For over ten years, I have been telling my grandchildren bedtime stories. The stories
revolve around an adventurous boy who enters a world of magic, dragons, and
dinosaurs. Each night, one grandchild suggests the basic plot, while the others
contribute character names or special details. My job is to turn their ideas into an
exciting story. Creating these stories together has become a treasured family tradition
and one of my greatest joys.
The past eight months have been difficult as we walked through my daughter’s stage
three cancer diagnosis. This month she was declared cancer-free! During this journey,
certain truths about God have been reinforced in my heart and mind. Certain aspects of His character have become more deeply embedded in my beliefs.
God’s Word encourages “older” women to mentor younger women. (Titus 2:3-4) We are to teach and train them, sharing the wisdom God has given us. We don’t have to be Bible scholars. We’ve experienced much of what the younger ones are experiencing now. God has taught us through His Word; He has taught us through His work. He has even taught us through our failures. We have lessons and knowledge that the younger women need to hear.
Let’s face it friends. God has many children and He loves each and every one of them. He does not play favorites. He does not get swayed by socio-economics, race, political affiliation, hobbies, talents, etc. God made us all and loves us all. We are all the “that-s”. Not one of us replaces the other.
I have to say all baptism experiences are unique and glorious, but I came away with such a renewed sense of inspiration and rejoicing that morning. I wanted the joy of my salvation to shine through me just as it had done through these children.
Has anyone ever confided in you about something challenging going on in their life? Do
you sit and listen carefully, praying as they tell their story or are you on the edge of your
seat waiting to give them all of your insight about it? Maybe you have gone through the
same thing and feel like you have just the answer they need. I have to admit I have
done just that.
Spiritual preparedness never goes to waste. That brings me back to my first lesson.
God graciously gave us the Bible, his very own Word, to help us on our journey of life.
His wisdom, commands, and words of compassion prove the best ammunition against
our enemy, Satan. An open Bible, when used, is powerful. David experienced victory
over his giant and we can over ours too.
Our Father in Heaven also enjoys it when we imitate him. As believers, we, his children,
feel his presence. He encourages us to mimic him. Through his Spirit, he motivates us
to obey and follow him. We enjoy his encouragement.
I don’t know about you, but next time I am under attack, I will first seek the warmth and
protection of my loving Father. It sure beats running like a madwoman any day!
One day, on the way home from school, my kids could tell I was stressed about finishing a
seminary paper. My son asked if I was mad that God called me to go back to school. I responded,
“No. At least He didn’t call me to prophesy naked for three years like Isaiah.”
When brothers and sisters around us fall victim to sinful acts or engage in sin, we must intervene.
Maybe through prayer, physical intervention, or verbal counsel. But we should always be moved
to act.
What he didn’t know at the time was that he asked one of the toughest questions in Christian circles today: Why does God allow evil to exist?
This responsibility to protect the Word of God is not only for us, but for the generations that follow. We need the next generation to fear the Lord, which was Isaiah’s message all along. And one way we can do that well is by protecting and honoring His Word.
Yes, my friend, Jesus notices us when we are grieving and our heart is broken. The
Bible tells us in Psalm 56:8 that God writes our tears down on a scroll. “Record my
misery, list my tears on your scroll - are they not in your record?” In Malachi 3:16, it tells
us that a scroll of remembrance is written in His presence.
If you're not remaining, you're missing out on the effects of the greatest blessing of your life: Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Everything Jesus has for you is there, in your heart. If your love is reluctant, your focus too worldly, your joy lacking, you have no peace. Remain in Him and rest assured He will fill all the empty corners of your life. It's that simple.
It's that simple. Ask in the words of Jesus as you remain in Him-to the glory of God. Soli Deo Gloria!
In 1948 A.W. Tozer (1897-1963) wrote in his classic, The Pursuit of God: "Every age has its own characteristics. Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us." Imagine how Tozer would feel if he were alive today. Nothing is simple--our schedules are loaded, our deadlines frantic, and the world distracts, not to mention the complexities of the "religious".
A stroll through the familiar vineyard of John 15 today, ladies, should refresh our sense of the simplicity of life in Jesus.
When I am going through hard things and the sun goes down on the day, everything
seems worse. The night comes and Satan steps in working in the darkness. He stirs up
fears and illuminates my failures. I reach for my Bible. The words that once jumped off
the page now run together. I get my phone and play “Don’t Stop Praying.” I close my
eyes and let each word sink in. I pray out loud to God to give me the strength to keep
the faith as I battle health problems and all the worries that come along with life.
Our depth perception is so much greater than a squirrel’s and-thanks to the written
Word – we have instructions on how to safely navigate life’s challenges. Yes, there will
be times when we don’t know the path God is taking us on, but unlike the squirrel, we
can look up and focus on the navigator of our lives for direction.
