Every morning when our family goes their separate ways to work and school I pray. One thing I always ask God to do is to "deliver us all safely home at the end of this day."
During a recent time of devotions I was struck with the thought that my heart was "off" in this prayer. In my heart I was asking God to protect our family while they are out of the house but once they had been safely returned, I was back in control.
The truth is, we are not any more or less safe at home than anywhere else. Our safety is in the Lord and our protection is under His wing.
Where ever we travel, together or separately, if we walk with Jesus, we are safe at home. No matter what our outward circumstances look like, we remain in His care.
I still pray for the protection and safe return of my family to our home. However, my heart is different now. Now, I know that when we all return safely together we have been blessed with another evening as a family gathered together in the protection of the Lord.
Random Thoughts and Verses on Wisdom
Wisdom is better than weapons of war...
Ecclesiastes 9:18a
Sometimes I get too caught up in fighting my battles with worldly weapons.
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee...
Proverbs 2:10-11
I shall be protected by discretion when I value the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord, not my own thoughts and plans.
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
Wisdom of the Lord includes knowing when to act in His will.
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7
The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.
Proverbs 9:10
Ditch the Guilt
Have you ever been weighed down with guilt?
Have you ever doubted that you are truly forgiven of a sin because you return to it again and again.
This is what Jesus said about how often we are to forgive others:
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22
Would our Lord ask more of us than He is willing to do himself? Of course not.
So, accept your forgiveness and get out from under the cloud of guilt.
When you walk in the mercy of God, you will be stronger and more able to claim victory over your sins.
Life - Not for the Faint of Heart
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. Proverbs 16:31
Last week I had a very special visit with my Great Aunt in South Carolina. She is an amazing woman. At 89 she still lives independently, drives and has a sharp mind. I spent 8 days soaking in all the wisdom I could.
Uncle Ned died 24 years ago and she still misses him. She speaks fondly of him often. A friend of hers was widowed a few years ago and Aunt Mary said she is dwelling in grief too much. She said, "You've got to pick up the pieces and move on. I know what I'm talking about." She is very strong.
She has seen her share of troubles and heartache in her long life. Yet, she is happy and feels blessed each day. She has found the answer to living an abundant life.
... I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10
An abundant life is not one that is free of difficulty. It is a life lived with deep joy in the midst of grief and pain. It is being thankful and making the most of the good times and resting in the shelter of the Lord when times get tough.
An abundant life is one in which we can look up from from the valley and see the mountain top.
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. John 16:33
I am thankful that Aunt Mary knows this and has passed it on through her example. She is a great woman and a great blessing to all who know her.
Youth is wasted on the young - George Bernard Shaw
The Stealth of Envy
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. Proverbs 14:30
Envy has a way of creeping up on me. I'm not really a "stuff" kind of person so I don't envy cars, clothes, jewelry, etc. My temptations are sneaky and less obvious. I envy things that are good and worthy.
The last few days I have found myself discouraged about my garden. My purpose in gardening is to provide lots of food for my family. Sounds worthy right? Well, I have been seeing gardens that are much nicer and more productive than mine and it really started to stress me out. I started feeling sluggish and not wanting to even look at my yard.
This morning I realized I had fallen into envy. I need to reclaim my "sound heart" to bring back the life to my flesh. I need to do my best with what the Lord has provided and then find contentment in that. Honestly, this is easier said than done.
Today I will push though this dark cloud of envy to find the "great gain" of contentment. I will walk in victory through the strength of the Lord.
No Defense
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:12
I was amazed at the comments from readers that followed the articles. There was vicious obscene name calling against Christians. Dozens of people shared the view that Christians are the cause of all the world's problems.
I am well aware that there is malice against the children of God and that Christians are martyred daily around the world. I don't know why, but today, these hateful words struck me deeply. I knew there was no use in using logic to try to convince these people.
I felt helpless as they slandered my brothers and sisters and my God. I decided I was done with the internet, done with blogging and done with the world. I would retreat into my safe haven of home and church. No longer would I put my thoughts and expressions of faith in a venue that was open to such attack.
Then I went to church. Today's message came from 1 Peter 2 and was full of wisdom.
It is clear that the world needs the love of Christ shown through His people. Even those who will never accept us or the words we say, need to hear and see us. We need to represent Christ in such a way that they have no defense for their behavior. There will come a day when they have to answer for it. I pray they turn to the Truth before then. However, if they do not, I pray that my actions are in no way a cause of their rebellion.
Wait on the Lord
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalms 27:14
It seems I am always waiting. Waiting for answers, for healing, for Spring, for tomorrow. Waiting for some time other than today, right now.
What then? When I get "there" (where ever that may be) is that when I start living? Is that when I decide it is okay to relax now? Or is that when I find something else for which to wait?
To be sure, it is good to plan for the future. Where there is no vision, the people perish pr. 29:18.
However, I need to ask, for what future am I planning? What is the ultimate goal of this plan? If it is not eternity then I am bound for disappointment, bound to step from trial to trial waiting for an earthly rest that will never be attained. With eternity in sight I can celebrate every victory in Jesus, even those disguised as failures.
As Matthew Henry said, "this earth is the land of the dying." One way or another, some sooner, some later, our earthly bodies will reach the end of their appointed days. Then all our waiting will be over. How will I have spent those days? To profit eternity or clinging to a never-to-be-realized hope?
Lord, teach me to wait patiently and in that waiting to rejoice and be fruitful.
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