On February 13, 2012, I wrote a posted titled True Colors. I wrote of a cup that I had purchased at our church during a particular sermon series called Counter Cultural. The cup was one that changed colors with the temperature of the beverage in it. For instance, with my morning coffee, it turned white. With iced tea it remained black. Heat caused it to turn white and it was a pretty, bright white.
This summer I carried my cup in my car and left it out a couple of times. When I went back to my car it was obvious that the temperature had caused it to turn white. What I noticed however, was that the color "white" was a little more dull and a little less bright.
I was saddened that leaving it out in high temperatures had affected the effictiveness of the cup. Again, it reminded me that we who are in Christ are different. We shine bright and show his radiance by staying in His Word and honoring and obeying Him.
It is unfortunate that when we slip up, we become like that cup. It was in the unprotected elements long enough that it finally lost it's brilliance. It became dull and although it still reacts with heat, the change is a gray, dull color rather than the bright white. It changes colors but you have to look close to see that there is truly a difference.
Can't that happen to us? Can't we fall out of fellowship and wonder off into the ways of the world to where we eventually just fit in to that element? Rather than shining and being different, we merely begin fitting in and it is diffiult for others to see the difference.
I pray that my life will never lose the radiance of Jesus Christ. I pray that I will remain obedient and honor Him in all his ways. I pray that it is obvious to others that I serve the one true God. I don't want to be a part of the element that causes others to question my who I serve.
Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning for there are some who are ignorant of God-I say this to your shame.
1 Corinthians 15:33-34
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Water your own yard
This season, we have been studying the book by Ed Young, Jr. Fatal Distractions. It has really been eye opener for me. Issues that we see as "Seven Deadly Sins" but really don't apply to us. Could they?
Last night we studied envy. One of the questions posed was "Is there a difference between jealousy and envy?" We learned that there is. The definition as given in the book was an eye opener:
Envy-being sad about someone else's successes or blessings and glad about someone else's failures or troubles.
Jealousy-to have a desire for something that is rightfully yours.
Big difference I would say. As I think of Cain and Abel, I have often heard that Cain was "jealous" of his brother but I would venture to say that Cain was envious. Young also stated in the book that "Envy sets up a person to lie in order to get what others have and what he thinks he should have."
When God looked on Abel's offering with favor, Cain's anger began to surface. He was not happy at Abel's "successes or blessings" and he made a move to kill him. He deceived his brother to going into the field and then killed him. Cain then lied to God when God asked "Where is your brother?"
Like many of us, Cain's envy overpowered him to the point of "taking out his brother." How many times do we allow that to happen to us? Many times for things not really worth the effort. Oh we don't literally kill them but with words and actions, we may kill their spirit and it doesn't even faze us. When it's all said and done we discover that many times the consequences of our actions are much greater than our desire to have what we want.
In Genesis 4 after God decleared Cain's punishment, Cain cried out "My punishment is more than I can bear." We might be envious of someone else's possessions, positions, or status and we might actually go after them in search of gaining what they have.
There was a story of a genie in the book where a man was given a wish. He was told "...whatever you wish for, I will give double measure to the person you envy so much." The man thought it over for a moment then said "I wish for one blind eye." That is the spirit of envy! He would continue to see while the one he envied most would be blind.
Envy has a driving force. Today's society of bigger and better feeds that drive. It is ugly! So before you envy your friend, family member, coworker, or anyone else, stop and think of what the consequences might be. I would venture to guess that had Cain worked a little harder and had a heart for God like Abel did, God would have honored him to.
Envy is rightfully called the "green eyed monster." Instead of "eying" what others have and being sad that they are successful, we could put that effort in to our own successes.
I heard someone say "Yes, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence but that's because it's being watered!"
So water your own yard and then you won't have to envy what someone else has.
Therefore rid yourselves of all malice, and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
1 Peter 2:1
Fatal Distractions/Envy, 2000-Thomas Nelson, Inc. Ed Young, Jr.
Last night we studied envy. One of the questions posed was "Is there a difference between jealousy and envy?" We learned that there is. The definition as given in the book was an eye opener:
Envy-being sad about someone else's successes or blessings and glad about someone else's failures or troubles.
Jealousy-to have a desire for something that is rightfully yours.
Big difference I would say. As I think of Cain and Abel, I have often heard that Cain was "jealous" of his brother but I would venture to say that Cain was envious. Young also stated in the book that "Envy sets up a person to lie in order to get what others have and what he thinks he should have."
When God looked on Abel's offering with favor, Cain's anger began to surface. He was not happy at Abel's "successes or blessings" and he made a move to kill him. He deceived his brother to going into the field and then killed him. Cain then lied to God when God asked "Where is your brother?"
Like many of us, Cain's envy overpowered him to the point of "taking out his brother." How many times do we allow that to happen to us? Many times for things not really worth the effort. Oh we don't literally kill them but with words and actions, we may kill their spirit and it doesn't even faze us. When it's all said and done we discover that many times the consequences of our actions are much greater than our desire to have what we want.
In Genesis 4 after God decleared Cain's punishment, Cain cried out "My punishment is more than I can bear." We might be envious of someone else's possessions, positions, or status and we might actually go after them in search of gaining what they have.
There was a story of a genie in the book where a man was given a wish. He was told "...whatever you wish for, I will give double measure to the person you envy so much." The man thought it over for a moment then said "I wish for one blind eye." That is the spirit of envy! He would continue to see while the one he envied most would be blind.
Envy has a driving force. Today's society of bigger and better feeds that drive. It is ugly! So before you envy your friend, family member, coworker, or anyone else, stop and think of what the consequences might be. I would venture to guess that had Cain worked a little harder and had a heart for God like Abel did, God would have honored him to.
Envy is rightfully called the "green eyed monster." Instead of "eying" what others have and being sad that they are successful, we could put that effort in to our own successes.
I heard someone say "Yes, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence but that's because it's being watered!"
So water your own yard and then you won't have to envy what someone else has.
Therefore rid yourselves of all malice, and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
1 Peter 2:1
Fatal Distractions/Envy, 2000-Thomas Nelson, Inc. Ed Young, Jr.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
He's my son
The other day, I sat with my son in his room and we had a good discussion. He has come to the point in life where we have to expand our boundaries. He is a senior now and next year he will be going off to college. I have always told my self "I'm ready." "I really am ready!" Who am I kidding?
As parents, we often think on the day when our kids will eventually leave our home. We have had two leave already and he is our last to go. The day we sat and talked, I knew he was injured about an incident that had taken place. He was feeling a mix of emotions and together, we worked through it.
I recall watching the movie The Green Mile where the prisoner (Michael Duncan) took on people's ailments, injuries and hurts. He got a hold of the correction officer (Tom Hanks) and "took on" his ailment and relieving Hanks of his pain and trouble. As a result, a great friendship was formed even to death.
I wish it worked that way. I really do. I would take on my son's pain, injury, hurts, and ailments so that he would not ever suffer. Unfortunately, God's Word tells us that's how we grow, it's how we are refined, it's how we build character.
I recall going to bed that night telling God-I want it! Give it to me....give me my son's pain but relieve him of it. Yes...we all make mistakes, we speak to much and often listen too little but when the reprucussions come, we just want relief.
I told God "give me his pain, I don't want to see him sad or troubled.....he's my son!" and as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I heard "..and HE was MY son!" Jesus IS God's son and he did suffer to the point of death for us. He sufferred ridicule, pain, injury, troubles, criticism, and still he went to the cross to give me eternal life and our Heavenly Father watched as his son did that for us.
We don't want our children to suffer even for a moment, but it is inevitable. My prayer is that my son will recognize that through it all, the God who gave his own son, will never leave him.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose....He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:28 & 32
I love you Matthew Eller!
As parents, we often think on the day when our kids will eventually leave our home. We have had two leave already and he is our last to go. The day we sat and talked, I knew he was injured about an incident that had taken place. He was feeling a mix of emotions and together, we worked through it.
I recall watching the movie The Green Mile where the prisoner (Michael Duncan) took on people's ailments, injuries and hurts. He got a hold of the correction officer (Tom Hanks) and "took on" his ailment and relieving Hanks of his pain and trouble. As a result, a great friendship was formed even to death.
I wish it worked that way. I really do. I would take on my son's pain, injury, hurts, and ailments so that he would not ever suffer. Unfortunately, God's Word tells us that's how we grow, it's how we are refined, it's how we build character.
I recall going to bed that night telling God-I want it! Give it to me....give me my son's pain but relieve him of it. Yes...we all make mistakes, we speak to much and often listen too little but when the reprucussions come, we just want relief.
I told God "give me his pain, I don't want to see him sad or troubled.....he's my son!" and as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I heard "..and HE was MY son!" Jesus IS God's son and he did suffer to the point of death for us. He sufferred ridicule, pain, injury, troubles, criticism, and still he went to the cross to give me eternal life and our Heavenly Father watched as his son did that for us.
We don't want our children to suffer even for a moment, but it is inevitable. My prayer is that my son will recognize that through it all, the God who gave his own son, will never leave him.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose....He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:28 & 32
I love you Matthew Eller!
Friday, September 21, 2012
Can you hear me now?
Several weeks ago I almost got myself in trouble. I took a trip to Dallas and as I left the city, I was driving behind a pickup truck. It was older and had "junk" in the bed of the truck. Upon closer examination, I discovered that there was an old pay phone in the mix of the stuff.
Of course I am intrigued by things of the past. I love antiques but even more so, I love the story they tell. I followed this truck through red light after red light contemplating what my next step would be. I thought that I would approach the driver, an elderly man, and offer to pay him for this "old" pay phone.
I was adamant that I was to have that pay phone. I already envisioned in my mind, teaching a Bible Study lesson using that phone. I just had to have it and I needed a plan. I even prayed about how to get it. I drove on and it just appeared that it was destiny that I get it. We stopped at every light! It was early in the morning about 6:30AM and the sun was peering out so bright. It was a good morning to benefit from a great find.
Then just for a moment I thought that with every passing day, our technology changes more and more. I remember when bag phones first came out and how everyone longed to have one. Then came flip phones, razors, iphones and the growth continues.
It got me to thinking...like that old pay phone in that truck, are we stuck on the old when we try to communicate with God? Do we do fail to grow in our prayer life? Are we so busy, tired, or pre-occupied to pray. Do we say thank you for my food, thank you for the day or thank you for the weather and then end it?
When Jesus spoke with the Father, He went to a place where He was alone and communicated with him. Not by making demands or His own wish list but by asking for God's will to be done. We have become a society so busy that there is hardly any down time. We are on the phone when we wake up, at the grocery store, at public restaurants and yes-even in public restrooms! We are always talking on the phone.
I wondered if we calculated the time we are on the phone how it would outweigh the time we talk to God. I also wondered if in talking to God, I was stuck using an old pay phone when all along, the iphone5 was available. Today, we can even talk face to face on a phone. How do you communicate with God? Are you really talking to him or are you stuck on the "Can you hear me now?" God stands ready to listen for those who are ready to meet and communicate with him.
Call unto me and I will answer thee and show you great and mighty things which thou knowest not.
Jeremiah 33:3
By the way, I did not approach the man. Instead, I left him at a red light and turned right as I headed for the freeway.
Of course I am intrigued by things of the past. I love antiques but even more so, I love the story they tell. I followed this truck through red light after red light contemplating what my next step would be. I thought that I would approach the driver, an elderly man, and offer to pay him for this "old" pay phone.
I was adamant that I was to have that pay phone. I already envisioned in my mind, teaching a Bible Study lesson using that phone. I just had to have it and I needed a plan. I even prayed about how to get it. I drove on and it just appeared that it was destiny that I get it. We stopped at every light! It was early in the morning about 6:30AM and the sun was peering out so bright. It was a good morning to benefit from a great find.
Then just for a moment I thought that with every passing day, our technology changes more and more. I remember when bag phones first came out and how everyone longed to have one. Then came flip phones, razors, iphones and the growth continues.
It got me to thinking...like that old pay phone in that truck, are we stuck on the old when we try to communicate with God? Do we do fail to grow in our prayer life? Are we so busy, tired, or pre-occupied to pray. Do we say thank you for my food, thank you for the day or thank you for the weather and then end it?
When Jesus spoke with the Father, He went to a place where He was alone and communicated with him. Not by making demands or His own wish list but by asking for God's will to be done. We have become a society so busy that there is hardly any down time. We are on the phone when we wake up, at the grocery store, at public restaurants and yes-even in public restrooms! We are always talking on the phone.
I wondered if we calculated the time we are on the phone how it would outweigh the time we talk to God. I also wondered if in talking to God, I was stuck using an old pay phone when all along, the iphone5 was available. Today, we can even talk face to face on a phone. How do you communicate with God? Are you really talking to him or are you stuck on the "Can you hear me now?" God stands ready to listen for those who are ready to meet and communicate with him.
Call unto me and I will answer thee and show you great and mighty things which thou knowest not.
Jeremiah 33:3
By the way, I did not approach the man. Instead, I left him at a red light and turned right as I headed for the freeway.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Leave the stump
When I write in my blog, I usually do not use material or scripture that comes from my own personal devotion. God usually shows me material that does not require me taking from somewhere else but today.....today I have to share something with you.
A couple of "seasons" ago, my friend Peggy Pickens told me "You just have to do the study on Daniel." Of course being a teacher myself, there is never time in my schedule. This season however, I decided to take the Beth Moore Study facilitated by my friend June Richards. "God has a word for you" is what June always tells me.
In just four weeks, I have learned so much. Proverbs 9:10 says "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Let me tell you...today was I got some knowledge! You see, like many of us, I went through the fire. I say I went through the fire because I have finally come out on the other side. Many of us fight the fight of "why me" or "when will it end" or "God please save me."
Mine was "I just don't understand." In my self righteous attitude I didn't know why God would allow me....me who was serving, singing, teaching, loving God, why he would allow me to go through this fire. I probably would not have survived had I not completely, absolutely, and without reservation relied on God.
Today, as I read the story of Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 4, God did speak to me! He showed me how in my fire, he did not leave me nor will he ever leave me. My faith needed to be refined.
Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a large tree that was strong and great. It had to be brought down in order to expose his pride and arrogance. Like this king, the evidence of God not leaving me is found in verse 23 "Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump..."
You see, God was not "taking me out" he was refining me. In the process however, he had to expose and get rid of the junk! I have to tell you my heart leapt when I read this. It leapt when I realized that God desired to use me not have me taken out. He left me hope when I was cut by leaving the stump with deep grounded roots.
It makes me sing Halleluah when I look at it that way. My prayer is that I have been faithful in my re-growth. Many of us have full schedules...I do as well but if I had stayed at home or cleaned house or run errands, I would have missed this word and today, the word was for me.
You O king are that tree! You have become strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. You, O King, saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, "Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground." Daniel 4:22-23
A couple of "seasons" ago, my friend Peggy Pickens told me "You just have to do the study on Daniel." Of course being a teacher myself, there is never time in my schedule. This season however, I decided to take the Beth Moore Study facilitated by my friend June Richards. "God has a word for you" is what June always tells me.
In just four weeks, I have learned so much. Proverbs 9:10 says "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Let me tell you...today was I got some knowledge! You see, like many of us, I went through the fire. I say I went through the fire because I have finally come out on the other side. Many of us fight the fight of "why me" or "when will it end" or "God please save me."
Mine was "I just don't understand." In my self righteous attitude I didn't know why God would allow me....me who was serving, singing, teaching, loving God, why he would allow me to go through this fire. I probably would not have survived had I not completely, absolutely, and without reservation relied on God.
Today, as I read the story of Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 4, God did speak to me! He showed me how in my fire, he did not leave me nor will he ever leave me. My faith needed to be refined.
Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a large tree that was strong and great. It had to be brought down in order to expose his pride and arrogance. Like this king, the evidence of God not leaving me is found in verse 23 "Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump..."
You see, God was not "taking me out" he was refining me. In the process however, he had to expose and get rid of the junk! I have to tell you my heart leapt when I read this. It leapt when I realized that God desired to use me not have me taken out. He left me hope when I was cut by leaving the stump with deep grounded roots.
It makes me sing Halleluah when I look at it that way. My prayer is that I have been faithful in my re-growth. Many of us have full schedules...I do as well but if I had stayed at home or cleaned house or run errands, I would have missed this word and today, the word was for me.
You O king are that tree! You have become strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth. You, O King, saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, "Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground." Daniel 4:22-23
Monday, September 17, 2012
"Touch" someone-make a difference
I come from a world where "touching" is a no-no. It was a male dominated world and caution and discretion is required at all times. Oh don't get me wrong. It was always ok to high five on a "good deal" or hug a partner who had reached a goal or was recognized for an accomplishment...but caution first.
As I thought about that this morning, I sent a text out to a lady in my Ladies Bible Class to encourage her and let her know I was thinking about her. When I sent it I thought "I hope that touches her." I wanted her to know that I was thinking of her. She is the only one I do not have an email address for so she misses out on all the emails. Today, I sent her a text.
I have a couple of friends who are are on crutches, a miserable feeling I can relate to all to well. I try to communicate with them to let them know I am thinking of them...I hope that touches their heart. You see, there are ways to touch an individual without contact. I also have a neighbor who had surgery that I have been checking on and I know she finds it touching to hear from me so often.
Sometimes it's difficult to think about, call, or visit everybody but if we can make a difference in one individual, then you have made a difference. Jesus made a difference in our life when we allowed Him to touch our hearts.
I recall for a long time Southwestern Bell [remember them] had a slogan which was "Reach out and touch someone." Again, you could reach someone, touch someone with a phone call. So if you're sitting back thinking of how you've been wanting to send a card or make a phone call....do it!
"Touch" someone in your life it will make a difference in their life and yours!
Samuel explained to the people the regulations of the kinship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord. Then Samuel dismissed the people, each to his own home. Saul also went to his home in Gibeah accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched.
1 Samuel 10: 25-26
As I thought about that this morning, I sent a text out to a lady in my Ladies Bible Class to encourage her and let her know I was thinking about her. When I sent it I thought "I hope that touches her." I wanted her to know that I was thinking of her. She is the only one I do not have an email address for so she misses out on all the emails. Today, I sent her a text.
I have a couple of friends who are are on crutches, a miserable feeling I can relate to all to well. I try to communicate with them to let them know I am thinking of them...I hope that touches their heart. You see, there are ways to touch an individual without contact. I also have a neighbor who had surgery that I have been checking on and I know she finds it touching to hear from me so often.
Sometimes it's difficult to think about, call, or visit everybody but if we can make a difference in one individual, then you have made a difference. Jesus made a difference in our life when we allowed Him to touch our hearts.
I recall for a long time Southwestern Bell [remember them] had a slogan which was "Reach out and touch someone." Again, you could reach someone, touch someone with a phone call. So if you're sitting back thinking of how you've been wanting to send a card or make a phone call....do it!
"Touch" someone in your life it will make a difference in their life and yours!
Samuel explained to the people the regulations of the kinship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord. Then Samuel dismissed the people, each to his own home. Saul also went to his home in Gibeah accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched.
1 Samuel 10: 25-26
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Bible Drill
As I look at those words, I am reminded that when I was a youth at our church, we would always have "bible drills" on Sunday nights. Our leader would call out a particular scripture and we would race to see who could find it first to read.
Today as I sat in church, I recall thinking "I hope my son brings his Bible to church." You see, I told my Bible Study class today that we must rid ourselves of "...malice, all deceipt, envy..." just like it says in
1 Peter 2:1. However, when we get rid of something, we must replace it with something else.
We can not have a healthy spiritual diet if we do not fill our lives with God's Word. I love that our church provides screens with the scripture on it but do you know that the more you open your Bible and the more you search and mediatate on it...the more you will learn it? Bible Drills did that for me.
You can usually pinpoint where a verse is because if you open it often enough, you'll become familiar with books, chapters and verses. Our church also provides Bibles but if you're anything like me, I write all in my Bible. I write prayers, names, sermon dates, quotes, and things that will trigger my memory. I also know there are tabs that one can purchase and attach to their Bibles. They guide you to the book of the Bible you are looking for. We did not have those in the days of our Bible Drills.
I think that's what forced us to learn the difference between where the Old Testament and where the New Testament. Not having tabs forced us to learn the books of the Bible and where the books were and at 13 years old, that was huge. I loved those days.
I am pleased that my son has his favorite verses although he does not have Bible Drills as I knew them. I have long left that bible behind but my desire is that one day, I will leave the Bible I now use for my son and that as he opens it and goes through it, he will realize how much he was prayed for and how often I interceeded for him.
If you have a Bible read it, absorb the word and don't be afraid to write in it. But above all....carry it with you. You never know when there will be a Bible Drill!
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
Today as I sat in church, I recall thinking "I hope my son brings his Bible to church." You see, I told my Bible Study class today that we must rid ourselves of "...malice, all deceipt, envy..." just like it says in
1 Peter 2:1. However, when we get rid of something, we must replace it with something else.
We can not have a healthy spiritual diet if we do not fill our lives with God's Word. I love that our church provides screens with the scripture on it but do you know that the more you open your Bible and the more you search and mediatate on it...the more you will learn it? Bible Drills did that for me.
You can usually pinpoint where a verse is because if you open it often enough, you'll become familiar with books, chapters and verses. Our church also provides Bibles but if you're anything like me, I write all in my Bible. I write prayers, names, sermon dates, quotes, and things that will trigger my memory. I also know there are tabs that one can purchase and attach to their Bibles. They guide you to the book of the Bible you are looking for. We did not have those in the days of our Bible Drills.
I think that's what forced us to learn the difference between where the Old Testament and where the New Testament. Not having tabs forced us to learn the books of the Bible and where the books were and at 13 years old, that was huge. I loved those days.
I am pleased that my son has his favorite verses although he does not have Bible Drills as I knew them. I have long left that bible behind but my desire is that one day, I will leave the Bible I now use for my son and that as he opens it and goes through it, he will realize how much he was prayed for and how often I interceeded for him.
If you have a Bible read it, absorb the word and don't be afraid to write in it. But above all....carry it with you. You never know when there will be a Bible Drill!
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
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