Draw a Circle. An Encore Post.

"Go home. Lock yourself in your room. Kneel down in the middle of the floor, and with a piece of chalk draw a circle around yourself. There, on your knees, pray fervently and brokenly that God would start a revival within that chalk circle." (Gypsy Smith, 1860-1947, British evangelist)



I'm not sure when I first came across this quote from Gypsy Smith, but it's on my mind today. It has me doing a lot of thinking.

In the craziness of the world we are currently living in, this quote has caused me to do a lot of thinking. I have posted about this before, but it is on my mind again today, so I’m sharing the post again. 

Between viruses and politics and so many other things gone wrong, there's a lot we would like to see changed in our world. And that has me thinking today about change.

About what needs to change. About why I want it to change. About what's really important.

There are some things, some circumstances, in my life that I would like changed. But this morning I'm wondering if I am too focused on the circumstance? Too focused on things like changing circumstances and not enough focused on what needs to change in me?

It occurs to me that I may not be the only one. That there may be others out there who are doing the same thing. Focusing on what needs to change - or what we want to change - in our circumstances, and giving far too little attention to what needs to change in us.  

Perhaps it's our attitudes. Or our frustrations. Or our anxieties. Or our selfishness. Or our prayerlessness. Or our tempers. Or our relationships. Or our worship. Or lack of. Or our prayer life. Or lack of. Or our focus.  

Perhaps we're concerned about our country. About the virus. About politics. About the loss of our freedoms. About the changes that are happening all around us.

Whatever it is, maybe it's time for us to draw a circle, as Gypsy Smith suggested. Perhaps our focus should be on what needs to change in us rather than what needs to change around us. Perhaps through all this God is trying to get our attention.  Perhaps it's time to draw a circle.

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  (Hebrews 4:16 ESV)

 

One Gracious Blessing After Another

 From the fullness of His grace we have all received one gracious blessing after another." (John 1:16 NLT)

As I've been thinking about grace today, and about God’s gracious blessings, this verse has captured my attention. I've come across it in several different contexts already so far today, so it must be something I need to pay attention to!

Depending on which translation of the Bible you read, the verse might be rendered a little differently. Grace upon grace. Blessing upon blessing. One gracious blessing after another. I especially like that last one, from the New Living Translation. One gracious blessing after another.

That's so true, isn't it? We are showered daily with blessings from God. One gracious blessing after another.

Too often we fix our attention on the less-than-we-would-like-them-to-be situations in our lives. On the bills we're having trouble paying or the pounds we can't seem to lose or the illness or the frustration. That list could go on and on, because we all have "stuff" in life that fits the less-than-we-would-like category. Each of us faces challenges in our lives. Not all of us face the same challenges, but there are challenges for each of us.

Equally true, we are all showered daily with one gracious blessing after another, if we only took the time to notice.

Friendship. Family. Laughter. Sunshine. Rain. The smell of freshly mown grass. The companionship of a pet. Coffee. Good books. Good conversation. Good food. Good neighbors. Time spent with a special friend. The list could go on and on.

After lunch today, as Al and I were walking in the mall, we had a conversation with a gentleman who had encountered a number of health challenges, but had overcome them by God’s grace. Who, like me, wasn’t expected to be walking. Someone to whom God had extended one gracious blessing after another.

Every year as we get close to the anniversary of my stroke, I find myself thinking about what life could have been like. And about how it has all turned out. Not perfectly. Not as I might like it to be. Not without challenges. Yet, in spite of the challenges, I am blessed. I woke up this morning. I can see and read and write. I can have conversation with family and friends, and even with a stranger in the mall. Every day of life is a precious gift. And each day is filled with blessings. One gracious blessing after another. That’s what I’m focusing on today.

How about you? Where are you focusing your attention today? On the less-than-you-would-like-it-to-be situations in your life, or on all those gracious blessings?

Something to think about.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits."  (Psalm 103:1-2)

Wednesday Ramblings

Last week we had our furnace checked to be sure it’s ready for winter. While the serviceman was here, my husband asked him to check our gas logs. They would light, but then would go out again in about 2-3 minutes. (There’s a thought for some consideration, but that’s not where my rambling mind is going today.)

Since the HVAC serviceman couldn’t determine the gas log problem, we called in another serviceman, this one for gas-related things (fireplaces, stoves, etc.). He quickly diagnosed and fixed the problem. For which I am very thankful, since we woke up to 29 degrees here this morning! Of course, I could have turned on the furnace, but I don’t want to do that yet since I know it won’t stay cold for long. That’s not how we do things here in South Carolina in October!

I told you I was rambling today! Back to the gas logs. Watching this serviceman on Monday triggered a memory of the day these logs were installed to replace the old, not working well, logs that were here when we bought the house. I remember noticing the installer looking on each piece of "log" for a number. Each of the pieces was numbered, so that they were placed in proper order. The logs aren't just thrown into the fireplace in some random order, but there's a proper order and proper placement for each of them, all of which is outlined in the instruction manual.

There are a number of lessons from those logs, but today I’ll focus on just this one. It occurs to me that this gas log instruction manual is much like life. The instruction manual for life is the Word of God.  When we follow the instruction manual, things in life fit together as they are designed to do. That's the way God intended it to be. But when we try to deviate from His plan, things in life can get a little chaotic.  If you doubt that, just look around at the chaos of the world we are living in.

We live in a world which is more and more, day by day, turning its back on God and His ways. Even many who call themselves Christian live by principles other than those outlined in the Scripture. For many, the reason is simply this. They don’t know what the Word says because they don't spend much time there.

The gas logs installer read and followed the instructions in order to properly install our new gas logs.

We must read and study and obey our instruction manual in order to properly live life God's way.

"How can a young man keep his way pure?  By keeping it according to Your word.  With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments.  Your word have I treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  (Psalm 119:9-11, 105 NASB)

Is It Real?

Is it really you? I’ve been asked that question a lot lately. After my social identity was stolen and I had to set up a new account, people are skeptical that the new me is really me. And rightfully so. There are a lot of hackers out there. I have really appreciated all those who took the time to ask if this is really me. If this is the real me, and not just some clone. 

These friends discerned that this is the real me by asking questions. Questions about our childhood. Or about our college days. About things we have in common. Questions that only the “real” me could answer. 

Asking questions before we jump to accept or deny a request on social media is a good idea. It helps us know which is real and which is false. 

Asking questions is also a good idea when we are trying to separate truth from falsehood in other areas of life. When we watch television news. When we listen to talk radio. When we read an article on the internet. Surely we have learned by now that everything we read or hear isn’t truth. Yet we cling to it as though it is.

In these days of social media, of hackers and clones, of airbrushed photos and so-called reality TV, we who are wise will ask questions. We will not blindly accept everything we see and hear and read as truth.

It is even more important when it comes to spiritual matters. “Is it real?” In other words, is it true? Does what I am hearing or seeing or reading line up with the truth of God’s Word? Because God’s Word is our plumb line for knowing what is truth and what isn’t.

This means we need to be asking a lot of questions. When we listen to our pastor. When we listen to our favorite Bible teacher. When we read our favorite devotional book. When you read this blog. When we see the TV preacher or listen to a podcast or a Bible teacher or a famous Christian personality.

Is it real? Is it true? Does it line up with Scripture. These are the questions we need to be asking. Especially in a world filled with false.

The Bible is our plumb line. This is how we discern truth from error. This is how we know what is real. But to know what God has said, we must spend time in His Word. Not just every now and then. But regularly. Consistently. Intentionally. Only then do we have the tools to discern truth from error.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. And trust God to use His Word to help you discern truth from error.

“…they received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”  (Acts 17:11 NASB)

Heaven Rules

 Heaven Rules is the title of a new book by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. But long before she wrote this book, this was the clear truth of scripture. 

The book’s title comes from the Old Testament book of Daniel, chapter 4. This chapter tells us the story of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, whose pride had led to his humiliation and judgment by God. After a time, Nebuchadnezzar’s “reason returned to him” (Daniel 4:23 ESV) and he humbled himself and began to praise God.

Nebuchadnezzar’s experience taught him an important lesson. And it’s a lesson we all need to remember.

Heaven Rules

Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth has written an excellent book. One I highly recommend to you. For personal reading. Or for personal study. Or for group study. Because the lesson of this book - that Heaven Rules - is a lesson we all need to remember.

Heaven rules. God is sovereign. God is in control. We’re living in crazy times right now, and it often seems that evil is winning. That evil is in control. That’s why this book is so important.

Heaven Rules.

Over Covid.

Over Cancer.

Over politics. And politicians.

Over health issues and insurance issues.

Over the good days and the bad days and all the in between days.

When I am loved and accepted and understood. And when I’m not.

To quote from Wolgemuth, “By Heaven Rules, of course, I mean “God rules”. The God of Heaven rules. He rules over every tide of history, every king and kingdom, over every activity we undertake, over every person and part of His creation. “Heaven Rules” is a right-sized truth - putting our view of God, our view of ourselves, and our view of the world in proper perspective. It’s truth meant to instill healthy fear within every proud heart that aims to be its own ruler and that believes we humans can control our own direction or destiny.”

Two simple words. Heaven Rules.

Read the book. Read Daniel 4. And be encouraged. God is in control.

How Do We Handle It?

We’re only a few weeks away from mid-term election day here in the United States, which means that we are being inundated with political advertising. It is impossible to watch television without multiple political ads at every commercial break.

Political ads are really quite interesting and actually have a lot to say about the state of our nation. On the one hand, Candidate A appears to tell you all the horrible things his/her opponent has said or done. Immediately following, Candidate B appears to tell you that everything you just heard from Candidate A is a blatant lie which is designed solely to impugn his/her character, when in fact, he/she is actually practically perfect in every way.

They can't both be telling the truth. In all likelihood, there may be a teeny tiny thread of truth somewhere in there, surrounded by massive distortion in what each of them had to say. And that reveals a great deal, not only about candidates, but about our nation and about us as a people.

In our culture, truth has become relative. Truth has become whatever you or I want it to be. Truth has become whatever some politician or activist group or judge or journalist says it is at the moment. And it changes on a whim.

By that standard, both Candidate A and Candidate B are telling the truth, even though what one of them says is exactly opposite what the other says.

How are we to handle this?  What is our standard of truth to be?

The standard of truth is the same as it has always been. Even in this world of political expediency and government corruption, the standard of truth remains the same.

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever."  (Isaiah 40:8 ESV)

[Jesus said] "I am the way, the truth, and the life."  (John 14:6 ESV, emphasis mine)

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."  (Hebrews 13:8 ESV)

Hold on to those truths. Cling to those truths. In this world of shifting truths, our standard of truth remains firm. We hold on to Jesus. We examine everything according to the unchanging plumb line of Scripture.

And when we are criticized as being naïve or old-fashioned or out of touch, even then we hold on to Truth.

We live in difficult, challenging times. The truths that we believe and have staked our very lives on are under attack. But truth is still truth. God's Word has not changed. It will not change. God's love for us has not changed. It will not change. And for those of us who are in relationship with God through Christ Jesus, nothing can change that. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.

Not politicians.

Not political action groups.

Not government corruption or over-reach.

Not bad journalism.

Not a virus.

Not financial stress.

Not illness.

Not unemployment.

Not criticism or ridicule.

Nothing.

"What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:31, 35, 373-39 ESV)

How, then, do we deal with these shifting standards? How, then, do we face life on a daily basis when all we have known as true seems to be crumbling around us? How, then, do we live life when the world is falling apart? How do we handle it?

The answer to those questions is found in the pages of Scripture as well.  

In every situation, in every circumstance, in every difficulty and every challenge, the answer is the same:

[We] "run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  (Hebrews 12:1b-2 NASB, emphasis mine)

Focus on the Facts

 

I have the privilege to gather with a precious group of women every Thursday morning for Bible Study. I look forward to this time each week as we love one another, encourage one another, pray for one another, and study God’s Word together.

Currently we are studying one of the Old Testament prophets. Amos, one of the “minor prophets”, is probably not as well known as some of the others. But he has a lot to say to us. And we are on a mission to make him famous. Just like those cookies!

We have been enjoying some of those Famous Amos cookies during our study. And we have also enjoyed some figs. Amos was, after all, a sheep herder and a fig farmer. But what we have enjoyed most is coming to understand what God has to say to us through Amos.

This week our study focused on Amos chapter 1. As we study, we are using a workbook written by Jennifer Rothchild called Amos: An Invitation to the Good Life.*

This week’s invitation from Amos chapter 1 was to “Live Assured”. The context of that chapter is Amos being called by God to leave Judah and go to Israel to deliver some messages from God. These messages were condemnations being pronounced against the enemies of God’s people who were surrounding Israel on all sides.

It really is a depressing chapter, especially if we only focus on the condemnations. But when we look to see what we learn about God in this chapter (which is a good thing to do in every chapter, by the way!), we are encouraged. Because what we learn is that God does not leave evil unpunished. God knows. God cares. And he will punish sin. He will punish those who have oppressed His people. 

When we remember that God knows, God cares, God is not blind to what is going on in the world, we can find the encouragement to live assured. We can live with the assurance that God is in control. Even when it may not feel like it.

When we are surrounded by our feelings of fear or insecurity or inadequacy or hopelessness, we can focus on the facts. This is the message of God to us through the prophet Amos. God knows. God cares.

But sometimes our feelings overwhelm us, don’t they? That’s the time to focus on the facts. Here are a few facts to remember.

Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Thou, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3

If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

Thou wilt keep him [her] in perfect piece whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he [she] trusts in Thee. Isaiah 26:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefined, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed at the last day. 1 Peter 1:3-5

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38

No matter what is going on in our lives, we need to remember the facts. Meditate on the facts. We acknowledge our feelings, but we don’t want to live there. Focus on the facts.

Might I suggest that you make your own facts sheet of Bible verses that will remind you of who Christ is and who you are in Him. Keep the list handy so you can refer to it when you are surrounded by discouragement or fear or other feelings that drag you down.

Focus on the facts. And live assured. God is in control!

*Amos: An Invitation to the Good Life by Jennifer Rothchild, (available from Lifeway Christian Resources or Amazon)

The Gift of Today

It’s a beautiful morning here in the Upstate of South Carolina. Sunshine. Blue skies. A perfect fall day! What a gift!

But even if it were gray and gloomy and cold, this day would still be a gift. Because every day is a gift!

To be honest, I haven’t always had that perspective. I’m sure that, theoretically, I realized that every day was a gift from God. But practically speaking, I didn’t always have that attitude. However, my attitude changed dramatically a few years ago.

For those of you who don’t know, I am a stroke survivor. And once I became responsive again, and aware of what was going on around me, I began to see each day as a gift……the gift I could have missed. My new lease on life has given me a new perspective. A realization that we take too much in this life for granted. We expect to wake up every morning. We expect things to go as we have planned them. We expect all our appliances and devices will work properly. That all our friends will be friendly. That life will go according to plan.

But the reality is - and certainly my reality was - that doesn’t always happen. I never expected to have a stroke. I never expected to find myself in a rehab facility and wondering how I got there, because I couldn’t remember any of the events that had landed me there. I never expected to have to learn to walk and talk and read and write again. But I did. Because God gave me the gift of another day of life.

Since 2016, I have a deliberate awareness that each day is a gift. Today is a gift. 

Every day will not be a good day. In fact, my day got off to a rough start, not at all the way I had it planned. Even so, it is a good day. Because God has allowed me to see this day. To live for him today.

So today I bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me blesses His holy name. (Psalm 103)

On the good days, Bless the Lord, O my soul.

On the bad days, Bless the Lord, O my soul.

On all the in between days, Bless the Lord, O my soul.

When life is good. And when it isn’t. 

In plenty. And in want.

In sunshine. And in rain.

When life goes according to plan. And when it doesn’t.

Bless the Lord.

Does that mean the bad stuff will suddenly turn to good. No, of course not. That would mean we are trying to manipulate God. I’m not suggesting a non-heartfelt mantra. I am suggesting that we view life as what it is. A gift to us from a loving and gracious God who sees the end from the beginning, who is sovereign, who knows what is best, and who has a plan and purpose that is for our good and His glory.

Will we always understand everything that happens in this life? Of course not. Even so, every day is a gift from God. Let’s remember to be thankful for it!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” (James 1:17)

The Gift of October

 

I say this every year when October rolls around - October is a gift. And my first post every October seems to follow this theme, so here we go again!

A few years ago, I took this photo while standing in our driveway. We don't live in the mountains anymore, and there isn't this much color yet on leaves where we live now here in the Upstate of South Carolina. But colors like this are part of the reason I love October! Perhaps it's the same for you as well.

October is the month of red and gold and orange leaves.

Of pumpkins and apples.

Of fall festivals.

Of cool mornings and warm afternoons.

Of leaves falling.

For those who live here in the South, October is a welcome respite from the extreme heat we experienced all summer, and even through September.

For those who live further north, October extends the beauty of summer a little longer before the winter months of snow and ice and extreme cold.

October is a gift! Let's enjoy every moment of it, and give thanks to the Giver of all things for such a wonderful gift as October!

"O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."  (Psalm 106:1 ESV)