Double Good

 “Only to sit and think of God, Oh what a joy it is! To think the thought, to breathe the Name, Earth has no higher bliss.”

Frederick William Faber, 1814-1863

I love that I captured this snap when Abby decided she wanted to jump the fence!

This article was posted September 2024. I think it's worth posting again.

Recently, I was listening to Anthony George from First Baptist Church in Atlanta. His message was titled “Is There a Standard.” One of his illustrations included the numbers 3:16. We all know what verse he was speaking about. John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." 

Actually, though, he was talking about another 3:16 that is just as important to our understanding and learning of Scripture: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

This was one of George’s points in proclaiming that there is a standard and it’s the Bible: all Scripture is God-breathed. The Greek word is “theopneustos.” God-breathed. Scripture just isn’t inspired by God, it is God-breathed.  God exhaling the ideas and truths into those who wrote the words. He integrated His divine revelation into their human limitations.

Jon Gleason, mindrenewers.com wrote: “The concept of the breath of God has important connotations in Scripture, referring to God’s creative and life-giving power.  The Bible clearly says the Word of God is living, life-giving, and life-changing, and the connotations of theopneustos match those characteristics.

“Those who translated theopneustos for hundreds of years using the words “inspired” or “inspiration” weren’t just making stuff up. There was a very real basis in the connotations of the breath of God for the translational choice they made. 'God breathed the Scriptures into existence, and God breathed life and vitality into the Scriptures.'”

This Greek word only occurs once in Scripture, but what a meaning it has.

2 Timothy 3:16 is a Scripture verse that tell us all of the Bible will help us through life, guiding and directing us, so that we can live with assurance and truth. I hope whenever you read or hear someone mention John 3:16 that your mind will remember there’s another 3:16 that teaches us the words in the Bible come directly from our God as He breathes the information to the writers and the readers.

Three sixteen. 3:16. Double good.

By His Grace . . .

 

Look Forward

 

A number of years ago I spoke with an elderly woman on New Year’s Day, and the thing I remember most about our conversation is her comment that “I have nothing to look forward too except good health.” When she said it my initial thought was “that’s sad.” I often think of that comment. 

A few days ago I read the following and it gave me a different perspective on having nothing to look forward too. It helped me remember that which I've been given and the difference it makes. We seem to easily forget all that God can do for us as His child. We have a lot to look forward too!

"When the Holy Spirit imparts the gift of eternal life to you, far more has transpired than the mere possession of unending spiritual life. That is because the Holy Spirit brings to every Christian an entirely new quality of life that is divine, supernatural, and godlike.

"Through the Holy Spirit, the born-again man or woman can enjoy a new way of living. Since the Holy Spirit allows you to share in the life of Christ, He opens up a radical new lifestyle that is conformed to God's commands and ways, not to culture.

"You must remember that much of worldly behavior and methodology is based on wisdom that is flawed and tainted by sin. The Spirit of God reprograms your mind and transforms your attitude with His wisdom, dramatically altering your habits, rearranging your priorities, and establishing new standards. 

"The Holy Spirit gives you a new power for living; the new lifestyle comes with the power to succeed. You are no longer limited to fighting your problems with your resources. You have God and the fullness of His Spirit to help you and deliver you." Unknown author

Sometimes it may seem like we have nothing to look forward too, but God has put the Holy Spirit inside of us to provide all we need to alter that view.

I think of Matthew 7:7.

"Ask and it will be give to you; seek and you will find; 

knock and the door will be opened to you."

By His Grace . . . 

A Little Heart's-ease

"You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on this earth

 by the Master Craftsman."

Max Lucado

I've shared this story before. It's one of my favorite stories. It's simple and easy to understand. When I was a new Christian and felt God leading me towards writing notes to encourage, this story helped me believe I was doing something good for God even though it was something little. As it turns out, I did it faithfully for over 30 years and God rewarded me over and over in my heart.

Many people feel like they don't do enough for God when their gift seems small and insignificant. I learned if you are faithful with what God has given you to do, you not only will help others, but God will bring you joy in what you do.

The story is told in Volume One of "Streams in the Desert." I would share this story when I spoke on note writing. It's about a small flower that does what it was put here to do.

I didn't know what a heart's-ease was so I looked it up in the dictionary: a heart's-ease is another name for the viola tricolor flower, a hybrid plant derived from crossing certain species of the genus Viola and having small, spurred, variously colored flowers; is a common European wildflower, growing as an annual or short-lived perennial. The flowers can be purple, blue, yellow or white.

"A story is told of a king who went into his garden one morning, and found everything withered and dying. He asked the oak that stood near the gate what the trouble was. He found it was sick of life and determined to die because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine. The pine was all out of heart because it could not bear grapes, like the vine. The vine was going to throw its life away because it could not stand erect and have as fine fruit as the peach tree. The geranium was fretting because it was not tall and fragrant like the lilac; and so on all through the garden. Coming to a heart's-ease, he found its bright face lifted as cheery as ever. 'Well, heart's-ease, I'm glad, amidst all this discouragement, to find one brave little flower. You do not seem to be the least disheartened.' 'No, I am not of much account, but I thought if you wanted an oak, or a pine, or a peach tree, or a lilac, you would have planted one; but as I knew you wanted a heart's-ease, I am determined to be the best little heart's-ease that I can.'"

What has God given you to do? Are you doing it? Do you think what you do isn't noticed? Do you feel small and over looked? Some would think note writing isn't much. What does it take to write a simple, little note to someone. What difference could it possibly make?

"Others may do a greater work. But you have your part to do;

And no one in all God's heritage Can do it so well as you."

Unknown

God has given few people great gifts but He has equipped every one of His children to accomplish whatever He has purposed for them. As that little heart's-ease demonstrated, whatever God has give you to do, do it to the best of your ability. We all matter in God's Kingdom and must all use our gift(s) so that His perfect plan is realized.

"There is always a certain peace in being what one is, in being that completely."

Ugo Betti, Italian judge, author and playwright

"I am still determined to be cheerful and to be happy in whatever situation I may be, for I have also learnt from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions and not our circumstances."

Martha Washington

So whether you're a little heart's-ease, a Japanese maple or a mighty oak, do it! You will find satisfaction in your work and joy in your heart because you are using the special gift(s) God gave to you. I can testify to that!

"Now may the God of peace . . . equip you with everything good for doing His will,

and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him . . ."

Hebrew 13:21

In this new year be a heart's-ease. Be the best one you can be. Do it for God!

By His Grace . . . 

Being Worthy

 

In her book, Emmanuel, Ruth Chou Simons wrote: "We can’t truly encounter Christ the Messiah without the awe and wonder, the response of faith, the repentance, the thanksgiving, the love, and the worship He deserves . . . Jesus is worthy of worship, and because of God’s faithfulness through Christ, we are made worthy to worship Him. Joy to the world!” 

 “We are made worthy to worship Him.”  We are worthy to worship Him. I am worthy. You are worthy. Are we?

I gladly and faithfully write, sing and say, “You are worthy, Lord, of my worship, my service and my love.” There’s no doubt about it. My Lord is worthy. Our God is worthy.

I am worthy?  To worship Him? I have a hard time with that. I am willing to worship Him with all my heart, and I desire with all my mind to worship Him. I’m just having trouble with, “I am worthy to worship Him.”

Maybe it’s the definition of worthy that’s holding me back from this statement. The dictionary defines worthy as: deserving effort, attention, or respect; having worth or value.

“We are made worthy.” Does Simons mean we are worthy because we are children of God after accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, so we are destined, commanded, drawn to worship Him because of all He has done for us?

Maybe I’m making a big deal out of nothing, but my knowledge of the word “worthy” doesn’t compute with her statement. Or maybe I just don’t like saying, “I’m worthy.” What I do know is my God is worthy of my love, devotion, service, and work. Then I read a verse like this and I'm confused once again.

Colossians 1:10

"So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."

Biblerepository.com: "This verse from Colossians speaks volumes about our spiritual journey and responsibilities as followers of Christ. At its core, it encourages us to live in a way that brings honor to God. We are called to walk worthy of Him, which means aligning our actions, thoughts, and behaviors with His teachings and examples . . . Walking worthy of God's calling leads to pleasing Him and fosters a life rich in good deeds."  

Preceptaustin.org/Amplified, Lockman: "That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]."

What I do know is our God is worthy of our life as we serve Him, work for Him, honor Him, pray to Him, live for Him, and worship Him. I’m the fortunate one here. 

By His Grace . . . 

A Season for Singing

 

This is the season for singing! Once again we sing the Christmas Carols that bring us joy. Everybody has their favorite. Just listening to Christmas Carols puts a smile on my face.

In tune; out of tune. It really doesn't matter. There is such joy singing the Carols so special at Christmas. 

In David Jeremiah's magazine, Turning Point, he shared the story of who wrote the Christmas Carol "O Holy Night." "It was written by a nonreligious Frenchman, set to music by a Jewish man who didn't celebrate the Lord's birthday, and translated into English by a Unitarian preacher who would capture the hearts of us all." God uses whoever He wants to achieve His purposes. "O Holy Night"  may be one of the Carols you sing this Christmas. Sing it loud. Sing it everywhere. Sing it from your heart!

I love the words to this beautiful hymn:
 

"O holy night the stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

"A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new glorious morn.

Fall on your knees. O hear the angels' voices.

O night divine. O night when Christ was born.

O night divine O night, O night divine.

"Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,

With glowing hears by His cradle we stand.

So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

There came the wise men from Orient land.

The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger;

In all our trials born to be our friend.

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger.

Behold your King; Before Him lowly bend!

Behold your King; Before Him lowly bend!

"Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name.

Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!

His power and glory evermore proclaim!

His power and glory evermore proclaim."

"'O Holy Night' reminds us that Jesus, holy Jesus, was born in a manger. Through His humble beginnings, we remember to love mankind through Jesus' example. We fall on our knees in awe and worship of Him. And we recall the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus underneath brightly shining stars. The same stars that pointed to the Savior of the world on that beautiful, holy night."

Christianity.com

Matthew 2:10: "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed."

Godsbless.ing: "The wise men were not just seekers of knowledge, but seekers of truth and purpose. Their joy at the sight of the star shows their belief in the divine plan unfolding before them, and their willingness to follow wherever it may lead . . . Imagine the sense of awe and wonder the wise men must have felt at that moment, as they realized that the star was leading them to the fulfillment of their quest."

"Let all within us praise His holy name." Sing, my friend! We have the answer! We have the song. Christ was born!

By His Grace . . . 

Hope Was Born

 

Isaiah 35:10

"And those the Lord has rescued will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

Everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them.

and sorrow and sighing will flee away."

Anne Graham Lotz wrote these words in her book, "The Joy of My Heart": "The hope that was born that night continues to radiate down through the years until it envelops your heart and mine."

I like that. "Envelops your heart and mind." To be completely engulfed by God. That's what happens to us when we accept Jesus. God's Hope rests in us and will be with us through this life and all eternity. His Hope never gives up. It continually reaches you and me to find rest in our hearts.

Enduringword.com on Isaiah 35:10: "The miraculous power of Jesus comes to change us, heal us, and provide for us. That isn't the end of God's work though; He then goes on to make a 'highway of holiness' that the transformed man can walk on. The highway would be helpful to one who was barren, dry, blind, deaf, weak, and crippled; but when the highway is provided for the one who is healed and provided for as we are in Jesus, the blessing is even more amazing."

John 3:6

"Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."

In her book, "Fixing My Eyes on Jesus," Lotz wrote: "What happen to Mary physically happens to you and me spiritually When you and I place our faith in Jesus Christ and invite Him to come live within us, the Holy Spirit overshadows us and the spiritual life of Jesus is born within us."

I've never really thought of it that way. The Holy Spirit overshadows us just like He did to Mary.

Luke 1:35: "The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.'" And we are called God's children.

Godsbless.ing, John 3:6: "This verse encapsulates the Christian belief that through our rebirth in the Holy Spirit, we become children of God and are granted the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. It highlights the transformative power of spiritual rebirth, where our old selves are renewed, and we become part of God's family. This rebirth signifies a deep and personal connection with God, bringing about a life filled with purpose, hope, and the assurance of salvation.

"Have you ever pondered on the idea of being born again in the Spirit? What does it mean to you to inherit eternal life through Christ? This verse invites us to reflect on the profound impact of our spiritual rebirth and the eternal hope that it brings. It reminds us of the incredible gift of salvation offered to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Let the transformative power of  od's love and the promise of an eternal inheritance awaiting us in the presence of our Savior remind us as we meditate on this verse."

Hope was born. Hope lives today. Hope never dies. Hope is forever. And we, God's children, live in this Hope.

By His Grace . . .

One Life

 This post was first published in December 2024. I like the message. Let's be one life for Christ now and always.

"The testimony of one life lived for Christ is powerful! One life cleansed through faith in the blood of Jesus. One life that confesses, 'Jesus is Lord.' One life that has the courage to stand for godly convictions in the midst of moral compromise. One life that tells the truth. One life that lives the truth. One life that lifts high the Light! You can be that one life!" Anne Graham Lott, The Joy of My Heart

Are you that one life? The one who stands for Christ and sings His praises? The one who studies His Word and seeks the those who are lost? The one who believes completely and has a deep-settled confidence that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world?

I want to me that one life! I want to shine bright for Christ so others can see His glory by what I do. I fail miserably. Yet, just knowing it is obtainable and having the desire to do it, even when I fail, keeps me pressing on.

This month as we celebrate His birth and focus our attention on all He has done for us, remember you are one who believes and let it shine within your life. 

You are one life. Your one life can make a difference. Even if you are hurting this Christmas season, your heart will be encouraged if you'll reach out to someone else to encourage them.

Be that one life! Shine for Jesus! Tell the world He is your Savior, and you are celebrating Him. Bring joy to your heart and to others as we walk through this Christmas season. 

By His Grace . . .