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

This is the day the Lord has made... Ps. 118:24

 Carol Burton McLeod has written a book entitled GUIDE YOUR MIND GUARD YOUR HEART GRACE YOUR TONGUE and several chapters got me!  One in particular is entitled "Are There Two of Me?".  She said I had waited my whole life for this chapter but I'm not sure that's true!  In it she says I have a soul and a spirit (not new information) and that my soul (mind, will, emotions) "...under the influence of the fallen human nature, will try to chain you to your emotions and lead you away from the character of Christ".  In other words, what I am feeling often guides my behavior and makes my decisions for me.  Doesn't take a psychologist to know that's not a good thing.

McLeod says: "A powerful and well-fed spirit is able to take charge of an immature soul and demand that it doesn't go outside of the boundaries that have been set by the Holy Spirit".  Here's another fact she reveals:  "Scientists tell us that our emotions travel eighty thousand times faster than our thoughts travel" which says to me we have to be pretty intentional about our thoughts (or mind) driving us.

A beloved Bible teacher told our group a story which you may have heard before:

An old Christian gentleman was telling his grandson about walking with God.  "Well son," he said, "it's like two dogs that fight all the time, a black one and a white one.  The black one is pride, selfishness, anger, hatred, fighting and fear.  The white one is humility, generosity, peace, love and joy."  "Which dog wins, Grandpa?" asked the boy.  "The one I feed the most."  Grandpa replied.

Which one of you are you "feeding the most"?  The soul side which feeds on your feelings and  circumstances or your spirit where it's primary influence is the Spirit of God?  A good barometer is how much time we spend thinking about us and our needs or are we thinking about God His purposes?  Are we praising Him in worship and prayer?  Are we bearing fruit (Gal. 5:22-23)  such as JOY and is that what people see in us?  Are we serving others or only ourselves?

McLeod says:  "The powerful gift of joy is able to give you indomitable strength during your days of pain and trauma.  If there is anything the devil hates more than a Christian, it is a joyful Christian."

I know what I need to do.

For further study: Psalm 16:11,  Proverbs 20:27, Isaiah 55:10-12, Habakkuk 3:17-19, Romans 7:21-25, 2 Cor. 10:4-5, Galatians 5:16, Phil. 4:4, Titus 2:11-12, James 1:2-3.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

Love,

Holly

May the Grace of the LORD bless you and keep you

 There was a recent article in our newspaper entitled "Alexa, make me happy".  While it was definitely written a bit tongue-in-cheek, can you believe there are people all over the world talking to electronic gadgets to satisfy their wants/needs?  Maybe it's entertainment, maybe it's information but maybe it's something much deeper than that.  The article states that retailers are actually trying to convince us that if we buy their product, they will "...fulfill us and thereby make us happy".  That's called consumerism and it's a dangerous thing to depend on.  

Hebrews 4:16 says:  "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."  God is just waiting for us to come to Him to meet our needs...not try to meet them with status, ambition, family or material things.  I often forget Isaiah 30:18 that "...the LORD longs to be gracious to you".   Do you see the word "grace" in that?  In our pillow today, a paraphrase of Numbers 6:24, reminds us that blessings come from a gracious God...not some electronic gadget!

The Bible is full of references to prayer or,  in simple terms, talking to God.  We don't have to have flowery, long speeches to Him, just a word that shows we believe in Him to meet our needs.  When He gives us a need He fills it!  And, He starts by giving us His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into truth. Don, my sweet husband, wrote a blog yesterday and he said:

"When my prayers become empty and powerless, I should be warned.  In my heart, my loyalties have shifted back to self".  Ouch...the reason we don't have is because we don't go to the Lord and ask for things "...according to His will" (1 John 5:14).     When we are focused on self, we will not be seeking the things of the Lord.  Trust me...I battle daily keeping myself at the bottom of my "to do" list, not the top!

Daily, the love of the Lord and His compassions never fail...they are "...new every morning". (Lamentations 3:23).  Make time every day to talk to your God before you talk to your gadgets! You might be amazed at the power He brings into your life.

For further study: Proverbs 15:8, Ecc. 2:26, Isaiah 58:9, Jeremiah 33:3, John 16:13, 2 Cor. 12:9, Phil. 4:6-7, Titus 2:11-12, James 5:13-16.    

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word,

Holly              

GRATEFUL

 Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth asked this in her book CHOOSING GRATITUDE:  "Is the gratitude that flows out of your life as abounding as the grace that has flowed into your life?".  

Good question.  Must ponder for a bit. 

Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God - Micah 6:8

 Sometimes I am stunned by the truth of the Bible and how relevant it is today in 2021!  I grew up in church but I didn't receive Christ as Savior until I was in my early 30s.  For those 30+ years I remember the "search for certainty" and the worthless things I tried to fill my life with.  I was amazed how clear the truth of the Bible was when it was finally revealed to me.  I have never found anything more meaningful than studying God's word.  Truth is defined as "fidelity to an established standard" and I choose to follow the absolute standard of truth set forth in the Scriptures.  From Genesis to Revelation, if our Creator God said it ("...all Scripture is God-breathed" 2 Tim. 3:16), I believe it is true.  Biblical truth does not evolve...culture may, but "the word of God endures forever" (Isaiah 40:8).  If everyone lived by Micah 6:8, I believe the world would be a better place.

For further study: 2 Sam. 22:31, Psalm 119:160, Isaiah 45:19, Zechariah 8:16, John 8:32, John 14:6, John 16:13, Romans 1:25, 2 Timothy 3:7, Hebrews 4:12.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

Love,

Holly

BE KIND - Eph. 4:32

 HAPPY NEW YEAR, sweet friends.  It is a popular thing these days to start a new year with a word or phrase that you would like to focus on during the year...what the "new" me should try to improve!!!  I don't usually do the popular thing, but for some reason the Lord kept bringing "kindness" to my heart as something He might like me to do better...maybe something the world around me needs more of.  Our grandchildren love the movie "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss.  Hear what one of the characters says: "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It's not." 

Oddly enough, in Galatians 5:22-23 passage on the "fruit of the Spirit", "kindness" is nestled in between "patience" and "goodness".  I think that is profound because it takes both of those to produce this character trait.  Do you know that in the Old Testament, there are 246 passages about the "kindness of God"...His very nature reveals kindness to all those He loves.  I think if He is kind than we must be kind. Someone once said "Kindness is how love behaves".

There is a story about the famous African American educator, Booker T. Washington,  President of the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.  He was walking through a wealthy neighborhood one day when a resident approached him and asked him if he wanted to earn some extra money chopping wood.  He smiled, rolled up his sleeves and did the humble chore she requested.  A little girl recognized him and revealed his identity to the lady afterwards.  The next day she sent him a very apologetic note and he answered saying:  "It's perfectly alright, madam.  Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor.  Besides, it's always a delight to do something for a friend."   From HAVING A MARY SPIRIT, Joanna Weaver.

Are there "friends" around you that you could do something for?  My sweet husband in a blog this week quoted D.L. Moody: "our greatest fear should not be failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn't really matter."  The Greek word for "kind" is chrestos which translates as "useful".  Is there something we could do today that might be useful to another?  Something that might really matter?

For further study: Psalm 23:6,  Lamentations 3:22, Micah 6:8, Romans 11:22, 1 Cor. 13:4, Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 3:12, 2 Tim. 2:24, Titus 3:4-7.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

Love,

Holly

                                                 

                                        

                                                 

With God all things are possible - Matt. 19:26

 This is a very important day in our country.  Election Day is always important but there has been such insecurity and fear for these past nine months that really our choice today is not about person or party, it is about whether we choose to believe in the motto our country has had since 1956....IN GOD WE TRUST.

In my morning devotional today, this was the comment by L.B. Cowman:

"Our capacity for knowing God is enlarged when we are brought by Him into circumstances that cause us to exercise our faith.  So when difficulties block our paths, may we thank God that He is taking time to deal with us and then may we lean heavily on Him."

Today we are called upon to exercise our faith...that faith in the One who created all things (Col. 1:16).  None of the candidates running for public office today will fix anything apart from divine wisdom.  May the prayers of His people call upon Him to exercise His authority and His wisdom to work through these candidates and us to cause His perfect will to be done.

As our pillow says today:  "With God all things are possible".  He is our hope.  He is our peace.  He will give value to all people.  He will guide and reconcile according to His good purposes.  Can we continue to reject His word and His purposes and hope for peace?  I think not.

Do not despair, friend.  It is not too late to pray today for His purposes to be accomplished...for us to be a "blessed nation whose God is the Lord" (Ps. 33:12).

For further study:  2 Chron. 20:20,  Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 30:15, Jeremiah 9:24, Luke 1:45, Romans 13:1, Eph. 2:10, Col. 4:2, Hebrews 11:6.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word and VOTE!

Love,

Holly

Be still and know that I am God - Ps. 46:10

 I'm a little embarrassed to find how many of my blogs over these past 10 years have been on this passage!  I'm afraid it tells you more about my needs than you would like to know!!  Truly, it is one of my favorite verses in the Bible and does show up on the walls of our home.

I love thinking how in the Martha and Mary story Martha was so busy and distracted and how Mary chose "what is better" when she sat at Jesus' feet to listen to his profound words.  Why, I ask myself, do I listen to what I listen to?  Sometimes my own inner voice and sometimes the criticism of the world  How very grateful I am for the Bible and how it teaches me that trusting God is better than trusting anyone or anything else.

The Hebrew word for "know" in this passage is yada and is more than knowing about someone, it is a personal and intimate relationship.  We can know the One True God intimately, if we will be still and listen.  Psalm 9:10 says:  "Those who know your name put their trust in you." Same Hebrew word.  Craig Denison says:  "Continual peace comes from continual trust."

John Piper says:  "He (God) loves to work for people who wait for Him."  I encourage you to read J.I. Packer's KNOWING GOD.  I think you will come away with a better idea of how rich and satisfying a "personal and intimate relationship" with God can be.  We don't have to strive to make life happen for us...if we will be still, wait and listen, He will direct our paths (Prov. 3:5-6)!

For further study:  Ex. 14:14, Psalm 23:2, Proverbs 1:7, Isaiah 26:3, Jer. 9:23-24, Luke 10:38-42, 2 Cor. 10:5, 1 Tim. 2:1-2,  2 Peter 3:18, 1 John 5:20.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

Love,

Holly

GIVE THANKS

 I love this time of year!  The air is cooler, the Fall decorations come out and our hearts turn toward Thanksgiving!  And what I love about Thanksgiving is being reminded of the source of all the good things in my life.  James 1:17 says: "Every good and perfect give is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

These have been a difficult six months...but we still have so much to be thankful for.  Gratitude is a choice we make...listen to Ann Voskamp:

Have you ever thought that happiness was tied to your gratitude?  I loved listening to Tim Keller preach on Psalm 103 a few weeks ago.  He talks about how important it is for us to "...forget not all his benefits" (v. 2).  In fact, he makes this rather bold statement:  "Every problem we have is that we don't internalize the good things (the Lord) has done."  What he's saying, I think, is that whatever is wrong with your life can be made better if we will keep our eyes on the goodness of God and say thanks instead of being critical or whining about what we don't have.

When we focus on pleasing the Lord who created us and are grateful to Him for what He has already done, we are not focused on what may be wrong or hard in our every day life.  The Bible study I am doing talks about living lives that please Him and one of those things is "...giving joyful thanks to the Father" (Col. 1:12).  Conversely, we see in Romans 1:21 that those who "...knew God but neither glorifed him...nor gave thanks to him" were darkened in their "foolish hearts".  He created us to have pure and grateful hearts...and to be in fellowship with him.

Giving thanks feels like a great privilege I want to embrace!  I make a choice today...and will make it several more times this day...to be grateful to the God who calls me His own, who gave me salvation almost 50 years ago, and is faithful to do His work in me every day...for His glory and not my own!

May you have the joy of being in fellowship with Him as well!

For further study: 1 Chronicles 16:34,  Psalm 9:1,  Psalm 100:4,  Matt. 10:8,  2 Cor. 9:15,  Phil. 4:6,  Col. 3:16-17, 1 Thess. 5:18,  Heb. 12:28,  Rev. 11:17.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

Love,

Holly

Love as God has loved you - 1 John 4:11

"A new command I give you: Love one

another.  As I have loved you, so you

must love one another."

John 13:34

These words in John 13:34 were said by Jesus during the Lord's Supper in what is called His "farewell discourse".  It was said after Judas had left the room, leaving everyone pretty vulnerable.  He was preparing His disciples for what would come in the next few days and weeks...soon He would surrender His life in "obedience even unto death" (Phil. 2:8).  The next verse, v. 35,  has such profound meaning, especially for us today:

"By this everyone will know that

you are my disciples if you love 

one another."

This kind of love that we are to exhibit is agape love (one of 4 different words for love used in the Bible)...a doing kind of love, not a feeling kind of love. That would mean it's a choice for us to love...or to not love.  The Bible says it's easy to love those we like...but not so easy to love the way God loves all.  But that is how we are commanded to love and love is the key to our witness.  Folks are watching Christians today...are we that kind of witness?  Or are we the grouchy ones finding fault with all who believe differently than we do?

Here are a few ways we can choose to exhibit agape love:

--forgiveness (Ps. 103:12)

--service (Eph. 6:7)

--generosity (Acts 20:35)

--be merciful (Deu. 4:31)

--show compassion (Eph. 4:32)

--be gracious (Isaiah 30:18)

--show no partiality (Gal. 3:28)

Beth Moore in CHASING VINES said she was once asked the question: "What is the knot in your rope?"...simply, what holds you together?  Without hesitation, she answered: John 15:9: Jesus speaking: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love."  His love holds us together...His love enables us to love others...His love causes us to love those who are different than we are...those who might believe differently than we do.  It's a choice, friends.  What are you choosing today? As our pillows today say, because "...God has so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

For further study:  Ex. 20:4-6, Numbers 14:18, 2 Chron. 5:13, Ps. 32:10, Prov. 3:3, Jer. 31:3, Lam. 3:22-23, Romans 5:8, James 2:8, 1 Peter 4:8.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

Love,

Holly

Whatever you do...work as for the Lord - Col. 3:23

You will find DIY stuff all over our home...when I get a thought of something I want to be reminded of, I do a craft!  Ask my people...they'll tell you!  I'm retired so I don't do REAL work, but this sign is in my sewing room.  I make Scripture pillows...not a huge contribution to the world, but it is something I can do.  I want to constantly be reminded my work is done for the Lord...not for me or for anyone else.

One of the dearest stories in all of the Bible is a story in Mark 14:1-10.  Mary, sister of Lazarus, anointed Jesus' head with a very expensive oil...the others in the room were indignant with what they considered waste.  Jesus was not; he said in v. 8 "she did what she could".  I believe that should be true of all believers...we can all do something that pleases the Lord.  This was a service; an act of sacrifice.  There are many ways of serving in our world today and many are doing huge contributions.  But are we, as believers, doing what we can to serve the Lord?  Am I?

There are are great number of how to care for "one another" passages in the Bible...love, serve, give, visit, gather.  These commands are for us as believers.  Jesus, himself, taught us his last night on earth as he washed the disciples feet: "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."  True service comes from love that prompts action.  That love came to us first from God.  We pass it on...to all people.  All colors, all nationalities, all types.  Did we deserve that kind of love?  No, but by His great grace, it was freely given.

Our world is struggling...believers can begin to reach out to those people.  Can you do one thing today in service for another?  Maybe someone who doesn't look just like you.  If we in the church can begin to open our arms and "shine like the stars in heaven", others will be drawn to the Savior and we can begin to look like the world He created.

We can't do everything but we can do something.  Phil. 2:3-4 says:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain

conceit.  Rather, in humility, value others above

yourselves, not looking to your own interests but

each of you to the interests of others.

Whatever we do (whether it's what we post on Facebook, how we serve, how we give, how we drive, how we stand in line in the grocery store...whatever) it must be as if we were standing in front of Jesus doing it for him.  For, in fact, we are.

I must do better.

For further study: Deu. 10:12,  Joshua 22:5, Joshua 24:15,  Romans 12:9,  Gal. 5:12-3-14, Eph. 2:10, 

Eph. 6:7,  Phil. 2:7, 2 Tim. 2:24, 1 Peter 4:10, 1 John 4:7-12.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

Love,

Holly

Have faith in God - Mark 11:22

"...when the Son of Man comes, will he

find faith on the earth?"

Luke 18:8

In Luke 18, Jesus is telling a parable to his disciples "to show them that they should always pray and not give up".    If He were to return to earth today, I wonder if He would find faith...in us, His people.  Those who call Him Savior.  Would He find our hearts open to Him, the One to whom we put our faith and hope?  Do we believe in His words?  Do we trust His plans?

The picture of a faithful person (Hebrews 11:6) is one that believes He is sufficient for our every need.  The picture of a faithless person (Psalm 78: 8,32) is "stubborn, rebellious, sinful and non-believing".  The funny thing is, even though faith is a fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) and a gift (Eph. 2:8), it is ours to grow and develop.  We see in the Scriptures references to "...continue in your faith".  Healthy fruit doesn't just happen, it is nurtured toward health.

Unspoken has a song out "JUST GIVE ME JESUS":

I work so hard, trying to open every door

Search near and far, turning over every stone.

I close my eyes, instead I find no rest

No rest for a restless heart.

All I've been chasing, putting my faith in,

Let it fade, let it break into pieces

JUST GIVE ME JESUS.

What has this pandemic taught you about self-sufficiency?  When all the pieces break, are you enough?  Can you make life happen the way you want it to?  Faith that pleases God will allow Him to change us to better reflect His image.  We must change our focus to trusting Him and His plans, not the things of this world.  I am a definite work in progress - I should wear a construction helmet wherever I go -  but I believe that the God who made me and has allowed this pandemic circumstance to happen will continue to do His sanctifying work in me and in others who have received Him as Lord.  How about you?

For further study:  Gen. 15:6, Psalm 86:7, Micah 6:8, Luke 7:1-10, Luke 17:6,  1 Cor. 3:6-7, Col. 1:23, 2 Thess. 1:3,  Hebrews 12:1-2, James 2:22.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

Love,

Holly

"Behold, I am doing a new thing, sayeth the Lord" - Isaiah 43:19

"And when the danger passed, and the people

joined together again, they grieved their losses, and 

made new choices, and dreamed new images, and

created new ways to live and heal the earth fully,

as they had been healed"

Kitty O'Meara, And the People Stayed Home

There seems to be some confusion on where this poem came from but my best understanding is that it is a recent piece and refers to our current pandemic crisis.  My thoughts and prayers these days are part of my journey to try my best to understand what the Lord is teaching me during this "time out".  Don and I have had so many good conversations about where we have been, where we are and where we are going.  Sometimes it takes a "timeout"...usually inflicted upon us, not one by choice, to help us break some old habits and establish some new ones.

I personally am so grateful for the wise words God has given us to help direct our thoughts.  These words are as relevant today as they were when they were first given.  God is calling us back to himself to remind us that His plans are still good and still better than our own plans.

Listen to Beth Moore:

The adrenaline's wearing off, saints.  So will the novelties

of assembling via screens.  Will we stick around?  We are

being tested by a God who is for us.  He's out to prove us, 

grow us, wean us off entertainment to produce in us pure

endurance.  Old-fashioned no-frills faithfulness."

Isaiah asks: "Do you not perceive it?"...the new thing that God is doing.  In these uncertain times, we can trust a "certain" (purposed) God whose plans and thoughts are higher than ours.  My commentary on this verse says: "Be ready to be surprised by God!".  Are you ready? When the danger passes, and it will, what will your new dreams be?  Will I make choices toward His way or will I still hold on to the old self-centered way.  My prayer is that when we join together again, His word will be what we seek.  The bigger dream will be about doing global kingdom work.

For further study:  Job 23:13, Psalm 33;11, Psalm 115:3, Jeremiah 29:11, Daniel 4:35, John 9:3,

Romans 8:28,  Galatians 6:7-10, Ephesians 1:11, Revelation 21:5.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word.

Love,

Holly

He is Risen!

I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;

I know that He is living, whatever men may say;

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him, He's always near.

HE LIVES  by Alfred H. Ackley

I hope you are encouraged by the words of this hymn.  During this very unique time of instability, we cannot allow our hearts to be discouraged.  Chuck Colson once said:  "Despair is a sin because it denies the sovereignty of God".  Another way to say that is John 16:33:  "..take heart! I have overcome the world."

The words on the pillow are the words of the angel speaking to the women at the tomb who were devastated to have Jesus be absent from the place He was left.  They, in fact, were in great despair.  But these words - among the most profound in the Scriptures - tell a very different story than a story of despair.

The Greek word for "to rise" is egeiro and is used 141 times in the New Testament.  When Paul uses it, referring to Christ's resurrection, the verb is in the perfect tense which describes a "past completed action with continuing effect".  I hope you get the importance of that - "he is risen" has a permanent effect and is as true today as it was 2000 years ago.  He is alive today (as our dear hymn already stated) and Hebrews 7:25 says "...he always lives to intercede for" those who love God.  Today, He is interceding for us and He wants us to rejoice, not to despair.  This world is not out of control...He is perfectly in control!

Do you remember the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10?  Martha was frustrated and angry about the way her life was going and she made sure everyone knew how unhappy she was with her sister.  But sweet Mary recognized this one opportunity she had to sit with Jesus and listen to Him.  We have the same choice today:  will we grumble and complain about how hard life is or will we rejoice that our Savior lives and is very present with us today.  He is sovereign...He is quite able to order our steps...and our family's!  Will we sit with Him in His word and in prayer rather than hours and hours on our phones? 

I grew up in the church and knew about God...sort of.  But as an adult in my 30s, I heard a testimony from some folks about receiving Jesus as my Savior.  You see, God sent Jesus to the earth to give His life in death to pay for our sins.  Until I acknowledged my sins, and received Him into my heart as Lord, I had no Holy Spirit to "guide me into all truth".  Since then, His power has done a work in me my flesh never could have done and I am so grateful.  That's good news! He will do the same for you.

I hope you will be preparing your heart to celebrate on Easter Sunday.  We have put a palm frond on our front porch - along with other believers around the world - to identify our home as one who rejoices this Palm Sunday with those who shouted "Hosanna" at the Triumphal entry of Jesus: 

For further study:  Psalm 73:26, Matthew 28:6, Mark 16:6, Luke 24:6, John 20:9 and 21, Romans 11:33, Ephesians 1:20-22, 1 Peter 3:22, Rev. 21:;6.

Be blessed in your understanding of God's word!

HAPPY EASTER!

Holly