love through the Son, and our CHOICE to accept His love gift of salvation.

Don’t faint at the scary mask of unbelief. The enemy uses any tactic to keep us from truth. He masks the circumstances of our lives with doubts and fears to keep us from believing the TRUTH of God's Word. The truth that God is FOR us not against us. The truth that the good work He begins in us He will complete. The truth that He is WITH us ALWAYS!

Keep focus on the face of our beautiful Lord. Refuse to "faint at the mask." CHOOSE to believe Him for THIS DAY! Say it aloud – let it be known, “I BELIEVE GOD!”

Take it with You

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:22 (NIV)

Seek Me and Live

Following a God of such infinite love, truth in justice, matchless mercy seems like it should be such a joy to do. Yet, the people of Israel were often found rebelling against the very God who had chosen them. Quickly, they turned to religious practices and often times other gods. How the heart of their Heavenly Father longed for them to be thirsty and hungry after Him.

They went through physical hunger, drought, loss of all kinds, yet still did not return to their God. They exercised extreme "religious practices" that were anything but righteous. Still, even after they turned against His love in rebellion, God continued to reach out and continually point them to the way of Life.

“Seek me and live,” He calls to them. Calls to them then . . . calls to all of us now. “Seek me and live.”

We should seek Him because He so earnestly calls us. We should seek Him because of Who He is! There is none like Him. There is no other true God but Him. He formed the mountains, created the winds – He had the plan and purpose for man in the first place. Why would we seek fulfillment in anything or anyone else? Fulfillment comes from Him! When He fills us up, we find fulfillment in the rest of the gifts of life He gives us.

To distract our minds from Truth is one of the enemy’s biggest ploys. Whatever the situation, the path of Life can be found one way – Seek Him. He knows all – so He holds our answer. He has the key we need to unlock the door. Sometimes He throws the door wide open without a key. We will never understand God – we are human -- He is Divine -- HE IS GOD!

The mystery’s of the who’s and where’s and why’s of life are buried far beyond our human ability to comprehend – but never beyond Him. We cannot find them in religion – will never know satisfaction by holding on to idols in the throne room of our hearts. We can only know true joy through the seeking of Him and surrender to His desires. When our desires match up with His that is true delight!

My eyes are set on seeking – seeking Him – the Way to live.

By: Janene A. Dubbeld

For God’s Glory

Take it With You

“This is what the Lord says to the house of Israel: ‘Seek me and live” Amos 5:4 (NIV)

“Seek good and not evil and live! You talk about God, the God-of-the-Angel Armies, being you best friend. Well, live like it, and maybe it will happen.”

Amos 5:14(The Message)

More Than Four Dollars

It was time for a yard sale. We searched through the shed in the hot, humid weather. We pulled out boxes, and searched through clothes. The “men of the family” rounded up tables and went and got them. Then we found the stickers and made the signs – it was yard sale time – and quite a family event!

Rising EARLY in the first light of Saturday, we traipsed through the morning dew to load our items to the tables. It was time. We were ready. One lonely, old man came first. Well, I don’t know if he was really lonely, but he came alone. He looked around . . . and left.

By mid morning a few, other stragglers had managed to come around. It left me praying for my daughter’s sake that someone would come to buy her things. She had worked so hard to get them all ready. By this time, we were certainly wishing it was more than just a “family event” – but a large, community event as well!

We started the “watching routine.” She watched – I went to the house to clean. Our younger son watched – we both went to the house to clean. Our fabulous yard sale was quickly becoming an infamous “uneventful, event.”

Then, an old, gray car made its “less than quiet” entrance. “Sorry about the car,” the gentleman commented as he came to “peer” over our illustrious wares. “Needs an alternator – but they cost four hundred dollars.”

We chatted in neighborly fashion for a few minutes – and then he said something that cut through the fog of life. “Well, for every bad day, there’s a better day coming” he rattled, “least that’s what my grandma always said.”

He handed me “four dollars” for something or another – but he gave me way more than money, in the middle of the “yard sale flop” he handed me hope. Hope that tomorrow would be better than today. Hope that my future was better than my past. Hope that went beyond the surface of my scenario to the current, inner need of my soul.

Soon the time frame ended. Our many “left over” items went where “Dad” deemed them necessary to go. The tables were returned, signs taken down – but the words of the gentlemen lay imbedded in my heart – “for every bad day, there’s a better day coming.”

By: Janene A. Dubbeld

For God’s Glory

Take it With You

“When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee – God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable. We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable, spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:18b-20 (The Message)

He Loved Me, Then

It was in the sunlit meadow that I met Him --

The blue’s of sky with white, cotton clouds mixed in.

We laughed and talked together in the meadow--

I knew He loved me, then.

We often met together in the garden--

The flowers nod – the morning mist would beckon---

Sometimes to rest -- delighting in His Presence--

I knew He loved me, then.

But in the inky, blackness of my midnight --

When sorrow of the soul I faced alone.

Would He still love me even when I wandered?

Was there a light to somehow lead me home?

The battle of the night scene left me weary --

Tho’ I willed my mind to look to Him!

He came right to the glisten of my tear drop --

I knew He loved me, then.

It mattered not in sunlight or in shadow --

His steady love remained time and again.

My hand slipped into His to simply follow --

I knew He loved me, then.

                                                                             By: Janene A. Dubbeld

                                                                  For God's Glory

So Much More

The exciting days of expecting a little one bring such mixed emotions and feelings – along with a million things we “think” we need! One decision is very important – and sometimes causes much consternation for the parents-to-be . . . what should they NAME this child?

Choices are often made for someone they loved dearly, and want to name their child after. Other times it’s just a name they heard and liked . . . or read in a novel . . . or found in a baby book . . . and then, there are some who actually look up the meanings of the name before they decide, and name their child because of what the name actually means.

Names are important. Jacob wrestled with the Angel, and His name was changed to Israel. An angel told Zacharias what to name his son . . . and the angel said to Joseph, “. . . you shall call His name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins.”

Our God is a Triune God-head. It is in His eternal being that we may take our refuge. He is vastly immense – way beyond what our finite minds can process. Within The “I AM” are names that reveal to us Who He is and the nature He possesses.

His name is Elhoim – Genesis 1:1 – which means mighty God or supreme God – it references His FAITHFULNESS.

His name is Yahweh or LORD – Psalm 110:1 – which means self-existent or eternal One; the One who exists because of who He is; speaks of His holiness, His justice, and His hatred of sin.

His name is El Shaddai – Genesis 17,1-2 – meaning strength – life-giver – the all-bountiful supplier of all blessings.

These names alone give us cause to rejoice and burst into a song of how great our God is. Our faithful God! Our self-existent God! Our supplying God! We’ve just found a path of beautiful discovery to know Him deeper. All of us come to the Father through Jesus Christ. He is the only way. He is Our Savior, and Reconciler -- our Way to relationship with Father God Himself. Then . . . there is SO MUCH MORE to learn of Him, to love of Him . . . He is such an Awesome God!

He is, “Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace . . .”

Any honest, seeking heart can find Him, and can know Him –oh, the joy of discovering His wonder. He never get’s old . . . there is so much more. . .

Take it With You

“Therefore My people shall know My name; therefore they shall know in that day that I am He who speaks: Behold it is I.” (Isaiah 52:6)

An All Consuming Christ

What is your day holding for you? Work? Relationships? Vacation? Volunteering? Yard Sale? The list goes on and on. And in reality, the lists never stop! Whether you are a person who actually “writes them down” or keeps a “running tab on things” within the marvelous capacity of your mind, the demands of doing are a constant to our lives.

So, what is the purpose behind all of it anyway? Why keep doing it? Everyone has some sort of reason. You LOVE your family . . . you NEED your job . . . the BEACH gives you new motivation to work until next vacation . . . and the Yard Sale . . . well, how else will your “junk” become someone else’s “most valuable possession?”

There is an all consuming passion that drives me beyond the ordinary. Really, what within this life is worth the living? It is all so futile and fickle – so full of “pats on the back” and ladder struggle.

But there is still a Heaven to gain, a Hell to shun – and a marvelous, all consuming Christ to love and live for. The beauty of discovering Him makes one swing their feet over the edge of the bed and run to meet Him in the morning Light. When He calls you – oh the preciousness of the call, the delight of the moments spent alone in His Presence grant the strength necessary to complete the tasks of the day. Sometimes the deepest nights of struggle are met by His beautiful face in the dawn.

He is all consuming . . . takes the very deepest part of me and consumes it into Himself. It’s the only way I can truly know beauty – really experience love –in my all consuming Christ.

“Who do men say that I am?” he asked his disciples . . . yet it was only a preliminary question. “Who do YOU say that I am” he asked. These were His disciples . . . they had left all to follow – yet, did they really know who He was? Only when they really knew Him could they allow Him to be Who He needed to be in their lives.

Oh, Jesus. Be my all consuming passion! Let the facets of my day come together as I am consumed in You. Saturate me – fill me – surround me – You are my everything, my love, my life, my ALL!

Take it With You

“He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ.’” Mark 8:29

Stinkin'

Jesus reserved His “harshest tones” for those who thought they were too “good” to reach out to the sinner. “Too righteous” in outward appearance to get down to the brass tacks of really living. Carefully they observed every jot and tittle of the law – most of which they had created and wiggled around to make it “palatable” for their deeds, while remaining “religious.”

When faced head on with their hypocrisy, He didn’t make excuses for them, or dodge the issues. He faced them head on, pointing each time to the inner issues of heart and soul which cause the stink in the first place.

Why do we tend to head toward focusing on an “outer image” instead of an “inner image?” What is it about us that falls so easily into a religious sort of pride or a worldly sort of pretended image? Both are falsified pretenses which lead to lives resulting in inner absence of truth and imbibing empty philosophies which make room for trash. Behind pompous religion – into empty image -- the results are the same. A gagging, odor of stinkin’ garbage.

Many of us PAY to have our household garbage removed. Those of us who “take it out” to a dump somewhere aren’t usually “jumpin at the chance.” It’s a duty that simply has to be done – and the sooner the better!

The only price needed to remove our “inner garbage” has already been paid. So, you’ve heard it before. . . take a moment to pause and remember its EVERLASTING SIGNIFICANCE.

Christ didn’t come to purchase a religion that we must “work effectively” in order to enter the pearly gates. He came to take AWAY our sin and establish RELATIONSHIP! Not a relationship of “image to keep up” but a relationship where HE MUST INCREASE and I MUST DECREASE!

A relationship where I love Him so much I can’t bear not to talk to Him or hear from Him. A closeness with Him that results in desire for nothing less that all of Him – that seeks His purifying Presence as the number one priority of living. A hunger for the Holy which can be satisfied with nothing less than Him within.

His life within constitutes a whole new lifestyle. His heartbeat is mine. His love pours into every part of me flowing out into the world around me leaving behind pride, image, or pretense – living Christ.

O God! My heart cries out to You – saturate me with so much of You til I can truly live not I, but Christ.

Take it With You

“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.” Philippians 3:7

When Life Hurts

Have you ever been chewing along on something delightfully yummy – when all of the sudden your teeth choose to bite the side of your mouth instead? “Ow,” you immediately wince with pain – and the moment is anything but delightful. Then, for some reason, the next week or so finds you continually biting the same sore place – causing more pain?

Or you whack your knee on that "poorly positioned" piece of furniture – at least its "poorly positioned" when the lights are out – and the bruise seems to attract other “poorly positioned” pieces – or car door's shutting – or child’s feet, and every time it hits that bruise the pains a little worse.

What about the hurtful words? “Sticks and stones may break my bones –but words can never hurt me. . .” Well, it may work for someone somewhere, but most of us don’t have a “thick enough skin” or should we say, “calloused enough heart” that nothing ever penetrates. Words do hurt. For some reason, it seems like hurts travel in “packs” like wolves – or “schools” like fish.

We aren’t going to get through life without pain. We have our “fallen ancestors” to thank for the introduction of sin into the beautiful, then paradise called earth. We too have partaken in the sin which always results in heartbreak. Sometimes we are hit with physical conditions simply resulting from the fallen world we live in, or dealing with circumstances we didn’t create, but find ourselves caught in – sort of like and actor or actress in a drama we didn’t exactly audition to be in. What then?

As I read in Mark one morning, something stood out to me like never before. I found the golden nugget in Chapter 5, verse 33. This woman had been through a life-time of struggle. Physically, there was no doctor who could help her. Her funds had been exhausted – as well as her emotions and her body. When she heard of Jesus she knew. He was her only hope.

She doesn’t give up easily – or just wait for Him to come to her. She was on a mission. Steadily she pushed her way through the crowd, thinking over and over, “If I can only touch the hem of His garment.”

Amazing faith! She wasn’t asking for “an hour with the Master,” she just wanted to touch his garment. Then, when her healing had taken place, and Jesus knew – He wanted to know who had touched Him.

This is what stood out to me. She was so afraid that she was trembling but she fell down before Him and told HIM, “THE WHOLE TRUTH.”

She didn’t try to run and hide, or sugar coat the incident. Right there, in the crowd, she opened up her heart and her mouth and simply told him the whole truth.

The pain we experience has one resting place – the heart of the Savior. He holds our healing or our grace – whatever we need lies in Him.

“Where is the healing when life hurts?

Where is the ointment for my pain?

Who can I lean on in struggle? Then, I recall – He’s the same.

Yesterday, He never failed.

Today, He’s there again.

And I can rely, He’ll be there tomorrow –

Changeless, my Savior and Friend.”

Janene A. Dubbeld/FGG

Take it With You

“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”       Psalm 62:8

Who You Talkin’ About?

Life is a “motion picture” all of its own. Oh, it carries memories turned into “silent movies” of the days gone by, but the “here and now” is usually anything but silent.

People come with lots of things! Smiles, frowns, personalities, moods . . . Then, at a very young age, most of the time we parents hear something that thrills our hearts! Their FIRST word! Could be, “Mama,” or “Dada” or who knows what else, but we are soooooo excited – for verbal communication has begun!

Communication is a major part of who we are. We use about anything to get it done! Phone calls, e-mails, Face book, Twitter . . . the list at our fingertips is long, while the goal is singular – communicate.

Words are one of our most primary means of communicating. However, often words come out of our mouths before we stop to realize the effect they will have on us and others. What we say is very important. The Psalmist gives a prayer of his heart in Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

Acceptable in His sight – wow! That prayer given and answered becomes more than “just a prayer” it becomes a lifestyle.

In Psalm 105 we are admonished to, “Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name . . .” What a way to lift our spirits. Think of all the wondrous things He’s done . . . again and again.

Across my mind comes a chorus I learned as a child:

“Let’s talk about Jesus, the King of Kings is He.

The Lord of Lords Supreme, through out eternity.

The Great I Am, the Way, the Truth the Life the Door,

Let’s talk about Jesus more and more.”

Some things aren’t worth repeating – it’s true – but one thing for certain, talking of the wondrous ways of our God makes our communication worthwhile. God Himself takes notice when we meditate on Him – and speak to others of how awesome and wonderful He is! How do I know . . . His Word says so! Take special note of the “take it with you” verses today . . . let’s lift up Jesus!

Take it With You

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heart them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name. “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “on the day that I make them My jewels, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.’” (Malachi 3:16,17)

For Every, "I Don't Know"

“What should I do about this?” “I don’t know, babe” came my husbands reply. . . and so I was left to ponder for a moment at my circumstance.

Walking to the hallway of the church someone met me with news that saddened my heart and left my mind wondering . . . “What do we do about this?”

Only One knew the answer . . . so we went to Him . . . together. Asking for HIS help, HIS intervention. We’ve been there many times before, and every time we go to Him, He is there.

He is our peace – He holds our wisdom – contains the strength to carry us when ours is gone – that’s our Jesus.

He’s the One to hold us up when the rest of the world has let us down. In the middle of the storm, He doesn’t abandon us – but sometimes leads us to the center before He leads us out – just so we can know and remember – He brings calmness wherever He is. The uncertainty of circumstances us teaches us just how CERTAIN He is – for when we look around, and everything else is shaking – He remains, the ROCK.

Every, “I don’t know” has an answer in “I Am.” Oh, yes. He is well aware of each detail of our lives. His care is deeper than any other. His love is more powerful than any other love – and reaches deeper into forgiveness than anything we have ever done. He is our God. He is I am

“What should I do about this?” Take it to Him and trust. He is the One with the Answer.

No one understands like Jesus;

He’s a Friend beyond compare.

Meet Him at the throne of mercy;

He is waiting for you there.

No one understands like Jesus

When the days are dark and grim.

No one is so near, so dear as Jesus;

Cast your every care on Him.

                                            John. W. Peterson

Take it With You

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.”

Matthew 24:35

Come Hungry

Come hungry! Those two words suggest something else at the end of the invitation -- especially if someone is inviting you over to their house. You’re pretty sure they are going to make certain they have enough food of some kind to fill you up.

When I was a young girl, our family received an invitation to come to the home another family. We didn’t know them very well, and the time of day we were invited to come left my mother uncertain as to the purpose of the visit. Were we coming for dinner – or just to get to know one another better? She didn’t know, and thought it rude to ask. So, upon discussing it, we were convinced we needed to go ahead and eat something first, and then go.

As soon as we walked in the door we knew we were wrong! The table was beautifully set, and the aroma of a wonderful meal awaited us. How in the world were we going to eat another meal? Yet, we certainly didn’t want our hostess to have prepared all this wonderful food in vain! So, we kept quiet, and ate again. Full? You better believe it! We left EXTREMELY FULL!

As human beings, all of us possess an inner hunger – an inner thirst – a longing that needs to be filled. The invitation of our Lord to know Him carries with it the promise . . . when we hunger and thirst after righteousness we shall be filled. Yet we have to be hungering and thirsting after “right things” in order to be able to be filled with “right things!”

Just as our family would have enjoyed the meal so much more if we had gone hungry, so our souls and spirits can be fully satisfied with Christ when we choose to fill our lives with Him.

Temporal satisfaction is very deceiving. We laugh for a moment in sin’s pleasure, but soon find the emptiness and heartache its aftermath provides. We satisfy our thirst with yet another material possession – or fill our lives with legitimate, seemingly all important, things “to do,” but soon find ourselves in a rat race which never ends with the word fulfilled. The only way to end a day fulfilled is to live it in the fullness of Christ.

Are you hungry? He is the Bread of Life! Are you thirsty? He is the water to quench the inner thirst of your soul. He is everything to me – and will be to you too! Just . . . come hungry!

Take it with You

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

He is With You

Anybody ever had “one of those days?” We may not want to admit it, but all of us have had “days like that.” Otherwise – why would we smile and nod at each other in agreement when those phrases come out of our mouths? We don’t even need all the details – when someone says, “It’s been one of those days,” we quickly connect the dots that things didn’t go as planned – and weren’t exactly, “positive circumstances.”

Recently I read once again that it isn’t our circumstances that determine our outcome, but how we react to them. Truer words were never spoken, but I must say, I am so glad that even the Apostle Paul had to “LEARN” to be content in “WHATEVER” the circumstances! Two things about that excite me. First, as great and Godly of a man as Paul was, he still “grew” in grace. He still “learned.” Secondly, it is possible for me to gain the maturity, the stability, the growth until circumstances don’t have a “long-term” effect on the peace and joy of my soul! That peace and joy is rooted in the One who never changes.

The patience of God is amazing. He doesn’t leave us while we are learning, but is with us, teaching us to trust, encouraging us to overcome by the His blood and our testimony, loving us on “days like that.”

One morning I found myself having “one of those days” before I even swung my feet over the edge of the bed! Exhaustion took over, tears came, and my husband so wisely advised that I just “stay home and rest.”

Throughout the day, Jesus was with me in so many ways. He knew where I was, and why I was at this particular place in time. My two youngest boys were home, and somehow, one of them got hold of my older son’s iPod. They couldn’t figure out how to turn the thing off – and came bringing it to me. Would you believe, I couldn’t figure it out either – but, as I tried, this song came on that was straight from God – right what I needed to hear. I was still trying to figure the thing out, when the next one came on – and -- you guessed it, I needed that one too.

The valley wasn’t immediately over – but He was with me in the valley. I found myself singing with yet another songwriter – “Restore my soul in the valley – so that I might be worthy at last to stand with Thee on the top of the mountain. In the valley, restore my soul.”

Today, remember – HE IS WITH YOU! Wherever we are – restoration is His specialty and He never grows weary of teaching us to trust Him.

Take it with You

“Restore us , O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!” Psalm 80:3,7,19

“Rude” or “Woo’d”

“Have you ever been wude?” My five year old son asked me seriously. “Rude?” I responded. “Well, I imagine I have sometime – although I certainly never try to be.”

“No, not ‘wude’ . . . ‘wude’ . . .” he continued – in earnest. “What?” I was certainly trying to figure out what he was trying to say – but not succeeding very well. Finally he said, with a grin that lit up his eyes, “You know, like with flowers. . . . “ “OH!” I laughed, “You mean like something wooing you?”

That was what he meant – and I was thoroughly surprised! How did he even know that word – or what it meant at age five? Upon inquiry, it had come for a kids video where an older gentleman was attempting to “woo” her widowed grandmother – and desperately trying to figure out what kind of present would be the best.

“You are way too young for that!” I quickly assured him. I couldn’t even believe he remembered that word at five. It’s not like it is used in common household conversation or anything.

After the laughter, this incident sent my mind retracing the steps of my childhood – remembering songs I had heard sung as a child and young person. Songs that used the term “woo” in a different sense. Used as a descriptive way to express our seeking Savior, wooing our hearts to come to Him, to know Him personally.

The word “woo” had synonyms like “persuade,” “encourage,” and “pursue.” Isn’t it amazing to think of Christ in this way? We turned our back on him, and yet in His incomprehensible love, he continued to pursue us – to “woo” us to Himself. He doesn’t offer us a bouquet of flowers – but gave Himself – the Rose of Sharon – to take our place for our sin!

Oh, yes. I have been, “wooed” – and in the words of an old song . . .

“I have made my choice forever ‘twixt this world and God’s own Son . . .

Naught can change my heart no never – He my heart has fully won. . .”

It’s written in “old English” and it for sure is an “old song” but the truth of its words is new again to me today. I have made my choice – FOREVER! As Anne Graham Lotz has been known to say, “Just give me Jesus!”

Take it with You

“. . . rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” John 14:6b-7

Rewarder

Respectfully I sat at yet another banquet. The weariness of my body made it difficult for my mind to capably connect with the speaker. Suddenly, across the screen flashed a scripture verse. Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

The Holy Spirit reached through my weary mind to indelibly write upon my heart . . . “a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” It isn’t a constant seeking without ever finding. He is a rewarder! He fills the longing of our heart – grants our deepest desires when we DELIGHT ourselves in HIM!

Delighting in someone or something brings a smile to the lips – joy to the heart. There is anticipation to talk with them, be with them, and hear what they have to say – share your joys, your hurts, your sorrows. You delight in them because you trust them, love them, and enjoy being with them.

The relationship we can have with Christ brings an intimacy only known from within. Scripture tells us when we worship Him; we worship in spirit and in truth. We delight in WHO He is. We are THRILLED at what He has done for us – and what He is doing. But our truest worship comes when we can successfully focus our eyes on WHO HE IS!

He doesn’t bait us to seek Him – and never allow Himself to be found. He doesn’t command us to have no other gods but He – and not reward our obedience. He is a Perfect God. Perfect in Love, in justice, in holiness – and forever above all.

When Jesus walked this earth He was a consistent rewarder of faith. Don’t you love the story of the men who literally “went through the roof” to find Him? (Mark 2:1-12) Their belief in who He was and what He would do for their friend ignited a passion that took them beyond all odds to get to Him. The crowd was too much for them to get “through” but they still found a way. Their faith was too strong – the need was too great – they had come too far to go back – whatever the reason, they would NOT be deterred for the reason they came.

Was Jesus amused at the response around Him when they literally came through the roof? I have no idea if He was amused, or amazed, but He was faithful. He responded to their faith by rewarding it. The man was forgiven of his sins . . . AND healed!

Make no mistake about it. Our God takes notice when we seek – He sees our faith – even as small as mustard seed. He sees, He smiles, and He rewards!

Take it with You

“When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son your sins are forgiven you.” (Mark 2:5)