Sticky Notes

 In 1850 Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote the Novel, The Scarlet Letter.  It's a novel about a woman who was made to wear the Scarlet Letter 'A' on her clothing to reveal publicly a sin she committed in private.  Can you imagine?  What if that was required of us today?

"I told a lie."  Sticky note 'L' is placed somewhere on my clothing.

"I spread gossip."  Sticky not 'G' is placed somewhere on my clothing.

Do you see the picture?

Yesterday I wrote about badges, but there is a difference between badges and Scarlet Letters.  Badges are what we place on ourselves.  Scarlet Letters are what we place on others.

Let me explain:

A friend of yours betrayed your trust.  You then write the letter 'B' on an invisible sticky note, and you place it on the clothing of your friend.  Every time you see that friend, you are reminded of the betrayal.

But let me ask you, was the betrayal recent, or something that happened years ago?  Did your friend apologize for the betrayal?  If so, it's time for you to remove the sticky note from off the clothing of your friend and move on.

I hear stories all the time of people being known for something they did 10, 15 or even 20 years ago. Why is it that we seem to freeze people in the past, and refuse to see where they are today?  How long does a person have to wear their Scarlet Letter before others will allow them to move on in their life?  And who are we to place the Letter of a Sin on someone else, when we ourselves probably carry the same sticky note on our own clothing?

Samuel Johnson once said, "God Himself, Sir, does not purpose to judge a man until his life is over.  Why should you or I?"

Psalm 138:8a says:  The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me:

I will purpose in my heart to spend less time judging others, and more time on God's work on my own life.  But that's just me!

-People know your name but call you by your sin-

God knows your sin but calls you by name.  Ricardo Sanchez, Revised

Badges

 Jeremiah 9:23-24  Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:  But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth:  for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Webster's Dictionary defines badges as:  a characteristic mark, a mark that identifies.

I've seen many badges.  Military men whose badges represent their Rank and Accomplishments.  Police Officers whose badges let me know that they represent Law and Order.  But there are other badges as well.  Badges that we may pin onto ourselves to make us look good, and once we pin it on to our lapel, we make sure it gets constantly polished by bringing attention to ourselves and our accomplishments.

"I sing in the choir!"

"I work in the nursery!"

"I took a meal over to so and so!"

Do you see the picture?  It can be nauseating at times when we hear others talk about their 'badges.'  But, wait a minute....

We do the very same thing.

We can be in a conversation with someone when they bring up a comment about a good deed done, and we will immediately chime in and say, "I did that!"  My how shiny our badge becomes when we boast!  Right?

There is another badge we pin onto our lapel as well:  The badge of excuses.

"I grew up in an alcoholic home."

"I grew up in a single parent home."

"I've always been this way."

The excuse badge.  I've used it before.  It's the badge of excuses to justify wrong behavior.

Funny isn't it?  How we shine our badges with pride for our 'great accomplishments' and then change that badge out for our excuse badge when we want to blame our bad behavior on someone or something else.

If we claim the Name of Christ, it's time to remove our badges and take up His Cross.

Our identity should be in Him and Him alone-

But that's just me!

1 Corinthians 1:31b  He that glorieth, let him glory in the LORD.

"The fool talks about what he's gonna do,

the boaster talks about what he has done,

and the wise man does and says nothing."  M.C.

Ultimate Grace

 In Matthew 26, Jesus was brought before the high priest, Caiaphas, where the scribes and elders were assembled.  It was at this time when Caiaphas finally asked Jesus point blank: "...thou be the Christ, the Son of God?"  This assembled group did not like Christ's answer.  Verses 67 and 68 are hard to read, but they say:  Then they did spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, saying, Prophesy unto us, Thou Christ, who is he that smote thee?

I guarantee you, Jesus knew the man.  Jesus also knew that in just a few hours, he would be dying on the cross for the very sins of this man.

And Jesus' response:  Luke 23:34 says, "Father forgive them; for they know not what they do."  

Active forgiveness.

Ultimate Grace.

Have you ever thought that what you have done is too bad to be forgiven?  Maybe you crossed the line one too many times?  You did the unthinkable, so this sin is unforgiveable?

Take heart!  1 John 1:9 says:  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ultimate Grace.

Extended to us by Christ, and then we can extend it to others.  We all need Ultimate Grace.

But that's just me!

"Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines him to bestow benefits on the undeserving."  A.W. Tozer

Content

My husband said something to me the other day while we were out walking our dog.  It was a simple statement, yet profound, because it got me thinking.  He said, "Most people don't live as if Christ will return today."  I answered before really thinking about it, and said, "Well, we all can't quit our jobs, and just sit around and wait because the Bible says 'those who don't provide for their families are worse than infidels.'"  (1 Timothy 5:8)  My husband then answered my off-the-cuff remark with, "What I mean is that most people are working for "things" that will all be left behind one day.....always wanting something bigger, better, new."  He went on to say, "I can honestly say I am content with what I have."

I was very thankful to have had that conversation with him.

Have you ever driven by a home that seems to have everything a person could possibly want?  A boat, a camper, snowmobiles, a truck, cars, jet skis?  You get the picture.  But have you ever noticed anyone home?  Anyone outside enjoying their huge yard, their patio?  Ever see their camper gone for the weekend?  I drive by homes like that every time I drive into town, and you know what?  Nobody is ever home enjoying what they have because they are working themselves to the bone trying to afford all their earthly toys that will one day be left behind.  We can't take it with us when we die, so let me ask you:

Are you content with what you have or do you always want something more?  Bigger?  Newer?  Is what you are working towards in this life laying up treasures in heaven, or just pacifying your 'wants?'

Hebrews 13:5 says:  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have:  for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

I have found that when I am content, my Spirit is at rest....but that's just me!

"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness."  Charles Spurgeon

Praying Friends

A Friend texted me early this morning with a prayer request.  It was not an urgent prayer request, and some might not even consider it a situation in which to pray, but it was important enough to my friend to reach out to me, and so, I prayed.

When I finished with my prayer, I was reminded how often I had reached out to this very friend for prayer as well.  Some requests were urgent, and then some were not, but I always knew I could count on her to pray for me and for whatever situation I was going through.   I also knew that this request would not only be prayed for as soon I reached out to this friend, but that she would pray about this situation multiple times throughout the day.  And not only that, but after a few days, she would call or text me to see how this situation all worked out.

Praying friends.

I have a Heavenly Father whom I can go to for prayer too.  Big or small, urgent or not so urgent, I can reach out and ask God for whatever it is that I need to get me through a specific situation, or just strength to make it through the day.  I have the Holy Spirit who can form words from my heart when I cannot utter a sound.

Romans 8:26 and 27 says:  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:  for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:  but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

I have praying friends, and I also want to BE a praying friend,  but that's just me!

"The best kind of friend is a praying friend."  Unknown

 

Manners

 When I was a little girl, my Mother gave me The Little Golden Book of Manners.  Inside it's colorful pages were examples of Common Courtesies that we should show to one another.  Things like saying, "Please,"  "Thank you," or, "Excuse me."  Pictures that would show me that I should cover my mouth when I coughed or sneezed, letting someone else go before me while waiting in line.  I can still see Mr. Giraffe giving up his seat on the bus for Mrs. Cat.

I can sum up this picture book with one Bible Verse:  Matthew 7:12 says, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them:  for this is the law and the prophets."

Somewhere along the way we have forgotten how to think of others before ourselves, but today I will purpose in my heart to extend kindness to someone who has known no kindness.  I will purpose in my heart to do something for someone without expecting anything in return.  I will love as Christ has loved.

But that's just me!

"Doing good does the doer good."  Unknown  

Ebenezer

When you hear the name Ebenezer, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?  Is it Ebenezer Scrooge, from the writings of Charles Dickens?  Or is it from the Scriptures written by God? 

1 Samuel Chapter 7 tells us of a time when the children of Israel were under attack from the Philistines.  They went to Samuel and asked him to pray to the LORD to save them.  Samuel interceded on behalf of the children of Israel, and verse 10 tells us that when the Philistines drew near to battle against them, the LORD thundered with a great thunder and they were discomfited and they were smitten before Israel.

God answered Samuel's prayer.

Then Samuel took a stone and set it in the place of victory and called the name of it, Ebenezer, because the LORD helped them.

Ebenezer:  Stone of help.

I have an Ebenezer stone.  It's an agate half the size of my hand and it sits on the ledge of my bay window in my kitchen.  It was placed there during a time when I didn't think I would even make it through the day.  Every day when I am washing my dishes, I am reminded that the LORD is my help.  I will never face anything alone, and when I pray and ask God to defeat my armies of sickness, fear, discouragement or you fill-in-the-blank,  I know He will.  

He is my Stone of Help and I will praise him for the victory!  But that's just me! 

Helping Hands

 We are in the first stages of remodeling our bathroom.  It was an unexpected decision based on the discovery of water damage.  So, the demo has begun, and if you have ever had a last minute DIY project, then you know it comes with it's share of snags.  Our first snag was removing an old 1930 cast iron bathtub.  It's not as easy as the YouTube videos you can watch on-line.  My husband and son both took a sledge hammer to the relic-beast that refused to give up it's space that it has occupied for the past 90 years, and refused to even crack!  So what to do?  Call a friend to help carry the monstrosity out!

Moses had friends to help keep his arms raised when he grew tired.  You will find this account in Exodus 17:12.  Aaron and Hur stayed by his side, and those helping hands defeated and army.

In Mark 2:1-12 you will find a paralyzed man, who with the help of his friends, brought him to Jesus for healing, and in doing so, found that they, too, had a DIY project!  They literally removed the roof to lower their friend down to see Jesus!  Their faith and determination, along with their helping hands, allowed this man to be healed by Jesus.

Helping hands come in all shapes and sizes, and always answers the S.O.S. Call.

I want to have Helping Hands.  But that's just me!

Hand-Me-Downs

Between my sisters and my cousins, there were five of us girls.  That meant when it came to clothes, we would all, eventually, get a chance to wear the same outfit.  I specifically remember a pair of maroon, corduroy, bibbed over-all shorts.  In the 1970's they were referred to as 'hot-pants.'   I'm not sure which one of the older girls got them first, but I knew that one day I would also get my turn to wear them and I couldn't wait!

Webster's Dictionary defines hand-me-downs as:  Something that is put in use by one person or group after being used, or handed down by another.

There is an example of a Hand-Me-Down in 2 Timothy 1:5.  It is the hand-me-down of unfeigned faith.  The verse says:  When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice, and I am persuaded that in thee also.

If you really think about it, a hand-me-down is a lot like a legacy.  We are passing down something from our lives to those around us, and it could be something really great, or something not-so-great.

I want to hand down a faith to follow!  But that's just me!

"Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful."  Steve Green 

Believe Big

 What if every answer to prayer depended on how much we believed God would answer?

The Bible tells us of a Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant.  He was making a request to Jesus on behalf of someone else.

We do that too.  Every time we lift someone up in prayer, we are going to God on behalf of that person.

Matthew 8:13 says:  And Jesus said unto the Centurion, Go thy way; and as thou has believed, so be it done unto thee.  And his servant was healed the selfsame hour.

The Centurion believed his servant would be healed, and guess what?  He was!  But what if the Centurion hadn't believed that his servant would be fully healed?  Do you think he would have been fully healed?  Partially healed?  Made me think.  Am I praying for others believing  that God will answer my prayer to it's fullest?

Jesus said in Mark 11:24:  Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Charles Spurgeon once said, "If you believe in prayer at all, expect God to hear you.  If you do not expect, you will not have.  God will not hear you unless you believe He will hear you; but if you believe He will, He will be as good as your faith."

We have a Big God.....so Believe Big!

But that's just me!

Do the Right Thing

 Have you ever been wronged?  Silly question, isn't it?  We have all been wronged at one time or the other, but what do you usually do when that happens?  Do you wait for that person to come to you and apologize, or do you go to them?

2 Corinthians 2:5-11 tells us that there are times when we need to go to the one who offended us.  Why?  To keep them from being swallowed up with overmuch sorrow, to confirm your love towards them, and to keep Satan from getting an advantage over that situation.  Is it easy to do?  No, but it's the right thing to do.

"Those who can truly forgive, have truly been forgiven."  T.H.

Has someone wronged you?  Don't wait for them to come to you, go to them.  It's the right thing to do.

But that's just me!