“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work?”                2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

Meal delivery services that include all the ingredients and recipe cards are pretty popular with me.  I love the fact that the meal planning and the shopping has all been done ahead of arriving on my front porch. Being somewhat of a foodie, I love the variety, and learning new cooking techniques.  At times, I look at the recipes and scratch my head. I just can’t see some of the ingredients fitting together in the same meal, but if I follow the recipe as it is written and put aside my personal limitations, I am usually happily surprised by a great tasting meal.

The Bible is the recipe for life.  How many times have I read something and questioned it. If I add my own insight but leave out the Recipe Writers’ intent, what will the outcome be?  If I follow the recipe as it is written, Gods promises are revealed and His truths are made apparent.  I am left with a beautiful feast.  Matthew 4:4 says, “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 

The instruction is very simple. Follow the recipe word for word, don’t question the ingredients, and trust the outcome to the Author.

Heavenly Father, Thank You that You are the Author of the instruction manual for our lives.  Help us to live word for word and not question Your authority by challenging Your Word.

For Today:  Have you ever read something in the Bible that you think doesn’t apply to you?  Write that down and take a second look.  What does the Bible say about that specifically? Are you missing out on the blessing of the feast by leaving out some of the ingredients because you may think they won’t work?

“in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Psalm 56:11 NIV

I was so looking forward to the downtime promised in the word …vacation.  Until, it happened.

I read in the information about the summer cabin high in the woods, that phone service was intermittent. I can do intermittent.  But there wasn’t mention of NO SERVICE as those words flashed across the top of my phone, taunting me. I was anxious, my palms were wet with sweat.  It was uncomfortable.  I was grumpy.  I went for a walk sure that I would find a signal. I went to the bottom of the hill toward the little town.  Nothing.  I walked back to the cabin resolved that I had no phone service.  It was quite the hill, unnoticed as I scampered down it phone in one hand, eyes focused on those two little words, NO SERVICE. I took me a while as I navigated the mile of 30 degree incline back to the cabin. I felt better that I had tried. I failed, but I tried.

Self realization, “You lived before without a phone 24/7, you can do it again”.  What did I have to lose?  I leaned into the uncomfort and remembered that growth occurs in these types of situations. I changed my perspective and sought to see what I would learn.  I didn’t die as I was sure would happen without phone service.

It was a trust thing. I had to trust that God would take care of all those imaginary scenarios bouncing around in my head because I was unavailable by phone. What does that say? The world can’t go on unless I help it? Hmmm. My family will suffer if I am unavailable by phone?  Hmmm. That speaks volumes about how important I think I am…

Growth is not easy, but it is worth it. After the minor meltdown, I rested in the facts. The world would not stop spinning and I was going to be just fine in spite of myself.

Heavenly Father, Thank You that You are in the details and in You I can trust.  Thank You for allowing the growth opportunity to help me realize that I am not as important as I thought.

For Today:  Has God blessed you with a growth opportunity recently?  What lesson did you learn about Him during this time?

 

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  2 Peter 5:8 NIV

Escaping to the pines in the heat of the summer is very popular in our hot summer desert climate.  The cool temperatures are ideal to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of the area. It is not uncommon to see a large variety of wildlife; deer, antelope, raccoons, bears, eagles.

We recently rented a cabin in this ideal area to enjoy the 40 degree difference.  The little town high in the mountains sits at the end of the road. Cabins spider out from Main Street in the slow sleepy town. People walk along the road to get to the fishing hole or to the couple of restaurants in town.  It’s just a laid back easy going town with a lot of character.

As we explored the area around our cabin we saw that the trash cans had large teeth marks in them and then later found a bear track.  We saw the signs and knew he had to be near but we couldn’t see him.  We took precautions at night to make sure there was no food left out and the trash cans were secure.  The porch lights were on until bedtime.  Anything that we could do to discourage the beast that left its mark was going to be done.

 

 

Isn’t the devil like that, he leaves his marks all over for us to see.  His carnage.  Are we able to truly see and recognize his mark on this world?  Do we ignore the signs that he is near?  Are we frightened enough to take precautions from being devoured?

In Job, Satan was in the presence of God with the angels.  “The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the Lord, ‘From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.’” (Job 1:7 NIV)

Don’t be deceived, he is near. If you are unaware or unable to see Satan’s marks, study the Word of God and discover his tactics.  Then they will be as obvious as the bear tracks left for us to see.

Satan lurks… are you prepared?

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word that paints a picture of Satan so that our eyes are open to his ways.  Help us to recognize where he is and to use precautions to avoid his traps.  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

For Today:  Where do you recognize Satan’s marks?  What precautions are you setting up in your life to keep from being devoured?

 

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  James 1:17 NIV

Occasionally, my imagination runs wild in trying to make human sense of the God of the Universe.  My problem in wrestling with truth is that I lack full knowledge and wisdom to completely understand.  My mind will usually create a scene as I work through these truths.  Literally.

I picture God, sitting in a big chair, handing out talents to those at His feet.  He puts His hand to His chin and rubs His beard, a pensive look on His face, listening and searching.  He gives this one the gift of song, another the gift of artistry, another the gift of teaching, and yet another, physical aptitude. There is not an abundance of any one thing, but just enough to make us value these special gifts. You know the saying about too much of a good thing…

Then I think to myself, “What happens to those gifts that are not exercised or under-utilized?”.  I think about whether or not He chooses someone else to carry the gift, or if He just knows this beforehand and works it into the balance.  In my human perspective, I see hurt.  Total rejection of an out-held gift.

What is the impact of a gift without the share, the carry? Audience of one, me? Is that why great singers always want a stage? It that why artist’s long to show their work? It’s the share that drives them.  And in the share, the honor goes to the Giver of Gifts.

Isn’t that what makes the ultimate gift of Jesus so powerful?  The share?

It’s ALL in the share.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for the Perfect Gift, Jesus. Thank you for our good gifting that only in the share will have the impact that You designed.  Thank You for the opportunity to bring glory and honor to You.  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen. 

For Today:  Have you discovered your talent or gifting?  Are you using this to further His kingdom or are you holding close the gift and not exercising the share?

 

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.”  1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV)

I walk out to the apple tree.  Its thick trunk stands strong with the limbs straining under the weight of abundance.  I pluck off a big red apple.  Holding it in my hand, I consider all the potential this fruit holds within itself.  Although all the fruit looks alike, the potential is unique to each piece. It could end up pie on a dinner table, warm cider on a crisp fall day, or simply enjoyed just as it is off the tree.   Any use of the apple brings it to its full potential, its beneficial use.

The apple also holds the treasure of new life inside; seeds.  There are 5 compartments in the center of the apple that hold these seeds.  However, the number of seeds is relative to the vitality of the tree and varies from apple to apple.

Let’s consider for a moment that each member of the church is an apple.  Although we look alike in our humanness, we are all very unique in our gifting; our use of what God gave us to serve the body.  We will all live out our potential differently. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NIV), “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.”   We are all part of One.

We also share the truth that, as believers, we all hold the same seed to life within us. The responsibility falls on us to spread our seeds of life through the sharing of the Gospel.  We will not all be gifted evangelists but we do have the same power to showcase the Gospel through our lives and actions.  Once the seed is planted, the work is then the Lord’s.

He grew the apple tree from a single seed and from that tree came many seeds.  He will do the same thing through us, if we let Him.

Father, Thank You for life through Your Seed, Jesus.  Thank you for equipping us to contribute as part of the church body and thank You for the opportunity to share life seeds with those who don’t know You. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”  2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)

A new day, a blank page. There is nothing to write on the journal page as the day’s story just starts to unfold.  A sense of excitement lifts my soul.  I dream … I think about all the beauty that will fill this page by evening.  Optimism whitewashes reality.

What will this empty page hold? Will it be words of encouragement or the cutting words of a hurt soul? Will it be full of celebrations for victories or laments for poor choices?

It’s up to us … how to spend the time, how to fill the page.

We fill the minutes, to fill the hours, to fill the day. Each moment, a pixel.  As the moments are filled, a mosaic of the day develops. Light versus dark, contrasting, and complimenting moments.  An abstract image reveals itself.  Is it recognizable or is the mosaic still being refined?  Does it have shape or is it just randomness?

At the end of the day, I want to look back and see a sharper and sharper mosaic of Christ on my life’s pages.  I want the dark to contrast the light in such a powerful way, that the light shines brighter… glory bright.

Father, Thank You for working out our moment’s, one at a time, to create the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ on our life’s pages.  In His precious name, Amen. 

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”  1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)

There he stood, all 3 feet and 3 years of himself.  His hands were full with a small cup in each as he carried them to the trash can under the attentive eye of his mother.  I glanced his way as I waited for friends in front of the church. He had on a pair of sunglasses … upside down… and then I noticed that he was missing a lens.  I almost broke out in applause for the mother who didn’t hinder her son from wearing those sunglasses in public.

This young lad inspired me.

In wearing his imperfect on the outside, he was reflecting the absolute beauty of being perfectly imperfect.

His perceived message was that he didn’t care what anyone thought of his outward appearance as long as he was happy with himself.  I want the freedom this young man’s untarnished youth brought, unfettered by preconceived notions and expectations.

I am… sadly… soiled by society.  There is an unspoken rule that I cannot wear my sunglasses upside down on my head while missing a lens.  It’s just not right by their standards.

That’s when God says … it doesn’t matter.  The Message Bible says it in this way, “What matters is not your outer appearance – the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes but your inner disposition.” 1 Peter 3:3-4 (MSG)

As much as it tempts me, I will not be wearing my sunglasses upside down on my head with one lens.  But, I will smile and remember that the important thing is that I spend as much time on nurturing the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit as I do on taking care of the outside shell.  And in doing so, embrace the perfectly imperfect with a grateful heart.

Father, Thank You for the lessons we learn through others. Thank You for Your wisdom in reminding us that it is really “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” that You treasure.  Help us to polish that treasure as a fragrant offering to You.  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

 

“There is a time for everything, and  season for every activity under heaven … a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,”  Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 4 NIV

Looking in the mirror, an aging face is reflected back at me. They say time marches on, but did it have to march on all over my face? I laugh. Curiously, I contort my face to identify the source of these permanent lines.  “Character lines”, one of my close friends says …  I roll my eyes.

I determine that my “character lines” reveal a lot about my life and I am settled.  During my contortion exercise, I determine that the most prevalent lines are laugh lines; the endearing lines from grinning. Yes!  On that note, I accept the definition of character lines.

I also notice some subtle lines. Worry lines, the furrowed brow lines.  These lines are not deeply ingrained in my face. Don’t get me wrong, worry can creep into my life like a sneaky snake but I don’t allow it to get a choke hold on me. This is a discipline, not an innate ability.

I am pleased with my morning exercise and ponder whether or not there is a cream for the worry lines but I want to keep the laugh lines as a reminder of a life filled with belly laughs and joy.  I truly believe God is honored by the joy in our lives and in those moments when you laugh till you cry and you are bent over holding your gut. It may not be the prettiest time but I think the Lord laughs with us, which makes it a beautiful moment.

Father, Thank You for laughter. Thank You for a sense of humor and in showing us Your funny side in creation.  Cause who doesn’t smile when you see a puppy play, an awkward colt run, or a toddler navigate a new world?  Thank You for being You and creating us in Your image. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.”  Psalm 62:5 ESV

Merriam-Webster defines the word still as “calm, tranquil, free from noise or turbulence”.  Still is not a word ever used to describe myself. My character is quite the opposite, although gentle in appearance, the underside is turbulent … noisy.  I read through the scriptures and see the word still and am drawn to all it embodies but it is seemingly a far reach like a distant shoreline.  Holding new treasures brought in with the waves and rested there for anyone to grasp.

My busy mind wanders in the “stillness”. Never really knowing where we end up on the other side of still. I try to quiet my mind by doing a little exercise. Time.  Let’s be still for one minute. “Has it been a minute? What am I supposed to be doing during this still time? What if I miss still?”, my mind races. Frustration builds.

The house is quiet. Still does not come. I figure I will still my mind as I lay down. I must have missed still between a thought and sleep.  I will try again.

I am wound so tight from time demands that still seems to be a waste of time.  I pray for Him to still my mind so that I can hear from Him but then we go on to chat about other things.  In His Own Words, He has called me to be still… to be silent before Him and wait. I listen.

The intrusive thoughts fade.  My jaw unclenches. I recall still from being underwater.  I can literally feel my body float gently with the current while all I hear is my breath.  Still … it’s peaceful. Now in the true silence, I am free to hear.

Father, Thank You for the instruction to be still. Thank You for the gentle reminders that treasure is often discovered in the stillness. I pray as we practice stilling, we are able to hear Your great wisdom and guidance. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

“Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”  Luke 24:45 NIV

Have you ever seen a duck land in water? It is not the most graceful moment in the flight of the duck. It is quite awkward and uncoordinated.  The duck seems to trip into the landing. It can be quite entertaining to watch and results are typically a duck swimming in the pool of water, but getting there is not by any means pretty.

This is exactly how I feel sometimes when I am trying to understand God’s word.  I feel awkward and don’t always land gracefully or even in the right pond at times.  But I keep trying.  I battle with things in my mind trying to make sense of them, trying to understand.  Understanding is knowledge and that is what I seek.  A true understanding of what truths the Scriptures hold as buried treasure.

In the midst of the struggle for understanding, I pray. I wait. I listen. Then, just like the duck after the awkward landing, I am gracefully maneuvering through the water thanks to the help of the Father.

I’m going to go practice my landings. Won’t you come with me?

Father, Thank You for opening our minds so that we can land on understanding through the help of the Spirit. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.