Simple Thoughts

I am not a gardener by any means. Worms, snakes, lizards, bees will all move me back to my perch on the porch! Today, however, I was looking for a physical activity after doing a word study in the Bible for over an hour. My head was overflowing with verses and not sure of the direction I wanted to take, I walked into the yard. Pruning, weeding, munching, pulling out dead leaves. It freed my mind to “chew” on the things of God. It allowed my body to move, squat, lift. The beautiful blue sky, the gentle breeze brought peace and calm. Yes, the task was tedious, my back a little sore, but praising God in the garden.

I Corinthians 15:58 “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

A delicious meal. A job well done. A restful vacation. What do you look for to satisfy you? Food and drink. Work. Play. Yes, yes and yes. These all bring us satisfaction in life. Brings value and meaning or purpose to our life. Where do you put God in your list of things that satisfy?

The Bible says we should look to God every morning, rest and meditate on His steadfast love. Then, we will rejoice and be glad all the days we have on earth. Not that we won’t have trials and tribulations, too. We will. But God… and His steadfast, covenant keeping, promise keeping love will sustain us. He fills us up and we rejoice and are glad all of our days because of Him. God doesn’t change. His love runs deep. His word is truth. He is faithful to His promises. We can be satisfied in this steadfast, loyal, faithful love because of WHO He is and WHAT He has done/is doing. Let us fill up with God first before we go looking to be satisfied in other ways.

Bike riding has been a fun activity for me as long as I can remember. Riding bikes with my dad. Riding bikes all over town with my sister and neighbor friends. Riding bikes with my 3 boys. Now, riding bikes with my husband. Exploring. Pedaling. Wind in our face. Excursions. A chance to get outdoors. Enjoy nature. Exercise. Not many hills in my neck of the woods but when there is a decline in elevation, I pedal harder, faster and enjoy the thrill. Kid-like exuberance in the downhill.

For me, bike riding is a time to praise and worship God. As I ride, I continually thank Him for His blessings. I look around at His creation, the beautiful sights I am seeing and praise Him. Bike riding is something I enjoy- past, present and hopefully future. But I know there will come a day when I will hang up my bike for the last time. Our earthly joys, however fun, pleasurable, and exciting, are temporal. The joy I have in knowing that I am a child of the Most- High God, that is eternal.

I pray as you journey through this life, you take time to find joy. Not only in the momentary things but in the lasting, eternal joy in the Lord.

Psalm 16: 8, 11 “I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me…You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever”

Many of us have received gifts over the course of our lifetime. Birthday gifts. Retirement gifts. Marriage gifts. It is wonderful to be on the receiving end of these gifts of love and well wishes. As the giver of a gift, we find joy in the giving, seeing pleasure, love, and appreciation from the receiver of our gift.

As I was studying Genesis 6, the word grace came up. Naturally, I went to Ephesians 2:8 and re-read for the hundredth time and as I did, I focused on the word, “the.” Grace is not just “a” gift from God, it is “the” gift.” This gift, this grace, is what we all need but so are undeserving. We sin. We fail. We lash out. But God, in His great mercy, loved us so much He sent His Son to die on our behalf. Taking on the wrath and punishment we deserve, for us. This gift of grace is “the” gift He takes joy in giving to us. As recipients of this grace, let us humbly bow in thanksgiving and praise God for His gift, the gift of grace.

Because of Jesus…

You fill in the blank. I thought I was “okay” without Jesus. I was a young professional, living on my own, successful in worldly terms. I knew, however, something was missing. Life was more than this, right? When I was introduced to Jesus on the pages of scripture, my life changed. I was filled with the Holy Spirit, where there was once emptiness and longing. Living for Him, learning of Him, worshipping Him, my life now came into focus. He, Jesus, transformed me and put me on a new path.

We can have eternal life… John 3:16 “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.”

We have a Redeemer… Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”

We have access to God… John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Our lives are transformed... Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

We walk in newness of life… Romans 6:4 “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

We pursue holiness…2 Peter 1:4 “ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”

We have hope… Romans 15:13 “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

We are at peace… Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

We need not fear… Isaiah 41:10 “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Our desires change…Galatians 5:24 “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

We are a new creation… 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Because of Jesus we can know God and that is everything!

You overslept. Plans changed. You re-group. Instead of being upset, disappointed, God opens your eyes to more of Him. Opportunities to enjoy this day “off” and just think on Him. Thankful for His provisions. Grateful for this quiet day to read more of Him. To understand His rule, His reign, is perfect. In heaven and on earth. An opportunity to read about the faithful prophet, Daniel. In the midst of opposition, of jealousy, behind enemy lines, he looked heavenward. Not just once in a while. Not just once a day. He was on his knees three times a day, every day. Believing God can. Faithfully serving God despite his circumstances. Giving God all the glory. Humble. Thankful. Faithful.

Every day that is given, with every breath I breathe, may I, too, be humble, thankful, faithful. Thank you Lord for this reminder. You turned my missed plans into exactly what You knew I needed today. More of You. Less of me.

As I was reading a devotional this morning, I came across an excerpt of a poem by Elizabeth Elliot.

“Do it immediately; do it with prayer; Do it reliantly, casting all care; Do it with reverence, tracing His Hand Who placed it before thee with earnest command. Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing, Leave all resultings. DO THE NEXT THING“

The last phrase of the poem, “Do the Next Thing,” is what the devotion was about. I thought, this would have been good advice when I had young sons, a full time job, a husband, household chores, etc… I am a procrastinator at heart so things could pile up on me quickly.

As I re-read the poem, I thought this would be good advice to share with young moms but does it really apply to me? It’s just my husband and myself now, our dogs, a small house, his pastoring of a small church. I have time. I can schedule out appointments, ministry, etc…

But, as always, God’s timing is perfect. Today, I knew I wanted to workout, shop and get ready for a visit with a dear sister in Christ. Workout done. Shopping done. Pull out everything for the lunch I had planned, looked at the clock, glanced at myself still in workout clothes and started repeating, “Do the next thing.” I methodically and purposefully moved from one job to the next: make the coleslaw, chop the veggies, brown the meat, hull and cut up the strawberries, clean up the mess, set the table, shower and dress, shoo the dogs outside. Whew! Do the next thing. As I set everything out, in pulled my friend. Do the next thing. No worries. No panic. A fabulous visit. A new mantra, with God in control, brought peace to my mind and calm in the home.

Got my bag. My purse. My lunch. I’m ready to go. And I walk out the door.

This morning, as I finished up my devotion time, I picked up my bible to put it back on the shelf. Not remembering that I had it in my hands, I started walking towards the door. It was as if God was speaking to me, reminding me, “Take it with you. Take Me with you.”

You can memorize scripture and have the words ready to go, on your lips. You can have a bowl of scripture, written on little wooden hearts, ready for people to take with them and read. You can have favorite verses saved in your photos, in your notes on your phone or tablet, ready to encourage.

Lord, help me as I open the door to go out into the world that I take You with me. That Your words are in my heart and on my mind as I go out into my day. Let me be ready to love, to help, to encourage, to speak Your truths as You give me opportunity.

1 Peter 3:15 “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”

Psalm 96:2-4 “Sing to the Lord, bless his name;  tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.”

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

“I need to return this gift.” “I am going to return to the story for a forgotten item.” “We will return in a few hours when the movie is over.”

Things you say to a clerk, a spouse, a baby-sitter. What do they all have in common? “Return.” Same word, yet used in multiple sentences, context is key to the meaning each time.

As I began my study in 1 Peter this week, I paused on the word “return.” 1 Peter 2:25: “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” The return here is telling us to come back, to turn toward the Shepherd and Overseer, Jesus.

Did you once make a profession of faith and have since walked away? God is calling you to return. Did you once go to church as a child and loved being there? God is calling you to return. Did you once attend youth group as a teen and enjoyed the games and pizza and would vaguely listen to the message, silently hoping for more time with friends? God is calling you to return. Been through the wringer in church by other supposed “Christians?” God is calling you to return.

Do you find yourself straying from the faith you once had? Are you questioning what you believe? I implore you to return. Return to God’s word. Study one book of the Bible. Delve in, see Jesus in the pages of scripture. Return to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul. He is waiting and welcomes your return to Him.

A date. A time of gift giving. A house to decorate. Carols to sing. Special meals to prepare. Gatherings. Church specials.

A heart to prepare. Your heart. My heart. A baby born in a manger. Angels bringing good tiding of great joy. A declaration of a promised birth of long, long ago. Fulfilled in the babe in the manger. A Savior, who is Christ the Lord. The angels couldn’t keep quiet. They praised God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace, good will to men.” Luke 2:14 The shepherds obeyed and went and found this babe, the Lord made known to them. They, too, couldn’t keep quiet. “They made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.” Luke 2:17

This babe, our Savior, came for everyone who would believe. That every person who truly believes, examines his/her sinful heart, admits that there is no cure, no work, nothing to be done by human hands to be reconciled to God. When you receive this Gift, you are a new creation, made new in Christ Jesus. Would you receive God’s Gift? Have you already received God’s precious Gift, His Son Jesus? Praise God. Let us go, like the angels and shepherds and bring “good tidings of great joy to all people.” Luke 2:10b