Ideas for 2020

Can you believe 2019 is almost gone already?!

I don't normally make resolutions for the new year, but I do try to set a few goals for myself such as memorizing portions of Scripture, going over what I have already memorized often enough to keep it memorized, spending a certain amount of time in prayer each day/week, completing a crochet project I'm currently working on and finishing X number of others, etc. I try to keep them realistic although sometimes I am not as successful as I had hoped, but I do enjoy having a reachable goal to work towards.

Another thing I do at the end of one year is pick a verse or portion of Scripture for my theme through the next year. I also sometimes assign a character quality to each month; for instance January may be contentment, February could be joyfulness, March patience, and so on. Sometimes I won't feel particularly "tested" on the month's character quality, but other times I definitely have opportunities to work on the selected character quality. I have actually really enjoyed doing this the past few years, although I am sure I could reassign the exact same qualities that I used in 2019 for 2020 and feel like they were "all new."

Some years I find verses and a hymn to go along with the quality I am working on each month. A month may be something like this:

November:
Character quality: Joyfulness
Verse: Psalm 118:24, Philippians 4:4
Hymn: Joy In Serving Jesus

One year I split the families in our church up by family(ies) per month and prayed for them "extra" that month. Of course, I tried not to pray less than I had been for any other family, but I would write the family(ies) a note letting know that I was praying specifically for them that month and asking if they had any special prayer request I could join them in praying about. You can do this with extended family and missionaries too.

I hope this post does not sound boastful, but rather gives you a few ideas to think about for 2020. I would love to hear what you do at the end/beginning of a year. Your resolutions or goals?

Glory to God in the Highest!

Glory to God in the Highest!

Many, many years ago,

A star shone on earth below,

Proclaiming Messiah’s birth,

A night of peace and of mirth,

Angles to shepherds appeared,

At the sight the herdsmen feared,

His praise the heav’nly host sang,

With their song the heavens rang;

Glory to God in the Highest!

The earth shall no more weep and mourn,

Glory to God in the Highest!

Unto us a Savior is born!

The wisemen came from afar,

Guided by His natal star.

Gold, frankincense, myrrh to bring;

Gifts for a child, yet a King,

A King indeed! Son of God,

Yet as man on earth He trod,

He came His Word to fulfill,

And obey His Father’s will,

Hosanna, Son of the Highest!

Healing the sick, the blind, the lame,

Hosanna, Son of the Highest!

Glory, praise, and laud to His name.

With selfless love for others,

He served sisters and brothers,

He washed His apostles’ feet;

As every need He did meet,

At the garden He did pray—

Knowing it was His last day,

On His back our stripes were laid,

With His blood our debts were paid,

Spotless Lamb, our Lord and Savior!

Innocent yet condemned to die.,

Spotless Lamb, our Lord and Savior!

Now lifted up in heav’n on high!

After the veil he had rent,

A Comforter he hath sent:

To guide us to do His will;

And preserve us from ill,

And when He shall come again,

To judge the souls of men,

Oh, that He not find us slack!

As His grace we do not lack,

The Lord, he is the Good Shepherd!

He giveth His life for the sheep,

The Lord, he is the Good Shepherd!

Blessed are the souls in His keep!

H. R

His Abundant Love

I was reading my devotions one morning recently and a portion of Scripture hit me in a new way. Isn't it marvelous how the Holy Spirit can use God's word, written thousands of years ago, to speak to us on a daily basis? It an amazing thing, and this is why we need to be in the Word daily.

I was reading in Luke 17, "And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.  And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,  And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger."

Now consider this. While God was fully man, He was still fully God as well, so He knew ahead of time what the 9 would do. To human reasoning (if we could've known their reaction ahead of time and had power to heal) we would think their ingratitude so ridiculous that we most likely wouldn't even heal them at all.  In this hypothetical, personally and to my shame, I think my thoughts would be, "If you can't even say thanks, then I don't need to heal you either." True agape love is the reason here.  What love for mankind Jesus had! Can you imagine how He feels when we claim His name (as Christians) and then deprive men of some need merely because of the way they treat us? Truthfully, we cannot in our own frame and finite strength love men with such love -- not without another source flowing through us. That source is Christ Himself. When we're thankful in our hearts for all He's done for us, and when we're earnestly striving to please Him, this love will be possible. Think of the lives you can touch when you let Christ's love flow through you? Think of the consequences when you don't. 

As I thought on this, a previous chapter I had read suddenly popped to mind. In chapter 10;
 "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."

I dare say most of us are breaking the Ten Commandments on a regular basis. If we're to love our neighbor as ourselves, and people as the one the Samaritan helped are our neighbors, then how do we measure up? Are we the Levite or priest that passed by? 

Jesus said over and over again throughout the Gospels that we are to help those who cannot help us in return. If we only give to those of whom we hope to receive, then Christ says we're no better than publicans and sinners. Often we are much more eager to receive the blessings of men rather than of God. Which do you think is better? Luke 14:14 says, " And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."
God's blessing far exceeds any reward or thanks that mankind could offer.

Remember, God's love flowing through us is a well that never runs dry. Our own feeble affection cannot measure up, and we will quickly grow weary if we depend on it to see us through. This Christmas let a deeper meaning of "goodwill and peace to men" sink into our hearts.

The Meaning of Words

Our pastor wrote this in December's bulletin, and I found it to be a very good point.

From our pastor.....
We often look to a dictionary or lexicon for insight into the words we find in Scripture. This is necessary, especially for some of the "old" words in our KJV Bible. Most times, we find several meanings and the context of the word determines which meaning is appropriate. But there is more to understanding the full meaning of words.
For example, the full meaning of AGAPE, translated as "love" or "charity" is not found in the dictionary but in the whole life of the Lord Jesus Christ. The word finds its fullest meaning at the cross.
Another word that is better defined by Scripture is the word: MEEKNESS.  The free dictionary; "A disposition to be patient and longsuffering, subdeudness, humility,...a lack of false pride." BUT also it has the nuance of "spinelessness--the quality of lacking a strong character; an irresolute disposition."
These definitions show the change in meaning over time: "meekness" in our day is not seen as a virtue. In the Bible, Moses and Jesus are said to be MEEK--patient and forbearing under provocation. But I think (just like with AGAPE) the lives of Moses and Jesus define the word "Meekness" in greater detail: "Meekness is self control under provocation and rejection; using your strength and abilities to serve others."

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving fellow Americans!

I wonder how many times we gather together on this day just for fun and a very large meal (turkey, ham, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes in some form, rolls or cornbread, and much more) without really thinking about just how much we have to be truly grateful for.

I am grateful that we still have the freedom to celebrate days such as Thanksgiving freely and openly
I am thankful for my family (these two words really aren't adequate for the blessing I have in my family), my friends, my church, my job, my pets, the ability to read and write, good books, the ability to crochet, eyesight, hearing, God's beautiful creation, seasons, textures, colors, the joy Jesus gives, the character of God (forgiveness, patience, love, gentleness, faithfulness, etc.), and the list could go on and on.

What things do you have to be thankful for? Perhaps something that you often take for granted. If you know the Lord as your Savior stop and thank Him for His bountiful goodness.

Thanksgiving Proclamation by George Washington

 

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks--for His kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of His Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

George Washington

 

Thankfulness is the Only Way

Thankfulness is the Only Way

Thankfulness is the only way,

To go about your day.

Whether tidings be good or bad,

You can choose to be glad.

Thankfulness is the only way

The healthy soul can stay,

Free from the murmuring disease;

And soar through life with ease.

Thankfulness is the only way,

To the Lord you can say;

I appreciate all You do;

For what you withhold too.

Thankfulness is the only way,

To live out every day.

Praises flow from the thankful heart.

It’s a choice, not an art.

Heather

Book Review: Dial 119 by Charity Woon.

 I recently completed my first read through the newly published book Dial 119 by Charity Woon. It was given to me as a graduation present by my mom, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Although my toes suffered, and at points I felt they were at risk of deep injury, I will all the more gladly promote this book!
Its chapters are short and sort of devotional style, but don't let their length fool you! The powerful and convicting messages found in the pages are a result of an author's willingness to learn from mistakes, and let the Spirit work. The book derives its name, a play on words, from Psalm 119. How many of us wouldn't dial 911 in the case of emergency and urgency for response. We know help is three digits away. But often the same people who know to dial 911 in their time of crisis, don't know how to get help for their spiritual emergencies? The writer of the longest Psalm in the Bible didn't hesitate to admit his own weakness and lack of ability to help himself, but he was quick to call on the most available help for the believer--the Lord.

Mrs. Woon dives into the verses of Psalm 119, and through her writing and object lessons pulls out rare jewels. This book is worth the price and deserves a spot on you bookshelf.  The book is available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R8QH1XR/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Note:
I had the privilege of meeting Charity Woon in person, in one of the most direct answers to prayer.
I was still reading the book for the first time and enjoying it. I once joked how it would be neat to meet her since we share a lot of common views spiritually, but that I doubted it would ever happen--
I mean here she is, a missionary with her family to the other side of the world--who am I?
A few months back I made plans to visit some friends attending Ambassador Baptist College in North Carolina. I wanted to surprise the friends so I, and those that went with me, didn't tell them we were coming. A few days before the planned time for our visit, we saw on Facebook where Charity Woon and some of her family would be at ABC doing a tour of the campus. And of all days, they were planning on being at the college the exact same day we were! I was elated, but still held myself back. We'd only be there a few hours at the most, and I didn't have any idea what time they were planning on being there or if I would get to speak to them at all.  The day came, and the Lord worked out to where I got to surprise my friend, meet Mrs. Woon and some of her kids, and have a wonderful time. Upon my asking Charity Woon to autograph my copy of her book, she went further and wrote me a little note as well which I treasure. There's no way I could ever have hoped to plan such a day--with so many different parties involved. But the Lord did it! And I'm very thankful He did. :)

Veterans' Day

We want to express our deepest thanks to all those who have served our country faithfully and selflessly. Thanks to the veterans and to all who have served and sacrificed for our freedom and well being. 

“Men who for truth and honor's sake
Stand fast and suffer long.
Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly...
They build a nation's pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.”—Ralph Waldo Emerson

This song was done for a SC trooper's memorial service, but it's very applicable here too.

Wait on Him

"Wait"

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate....
And the master so gently said, "Wait"

Wait? you say wait? my indignant reply.
Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.

My future and all to which I relate
Hangs in your balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a "yes", a go-ahead sign,
Or even a "no" to which I can resign.

You promised, dear Lord, that if we believed
We need but to ask and we shall receive
And Lord I've been asking and this is my cry
I'm weary of asking I need a reply

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As the Master replied again, "wait"
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taught
And I grumbled to God, So, I'm waiting for what?

He seemed then to kneel and his eyes met with mine
And he tenderly said, I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun
I could raise up the dead and cause mountains to run

I could give all you seek and pleased you would be
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint

You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence are all you can see.

You'd never experience the fullness of love
When the peace of my spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart

The glow of my comfort late in the night
The faith that I give when you walk without sight
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.

You'd never know should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true
But, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.

So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to truly know Me.
And though oft my answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still ... "Wait"

 (Author unknown)

Where Did Halloween Come From?

With over a billion dollars spent almost every year at Halloween it's surprising that more people don't seem to know what they're celebrating. People assume the fun of carving ugly-faced pumpkins, entering haunted houses, trick or treating, and playing divination games is harmless, but is it?
Well, sure.
Oh? Well what are your really doing when you celebrate Halloween.
Um... funny costumes, collecting free candy, and scaring people?
Halloween's origin comes from  the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). This Celtic festival was a day in which the Celts believed that the spirit world met and mixed with the natural world and that the souls of the dead returned to haunt. Things like trick or treating and costumes aren't as innocent as they appear. The Celts would dress up like demons and witches to try to confuse the evil spirits. They would build big bonfires to frighten the demons away. They did food offerings to try to stay on the "good side" of the evil spirits. Poorer folks would go door to door begging the richer people for "soul cakes" and in return they promised to "pray" for the person. Bobbing for apples was also among their activities. They would mark one of the apples and it was believed that whoever got that apples when bobbing, was the next in line to get married. They "played" divination games, but they did it in earnest. Theses people were in mortal fright of the demons and evil spirits that controlled their lives. And the legends go on, but I'll end there for now. The ancient church tried to "Christianize" the festival into a holiday to remember the martyrs, but they adopted a lot of the pagan activities. They celebrated one day later on November 1st, and called it, All Saints Day. But regardless if you think you are celebrating Halloween (a pagan holiday) or All saints Day, are your activities and actions backed up by the Scriptures? God told the Israelites to NOT adopt the customs and rituals of the gentiles (pagan) peoples. Did it work for Solomon? Here's the answer;
 "But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites: Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love....and his wives turned away his heart." 1 Kings 11:1-3.
"Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them." Jeremiah 10:2.
Galatians 4:8-11   "Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.  I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain."
But here's the good news. Jesus said in John 8, ^"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." If we have Jesus Christ in our hearts we're free! We don't have to live in fear and bondage like those who do not believe. And if we believe, why celebrate a holiday that came to be, from fear, superstition, evil, and darkness?

Perhaps you disagree with the above points or think those Scriptures are irrelevant to today's world (I would respectfully disagree with that thinking) but if you do feel that way, then maybe consider the following thoughts at a minimum:  some people may have really tight budgets and can't afford candy; some people may not wish to participate--but if they live in a common trick or treating neighborhood ,what kind of awkward position are you leaving them in? Does it teach your children good manners? Should you celebrate a holiday where black cats aren't safe outdoors?
Please take some time to think about what, and more importantly, who you're celebrating.

A Brief Look at Moses

The story of Moses leading the children of Israel through the dessert to the Promised Land is a familiar one to Christians, but as I was reading in the book of Exodus recently I was thinking about how many details in the beginning of Moses' life I often read over without thinking too much about because they are familiar.

We know that Moses' parents feared the Lord (Hebrews 11:23) and that they taught their children to do likewise.
In verses five and seven of chapter two we see that Moses' sister was obedient and watchful. She protected Moses by thinking and acting quickly and offering to help Pharaoh's daughter find a nurse, knowing her mother would gladly be the nurse for her own son and would be able to give Moses a good foundation in the first few, but very important and teachable, years of his life. Many children raised in good Christian homes have gotten saved at a very young age because their parents were faithful and careful to start teaching them at a very young age--some even before the child was born. Children learn far faster and at younger age than people like to admit. I've seen a video of a two year old quoting the 23rd Psalm. Start early and  be consistent. (No charge for the extra "rant")😃

In verse six we are told that Pharaoh's daughter wanted Moses as her own child even though he was a Hebrew child--and her dad had decreed that all male Hebrew babies were to be killed. God miraculously spared Moses' life.

Though the position of Pharaoh's daughter's son had given Moses the opportunity to be highly educated we read in Hebrews 11:24-26 that Moses, "When he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.

As we read on, reading Acts 7:19-44 at the same time, we learn that Moses was a well educated man that was "mighty in words and deeds," that he was a "full forty" years old when "it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel, that he apparently already knew that God was going to use him to deliver the children of Israel and supposed they knew too, but "they understood not," and when things didn't go as he expected and his people rejected him, he fled.

(Clarke says on verse 13 of Exodus chapter two, "Two men of the Hebrews strove together - How strange that in the very place where they were suffering a heavy persecution because they were Hebrews, the very persons themselves who suffered it should be found persecuting each other! It has been often seen that in those times in which the ungodly oppressed the Church of Christ, its own members have been separated from each other by disputes concerning comparatively unessential points of doctrine and discipline, in consequence of which both they and the truth have become an easy prey to those whose desire was to waste the heritage of the Lord.")

Forty years later Moses sees the burning bush and talks with the angel of LORD who tells him that he (Moses) is to deliver the children of Israel, to which Moses replies, "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" God's response takes the focus off of Moses and puts it back on obedience to God who sent him. "Certainly I will be with thee." God then promises Moses that, "When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain," and God never breaks a promise.

When Moses asks God what name he should give the children of Israel for God, He gives Moses a name heretofore not known, but definitely one that the Jews would recognize later. (See John 8:58) He also gives Moses a name for Himself that even the heathen knew--Jehovah Elohim--LORD God: The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Exodus 3:15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

Of course the story goes beyond this, but this is where I'll end for now with just a few concluding thoughts. In Moses we see a type of Christ: He was chosen by God to deliver His people (when both Moses and Christ were born the leaders of the countries they were born in were having the male babies killed), he was rejected by his own people, went to the Gentiles, married a Gentile bride, came back to his own people and was accepted this time, delivered his people from slavery, was a mediator between God and the people, and led his people to the Promised Land.

(Moses also told the Israelites, "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; Him shall ye hear." Acts 7:37)

When we read or think about Moses (and many other Bible characters) it seems that their lives were filled with many big decisions--and some of them were--but it's the little decisions that we make every day that shape and determine who we really are. You don't get to the "big" decisions without first making the "little" ones.
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." Luke 16:10