Daniel is one of my favorite characters in God's Word and his commitments influence me to keep him at the top of my list of the most admired men in the Bible. We know he was committed to taking care of his physical body because of his refusal to eat the king's delicacies - rich as they were. Even more impressive is his commitment to worship the One True God at all cost.
In Daniel 6:3 it states that "Daniel so distinguished himself . . . . by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom." But, as men/women will do, his co-workers became jealous and determined to bring him down. However, this task was going to be no small job. "They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent." (Daniel 6:4b) These men determined that they would have to devise a plan that had something to do with the law of his God if they wanted to bring him down.
These co-workers flattered the king and urged him to sign into law a decree that stated if anyone prayed to someone other than the king for 30 days, they would be placed in the lion's den. How did Daniel respond to the decree? Daniel 6:10b states, "Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before."
Daniel was committed to worship even if it meant facing a lion's den. How important is worship to us? Are we willing to go to the "lion's den" if we are caught worshiping God? God is the One True God - the same God Daniel worshiped - the only God who is worthy of our worship and praise. How committed are we to caring for our physical bodies and how committed are we to worshiping God no matter the cost?
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Pleasant Places
I think Psalm 16:6 will have to become one of my memory verses this year because it keeps coming to mind. "The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance."
Am I saying that everything is going beautifully in my life right now? Absolutely not! But, I have an overwhelming feeling that God has blessed me far more than I deserve. Everything in my life right now is not pleasant, but overall, my life is still in pleasant places. It is because of God's abiding presence and His love. No matter what happens, He is with me and has given me what I need to face all circumstances. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. . . . ." (2 Peter 1:3) Does that mean I don't get sad, grieve and cry? Of course not!
When the news came that our son and his wife will be getting a divorce after 18 years of marriage and two teenage sons, it was and is devastating. It hurts. It's not pleasant. The truth that God hates divorce came immediately to mind. But He is All-Sufficient and will see us all through the difficulties that lie ahead.
My Prayer - well it's just too personal so I will share the end of my prayer: "Lord, whatever you want to teach me, help me get it. Quick! Lord."
Am I saying that everything is going beautifully in my life right now? Absolutely not! But, I have an overwhelming feeling that God has blessed me far more than I deserve. Everything in my life right now is not pleasant, but overall, my life is still in pleasant places. It is because of God's abiding presence and His love. No matter what happens, He is with me and has given me what I need to face all circumstances. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. . . . ." (2 Peter 1:3) Does that mean I don't get sad, grieve and cry? Of course not!
When the news came that our son and his wife will be getting a divorce after 18 years of marriage and two teenage sons, it was and is devastating. It hurts. It's not pleasant. The truth that God hates divorce came immediately to mind. But He is All-Sufficient and will see us all through the difficulties that lie ahead.
My Prayer - well it's just too personal so I will share the end of my prayer: "Lord, whatever you want to teach me, help me get it. Quick! Lord."
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Who Am I?
David had a desire in his heart to build a house for the LORD so His dwelling place would not be in a tent. But God had other plans. Solomon, David's son would be the one to build a house for God. What a thrill when God blesses our children with wonderful opportunities to serve Him!
God also, at this time, gave David a promise through the prophet Nathan. "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever." (2 Samuel 7:16)
David was so overcome with gratefulness and awe of what God was doing in his life that he "went in and sat before the LORD." David asked God "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD . . . .that You have brought me this far?" (2 Samuel 7:18)
I am so identifying with David these days! I am overwhelmed as I focus on the many blessings God has poured out on me and my family. I am asking God, "Who am I that you have brought me this far?" God has given Eddie and me 50 years of marriage - a true milestone that only comes through God's faithfulness. He has given us a beautiful family. While it is not perfect (how could it me, I am a part of it?!), I wouldn't trade it for any other.
May I never quit pondering the question, "Who am I that You have brought me this far?" It's really not about who I am, it's about who He is. It truly is all about Him, what He has done, His faithfulness, His blessings, His promises and His Sovereignty.
In humility, I ask Him, "Who am I that YOU have brought me this far?" I have not deserved it but how grateful and how blessed I am. Thank You, Lord!
"The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance." (Psalm 16:6)
God also, at this time, gave David a promise through the prophet Nathan. "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever." (2 Samuel 7:16)
David was so overcome with gratefulness and awe of what God was doing in his life that he "went in and sat before the LORD." David asked God "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD . . . .that You have brought me this far?" (2 Samuel 7:18)
I am so identifying with David these days! I am overwhelmed as I focus on the many blessings God has poured out on me and my family. I am asking God, "Who am I that you have brought me this far?" God has given Eddie and me 50 years of marriage - a true milestone that only comes through God's faithfulness. He has given us a beautiful family. While it is not perfect (how could it me, I am a part of it?!), I wouldn't trade it for any other.
May I never quit pondering the question, "Who am I that You have brought me this far?" It's really not about who I am, it's about who He is. It truly is all about Him, what He has done, His faithfulness, His blessings, His promises and His Sovereignty.
In humility, I ask Him, "Who am I that YOU have brought me this far?" I have not deserved it but how grateful and how blessed I am. Thank You, Lord!
"The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance." (Psalm 16:6)
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Anyone Perfect?
Striving toward perfection - not a bad thing. Scripture says, "Be perfect, therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48) [Perfect here means mature or holy.] Does this mean we are never to make a mistake? Of course not!
No one who has or ever will walk on this earth is perfect, except Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:1-2 - "Be imitators of God therefore as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us . . . . . ." Yes, we are to strive toward perfection - strive toward being Christlike.
However, many of us deal with the negative side of perfection. I certainly have! It's not pretty. It is a control issue and is not something of which to be proud. Since perfection is unattainable, what happens when a perfectionist wants a perfect house, the perfect children, the perfect family, the perfect friends, or the perfect church? Lots of disappointments are in store for the perfectonist unless he or she accepts the fact that nothing is perfect and no one is perfect.
I confess, I would love to keep a "perfect" house or should I say I use to have that desire. Right now the word dust has been on my to-do list since day before yesterday. Maybe it will happen today, but if not, I have learned to live with a less than perfect house. Why? Because it is unattainable. Dirt happens. Messes happen - they are a part of life.
The "perfecton" that I desire today more than anything else is to become more like Jesus - be an imitator of Him. That has eternal value.
No one who has or ever will walk on this earth is perfect, except Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:1-2 - "Be imitators of God therefore as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us . . . . . ." Yes, we are to strive toward perfection - strive toward being Christlike.
However, many of us deal with the negative side of perfection. I certainly have! It's not pretty. It is a control issue and is not something of which to be proud. Since perfection is unattainable, what happens when a perfectionist wants a perfect house, the perfect children, the perfect family, the perfect friends, or the perfect church? Lots of disappointments are in store for the perfectonist unless he or she accepts the fact that nothing is perfect and no one is perfect.
I confess, I would love to keep a "perfect" house or should I say I use to have that desire. Right now the word dust has been on my to-do list since day before yesterday. Maybe it will happen today, but if not, I have learned to live with a less than perfect house. Why? Because it is unattainable. Dirt happens. Messes happen - they are a part of life.
The "perfecton" that I desire today more than anything else is to become more like Jesus - be an imitator of Him. That has eternal value.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Maybe It's Not Too Late
Do you still dream about what you want to do or become? When you were younger, did you dream about future goals and accomplishments? Have they failed to materialize? Maybe it's not too late.
God knows our dreams, our desires, our very thoughts. Did He give you those dreams? If He did, He has given you what you need to accomplish them. Maybe you put your dreams on hold to raise your family or care for aging parents. God honors those important choices. Don't give up on fulfilling your dreams. Maybe it's not too late.
The psalmist said, "Lord, my every desire is known to You." (Psalm 38:9, HCSB) God knows what we desire, so we may as well voice those desires to Him.
A devotional about dreams and goals in Journey magazine stated, "For many of us, those dreams are put on hold to bring us fresh purpose in our later years." How encouraging for those of us who are growing older - and isn't everyone?!
Don't give up on your dreams. Maybe it's not too late! Maybe God has saved your dream to give you a new challenge at this time in your life. If He gives us a dream, a goal, or desire, He will give us what we need to fulfill it. Just trust Him to supply everything you need. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . . ." (Proverbs 3:5a, NIV)
God knows our dreams, our desires, our very thoughts. Did He give you those dreams? If He did, He has given you what you need to accomplish them. Maybe you put your dreams on hold to raise your family or care for aging parents. God honors those important choices. Don't give up on fulfilling your dreams. Maybe it's not too late.
The psalmist said, "Lord, my every desire is known to You." (Psalm 38:9, HCSB) God knows what we desire, so we may as well voice those desires to Him.
A devotional about dreams and goals in Journey magazine stated, "For many of us, those dreams are put on hold to bring us fresh purpose in our later years." How encouraging for those of us who are growing older - and isn't everyone?!
Don't give up on your dreams. Maybe it's not too late! Maybe God has saved your dream to give you a new challenge at this time in your life. If He gives us a dream, a goal, or desire, He will give us what we need to fulfill it. Just trust Him to supply everything you need. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . . ." (Proverbs 3:5a, NIV)
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Stay Fresh and Green
With another birthday just behind me, I am thinking about new responsibilities I have taken on. Questions come to mind - "Will I be able to lead as I need to? Will I have the energy and stamina? Am I trying to do too much?" (A problem I often have!)
I am reading through the Psalms and Psalm 92 was a recent reading. Psalm 92:12-15 holds some significant words for me. The psalmist talks about how "The righteous will flourish." Well, I am not righteous in and of myself, but because Christ lives in me and I serve Him, I am considered one of the righteous. In verse 14 the psalmist says, "They (the righteous) will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, 'The LORD is upright; He is my Rock' . . . . . ."
God is never through with us if He leaves us here on earth. He has work for us to do. I pray I will do His work and while I do His work, will bear much fruit and stay fresh and green like the palm tree and cedar tree mentioned by the psalmist.
I am reading through the Psalms and Psalm 92 was a recent reading. Psalm 92:12-15 holds some significant words for me. The psalmist talks about how "The righteous will flourish." Well, I am not righteous in and of myself, but because Christ lives in me and I serve Him, I am considered one of the righteous. In verse 14 the psalmist says, "They (the righteous) will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, 'The LORD is upright; He is my Rock' . . . . . ."
God is never through with us if He leaves us here on earth. He has work for us to do. I pray I will do His work and while I do His work, will bear much fruit and stay fresh and green like the palm tree and cedar tree mentioned by the psalmist.
Monday, January 3, 2011
So You Want to be Wise
So you want to be wise - look to the Magi - theWise Men's example. The earthly king Herod asked the Wise Men to find the Christ Child, return to him and let him know where He was so he could worship Him. Herod never planned to worship the Christ Child - he planned to kill Him (Matthew 2:16). The Wise Men listened to the Heavenly King rather than the earthly one. The Wise Men were just that - wise.
God's Word is the ultimate Source of wisdom. Wisdom is not something gained quickly. It takes time. Stay in God's Word. Read, study, meditate on the Word and memorize it and you will have begun the process of growing in wisdom.
Many have much knowledge, but don't mistake this for wisdom. Knowledge is having/knowing information and facts. Wisdom is knowledge plus ability to discern. It is insight, good sense and judgment and it has a spiritual element to it.
Ask God to give you wisdom and then spend time in His Word and in prayer. In time you will become wiser. James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
Let us follow the example of the Wise Men and follow the Heavenly King and not an earthly one. Let us make wiser decisions in this New Year.
God's Word is the ultimate Source of wisdom. Wisdom is not something gained quickly. It takes time. Stay in God's Word. Read, study, meditate on the Word and memorize it and you will have begun the process of growing in wisdom.
Many have much knowledge, but don't mistake this for wisdom. Knowledge is having/knowing information and facts. Wisdom is knowledge plus ability to discern. It is insight, good sense and judgment and it has a spiritual element to it.
Ask God to give you wisdom and then spend time in His Word and in prayer. In time you will become wiser. James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."
Let us follow the example of the Wise Men and follow the Heavenly King and not an earthly one. Let us make wiser decisions in this New Year.
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