Simple Thoughts

Acquaintances in your walk of life… neighbors, employees, soccer moms. You know their name, you say hello but you do not know them well. On our bike rides, there are some trails we are acquainted with, while others we know well and are our favorites. Those we are only acquainted with, we ride and we learn more about the trail and the area. However, our favorite trails, we know! The parking, the length, where the benches are, is it shady, and most importantly, where the bathrooms are located.

In our Christian life, are we acquainted with our Savior, Jesus Christ? Or, do we know Him well? Do we seek Him in prayer, in devotions, in bible study, in worship services? When we meet Him one day, will He welcome us as the sheep of His pasture or will He say, “Depart from me I never knew you!”

Let us strive to know our Savior more each day. Let us live in His loving care day by day, moment by moment.

Recently, I was getting dressed for an anniversary celebration. What to wear? Ladies, you can understand my dilemma. Pants, skirt, dress? The occasion and venue was dressy casual. Yes, I am blessed with many choices of outfits. Is there an appropriate fun one? I finally chose a skirt and top with a favorite pair of shoes. As I looked in the mirror, I thought, “This is a church outfit.” I looked ok. The outfit was appropriate, but not what I considered, “fun.” Then it dawned on me. “This is who I am.” As I contemplated that thought, I was at peace. No matter the outfit or the occasion, this is who I am. I am not trying to fit in with one crowd at a party and being another person at church. I am who God made me to be. The clothes do not change that fact. Actually, when I dress for any occasion, my message is the same. I am a child of the most high God. I honor You, Lord, in my walk, in my words, and yes, even with what I wear.

1 Timothy 2:9-10 “And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.”

Sitting here this morning, thanking God for another beautiful day, listening to the birds sing, reading some morning devotionals, I am reflecting on the Daniel Study our ladies group just finished. All the verses of scripture we looked at in Daniel plus additional verses elsewhere in the Bible. It hit me heavy this morning.

When I came to faith in Jesus Christ, the power of His word changed me. Transformed me. Put me on a new trajectory. To live in obedience to Him. To share the good news of the gospel to those who don’t know Jesus as their Savior and Lord. To those who are struggling. To those who are grieving. To those who are lonely. To those who question. As believers, we cherish God’s word. We meditate on His truths. We commit verses to memory. We strive to grow in our knowledge of Him. But let us not keep these things to ourselves. It is not just about learning scripture. It is about living it out. It is not just about being in the word. It is about growing in Christ. Let us pray for God to give us opportunities to share the gospel. For God to bring people across our path who are searching. As we live in humble obedience, let His light shine in our word and deed that men/women may be drawn to God.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)

What do you fear? Snakes, heights, swimming? Maybe you had a bad experience and now you fear it. Being barked at and chased by a German shepherd as a child gave me a fear of that type of dog. As an adult, I have met an obedient, gentle, loving German shepherd. My fear subsides around her, but a healthy respect remains. Phobias, on the other hand, are irrational fear. Climbing a ladder, being only 4 feet off the ground and fearful is irrational but you cannot convince me to climb any higher.

As Christians, the Bible tells us to fear the Lord. This “fear” is to acknowledge that He alone is worthy of our worship. He alone is holy and exalted. We look upon God with reverence and awe. When we fear the Lord, we are following His ways. We believe His word and we walk in obedience. His ways are to be trusted. God reveals Himself to those who fear Him. “Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.” (Psalm 25:12).

One week, just green leaves. The next week it’s is blooming, flowering, colorful. Once you were walking in sin, consumed with self, carrying burdens. But when God revealed His love to you, and you responded with a resounding yes and amen in Him, you changed. Now you are a child of light. Walking in His truths. Learning more of your Savior, Shepherd, Provider. May you bloom and grow today.

Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

“I don’t want to go to a church with a lot of rules. There are too many do’s and don’ts. I don’t like being told what to do. I want a church that makes me feel good.”

How many of us have encountered these people when we invite them to church? Or when someone says they found a church that makes them feel good. Of course, there is nothing wrong with feeling good, with fellowshipping with a group of people you are comfortable being with, who will pray for you, encourage you, challenge you.

But God, He is in the business of shepherding His flock. When we come to saving faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, coming to church and hearing His word proclaimed will and should convict us. To allow us to examine our walk, to be uncomfortable with unconfessed sin, so we can humbly come to the foot of the cross. Growing in grace, maturing in the faith, walking in obedience isn’t going to be a “feel good” journey. It is a pruning process. (Colossians 3:1-4)

The joy is in The Who- Jesus Christ. It is no longer self I seek to promote. Not my will but Yours, Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:15)The old sinful, prideful, selfish man is gone at the point of belief. A new man, a new heart is born with new desires. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

While we still fight this sinful nature as we live in these human bodies, how wonderful to know we have God’s word to teach us right living, to have the right heart attitude, to live a life pleasing to Him. (Galatians 2:20)

While God’s laws did give the nation of Israel a list of rules, the rules themselves could never save them. Faith in their Savior, Jesus Christ, is theirs and ours only Savior. Jesus came to fulfill the law and did so perfectly, becoming the sacrificial Lamb, dying, once for all. We don’t become right with God by following rules and do’s and don’ts, but by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. (John 3:16)

I invite you today to examine your heart, your motivations. Read the scriptures, pray for God’s will to be done, allow the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct your path. “Let Jesus be the Shepherd of your soul.” (John Durant)

Remember “Let’s Make a Deal? The finale had contestants choose between Door #1, Door #2, or Door #3. There was no way to know which one held the grande prize and which one held the dud!

In our Christian walk, praise God, we don’t have to guess which door to walk through. Jesus is our Door. “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. “John 10:9-10 “Believing in Jesus as Messiah and Son of God is the only way of being ‘saved’ from sin and hell and receiving eternal life.” John MacArthur

Once we walk through His Door, our walk is not complete. Now we live a life led by the Holy Spirit. While we once walked through the doors of idolatry, selfish ambition, drunkenness, jealousy, quarreling, sexual pleasures and other sins that satisfied the desires of our sinful nature (Gal. 519-21), we now walk through doors the Holy Spirit leads us through. The doors of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal 5:22-23).

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:24-25

Taking a morning stroll. Breathing in the scents of spring. Freshly mowed grass. Blooming jasmine. Fragrant gardenias. A new season is upon us, offering us a fresh new start. Easter has recently passed so the message of our resurrected Savior is freshly upon us. Let us sweep off the pollen of our hearts, uncover sin pushed down, open up to the joy of the cross. Lay your burdens, your sins, your cares at the cross. Renew your walk, your faith today. Under the guiding, leading, loving care of the Holy Spirit. Walk this new path of faith today. Breathe deeply into the grace, mercy and love of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Psalm 23:1-3 “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.”

“His resounding “Yes!” to the Father’s plan to save us took Him down a brutal, bloody path, but it gave life to each one of us who will say yes to Christ and no to the lies that would keep us hidden.” Sheila Walsh

You are sitting in the morning, enjoying your first cup of tea, your first cup of coffee. You stare out the window. You may be reading God’s word or you may just be contemplating all you know of God. Suddenly, thoughts fill you, praise of the Lord comes off your lips, and you are worshipping. Forgetting all about your favorite morning beverage, being filled with peace as His words overtake you. Filled with thanksgiving for all His blessings. Showering loved ones with prayers. Remembering the truths found in God’s word. As your worship time this morning ends, your eyes are drawn back to your cup, your now lukewarm beverage, but that is of little concern for the time spent with God is the most precious and to be filled up with Him is the greater cup.

Psalm 21:7 “For the king trusts in the Lord.
    The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling.”

What a comfort to know the Lord God, Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, God of the universe loves me, you with an unfailing love. When I am prideful or selfish. When I open my mouth and words get me into trouble. When I wander away. Then, I remember the unfailing love of the Most High, the steadfast love of the Most High, the merciful love of the Most High, the faithful love of the Most High. I confess my sins. Repent of them and return to the arms, the path, the ways of God. When I am apart from Him, doing my own thing, thinking my own thoughts, I stumble. However, when I cling to His words, seek His ways, dwell in His presence, under His strength, in His love, He will keep my from stumbling.

Psalm 21:13 “Be exalted in your strength, Lord;
    we will sing and praise your might.”