I woke up in the middle of the night to use the restroom, but my mind was racing. I have no idea what I'd been dreaming about -- but it was if I woke up kind of in mid-sentence. Has that ever happened to anybody else? It was like I was interrupting myself.
So what was on my mind? Believe it or not it was correction tape ... white out. You know that stuff we use now to wipe out our mistakes ... the alternative to liquid paper. That's right, I woke up thinking about correction tape. Weird, huh? And the mid-sentence line of thinking was a parallel to white out and how God's forgiveness through the blood of Christ whites out our sins.
I have no idea why I was thinking about that in the middle of the night. Our mind does really strange things to us sometimes, doesn't. But I'm thankful I woke up with this on my mind and heart because -well, because it got me to writing tonight. Another reason I'm thankful is because I was reminded of God's wonderful grace!
The book of Ephesians tells us God is rich in grace and mercy. We are reminded of our great spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 3:7 is only one of the verses that speak of these riches. "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace."
It is through the blood of Christ that our sins are blotted out. We are washed white as snow. Just like correction tape will make our typing or writing errors disappear, and make that part of the page white again and allow us to correct our paper - so the blood of Christ makes our lives white again. And we get the wonderful opportunity to correct not paper -- but our LIVES.
Do you get that? Correction tape covers up the mess on the page and lets us start again. What a great invention! It is a huge help to office workers around the world. I know, I've used it quite often.
So much more importantly, more powerful than this is the blood of Christ. His loving sacrifice was given for everyone in the world. His gift allows us to cover up the mess of sinful life. We get to start again -- right where we are. We leave our worldly lives behind. Romans 6:4 tells us: "We were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Christ frees us from sin. Being cleansed from sin, we are no longer enslaved by worldly desires. The Spirit tells us (through Paul) to "put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." What a great encouragement!
Does this mean we will live perfect lives? Not at all! We are still human. We will mess up occasionally. God knows that. Even when we love Him and seek Him continually -- even when we strive to live as He would have us live -- we will make mistakes. Even then His great love and mercy has us covered.
It's still kind of like the correction tape. Just because I make a mistake on my paper and white it out one time doesn't mean I won't make a mistake on another paper at another time or two ... or ten! But, I still have access to correction tape. I can still get rid of the error.
As followers of Christ, we have access to His blood.
I John 1:7 - "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." What a beautiful promise to those of us who are His!
I'm so glad there is such a thing as correction tape.
I am immeasurably more glad Jesus shed His precious blood for me! Aren't you?
Christ above all things,
Robin Whitley
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Friday, November 25, 2016
Friday Fun and Freebies
In case you didn't know, last Friday was Mickey Mouse's birthday. That's right .. on November 18th, Mickey celebrated his 88th birthday. I'd say he looks pretty good for 88, wouldn't you? The management team where I work used this opportunity for us to celebrate and have a day of fun. We were encouraged to wear Mickey or Disney themed clothes. There were trivia games to play and various prizes were won.
Granted - not everybody won a prize - but we all got to participate in the fun. That morning - free donuts were available to all and enjoyed by most. And we all got to wear Mickey Mouse ears. It was a great way to lift everyone's spirits and end a week of work. I am thankful to those who gave us this fun time.
Yesterday, this country celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday. It is a special time aside to be thankful for what we have. Here in this country we have so many reasons to be thankful. We are blessed in so many ways that others are not. We reap the benefits of freedoms we ourselves didn't earn.
Just as a side note - Mickey Mouse was "born" just 20 days after the stock market crashed in 1928. The nation had just entered into very sad times. The Great Depression was one of the most trying times in this nation's history. I can only imagine the joy a little cartoon mouse brought to thousands of children across the nation.
Celebrating Mickey's birthday last week was truly fun. I enjoyed the free donuts. I enjoyed seeing everyone wear their Mickey Mouse T shirts and outfits. Some went the extra mile and even painted their faces.
It seems almost everyone had fun wearing their ears (just a simple black headband with mouse ears glued on to them.) I couldn't help but smile at one employee who wore the headband over his bald head. Everyone got into the spirit.
Then of course, there were the "freebies." As the winners were being announced, everyone anxiously awaited to see if their name would be called. And we all applauded the winners.
This, my friends is what really got me to thinking. Because you see, I came home to see the news on TV -- to see and hear about people grumbling with dissatisfaction about many things -- politics, government -- mostly about something they don't have or not getting their own way.
Nothing is ever really free. That do-nut I ate was free to me; but someone bought it. Those little mouse ears I wore were free for me ... but someone ordered them, went to the trouble of making sure there were enough for everyone, paid for them, and then took the time to pass them out to 100+ people. And those prizes that were won? I can assure you money swapped hands somewhere along the line.
In this country we have so much -- we are given so much -- it is difficult to remember sometimes that someone paid for it in some way. Material things cost money. If you enjoyed a feast yesterday -- it was paid for in some way. It was either bought at the grocery store or grown in your garden -- and either way it wasn't free. If you ate home-grown vegetables, then you or someone toiled over the planting and growing of that food. It wasn't free. It took time and effort.
We enjoy the freedom of travel across this country to get to those we love. We enjoy freedom of religion (not from, but of) and the right to bear arms and the right to vote. Not everything is paid for with monetary funds. Many things are paid for with time and sacrificed lives. Our freedom was paid for long ago with the lives of those who fought and died for this country. Freedom cost blood, sweat and tears. Mothers and fathers lost sons. Wives lost husbands. Children lost fathers.
Even things we usually think of as free -- love and friendship, family -- those things aren't totally free are they? Love and friendship take time and effort to develop. Energy is put into every successful relationship. We don't choose the family we are born into -- but it takes planning and dedication to establish strong family ties. Love may be freely given- but usually sacrifices are made along the way.
The most beautiful gift we can ever receive was bought with the highest and rarest price of which we can ever conceive. God's great love for us cost Him His Only Son. Jesus gave His life for us willingly and lovingly. He wants us to be able to live with Him and the Heavenly Father forever and He paid the ultimate price.
We didn't deserve it ... and never will be able to. God's grace and love is almost inconceivable. Yet not everyone will take advantage of this wonderful gift of love. . Some of us think that because "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish" is a given and there is nothing we are to do. Not so .. my friends. That word is should not shall.
The very next verse after that most famous verse of all says, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him" (John 3:17 ESV). Notice the word "might" -- that's conditional. Just a few chapters over in the gospel of John .. chapter 14, verse 15 Jesus says- "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." We don't all do that. We should, but we just don't. Sometimes we don't even stop and think about things Jesus wants us to do for Him.
Yes, Jesus loves us! He gave His life for us. He lived a perfect life for us so that He could give Himself as the perfect sacrifice for us all. We can never do enough to earn our salvation. We will never be "good enough" to get into heaven on our own.
God's grace and mercy reaches out to everyone. But this is not the end of the story. We must reach out to Him. I think Jesus says it best. Listen to His beautiful words of love:
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no on than this, that someone lay down his life for friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you." (John 15:9-14)
Remember to be thankful. Everything you've ever been given was paid for in some way by someone. Ultimately everything you have... everything that you are or ever will be ... is from the Father of Lights.
Christ died for us. He loved us that much. We should long to abide in His love ... to be His friend and follow His commandments. As He died for us -- now so let us live for Him.
Christ above all things,
Robin
Granted - not everybody won a prize - but we all got to participate in the fun. That morning - free donuts were available to all and enjoyed by most. And we all got to wear Mickey Mouse ears. It was a great way to lift everyone's spirits and end a week of work. I am thankful to those who gave us this fun time.
Yesterday, this country celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday. It is a special time aside to be thankful for what we have. Here in this country we have so many reasons to be thankful. We are blessed in so many ways that others are not. We reap the benefits of freedoms we ourselves didn't earn.
Just as a side note - Mickey Mouse was "born" just 20 days after the stock market crashed in 1928. The nation had just entered into very sad times. The Great Depression was one of the most trying times in this nation's history. I can only imagine the joy a little cartoon mouse brought to thousands of children across the nation.
Celebrating Mickey's birthday last week was truly fun. I enjoyed the free donuts. I enjoyed seeing everyone wear their Mickey Mouse T shirts and outfits. Some went the extra mile and even painted their faces.
It seems almost everyone had fun wearing their ears (just a simple black headband with mouse ears glued on to them.) I couldn't help but smile at one employee who wore the headband over his bald head. Everyone got into the spirit.
Then of course, there were the "freebies." As the winners were being announced, everyone anxiously awaited to see if their name would be called. And we all applauded the winners.
This, my friends is what really got me to thinking. Because you see, I came home to see the news on TV -- to see and hear about people grumbling with dissatisfaction about many things -- politics, government -- mostly about something they don't have or not getting their own way.
Nothing is ever really free. That do-nut I ate was free to me; but someone bought it. Those little mouse ears I wore were free for me ... but someone ordered them, went to the trouble of making sure there were enough for everyone, paid for them, and then took the time to pass them out to 100+ people. And those prizes that were won? I can assure you money swapped hands somewhere along the line.
In this country we have so much -- we are given so much -- it is difficult to remember sometimes that someone paid for it in some way. Material things cost money. If you enjoyed a feast yesterday -- it was paid for in some way. It was either bought at the grocery store or grown in your garden -- and either way it wasn't free. If you ate home-grown vegetables, then you or someone toiled over the planting and growing of that food. It wasn't free. It took time and effort.
We enjoy the freedom of travel across this country to get to those we love. We enjoy freedom of religion (not from, but of) and the right to bear arms and the right to vote. Not everything is paid for with monetary funds. Many things are paid for with time and sacrificed lives. Our freedom was paid for long ago with the lives of those who fought and died for this country. Freedom cost blood, sweat and tears. Mothers and fathers lost sons. Wives lost husbands. Children lost fathers.
Even things we usually think of as free -- love and friendship, family -- those things aren't totally free are they? Love and friendship take time and effort to develop. Energy is put into every successful relationship. We don't choose the family we are born into -- but it takes planning and dedication to establish strong family ties. Love may be freely given- but usually sacrifices are made along the way.
The most beautiful gift we can ever receive was bought with the highest and rarest price of which we can ever conceive. God's great love for us cost Him His Only Son. Jesus gave His life for us willingly and lovingly. He wants us to be able to live with Him and the Heavenly Father forever and He paid the ultimate price.
We didn't deserve it ... and never will be able to. God's grace and love is almost inconceivable. Yet not everyone will take advantage of this wonderful gift of love. . Some of us think that because "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish" is a given and there is nothing we are to do. Not so .. my friends. That word is should not shall.
The very next verse after that most famous verse of all says, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him" (John 3:17 ESV). Notice the word "might" -- that's conditional. Just a few chapters over in the gospel of John .. chapter 14, verse 15 Jesus says- "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." We don't all do that. We should, but we just don't. Sometimes we don't even stop and think about things Jesus wants us to do for Him.
Yes, Jesus loves us! He gave His life for us. He lived a perfect life for us so that He could give Himself as the perfect sacrifice for us all. We can never do enough to earn our salvation. We will never be "good enough" to get into heaven on our own.
God's grace and mercy reaches out to everyone. But this is not the end of the story. We must reach out to Him. I think Jesus says it best. Listen to His beautiful words of love:
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no on than this, that someone lay down his life for friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you." (John 15:9-14)
Remember to be thankful. Everything you've ever been given was paid for in some way by someone. Ultimately everything you have... everything that you are or ever will be ... is from the Father of Lights.
Christ died for us. He loved us that much. We should long to abide in His love ... to be His friend and follow His commandments. As He died for us -- now so let us live for Him.
Christ above all things,
Robin
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Let Her Who Runs on Fumes ..OR Running Out of Gas, Part 2
"Let her who runs on fumes take heed, lest she end up on the side of the road."
I did say my thoughts on running out of gas might take 2 parts. As I've thought about these incidents over and over again the past few weeks another verse kept popping into my mind. 1 Corinthians 10:12 says: "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands, take heed lest he fall."
Again, so many thoughts go along with this verse as I apply it to my life. First of all, spiritually.... we get nowhere...we go nowhere ... without God. Just like our cars won't go without gas -- our souls can't go without God. He is our source of power. Just as a car needs fuel to move forward, so our souls need spiritual fuel to move closer to God and our home in heaven.
In Ephesians 3:16, Paul prays for the Ephesian Christians "that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being." God gives us the strength to live a faithful Christian life. But this is not randomly given. It is given to those who seek to serve Him. If we don't fill our tanks -- we wind up on the side of the road. Just like we have to take our cars to a gas station -- we have to take our souls to Christ.
I thought I knew my car well enough to get one more trip out of it ... to go just a little further. I thought I could wait just a little longer before I took action. Do we sometimes do that with our spiritual life? We think we know ourselves and we can go a little further without including our Lord in what we are doing.
Maybe we think we don't need Jesus right now. Maybe we think we're doing pretty well on our own. But in the scripture quoted earlier, if we think we are standing -- we better be careful because we might fall. We don't stand on our own. It is through our Savior that we stand at all.
Another scripture that comes to mind is found in Isaiah 5:21 "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight." Some of us may think we have a little more time, like I thought with my car. But my thinking didn't get me home. I couldn't go any further running on fumes.
Honestly, it was out of neglect that I ran out of gas. It was no one's fault but my own. If we fail to attend worship, we are neglecting our God. If we fail to study His word - if we fail to seek the love we find throughout the scriptures - if we fail to talk to our Heavenly Father - then we are neglecting our spiritual lives. And folks, we are going to end up stranded on the side of the road!
Not only can I relate to this because of my car, but I can relate it to my spiritual life. There was a time in my life when I didn't put Christ first. I became so indifferent, I didn't think I even needed Him anymore. I had put God and all things spiritual out of my life. It was a long time ago -- but I still remember. I almost ended up alone and far from any promise of an eternal home with God.
But just like I had help with my car (on both occasions), I had help with my spiritual life. Family, friends and people who were total strangers at the time - loved God enough to love my soul enough to stop on the side of the road ... they took me in ... they showed God's love to me. They gave me fuel ... and I realized I needed it. When I came to that realization, I began to fuel up more and more often. I praise God for those who got me back on the road again!!!
We have to be careful every day. We have to pay attention to our tank ... and make sure we don't let ourselves get empty. We have to understand we can't run of fumes. We can use a lot of fuel up even doing good works for Him -- but we have to stop and fill ourselves back with scripture and prayer and wonderful Christian friends who give us encouragement to keep on going.
We can't allow ourselves to drift away - to become lackadaisical like I did. That is a very dangerous position to be in! God won't magically fill up your tank. But I promise if you truly put Him first .. if you seek to learn of Christ .. and are willing to follow Him ...you will be "strengthened by His power through His Spirit in your inner being."
Christ above all things,
Robin
I did say my thoughts on running out of gas might take 2 parts. As I've thought about these incidents over and over again the past few weeks another verse kept popping into my mind. 1 Corinthians 10:12 says: "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands, take heed lest he fall."
Again, so many thoughts go along with this verse as I apply it to my life. First of all, spiritually.... we get nowhere...we go nowhere ... without God. Just like our cars won't go without gas -- our souls can't go without God. He is our source of power. Just as a car needs fuel to move forward, so our souls need spiritual fuel to move closer to God and our home in heaven.
In Ephesians 3:16, Paul prays for the Ephesian Christians "that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being." God gives us the strength to live a faithful Christian life. But this is not randomly given. It is given to those who seek to serve Him. If we don't fill our tanks -- we wind up on the side of the road. Just like we have to take our cars to a gas station -- we have to take our souls to Christ.
I thought I knew my car well enough to get one more trip out of it ... to go just a little further. I thought I could wait just a little longer before I took action. Do we sometimes do that with our spiritual life? We think we know ourselves and we can go a little further without including our Lord in what we are doing.
Maybe we think we don't need Jesus right now. Maybe we think we're doing pretty well on our own. But in the scripture quoted earlier, if we think we are standing -- we better be careful because we might fall. We don't stand on our own. It is through our Savior that we stand at all.
Another scripture that comes to mind is found in Isaiah 5:21 "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight." Some of us may think we have a little more time, like I thought with my car. But my thinking didn't get me home. I couldn't go any further running on fumes.
Honestly, it was out of neglect that I ran out of gas. It was no one's fault but my own. If we fail to attend worship, we are neglecting our God. If we fail to study His word - if we fail to seek the love we find throughout the scriptures - if we fail to talk to our Heavenly Father - then we are neglecting our spiritual lives. And folks, we are going to end up stranded on the side of the road!
Not only can I relate to this because of my car, but I can relate it to my spiritual life. There was a time in my life when I didn't put Christ first. I became so indifferent, I didn't think I even needed Him anymore. I had put God and all things spiritual out of my life. It was a long time ago -- but I still remember. I almost ended up alone and far from any promise of an eternal home with God.
But just like I had help with my car (on both occasions), I had help with my spiritual life. Family, friends and people who were total strangers at the time - loved God enough to love my soul enough to stop on the side of the road ... they took me in ... they showed God's love to me. They gave me fuel ... and I realized I needed it. When I came to that realization, I began to fuel up more and more often. I praise God for those who got me back on the road again!!!
We have to be careful every day. We have to pay attention to our tank ... and make sure we don't let ourselves get empty. We have to understand we can't run of fumes. We can use a lot of fuel up even doing good works for Him -- but we have to stop and fill ourselves back with scripture and prayer and wonderful Christian friends who give us encouragement to keep on going.
We can't allow ourselves to drift away - to become lackadaisical like I did. That is a very dangerous position to be in! God won't magically fill up your tank. But I promise if you truly put Him first .. if you seek to learn of Christ .. and are willing to follow Him ...you will be "strengthened by His power through His Spirit in your inner being."
Christ above all things,
Robin
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Running Out of Gas
A few weeks ago my car ran out of gas ... on two different occasions within a couple of weeks. In my defense, the gas gauge on my car wasn't working. After driving this vehicle for the past few years, I thought I had learned to tell when I really was low on gas. Apparently I wasn't as familiar with my car than I thought I was; or maybe I just wasn't being as attentive as I should have been.
The first time it happened was on a Sunday night. I was on my way home from worship. I actually got to within about 100 feet of making it home. I could clearly see my house. I called my husband and he came to my rescue. He brought the gas can and put enough fuel in my tank to get completely home and also make it to the gas station the next morning.
Well, one would have thought I had learned my lesson. Not so, my friends. Only a few days later it happened again. This time I was at an intersection waiting to turn left. The work day had ended and I was anxious to get home. When the light changed to green, the car wouldn't go.
I'm sure the folks in cars behind me were quite frustrated and wondered why I was hindering their progress. Two very nice young men kindly pushed my car out of the way so that others could move on. They offered to help more; but I was within very close walking distance to a gas station, so I told them I would be fine. I thought surely I could get some help from there.
Seconds after they walked away, a friend from work pulled up behind me and asked if she could help. She had to pick her child up from day care; but said she would come back. I told her I knew I would be OK and for her to please go on home. Nonetheless, she insisted on giving me her cell phone number before she left "just in case."
Just as I started that short walk, an old friend whom I hadn't seen in months drove by. He stopped on the side of the road and said "Get in." I tried to tell him it would be OK, and he replied something to the effect, "It's hot out here, I said get in." So I did.
He drove me to the gas station. Somebody he knew there had a gas can. So I got the help I needed, visited with an old friend a little while and in a short time I was on my way home none the worse for the wear. But maybe a little wiser.
I learned several practical lessons from these experiences. Naturally I began to think of spiritual applications as well. I love it when I'm able to relate the physical to the spiritual. Somehow things make more sense that way. So where do I start?? Oh boy! I think there may have to be two parts to this because so many things come to my mind.
The first lesson I learned -- or perhaps I should say remembered-- is to be prepared. A lot of other thoughts fall in line with this. We all know a car needs gas to run. It just won't drive on an empty tank. Yet, I allowed myself to forget this very important rule.
We have to stop and re-fuel our automobiles on a pretty regular basis just to keep us going. And when I forgot -- when I wasn't prepared -- what happened? Well, I ran out of gas and stopped dead in the road. That's what happened. I didn't make it home on my home.
And it didn't make much difference how close I was, I still didn't make it home in own vehicle. The first time I ran out of gas, I was only 100 feet from the house. I could have walked there easily. The second time I was 22 miles from home. The distance made no difference in the overall result. 100 feet away or 22 miles away - the problem was the same. My car was stuck on the side of the road.
The same is true of our spiritual lives. It doesn't matter how long we've been Christians or how close we get to the end of our natural earthly life if we run out of spiritual gas and let ourselves get stuck on the side of the worldly road, we don't make it to our heavenly home. If we let our faith and hope and love for God run out of our heart and soul, we just don't make it.
Folks we don't make it to heaven on an empty tank. We have to be full of love for Christ. We have to be walking in the light and abiding in His Word. We have to be abound in good works. We must bear the fruit of the Spirit and love our fellowman.
I'm reminded of the parable of the 10 virgins and so many comments could be made here. The focal point of this parable is that 5 virgins were prepared. Their lamps still had oil in them. The bridegroom invited them in. They made it home. The 5 virgins were not prepared. They ran out of oil (just like my car ran out of gas). The bridegroom did not invite them. They did not make it home.
God loves us so much and He wants us to be in heaven with Him. But He wants those who come to Him to be prepared. He wants us to want to be with Him. He doesn't want hearts empty of faith and love.
Let's not let our souls run out of fuel like I allowed my car to run empty. Listen to what Christ told us in Luke 12:35-38:
"Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!"
The first time it happened was on a Sunday night. I was on my way home from worship. I actually got to within about 100 feet of making it home. I could clearly see my house. I called my husband and he came to my rescue. He brought the gas can and put enough fuel in my tank to get completely home and also make it to the gas station the next morning.
Well, one would have thought I had learned my lesson. Not so, my friends. Only a few days later it happened again. This time I was at an intersection waiting to turn left. The work day had ended and I was anxious to get home. When the light changed to green, the car wouldn't go.
I'm sure the folks in cars behind me were quite frustrated and wondered why I was hindering their progress. Two very nice young men kindly pushed my car out of the way so that others could move on. They offered to help more; but I was within very close walking distance to a gas station, so I told them I would be fine. I thought surely I could get some help from there.
Seconds after they walked away, a friend from work pulled up behind me and asked if she could help. She had to pick her child up from day care; but said she would come back. I told her I knew I would be OK and for her to please go on home. Nonetheless, she insisted on giving me her cell phone number before she left "just in case."
Just as I started that short walk, an old friend whom I hadn't seen in months drove by. He stopped on the side of the road and said "Get in." I tried to tell him it would be OK, and he replied something to the effect, "It's hot out here, I said get in." So I did.
He drove me to the gas station. Somebody he knew there had a gas can. So I got the help I needed, visited with an old friend a little while and in a short time I was on my way home none the worse for the wear. But maybe a little wiser.
I learned several practical lessons from these experiences. Naturally I began to think of spiritual applications as well. I love it when I'm able to relate the physical to the spiritual. Somehow things make more sense that way. So where do I start?? Oh boy! I think there may have to be two parts to this because so many things come to my mind.
The first lesson I learned -- or perhaps I should say remembered-- is to be prepared. A lot of other thoughts fall in line with this. We all know a car needs gas to run. It just won't drive on an empty tank. Yet, I allowed myself to forget this very important rule.
We have to stop and re-fuel our automobiles on a pretty regular basis just to keep us going. And when I forgot -- when I wasn't prepared -- what happened? Well, I ran out of gas and stopped dead in the road. That's what happened. I didn't make it home on my home.
And it didn't make much difference how close I was, I still didn't make it home in own vehicle. The first time I ran out of gas, I was only 100 feet from the house. I could have walked there easily. The second time I was 22 miles from home. The distance made no difference in the overall result. 100 feet away or 22 miles away - the problem was the same. My car was stuck on the side of the road.
The same is true of our spiritual lives. It doesn't matter how long we've been Christians or how close we get to the end of our natural earthly life if we run out of spiritual gas and let ourselves get stuck on the side of the worldly road, we don't make it to our heavenly home. If we let our faith and hope and love for God run out of our heart and soul, we just don't make it.
Folks we don't make it to heaven on an empty tank. We have to be full of love for Christ. We have to be walking in the light and abiding in His Word. We have to be abound in good works. We must bear the fruit of the Spirit and love our fellowman.
I'm reminded of the parable of the 10 virgins and so many comments could be made here. The focal point of this parable is that 5 virgins were prepared. Their lamps still had oil in them. The bridegroom invited them in. They made it home. The 5 virgins were not prepared. They ran out of oil (just like my car ran out of gas). The bridegroom did not invite them. They did not make it home.
God loves us so much and He wants us to be in heaven with Him. But He wants those who come to Him to be prepared. He wants us to want to be with Him. He doesn't want hearts empty of faith and love.
Let's not let our souls run out of fuel like I allowed my car to run empty. Listen to what Christ told us in Luke 12:35-38:
"Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!"
Our souls can't run on empty. We'll end up stuck on the side of the road. I want to make it all the way home.
Don't you?
Christ above all things,
Robin
Saturday, October 1, 2016
What's Your Motivation?
Since my last post, I've heard several great lessons from God's word. What a great opportunity and privilege we have here in this country to worship our God in freedom! How wonderful it is that Americans have this right! I am increasingly thankful for this freedom. It grows ever more precious to me. I pray we never take it for granted and that this precious freedom is one we will always be able to keep.
-----------------------
Recently I heard about a young man who stated he was going to steal something he wanted. The adult he was speaking to asked him why he would do something like that. This young man (and I'm talking around 10 or so) said simply, "Because I can." How sad is this!
All too often people do harm or take advantage of others simply because they can. Maybe it is an issue of pride or a desire to exert power or influence over someone -- which I guess is still an issue of pride. I suppose this old world has heard the phrase "because I can" many times throughout its history.
This is not always linked to harmful misdeeds. Sometimes those who perform acts of kindness will say the same thing when asked why they have done so. Often those who have done a good deed, will say "I was in the right place at the right time and had the opportunity, so I just did what I could." The idea of doing what we can when we can is often a driving force for good in this world.
Most of the time though, the reasoning for our actions goes far beyond such a simple statement. This is true no matter what the deed -- good or bad. We don't usually act on what we can do unless we want to do it. If the ability is there; but the desire is not -- then the deed often goes undone.
Some acts are motivated by greed, envy or revenge. Other are performed because of a sense of duty, in honor of something or someone, or a desire to do the right thing. We all do things for a variety of reasons.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul addressed this subject with the Corinthian Christians in his first letter to them. It seems some of these early Christians became overly concerned with their spiritual gifts. Perhaps they had argued over whose gift was most valuable.
But in I Corinthians Chapter 12 Paul says that all Christians are important -- all of them had a responsibility to the church -- to help it grow -- to reach out to others -- to teach -- to perform acts of benevolence -- to stand up for the truth -- to avoid false doctrine -- and to bring others to Christ. Paul wanted each of them to know how valuable they were to the Lord.
This is as true for us today as it was for the Corinthians back then. We are each incredibly valuable to Jesus and we all have our part to do. We are all uniquely created to serve Him in our own way. Christ needs us all to bring His light into the world. We matter to Him.
At the end of chapter 12, Paul tells them to "earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a more excellent way." Thus begins the beautiful chapter on love -- I Corinthians 13. It is here that Paul addresses a Christian's motivation. See Paul tells us that is doesn't matter how outstanding our gifts are, it WHY we use them that is important. It is our motivation that matters.
Listen to the wonderful words of truth in I Corinthians 1:1-3: "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol. And if I have a prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing."
See it doesn't matter how well we say something, if we don't speak with love in our hearts, then our words are meaningless. They are just so much noise. And regardless of how smart we are or how sure we are of God's power if we don't treat others with kindness and love we are ... well God said it (through Paul) -- we are nothing.
What about those charitable acts we mentioned? If we do them simply because we can or out of a sense of duty .. well, if no love is involved, we don't gain anything in God's eyes. It is our love for Him that should guide us to do what we can when we can.
Jesus told us the greatest commandment is love. It is what matters to Him most. If we love Him -- truly love Him - that love will lead us to obedience. If we love Him we will keep His commandments. (John 14:15) That love will guide all our actions. Our words will ring true and give hope to others.
Love is the more excellent way Paul was talking about. With love in our hearts we will be motivated to use our knowledge and faith to teach others about Christ and to encourage those who are weak. With love as our reason for every action every day .. we will gain grace and favor with our God.
Love lasts forever. It is what we should build our lives upon. Any other reason renders us hopeless. We know there are so many excellent verses about love. But I will only leave you with two.
"Let all that you do be done in love."
(I Corinthians 16:14)
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor
uncircumcision counts for anything, but only
faith working through love."
(Galatians 5:6)
So I ask you ....... what's your motivation?
Christ above all things,
Robin
Saturday, September 3, 2016
Loyalty and Integrity
Loyalty and integrity are words we don't hear much anymore. Sometimes it seems our young people aren't even taught the meaning of the words. Yet I know this isn't true.
I see young people demonstrating these characteristics every day. We just don't hear about it very often. It seems the media would rather hail the protesters, the troublemakers, and those who would raise controversy or heartache instead.
So with that in mind.....I'll share a memory from several years ago.
I was at our local middle school attending the Veteran's Day concert. My youngest son was in the the beginner band. I was thankful to be able to be there to see him. I made it a point to get there early enough to get a good seat. I wanted to be sure I could see Aaron from where I sat.
Being an extremely patriotic person, I was also happy the band leaders and school leadership chose to honor our local veterans in this manner. I was honored to be able to sit near several veterans of various ages. Some of them were in uniform. It was a wonderful sight.
In my mind this was an important event. The children in the band had practiced for several weeks. The other students were invited to attend the concert. So were parents, veterans in the community and other citizens too. The gymnasium was full.
Ah, but I digress -- back to the concert. Like I said I was sitting close to many of the veterans in attendance. And I was wishing my Dad and husband (both Marines) had been able to attend. There were several elderly gentlemen veterans in attendance. These men were once strong and fit and stood tall and proud, but they moved a little slower now and were perhaps not as strong as they used to be.
As the concert progressed, I noticed something about these men. I saw how proud they were still -- proud of their country and proud of the service they had provided. They stood up when the band played "The Star Spangled Banner."
That's not all, these men stood up when they heard the notes of "God Bless America." And they stood up again when the band played the theme song of their particular branch of service. They stood up a little slower each time. I could see lines of discomfort in their faces -- as they struggled to make their bodies do what their hearts told them to do. It wasn't an easy thing for them to do but they still stood.
These men were still serving their country. They were showing the people in that gymnasium how important loyalty is. They were teaching us about allegiance. These veterans in their older years were still teaching the whole community about sacrifice.
I was honored to be there among those heroes. After the concert was over, a young man - a student there - came over to speak to one of the men. The older man spoke to him and shook his hand -- asking him how he was. You could tell the two were fond of each other ... they had a mutual respect for one another.
When the student walked away, another one of the men asked the first guy if that was his grandson. The man told him they weren't related, but he and the boy were neighbors. I heard him comment on what a fine young man he was, saying he came over to visit him from time to time. I had a feeling the boy thought the older man was pretty special too.
I will always remember the concert. I will always remember the veterans who were there -- veterans of all ages -- and from all branches of service. I treasure the opportunity I had to see and hear my son play at such an important event ... even if it was in a middle school gymnasium in a small community in rural northeast Mississippi.
I will always remember the concert. I will always remember the veterans who were there -- veterans of all ages -- and from all branches of service. I treasure the opportunity I had to see and hear my son play at such an important event ... even if it was in a middle school gymnasium in a small community in rural northeast Mississippi.
I will never forget how those veterans stood up during the playing of songs they held dear to their heart. I hope others still remember the lessons they taught us by doing so. And I will never forget how two very special fellas of two very different generations gave each other a little encouragement that day.
So what about you and me? The Bible talks about loyalty. It's usually called faithfulness or steadfastness in the scriptures. And the Bible speaks about integrity too. In God's Word it is usually mentioned as righteousness or holiness.
Throughout the New Testament Christians are called to be holy, righteous and faithful to Christ our Savior. We are also exhorted to pray for our country's leaders and to be good examples to those around us by obeying the laws of the land. Showing our allegiance to God means obeying all His commands, including those to be good citizens. That's not always easy, but it is a commandment.
I would have been able to tell those men were veterans even if they weren't in uniform that day. I would have known by their behavior. Most everyone around here stands up for the national anthem and some stand for God Bless America. But probably only a veteran would stand for "Anchors Away" or "The Marines' Hymn."
More importantly .....
Do those in the world know what we stand for? If they see us perform an act of kindness for a friend in need, they might say we are loyal. If someone sees us turn in a lost wallet full of money, they would understand we are someone of integrity. But if they never hear us invite them to worship or talk about Jesus; they will never know we are Christians.
Those veterans were willing to fight for our country. Are we fighting the good fight of faith? It is the most crucial fight of our lives. So be strong ... stand up for Christ ... it might not always be easy ... but it will always be worth it.
Christ above all things,
Robin
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Her Favorite Word
It was Monday morning. We had a great breakfast and clean up time was over. The girls had done their best to prepare for cabin inspection. Now it was time for one of my favorite parts of the day at Maywood Christian Camp. It was Bible class time.
There were some young ladies in our class whom I'd never met. As we introduced ourselves, I learned that a few of the girls were from a town very close to my own home. In fact, I have several close friends who attend the same congregation these young ladies do.
The class lesson centered on faith. Our camp books are written by one who loves God's Word and who obviously loves young people. The author tries to word the lessons so that young minds can relate to the Truth in a real and practical way.
Naturally I don't remember everything that was said that day. It was at least a couple of years back. But I do remember we discussed Hebrews chapter 11 - verses 1 & 6 in particular. We talked about the definition of faith according to Hebrews 1:1. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." NKJV
We said our hope of heaven is based on -- made up of -- our faith. We mentioned that without faith in Christ and His resurrection we have no hope. The English Standard Version uses the word assurance instead of substance. It is through our faith we have a confident expectation (assurance) we will one day live with Christ eternally.
We also talked about faith being the evidence of things not seen. Instead of evidence, the ESV uses the word conviction. Faith in God constitutes a way of life. Our lives should show we are convinced of things our eyes have yet to see.
A good explanation is found in verse 3 - "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."
Although I can't remember everything we said, I do remember stressing these verses as well as Hebrews 11:6 which is one of my favorites. It was important to my teaching partner and me to do our best with this lesson. We had a great class.
Time was up and the girls prepared to leave. As one of them stood up she said, "That's her favorite word, you know."
"Whose favorite word," I asked.
"Mrs. _______. You said you're friends? She's our Sunday school teacher. Faith is her favorite word."
"Oh that's right it is." One of the other girls chimed in. "She told us that."
"She talks about faith a lot."
I couldn't help but smile. I was so happy the girls had shared this with me and I couldn't wait to find the time to text my friend. I wanted to tell her what her students had said. I had a feeling she would be as excited as I was.
See no matter what age group we teach, we often wonder if anything we say gets through to our students. Bible class teachers teach for one reason. It is because they love Christ and His truth. They want others to know about Him.
So hearing a student is talking about the class - about what they have learned -well, it is a wonderful feeling. I know my friend pretty well. She loves her students and she loves teaching. It seemed like they knew her pretty well too.
She would be happy to know they remembered what she taught them. But not because she was the one who taught them -- the point isn't who the teaches the class. The point is the lesson learned. And that is why my friend would be happy - because her students had learned an important principle of the Truth.
We have to examine ourselves daily. Do people know what our favorite word is? We don't have to teach a Bible class for them to know. But what we do should reflect our faith and love for God. Our family, friends and co-workers should know we are Christians. It should be obvious God comes first in our life.
Are we rising to the challenge of Christianity? We need the kind of faith the Holy Spirit tells us about in Hebrews 11. Our faith should be strong enough to lead us to hope -- to have a confident expectation of a life in heaven.
Our lives-- our daily walk -- in this world should be evidence of a God who is very real but can't be seen. We can know God rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). And we understand our faith leads us to do the seeking. And that seeking Him means obeying His commands?
So what is your favorite word?
Christ above all things,
Robin
There were some young ladies in our class whom I'd never met. As we introduced ourselves, I learned that a few of the girls were from a town very close to my own home. In fact, I have several close friends who attend the same congregation these young ladies do.
The class lesson centered on faith. Our camp books are written by one who loves God's Word and who obviously loves young people. The author tries to word the lessons so that young minds can relate to the Truth in a real and practical way.
Naturally I don't remember everything that was said that day. It was at least a couple of years back. But I do remember we discussed Hebrews chapter 11 - verses 1 & 6 in particular. We talked about the definition of faith according to Hebrews 1:1. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." NKJV
We said our hope of heaven is based on -- made up of -- our faith. We mentioned that without faith in Christ and His resurrection we have no hope. The English Standard Version uses the word assurance instead of substance. It is through our faith we have a confident expectation (assurance) we will one day live with Christ eternally.
We also talked about faith being the evidence of things not seen. Instead of evidence, the ESV uses the word conviction. Faith in God constitutes a way of life. Our lives should show we are convinced of things our eyes have yet to see.
A good explanation is found in verse 3 - "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."
Although I can't remember everything we said, I do remember stressing these verses as well as Hebrews 11:6 which is one of my favorites. It was important to my teaching partner and me to do our best with this lesson. We had a great class.
Time was up and the girls prepared to leave. As one of them stood up she said, "That's her favorite word, you know."
"Whose favorite word," I asked.
"Mrs. _______. You said you're friends? She's our Sunday school teacher. Faith is her favorite word."
"Oh that's right it is." One of the other girls chimed in. "She told us that."
"She talks about faith a lot."
I couldn't help but smile. I was so happy the girls had shared this with me and I couldn't wait to find the time to text my friend. I wanted to tell her what her students had said. I had a feeling she would be as excited as I was.
See no matter what age group we teach, we often wonder if anything we say gets through to our students. Bible class teachers teach for one reason. It is because they love Christ and His truth. They want others to know about Him.
So hearing a student is talking about the class - about what they have learned -well, it is a wonderful feeling. I know my friend pretty well. She loves her students and she loves teaching. It seemed like they knew her pretty well too.
She would be happy to know they remembered what she taught them. But not because she was the one who taught them -- the point isn't who the teaches the class. The point is the lesson learned. And that is why my friend would be happy - because her students had learned an important principle of the Truth.
We have to examine ourselves daily. Do people know what our favorite word is? We don't have to teach a Bible class for them to know. But what we do should reflect our faith and love for God. Our family, friends and co-workers should know we are Christians. It should be obvious God comes first in our life.
Are we rising to the challenge of Christianity? We need the kind of faith the Holy Spirit tells us about in Hebrews 11. Our faith should be strong enough to lead us to hope -- to have a confident expectation of a life in heaven.
Our lives-- our daily walk -- in this world should be evidence of a God who is very real but can't be seen. We can know God rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). And we understand our faith leads us to do the seeking. And that seeking Him means obeying His commands?
So what is your favorite word?
Christ above all things,
Robin
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Christianity ...and Worship -- Not a Game to be Played
When she opened the door and saw me sitting behind the table I saw the slightest hint of a smile. And quickly she put her hands over her eyes in peek-a-boo style. I looked up at her grandmother following closely behind and she just smiled with a shrug of her shoulders.
Deciding to play along, I asked "Mom-maw" why she didn't bring her granddaughter to class. My little student continued to walk slowly toward the table with her hands still over her eyes (I'm sure she was peeking a little and watching her own feet as she walked). Underneath those precious hands she was grinning from ear to ear.
The conversation went something like this (paraphrasing because my memory's not that great):
"Where is _____? Didn't you bring her to class?"
"No, she decided not to come."
"Oh no, I'm really going to miss her."
"I know, but she wanted to stay home tonight."
About that time, my little Bible class student lifted her hands from her eyes and revealed herself giggling all the while. "There she is," I said. "I'm so glad you're here tonight." And thus began our Bible class.
I do love teaching the little 2 and 3 year old children in our church family. I've said it often before, but they teach me ever so much more than I could ever teach them. Oh, if adults only had half the enthusiasm of a little child when they attend a Bible class just think how different our church families would be! Just think how different the world would be!!
Yet so often we come to class and listen halfheartedly - through eyes still hazy with sleep and minds wandering past class time - and even speeding forward past the worship hour to what we will be having for lunch. Maybe we think about how crowded the restaurant will be or what we are going to wear to work tomorrow instead of pouring our hearts into God's word.
God loves us so much! He longs to be with us. He wants us to want Him. Christ gave up heaven for us! He came down from heaven to live an earthly life, to suffer earthly pain, to be hungry and thirsty and tired and weak -- all for us. And so often we come to worship Him with only some small part of ourselves.
He gave our all to us. And sometimes it seems we give so very little back to Him. When my sweet young student hid her eyes behind her hands, she was playing a little game. She was totally innocent and joyful. Yet I knew she was happy to be there.
Sometimes we play an entirely different game. We attend worship on Sunday morning and hide behind that somehow. We pretend to ourselves that's enough. Like showing up for a couple of hours on Sunday morning is all Christ expects of us -- all He really wants from us. We use games to hide from God.
Sure, living a life for God involves attending worship. After all He's done for us and after all He IS ... our Creator and our Redeemer .... we should long to worship Him. We should have so much love for Him that the question of attending worship isn't even a question. He deserves our worship ... our devotion ... and our adoration.
Yet, if we are to truly live for Him attending worship in a church building is only the beginning. It is true that going "to church" on Sunday doesn't make anyone a Christian anymore than putting a horse in a garage on Sunday makes it a horse. I know that. It is only a start -- but it is a very important start.
That's not all though is it? No, we are supposed to be different. We are supposed to be holy and set apart. We have to remember we have been justified ... and then live like it. Please consider 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 with me.
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, not drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (ESV).
Paul didn't write this only to warn about the dangers of sin -- he wasn't only saying "don't do these things." No, he was reminding the Corinthians of who they had been. He wanted them to understand that was all past them. God had forgiven them. The blood of Christ had washed them clean and because they were now justified (made right) with God they were to live a sanctified life.
This goes for us too! See the crucifixion of Christ allowed God to make us new creatures in Christ. When we are baptized and our sins are washed away, we are His masterpieces. Literally, we become His handiwork and we have a purpose. That is "... to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing." (Ephesians 2:10b NCV).
As Christians our soul's desire should be to do the same good works that Jesus did while He was here. We should come to see people in the same way that He did. The world has always been in need of the Savior.
Part of our good works is in showing kindness through good deeds to others. Part of our good works is in setting an example for others by wholly and completely worshiping Him. We should show our friends and neighbors how important this is to us.
Finally, part of our good works is in teaching the gospel to those in need of hearing about our precious Savior Jesus Christ. This is something of which I need to be more mindful. Actually when you think about it - teaching others about Christ is the best good work we could do.
Attending worship or Bible class is not a game to be played.
Neither is living for Him.
For we are no longer what we once were ...
Christ above all things,
Robin
Deciding to play along, I asked "Mom-maw" why she didn't bring her granddaughter to class. My little student continued to walk slowly toward the table with her hands still over her eyes (I'm sure she was peeking a little and watching her own feet as she walked). Underneath those precious hands she was grinning from ear to ear.
The conversation went something like this (paraphrasing because my memory's not that great):
"Where is _____? Didn't you bring her to class?"
"No, she decided not to come."
"Oh no, I'm really going to miss her."
"I know, but she wanted to stay home tonight."
About that time, my little Bible class student lifted her hands from her eyes and revealed herself giggling all the while. "There she is," I said. "I'm so glad you're here tonight." And thus began our Bible class.
I do love teaching the little 2 and 3 year old children in our church family. I've said it often before, but they teach me ever so much more than I could ever teach them. Oh, if adults only had half the enthusiasm of a little child when they attend a Bible class just think how different our church families would be! Just think how different the world would be!!
Yet so often we come to class and listen halfheartedly - through eyes still hazy with sleep and minds wandering past class time - and even speeding forward past the worship hour to what we will be having for lunch. Maybe we think about how crowded the restaurant will be or what we are going to wear to work tomorrow instead of pouring our hearts into God's word.
God loves us so much! He longs to be with us. He wants us to want Him. Christ gave up heaven for us! He came down from heaven to live an earthly life, to suffer earthly pain, to be hungry and thirsty and tired and weak -- all for us. And so often we come to worship Him with only some small part of ourselves.
He gave our all to us. And sometimes it seems we give so very little back to Him. When my sweet young student hid her eyes behind her hands, she was playing a little game. She was totally innocent and joyful. Yet I knew she was happy to be there.
Sometimes we play an entirely different game. We attend worship on Sunday morning and hide behind that somehow. We pretend to ourselves that's enough. Like showing up for a couple of hours on Sunday morning is all Christ expects of us -- all He really wants from us. We use games to hide from God.
Sure, living a life for God involves attending worship. After all He's done for us and after all He IS ... our Creator and our Redeemer .... we should long to worship Him. We should have so much love for Him that the question of attending worship isn't even a question. He deserves our worship ... our devotion ... and our adoration.
Yet, if we are to truly live for Him attending worship in a church building is only the beginning. It is true that going "to church" on Sunday doesn't make anyone a Christian anymore than putting a horse in a garage on Sunday makes it a horse. I know that. It is only a start -- but it is a very important start.
That's not all though is it? No, we are supposed to be different. We are supposed to be holy and set apart. We have to remember we have been justified ... and then live like it. Please consider 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 with me.
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, not drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (ESV).
Paul didn't write this only to warn about the dangers of sin -- he wasn't only saying "don't do these things." No, he was reminding the Corinthians of who they had been. He wanted them to understand that was all past them. God had forgiven them. The blood of Christ had washed them clean and because they were now justified (made right) with God they were to live a sanctified life.
This goes for us too! See the crucifixion of Christ allowed God to make us new creatures in Christ. When we are baptized and our sins are washed away, we are His masterpieces. Literally, we become His handiwork and we have a purpose. That is "... to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing." (Ephesians 2:10b NCV).
As Christians our soul's desire should be to do the same good works that Jesus did while He was here. We should come to see people in the same way that He did. The world has always been in need of the Savior.
Part of our good works is in showing kindness through good deeds to others. Part of our good works is in setting an example for others by wholly and completely worshiping Him. We should show our friends and neighbors how important this is to us.
Finally, part of our good works is in teaching the gospel to those in need of hearing about our precious Savior Jesus Christ. This is something of which I need to be more mindful. Actually when you think about it - teaching others about Christ is the best good work we could do.
Attending worship or Bible class is not a game to be played.
Neither is living for Him.
For we are no longer what we once were ...
Christ above all things,
Robin
Saturday, August 6, 2016
For His Sake
Recently, I was reading through Ephesians Chapter 4 when a certain phrase in verse 32 caught my attention. Here's the verse from the King James Version: "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Several other versions are probably more on target in translating this phrase to be "as God in Christ forgave you." But the words "for Christ's sake" are the ones that gave me pause for thought -- even if it is translated "in Christ" in most other versions. Immediately my thoughts turned to what I do (and don't do) for the sake of Christ. If our God forgives us for Christ's sake. Shouldn't Christians be living their lives for Christ's sake?
In Matthew chapter 10, Christ tells His disciples that they will suffer for His sake (verse 18; verse 22). Finally in verse 39, He promises that "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Jesus made similar statement several times throughout His ministry. He truly wanted the disciples to understand they would pay a great price for their loyalty; but He also wanted to assure them it would be worth it.
What does that phrase mean anyway -- "for Christ's sake?" It is certainly not one to be taken lightly ... nor is it to be used in exasperation as a form of swearing the way some folks may do. It means for the cause of Christ ... because of Him ... for His name .... because He died for us.
It is a simple concept - it's not at all difficult to figure out. As followers of Him, we bear His name. We should long to honor that name. Christians desire to stand up for the righteousness found in Christ. We strive to treat others with love and kindness. We seek to teach His gospel to those lost in sin and darkness.
The Holy Spirit (through Paul) says it much better than I could ever begin to. Consider 2 Corinthians 5:15 -(ESV)
"and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised." Christ died for us ... for our sake -- for the sake of our salvation. So that we will live for Him -- for His sake. We live for Him because He gave His life for us. Verse 21 of 2 Corinthians 5 says:
"For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (ESV)
Those of us who seek to do the will of Christ realize it is our duty to represent Him by living righteous lives every day. Will we be perfect? Oh no -- we are still human. Only One was perfect; but we must cling to His word and follow His actions as closely as we possibly can. We cannot claim to be His and then go on our about business doing whatever we want to do.
If we are going to live for God, we will learn to love as Christ loved and to act as Christ would have us to act. We are to praise Him both in our victories and our defeats. Thank Him ever so much for all the good things that happen in our lives. Give Him the credit for our talents and our blessings.
What about those defeats? Well that is when we thank Him again. We thank Him for giving us the wisdom to seek His will and the strength He gives us to weather the storm. When things get tough, then every morning we praise Him for giving us the strength to face another day.
In so doing, we set a wonderful example to all those around us. And when someone asks us why we are always thanking and praising Him - then we get the opportunity to teach about God's grace and glory. We can tell others why we have the hope of eternal life -- for Christ's sake -- in His name -- because of His sacrifice.
Yes, Christ warned His followers they would suffer for Him. During one such discussion Peter reminds Jesus that the apostles had left everything to follow Him. Jesus responded in Luke 18:29-30: "...Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life."
What a wonderful promise this is!! The apostles believed this promise. They followed Christ to the end. They loved Him and lived for Him and ultimately they died for Him.
But they knew Christ would keep His promise. They wanted everyone to share in this great promise and that is why they taught about Him everywhere they went. They wanted others to experience the incredible joy of forgiveness .. for Christ sake.
Paul felt the same way the other apostles did, for he said in I Corinthians 9:22-24: "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel." (in other words -Christ).
Why, Paul? "I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." Paul knew the prize was worth running for -- that for the sake of the gospel he would share in its blessings with others who had obeyed that very gospel.
Live for Christ - love Him --honestly love Him by seeking His will and following His commandments. Stand up for His righteousness.
" Because your sins are forgiven
for His name's sake."
(1 John 2:12)
Christ above all things,
Robin
Several other versions are probably more on target in translating this phrase to be "as God in Christ forgave you." But the words "for Christ's sake" are the ones that gave me pause for thought -- even if it is translated "in Christ" in most other versions. Immediately my thoughts turned to what I do (and don't do) for the sake of Christ. If our God forgives us for Christ's sake. Shouldn't Christians be living their lives for Christ's sake?
In Matthew chapter 10, Christ tells His disciples that they will suffer for His sake (verse 18; verse 22). Finally in verse 39, He promises that "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Jesus made similar statement several times throughout His ministry. He truly wanted the disciples to understand they would pay a great price for their loyalty; but He also wanted to assure them it would be worth it.
What does that phrase mean anyway -- "for Christ's sake?" It is certainly not one to be taken lightly ... nor is it to be used in exasperation as a form of swearing the way some folks may do. It means for the cause of Christ ... because of Him ... for His name .... because He died for us.
It is a simple concept - it's not at all difficult to figure out. As followers of Him, we bear His name. We should long to honor that name. Christians desire to stand up for the righteousness found in Christ. We strive to treat others with love and kindness. We seek to teach His gospel to those lost in sin and darkness.
The Holy Spirit (through Paul) says it much better than I could ever begin to. Consider 2 Corinthians 5:15 -(ESV)
"and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised." Christ died for us ... for our sake -- for the sake of our salvation. So that we will live for Him -- for His sake. We live for Him because He gave His life for us. Verse 21 of 2 Corinthians 5 says:
"For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (ESV)
Those of us who seek to do the will of Christ realize it is our duty to represent Him by living righteous lives every day. Will we be perfect? Oh no -- we are still human. Only One was perfect; but we must cling to His word and follow His actions as closely as we possibly can. We cannot claim to be His and then go on our about business doing whatever we want to do.
If we are going to live for God, we will learn to love as Christ loved and to act as Christ would have us to act. We are to praise Him both in our victories and our defeats. Thank Him ever so much for all the good things that happen in our lives. Give Him the credit for our talents and our blessings.
What about those defeats? Well that is when we thank Him again. We thank Him for giving us the wisdom to seek His will and the strength He gives us to weather the storm. When things get tough, then every morning we praise Him for giving us the strength to face another day.
In so doing, we set a wonderful example to all those around us. And when someone asks us why we are always thanking and praising Him - then we get the opportunity to teach about God's grace and glory. We can tell others why we have the hope of eternal life -- for Christ's sake -- in His name -- because of His sacrifice.
Yes, Christ warned His followers they would suffer for Him. During one such discussion Peter reminds Jesus that the apostles had left everything to follow Him. Jesus responded in Luke 18:29-30: "...Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life."
What a wonderful promise this is!! The apostles believed this promise. They followed Christ to the end. They loved Him and lived for Him and ultimately they died for Him.
But they knew Christ would keep His promise. They wanted everyone to share in this great promise and that is why they taught about Him everywhere they went. They wanted others to experience the incredible joy of forgiveness .. for Christ sake.
Paul felt the same way the other apostles did, for he said in I Corinthians 9:22-24: "To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel." (in other words -Christ).
Why, Paul? "I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." Paul knew the prize was worth running for -- that for the sake of the gospel he would share in its blessings with others who had obeyed that very gospel.
Live for Christ - love Him --honestly love Him by seeking His will and following His commandments. Stand up for His righteousness.
" Because your sins are forgiven
for His name's sake."
(1 John 2:12)
Christ above all things,
Robin
Saturday, July 16, 2016
Another Dollar Tree Story
I guess most of you know by now how much I enjoy shopping in the Dollar Tree stores. I can definitely say it is one of my favorite places to shop for various items. I may never buy anything but I certainly enjoy looking. Still I think one of the reasons I like it most is watching the interaction that takes place between people there.
A few months back I was in the store looking around. A new shipment must have arrived because there were different items to look at this time. As I was strolling down one aisle, I had the opportunity to witness an amusing incident.
A woman (I suppose somewhere in her 50's) was on the same aisle I was and a younger woman rounded the corner to come down the aisle too. The younger woman seemed to be a little surprised to see the older one. She took a deep breath and said, "Well hi Mama."
The older woman said, "Hi yourself! So you are going to speak to me here in the store? I haven't heard from you in over a month." Uh-oh! That young lady was caught. She said - "I'm sorry Mom," and began to offer all kinds of excuses. The older woman would have none of it ... she never raised her voice .. and she never cursed or used hateful words; but she definitely let her daughter know in no uncertain terms how she felt about the situation.
In one way it was amusing to watch this interaction. The older lady was kind of funny in speaking with her daughter. (Sarcasm can be amusing). She shot down every excuse her daughter offered up. In another way it was kind of sad to think about because you could tell the mother cared deeply for her child.
To be honest, I can identify with both women. As a child, I haven't always been in touch with my parents often enough -- especially in times past. Mom and Dad - if you read this -- I offer my apologies here and now. As a parent, I understand missing hearing from your grown children.
Knowing and understanding these human relationships, and witnessing this incident made me think of our relationship with the Heavenly Father. He is our Perfect Parent and He loves us so much. He gave His Only Son for us and He longs to hear from us. He wants us to be in touch with Him.
Our Father longs to dwell with us. He wants us to visit with Him often. Our lives go so much better when we communicate with Him frequently! We should long for this as much as God does. He promises so much for our lives if we choose to walk with Him -- to obey His word. He wants us to love Him .. to talk to Him ... to talk to others about Him so we can have that abundant life Christ promised us.
Attending worship with our Christian brothers and sisters every time we get a chance is one way to show Him and our Savior Jesus how much we love them. I know God doesn't reside in any church building. But when we only worship Him once or twice a year .. aren't we kind of like the daughter encountering her mother in the Dollar Tree store?
God gave us our very lives and created a most beautiful world for us to live in. Don't you think He deserves our worship? Christ died for our sins so that we would have a direct line to God. When He died Christ tore down the "wall of partition" and gave us direct access to God -- no intermediary priest was necessary. That is part of the liberty of the gospel.
Direct access to God the Father through Jesus the Son is one of the freedoms we enjoy as Christians. It is one of the advantages over the old law. Our liberty is in Christ. Through Him we are able to come to God boldly and confidently -- but humbly and reverently. And God longs for us to talk to Him. He has always longed to be with His people .. to communicate with them ... to have us include Him in our daily lives.
Prayer changes things. God may not always answer them the way we think they should be answered; but even when He doesn't our trust in Him enables us to be at peace with whatever the answer is. Prayer gives us peace .. and strength .. and courage.
I once saw a billboard that said "Faith is the muscle ... prayer is the exercise." Did you know that the word prayer, pray, or prayed is used in the New King James Version of the Bible 392 times? If it is mentioned that many times, prayer should be an important aspect of our lives. I challenge you to build up your spiritual muscles every day!
What I'm saying isn't new but it certainly isn't outdated either. There's another saying about a popular soft drink ... "Things go better with Coke." That may or may not be true. But I can absolutely promise you that "Life goes better with Christ." It always will.
Studying God's Word is another way to be in touch with our Lord. It is another way of visiting with Him. Meditating on His love and His precepts will refresh our spirits and restore our souls. Knowledge of God's word helps us renew our minds daily so we can live the life Christ would have us live rather than our old worldly life.
The awkward situation I witnessed in Dollar Tree ended up being a sweet scene. Mother and daughter still loved each other and a relationship was renewed and strengthened. Seeing that happen was the best part of being in the store that day.
Let's challenge each other to keep in touch with our spiritual Father. Let's do away with our excuses and remember how much He really does love us .... how He longs to be with us....
Live your life with God in it. It will be worth it!!!
Christ above all things,
Robin
A few months back I was in the store looking around. A new shipment must have arrived because there were different items to look at this time. As I was strolling down one aisle, I had the opportunity to witness an amusing incident.
A woman (I suppose somewhere in her 50's) was on the same aisle I was and a younger woman rounded the corner to come down the aisle too. The younger woman seemed to be a little surprised to see the older one. She took a deep breath and said, "Well hi Mama."
The older woman said, "Hi yourself! So you are going to speak to me here in the store? I haven't heard from you in over a month." Uh-oh! That young lady was caught. She said - "I'm sorry Mom," and began to offer all kinds of excuses. The older woman would have none of it ... she never raised her voice .. and she never cursed or used hateful words; but she definitely let her daughter know in no uncertain terms how she felt about the situation.
In one way it was amusing to watch this interaction. The older lady was kind of funny in speaking with her daughter. (Sarcasm can be amusing). She shot down every excuse her daughter offered up. In another way it was kind of sad to think about because you could tell the mother cared deeply for her child.
To be honest, I can identify with both women. As a child, I haven't always been in touch with my parents often enough -- especially in times past. Mom and Dad - if you read this -- I offer my apologies here and now. As a parent, I understand missing hearing from your grown children.
Knowing and understanding these human relationships, and witnessing this incident made me think of our relationship with the Heavenly Father. He is our Perfect Parent and He loves us so much. He gave His Only Son for us and He longs to hear from us. He wants us to be in touch with Him.
Our Father longs to dwell with us. He wants us to visit with Him often. Our lives go so much better when we communicate with Him frequently! We should long for this as much as God does. He promises so much for our lives if we choose to walk with Him -- to obey His word. He wants us to love Him .. to talk to Him ... to talk to others about Him so we can have that abundant life Christ promised us.
Attending worship with our Christian brothers and sisters every time we get a chance is one way to show Him and our Savior Jesus how much we love them. I know God doesn't reside in any church building. But when we only worship Him once or twice a year .. aren't we kind of like the daughter encountering her mother in the Dollar Tree store?
God gave us our very lives and created a most beautiful world for us to live in. Don't you think He deserves our worship? Christ died for our sins so that we would have a direct line to God. When He died Christ tore down the "wall of partition" and gave us direct access to God -- no intermediary priest was necessary. That is part of the liberty of the gospel.
Direct access to God the Father through Jesus the Son is one of the freedoms we enjoy as Christians. It is one of the advantages over the old law. Our liberty is in Christ. Through Him we are able to come to God boldly and confidently -- but humbly and reverently. And God longs for us to talk to Him. He has always longed to be with His people .. to communicate with them ... to have us include Him in our daily lives.
Prayer changes things. God may not always answer them the way we think they should be answered; but even when He doesn't our trust in Him enables us to be at peace with whatever the answer is. Prayer gives us peace .. and strength .. and courage.
I once saw a billboard that said "Faith is the muscle ... prayer is the exercise." Did you know that the word prayer, pray, or prayed is used in the New King James Version of the Bible 392 times? If it is mentioned that many times, prayer should be an important aspect of our lives. I challenge you to build up your spiritual muscles every day!
What I'm saying isn't new but it certainly isn't outdated either. There's another saying about a popular soft drink ... "Things go better with Coke." That may or may not be true. But I can absolutely promise you that "Life goes better with Christ." It always will.
Studying God's Word is another way to be in touch with our Lord. It is another way of visiting with Him. Meditating on His love and His precepts will refresh our spirits and restore our souls. Knowledge of God's word helps us renew our minds daily so we can live the life Christ would have us live rather than our old worldly life.
The awkward situation I witnessed in Dollar Tree ended up being a sweet scene. Mother and daughter still loved each other and a relationship was renewed and strengthened. Seeing that happen was the best part of being in the store that day.
Let's challenge each other to keep in touch with our spiritual Father. Let's do away with our excuses and remember how much He really does love us .... how He longs to be with us....
Live your life with God in it. It will be worth it!!!
Christ above all things,
Robin
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