Weekend Words

 From Beside the Still Waters...

Seeing Jesus - Read: Luke 19:1-10, Revelation 1:4-7

"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him." - Revelation 1:7

Today's Bible reading tells about Zacchaeus trying to see Jesus in a crowd.  He was short of stature, so he ran out ahead and climbed into a sycamore tree to see Jesus.  Zacchaeus got the surprise of his life when Jesus saw him and called him by name!  Jesus took special interest in Zacchaeus, and he experienced salvation even though the people considered him a sinner.  Zacchaeus showed real signs of repentance by his promise to give to the poor and to restore fourfold what he had taken wrongfully from others.  

Jesus takes special interest in each one of us too, and He wants us to receive salvation.  Zacchaeus saw Him in His human body, but we see Him with eyes of faith.  John 1:1 tells us that Jesus is the Word, so as we read and study the Word, we are seeing Jesus.  

In Luke 23:8, Herod was "exceeding glad" when he saw Jesus, because he had long desired to see Him.  However, Herod's motive was not right.  He hoped to see Jesus perform a miracle, but Jesus wouldn't do that.  In fact, Herod probably never heard Jesus speak a word.

After Jesus rose from the dead. His followers saw Him but nobody else did.  He appeared to His disciples a number of times, sometimes behind closed doors.  Only His disciples saw Him ascend into heaven.  Soon afterwards His followers began boldly preaching that Jesus had risen from the dead, and they were strongly opposed for it, but they would not stop telling people that they had seen Jesus alive after His resurrection.  Today's key verse says that someday "every eye shall see him."  We as His followers can already see Him today, and we need to watch every day for His return.

Benuel Glick - Palmer, MA

From In Green Pastures...

The Touch of Christ

No one can read the gospel story without being impressed with the marvelous power of Christ's touch.  Wherever it was felt blessing came.  We find ourselves sometimes mourning the loss of his touch, and wishing that we could feel it and get its benediction.  But really we have not lost it.  Christ has indeed passed out of our sight into the heavens, but his hand is stretched out still.  It is laid just as of old upon sufferers, and has lost none of its power to comfort, to heal, to open blind eyes.  Christ lays his hand upon our heads every time we bow at his feet in prayer.  When we are in trouble he comes and comforts us with his warm touch of sympathy.  When we are sick or in pain he is by our bed, and his hand is laid on our fevered brow to give rest and peace.

Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus - 

To reach out and touch Him and say that we love Him.

Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen:

O Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.

Weekend Words

From Beside the Still Waters...

True Wisdom - Read: Proverbs 2

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." - Proverbs 9:10

Today's Bible reading shows the importance of seeking wisdom diligently.  True wisdom draws us closer to God and helps us more fully understand the fear of God.  It not only gives us spiritual protection but also keeps us from making foolish choices.  This is well illustrated in Jesus' parable about the wise man who built his house on a rock, and the foolish man who built his house on sand.

True heavenly wisdom is described in James 3:17: "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."  Clearly there is a great difference between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom.  Worldly wisdom makes a person look good and sound good, but somehow it makes little difference in whether he lives an upright life.  Godly wisdom directly produces godly living.  As today's Bible reading indicates, what we do is just as important as what we say.  True wisdom is not only about talking right; it also requires doing right.  Our words carry the most weight when our walk and our talk agree.

Jesus strongly condemned hypocrisy.  He said of the scribes and Pharisees, "Therefore, whatever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not" (Matthew 23:3).  These leaders had many wise and wonderful things to say, but their lives didn't match their words.  Is it the same way with us?  Is our wisdom only in what we say?  Such wisdom is earthly and has little value.  It is a stumbling block for those who follow us as examples.  Let's pray that God would give us a plentiful supply of the "wisdom that is from above."

Titus Yoder - Thorndike, ME

"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." - James 3:13

From Amish Peace...

Light of the World

"You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.  Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house." - Matthew 5:14-15

September is a time when Amish children head back to school.  Many believe that Amish children only attend school in one-room schoolhouses, but many Amish scholars also go to public school.  Once, I even met an Amish man who taught at a public school!

So what is it like to attend public school as an Amish person?  Elizabeth Coblentz, author of The Amish Cook, describes it this way:

When I was at school age, we went to a two-room public school.  First to fourth grade were in one room (the little side), and fifth through eighth was called the "big side".  A room for lunch buckets and coats divided the two.  Then we moved to a different place, which brought us to grade nine and a high school.  Was so different from a country school of eight grades.  At the high school, they served a noon lunch, but who could afford it? ... 

When our eight children went to public school where lunch was prepared, I thought it was healthier to let them eat a warm meal at school.  Made less work to pack the lunch and keep those buckets clean.

As you can imagine, Amish students will stand out among their peers in public school - from their faith to the way they dress to the size of their families.  They aren't your typical students.  Yet standing out isn't always a bad thing.  God calls us to be salt and light in this world.  In our daily lives, we will often interact with those who are different from us in some way.  Instead of being intimidated by the situation, we have a chance to share God's love with those who may never have heard about Him.  When someone takes note of you because you are different, use it as your chance to shine the light of Jesus in that person's life!

Dear heavenly Father, I often feel awkward when I am different from those around me.  Help me to use any attention I receive to glorify You.

I am a humble pensioner, myself, for my daily bread;

Shall I forget my brothers who seem in greater need?

I know not how it happened that I have more than they,

Unless God meant that I should give a larger part away.

The humblest wayside beggar and I have wants the same,

Close side by side we walked when God called out one name.

So, brother, it but happened the name he called was mine;

The food was given for both - here, half of it is thine."

- Helen Hunt Jackson

Weekend Words

 From Beside the Still Waters...

Trachselwald Castle

The Trachselwald Castle - Read: Luke 12:33-59

"For unto whom much is given, of him shall much be required." - Luke 12:48

The Trachselwald Castle is prominently situated on a hill in the fertile Emmental Valley of Switzerland.  This castle is over a thousand years old and stands today much as it did when Anabaptist believers farmed the Emmental Valley.  Within the castle tower are cells constructed out of heavy lumber.  A cell often has iron chains fastened to the stone walls, with shackles on the other ends.  There is a crude bed with stocks for holding prisoner's feet, and a slot in the door where food was passed through.

In the 1500s and 1600s, scored of Anabaptists were taken to the Trachselwald Castle.  They were imprisoned and tortured, and many were martyred.  One of those imprisoned was my seventh-generation grandfather, a Mennonite minister, who is also the ancestor of most plain people in America with the Martin name.

Most readers of this devotional can freely practice their religion but many of the believers in the world still gather in secret because of persecution.  We should be thankful for the freedom to assemble publicly with other believers, sing hymns of worship to the Lord, preach the Gospel, and study the Scriptures.  We park our cars in a church parking lot and assemble in a building to worship without fear.  What we do with this privilege carries a great responsibility and will have effects in eternity.

These blessings were bought with a high price, first by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  Then they were passed down through the generations with much sacrifice and suffering.  In various ways we are like the servant who was given five talents.  Let us all be diligent and use these blessings to advance God's kingdom, so that we can hear the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

Lester K. Burkholder - Womelsdorf, PA

The Three Dimensions of Thanksgiving - Read: Luke 17:11-19, 2 Timothy 3:1-5

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: ... abounding therein with thanksgiving." - Colossians 2:6-7

Having a thankful spirit with genuine appreciation for our many blessings is the first dimension of thanksgiving.  With the exception of the chronic complainers, the bitter, the never-satisfied grumblers, most people fit into this category to varying degrees.  The second dimension is not only to feel thankful but also to express gratitude sincerely to the One from whom all blessings flow.  Jesus healed ten lepers, but though nine of them assuredly were very thankful, they never passed beyond the first dimension.  Yet the second dimension was never intended to be a dead end either.

Thanksgiving is an action word that involves not only our emotions and words but also our doings.  We do not have the option of keeping to ourselves the things God gives us.  Spiritual, material, or even emotional blessings are entrusted to us to be shared, not hoarded.  Paul wrote, "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2).  Being faithful stewards is the third dimension of thanksgiving.  It builds on the foundation of a thankful spirit, and it expresses heartfelt appreciation to our Lord for His bountiful blessings - but it does not end there.  If we are faithful stewards, we will use our blessings to glorify God and extend His kingdom, and we will generously share our time, talents, and finances with the poor and suffering.

Upon the conclusion of a soul-searching message, one man informed the minister that he had been deeply challenged.  "Good," replied the minister.  "Now what are you going to do about it?"  The same question applies to us who know that we are stewards of God's bountiful gifts.  What are we going to do about it?

Pete Lewis - Halsey, OR 

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." - Galatians 6:10

Flowers Leave Their Fragrance on the Hand that Bestows Them

There's an old Chinese proverb that if practiced each day

Would change the whole world in a wonderful way.

Its truth is so simple, it's easy to do,

And it works every time and successfully, too.

For you can't do a kindness without a reward

Not in silver or gold but in joy from the Lord.

You can't light a candle to show others the way

Without feeling the warmth of that bright little ray,

And you can't pluck a rose all fragrant with dew

Without part of its fragrance remaining on you.

- Helen Steiner Rice

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