Good Things In You

I was reading in "Sparkling Gems from the Greek" by Rick Renner. The title of his devotion is: "It's Time for You to Start Confessing 'Good Things' About Yourself!"  Odd indeed.

The Scripture verse explained the title a little bit more: "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

"What kind of things do you say about yourself? Do you speak well of yourself, or are you hyper-critical of your appearance, your weight, your intelligence, your talents, your skills, and every other aspect of who you are as a person?"

Well, you can surely understand where he's going with this. Who of us hasn't been critical about ourselves. We don't normally think what we do is anything special, or what we say is anything important, or we did such a good job at something.

"The worth of an individual is not ascribed by law . . . it's endowed by the Creator."

James C. Dobson, 1936-

Renner continues: "Paul said we need to speak good things about ourselves! In Philemon 1:6, he said, 'That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.' " Indeed, Jesus has done good things in every one of us. "He saved you, healed you, redeemed you, and protected you. He has given you a sound mind. He has given you the mind of Christ. He has imparted gifts and talents to you; and He has planned a future for your life that is simply glorious."

But then he says: "You are loaded with phenomenal potential that is just waiting to be activated!"

Activated. Interesting. Are we openly talking about, sharing about and living all the good things He has given us as His children?

We are all sinners, but we are also children of the King. There are good things in us. Those good things are through our Savior. We can acknowledge all the good things, giving credit to our King whenever we display them in our own life.

Stop speaking and thinking badly about yourself. My list is long. I have a lot I can speak badly about myself. But that isn't what will encourage or inspire me, and it certainly won't motivate someone else to desire our faith!

Remember you have been bought with a high price by a Savior who loves you and desires you to become all the good things that He has given you. Good things. Good things in you. Good things in me.

"Self-acceptance is basically a spiritual issue. What it boils down to is this: are we able to thank the Creator for the way He made us? . . . If we can thank Him, we display our belief that He knows what is best for us. And that will help us accept ourselves--limitations, failures, and all."

Erwin W. Lutzer, 1941- 

You are filled with all His Good Things so you can display them, always giving Him credit. Inspire. Motivate. Encourage, letting others see what He has done for you.

By His Grace . . .

Stand Firm

I love the story in 2 Chronicles 20 about King Jehoshaphat of Judah. I turn to this Scripture often when in need of direction because it tells me to stand up and praise the Lord in the midst of indecision or need.

I was reminded of this chapter while reading a recent devotion by Alistair Begg in his devotion book "Truth for Life." Following is what he said:

"King Jehoshaphat of Judah was a phenomenon who implemented changes that helped God's people rediscover God's law. (Chapter 19) He reminded them of the importance of understanding and obeying God's word so that they could serve God faithfully, wholeheartedly, and courageously . . . We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.

"When the enemy whispers to us that we are a disaster or completely useless, we can set his lies against the truth of God's word and say, 'I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ' . .  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it . . . I will never leave you nor forsake you . . . When we do not know what to do, we can keep our eyes on Him, and ask Him to guide us and deliver us, just as He did Jehoshaphat and the whole of Judah."

Five places in chapter 20 it is written: "stand in your presence . . . stood there before the Lord . . . stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you . . . stood up and praised the Lord."

I love that! The Lord gave them victory and caused them to rejoice over their enemies.

I've often write in notes thanking people for standing strong for our God. We need to see men and women standing up for our Lord and God, waiting for Him to do His work.

I receive so much joy from devotion books, especially rich ones that dig deep in Scripture and feed my soul. They inspire me, motivate me, bring praise from my heart to God and help me understand God's Word. 

Do you read devotion books? There's a ton of them out there. They are well worth your time AFTER you've read from God's Word. Some of my favorite our Spurgeon, Tozer, Begg, Tiegreen, Weirsbe and Cowman.

If you've never read about King Jehoshaphat in Chapter 20 of 2 Chronicles, take a moment to see what he did and what God did. I think you'll be doing a lot more standing when you do!

By His Grace . . . 

He Made My Heart

 "God has two dwellings: one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart."

Izaak Walton, 1593-1683

White fluffy clouds, blue sky and goldenrod.

In a fiction book I read, I was reminded God made the heart, and He can fix it. I failed to note which book it was, but it was a series by Tracie Peterson and Judith Pella.

"To know Him is to love and obey Him. It is to trust Him even when the way is unclear, and all hope is gone . . . To trust Him even when your heart is broken . . . especially when it is broken . . . For where else may you take your broken heart, if not to Him who made it in the first place?"

The highways and byways are beautiful in NW PA!

God created every part of our human body, and that includes the heart. When our heart is broken, He is the one who can bring healing, and repair the broken parts. I'm not sure if I've heard it expressed quite that way before. I like it.

We can try to repair our heart, filling it with any and everything to bring healing, but unless that healing comes from the Creator of our heart it won't last. It may carry us through some days, but the Creator is the only One who brings healing to a broken heart.

"The secret of your own heart you can never know; but you can know Him who knows its secret."

George MacDonald, 1824-1905

Our heart is important for much more than just keeping us alive. Many years ago, I heard another rendition of Psalm 4:23 which says: "Above all else, guard your heart; for everything you do flows from it." Pastor Scott said it this way: "More than all else, to be watched over and protected (as something in a confined place) it is imperative that you preserve and keep your heart sensitive; because from within it comes divine direction for your life."

Queen Anne Lace getting into the picture too!

Our heart also sees. In Ephesians 1:18 it says: "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you. The riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe."

"The soul has eyes that need to be and can be enlightened, i.e. flooded with divine light. The Holy Spirit opens the eyes and heart in order that the believer may see the great truths mentioned here. The purpose of spiritual illumination and spiritual perception is that believers may know and experience God's calling, in heritance, and power." Liberty Bible Commentary, Ephesians 1:18

Yes, God made my heart. It is made to do miraculous things to all who believe. Sometimes it's happy, sometimes it's sad. Sometimes it's filled with joy, sometimes it cries. One thing I'm very sure of . . . God knows my heart. I'm very safe in His care!

"A heart in every thought renewed

And full of love divine,

Perfect and right and pure and good,

A copy, Lord of Thine."

Charles Wesley, 1707-1788

By His Grace . . .

Just Do it!

"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow."

Ronald E. Osborn

The last two weeks I've enjoyed snapping buck. I enjoy seeing those big antlers!

I had one more hymn story to read in “Then Sings My Soul” by Robert J. Morgan, and it was a pleasant surprise. Morgan wrote the last hymn titled "The All Sufficient King." I enjoyed the lyrics, but what caught my eye, was the end note that he wrote. It reminded me of a time long ago. Here’s what he said:

"You, too, can be a hymnist. As you study the Bible, take time to compose your thoughts and devotions into verse form. If you aren't a musician, find a familiar old melody and create new stanzas for it. If no one sings your hymn but you, it will still bless your own soul and please the heart of God."

I remember creating a short worship song that I sang for a while during my working years. Unfortunately, I didn’t write it down, and it’s lost forever. But why can’t I, or you, write a hymn.

I'm finding friends, in their 60s and 70s, are doing new things. Writing, drawing, baking, photography, sewing, scrapbooking and other interesting endeavors. And we're good at it! Not sure why this happens. Maybe it's just we have time to do things we only thought about in younger years.

I started quilting in my late 60s. My neighbor started painting. Another is gardening. When I retired, I played in the dirt for the first time at 64! Creating my gardens will always be a wonderful memory. I’m thankful to have picture books so I can enjoy them at any time.

It’s a joy to see many learning new, creative hobbies and being good at it! So why not a hymn?

Below is the first verse of Mr. Morgan’s hymn, “The All Sufficient King”:

 “We come, O God, into your courts, We enter through your gate

We scan the altar where the Lamb Displays Your love so great

We bring our hands and heart and head Where sinful dust does cling

Before the laver of Your Grace That makes us pure and clean."

Is there something you’ve wanted to try? Don’t wait. Life goes by very quickly. We don’t know the time or day we’ll be called to our eternal home. Find something new to do that will bring you joy and encourage your heart. Why not write a hymn?

By His Grace . . .