The plans of the Lord are good; seek Him and find Him - Jer. 29:11-13

 Happy New Year, dear friends.  As you declutter your house from all the Christmas decorations, do you find yourselves (like I do!) needing to declutter your life?  I pulled out an old metal sign from storage that says SIMPLIFY...that is true for more than one aspect of my life. I won't bore you with the details...but suffice it to say there are some parts of me that have held me "captive" for a very long time.  Jeremiah was speaking the words of our verse today - spoken by God - to a people held captive by the Babylonians around 597 BC.  He was encouraging them to make the best of their circumstances: to build homes, to seek the peace of the nation that held them and to trust their God and His plans for them. What held you captive in 2022?  Guilt?  Regret?  Unforgiveness?  Resentment? Worldliness?

Sally Livingston, LMFT,  in her book, "GET OVER IT: 4 Steps to Breaking Free from the Stuck Cycle", says about the false narratives from trauma and pain that become our worldview: "The unrealized and unhealed wounds keep us mentally and emotionally imprisoned."  Friends, we get stuck in old patterns and old mindsets...some we've had since childhood!  She says:

"The battle is in the mind...Only God's truth corrects the errors of perspective in our minds...When we take our thoughts captive and challenge our perspective, we are able to lay them down in favor of God's truth.  We can choose to see His plan and take courage in the most difficult of circumstances."

Don received this coffee mug at Christmas from a sweet friend.

 These words come from "The Chosen" and were spoken by Jesus to Mary Magdalene who was ashamed of her past and couldn't bear to look at Jesus.  Isaiah 30:18 says: "The Lord longs to be gracious to you".

  Jeremiah's words say to us:  God's plans for you are good...your plans not so much!  When you know that His plans are full of hope, why would you not seek Him today...His promise is that if you seek Him He will find you and "bring you back from captivity".  What good news is that??  And He did just that with the Israelites...He brought them back from captivity and blessed them.  Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can know the God who has these plans and seeks only our devotion and obedience (John 3:16).  Today, will you trust His plans for you?  LOOK UP!

For further study: Gen. 4:7, 2 Chron. 16:9, Ps. 33:20, Proverbs 23:18, John 8:31,  Rom. 12:1-2,  2 Cor. 10:5, Phil. 2:13, Col. 2:8, Jas. 1:14.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word,

Holly

Grow in the grace & knowledge of our Lord - 2 Peter 3:18

 This letter to the people of God is written by Peter, as one commentator says, who, by then, was "...finely mature in Christian faith and fully seasoned in Christian service."  This verse is written at the end of Ch. 3, but he introduces the subject in Ch. 1 and exhorts the followers of Christ to "...make every effort" to grow in their faith...to add to what they already know.  This is a senior adult - at the very least - exhorting all ages to grow in their faith.  In 3:17 he tells us at least one reason why: "...that they may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall" from their secure place of faith.  Guess what?  The same applies to us today.  In case you haven't noticed, there are lawless people and ways all around us.

Our verse today essentially says:  GROW (become bigger or greater, non-stop progress) in GRACE (kindness) and KNOWLEDGE (personal experience of) of Jesus Christ.  John Piper says: "To grow in Christ, we don't set out to grow, we set out to taste His goodness".  When was the last time you opened your Bible to "taste His goodness"?  I hope often.  We are His treasured possession and if we don't continue to "...bear fruit that lasts, then we aren't glorifying our Father and we aren't being witnesses to those around us.

So, senior adults, what will that look like?  It might look like signing up for a seminary class even at the ripe old age of 73!  Ps. 92:14 says: "they will still bear fruit in old age".  It might mean not yielding to complaining about everything and everyone around you.  It might mean working with children in your church.  I know it will be sharing the truths of all those Bible studies you have done with a younger generation.

Young parents, what will that look like?  It will look like Deu. 6:7-9.  You will teach your children Biblical truth, you will model a disciplined lifestyle and show them grace and kindness.  A recent article by Matt Jacobson said: "When it comes to informing your children's internal voice against the destructive messages bombarding them, speak up, speak in, and speak often!".

Single adults, what might this look like? 1 Cor. 7:17 says: "each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them".  This was Paul who never married and found people to serve and teach.  So, find someone to serve and teach!  You will grow in your maturity by doing so!

Alistair Begg tells a wonderful story in TRUTH FOR LIFE about a young Queen Elizabeth.  Whenever she and her sister would go out to a party, her mother would say: 'Remember, royal children, royal manners."  I would say: Remember Christian children, Christian manners.  Our manners and lifestyle reflect the growth taking place within.  Healthy fruit is not hard to see!

For further study: Deu. 30:16, Ps. 34:8, Ps. 71:18, Hosea 6:3, Mark 4:1-20, John 15:1-17,  Rom. 12:2, Phil. 2:12-13,  Gal. 5:22-23, 2 Tim. 3:14-16.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

Love,

Holly 

Psalm 23

 This summer's women's Bible study at our church was on Psalm 23 with a book by Louie Giglio entitled DON'T GIVE THE ENEMY A SEAT AT YOUR TABLE.   This, of course, is focused on the very special table "prepared before me in the presence of my enemies" as stated in v. 5.  A table unique for God's people...in fact a table that is a great gift that we don't always treat with care.  We allow people to sit with us there that distract us from the great work of God.  That would be "the enemy of our souls"...and he "...seeks to kill and destroy" (John 10:10) and he seeks to destroy in us the work of God.  And sometimes we let him in.  He knows exactly how to work us especially in our fears.

A few months ago I was working on my computer when some pop-up alerts began to fill my screen, a voice started speaking telling me my computer was infected and I should call a number right away.  I panicked...and out of fear called that number.  This man - with a very calming voice - told me to install something - which I did - and he began working INSIDE my computer.  My dear husband walked in and said to immediately hang up, which I did...and then Geek Squad (hooray) undid the damage later that was done.  The point is I LET HIM IN!

This is what Louie Giglio says:  

"We cannot stop the enemy from prowling around and seeking to destroy us.  But we can refuse to allow him a seat at our table.  We do this by locking our eyes on our King and locking on to what He says is true about us.  We take him at His word and believe what He says about us."

One of the things I did after this study was to memorize these 6 verses and to focus on them one by one.  Knowing God and His word is the only way to keep our focus on Him. Locking my eyes on the Lord helps me to keep from being distracted from feelings or emotions that get me off track.  Vulnerability (caused by our feelings and not God's promises) leaves me wide open to attack and only "divine defense" will protect us.  Be radically dependent upon His weapons and not our own self-sufficiency.  Alistair Begg says to "...give up our arms of rebellion".  Do we believe we have the power to control our own lives or do we "...grow in the grace...of our Lord Jesus" (our perfect Shepherd) and trust Him more every day to guide us..."for His name's sake" and not our own?

Giglio says "the steps we take in faith activate the power of the Spirit".  Those are the steps I choose to take today. How about you?

For further study:  Gen. 3:1-7, Ex. 14:14, Deu. 31:8, Isaiah 54:17, Luke 4:1-13, Eph. 1:19-20, Phil. 4:13, 2 Tim. 3:12-17, 1 Peter 5:8-9, 1 John 4:4

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

Love,

Holly

My help comes from the Lord Ps. 121:2

 There are times in my life when I am overwhelmed…times when I don’t have answers to tough questions. When I look within myself, or outside of me at mankind, there are still no answers. But, like the psalmist in Psalm 121, I KNOW I can look up and receive help and comfort. That’s just what faith is…believing in the God who says He “…will never leave or forsake us” (Deu. 31:6, Heb. 13:5) and trusting His perfect plan for every one of us. Be blessed in knowing He “… watches over our coming and going” (v.8) whether you feel like it or not.

"Love the Lord...with all your heart, soul and mind" - Matt. 22:37

 Does life seem more and more like one big test?  Do you find people all around you who seem to be setting up hurdles against your peace?  I think Jesus must have felt that way.  He had 3 short years of public ministry on this earth - years His Father in heaven had purposed for His very existence.  That was the case this particular day...a Pharisee "tested him" with a question about what the greatest commandment was.  And Jesus patiently spoke our focus verse to him.  He added that not only loving the Lord was the "first and greatest commandment" but loving his neighbor was the second most important.

If we are a believer, a disciple of His, then this command applies to us as well.  My very smart husband (follow him at www.threepagesperday.home.blog) is teaching on The Ten Commandments (Ex. 20)  and when he spoke of the first one: "You shall have no other gods before you", he said how following this command is the secret to following all the others.  He compared it to buttoning your shirt wrong at the top...everything else is wrong following it!

We can "love the Lord..." with all that we are, because,  as 1 John 4:19 says, He "first loved us".  There can be no love apart from God's love...not agape LOVE anyway.  Any other kind of love is self-serving; only agape love is unconditional.

When we love Him with "...ALL" our heart, soul and mind, we will love Him with an undivided heart and that will take obedience.  Chuck Colson in LOVING GOD says: "The Christian life begins with obedience, depends on obedience and results in obedience. Loving God - really loving Him - means living out His commands no matter what the cost".

So, hurdles or not, we choose to follow Him, know His word and do His will.  The same love that set the sun and moon in place is at work in us to be exactly who He made us to be and to do exactly what He purposes us to do.  I think that's pretty exciting, don't you?

For further study: Deu. 6:3-9, Joshua 22:5, 2 Chron. 16:9, Psalm 27:4, Ps. 63:1-2, Proverbs 8:17, Matt. 28:20, John 14:15, Mark 12:28-34, Romans 8:28.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

Love,

Holly

The Word of our God endures forever - Isaiah 40:8

 Happy New Year 2022!  I'm about to join a group of ladies in a Bible study called "Open Your Bible" published by She Reads Truth.  As we begin a new year, I am committed to making the study of God's Word a daily priority.  Not just hearing His word or reading His word, but STUDYING His word.  His word is a treasure, a vast store of goodness and truth.  In a time when our faith can be shaken, it is the LORD whose "pillars are firm" (Ps. 75:3).  Nothing else is. No one else is.

Alistair Begg says in his devotional book TRUTH FOR LIFE regarding Jesus' invitation in Matt. 11:28-29 to come to him for rest:  

"Each of us needs to hear these words, because there's not one person who isn't figuratively pushing around a wheelbarrow filled with all the cares, responsibilities, fears and failures that make up his or her life."

If we're not careful, we let culture or worldly values dictate our moral compass - that set of values that guides our decision making.

Jesus' words in John 15:1-8 tells us that if we "...abide in Him and His words abide in us", we will bear much fruit...fruit that lasts.  As 2022 begins, "bearing fruit that lasts" is one of my goals...fruit that comes from knowing God and His word.  I believe one of God's purposes for us is to look a little more like His Son each year. We will not know His purposes for us if we do not know His word.  I encourage you to join me in a commitment to Bible study this year...and every year to come until He takes us home!

For further study:  Deu. 11:18, 2 Sam. 22:31, Ps. 119:9, Prov. 30:5, Isaiah 55:10-11, John 1:1-5, John 16:13, 2 Tim. 2:15, Heb. 4:12, James 1:25.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

Love,

Holly

Focus on Fruit

 This title is borrowed from my brilliant husband who wrote a blog last week.  He is, of course, speaking of spiritual fruit - that which is made possible by the Holy Spirit that dwells within every single born-again believer in Jesus Christ.  The 9 items listed on the towel and in Galatians 5:22-23  (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) are the natural product of that Spirit that lives within us.  The gift of the fruit - single entity - is then developed as we grow in our faith.  This is what Don said:

"I must never forget.  Fruit is God's goal.  His grace doesn't change this expectation or make it unnecessary.  Just makes it possible."

So, what do people see in me?  What do they see in you?  Our women's Bible study is finishing a study by Jenn Wilkin on the first 18 chapters of Exodus and, oh my goodness, those Israelites really knew how to grumble!  The Lord God freed them from hundreds of years of oppressive slavery, and they're still grumbling! The Lord told them over and over again, listen to me and all your needs will be met and I will be with you.

You know what, the Lord tells us the same thing today in His word.  Joy is available even in heartbreaks.  Peace is available even in the midst of strife.  Kindness is available even when we are mistreated.  I do not want to live like the Israelites always complaining about what they didn't get.  About what isn't the same as it used to be.  I want to "focus on the fruit" and be grateful for the privilege to serve a God who loves me so much He gave His only son that I might have an abundant life.

For further study:  Psalm 52:8-9, Matt. 7:16, Luke 8:15, John 15:16, 2 Cor. 5:10, Galatians 5:22-23, Phil. 2:1-2, Philemon 1:4-6, James 2:14, 1 Peter 2:12.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

Love,

Holly