Until

"Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast." Psalm 57:1

These words were sung from a cave. David was hiding from Saul, and in his current position and his current state of affairs, he turned to The Only One Who could help him.

God.

Have you ever been there?  In a cave? Hiding from the enemy?  Have you ever been backed into a corner and realized that there was only one way out of that corner?  

You will have to walk past your enemy.

Is your cave of your own making, or a result of someone else? 

Are you hiding from a person? Finances? Bad news? Health?

Your situation can be anything, but the destination always seems to be the same: The Cave.

I've been in a cave for almost two weeks now, so when I opened my bible and read David's heart cry, I found comfort in his words.  He was in a dire-straight.

But he was not alone.

His prayer was so serious, he asked twice for God's mercy.  He also reminded God that it was in Him alone that He trusted.  But what is so beautiful to me is that in the midst of the cave, David found refuge in the shadow of God's wings. 

We also know, by the words of David's prayer, that he realized that his calamity would eventually end. He knew he was in a cave right now, but he also knew that he would not be there forever.

UNTIL: Up to the time that.

David would remain in the shadow of God's wings UNTIL it was over.

David also knew that this would not be his last calamity.

When David prayed, he asked for God's mercies UNTIL THESE calamities be overpast.

'These' is the plural form of 'this.'

In other words, David was praying, 'God, be merciful to me, be merciful to me, because you are the only One I can trust, and I will remain in the shadow of your wings until this calamity is finished because You are my refuge!'

Sometimes when we find ourselves in a cave, it seems like we will never make our way out; but we will.

But UNTIL then...

    Remain nestled in the shadow of God's Wings...

        He is our refuge and strength and through Him we can overcome our enemy...

            But that's just me!

"The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse." Helen Keller

Fears

 "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1 (and in the margin of my bible, I added, 'Or what?'

Turning on the News, every day is enough to make anyone fearful.  The unrest, anger, and hate in our society causes most sane people to want to crawl under a rock. Crime, Food Recall, Viruses and the list could go on. Fear will take hold of your heart...if you let it.

So, what exactly is fear?

Fear is an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger, a particular instance, emotion, reason for alarm. (Webster's Dictionary)

Now that we know what fear is, do you recognize it in your own life?  Are you going through a situation right now that is causing you great fear or anxiety?  Is there someone in your life that you are afraid of?

And what about fear itself?

During the Great Depression there was much fear and panic going on in our Nation.  During his first inaugural address on March 4, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke these famous words, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."  What he was trying to say was that panic and paralyzing terror are more dangerous than the actual crisis we face because they stop us from taking action."

I believe it.  When I'm afraid, I shackle my mind to my fear and I am rendered useless.

But when I finally calm down by quoting God's precious promises to me, I'm reminded of another definition of fear:  It's the reverential awe of God.  It's amazing that when I focus on God, my fear turns into trusting in His promises, my fear turns into courage, confidence and fearlessness!

When I focus on God, fear runs!

Isaiah 41:10 is one of my all-time favorites.   It says, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." 

I can't tell you how many times I have repeated this verse over and over in my mind through different situations in my life.  God's ever presence, comfort and encouragement removes fear and anxiety!

When I fear God, I have nothing else to fear, why?

    Because everything I'm afraid of...

        Is afraid of Jesus...

            But that's just me!

"God's presence brings quietness in the midst of alarm." F.B. Meyer

'Fear not' appears 71 times in the bible.

'Do not be afraid,' or 'Be not afraid,' appears roughly 30 to 40 additional times, depending on the exact wording.  The combined total of similar comfort phrases adds up to around 100 to 145 times in the KJV

 

Pardon the Interruption

 "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."

Proverbs 18:13

Has someone ever interrupted you while you were speaking to answer a question, they think you are about to ask?

Has someone ever interrupted you while you were speaking to finish your sentence for you.

Has someone ever echoed the words you are speaking while you are saying them because they think they know what you will say?  

Has someone ever just interrupted you before you finished your sentence at all?

This has happened to me, and guess what?

I've done it to others.

It's annoying, isn't it?  Especially when our spouse does it.  I can't count the number of times I will be telling my husband something and he will finish my sentence before I do, and I have to say, 'That isn't what I was going to say.'

And guess what?

He has had to say the same thing to me just as many times.

Kidner once said, "This is 'a special snare of self-importance.'" 

Matthew Henry notes that a "ready wit is fun, but solid judgment requires patience."

But when you come right down to it, it's pride and it's just plain rude; and when we speak before knowing the full facts, it exposes us to disgrace.

I wonder if I've interrupted my Lord?  Have I been too impatient to fully listen to what He is trying to teach me?  Have I interpreted His Word incorrectly because I haven't read it in context?  Am I hasty in going about my Father's business and doing something He didn't even call me to do?

I'm sorry, Lord.

Do you interrupt the Lord while He is speaking to you...?"

    Let Him finish speaking...

        You might be surprised by what He says....

            But that's just me!

The Network

"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." 

Philippians 2:4

There was a storm rolling in.  I could see the black clouds on the horizon.  I could smell the rain in the air.  And of course, I checked the radar on the Weather Channel. (lol) I knew it was coming.  I quickly finished the task I was working on, gave my little dog, Grace, her anxiety calming treat, and we hunkered down on the couch to wait for the storm.  As the thunder crashed, the lightning flashed and the rain came pouring down, I thought of a few people I knew who feared such storms, and I began to text each one.  I asked them if they were okay, and then I reassured them that no matter how dark it may get, or how hard the winds blow, yet there were no tornados predicted.  Each text that I sent out was met with a reply telling me how much they appreciated being thought of and being checked on.

Then a funny thing happened: I got a text from my husband and then my son asking me if I was okay.  I smiled to myself and thought of the wonderful 'Network' we had going during the storm.  The comforts of communication that got sent out to reassure everyone that we would all be okay.

I was reminded of another Network.  A Network that connects each Giant Sequoias tree along California's rugged northern coastline.  These mighty, gigantic, ancient trees that tower over 350 feet tall have a shallow root system.  So shallow that if they were to stand alone, they would not be so mighty after all.  In fact, they probably would not survive a storm.  Standing alone, they would fall.  But because their root system intertwines with the other trees around them, they can stand through any storm; and so can the tree next to it.

I love that!

You don't have to wait for a storm to blow through before you connect with someone...

    Just reach out and let someone know you are there for them...

        You just may have prevented them from falling...

            But that's just me!

My Personal Bible

"The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." 

Proverbs 11:25

Brother Larry Ingalls recently visited our church and shared a video of his ministry, Baptist Couriers for Christ, with us.  In one picture, it showed a room full of people listening to the Word of God being preached.  Among the hundreds of people in that room, only two bibles were among them.  The two people with the bibles, sat in the middle of the room and when the Pastor referred to a specific verse, those two people would hold their bibles up in the air for all to see. As soon as the bibles were held up, the entire room turned to look at the precious word of God.  You could see the longing in their eyes; to one day hold a bible in their own hands.  

When I saw that picture, I cried.

I have a bookshelf full of bibles that I have purchased and used throughout the years.  When one bible shows wear and tear, I go online and order a new one and place the old one on the shelf with all the others.

Six years ago, I began an email bible study with my aunt who lives in a different State.  She asked me if I had a bible I could mail to her.  Her request made my blood freeze in my veins.  The thought of having to choose one of my personal, precious bibles to give away was like amputating part of my body.  Years of experiences and years of notes written in the margins seemed all too personal to me.  I couldn't believe her request.  Deep down I thought to myself, 'What?  Send you one of my bibles?'  I began to sweat.  Then I thought that maybe I could just buy her a brand new one.  But no.  She wanted one of my personal bibles.   I began to pray.  I prayed and I prayed and I prayed about which bible I should send her.  I ended up sending her one of my favorite bibles that was jam packed with notes, answered prayers, heart-cries and praises.

And do you know what?

I don't regret it for a minute.

Proverbs 11:25 tells us that a generous person will prosper and whoever refreshes others will also be refreshed.

I had nothing to lose.

And everything to gain.

I learned a lot about myself that day, and it also reminded me of something:

The Christian life is all about giving ALL.

The Christian life is giving SELF to OTHERS...and

It's about giving family and strangers the best of what you have in ALL things.

I also learned that giving a bible away...

    whether or not it's one of my own, or one I purchased to give away...

        is the most rewarding gift I can give to anyone...

            for them, and for me...

                  But that's just me!

            

Baptist Couriers for Christ was founded as a Bible smuggling ministry on November 6, 1979, by Donald Stertz.  During a survey trip behind the Iron Curtain in 1978, he made a chilling discovery; in a church of 100, only 2 had bibles. Since then, this ministry has grown to use containers of all shapes and sizes to send Gospel literature and Scripture around the world.  This material is printed in thousands of different languages and sent to churches and missionaries throughout the world. If you would like to help in this ministry, you can find Baptist Couriers for Christ online, or write to them at:

3030 Witzel Ave. Oshkosh, Wi 54904

Always Watching

"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Proverbs 15:3

There is a huge debate going on around our Nation.  It's about Flock Camera's, have you heard?  Flock cameras are automated license plate readers, (ALPRs) made by the private company Flock Safety that capture and log vehicle details like the license plates, makes, models, colors, and unique markers. They read plates, log details, build databases and track movement.  Like any debate, there are two sides; the Pro and Con.  The upset among most Citizens is that this is a Mass Surveillance.  They track everyday citizens who have broken no laws.  Privacy is at risk because Police can track a person's history and location data without needing a warrant.  All Officers are not good.  Some Officers have used the system to stalk or even look up romantic partners, and like any technology, it makes errors.  The Flock cameras have led to false accusations against innocent people.  There was one such incidence in the State in which I reside when a woman was arrested and jailed for up to 6 months because her facial recognition was identified in a robbery that she did not commit.  In fact, she had proven that she was out of State at the time, but that didn't matter.  During her 6 months of incarceration, she lost her job, her house and even her pets.  Her life will always be affected by this false accusation all because of error.  That's the Con side.  On the Pro side, it has been used to rescue kidnapped children and to arrest true criminals.

But what it really comes down to is this: People don't like to be watched.  What they don't realize is that we have always been watched.  We are watched by our family members, the people we work with, the people we attend church with and we are being watched by our neighbors.  

We are also being watched 24/7.  Day and night.  We are being watched when we are sleeping and when we are awake.  We are being watched when we are doing good and when we are doing bad, and I'm not talking about Santa Claus.

No, we are being watched by the One True God.

Some people might feel uncomfortable knowing that we have a Creator God that sees everything we do, even in secret.  I actually find comfort in knowing that my Saviour sees me.  He knows where I am at all times.  He is my Protector, my Help and My Stay.  He is my Constant.

If you were to watch a recording of your day made by a Flock camera, what would it show?  Would you be embarrassed by the things you did or said?  Would you be ashamed?  Or would the recording show that you lived a life that is honoring and glorifying God?  Is it showing you lie to your neighbor, or does it show extended kindness to your neighbor?

The bible tells us in Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."  There will be a time when we stand before the Lord and be shown everything our life consisted of, the good and the bad.   "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."

Revelation 20:12

I don't think it matters too much that we are being watched by the world...

    I think what matters most is that God is watching...

        But that's just me!

God sees everything even when no one else does.

Endurance or Indulgence?

 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

True or False:

-This has never happened to anyone else; False.

-There is no way out of this temptation; False.

-I can entice myself in my strongest temptation and still deny myself; False.

-I can search the Scriptures to help me, BEFORE and AFTER my temptation; TRUE.

"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 2 Peter 1:3

-Jesus is the answer.  He is my Rescuer and Deliverer, and He has made a way of escape for me; TRUE.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

Whenever I read 1 Cor. 10:13, the first person I think of is Joseph.  In Genesis 39 we read of how Potiphar's wife tempted Joseph to lie with her. This woman had set her eye on Joseph and literally threw herself at him.  When she first approached Joseph with such a scandalous request, he told her no.  He also reminded her that by doing such a wickedness that he would sin against God.  Joseph thought this situation had been dealt with, but the bible tells us in verse 10 of Genesis 39, that Potiphar's wife enticed Joseph daily!  She eventually even had the audacity to grab a hold of Joseph when there were no other men in the house.  What did Joseph do?  "...he fled and got him out." He RAN!

Sometimes the only way to escape temptation is to run.

In 1 Corinthians 10:13, "Paul pointed to the One on whom the Corinthians could rely. The temptations that seized the Corinthians were like those that the people had always faced. They could be met and endured by depending on God, who is faithful.  Part of the Corinthian problem was that some in the face of temptation were not looking for a way by endurance, but a way in for indulgence." Walvoord & Zuck

Which brings me to another example.

"At a market, a little boy stood by a candy display, looking as if he was going to take some without paying. A clerk watched the boy and finally said, 'Looks like you're trying to take some candy.' The boy answered, 'Mister, I'm trying to NOT take any.'"  Anonymous

This may be a cute example of temptation, but it also shows that the longer you look at your temptation, the greater that temptation becomes!

It's our choice.

We can be like the little boy in the candy store and keep our temptation ever before us, or we can be like Joseph and RUN.

The way of escape isn't necessarily an easy way...

    but it's available...

        But that's just me!