Weekend Words

From Beside the Still Waters...

Behold the Lamb of God - Read: Isaiah 53, 1 Peter 1:18-21

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world." - John 1:29

The word behold means to pay special attention to.  John was telling the people to focus on the lamb of God.  Why?  Because He is the only one who can take care of the sin problem.  It is interesting that the prophet Isaiah had referred to that Lamb about 700 years before (Isaiah 53:7).  The Lamb was Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  Why was He called the Lamb?  One reason was that He had the characteristics of a lamb.  He was meek and lowly, and He did not retaliate when he was mocked, beaten, and crucified.  Also, lambs were used as sacrifices for sin in the Old Testament - though their blood could only cover sin, never take it away.

This perfect Lamb was without blemish and without spot, and His precious blood made forgiveness of sin possible for the whole world.  Even the very guilt of sins is taken away, and God remembers them no more (Hebrews 8:12).  Praise His name!

The sin question faces every soul that comes to understand his accountability before God, regardless of background, culture, or skin color.  Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

What can we do about our sins?  A number of times in the Gospels, Jesus called people to repentance, which means having godly sorrow for sin, forsaking all sinful practices, and choosing to serve God.  We need to confess our sins and believe that the blood of the Lamb can wash them away.  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).  After this initial cleansing, we need to continue beholding the Lamb of God every day.

Cleason Martin - Stratton, ON

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing". - Revelation 5:12

Worthy - Read: Isaiah 6

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power." - Revelation 4:11

Jacob said he was "not worthy of the least of all the mercies" that God had shown to him (Genesis 32:10).  Consider what a contrast that is to today's key verse.  the Lord God is supremely worthy of glory, honor, and power, but we are unworthy of the least of His mercies.

These eternal truths are not only factual, they are vital to our worldview and our perception of God and ourselves.  They are closely linked together.  Seeing God's worthiness clearly shows our unworthiness.  The more we see the greatness of God, the more we see our own smallness.  The more we see the power and sufficiency of God, the more we see our insufficiency and our need of Him.

In Isaiah 6, the prophet had a vision that set his perception straight.  He saw God's glorious throne and heard many angels saying, "Holy, holy, holy".  In fear he cried, "Woe is me! for I am undone; ... mine eyes have seen the King."  An angel took a live coal from the altar, touched his lips with it, and declared his sin purged.  Then God spoke: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"  Isaiah responded, "Here am I, send me."

Isaiah's perception of God's worthiness and his own unworthiness was the key to his faithful service as a prophet of God.  We also need to behold the glory of God and see our own undoneness revealed by His Word.  Such a heavenly vision produces a realistic worldview and prepares us to serve the King.  This is not a one-time mountaintop experience, but an encounter with God that makes us aware of who God is and who we are.  It produces a heavenly outlook that will affect us the rest of our life.

David Schrock - Rutherford, TN

For eternity the redeemed will sing, "Worthy is the Lamb!"

Weekend Words

I have a new devotional book: Oasis of Hope (Encouragement during Chronic Illness and Pain) - Compiled by Susan Sage.  

I heard Susan speaking on Pam Fields podcast.  And I had heard Pam speaking on Nancy Campbell's podcast (Episodes 320 and 321)

I hope you can follow all that and the links work :)  

Here is one of the devotionals in Susan's book...   

 Content in Your Goodness

"You are good and do good; teach me your statutes." - Psalm 119:68 ESV

Throughout Scripture, we read that God is good.  We may sing that God is good ... all the time.  But do we believe it?  If God is good, how do our illness and suffering fit in?

Isn't this the ageless question?  Satan, the enemy of believers in Christ, brought doubt to Eve's heart.  Satan hissed, "Did God really say that?  No, you can be wise like God.  You can know what's best for yourself."

In one sinful bite of fruit, the enemy made her and us think we are "like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5 ESV).  Because Eve rationalized her disobedience to the One Who is good, all the time, we're now born into the same sinful nature.  So, why do we think we know what's good?

Our suffering was not part of God's perfect design before the fall that we read about in Genesis 3.  His created world did not include suffering.  But is He indeed still good?

"For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." (Psalm 100:5 ESV)

If God's faithfulness extends to all generations, this means He's sovereignly acting in our suffering right now, in this generation.  If we believe His goodness, steadfast love, and His faithfulness endure, and He hasn't changed, and what He does is always good, then He is somehow doing something good, perfectly loving, and faithful for us as we suffer, right?

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 ESV)

Let's trust that our loving Father is always good, and He works our illness together for His good purposes; we will despair if we don't.  Because the enemy lies, Satan makes us doubt God's goodness.  Singing truth can help us become content in those moments. "How good is the God we adore!" (Hart, J., 1857).

What song could you sing of God's goodness today? 

- Lauri Hegle

I think this book is going to become a new favorite.  And I found the rest of the words of the song mentioned...

How good is the God we adore! Our faithful, unchangeable friend:

His love is as great as His power and knows neither measure nor end.

For Christ is the First and the Last; His Spirit will guide us safe home:

We'll praise Him for all that is past and trust Him for all that's to come.

From Beside the Still Waters...

Waiting Upon God

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." - Psalm 27:14

We tend to become impatient and to take quick action based on our feelings or desires.  Instead of being still before the Lord, patiently waiting upon Him, and seeking His will, we prefer to follow our own reasoning, take matters into our own hands, and maybe even ask God to bless our desperate plans.  But how often have we missed God's richest blessing and brought trouble and stress upon ourselves by running ahead of God in our hasty actions?  We do well to remember that the time clock of sovereign, all-wise God moves with perfect precision, though it may not be according to our thinking.

Waiting upon God does not mean being inactive in serving the Lord or ceasing our daily work.  Our charge is, "Occupy till I come" (Luke 19:13).  We should work while we wait, being in tune with our Maker and allowing Him to direct all the steps (and stops) of life's journey.  "My soul, wait thou upon God, for my expectation is from him" (Psalm 62:5).  By so doing we give evidence of faith in God and trustful confidence in His overruling hand. It involves bringing our needs and burdens to Him in prayer, with a surrendered heart and a ready, positive response to His revealed will.

In waiting upon the Lord, we acknowledge the futility of our own efforts and inadequacy of our understanding.  We depend upon the One who alone can give the help, strength, and wisdom we need.  As heaven-bound pilgrims we also eagerly anticipate the coming of our Saviour, Christ the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, 2 Thessalonians 3:5).  Until He comes, let us wait continually on Him for His divine presence and power, grace and guidance, which we need each day along the upward way.

Mark Kropf - Halsey, OR

Another long overdue update...

 There are signs of spring in my garden, although we've officially got a couple of weeks to go...

Tripping...

And last week I had a trip to Penguin with Marnie...

A pretty garden in the town...

And Marnie in a tree :)

Knitting...

I got Granddaughter Hazel's vest finished and in the mail to her in time for her 6th birthday...

I found this little bird button in my button tin which I attached to the neck...

And this baby blanket and chunky scarf will go to two of this month's charities supported by Knit4Charities...

I'm back working on other unfinished projects now.  Will show you next update :)

Reading...

I have these two books on the go at the moment...

True Community by Jerry bridges (my 'daytime dip', when having my coffee or eating lunch).

My Seventh Monsoon by Naomi Reed (my bedtime read).

One of three camellias in my garden.  The other is red and I'm not sure about the third.  I think it's also pink, but I rescued it from behind some other overgrown bushes and although it has lots of buds, they haven't opened yet.  Stay tuned...

I have 'plans' for the garden (when it stops raining and the ground dries out a bit).  Hopefully I can share next update :)

"While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night shall not cease." - Genesis 8:22

See you next time :)

xx

Weekend Words

From Be Still and Know...

"I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.  O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together." - Psalm 34:1-3

Many of the Psalms are filled with praise to God.  This Psalm is no exception.  Praise has been defined as, "the occupation of the soul with the blessings of God."

The psalmist's heart was filled with praise, but not because his life was easy.  He said, "I will praise the Lord NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS.  I will constantly speak of his glories and grace" (Psalm 34:1, LB).  In fact, when he said, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous" (v. 19), he was speaking of that which was true of his own life.

David could praise God at a time when his life was in danger.  Although he had become a homeless exile, yet he could sing praises to God.

He said, "I will bless the Lord at ALL times, his praise shall CONTINUALLY be in my mouth."  It was not just praise in his heart, but praise on his lips.  It is easy to praise the Lord in days of prosperity, but David could praise Him in times of adversity.  He could praise the Lord in EVERY circumstance.  Such melodies of praise come from the lips of those whose hearts commune with God.

We, too, can join the choir of praise.  We can praise Him at all times, in all circumstances, on good days and bad days, in health and in sickness, in sad times and glad times.  Does this seem impossible to do?  As we allow Him, the Holy Spirit will produce such a heart of constant praise to God.

George Matheson was a blind preacher of Scotland.  One time, after he had become blind, he prayed, "My God, I have not thanked Thee for my thorn.  I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses.  Teach me the value of my thorn."

"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together."

From Beside the Still Waters...

Gratitude

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

In today's Bible reading there are three main characters.  First there is Simon, who hosted a meal at his house.  Then there is a sinful woman, who came to the meal uninvited.  Finally there is the Lord Jesus, who had been invited to the meal and told a parable.  The purpose of the parable was to explain the real reason why the host was rude and why the woman was so grateful.

The parable was brief, only two verses long (verses 41-42).  It pictured two men, both deeply in debt.  One man's debt was ten times as great as the other's.  But the amount didn't really matter, for both debtors were bankrupt.  Both were equal because neither had anything to pay.  Both could have been sold as slaves to satisfy their debt.  This would have been legally right for the lender.  Both debtors were in deep trouble.

But the lender was gracious and willingly forgave both debtors.  As a result, one debtor loved the creditor much and the other loved him little.  The same difference was evident in the woman's attitude and Simon's attitude.  The woman comprehended that she was helpless to pay her debt, but Simon hardly sensed that he had a debt.

The parable may be summarized in this way: Receiving forgiveness produces love, and love produces expressions of gratitude.  So if gratitude is an expression of love based on forgiveness, lack of gratitude must be a sign that love inspired by forgiveness is missing.  The woman's heart was simply overflowing with gratitude.  Is ours?  The woman was not ashamed to be associated with Jesus.  Are we?  The woman understood that having her debt forgiven involved a sacrifice.  Do we understand this?  The woman gave the best that she had.  Will we?

Jim Yoder - Riverton, WY

Weekend Words

 From Water My Soul...

Plugged Ears

James 1:22; 1 Peter 3:8-12

When Alisha wants to be deliberately annoying to either of her brothers, she sticks her fingers in her ears when they're talking to her.  Not only will she plug her ears, but she will also move around and talk loudly.  Anything to be sure she doesn't hear what they're saying.  It's guaranteed to really irritate them.

The children of Israel, in their forty-year jaunt through the wilderness, experienced plugged ears way too often.  Hearing or reading an account of their journey always amazes me.  How could they be so blind, not to mention deaf and ungrateful?

But when I stop focusing on the children of Israel and turn my attention to modern day people, myself included, I can see that we're no different.  This is our jaunt through life, and quite a lot of us have our ears plugged too.

Perhaps we don't literally stick our fingers into them, but our ears are shut all too often just the same.  They don't hear what God is saying to us.  Or if they hear the words, the message doesn't move from the ear canal to the heart.

In the Gospels, I find that eight times Jesus instructs his followers by saying, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15; 13:9, 43; Mark 4:9, 23; 7:16; Luke 8:8; 14:35).  Eight times he told us to listen to what he is saying, to hear his words, and take them into our hearts and live them.

Because hearing the word is only the beginning.  "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22).  Having our ears plugged means our hearts are plugged too.  If a heart is full of sin and uncleanness, that can be the reason the ears refuse to hear - or to comprehend what they are hearing.

If we continue to refuse to hear, what happens?

Whan Alisha plugs her ears and keeps them plugged long enough, Cody and Matthan give up and leave her alone.  It's no fun talking to someone who refuses to listen.

God will eventually do the same if we turn a deaf ear to his call and his invitations and his pleadings.  A day will come when his voice becomes fainter, and soon we won't hear it at all anymore, even with our ears unplugged.  Then we won't be able to hear because God will have stopped calling.

But it doesn't have to be that way.  We can listen to his voice and begin to respond.  Each small step toward him will make the next words a little easier to hear, comprehend, and understand.

As long as we want to hear, want to know what he has to say, God will keep speaking to our heart and conscience.  But he does let us decide whether to unplug our ears.

Prayer: Remind me of the ways you are speaking to me today, Lord.  Help me to listen with my heart as well as my ears.

From Be Still and Know...

"Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness" (Psalm 143:10).

David was a man who lived in close companionship with God.  God was very real to him.  In the first part of Psalm 143 he brings his needs to God.  He prays, "Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications" (v.1).  "Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth" (v.7).

David began his day with God, asking God to speak to him, "Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning" (v.8).  How eagerly he must have come into God's presence each morning to hear God's Word for him for that day.  He had learned not to do all the talking.  He said, "Cause me to HEAR."  Do we take time each day to hear Him speak to us?  Is our daily prayer, "Cause ME to hear?"

Then he asked God to guide his steps in the way he should go.  "Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee" (v.8).  There must be coordination between our ears and our feet.  Not only should our ears be tuned to hear Him, but our feet should be obedient to follow His directions.

David's difficult experiences brought him to the place of complete dependence upon God.  Not only did he pray to know God's will, but that he might walk in it.  "Teach me to DO thy will; for thou art my God..."  He asked God not only to be his Teacher, but to be is Guide.  "Lead me."

Because his confidence was in God, because he had assurance of knowing, "Thou art MY GOD," he could trust God to teach him and lead him in His ways.

Is our request for God today, "TEACH ME - LEAD ME"?  We should not only ask God to teach us to do His will, but also to lead us in conformity to it.  It is more than KNOWING God's will; it is WALKING in obedience to His will.

Martin Luther said, "I may not know the way, but well do I know my Guide on the way."

From Behold the Lilies...

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." - Philippians 4:8

If these things pervade our thinking, we have enough to keep our minds occupied all day long.  We do not have the desire or time to think evil, negative thoughts that defile us.

"What thinkest thou?" (Matthew 22:17).  It is good to stop and ponder this question and evaluate your thoughts.  Are your thoughts encouraging, upbuilding, and positive?  Or are they shallow, negative, and discontent?  You probably think all the time.  Do you dwell on God's faithfulness, considering the great things He has done for you?  Do you consider the handiwork of God in nature and stand in reverence and awe before Him?  Do you ponder the path of your feet to see if you are going the direction God wants you to go?  Do you meditate and feed upon God's Word?  Do you encourage yourself to think thoughts of faith?  When you feel discouraged, does your mind turn to Jesus?  Our minds should often turn to the One who created us and sustains us.  When we are filled with Him, we will naturally consider one another.

Your thought patterns determine the kind of person you are.  "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).  Are your thoughts continually gloomy and negative, or are they beautiful, loving and godly?

Weekend Words

From Beside the Still Waters...

Acclimated to Sin - Read: Romans 1:18-32, Isaiah 3:16-24

"Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you." - Leviticus 18:24

As I approached the cattle feeder with a can of grain, my mare panicked and dashed off to the farthest corner of the pasture.  The grain was her favorite treat, but she warily kept her distance, staring at me and snorting in obvious alarm.  What was the problem?  I was wearing a flapping, rustling rain poncho in an effort to make her "slicker broke".  A week of this routine gradually acclimated her to the strange outfit, and I was finally able to ride her without triggering a rodeo show.

Horses are slow to accept anything new, but they can gradually be acclimated to accept even extremes such as passing freight trains and braking log trucks.  People are similar.  Though they may be shocked at initial encounters with ungodly language, appearances, and values, repeated exposure can result in such familiarity that these things no longer seem evil or offensive.  Socially accepted sin is the norm in our day.

The unmarried couple living together profess to be Christians and really love each other, so how could that be wrong?  the same-gender married couple are very friendly and are active in charitable and political functions, so who am I to find fault?  After all, some say, certain individuals are just born different.  But the Word of God clearly condemns these people and their actions.  Have we become so acclimated that we no longer find such perversions disturbing but rather accept them as harmless idiosyncrasies?  Do we fear being labeled as intolerant and legalistic - intimidated into silence?

In 1 Corinthians 16:14 we read, "Let all your things be done with charity."  But that never excludes speaking the truth in love.  Christian charity never sacrifices truth for tolerance of sin,

Pete Lewis - Halsey, OR

"Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" - 1 Corinthians 15:33

From Behold the Lilies...

(this devotional book is written for women therefore references women in the post, but the applications are just as relevant for men)... 

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" - Isaiah 5:20

The world's view of life is opposite from the Christian's.  The Christian woman may be tempted to move toward the world's way of thinking, but she might not realize how detrimental that can be.

The world places much emphasis on worldly riches and will stoop to committing works of darkness to obtain them.  The Christian places emphasis on spiritual riches and will suffer the loss of all things if necessary to obtain them.

The world uses forceful, hasty methods to fill their self-centered desires.  The Christian waits before the Lord with a surrendered spirit and gives glory to Him.

The world thinks a life of ease will bring happiness.  The Christian knows that a life of suffering and sacrifice for the cause of Christ will bring everlasting joy.

The world tells its young people to be somebody.  Christians tell their young people to become nobodies and to let Christ be the Somebody in their lives.

The world needs noisy entertainment to soothe its spirit.  the Christian is comforted through the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

The world does not want to think about death, but the Christian knows that death is the gateway to a better life.

The world has no time for God.  The Christian's source of power for living is God, so he makes time with God a priority.

The world is troubled by the signs of the times, but the Christian looks up, for redemption is near.

When the Christian woman stays focused on Christ, there is no room in her mind for the influences of the world.

From In Green Pastures...

Written Not With Ink

The world does not read the Bible nor come to church to hear the minister.  All it learns about Christ and the Christian life it must learn from those who bear Christ's name and represent him.  If all church-members lived truly consecrated lives - holy, beautiful, separate from the world, loyal to Christ in business, in pleasure, in all things - it is impossible to estimate what the saving power of the church would be in example alone.  It is an awful thought that professing Christians, by the inconsistencies of their personal lives, lead souls to reject the Saviour.  We are all responsible for the influence of our example.  Our lives should be New Testament pages that all could read.