Holding Each Other Accountable

       Last night in our prayer group we talked about accountability.  Our little group has been meeting for a year now!  It is amazing how far we have come -- how much our faith has grown.  We have seen countless prayers answered.  We have enriched our spiritual lives and matured as Christians.  We have seen a few sisters come and go - but those who can no longer be with us for one reason or another will always be a part of us.  All of our original five are still attending except for one who has taken a night shift position - (she's a nurse).  There are several more than five of us now.  We enjoy a mutual Christian love and affection that cannot be surpassed.  I cannot begin to tell you how much these women mean to me and how they have helped me grow.  I am eternally thankful for all the blessings God has rained down on us since we began (both individually and as a group).  Truly we can never thank God enough! 
     We have discussed many different scripture passages and topics as we have gathered to pray.  And yes we pray.  Our gatherings not just some kind of gossip session.  We talk about what is going on in our lives.  We share the events we want to celebrate about as well as the events we want to cry about.  We also confess our weaknesses and what we might be struggling with at the moment.  Then we pray.  It is our safe place.  But as we share our struggles and temptations and pray over them -- then we hold each other accountable.  We challenge one another to examine ourselves.  We give each other encouragement and advice on how to battle temptation and overcome our sins.  And from one week to the next we might hold each other accountable for what we have asked for prayers over.  Prayer is such a powerful tool for the Christian!  
     So yes, we talked about accountability last night.  Often we promise if we see one another start to go astray that we will go yank that person back in line.  I think we mean it.  Not only have we seen the power of God in our lives; but we all have seen and experienced the power of the devil in our lives, too.  For we know that none of us are perfect -- we are merely forgiven sinners.  
       There are many scriptures on prayer.  Also many scriptures could be mentioned on confessing our faults and forgiving one another and in bearing one another's burdens.  We know that James 5:16 tells us to "Confess our faults to one another and pray for one another that we may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."  We also know that Paul tells us to "pray without ceasing."  I suppose I could go on and on with all the scriptures about prayer.  We know that the apostles and early Christians went from house to house and continued in prayers and fellowship.  Even before that in Acts 1 the Bible says there about 120 people in an upper room praying.  Christians met to pray for Peter when he was in prison.  I think it is pretty obvious that God wants us to pray not only for each other; but with each other-- to confess our faults -- and pray.  This is all part of the accountability plan. 
       In Hebrews Chapter 10 God gives us a very important message.  To me this passage explains much about why we meet together, why we hold each other accountable and why we pray for one another. Many of us are familiar with Hebrews 10:25 -- where we are cautioned not to forsake the assembling ourselves together.  And maybe there will quite a few who are familiar with v. 24 - that tells us to provoke (stir up) one another unto love and good works.
      So many times when these verses are used in a message - they are chosen singly and only the one verse is discussed.  But when you read and study -- oh say, verses 23 through verse 32 -- you see with verse 24 and 25 with a whole new perspective.  
       "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised."  -- Hold on to your faith and don't let go.  God will keep His promise to you.  
      "And let us consider one another to provoke (stir up) unto love and good works;"
Think about each other.  Consider each other -- love each other and provoke or stir up each other to love God and our fellow man and to show that love by good works we do for others.  In other words - Hold each other accountable.  
     "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."  -- Stick together.  Take advantage of your fellowship and worship together to encourage and exhort and to stay stirred up as in the last verse.  Don't miss a chance to be together.  You need to exhort one another -- and it is all the more important as you see the day approaching.  
       Now I haven't read any commentaries so I don't know if the writer is talking about the day of worship here -- or the day of judgement.  Either day is important.  It is a dangerous thing to fail to meet with the saints and worship God and His Son, Our Savior.  We need to strongly encourage each other to be a part of the family of God at our local congregations.  And we all know how important it is to be ready to meet Christ.  So we exhort one another - we hold each other accountable.  Because we are all part of the same family - the family of God -- and we love each other.  So then as we love one another, we look out for each other and we say .... "Uh, sister -- don't go down the road.  Remember Christ is coming back one day.  I don't think you want to face Him after you do that"   
    OK - I'll try to get through the next few verses without interrupting myself; so beginning with verse 26:  "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries.   He that despised Moses law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace:  For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth to me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.  And again, The Lord shall judge His people.  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."  
      There you have it!!  That is why you hold each other accountable.  Not only are you helping your brother or sister in Christ - but you are helping yourself.  For in reminding them not to "trod under foot the Son of God;"  in cautioning your sister against sin to keep her from doing "despite unto the Spirit of grace" - we are also reminding ourselves.  Jude says to have compassion on some - making a difference.  For love and compassion is what will save some souls.  Then Jude says - but others save with fear hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.  Hate the sin - not the sinner.  Remind them of the power of God and the danger of facing Him with sin in your life.  
      So holding each other accountable is part of loving each other -- of saving each other.  Why?  Because it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  
So don't miss a chance to be with your Christian family.  It's important.  
Hold onto your faith.  Don't waver.  Consider each other.  It's important.
Provoke each other to love -- and to do good works.  It's important. 
Why?  Because He is coming.  And it is a fearful thing to fall into His hands.  
So we hold each other accountable -- so we can help keep each other on the straight and narrow way.  It's important.  
It's important because we all want to make it to heaven together and we all need help. 

Love each other enough to hold each other accountable. 

Christ above all things, 
Robin
     

It Will Turn Out OK

       I just watched a rather amusing commercial about a farmer who had a pretty bad day.  Believe it or not, it is an ice cream commercial.  The farmer endured a series of mishaps including getting "skunked,"  being chased by a bull, and being struck by lightning while work on the roof.  As his wife comes home at the end of day she comes through the door asking how his day was.  When she turns to the table, she finds the farmer sitting there with his hair sticking up and looking rather beat up.  However, he has a huge smile on his face eating ice cream straight from the container.  He looks up, gives her a goofy smile and says "It turned out OK."
        Well, this just reminded me of our lives.  Life can be pretty tough sometimes.  I mean the world is full of darkness and we have to live in it.  But we don't have to be a part of it.  We are supposed to hang in there, to be set apart, to be "transformed by the renewing of our mind" instead of "conformed to the world."
      The thing is if we hang in there -- if we remain steadfast and full of work for the Lord.  Then we can know without a doubt that it will turn out OK.  We have heaven to look forward to - and there will be no more pain or sorrow or tears in heaven.   We have a mansion waiting for us and Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us and it will be better than any ice cream we could ever imagine!
      I talked about it a couple of days ago too; but life really is a series of ups and downs.  It seems some of us go through so much more than others do.  Sometimes we get so discouraged and so frustrated because we might think nothing good is ever going to happen to us again.  And when the tough stuff is happening, it is not amusing whatsoever.  Life is absolutely nothing like that ice cream commercial.  What I mean by that is that the bad stuff is not some cartoonish like incident which we instantly recover from.  But we all know that, it is after all, just a commercial.  But we do know that if we love and follow God,  it will "turn out OK."  It really will. 
      Paul tells us our labor for God is not in vain.  It may not always be easy.  I think about the persecution that some of the early Christians endured; but they considered it a joy and honor to suffer for their Lord.  And their message both by example and through their teachings in the New Testament scriptures is that "It will turn out OK."  We are told in Revelation to be faithful unto death; but we are given promise of great reward -a crown of life.  
      God loves us so much.  Jesus does, too.  They promised us freedom from our sins.  They promised an eternal reward in heaven - but they never promised us a life free of persecution.  Living in the United States we are blessed that we don't face the persecution that our New Testament brothers and sisters in Christ did.  Oh, we may get laughed at from time to time.  We may be called names - we may be denied a promotion or even lose our jobs.  (My Dad lost his job once because he "just didn't fit in.") 
We are fortunate in this country -- but it is not so in many other countries of the world.  We all know that.  We should pray for our fellow Christians every day. 
    However, whether we are persecuted or not - life just happens.  People come into our lives and sometimes leave again - causing great pain.  Sickness and death enters into every life.  Sometimes we are victims to crime -- or maybe we have lost our home in a fire or a tornado.  Like I said, life is sometimes very difficult to get through on our own.  Our Lord God is there for us.  He loves us.  His Son's blood (if we have been obedient to God's call) has saved us.  As we follow Him in our every day lives as Christians -- at the end of our lives if we have been found faithful -- no matter how difficult life here on earth has been, there is one thing we can now.  It is going to turn out OK. 

    Heavenly Father, today we thank you for the freedoms we enjoy in this country.  We thank you for the men and women who have died for this country over the course of its life - beginning with the Revolutionary War.  Without those gallant people, we would not have the right to worship you freely.  We are ever thankful for their sacrifice and for the sacrifice of the families they left behind.  We are also thankful for the apostles and early church members who sacrificed their lives in living and dying for you.  Without their steadfast faith in the face of death we might not have knowledge of you or your plan for us.  Mostly, dear God, we are thankful for your Son Jesus who shed His precious blood so that we might know the truth and be set free.  We know that Jesus is the Truth, the Way and the Life.  We know we cannot come to you except through Him.  We are ever grateful that we know if we follow your Son - no matter how difficult our lives are, we will be able to say, "It turned out OK."  Thank you, God.  We pray in your Son's name, Amen.

Good night - my friends
and remember - Christ above all things,
Robin
      

God's Hands

          During our devotional period at Bible study Wednesday night, I was honored that a little one sat with me for a few minutes.  This little friend is not quite 2 years old so she isn't in my class yet.  But her birthday is in a few weeks, so I look forward to her being promoted into the 2 and 3 year old Bible class.  She is a sweet child and her parents are good friends of mine.  Anyway, I was concerned about how I might be able to keep her occupied so that she would sit quietly with me. 
        I had a pen and some paper and got her to put her hand palm down on the paper.  I guess I traced the outline of her hand at least 6 or 7 times.  She seemed to like looking at the outline of her hand each time -- or was it the feel of the pen going along the outside of her hand and then between her little fingers. Once I traced my hand and then put her hand inside the outline of mine and traced hers.  I am not sure why she stayed so still and quiet, but for whatever reason it worked at least for a while. 
         As I looked at our hands and the paper we had drawn on, many thoughts went through my mind.  I thought about this innocent child sitting in my lap and how precious she is.  I thought her sweet soul and what a huge responsibility it is to be a parent.  I remembered tracing my own son's hands and how it used to feel to have them in my lap.  I compared the size of our hands and wondered how fast she would grown.  As I said earlier, I thought of many different things.  Then I thought about the hands of God. 
       Yes, my hands are bigger and stronger than the hands of my sweet little friend; but they are nothing compared with the hands of God.  Sometimes, we don't (or maybe I should say I don't - since I have no idea what you think)  sometimes I don't think about God's hands at all.  I guess because the Bible says "God is a spirit" it just doesn't occur to me.  But scripture tells us that God has hands.  Actually, there are quite a few scriptures that refer either to God's hands or to Christ's hands.  So what do we know about the hands of our Heavenly Father and His Only Son?   There are way too many passages in the Bible to mention them all here, but I do want to share a few of them with you. 
         Psalms 48:10  - "According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth; thy right hand is full of righteousness." 
         Psalms 95:4-7a - "In His hand are the deep places of the earth:  the strength of the hills His also.  The sea is His and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land.  O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.  For He is our God; and we are the sheep of His hand."
        These scriptures in Psalms tell us that God is righteous and powerful.  The verses from Psalms 95 tell us that God used His hands -- to create and form the earht.  They also tell us as powerful as those hands were to have created the world from nothing -- that they are also gentle enough to hold us in His hand and care for us as our Great Shepherd.
        Yet we know that as gentle as the Lord is, He can also be fierce.  There will be those who fall under the terror of His hand.  Those who do not choose to believe in Him with an active obedient faith - those who deny his very existence -- those who "know not God and obey not the gospel"  -- they will experience a very different hand of God.  Consider Hebrews 10:31 - "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."  God is not a myth folks.  He is not a fairy tale or some joke to be laughed at.  He is the Great I AM -- He is alive.  To quote one of my dear sister friends,  "I'm just saying.."   Just as surely as we know there is a heaven awaiting the righteous, we also know eternal death and darkness awaits those who have chosen not to obey Him.  ---I'm just saying......
        Scriptures talk about the hands of Christ also.  As Jesus went about doing His father's will -- as he went about doing and teaching -- he touched people.  No - I'm not talking about He touched their hearts.  He actually used His hands to reach out and touch people.  I wonder what His hands felt like?  He was a carpenter - so we almost know --or at least we imagine that His hands were strong -- maybe calloused and rough from hard work.  But the people thronged Him anyway.  They sought Him by the hundreds and thousands.  As you read through the gospels you begin to realize just how much Jesus used His own hands.  He was not afraid of human touch. 
         Jesus hands, like His Father's were very powerful and yet also very gentle.  He touched Peter when He grabbed him from the water when he began to sink.  In the two instances of the feeding of the multitudes, He blessed and broke the bread (with His hands, of course.)  Jesus touched people when He healed them.   He touched Peter's mother in law's hand.  And all the woman with the issue of blood wanted to do was touch the hem of His garment.  She had that much faith in the power of Jesus that she knew that just touching His clothes would be enough to heal her.
        Earlier tonight, I had chosen a few passages of His healing to expound upon, but this post is running long and it is getting late.  However, if you read Mark 8:22-25; Mark 7: 32-33; Matthew 8:15; Matthew 8:2 and Matthew 9:28-29 - you will see examples of Jesus touching some of the people who came to Him to be healed. He touched and healed the blind, the deaf and one man (at least) of his leprosy. 
       Jesus loved people.  He had compassion on them.  He blessed them and healed them and taught them about the Heavenly Father.  He tried to make them understand how important it was to love God and live for Him.  One of the most profound stories of Jesus' love and compassion is when the leper came to Him.  The incident is recorded in Matthew 8:2 -4, Mark 1:40-44 and Luke 5:12 -13.  This poor man, sick with the terrible disease of leprosy -- cast out from his family and his town -- unclean to those who might have known him or loved him  -- came to Jesus begging Him for healing.  Mark says the leper knelt down to the Lord.  Matthew says he worshipped him and Luke says he fell down on his face.  All true - no contradictions here.  Worshipping can invlove kneeling or bowing down.  And from kneeling -- if one is beseeching -- (begging) it is easy to see that he could have "fallen on his face."   We get the point -- the leper came to Jesus begging for healing.
      Did Jesus think He was too important or too good to take care of this one lowly beggar?  Did He think this was beneath Him in any way?  The leper came begging -- but he also came with full assurance in the healing power of Christ.  He knew Jesus had already done many, many great things.  He knew healing him was not beyond Him.  This leper knew that Jesus could do it.  He had the faith in His power.  But he didn't know if Jesus would do it.  We all know that He did.  Jesus had the courage to touch an unclean man and make him whole again.  He was not afraid of touching an unclean man -- a man overcome by a horrible disease.

     Oh perhaps I will continue this another night for my mind is still going in a thousand directions.  Funny how I went from a sweet child sitting in my lap to the power and gentlenss of God's hands and to the compassion and healing power of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  Just as my little friend's hands looked so small in mine - so my hand must look small indeed to our great God. 

     I challenge you to show the same love and compassion for others that Jesus displayed.  Be willing to reach and touch someone who might need a pat on the back, or the squeeze of a hand, or maybe even a hug.  Show God to the world by showing the world that He is already in you.  Let others see that God rules in your life.  And always remember -- "we are the sheep of His hand."

Christ above all things,
Robin

When You Need God the Most

        Life is full of simple pleasures.  Of course, it's also full of numerous little aggravations.   Almost every day we experience both.  It is our choice whether to focus on the good or the bad.  We decide whether or not we are going to count our blessings or number our complaints.   Which option leads to happiness and health?  Which option enriches your life?  Of course, we all know the answer to these questions.  Hopefully, most of us choose to count our blessings most of the time. 
       I will admit that life is difficult sometimes.  There can be days or weeks (or longer) when we feel like we are just moving from one mess to another -- and the blessings get really hard to see.  It is at these times when we need to try the hardest to see -- to find a blessing of some sort because these are the times when we might give up altogether if we don't.  We may never be able to get back to the point that we can see God does bless us -- if we don't seek to find His blessings at our darkest moment.  We may forever become the pessimist.  We risk becoming bitter and cold to others. 
     Just today, a sister from our prayer group said something in our group text that really hit home to me.  Another sister is going through a particularly hard time.  She texted to let us know that she would be facing some additional trials this weekend.  The first sister said something like this --(and I am paraphrasing) -- 'I know from experience that the time when you don't feel like coming to prayer group is the time when you really need it the most.'  I have been thinking about that one all day long today.  She is right, of course. 
    This quote is another way of saying the same thing -- "When you think you are at the end of your rope, tie another knot."  Have you ever heard that one?  What is all this getting at?  Well, for one - don't let yourself become so embroiled in the bad stuff that you completely lose the good stuff God does for you.  If you don't feel like praying -- then you may be at your absolute lowest and that is when you need God the most and when you need to pray the most.  It doesn't matter that you are hurting so much that you can't say the words.  Just close your eyes and think of God -- and let the Spirit take your thoughts and emotions and give them to the Heavenly Father for you.  That is one of the wonderful fringe benefits of being a Christian.  We get a special audience with a God anytime day or night.  AND we get an interpreter if we need one!
     God loves us so much and He wants us to be happy.  He also wants us know we can come to Him whenever we are feeling low.  We all long to be comforted when we are hurting.  As children, we  cry for our Mama's when we are sick.  I remember many hours of just sitting and holding my boys when they were sick and running a fever.  As parents (Moms or Dads) have we kissed booboos, wiped away tears, applied bandages, given medicine and offered comfort and love to a sick or injured child?  Even as we grow older, when we are feeling bad, it is often our parents we go to for advice or comfort.
     Why do we do that?  It is because we go to where the love is -- we go to those we know will take care of us no matter what.  We long to be hugged and comforted by someone we have full faith and confidence in.  As adults, when we have a strong relationship with our spouse -- we tend to think of them in our hour of need.  I remember once when my Mom was not feeling very well at all.  Dad was working and wouldn't be home until pretty late that night.  I remember talking to her the next morning and she said that she had felt so bad that all she could think of us how she wanted Dad to be there. 
No one can love you like a parent or a spouse can.  No one that is except God (and His Son and the Comforter).
     We all know this - it is not something new.  God loves us so much that He sent His Only Son to redeem us.  Jesus loves us so much that He willingly came to die for our sins and then conquered death through His resurrection.  He also loved us enough to send The Comforter -- the Spirit of God to be with us now.  And the Holy Spirit loves us so much that He is our intercessor - our interpreter.  He is our Comforter because it is through the Spirit that we have the scriptures so that we can know about God.  Yes friends, we all know the love is there.  But if, in our darkest moment, we allow ourselves to forget -- or to refrain from seeking our God -- then we may lose ourselves in that very moment.  We may not ever be able to find our way back to God again.  It is a little difficult to find anything when you have allowed yourself to be blinded. 
     So think about it --God wants to take care of you.  He wants to be the One who will take care for you while you are sick and hurting.  He wants to heal your spiritual wounds.  He wants to ease your suffering and give you rest from the pain you suffer in this old world.  He wants to hold you in His arms and wipe away your tears.  God wants to be your eternal comfort.  He wants to cure your soul of any sickness and take away any stumbling blocks.  In other words, He wants to take away your booboos.  
      If you don't feel any of this - go to one of your faithful Christian friends.  Someone you know that  loves you and loves God too.   Tell them you are struggling and ask them to pray for you.  Let them show you what God's love is all about.  A true Christian friend loves God enough to love you.  That is how we begin to understand the love of God.
      Don't give up on God.  Tie that knot at the end of your rope.  Go to Him just as you went to your parents when you had that bike wreck or called for Mama when you were sick with the flu.  Peter tells us to cast our cares on Him, for He careth for us.  The writer of Hebrews tells us "There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."  (4:9)  He is waiting and He wants to bless you and to help you.  There are so many scriptures in Psalms that tell us God will be here for us when we need Him.  
      Don't allow yourself to become so devastated that you think -- God doesn't care, so what's the point?  That, my friends, is the biggest point of all......the point is for you not to give up or give in to the devil.  This is when you fall down on your knees and call out to Him who loves you more than any parent or spouse ever could.  If you seek Him --truly, humbly, lovingly seek Him -- then you WILL find Him.   I  can promise you that.  You will find Him even when you thought you couldn't see Him anymore.  You just have to be looking.

Christ above all things,
Robin

The Faith and Courage of Young Daniel ... and His Friends

      The week I attend Maywood Christian Camp as a counselor is fast approaching and I am really looking forward to it again this year.  Christian camp - or any other type of camp I suppose -- is usually totally loved or absolutely hated by those who attend.  I totally love it.  And I am honored to be able to participate as a counselor and Bible class teacher every year.  It is truly a wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord and to be able to teach His word.  
       The lessons in our camp book this year are all on Daniel.  Usually, the lessons center around a certain theme or main idea, but feature different Bible characters and stories.  This year the book covers only two stories and one character.  The first lesson is on Daniel and his three friends after they have first been captured (Daniel chapter 1).  I am sure you remember the story.   Verse 8 says that "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat."
        Daniel asked on behalf of him and his 3 friends - Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, requested to be fed vegetables instead.   Daniel was in favor with the prince of the king's eunuchs who was overseeing the "re-education" of these young men but he was afraid of the king and does not comply with Daniel's request.  But he does not stop there.  Daniel asked the steward responsible for bringing them (the four friends) their food that they be brought vegetables to eat and only water to drink for 10 days.  After that time, he can compare them with the physical condition of the other young men.  If they aren't doing as well as the others -- then they will eat the king's food.
      OK -- what great courage and what an amazing faith Daniel had in executing this bargain with Melzar.  We have studied history and read in the Bible too.  The kings of other countries considered themselves to be (or almost to be) god themselves.   No one anywhere in the kingdom would dare to defy the king.  That is why the chief eunuch was afraid (v. 10).  He did not want any trouble whatsoever with the king.  Daniel was taking a great risk in asking this favor.  Not only was he refusing the king's commandments, but he was asking those in charge of him to take part in disobeying him as well.  He probably could have been killed for that alone.  It took a lot of courage for a young man who had been kidnapped and brought to live in a strange land.  Sure, they were being groomed to be in service in the king's court.  But they were still prisoners.  
      Secondly, it seems that Daniel had absolutely no doubt whatsoever that he, Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach) and Azariah (Abednego)  would be in as good a physical condition as the others who were eating the king's food.  He had no qualms about making this deal.  He knew -- he knew that God had his back.  He knew that the four of them would be taken care of because they would be staying true to God's commandments.   Now that my friends - is faith.  
        I am sure you have seen the quote attributed to Ben Stein - "Faith is not believing that God can.  It is knowing that God will."  Well, there are many Bible characters that this quote would fit -- many that perhaps Mr. Stein was thinking of when he said this.  But Daniel could certainly have been one of them, don't you think?  Daniel (and I believe his 3 friends also) knew - really knew- that God would take care of them as they ate the vegetables and water.  
This powerful faith sustained Daniel all his life.  We know from the scriptures that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had this same strong faith.  These young men were so faithful to God and God blessed them tremendously.  
      Consider verses 19-20 of chapter 1 - "And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.  And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm."  
      We know there are so many lessons we can learn from this.  We teach the story of Daniel (this one and the one of him being thrown into the Lion's Den) to our children.  I agree that they are good stories for our little ones to learn.  Someone taught Daniel about God.  He didn't just come into that strong unshakable faith by accident.  Neither did his three friends.  What stories were taught to him that exemplified great faith?  Who were his heroes?  I suppose Abel and Noah and Abraham were some of God's faithful that he knew about.  And let's not forget Joseph, Moses and Joshua and Caleb.   All great men of God -- all greatly rewarded.  My point is that Daniel had learned these stories and had learned about the greatness of God probably from a very early age.  
      But these stories are not just for children.  They are for adults as well.  It is the stories of faith being rewarded -- of faith and devotion even in the face of persecution and sometimes death -- that keep us going.  It is the hope -- that confidence that God will keep His promises that allow us to stay strong -- or to reinvigorate ourselves when we start to feel weak.  Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah are all great examples.  We can learn much about keeping faith in the face of adversity from these young men.  They should be an inspiration to us all.  Remember Paul said that the Old Testament scriptures were written for our comfort and learning.  Thinking of these four men- I can certainly understand that, can't you?  Comfort in seeing that God is always faithful to His faithful ones.  Learning that amazing faith like that can be attained and can bless our lives abundantly. 
     Just one more observation and I will end tonight's post.  As I read through Chapter 1, I notice that there are more than 4 young men taken into exile.  There are more than 4 young men chosen to taught the ways of the Chaldeans so that they can serve the king in his court.  There are more than four young men that have been taught the ways and laws of the one true and living God.  BUT only 4 were brave enough to continue to follow God's laws in a foreign, strange - pagan land.  No wonder Jesus says that the way is "straight and narrow" and "few there be that find it."
     Think about it.  Each young man taken into captivity made his own choice.  Each one had the responsibility of choosing to stay true to God's law or giving in to their captors.  God has always given man free will.  He is not willing that any perish.  That is not what HE wants. 
We make our own choices.  
    Now -- what will we decide?  

Christ above all things,
Robin
   

All God's Benefits and Tender Mercies (Psalms 103)

       Today has been a wonderful day.  If I counted correctly today is the 139th day of the year and tonight is the 100th time for me to post on this blog.  I just wanted to share that little tidbit of information. 
       I can name many other more important reasons that today has been so great.  I was blessed to have been able to worship God twice today.  I heard two good lessons from God's word.  The weather was beautiful, and to top it all off I had the honor of sitting with a very sweet young man at worship this evening.  I was quite happy and surprised that one of the little fellas in our church family came to sit by me tonight.  I love these little ones -- I love to watch them learn and grow.  Young children are so very precious!  I think sometimes we forget that it is God who gives life.  Each child - each life - has a purpose.  We should all count it a blessing when a child chooses to spend time with us -- for that is a very special joy.  It is a unique opportunity to show love and to teach a child about God and His love.
       Speaking of counting our blessings and the wonderful today I have had today reminds me of one of my favorite Psalms -- that's Psalms 103.  My Dad gave a devotional on this passage several years ago and it has been one of my favorites ever since.  It is 22 verses of beautiful poetry, so naturally it is too long type the whole passage here -- or to discuss it verse by verse.  I strongly encourage you to read for yourself.  
       This beautiful Psalm begins and ends with "Bless the Lord, O my soul."  And it is packed with praise for our Heavenly Father in between.  Verses 2 and 3 tells us not to forget all His benefits.  The Psalmist David proclaims that God forgives all our iniquities and heals all our diseases.  He goes on to tell us that God redeems our life from destruction and crowns us with tender mercies.  What a beautiful portrait of a loving and forgiving Heavenly Father!  How wonderful it is to belong to him.  He executes righteousness for the oppressed.  
        David points out God's mercies - God is merciful, gracious and slow to anger.  Verse 10 says that God has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  Again, what a beautiful portrait of a loving and merciful God.  As sinful creatures we do not deserve the mercy of God.   If He dealt with us after our sin - if he rewarded us according to our iniquities then there is no way He would have sent His Son to die for us.  It is the blood of His precious Son which cleanses us from our sins.  Yes, verse 10 is a beautiful and powerful verse.  
      The verses continue and to me their beauty is unparalleled.  I know I said I would not type the whole Psalm here; but I cannot begin to say it any better than the inspired David said it.  This passage really needs no comment from me.  When you really really think about the mercy of God -- then your heart swells with love and adoration and praise just like David's did so long ago when he wrote this.  And he -David - knew full well what the forgiveness and mercy of God was all about.  His soul is full.... in verse 1 he says "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name."  All that is within me -- every thing -- every thought - every emotion -- as I have heard some say - every fiber of David's being was blessing the Lord for His benefits and tender mercies.  
      So beginning with verse 10 and going through verse 18 ..(and please forgive me for not including the first 9 verses)  ..

     "He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  
 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear  Him.    
    As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
     For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.
   As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
    For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
   But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children. 
   To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them."

     In thinking of all these truths -- all these awesome, wonderful, amazing blessings -- surely it is easy for us to see why David said "All that is within me, bless His holy name."

     In the last few verses of 103, David calls on the angels who excel in strength and do God's bidding to bless the Lord.  Then he calls on "His host, ministers of His that do His pleasure" to also bless Him.    This Psalm concludes with verse 22:  "Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion:  bless the Lord, O my soul."

      Beautiful  - absolutely remarkably beautiful!  He heals our sinsick souls.  He forgives our iniquities.  He redeems us - crowns us with His tender mercies.  He executes righteousness.  If we fear Him - if we belong to Him - He removes our transgressions "as far as the east is from the west."  He remembers we are dust .... nothing but dust.   His mercy lasts forever and ever. 

     Truly, it is no wonder - no wonder at all, why David said -"All that is within me, bless His holy name."  We should do no less. 

      Thank you, God for all your benefits and tender mercies.  I pray I never forget them.

Christ above all things,
Robin

Moses, "Excuse Me, Please"

         I have been thinking about Moses lately.  He was a great spiritual leader.  Yet, when God first called him at the burning bush - he was not so keen on following the call.  Truth be told, he was quite hesitant.  Reading through Exodus chapters 3 and 4, it seems that Moses was quite the expert at making excuses.  But our God, the great I AM, was not to be denied.
       Actually, Moses had quite a life.  He ended up serving God faithfully.  Saved by his parents from certain death as an infant (that is a quite a story in and of itself),  hidden in the river with his sister looking out for him - found by the princess and then raised in Pharaoh's palace.  He couldn't have had a better life!  He had it made. 
        However, Moses fled Egypt in fear of being executed for killing an Egyptian while defending a Hebrew worker.  Pharaoh found out about this incident and indeed sought to slay Moses.  So he fled from only home he knew.  He dwelt in the land of Midian.  He made his home with the Midianites, married Zipporah -and had a child.  Once again, he was living a good life.  He had a good wife, a good job and a family.  I suppose Moses thought he once again "had it made."
         God had a very different idea for Moses.  As Moses was leading his father in law, Jethro's flock, he came to Mount Horeb.  Here he saw a burning bush - burning but not consumed.  This episode once again changed his life.  If you are familiar with this story - you will remember what happens next.  God declares himself to Moses and Moses is afraid.  He hides his face.  We see here that he meets God with great reverence and fear.  This was God speaking to him --out of a bush flaming with fire and yet was not burnt up.  What an awesome, holy and wonderful sight!  Moses must have been amazed by what was happening.
        God tells Moses that He has heard the cry of His people and is aware of their great affliction.  God has remembered the promise he made to Abraham, and to Isaac and Joseph.  He is going to deliver them from the hand of their oppressors and He - God has chosen Moses to be their leader! 
         Whoa!  Now wait a minute, God - I mean I'm impressed by this bush and all -- but, huh - I think you are asking just a little bit much here.  I am always somewhat puzzled by the what happens in this story.  I mean, here is Moses talking to God.  He is familiar with the God of his fathers.  He knew who this was.  He had been taught by his own mother (who was chosen to be his nurse).  He knew about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  He had to know about God's promise to them.  The scriptures tell us that Moses does not doubt this is God who is speaking with him.  At first he has the utmost respect for the Almighty Father, even hiding his face from him.  But when God tells him he has work to do, Moses immediately starts making excuses.  Go figure that one out! 
        Moses puts God off five times - not once or twice -- but five times!  I keep thinking -"what was he thinking?"  How can you be afraid one minute and then in the very next minute he is putting God off... almost to the point of arguing with him.  And then I think -- ha!  Well, we do pretty much the same thing sometimes.   Think about it.....
        The first thing Moses says is -- "Who am I that I should go to Pharoah?"  Now, remember Moses had fled from Egypt because the Pharoah had wanted to kill him.  So I imagine he was afraid to think about going back.  He assumed his life would be in danger.  But in asking God who am I that I should go do this great job?? You can tell that Moses does not think much of himself.  He thinks the king wants to kill him, but he also remembers that the Hebrews don't have much faith in him either.  He is probably intimidated not only by the huge task that this will be -- but also by the fact that he is afraid that his own people will not respect him.  But still, Moses -- this is God you are talking to - the creator of the universe. 
        God assures Moses that He will be with Him.  Next, Moses says - well OK, but who am I going to tell them has sent me?  I mean, who are you really?  What, Moses?  Really - you are asking God who He is?  He has already declared Himself to you.  It's almost like Moses is saying -- "Show me your badge -- I mean -- let me see your I.D. please, sir."   So then God says, I AM THAT I AM.  I don't guess you can get much plainer than that. 
        God describes in more detail what he wants Moses to do -- what He is going to do through Moses.  Thirdly, he says - "OK God - so suppose I do go ahead and go back to Egypt.   And I tell your people that you sent me to free them. --They are not going to believe me.  They are going to tell me "The Lord has not appeared unto you."  Moses could be thinking all kinds things here.  You know - like why would they believe me?  I'm the guy who turned chicken and ran away.  And why would the Lord show himself to me of all people?  I am the one that had a spoiled life - raised in the palace.  They probably think of me as a traitor anyway.  --- Of course, you and I both know that I don't really know what Moses was thinking.  I am just imagining.  Yet, I know something was holding him back -- in the face of God telling him in person that He wants him to do this.  In the face of I AM promising that He will be with him all the way -- Moses is still trying to squirm his way out of this. 
     God gives Moses three signs to show the people so that they will know he has been sent by Him.  You remember -- the first one was the rod turning into a snake, the second one Moses' leprous hand, and the third one being turning water to blood.  Does Moses agree to go yet?  No --Moses still has a couple of more excuses to offer up.  He tells the Lord -- "I am not eloquent - I am slow of speech and slow of tongue."  Well - it doesn't say so quite yet - but I think the Lord is starting to get a little impatient with Moses.  He said "Who made man's mouth?"  Who indeed, Moses?    God says - I will be with thy mouth and will teach you what to say.
      Moses tries one last time to get out of doing what God wants him to do.  In Exodus 4:13  Moses pretty much says - please Lord, send anybody but me.  Now -- here in v. 14 we see that the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses.  Our Lord truly is longsuffering!  He doesn't get angry until after the 5th excuse!  I'm not sure, but I don't think my parents would have been too happy about giving me 5 chances at anything.  I usually got in trouble way before that!  God goes on to tell Moses that He will send Aaron to meet him and to help him.  
       Finally, ---finally Moses obeys the Lord.  He goes to his father in law and tells him he has to go back to Egypt.  God keeps His promise.  He is with Moses and Aaron.  Moses does God's bidding and we realize as we read Exodus that God is the one who frees his people.  God only uses Moses and Aaron.  It is God who performs the miracles and brings on the plagues.  It is the power of God that causes the Pharaoh to let the Hebrews - the Isrealites leave their life of slavery.  Through God, Moses becomes a great leader -- and Moses and God develop this wonderful relationship.  
       I said earlier that I find it hard to believe that Moses would argue with God like that; but really don't we still do the same thing today.  True, He does not speak to us through a burning bush.  But He does speak to us through the Bible.  "God's word is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword."  To believers the Bible IS God's word and it speaks to us today. 
       We say that we believe His word -- but when it comes to certain works of the church - we start making excuses as to why we can't work for God.  We're too busy; or maybe we think we aren't smart enough; or maybe we think our past will keep us from talking to people about God.  Maybe we say - "I've done this before, let's give somebody else a chance."  Really, think about it - how many excuses can we give to God about doing His work before He gets angry with us too? 
       I know this has gone on rather long -- but when we think about Moses we forget that he was very hesitant.  This task seemed to be an enormous one.  Maybe Moses was just plain scared.  Sometimes we do get scared when we think about doing something we have never done before.  God was with Moses in a mighty way.  Why do we doubt that He will be with us in the same way?  Why won't we let ourselves truly become His servants?  Why do we think doing His work applies to everyone else but us? 
     Many of us work very hard for our Lord.  Many of us devote countless hours in serving Him.  However, many of us don't realize how much He needs us.  We don't understand that He will be with us when we try something out of our comfort zone -- some new work or service for HIM.  We are afraid to let Him use us to glorify Him.  We fail to see what wonderful blessings we might gain when we work in His kingdom.  And we miss out on the opportunity of developing an ever closer - ever more wonderful and rewarding --very special and unique relationship with our God -- and with His son - our Redeemer. 

      Please don't put off serving God -- please be willing to say Yes to Jesus.
I know I've said it before -- but He died for us.  How can we not live for Him?

Christ above all things,
Robin

Sometimes Great Minds Really Do Think Alike

          It has been said that great minds think alike.  I suppose that's true.  Good ideas are always good ideas.  We shouldn't be so arrogant as to think that we are the only ones who could have a good idea, especially when people are thinking about the same issue or trying to solve the problem.  Anytime a group of persons has a common interest or common goal -- or are involved in similar situations -- there is a likelihood that more than one person will come up with the same idea or have the same thoughts. 
       I know it is a good thing to "think outside the box" from time to time.  But it is also a good thing when more than one person comes up with the same general idea -- well, at least when it is a good one.  I suppose that there are times when the same idea can be disastrous.  There is danger in mob mentality and in allowing yourself to go along with the flow.  We cannot allow ourselves to believe everything we see and hear in the media.  We all know - if we are truly trying to stay as educated as possible on current events - we all know that the media often has its own agenda.  Propaganda has been around forever.  It is used quite frequently and sometimes (so often, that it's scary) it is used quite well.
As responsible Christian citizens, we must be very careful about what we see and hear and what we believe.  So often what we are told -- and what we experience with our own eyes are two very different things.  Hopefully, we are awake enough to notice.
       However, the media and propaganda are not what I wanted to discuss tonight.  I want to talk about those great minds with good ideas that are used to benefit others.  Those kinds of ideas are wonderful when they are shared by more than one person.  In problem solving if more than one person comes up with the same or very similar solution, it will help promote cooperation and comaraderie within the group.  It helps bring unity.
     Thinking of unity within a group naturally makes me think of Christians -- of the church.  It is what Jesus prayed for in John 17 when He prayed for us.  He prayed that we might all be one as He is one with the Father and the Spirit.  Now there's a wonderful thought.  Those of us who are spiritual should think on spiritual things.  We should share with one another -- scriptures from God's word and experiences that will help us bring glory to God, our Father. 
       And now - finally, I am at the place where I really wanted to start tonight.  I wanted to tell you about the joy I had this morning as I picked up my cell phone before I started off to work.  I had three text messages from three different Christian sisters in three different prayer groups from three different towns.  As I read these messages, I could not help but think that was definitely the message God wanted me to hear this morning.  Each sister "group texted" a Bible verse as a way of encouragement to others in their group of contacts.  Were these verses exactly the same? No - they weren't the same verse.  But all three verses dealt with one topic. 
       Let me share these verses as they came to me.  I am not sure which versions each sister was using so I will not be able to include that (sorry).  Here they are though - in the exact order in which I received them:
     Psalms 9:9 - "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."
    
James 5:16 - "Confess your faults one to another and pray for one another that ye may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

     And the third scripture came with a few words of encouragement which i will also share:  "Good morning! It's another beautiful day!  Remember that God is an awesome God! Never forget that God is always here for us to help us through storms we may face. 
Romans 8:28 -- "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

      Now I ask you - do great minds think alike or what?  Was God's message to me today especially beautiful and comforting?  Amen!!  I'm telling you folks, maybe it's because I am getting older -- or maybe it's just because after all these years I am finally beginning to "get it" -- but I believe with all my heart that was the message God wanted me to hear today and He was using my sisters to send that message to me.  I am so thankful to be friends with all these wonderful Christian women who inspire and encourage and literally keep me going sometimes!  They are all such special servants of God.
     Just think about these wonderful scriptures.  God is always there for us.  For those who love and trust in Him - He IS our refuge when we are oppressed.  It is our Father we go to when our heart is breaking -- when the storms of life are raging all around us -- when someone has hurt us in some way.  He is our refuge.  He is our stronghold.  I would have to research that word -- but for some reason - when I think of that word - I think of either a storm house -- for proctection from attack by nature's forces -- or perhaps a fort -- for protection from attack by our enemies.  God is our strong hold.  He will protect us and shelter us.  He is RIGHT THERE when we call on Him.  If we are walking with Him there is absolutely no hesitation whatsoever.  He is right there.  Comfort and strength are immediately available if we are just willing and wise enough to reach out there and grab it --to accept the love and mercy that stronghold has inside.
    What joy and comfort do you draw from James 5:16.  Confess your faults and pray for one another that ye may be healed.  Having a little struggle with the world?  Stumbled and fallen lately?  Share it -- with a brother or sister who cares -- who loves you with the love of God.  Seek that friend's prayer on your behalf.  Pray with them -- and guess what -- you will be healed of your spiritual woes -- of your sin.  Remember John tells us that He is faithful and just to forgive our sins as we confess them -- if we are what?  Walking in the light. 
      So when you have stumbled and fallen and you are in need of healing and forgiveness -- and folks - forgiveness IS healing -- then go to "a righteous man" or woman-- and ask to pray.  You will be healed --why?  Because the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much.  Again - the message is if we call on God -- He is going to hear and He will be there.  We will never get an "out to lunch" sign from God.  He is always there.
    Third scripture -- still the same subject --God's help in times of trouble.  Are you called according to His purpose?  Have you answered His call?  Do you serve His purpose?  Then guess what?  He is going to be there for you -- to help you work it out.  It will work together for good.  Our problems are not easy to go through.  God does not - has never promised us a worry free - problem free life.  Sometimes we don't know the reasons certain things happen.  But we should always know that there is always a reason to serve God and thank HIm for His blessings.  Because He is going to be there for us to help us through it. 
      We may go through some of the toughes times we could never have imagined.  We may reach points when we think we just can't make it -- and then -- then is when your faith pulls you through because you know in your heart of hearts He has not left you alone.  You will go through this because He has given you strength in your inner man.  And when the sun shines again - and it will shine again -- and you have come through the storm -- you will look at who you are now and who you were then and realize that you are better and stronger than you ever imagined you could be.  And you will know the sweet truth of Romans 8:28 --ALL things - not just one or two of them -- not just part of the time -- ALL things work together for good to them that love the Lord.
      I could not have been more blessed today.  Great minds were thinking alike.  How can you possibly go wrong when you are thinking of the Holy Scriptures?  My sisters all had their own way of saying this morning that God is with us , if we love Him and follow Him -- He really is right there.  Just like those texts were right there on my phone this morning.  Three beautiful messages in a row -- from three beautiful sisters I know. 

Now, I also understand the meaning of the verse -- "I thank God for every remembrance of you." 

Christ above all things,
Robin

The Hard Work of a Christian

      I think this is the longest break I have taken since I started this venture and somehow, I feel I must apologize for that.  I hope that tonight is the beginning of me being back on track. 
     
      I took off from work yesterday, but I ended up working harder at home (physically anyway) than I usually do at my place of employment.  I cleaned out our "junk room."  Threw tons of stuff away.  Mom called me about nine o'clock or so and I told her I had taken off for the day.  She asked me what I was going to do.  When I told her I was cleaning out the junk room, she said "That doesn't sound like a very nice day off to me."  My reply was that it would give me a tremendous since of accomplishment.  And it did.  By the end of the day I was pretty tired; but I was also pretty happy because I had done what I set out to do. 
       I will admit though, it was pretty difficult.  Well - not all of it was that difficult.  Some of it was pretty easy to cull through and throw away.  Other things though, like old birthday cards and letters and such,  were more difficult to part with.  I threw some away -- and I kept others.  I realized that most of those items were not needful and while some were sentimental -- even then you don't have to keep every single paper your child brings home from kindergarten. 
      Sometimes living the Christian life is like that.  Some worldly things are difficult to let go of.  In fact some are harmful to your soul.  Other things --activities - hobbies, etc are not wrong in and of themselves -- but can become a problem if you allow them to overpower your desire to serve your God.  Just like I didn't need to keep all my child's school papers to be able to cherish and remember him at that age -- perhaps we don't need to see every ball game our favorite team plays to enjoy baseball, basketball or football season.  You can still be a fan of your team and serve your Lord.  But if they are playing on a Wednesday night or a Sunday night -- you might have a decision to make. 
       I have a Christian friend whose son played on the high school basketball team.  The neighboring county was slated to start the tournament on a Wednesday night.  My friend's son made the choice to attend Bible study at the congregation in that town and come to the ballgame from there.  God blessed that child in his decision because for some reason (and I can't remember why) the game did not start on time.  When he arrived at the gym after Bible study, he found out that he had not missed any of the game.  Now it's just me, but I have a feeling that providence had a hand in that somehow.  The game started less than five minutes after this young man was able to dress out and show up on the court.  Coincidence or just plain good luck?  I don't think so.
      I worked hard cleaning that room out.  There was a lot of "junk" in there.  Living the Christian life is hard work sometimes too.  There is a lot of junk in this world and we have to fight hard to keep it out of our lives -- to keep from effecting our lives.  James says we are to keep ourselves unspotted from the world.  And Paul tells us in Romans 12: 1-2 that we are to present our bodies a living sacrifice and not to be conformed to the world.  Did it sound to you like Paul meant that would be easy?  Living for God is a sacrifice.  We become dead to our selves and dead to our life of sin.  Some sins are harder to give up than others. 
      As Christians we say no to our worldly, fleshly desires.  That could be anything.  It doesn't necessarily mean "sex and drugs" like so many people think.  It could be a food addiction.  It could be a gossip problem -- or a problem controlling your spending.  It could be not seeking revenge over past (or even current) ill treatment.  It could simply mean disciplining yourself to get up on time to worship every Sunday morning when before you became a Christian you were used to "sleeping in" because that was the only day of the week you could do so.
      There are so many other things -- it could be that you are so used to criticizing others all the time that you haven't yet learned to encourage others and to be kind and considerate.  It could be pornography.  It could be keeping your tongue and your temper in check.  It could be remembering to pray or study as we should --which is a failure to develop a true relatioinship with God. 
      Yes, it is sometimes difficult to live the Christian life.  It is hard work to represent Christ in the work place.  It takes self discipline sometimes to go do a favor for someone you love when all you really want to do is sit in your recliner and rock.  It takes control to keep from complaining about your work situation or even something at church.  We have to learn that some things are just better left unsaid.  It takes wisdom and a lot of practice to know when to speak and when not to.  If the waiter messes up your order at the restaurant or if the credit card office leaves you on hold too long  -- you really do have to be transformed by the renewing of your mind  in order to behave as Christ would. 

       We can all think of so many examples -- so much junk to clean out of our lives.  It is so difficult to resist temptation sometimes -- so easy to fall back into a sinful lifestyle.  We have to constantly keep cleaning the junk out of our lives.  It is hard work to renew your mind -- to teach yourself to think like Christ did - to act like He did.  And unlike me taking a day off from my employment, we can never take a day off in fighting for our God. 
      But in our heart of heats we know it can be done.  And as each temptation is conquered, each sin is eliminated, each time we grow and mature in the Lord -- we gain this tremendous sense of accomplishment because we have once again learned that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

God Bless you all.  I am so thankful to be back.

Christ above all things,
Robin
     

Time Well Spent

     Last night, I was driving through a residential neighborhood on my way home from work.  I saw something that is not often seen these days.  A young girl was outside playing basketball with her mother.  That's right, her mother!  And it was obvious from the scene that the mother was teaching the daughter how to hold the ball as she prepares to shoot for the goal.  I don't think I have ever seen a mother and daughter playing basketball outside before.  It was a very encouraging sight.
      First of all, in this busy world there are so many parents that don't make the effort to spend time with their children.  Then again, many parents do.  Some parents want their children to be involved in sports, music lessons, art classes and any other extra activities that they can think of that might benefit or enrich their child's life.  With all their good intentions some of these parents depend on the coaches, instructors, etc. to teach their children how to play the instrument or the game.  But on the other hand, some parents use sports or music as opportunities to spend extra time with their children by coaching the team. 
      I realize I am discussing both sides of the coin here, but I guess the point I am getting at right now is that children need time with their parents.  They need to understand that a parent is involved and cares about what they are doing -- whether that means being the teacher or coach or whether it just means going to watch and support the child.  Get involved with your child's life!
     It has been said that involving children in all these different things will boost their self- esteem and helps them become more confident.  Perhaps that does help, but I think it is NOT the activity that makes the difference.  It is the time spent with the child.  I really think in today's world that many, many parents have forgotten this. 
     Children need to understand that parents love them.  One of the best ways of showing love is giving them time, listening to them - trying to get to know them as people.  And it doesn't matter if it is done while playing a sports activity - or driving to and from a music lesson or ballgame -- or fishing or hunting -- or taking a walk in the woods -- or raking leaves in the yard -- or letting them help you cook.  Anyway, you get the point.  It is not the activity per se, it is the time spent - the conversations -- the hugs - the laughs that are important for the child's development.
      Think about it - the little girl I saw last night probably has a wonderful knowledge that her Mom loves her enough to teach her.  Her Mom was encouraging her and trying to help her be her best.  She knows that Mom cares about her - about what she is doing.  Good for that Mom!  I remember my Mom played with us when we were children.  She would take a glove and baseball and go outside with us to toss a ball around -- or pitch to us while we took turns batting.  Mom and Dad both attended our ball games, concerts, plays - whatever my brothers and I participated in, we always knew they were behind us 100%.
      We are supposed to teach our children about the love of God.  How can we do this if we don't show our children how much we love them?  How can you explain the concept of love unless you are demonstrating that yourselves?  Some parents really do love their children, but perhaps they don't take the time with them that they should.  Maybe they don't know exactly how to show that love.  Perhaps that is why the Bible says the older women are to teach the younger women to love their husbands and children.  We must teach our children about the sacrificial love of God -- but they come to understand that best when they have experienced that love within their own home.
     Besides all this -- it turns out to be a double blessing.  Staying close to your children brings them happiness and helps them to become productive, well-adjusted people who grow up to be positive influences -- lights in the world.  But the love is returned to you.  It comes back to you over and over.  Having a close relationship will bring you happiness too. 
     Love your kids and show them you do by spending time with them.  Let them know you value them as people.  You will be glad you did!!

Christ above all things,
Robin

Caution: Devil at Work ??

     

     On the way to work yesterday morning, I ended up behind a logging truck – full of logs hanging over the back of the trailer like they do.  The customary red flag was tied at the end of the log that seemed to be hanging over the farthest. This red flag reminds those traveling behind a logging truck to keep their distance.  It’s kind of like a danger signal.   I kept my distance.  I don’t like being anywhere near one of those trucks. 

      Further down the highway, signs were out signaling drivers that the left lane was closed.  As you got closer to the work area other signs said “Caution – men at work.”  All these signs which we must pay attention to for our safety got me to thinking about signs we see every day – and some we don’t. 
      “Wouldn’t it be really neat if there were such obvious signs about spiritual dangers along life’s highway?”  It seems that decision making would be so much easier.  I mean I really like the idea of a temptation coming with a red flag that signaled the danger of getting too close or of giving in to it.  And wouldn’t it be great as you were going through your day that you could literally see a sign that says “Caution – devil at work here?”  It just seems like life would be so much simpler. 
     But that isn’t the way life works and it certainly isn’t the way the devil works.  We all know how deceptive he is.  The Bible says he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  He disguises himself very easily and deceives us in sin.  Sometimes he doesn’t have to work very hard at all in order to entrap us.  You see – he uses phrases like – “So you’re on vacation – nobody knows you here.  Let’s go have a little fun – no one will ever know.”  You know that “who’s going to know”  trap is pretty easy to fall into sometimes. 
     There are others – “Aw come on – this isn’t going to hurt anybody.”  Or "It isn't anybody else's business what you do you, know - you can do whatever you want."  How about --“So what if you do this?  Look over there at old “so and so” – at least you aren’t doing what he is doing. He is really being bad.”   -- or “Go ahead and tell – don’t you think she deserves to know?”  or – “Well, remember how they treated you?  It’s payback time?”  Or “No one is going to notice if you skip services today – they don’t care about you anyway.”   Maybe some of these thoughts have come into your mind before – but I bet none of them came with a big red flag or a sign that said “devil at work” did they? 
      Sometimes the temptation may not be to commit a sin -- but the devil may tempt you by trying to keep you from participating in a church work when the elders or other organizers ask for volunteers.  We may feel like we can’t do this or that – or that it is time to let someone else do something for a while – or the last time we did help somebody complained about how we did it – or we might not like the person in charge of that particular work – or well they don’t ever specifically ask me, so they must not need me.  What???  Really??  God says in James – “To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” 
     So how do we keep from being deceived by the devil?  Study – II Timothy 2:15 says to “Study to show thyself approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  We can’t know what God wants us to do if we don’t listen to what He tells us.    And we can't keep ourselves unspotted by the world, as James says if we don't know just what that involves.   The study of God's Word has to be a vital part of every Christian's life. 
    In Romans 12:2, Paul tells us not to be conformed to the world, but rather to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  We renew our minds by going to the Word.  That is the only way we can re-train ourselves to become like Him – by knowing Him and His commandments.  We love Christ enough to understand what He wants us to do and then we do it. 
     We have to be on constant watch.   Peter tells us we must –“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (I Peter 5:8)

      Jesus Himself told us to “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the hour nor the day when the Son of Man cometh.”  (Matthew 25:13)

      And, Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:10-11-  “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

     No, we are not going to be shown a red flag when we are getting too close to the devil – unless we have trained ourselves well enough to see it.  There will be no signs posted ahead of time telling us that the devil is at work.  No word of caution given by the world that you might be playing with fire.  We just have to know that the devil is always at work.  He never takes a break.  So we have to study – to know what sin and temptation is when we see it.  We have to transform our minds to think like the Savior does – not like the world does.  We have to be on constant watch – guard ourselves against evil.  And fight against the wiles of the devil.  It will not always be easy – actually sometimes it will be quite difficult.  But it will always, ALWAYS be worth it.

Christ above all things,

Robin  

Jesus, the Master Carpenter

      I am happy to be back tonight after taking a couple of nights off.  I miss it when I don't get to write.  I try not to miss very often, but from time to time I am not able to get to the computer.
     The other day on my way home from work, I was thinking.  Now I've been told by some folks that can be dangerous for me.  Anyway, have you ever thought about something - maybe something you have considered countless times before and suddenly some new idea comes to your mind?  This new idea opens up a new way of seeing the same old thing and perhaps you are blown away by it all because it has hit you like a ton of bricks.  Well, that is what happened to me the other day. 
      My thoughts were on Peter's confession that Jesus was the Christ and that Jesus said, "Upon this rock, I will build my church."  [Matthew 16:18]  Suddenly, I remembered that Jesus was a carpenter - and when I thought of that in relation of what He said about "building" His church -- well, that was suddenly very significant to me. 
      I am sure that this thinking is not new because I have heard Jesus referred to as the Master Carpenter.  But then again, Jesus is the Master, the Great Physician -- the King of Kings - in other words, He is the greatest and best of everything.  I just never put two and two together before about Jesus being a carpenter and building His church.  Like I said, I was blown away by these thoughts.
     All that being said, I decided to research the occupation of a carpenter in Bible times.  I started with a book called "The New Manners & Customs of Bible Times by Ralph Gower.  Mom gave me this book soon after I started my blog.  I am so grateful for the book and have learned a lot from it.  I am also very thankful for all the support Mom has given me. 
     Back to Jesus, the Master Carpenter, I also did some research online because I was very curious about this aspect of our Lord's life.  The Bible doesn't give us many details of Jesus' life from the time He is about 12 until the time that He begins His ministry.  But we do know that His earthly father, Joseph was a carpenter.  No doubt, he trained his son in this trade.  It was the custom of the day that the son work alongside his father and learn the occupation.  Besides, in Mark 6:3 Jesus is referred to as "the carpenter, the son of Mary."   
      The word used in this text is the Greek word "tekton."  It is more of a general term meaning "artificer" or "craftsman," but it is still generally believed that Joseph and his adopted son Jesus worked with wood.  The Israelites were not known to have been very skillful in this work -- Solomon brought in the Phoenicians to help in the building of the temple. [I Kings 5].  However, according to Manners & Customs   mentioned above, they taught the Jews many skills that included "paneling, cladding, and carving."   They were apparently skilled enough to be included in the exile by Nebuchadnezzar. 
       For the most part however, being a carpenter was not a very glamorous job at all.  It was full of hard work.  When carpenters built a home, they began with felling trees themselves and shaping the beams for the roof of a house.  This required a lot physical strength and endurance.  Other jobs for a carpenter would include making  furnishings for the home and tools for farmer- such as yokes for the oxen. 
      Now thinking about this - let's draw a few parallels.  We already know that Christ is the chief cornerstone.  Thinking about our Christ having been trained as a carpenter, about Him perhaps cutting down a tree to make the beams for the roof of a home reminds me of the fact that He carried his own cross -- perhaps the cross represent the beams of the roof of the church.  In our earthly homes a roof gives shelter from the outside world.  So the church is our spiritual home while we are on this earth.  It provides shelter from the outside sinful world.  The church is our refuge - a place we can come to be cared for, loved and nourished.  Jesus built His church by carrying the beam [the cross] on His own shoulders, thereby He has provided us shelter from the sin of the world. 
      Most of us like a clean home.  Some of us are better at keeping our homes clean than others - again, I am speaking of our earthly homes.  We use various cleaning agents to clean the dirt and filth from our home.  But the church, our spiritual home, is kept clean by the most wonderful cleaning agent of all, the precious blood of Christ. 
      Our earthly homes are our dwelling places.  It is where we go to be among family - among those that we love.  The church is our spiritual family.  We are told to love our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We are to be so full of love for one another that people will know we all belong to the same family - that we all come from the same house.  Another parallel is that those in an earthy family {who usually live in the same house} sometimes have certain physical similarities.  As members of the family of God -- as followers of Christ, we are supposed to bear a strong spiritual resemblance to the Son of God.  
     Christians are also called the habitation of God.  We - as members of the church - we are the dwelling place of God.  Seeing then that Jesus built the church, we realize that He built a dwelling place for Himself and for God.  We all know that dwelling place is within the heart of every member of the church.  It is through us that Jesus and God are glorified.  
      Our homes are also gathering places - where many members of one family come together in love to celebrate special occasions.  As church members we come together for a special occasion too - every Sunday we commemorate the sacrifice of Christ - the building of His church -- by partaking of the Lord's Supper.  That is the most special occasion there is.  As church members we should come together in love to commemorate this. 
      Christ built the church - His dwelling place -- the building which provides us spiritual shelter.  As the Master Carpenter, He also built furnishings for His house -- with each piece of furniture created to perform a certain function within the home.  These furnishings are used by different members of the household.  Some furnishings {chairs and stools} support and give rest to the weary.  Other furnishings like tables hold our food which provides us with nourishment.  Some members give us spiritual food by way of teaching in Bible class or offering comfort and encouragement. 
      Bear with me please, I'll make just one more comparison and then provide a scripture that I feel brings home at least some of these points.  My last comparison goes back to the yoke.  Carpenters made the yoke for the oxen.  They also made other tools used in farming.  Do you remember when Jesus said - Take my yoke upon you?  Well Jesus meant Himself.  He wants us to walk with Him -- to allow ourselves to be guided by Him.  But also perhaps the yoke is representative of the church -- because we are told to "bear one another's burdens."  We are supposed to walk right alongside our brothers and sisters and help them when they need it.  But wearing the yoke together is also a symbol of unity.  The yoke is for two - you and the church.  With the yoke we work and move as one. 
      Consider Ephesians 2:19-22 -"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the the chief cornerstone.  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
       Jesus is the chief cornerstone - the very foundation of our faith and of the church.  All the prophets pointed to Jesus.  Our Lord Himself spent about 3 years in ministry with the apostles giving them His commandments and teaching them about the Heavenly Father.  He is the foundation of the building of the church.  The crossbeams are the beams of the cross carried on His shoulders - sanctified by His blood. 
      Carpenters were hard workers who possessed physical strength and endurance.  Think of Christ and how hard He worked as He taught the people and as multitudes thronged Him constantly.  Through the years, I have heard many lessons on the fact that not many could have survived the physical stress of the beatings and torture that Christ endured before He ever even went to the cross.  I know He was the Son of God and that is what helped Him the most, but perhaps His years of working as a carpenter was also good physical traning for Him. 
     So as for the church - our spiritual home on earth - Jesus laid the foundation.  We walk on foundation of faith in Him.  He also gave us the roof over our heads that protects us from the outside elements.  He created a Himself a dwelling place.  He made individual furnishings with provide different services within the building.  We are individual members convicted and converted to become individual furnishings within the household of God.  In doing so we provide different services within the church.  The church Christ built is place where individual members come to share with, support and love one another.  We come together to weekly celebrate the special occasion of His resurrection. 
     Yes, in thinking about all this.  I find it very fitting that our Savior was a carpenter by trade.  He is indeed the Master Carpenter -- and His masterpiece is the church He died for -- bought and built with His own blood, sweat and tears.

Christ above all things,
Robin