Simple Thoughts

Traveling north, I love walking in the grass. It is soft, lacks fire ants and is reminiscent of the grass I grew up with. It is fun to travel, to see different types of grasses, trees, shrubs, flowers. But, is it better? I guess it depends on who you ask. What grows well in one part of the country does not mean it will do well in another.

As Christians, we are called to grow where we are planted. It should not matter on geography. Read, study, serve, engage, support, encourage where you are. Don’t look for greener Christian pastures. God has you where you are for His purposes. So grow, be cultivated and stand firm on His Word.

Proverbs 11:28 “Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.”

A friend is in need of a companion. Can you help? A family member needs a ride. Are you available? A neighbor needs help with the yard. Do you have time? “No” is the quick and easy response. My plate is full. I am very tired. I am sure someone else will help. All of these and more have been my response, at times.

A conversation I had with a dear sister in Christ reminded me of this. In the span of two years, she lost her husband and mother-in-law. She had a lot on her plate, was dealing with loss, and was reaching out. She said people are quick to say no so when she asked me to do something, she said I did not need to answer right away. Think about it, see if you have time and let me know your availability. She was right. “No” was the easy answer but I called her the next day and said, “Yes!” We had a great time together and I was blessed.

Thinking of others, having a spirit of availability is what we, as Christians, are called to do. We are a community of believers, the family of God. Not only will we minister to your spiritual needs, but we care for you physical and emotional needs, as well.

The next time God gives you an opportunity to be a blessing, pause and consider saying, “Yes.” You will be glad you did.

Philippians 2:3-4 “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 the others.”

Habakkuk 3:17-18 “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

What is happening in your life right now? On the hunt for a new job, a new opportunity? Selling your house and moving? Looking for a relationship with a God-honoring partner? When things look bleak, opportunities not appearing on your timetable, feelings of loneliness washing over you, remember. Look and see. God is at work. His plan is playing out. Cry out to God. Bring your prayers before Him. He longs to hear from us. Then, in faith, believe that God’s hand is upon you. He may not answer in your time, or how you thought, but your faith is not in yourself. Your faith is in a holy, righteous, perfect God. Keep moving forward with your eyes and your heart set on Him. Allow Him to direct your paths. His words to fill you up.

Psalm 34:8 “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him.”

High School. Yearbook. Memory Lane. Looking back at who I was: a friend, a student, an athlete, a teenager. I have good memories of that time. I had no idea where I was going. As I look past high school, who did I become: a college athlete, a college graduate, a teacher, a wife, a mother, a grandmother. My most cherished accomplishment was not done by me. It was done by God. He drew me to Him. Surrounded me with friends who knew Him. When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord, my past was forgiven. My present is to live for Him and my future is an eternity of worshipping Him.

It is fun to go down memory lane but praise the Lord! I am not who I once was. I am a child of the most high God, an adopted daughter, a member of the family of God.

Philippians 3:13b-14 ” But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

The darkness covers the land, yet the sun will soon rise. Suspects flee police yet cows surround them and are caught. The fire streaks through the forest, burning wildly, yet new growth will occur. Buds form on the trees yet in a little while, blooms.

We do not see the future and at times are so caught up in our trials and afflictions, we lose our way. Yet, the Lord alone is sovereign. He is not surprised by the events in our lives, in our world. Though we may not always understand, yet we remain faithful. While the evils of this world seemingly are winning, yet we remain steadfast in our faith, that our God is in control. We want to fix things, speak out against the injustices, yet we wait patiently for we know God’s plan is playing out for His desired end. Like Job and Habakkuk, we have questions. We lack understanding and vision, yet our God is with us, for His Word tells us, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”(Hebrews 13:5) He alone is worthy of our praise and worship.

Habakkuk 3:18 “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

Watching squirrels. Always on the move. Looking. Hunting. Scurrying. Keenly aware. Is it safe to run across this field to get to safety in the bushes on the other side? A hawk swoops down and clutches the squirrel in its talons.

Are we on the lookout? The devil is like a roaring lion, seeking, stalking its prey, seeing whom it can devour. He entices with pretty things, popular crowds, convincing the listener with lies. He knows what allures our senses, our emotions. He can be relentless in his hunt.

As Christians, we need to be constantly examining the intents of our heart. Are we walking in obedience? Let the word of God indwell in you richly that you may serve God.

Colossians 3:15-17 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Have you lost your ever-lovin’ mind? An expression I heard early in my adult life. As humans, we can be impatient, impulsive, know-it-alls. We leave the teachings of our youth, of our parents and try to figure out life on our own. We make mistakes, we go down the wrong path, we listen to false teachers. Hence the phrase, “Have you lost your ever lovin’ mind?”

As a Christian, as a country, God may certainly be asking us that same question. Why have we left His teaching? Why have we allowed false teachers to take over our pulpits? Why have we stopped going to church? Let us individually and corporately come to our senses, turn back to God in repentance and faith and be the light to a watching world.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. “

A fresh start. A second chance. Rebounding from failure. Re-do. Praise the Lord, in God’s grace, in God’s love, we can humbly come before His throne. To ask for forgiveness. To rejoice in the redemptive plan of Jesus for those who come to repentance. A new heart. A new attitude. A new spirit. What once was lost, is now found. Begin your new journey with God today.

Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hand.” Painted skies. Colored sunsets. Brilliant moon. As we look to the heavens, we see beauty. Natural. Breath-taking. The heavens declare God’s handiwork. The rest of nature sings Creator. The flowers, the mountains, the plains. As we walk this orb, as we take in its beauty, let all that is within us give glory to God. To those who doubt a Creator, may their eyes be opened to the wonder and majesty of His creation. Not random. Not chance. Divine Design.

Have you ever had a date marked on your calendar, circled in red, perhaps? You have a procedure scheduled. You have planned it in advance. Occasionally, you glance at the date, in your head, counting down. You are a bit anxious, a new procedure gives you pause. The unknown. Now the day is here. Early to rise. Check in before dawn. You have been praying- for strength, for courage, for a good result. You know God is with you. Now, as you lay on the bed, the nurses and technicians readying you, the nurse calms you and says, “We pray for all the people we treat every morning.” You pause, say thank you. Then you let her know you have been praying for her, as well. She asks what music you would like played. Naturally, you say Mercy Me. “I Can Only Imagine” plays softly. You smile, thanking God for His overwhelming presence in this room. You are in His hands, praising and worshipping Him as the time comes for the anesthesia to take over.

Max Lucado: “We cannot go where God is not. Look over your shoulder; that’s God following you. Look into the storm; that’s Christ coming toward you.

In the big moments, in our day to day routines, God is with us. Let us take the time to thank Him, to praise Him, to seek Him. He wants us to return to Him, to follow His ways. As dates on our calendars approach, as fear and anxiety creep in and take hold, let us place our faith in Him, in His strength, in His love. As He comes along side you, feel His peace wash over you. Be at rest in the God who is the great I AM.