Let's start off with the bible verse that burst through the fog of my brain this morning. 1 Cor.13:12 begins with the words, "We don't yet see things clearly." Well, in my case, you can say that again!
I love how it refers to a "weather change and the sun shines bright." And I can only add, it sure does!
In my experience having read through the bible so many times in so many years now, I may think I've squeezed everything there is to learn out of a single verse. But, that is a big mistake! God's light keeps right on shining and revealing and I keep right on learning.
Part of my personality is, unfortunately, to take affront with myself if I fail at any particular job. I carelessly "boast" I've been fired in several volunteer church jobs. Actually, I have no pride at all in this situation as it has cost me quite a lot of heartache. Now, I am very careful not to "wave at the crowd too early!" Yet, it was about this particular series of incidents that caused me to have a small revelation not too long ago. And it connects to the bible verse for today, for truth happens when the light reveals it!
Jerry and I read MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST, by Oswald Chambers every night just before we retire. This particular night we read about the Determination to Serve. It reads "Paul's idea of service was to pour his life out to the last drop for others. And whether he received praise or blame made no difference"....Paul's service was given because of "love for his Lord."
So, whether you are blamed or honored you have still served Jesus. And, also, what you learn from a blame experience will help you in the future and perhaps serve others with a lesson, as well. The text for that day went on to say, "No matter how badly others treat (you), they could never treat (you) as badly as Christ was treated (for you). Therefore, serve, others for His sake!"
This makes all my "failures" worthwhile and I rejoice in the new lessons yet to learn. All things are successes when learned through the light of Truth.
AMEN, I say.
Your friend, Jo
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
THE PRODIGAL PARENTS
As we grow older, Jerry and I are aware of how much we miss our family in the North. We've lived in the warmer climate for about 17 years now, going back north at Christmastime and once each summer. But we miss our kids, our grandkids and now our little Great-grandgirl, Scarlet. We are missing out on so much and our bones still ache in whatever climate we live. So this new decision caused us to ask a real estate lady who knows this area well to come in and give us the news. "What is our property worth?" we asked her. It came up short of our hopes, so ...now what?
Do we forget about leaving? Will we be able to afford a nice, cozy place in which to spend our eighties? What does this mean to our plans? Our disappointment was showing and becoming fear.
Well, God speaks to me through His word, so I got my bible open to the pages assigned for Feb. 25. Mark 4:40 spoke of the disciples in the midst of a terrible storm on Lake Galilee, worried and afraid while Jesus slept in the bow of the boat. They awakened him and he reprimanded them, saying, "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith at all?"
They were afraid, too, just as I was feeling. I'm afraid our house here won't sell quickly and for what we think we will need to buy another in the north. And I hear in my mind, "Don't you have any faith at all?"
Yes, I do! I have faith in Christ Jesus. I have faith in the will of God. The power of the Father and the Son is enough for me. But I don't have too much faith in myself. And it occurred to me...that's where I was looking, thinking, and imagining...within myself.
If this move is the will of God, the power of God is in place. And we won't need to worry ourselves about it at all. All we need to do is accept whatever He prepares for us and call those in the north and here in the desert and get the balls rolling, wherever and however those balls take us. God knows better how to play this "game" than we do, I'm thinking.
So, whatever we get for this house will be enough to find us another. So do we have faith? Yes, we do. Enough to move mountains. But I don't think we'll have to move any mountains, do you?
Whatever God sayeth, we'll say, "Thus sayeth the Lord!" And thank you, God, for faith in You.
I'll keep you posted! Jo
Do we forget about leaving? Will we be able to afford a nice, cozy place in which to spend our eighties? What does this mean to our plans? Our disappointment was showing and becoming fear.
Well, God speaks to me through His word, so I got my bible open to the pages assigned for Feb. 25. Mark 4:40 spoke of the disciples in the midst of a terrible storm on Lake Galilee, worried and afraid while Jesus slept in the bow of the boat. They awakened him and he reprimanded them, saying, "Why are you such cowards? Don't you have any faith at all?"
They were afraid, too, just as I was feeling. I'm afraid our house here won't sell quickly and for what we think we will need to buy another in the north. And I hear in my mind, "Don't you have any faith at all?"
Yes, I do! I have faith in Christ Jesus. I have faith in the will of God. The power of the Father and the Son is enough for me. But I don't have too much faith in myself. And it occurred to me...that's where I was looking, thinking, and imagining...within myself.
If this move is the will of God, the power of God is in place. And we won't need to worry ourselves about it at all. All we need to do is accept whatever He prepares for us and call those in the north and here in the desert and get the balls rolling, wherever and however those balls take us. God knows better how to play this "game" than we do, I'm thinking.
So, whatever we get for this house will be enough to find us another. So do we have faith? Yes, we do. Enough to move mountains. But I don't think we'll have to move any mountains, do you?
Whatever God sayeth, we'll say, "Thus sayeth the Lord!" And thank you, God, for faith in You.
I'll keep you posted! Jo
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
PAUL---GOD'S MAN
One of the most interesting stories in the book of Acts is the tragic ship-wreck Paul experienced on his way to Rome. Acts 27:30 tells us: " Some of the sailors tried to jump ship...Paul saw through their guise."
The ship met up with a horrendous wind and torrential rain. The men aboard feared for their lives and many attempted to escape. But Paul met with them and warned them that they must stay with the ship or all would perish. He explained that an angel had visited him assuring that all would be saved, but the ship would go down. Without any further information they trusted Paul.
To me, that fact is the most incredible of all. Yes, they all were saved, each finding his own way to the shores of a small island. Yes, the ship went down. And yes, they trusted Paul, an aging man who spoke of angels, and a God who walked the earth, and was under arrest and being sent to Rome as a prisoner. How is it they would trust a man like that?
Was Paul's countenance so holy that they trusted him enough to not jump ship? Wouldn't they just think he was.....different, even strange?
Were Paul's words so compelling and confident that they were like orders from a heavenly officer?
Or were his earlier warnings about weather and ships proven to be true, so why not listen to this new warning and trust it?
It may have been all of those things and along with them, knowing that the end may be coming, so why not give yourself one... more.... chance. A long shot, maybe, but who's to know? Or, just maybe, one or two might have said, "I'll take my chances and obey him. I believe this man is a man of God."
Oh, to be a "man of God"! Paul gave up his fame in the Jewish community. He gave up his homeland. He had to fight for recognition among the solid leaders of the new Christian community in Jerusalem and all of Judah. Most of his career he was under arrest or being sought by authorities. He had no family. Yes, his sacrifices were many.
But, he had been favored by God to turn from his own way, to doing things God'sWay. Many, many times in Paul's missionary travels he was turned from one direction to God's direction.
All of Paul's directions from God, either a solid "yes" or a firm "no", were obeyed. And not only Paul obeyed, but those who traveled with him, also, were obedient to God. Thus, obedience and being available at all costs, was what made Paul.. God's Man.
So, my lesson for today, friends, is Listen and Obey! And that will take some doing for my habits are strong. But I must try, and even when I fail, I must begin again. I want to be a Woman of God. So, I must.... Listen! and Obey! That's my order for myself today!
Wish me God's speed, I appeal to you!
Jo
The ship met up with a horrendous wind and torrential rain. The men aboard feared for their lives and many attempted to escape. But Paul met with them and warned them that they must stay with the ship or all would perish. He explained that an angel had visited him assuring that all would be saved, but the ship would go down. Without any further information they trusted Paul.
To me, that fact is the most incredible of all. Yes, they all were saved, each finding his own way to the shores of a small island. Yes, the ship went down. And yes, they trusted Paul, an aging man who spoke of angels, and a God who walked the earth, and was under arrest and being sent to Rome as a prisoner. How is it they would trust a man like that?
Was Paul's countenance so holy that they trusted him enough to not jump ship? Wouldn't they just think he was.....different, even strange?
Were Paul's words so compelling and confident that they were like orders from a heavenly officer?
Or were his earlier warnings about weather and ships proven to be true, so why not listen to this new warning and trust it?
It may have been all of those things and along with them, knowing that the end may be coming, so why not give yourself one... more.... chance. A long shot, maybe, but who's to know? Or, just maybe, one or two might have said, "I'll take my chances and obey him. I believe this man is a man of God."
Oh, to be a "man of God"! Paul gave up his fame in the Jewish community. He gave up his homeland. He had to fight for recognition among the solid leaders of the new Christian community in Jerusalem and all of Judah. Most of his career he was under arrest or being sought by authorities. He had no family. Yes, his sacrifices were many.
But, he had been favored by God to turn from his own way, to doing things God'sWay. Many, many times in Paul's missionary travels he was turned from one direction to God's direction.
All of Paul's directions from God, either a solid "yes" or a firm "no", were obeyed. And not only Paul obeyed, but those who traveled with him, also, were obedient to God. Thus, obedience and being available at all costs, was what made Paul.. God's Man.
So, my lesson for today, friends, is Listen and Obey! And that will take some doing for my habits are strong. But I must try, and even when I fail, I must begin again. I want to be a Woman of God. So, I must.... Listen! and Obey! That's my order for myself today!
Wish me God's speed, I appeal to you!
Jo
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
I WANT TO PRAISE THE LORD!
David, before he became king of Judah, found himself separated from his home, his king, his friends, and everyone he had ever loved. In reading Psalm 22 this morning, I remembered this same feeling many times in my own life. Of course, I was not really alone. But the feeling, always the feeling, could put me in a state of despair.
As I read on in the psalm, I came to verses 25 and 26: "Here is this great gathering for worship. I have discovered this praise-life. And I'll do what I promised right here in front of the God-worshipers. Everyone on the hunt for God is here, praising him. Live it up, from head to toe. Don't ever quit!"
David consoles himself, invigorates those around him, and makes a promise. What promise does he make? And to whom?
At the beginning of the Psalm, David had pleaded with God, "Why did you dump me miles from nowhere." Kind of an exaggeration, isn't it? But when we feel depressed we feel not only separated from love, but lonely. The feelings become exaggerated. And if we have an opportunity to say , I feel lonely, to someone, somehow it seems so much better, But it doesn't stay better, sadly.
What had David really lost? How can he find that which is lost? How does he begin to find, once again, his true nature? And, does he imagine what he says here.....? "Here is this great gathering for worship. I have discovered this praise-life."
When I have been depressed, I need God. I know I need God, but at times, I can hardly call upon Him. Do I feel unworthy? Ashamed? Maybe so. But I am learning something very basic. God hasn't left. I'm the one who has left. David was the one who had left. But, by the time he had come to the end of the psalm, David had found himself in the presence of God and had made a promise to Him.
He says, "Here is",,,not was, not will be. God is here. God is always here. God is wherever you are and are calling Him because He is. He is there. He is real. He is power and glory and all that we need now or will ever need. Here. He is here.
David, in the psalm, is in a gathering, a great gathering. He has discovered a praise-life. How this came about, whether from imagination or vision or reality, no one knows. Only David and God. But his promise is real..... In verses 22 and 23, we read, "Shout hallelujah, give glory to God, and adore Him." David promised. I promise. How about you?
Let's do it, for as long as we live!! Praise you, Lord Jesus!!
Jo
As I read on in the psalm, I came to verses 25 and 26: "Here is this great gathering for worship. I have discovered this praise-life. And I'll do what I promised right here in front of the God-worshipers. Everyone on the hunt for God is here, praising him. Live it up, from head to toe. Don't ever quit!"
David consoles himself, invigorates those around him, and makes a promise. What promise does he make? And to whom?
At the beginning of the Psalm, David had pleaded with God, "Why did you dump me miles from nowhere." Kind of an exaggeration, isn't it? But when we feel depressed we feel not only separated from love, but lonely. The feelings become exaggerated. And if we have an opportunity to say , I feel lonely, to someone, somehow it seems so much better, But it doesn't stay better, sadly.
What had David really lost? How can he find that which is lost? How does he begin to find, once again, his true nature? And, does he imagine what he says here.....? "Here is this great gathering for worship. I have discovered this praise-life."
When I have been depressed, I need God. I know I need God, but at times, I can hardly call upon Him. Do I feel unworthy? Ashamed? Maybe so. But I am learning something very basic. God hasn't left. I'm the one who has left. David was the one who had left. But, by the time he had come to the end of the psalm, David had found himself in the presence of God and had made a promise to Him.
He says, "Here is",,,not was, not will be. God is here. God is always here. God is wherever you are and are calling Him because He is. He is there. He is real. He is power and glory and all that we need now or will ever need. Here. He is here.
David, in the psalm, is in a gathering, a great gathering. He has discovered a praise-life. How this came about, whether from imagination or vision or reality, no one knows. Only David and God. But his promise is real..... In verses 22 and 23, we read, "Shout hallelujah, give glory to God, and adore Him." David promised. I promise. How about you?
Let's do it, for as long as we live!! Praise you, Lord Jesus!!
Jo
Monday, February 18, 2013
A LESSON FOR FESTUS AND ME
Why, yes, I was reading Acts 25 this morning. How did you guess?
Festus and I share some of the same problems. No, I had nothing to do with Paul being sent to Rome. Festus and I have a similar problem in this...When you are unsure of what to do....go to the Lord!
Here is Festus, wondering how to treat Paul when all the stories told to him by the Jerusalem Jews were fabricated! And now Festus is holding Paul as a captive who has asked to be heard by Ceasar himself..in Rome. (What a shame that Festus was not a believer in the Jewish God. ) Of course, to complicate things, Paul believes the Jewish God is the same god as the one who is the father of this Jesus!( Our own Heavenly Father) And how can a heavenly being be the father of a human person?
Now, Festus had heard about a teacher-healer who was crucified. These Jerusalem Jews hated the people who believed this man was the promised Messiah and especially because so many were saying this Jesus, if that is his name, was risen from the dead. Good grief! What people will believe! But this Paul, can he possible believe this?
Of course, when Paul came before the governor, Festus and his guests began to believe. But, how to save him from Jerusalem and now Rome? If only Festus truly believed, for he and he only could have found a way to keep Paul from eventual destruction. But he didn't know he could take it to a higher power than Ceasar in Rome.
This is still the same in our world. Even those of us who love the Lord and pray to the Father, even we, may forget to go to the Father when we are unsure of what to do. It is too bad, isn't it, that we forget we can find help from the heavenly realm? We are pumped up with our own importance. Of course, I can figure out a solution to this mess. But maybe, just maybe, I may be wrong.
God is our provider. He will know what is best. He will always know what is the best way to work our way out of a tight place. Only He knows.
Remember the TV show FATHER KNOWS BEST? Well, maybe not all father's know best, but this Father does know best! Help me, someone, to always remember this...Father God knows best!
Now, I wish for you a very good day. And love from
Jo
Festus and I share some of the same problems. No, I had nothing to do with Paul being sent to Rome. Festus and I have a similar problem in this...When you are unsure of what to do....go to the Lord!
Here is Festus, wondering how to treat Paul when all the stories told to him by the Jerusalem Jews were fabricated! And now Festus is holding Paul as a captive who has asked to be heard by Ceasar himself..in Rome. (What a shame that Festus was not a believer in the Jewish God. ) Of course, to complicate things, Paul believes the Jewish God is the same god as the one who is the father of this Jesus!( Our own Heavenly Father) And how can a heavenly being be the father of a human person?
Now, Festus had heard about a teacher-healer who was crucified. These Jerusalem Jews hated the people who believed this man was the promised Messiah and especially because so many were saying this Jesus, if that is his name, was risen from the dead. Good grief! What people will believe! But this Paul, can he possible believe this?
Of course, when Paul came before the governor, Festus and his guests began to believe. But, how to save him from Jerusalem and now Rome? If only Festus truly believed, for he and he only could have found a way to keep Paul from eventual destruction. But he didn't know he could take it to a higher power than Ceasar in Rome.
This is still the same in our world. Even those of us who love the Lord and pray to the Father, even we, may forget to go to the Father when we are unsure of what to do. It is too bad, isn't it, that we forget we can find help from the heavenly realm? We are pumped up with our own importance. Of course, I can figure out a solution to this mess. But maybe, just maybe, I may be wrong.
God is our provider. He will know what is best. He will always know what is the best way to work our way out of a tight place. Only He knows.
Remember the TV show FATHER KNOWS BEST? Well, maybe not all father's know best, but this Father does know best! Help me, someone, to always remember this...Father God knows best!
Now, I wish for you a very good day. And love from
Jo
Saturday, February 16, 2013
BELIEFS WHICH CAN BECOME IDOLS
What does it matter what one believes? Well, ask God what He thinks about that!
Recently I attended a bible study at a prominent Lutheran Church whose pastor is a fine preacher and teacher. Becoming very impressed on the teachings during the six weeks, I decided to pass along some high points to those of you out there.
It also occurred to me this morning while I was journaling Lev. 26:1, "Don't make idols for yourselves," that what we believe in, if not in God, would be classified as an idol. So, here is a list of beliefs the world in particular and some of us, too, find prominent.
So here goes: Materialism...She is crazy about things. She rarely uses the word, enough. She often wants what everyone else has. She believes in an idol.
Second: Individualism...She serves herself, focusing on herself. Everything is about her. She believes in an idol.
Third: Heathenism...She is addicted to thrills, danger, or excitement. Pursuing pleasure is her game. She believes in an idol.
Fourth: Pragmatism...It seems right to her, whatever works. The world says it's OK, so it must be. She believes in an idol.
Fifth: Naturalism...God doesn't exist or matter. No God, so she doesn't have to be accountable. She believes in an idol.
Sixth: Humanism...She is her own god.. She has made herself the center of the universe. And she, too, believes in an idol.
Seventh: Theism... God made her for His purposes. Col.1:16 "For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible..everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him." She believes in the One, True God.
Well, there you have it. I must admit that I have moments when I find myself fitting into each of these catagories. It shames me to say so, but I must be truthful. However thinking about them as being idols snaps me back into the arms of Jesus, pronto!
So, I've decided that it really does matter what we believe. And the pastor said that being sincere is not enough. The 10 commandments will not change. The proverbs will not change, nor will any other words that we long to press into our minds and actions. Where we can see and say, It is written...needs to be a heart message and absolute truths. We center our belief system on Him!
So when I find myself eyeing the ring of my beautiful granddaughter, newly engaged, I just stay happy for her.. And I will not envy that ring and wish that I had one just like it, for I do not want to idolize material of any kind.
God has given me much to be thankful for...and I intend to stay that way...forever thankful!
How about you, Friends? jo
Recently I attended a bible study at a prominent Lutheran Church whose pastor is a fine preacher and teacher. Becoming very impressed on the teachings during the six weeks, I decided to pass along some high points to those of you out there.
It also occurred to me this morning while I was journaling Lev. 26:1, "Don't make idols for yourselves," that what we believe in, if not in God, would be classified as an idol. So, here is a list of beliefs the world in particular and some of us, too, find prominent.
So here goes: Materialism...She is crazy about things. She rarely uses the word, enough. She often wants what everyone else has. She believes in an idol.
Second: Individualism...She serves herself, focusing on herself. Everything is about her. She believes in an idol.
Third: Heathenism...She is addicted to thrills, danger, or excitement. Pursuing pleasure is her game. She believes in an idol.
Fourth: Pragmatism...It seems right to her, whatever works. The world says it's OK, so it must be. She believes in an idol.
Fifth: Naturalism...God doesn't exist or matter. No God, so she doesn't have to be accountable. She believes in an idol.
Sixth: Humanism...She is her own god.. She has made herself the center of the universe. And she, too, believes in an idol.
Seventh: Theism... God made her for His purposes. Col.1:16 "For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible..everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him." She believes in the One, True God.
Well, there you have it. I must admit that I have moments when I find myself fitting into each of these catagories. It shames me to say so, but I must be truthful. However thinking about them as being idols snaps me back into the arms of Jesus, pronto!
So, I've decided that it really does matter what we believe. And the pastor said that being sincere is not enough. The 10 commandments will not change. The proverbs will not change, nor will any other words that we long to press into our minds and actions. Where we can see and say, It is written...needs to be a heart message and absolute truths. We center our belief system on Him!
So when I find myself eyeing the ring of my beautiful granddaughter, newly engaged, I just stay happy for her.. And I will not envy that ring and wish that I had one just like it, for I do not want to idolize material of any kind.
God has given me much to be thankful for...and I intend to stay that way...forever thankful!
How about you, Friends? jo
Monday, February 11, 2013
KNOCK KNOCK, ANYBODY THERE?
Just home from the last INCREDIBLE bible study done by our pastor for, I think, six weeks on Monday mornings. I'm still flying high, yet wondering, why didn't I have this info when I was 25? Anyway, it was great. And it reminded me of today's journaling........
In Acts 18, Paul's efforts with the Jews, wherever he traveled,was really tough. They loved to argue with Paul and contradict each point he tried to make whenever and wherever he spoke. Paul never gave up, and although at times discouraged, he kept at it; he persevered.
It is hard to continue to tell people about Jesus when there is no one who wants to listen. But Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, touched uncounted hearts and lives during his time of ministry. Telling many, perhaps only a few listened, and fewer still caught on. Then, those that caught on began to tell many, and a few of them caught on and the company of Christians grew and grew. One person seems like nothing, but the power of God through one can become enough to fill a meeting place. But, and a big but, WE MUST TRUST that this is so. God will be at work without fail!
The same holds true for a single blogger. One blog may ignite no one. But it goes up into the never-never land of computer "cloud" and stays, and is always there, always available. ( At least that's what they tell me!) So, maybe, one blog may ignite many people given enough time. At least, that is my hope. At least, that is my prayer and I MUST TRUST that this is so. God will be at work without fail!
You see, I like people. No, I really love people. And I know the truth and wear that truth wherever I go. I'm not anybody special, but I am someone who has met the Master and been convinced that He and no one else is THE TRUTH.
I started blogging for my grandchildren, and now, for my great-grandchildren. But, and this is the truth, I got so enthused for telling others about Jesus and His Word that I only hoped they would read it, and if they didn't? Well, I hoped someone out there would come to know the Master who didn't know Him before. Or at least come to know Him better than they did before. Or at least have the blessing to tell someone else about this Man and God who sacrificed Himself so that we do not have to be sacrificed for our sins. I am nurtured, blessed, made peaceful, ignited, and so certain of His love that I am near bursting with the fire of it! How I pray that you feel this rapturous love as well! I can hardly bear to carry this lovely love without a way to share it.
That's why I blog!
Forever At His Feet, I am just.....Jo
In Acts 18, Paul's efforts with the Jews, wherever he traveled,was really tough. They loved to argue with Paul and contradict each point he tried to make whenever and wherever he spoke. Paul never gave up, and although at times discouraged, he kept at it; he persevered.
It is hard to continue to tell people about Jesus when there is no one who wants to listen. But Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, touched uncounted hearts and lives during his time of ministry. Telling many, perhaps only a few listened, and fewer still caught on. Then, those that caught on began to tell many, and a few of them caught on and the company of Christians grew and grew. One person seems like nothing, but the power of God through one can become enough to fill a meeting place. But, and a big but, WE MUST TRUST that this is so. God will be at work without fail!
The same holds true for a single blogger. One blog may ignite no one. But it goes up into the never-never land of computer "cloud" and stays, and is always there, always available. ( At least that's what they tell me!) So, maybe, one blog may ignite many people given enough time. At least, that is my hope. At least, that is my prayer and I MUST TRUST that this is so. God will be at work without fail!
You see, I like people. No, I really love people. And I know the truth and wear that truth wherever I go. I'm not anybody special, but I am someone who has met the Master and been convinced that He and no one else is THE TRUTH.
I started blogging for my grandchildren, and now, for my great-grandchildren. But, and this is the truth, I got so enthused for telling others about Jesus and His Word that I only hoped they would read it, and if they didn't? Well, I hoped someone out there would come to know the Master who didn't know Him before. Or at least come to know Him better than they did before. Or at least have the blessing to tell someone else about this Man and God who sacrificed Himself so that we do not have to be sacrificed for our sins. I am nurtured, blessed, made peaceful, ignited, and so certain of His love that I am near bursting with the fire of it! How I pray that you feel this rapturous love as well! I can hardly bear to carry this lovely love without a way to share it.
That's why I blog!
Forever At His Feet, I am just.....Jo
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