Goals

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Though he fall, he shall not utterly be cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

Psalm 37:23,24

A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.  Proverbs 16:9

"Out with the old, in with the new" will be the chant heard around the world tonight.  Millions will be watching The Ball Drop, in Time's Square, to usher out 2022, and welcome in 2023. But will the flip of the calendar page really change the situation you find yourself dealing with right now?  Will 2022 magically be erased as easily as you can erase a picture with sand on an Etch-A-Sketch toy?  As most of the world is ringing in the New Year with high hopes of a better tomorrow, my husband and I will be tucked into bed at our usual bedtime, that comes way earlier than midnight!

Why?  Because I don't have to wait until January 1st to push aside my regrets, disappointments and heartaches of this past year.  My hopes, mercies and grace are new every morning. 

"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:22,23

With each New Year, new resolutions are made and often broken within a few short weeks, perhaps days.  As Christians we can set new goals.

But if we aren't careful, our goals and good intentions can fall away just as quickly as worldly resolutions.  So, how can we prevent that from happening?  Ask yourself the following questions:

    Are my goals for self and selfish gain?

    Or,

    Are my goals for Service to God and others, for God's glory?

    Did I pray and ask God what His will was for me in 2023 or am I making my own goals for 2023?

It will make the difference between lost and abandoned resolutions, or goals reached.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

God has a plan and a purpose for our lives.  In the New Year, God help us seek His plan for goals attained for His Glory.

    But that's just me!

"There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind."  C.S. Lewis

    

Believest Thou This?

"Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.  Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die, Believest thou this?"  Jesus and Martha speaking after the death of her brother Lazarus.  John 11:23-26

Mary and Martha had just lost their brother.  In their grief, one sister remained in the house and was 'still,' while the other sister ran out to meet Jesus.  In a sense, there was a confrontation to be had.  Martha told Jesus that if he had just been there, her brother would not have died.  Can you imagine that type of greeting?  Blame is often a part of grief.  But, after honest words, Martha reluctantly admitted in verse 22, "But I know...."

It's easy to trust God and believe on all of His promises when life is going pretty well.  Everyone is happy, healthy, no troubles, trials or stress.  But it's a little different when we are suddenly faced with something that hits us out of the blue.   Something we were not expecting.  That's where the 'rubber hits the road.'  It's when we need to start LIVING the faith that we TALK about.

When Jesus told Martha that her brother would live again, she assumed what He was trying to tell her.  She already knew that her brother would live in the resurrection, but little did she know that in just a moment, a wonderful Miracle was about to occur!  And when Jesus told her that He Himself, was the resurrection and the life, He asked her a very pointed question:  "Believest thou this?"  Jesus already knew the answer Martha would give, but I don't think He asked this question for Himself, but asked this question for Martha to ask herself..."Do I believe?"

I had to ask myself some very tough questions:

-When Jesus tells me He will never leave me or forsake me- " Believest thou this?

-When Jesus tells me to cast all my cares upon Him because He cares for me-"Believest thou this?

-When Jesus promises me a peace that passes all understanding- "Believest thou this?"

-When Jesus tells me to call on Him because He will answer me- "Believest thou this?"

Read some of God's promises, then ask yourself, "Believest thou this?"

Sometimes the fear of circumstances will allow us to wonder where God is or wonder why we are going through something so difficult.  But when we pray and search our hearts, like Martha, we can say, 'But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee."

    Yes, Lord.  I choose to believe-

        But that's just me!

"Believe God's love and power more than you believe your own feelings and experiences.  Your Rock is Christ, and it is not the rock that ebbs and flows, but the sea."  Samuel Rutherford

Concerning the People

"And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people." Nehemiah 11:24

My friend and I have been studying the book of Nehemiah, and today we were in the 11th Chapter. Often times Chapters that include lists of names and genealogies get over-looked because we don't want to take the time to read all of those names, however, I believe when we do that, we miss crucial information.

By this time in Nehemiah, the wall has been built, and now people need to reside inside the walls of Jerusalem.  Not an easy place to live in at this time.  Obviously, you have the rulers who will stay, then the volunteers, then men who were chosen by casting lots.  

As I read the list of men who stayed in Jerusalem, you see men who were known by their position, and some known by their family.  Some were known by their character, and what they did for the Lord.

I had to ask myself, "When someone sees my name listed somewhere, what do they think?  How am I known?"

There were:

    -valiant men-

    -overseers-

    -ruler of the House of God-

    -did the work of the house-

    -chief of the fathers-

    -mighty men of valour-

    -the oversight of the outward business of the house of God-

    -the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer-

    -the porters and the gatekeepers-

    -the singers-

And then you get to verse 24 where it says, "And those positioned at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people".

That reminded me of Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, and He makes intercession on our behalf.  When the accuser of the brethren comes and makes accusations against me, Jesus Christ handles all matters concerning me.  He reminds Satan that I am covered by His blood.

Jesus Christ has provided for each and every single one of my needs.

When I come across chapters of genealogies, lists of tribes and families, God help me to read between-the-lines so I can see what you want me to see.

    But that's just me!

    

It's Not an Easy Road

"Life's trials are not easy.  But in God's Will, each has a purpose."  Warren Wiersbe

Don't think for a minute that Christianity is a weak-man's-crutch.

Don't let anyone tell you that when you get saved, your life becomes a walk in the park, and everything will be a bed of roses and hunky-dory.

Just ask Job-

Just ask the Apostle Paul-

Just ask Jesus.

Sometimes God allows His children to walk through the fire.  (Daniel 3:24-25)

There will be times in your Christian life that you will suffer persecution, trials and troubles that take on many forms.  Discouragement, loneliness, depression, even illness.

But as a child of God, we get to choose how we will walk through the fire:

    Kicking and screaming and feeling sorry for yourself?  Asking God, 'Why Me?'

    Or will you trust God and allow whatever it is that you are going through bring honor and Glory to God?

Jesus answered, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be manifest in Him." Words of Jesus, John 9:3

My husband and I have had the privilege of knowing and being friends with a man for 34 years.  This man's testimony has never wavered.  No matter what the Lord has allowed in his life, He just keeps on praising God.  Right now, he is walking through the fire, but he knows he is not alone.  Already he is trusting and praising God!

"No matter what our circumstances, we can find a reason to be thankful."  David Jeremiah

As I was speaking with our friend on Christmas Day, this is what he told me, "We don't need to understand, we just need to hold His hand."  Sam Kennedy

No, the Christian walk is not an easy road, but when we realize we are not walking alone, and when we realize that God gives us His courage, His strength, and His peace, we can walk this road to bring honor and Glory to the One Who deserves it most:  Christ!

    But that's just me!

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Words of Jesus, John 16:33

"Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ."  Anonymous

Gift Wrapped

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things." Sung by Julie Andrews in the 1965 Classic movie, The Sound of Music.

Christmas is coming, people are shopping in a frenzy for the perfect gift for the perfect someone in their life.  And when they come home, they carefully select the perfect gift box, wrapping paper, ribbons and bows.  The perfect gift beautifully wrapped. 

Our Heavenly Father gave us a gift too.  The Greatest Gift in all the world! 

His Son, Jesus Christ.

Himself, in the flesh.

The Giver, Who is also the Gift.

Only Jesus wasn't wrapped in silver or gold paper.

    He was wrapped in the womb of a virgin- "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee:  therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."  Luke 1:35

    He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger of hay- "And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."  Luke 2:12

     As he grew up in the home of a carpenter, he did not wear fine linen, just ordinary clothes, but at the time of Jesus' death, we are told that he wore a coat that was without seam- "Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout."  John 19:23

    On the cross, His garment was a crown of thorns that was placed upon His head- "And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, " Matthew 27:29a

    And when He willingly gave up His life for you and for me, He was wrapped in grave clothes of fine linen- "And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, " Mark 15:46a

Jesus.  Our Gift from God the Father.  But a gift is only a gift if it is accepted.

     "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

This Christmas, accept the Gift of Christ, and be wrapped in the gift of Salvation.

    "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."  Isaiah 61:10

    A timeless Gift is waiting for you-

        Go ahead, open it,

            It is the bestest Gift you will ever receive-

                But that's just me!

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."  2 Corinthians 9:15

The Gift Goes On

Sandi Patty, 1983

The Father gave the Son,

the Son gave the Spirit,

The Spirit gives us life,

So we can give the Gift of love,

Don't you love to get a present,

wrapped up in a Christmas bow,

God gave each of us a present,

on that night so long ago,

It's a Gift that keeps on giving,

if our Spirits can receive,

it's the secret joy of living,

if our hearts can just believe,

Now when your life is full of Christmas,

then your life is full of love,

you can give aways the present,

that began with God above,

just like ripples in the water,

the circles of our love extend,

what was started with the Father,

is a Gift that has no end!

Chorus:

And the Gift goes on,

and the Gift goes on,

and the Gift goes on,

and the Gift goes on and on and on!

 

Merry Christmas!

"Season's Greeting!"  Nope.

    "Happy Holidays!"  No, uh uh.

            "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"  There you go!

Every year after Thanksgiving, begins the battle of words.  What is the 'politically correct' way to greet someone at Christmas time?  To be honest, I don't know what all the fuss is about.  Sadly, employees are instructed on what to say and what not to say.  In truth, it's just another way to remove Christ from Christmas, which is baffling to me because the birth of Christ is the reason, we celebrate Christmas.

Historically speaking, the actual term 'Merry Christmas' was first recognized in 1534 in London when this greeting was written in a letter sent to Henry Vlll's chief minister Thomas Cromwell from the bishop, John Fisher.  It was also used in the 16th century English carol, "We wish you a Merry Christmas."

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:10,11

Let's keep Christ in Christmas.

So, go ahead, friend...

    Just belt it out...

        With a smile on your face, just say it!

            Merry Christmas!

                But that's just me!

The Snow Shovel

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

We had a whopper of a 4-day snowstorm this past week, and it seemed like my husband and his friends took turns digging each other out from snow-packed parking lots and ditches.  I find it quite comical as these men have a running joke between them about who owns the biggest and best brand of truck.  Obviously, it doesn't matter how big or what model your truck is, but rather, the amount of snow you find yourself stuck.

Last night on the way home from helping his friend dig out of the ditch, my husband phoned me to tell me he had to turn around and go back because he had left his snow shovel behind.

When my husband finally walked through the door, I asked, "Did you get your shovel?"  He smiled at me, and he said, "No, it was gone when I got there."  I couldn't believe it.  How could this happen in small town America in a matter of ten minutes?  My husband then looked at me and said, "Someone must have needed it more than I did."  I was prepared for those words of acceptance because he will often speak those same words to me when someone forgets to return a tool, or when something gets stolen or misplaced.  It's spoken in complete trust that God will continue to provide for our needs.

So-

I began to think on the flip side.

Maybe what I considered to be stolen, the person who saw the snow shovel sticking out of the snowbank thought it was an answer to prayer? Perhaps this person prayed and asked God for that specific need, and God answered?

If not, then that is between God and that person.

Regardless of the reason, I can already see the grin on my husband's face the next time we are at Menard's looking over all the new snow shovels on display.  I'm sure he will look at me and say,

        "God always provides-"

            But that's just me!

"We have all things and abound: not because I have a good store of money in the bank, not because I have skill and wit with which to win my bread, but because the Lord is my Shepherd." Charles H. Spurgeon

"Rest assured that the Lord, Who daily provides for the millions of fish in the sea and the myriads of birds in the air will not suffer His own children to perish for lack of things of this life."  Charles H. Spurgeon

 

Our Help

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.  

Isaiah 41:13

When I was 26 years old, I developed a chronic illness.  Many a day and many a night I clung to this verse for comfort, help and peace.  I still do.  I find great comfort knowing that I have a God who will help me.  We don't have to worry or fear, He is holding our hand and He is in control.  He walks by our side; we are never alone.  Such peaceful thoughts.

When I was a little girl, my mom would hold my hand while we crossed the street, or if we were shopping in a busy department store.  I was never scared when she was holding my hand.  The love I felt from our joined hands brought unmistakable peace.  I knew I was in her care.  Wherever she went, I went with her.  She led me and kept me from harm.  God does the same for us.

The word 'help' has so many definitions:

    to give assistance or support-

    provide something useful-

    to improve or relieve-

    make something more pleasant or bearable-

    to rescue, to save-

    to benefit, to promote-

    to also prevent, to keep from occuring- (prevent from hurt or harm)

    to restrain- (keep us from hurting ourselves, perhaps?)

That is what God's help gives us on a daily basis.

He has taken our hand,

    and we are held-

        I love that!

            But that's just me!

"You have need to pray to God not only to help you in your troubles-but to help in your blessings."

Charles Spurgeon

Change

"Yielding to Jesus will break every form of slavery in any human life."  Oswald Chambers

I have a hard time with change.  I don't consider routine to be a rut, I find routine comforting, my safe zone.  Everything is as expected, no surprises.  I like to stay on 'The Old Paths.'  But when it comes to worship, I must step out of my comfort zone and be led by the Spirit and not the Letter of the Law.  I can taint the Liberty I have in Christ with Legalism.  

"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."  Galatians 3:23-24

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."  2 Corinthians 3:5-6

The Pharisee's didn't like change either.  They knew the Law of Moses and they were going to stand firm following every jot and tittle of that Law.  They knew how to dress, eat, keep themselves from sinners and they knew exactly what they could and could not do on the Sabbath.  The Pharisee's were so steeped in the 'how' of traditions, they missed 'The Who.'  

The Pharisee's did things in a certain way, dressed a certain way, and then Jesus came along and did things His Way.  

My what a surprise that must have been!  How horrified they were when Jesus ate with sinners, had Disciples who didn't wash their hands before they ate a meal, and worst of all, Jesus healed on the Sabbath!

The tragedy for the Pharisee's is that they knew the Law of Moses but did not recognize the Author of the Law of Moses.  He was standing before their very eyes.  They were blinded to the very One Who would fulfill the Law.

Jesus didn't care about things that didn't matter-we shouldn't either.

Change is going to happen, but one thing will never change:  Christ.

Malachi 3:6a "For I am the LORD, I change not;

Hebrews13:8 "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Let's not worry about the 'what' and the 'how' but stay focused on 'The Who.' 

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus-you'll never be disappointed...

    But that's just me!

"In a world of uncertainties, one thing is certain: God loves us.  And that one fact can make all the difference."  Laura Story

Distinctly

So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.  Nehemiah 8:8

According to Webster, distinctly means, presenting a clear unmistakable impression.  That's how the children of Israel responded to the reading of God's Word.

When was the last time you were impressed by God's Word?

This morning I turned to Nehemiah 8:10. A well-known verse about how the joy of the LORD is our strength.  I decided to read the entire chapter so I could see what took place before verse 10.  What a beautiful chapter!  In verse 1, it tells us how all the people gathered themselves together as one, to hear Ezra read the Law of Moses.  Such a beautiful picture of unity.

In verse 3 it tells us that the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the Law.

Such anticipation to hear from God!  They paid attention to every word that Ezra spoke!

In verse 5 it tells us how Ezra stood up above the people and began to read from God's Word.  And as Ezra read from God's Word, the people agreed to what Ezra was reading and from a unified heart of worship, they responded with an Amen!  They lifted up their hands in praise and bowed their heads and worshipped God with their faces toward the ground.

What a reverence for God's Word!

My how times have changed!

Laura Story once said, "It's impossible to have an encounter with God and come away from it unchanged."

When was the last time you encountered God?

I couldn't help but compare today's worship with the worship that took place in Nehemiah 8.  The children of Israel loved hearing the Word of God, and they allowed God's Word to change their hearts!  Today, we have such a disregard for the preaching and teaching of God's Word.  It's become a routine, mechanics, just something we do on Sunday mornings.  The children of Israel lifted up their hands and bowed their heads.  They knew they were being spoken to by a Holy God.  God's word spoke to them so strongly that in verse 9 they wept because of their wickedness.

Friend, when you hear the preaching of God's Word, does it still bring you to tears?  Or are you falling asleep?  Did you go to church to meet with God, or is it just something you do on Sundays?

Verse 10 was a result of a changed heart!  The benefit for a changed heart?  A JOY that only comes from the LORD.

Charles Spurgeon said, "The Word of God is always most precious to the man who most lives upon it."

Tomorrow when I go to church, I don't want to go just because it's something I do on Sunday's.  I want to go prepared to worship my Lord, and to listen to His voice.

    But that's just me!

Eager Hands

Ecclesiastes 9:10a "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;"

Mike Rowe hosted a television show for nine years called Dirty Jobs, and let me tell you, there are some pretty dirty jobs out there!  Dirty jobs that require someone willing to do them. Jobs that if not done, would hurt ourselves and our environment.

Sometimes jobs, or chores that we need to do on a daily basis can cause us to grow weary.  I can give you a list of plenty of things I have to do daily around the house, or weekly, that I would love to never have to do again.  I'm sure you could too, but life doesn't work that way.  Someone has to be willing to work.  Someone has to be willing to do the dirty jobs.

I was reading about the woman in Proverbs 31 the other day, and there were several verses about this woman's hands that spoke to my heart:

Proverbs 31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

Proverbs 31 19-20 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

Proverbs 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Proverbs 31:31 Give her the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

The woman in Proverbs 31 was not afraid of hard work.  In fact, she willingly rolled up her sleeves and fulfilled the tasks before her.

Websters dictionary defines willingly as:  Inclined or favorably disposed in mind, ready, prompt to act, accepted by choice or without reluctance!

Ever since reading about this woman's eagerness to help, eagerness to fulfill her duty, and eagerness to work, I decided that I would ask God to give me eager hands before tackling my not-so-favorite-chores.

I will tell you that God answered my prayer.  He gave me the motivation to do my work and He made my work lighter.

I think the Proverbs 31 woman knew the secret for her Service:  

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."

Colossians 3:23,24

Lord, give me eager hands to do my responsibilities with joy, and to help others with kindness, knowing that everything I do, I do for you...

        But that's just me!

"I am only one, but still I am one.  I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.

And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."

    Edward Everett Hale

"There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us are willing to do little things."  D.L Moody

    

Bullies

"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:" Ephesians 4:31 

I read that verse today and it made me sad.  It made me sad because the Apostle Paul wrote these words to the Saints and to the Faithful in Christ Jesus at the church in Ephesus.

Bullies in the House of God.

So, I did some research.  Did you know that in 2019 one out of five students (20.2%) reported bullying?  That percentage is only based on what was actually reported.  Many such cases do not get reported at all.  Every 7 minutes a child is bullied.  Over 160,000 kids refuse to go to school each day for fear of being bullied.  One million children were harassed or threatened on Facebook just this past year.

Children bully children, adult's bully children, adult's bully adults and children, bully adults.  Even the Prophet Elisha was bullied.

2 Kings 2:23 says, "And he went up from thence unto Beth-el: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up thou bald head."

Websters dictionary defines bullies as-(noun) a blustering, browbeating person, one who is habitually cruel, insulting or threatening. (verb) to treat someone in a cruel, insulting, threatening, or aggressive fashion.

Angry speech is bullying, and the Apostle Paul warns us in Ephesians 4:31 to not behave that way.

I will be honest, when understanding the definition of a bully, in the past, I have been a bully.

If you are honest, you have to.

So, what do we do about bullying?

We follow what the Apostle Paul tells us in the next verse, Ephesians 4:32-

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Fred Rogers once said, "When I was boy, I used to think that strong meant having big muscles, great physical power; but the longer I live, the more I realize that real strength has much more to do with what is not seen.  Real strength has to do with helping others."

God help me not to be cruel in words or actions,

    and when I see someone being hurt by cruel words, God help me to step in with kind words-

        But that's just me!

"There are three ways to ultimate success:

    the first way is to be kind-

    the second way is to be kind-

    the third way is to be kind."

        Fred Rogers