Simple Thoughts

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.”

A hike in the mountains. A day on the water. A walk along the shore. A ride through the plains. All of creation declares, “Creator!” As we enjoy the beauty of creation, let us worship and rejoice at God’s handiwork. Praise God for His craftsmanship. And while we worship in His creation, let us worship the Creator rather than the creation.

Psalm 104:33 “I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”

Colossians 1:15-17 “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
    He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
 for through him God created everything
    in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
    and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
    Everything was created through him and for him.”

Romans 1:20 “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

Sitting in Sunday school class, I was listening to our teacher talk about prayer. Specifically, the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11:1-4. The lesson study focused on the word, “release.” As my husband’s family likes to fish, I am familiar with the term “catch and release.” The fish is too small, so once caught, you release it back into the water.

So, of course, I started thinking of my own life. What have I caught that I need to release? Thoughts popping into my head…release! In a large group of people using foul language, telling inappropriate jokes… release! Trying on shoes, looking at the price tag… release!

As Christians, we are called to examine our hearts daily, not once in a blue moon, so we can release that which holds us back from growing in Christ. Are you caught up in something? If so, release yourself. Are you holding on to things? Release. Give your thoughts, your life over to God. Release control. Once you do, it will change how you pray. “Life becomes a celebration and a conversation with our Creator if we are willing to surrender everything to Him. ” Matt Tullos

The Lord’s Prayer: Luke 11:2-4 (in bold)

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name: I release my urge to play God with my circumstances.

Thy kingdom come: I release my kingdom to embrace Yours.

Give us day by day our daily bread: I release the desire to be a self-made provider.

And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us: I release forgiveness to those who have wounded me, and I recognize and repent for the wounds I have caused to others and even to myself.

And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: I release my long-held belief that I am more powerful than my sins and addictions. And I release my personal possessions, properties, fame and strength to embrace all that is You.*

* Matt Tullos, Bible Studies for Life: Session 4 “Praying Faith.” LIfeway.com

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Growing up old school, the Wizard of Oz came on once a year. A three hour movie with commercials. Many of the songs were catchy, the scarecrow’s dancing was amazing, the wicked witch was frightening. Picture me with a pillow on my lap to hide my face when she was on the screen.

A friend and I are currently studying the book of Numbers. As I was thinking of the 12 spies Moses sent, only 2 (Joshua and Caleb) were positive about God’s promise that He would be with them as they entered the Promised Land. I thought of the Wizard of Oz and the parallels. Dorothy, Toto and her companions on the way to the Promised Land- the City of Oz. Satan throwing jabs, confusion and obstacles on the 10 spies- Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion. Dorothy remaining steadfast in her walk and following the yellow brick road. Joshua and Caleb remaining positive that the Lord their God is with them, as Glenda the good witch was with Dorothy. The wicked witch popping up, delaying their progress, using her minions to stop them, slow they down in their pursuit of finding the Land of Oz.

Ultimately, the nation of Israel missed the immediate blessings of entering Canaan, the land of milk and honey because of their unbelief, their lack of obedience and sin of rebellion. They wandered another 38 years before Joshua and Caleb led them into the Promised Land, the only 2 spies remaining because of their steadfast faith in their God.

Numbers 14: 6-9 “Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey.  Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”

This life is not easy. Obstacles, circumstances, confusion are thrown at us. How we respond matters. Believing God’s words to be true, we know in all of life, the highs and lows, He is with us. Let us remain on the narrow path, the path of life, allowing God to strengthen our walk as we keep our eyes on Him.

Hebrews 4:14-16 “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”