Missy

Would you join me for a moment to pray for a mother of three small girls standing in need. This week she left her husband and those beautiful babies to join her sister in a world that beckons with the escape of drugs.

As Samuel said for his people, we can do the same for those in need:

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. (1 Samuel 12:23-24 KJV)

Christ promised us He would pray for us:

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (John 14:16 KJV)

Though He knew we did not understand what we believed, and that our belief could flee:

Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. (John 16:30-32 KJV)

We have the opportunity to stand in His stead, seeking reconciliation:

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV)

For this young mother, and others we know who need, we can do as Paul wrote:

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (Colossians 1:9 KJV)

Then, again, we can pray this for each other:

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: (2 Thessalonians 3:1 KJV)

Each of us, at one time or another, errs. God knows this:

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20 KJV)

Prodding

I imagine a perfect world quite differently from anyone I know. So does everyone else on the planet! But the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine imagines a thin one that doesn’t need a great deal of food production, according to The Sun.

“Each fat person is said to be responsible for emitting a tonne more of climate-warming carbon dioxide per year than a thin one.

“The scientists say providing extra grub for them to guzzle adds to carbon emissions that heat up the world, melting polar ice caps, raising sea levels and killing rain forests.”

LSHTM’s Dr. Phil Edward said, “It is also much easier to get in your car and pick up a pint of milk than to take a walk.” From my home, the nearest milk vendor is six miles away. With apologies to Dr. Edward, I do not look upon a twelve-mile hike for milk as exercise.

Live Science headlines: Are Fat People Destroying Earth? Their final paragraph, with one word removed: “The big question society now faces — one only breezed by in this week's flap — is whether … people should be prodded into behavioral changes for the greater good,”

That question raises so many others: All people? Who determines which people? Who determines the greater good? Who does the prodding? Who chooses the prodders? How far do prodders go? If people do not respond to prodding, what happens next? Think maybe mankind is going a step or two too far?

As a believer, I understand Christ’s words to mean that this world is not everlasting:

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (Luke 21:33 KJV)

Among His words are admonitions to leave care in God’s hands:

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matthew 6:31-34 KJV)

Do we live without such cares? Hardly. The next meal, clothing, they do make a difference in our lives. He knows we need them. Follow His will and all these things shall be added unto you. Did you get that? Added. We’ll receive in addition to our basic needs. We’ll receive what He promised:

I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:10a-11 KJV)

David Sings

David was willing to share his most personal conversations with His Father. As we read his Psalms, we find him speaking to God in all phases of his life. Some of his Palms are in the hearts of people around the world:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalms 23:1 KJV)

We know David as beset by enemies:

LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. (Psalms 3:1 KJV)

He felt secure with his God:

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. (Psalms 4:8 KJV)

He spoke to God daily:

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. (Psalms 5:3 KJV)

David knew his own weaknesses, and understood that God knew them, too:

Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. (Psalms 6:2 KJV)

David spoke to God of others:

Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever. (Psalms 28:9 KJV)

From father to child, the lessons go forward:

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. (Psalms 145:4 KJV)

The Psalms end with one not attributed to David, but includes thoughts an words he used in others:

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalms 150:1-6 KJV)

I appreciate David’s finding words that fit together so beautifully to express what we feel today, too.

Sumitted?

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:21-25 KJV)

Context is so important when reading scripture.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (Colossians 3:17-23 KJV)

You see, by some men's standards, I would not qualify as a wife who submits to her husband simply because I do not submit to all men. I am respectful, but if there is a subject under discussion, most likely I have an opinion. I do share my opinions.

My pastor and I view some scripture differently. I am not afraid to discuss these differences with him, with great respect for his educational focus on Bible study. Our youth pastor is well versed in scriptures, too. We both learn from our discussions. Both of these men hold my respect -- first because of their commitment to God's calling in their lives. What they have chosen has awesome responsibilities for other's eternal lives.

Yet, when it comes to my own husband, I open more in discussions. I expect that he will be able to explain. And, he does -- just as Christ explained His public parables in private to his disciples. That, to me, is an expression of love.

For some men, a question constitutes a lack of submission. I am so grateful that it was not so with Christ. Thus I feel my husband does love me as Christ loves the church. That is an awesome example of how much love God has to give His children. And, an awesome responsibility to share it.

Conversations With God

There’s a big push about certain conversations with God. That’s not for me. What another person makes into a career is not how I see God speaking.

The Bible, considered by Christians to be the words of God to mankind, does not include many conversations between God and mankind. God’s primary communication with mankind was through a prophet, a ‘man of god’ and usually the words He used were commands or questions, as in Job.

He did walk in the garden of an evening with Adam and Eve, but they tossed that away for a taste of forbidden fruit. Mankind still does that.

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. (Genesis 3:8 KJV)

The voice of God comes in many ways – in a burning bush: And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. (Exodus 3:4 KJV)

To Job, out of a whirlwind, with questions: Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. (Job 38:1-3 KJV)

Elijah listened through earthquake and fire, only to hear a still, small, voice: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:12 KJV)

Isaiah exhorted others, as I do for you: And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD. (2 Kings 20:16 KJV)

In so many instances, those words were condemnations of the recipient’s turning away from God. How much better would it have been to have heeded Isaiah’s words:

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:16-17 KJV)

His Son taught how to speak to Him in prayer: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 KJV)

Religious Principles

“Recollect the civil and religious principles and hopes and expectations which constantly supported and carried them through all hardships with patience and resignation.

"Let us recollect it was liberty, the hope of liberty, for themselves and us and ours, which conquered all discouragements, dangers, and trials."

President John Adams 1735-1826

Many wish our founding fathers not to have had religion in their lives. Yet the above is but one example of the importance religious principles held. Their principles were included in their political writings, such as the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

“Article II. It is the right as well as the duty of all men in society, publicly, and at stated seasons to worship the Supreme Being, the great Creator and Preserver of the universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religious profession or sentiments; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious worship.”

Appears there remained ties to the principles of the Mayflower Compact when the above was written. Appears someone was familiar with scripture when it comes to duty:

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV)

Connecticut wasn’t too far behind, including the phrase: “administer justice according to the Laws here established, and for want thereof, according to the Rule of the Word of God”

Predating both, the Iroquois Confederacy lived a constitution that included: “The rites and festivals of each nation shall remain undisturbed and shall continue as before because they were
given by the people of old times as useful and necessary for the good of men.”

Today, many wish politicians would not display their religion in their lives. Many current politicians write laws diametrically opposed to their chosen religion’s beliefs, teachings and basic doctrines.

Is it true they do so separate their religion from their daily lives, or do their daily lives reflect their true religious principles? Frankly, I prefer the openness of those who fought for the right to include religion in our nation’s written history. Written, in many places, literally in stone.

Ignore them, change them, erase them, and this is no longer the same nation. Let us remember the Biblical admonition:

Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. (Proverbs 22:28 KJV)

This, let us teach our children.

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7 KJV)

Shaping Attitudes

A friend sends me In Touch devotionals on a regular basis. Today’s had the following:

“Staying young while growing old begins with your mind. Never stop listening to the Lord and learning from His Word. Allow godly thinking to shape your attitudes. Be thankful, keep laughing, and rejoice in your Lord.”

As I read it – and agreed with it!!! – I realized that I also live it. I am growing old. That’s not a bad thing, for I’ve become a Titus 2 aged woman. There were times in my life where I stopped listening to our Lord. What a stagnant, over-busy time that was.

When I returned to listening, and learning from His word, things changed in my life. Others in our family listened and learned, too. Not from me, but from many others adept at godly thinking. As individuals, we changed; as a family we changed dynamically.

The Bible has much to say about godly thinking:

But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him. (Psalms 4:3 KJV)

For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. (Psalms 32:6 KJV)

Along with godly thinking comes rejoicing:

For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. (2 Corinthians 1:12 KJV)

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. (2 Corinthians 7:9 KJV)

We are thankful that:

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, (2 Peter 2:9a KJV)

There’s always His word to remind us how to live:

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; (Romans 12:12 KJV)

Paul was clear as to where our thoughts should be:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)

As Christ ended His example of the Good Samaritan, so I end this example of godly attitudes:

Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:37 KJV)