Category: Faith

A Lesson in Loyalty

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I was blessed this weekend with a visit from some like-minded friends. Our family enjoyed three days of sweet fellowship with this dear couple, five precious children, and one adorable Daschund puppy. Some might think that a home filled with 4 adults visiting, working, and cooking; 8 children laughing, swimming, and playing; and 3 dogs barking, running, and whining might be loud and disorderly. But that was not the case. Our home was peaceful. The children were polite and well behaved. And the dogs were…….well; the children were polite and well behaved.

Speaking of the dogs, I was amazed as I watched “Bobbie” the Daschund with his 8 year old owner. Never before have I seen such loyalty in a dog. Wherever this little girl went her dog followed. If she went in a room and closed the door, he would be at the door whining. If she went outside to play, he would pace the floor and whine at the door. When she was in the house, he was in her lap or at her feet. It was as though she was ALWAYS on his mind. The other children or adults could pet him or hold him but his eyes were always fixed upon his little owner.

As I observed all of this, I could not help but think about my Master and my loyalty to Him. Are my eyes always fixed upon Him? Am I anxious when He seems afar off? Am I always looking to sit at His feet? Am I as loyal as this little dog is to his master? These are good questions to ponder. And, as I consider these, I will meditate upon Psalm 123:2 “Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.”

Well Digging

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Seven years ago our family began a remarkable journey.   Being called into the ministry, my husband felt led to finish his college education.  He was 30 years old.  At the time we had been married 10 years and our children were small.  During this journey we have moved 6 times in three different states, sold two homes, sold our embroidery business, and homeschooled our three children.  Dana has been a wonderful husband, devoted father, spiritual leader, sole-provider, protector of his family, pastor and friend to many.  Today, after 7 years, the children and I sat proudly as we watched him received his Masters in Ministry degree from Tennessee Temple Seminary in Chattanooga, TN.  I thank the Lord for giving him the grace and strength to finish the task that was set before him.  Our family recognizes that it is our Heavenly Father who deserves all the glory. 

Dr. Ken Ham, from Answers in Genesis, was the commencement speaker this morning.  He blessed our hearts as he spoke on digging wells.  “For all the wells which his father’s servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth…. And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.  (Gen 26:15, 18)

Dr. Ham made a striking comparison to today.  Our founding fathers built this country upon the Word of God.  They dug deep wells that sprung forth life-giving waters.  This water is Jesus Christ himself.  Over several generations, the “Philistines” have stopped these wells using public education, secular colleges, the media, Hollywood, and false preachers and teachers.  They have filled the wells with lies and have stopped the flow of water.  Dr. Ham charged the audience to go out into the world and, like Isaac, re-dig the wells that have been stopped.  In addition, we need to be about digging new wells that bring forth life-giving water.  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)

 So dearest husband, I want to thank you for working so hard all these years.  And while your degree is quite an accomplishment, it is nothing compared to the work you have done “digging wells” all these years.  Your family has seen it.  Many times we have been there right along with you, handing you a shovel, wiping the sweat from your brow, or fixing you a refreshing drink of water while you work.  And we look forward to many more years of well digging with you.

With all our love, Kimberly, Aaron, Abigail, and Andrew

The Dogwood

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Living in the middle of a national forest has its advantages. Driving home from town the other day my husband stops the car. He gets out and walks over to a dogwood tree, jumps up, pulls a flower off, and brings it to me. The children and I take turns smelling the fragrant aroma and discussing its beauty. During the drive we were able to enjoy the sight of several dogwood trees. I commented that I would love to have one in my yard. Later that evening my boys rushed into the house and said, “Mom, come here! We have something to show you!” They brought me over to my bedroom window and opened the shade. To my surprise there was a tiny dogwood tree planted right outside my window. It was beautiful! Of course, it was just a large branch that they stuck into the ground. We all knew that our “tree” would not last. But the motive behind my boy’s action was that of eternal splendor. My boys wanted to please me and the desire came from their love for me.

Last night as I was reading in I John, I came across a verse that made me think about this story again. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous,” 1John 5:3. God’s commandments are not burdensome! Our obedience to our Lord should be from a heart’s desire to please Him, not because we have to obey but because we want to! Just as it was in no way burdensome to my boys to show their love for me in action, so should it never be grievous or burdensome for us, as God’s children, to show our love in obedience. Will I always obey with pure delight? No! But I will say this. The only time the commandments of God become grievous to me is when I am doing them in the flesh. When I am walking in the Spirit, His commands are joyous. My obedience flows from a love I have for my Father because of His great love for me. So the next time I look at a dogwood tree it will serve as a reminder of God, His love, and His blessed commands.

A few knives and a “mazooka”

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A few weeks ago we were sitting in the car waiting on my husband to come out of a store. Our next stop was to have pictures made for our passports. The children were talking about them and our upcoming trip out of the country. They were asking if we would be fingerprinted. I told them, “No, we just need pictures taken”. To which Andrew responded with, “I don’t care if they take my fingerprints. I have nothing to hide!” He paused for a moment and then said, “Well, maybe a few knives and a mazooka…”

This statement made me think. How many people go through life with things to hide? How many things do I try to hide? As a child of God, I believe in being sincere and true in all that I do. But even then, there is a part of me, deep within, that I want no one to know about. There are thoughts, worries, fears, and sins of my heart that only God knows. Like the Psalmist I often pray, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” Psalm 139:23-24. I am so glad that I can go to the Lord, for He is more forgiving than mankind. “O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee,” Psalm 69:5. There is great peace in knowing that nothing is hidden from God. Even with all my faults and failures, God knows my motives. He knows my heart. He knows my deepest desire to please Him in all I do. In confidence I can truly say to Him, “I have nothing to hide!” Thank you Lord for that!

By the way, the “mazooka” my seven year old owns is made by Nerf and “the few knives”…well, that’s another story.

Faith – a verse-by-verse study through James

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The second book in my Living Out the Word series is finally finished!  Faith – A verse-by-verse study for women through the book of James.  The proof copy is on its way.  If all goes well we can expect it to be available to the public within a month.  I thank the Lord that He has allowed me to finish this and I pray that He receives all glory.  Below is an insert from the introduction.

 You could summarize the book of James in one word, “FAITH”.  Just what does it mean to have faith?  Every day you demonstrate great faith.  Even now, wherever you are sitting, you have placed faith in your chair to hold you.  Chances are you sat down without a bit of fear or worry that you would be held up.  You are relaxed and confident in the ability of your seat.  We demonstrate faith when we ride in an elevator, when we get in a car, when we fly in a plane.  We demonstrate faith in our doctors and the medicines they give us.  We even demonstrate faith in our own bodies when we first place our feet on the floor each morning to take a walk.  We demonstrate faith in restaurants when we eat food someone else has prepared. We demonstrate faith in our husbands, in our children, in our friends and family. If you pay attention you will find yourself demonstrating great faith throughout any given day.  Faith means to believe in something or to have trust.  But, what does it mean to have faith in God?  Is it enough to just say, “I believe in God”?  No, for we will find out later in James that even the devils believe and they tremble.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  And in verse six it tells us that, “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Jesus spoke of faith often.  He spoke of those with little faith and those who had great faith.  He said that it was because of their faith that many were healed, that they were made whole, and that they were saved.  Faith moves mountains. 

In the book of James we will learn that faith endures trials, faith understands temptations, faith gives us wisdom to pass the tests given, faith obeys the Word, faith produces doers, faith harbors no prejudice, faith displays itself in works, faith controls the tongue, faith acts wisely, and faith gives us the ability to resist the devil and draw nigh to God.  

So, what exactly is faith?  My husband often gives a very simple and easy definition of what faith is.  It is simply having confidence in the trustworthiness of God.   As you study through the book of James remember that simple definition of faith.

                     Faith is simply confidence in the trustworthiness of God.                          

In other words, faith is having complete assurance that God will do what He says He will do.  So the only way to build our faith is to know God and His Word.  It is through His Word that we learn of His trustworthiness and through His Spirit working in our lives that our confidence is built.  As we study the book of James, that will be our goal – to study His Word, verse by verse and line by line in order to know Him better.  By doing this, our faith will continue to grow. 

Why am I sick?

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Even as a small child, sitting beside my father and mother in church, I noticed a pattern in prayer request.  It seems as though times have not changed much.  Almost every time when a prayer is mentioned it is for someone who is sick.  On occasions a dear saint might ask for the salvation of a lost family member or someone might ask for prayer for their family or for our country.  But I have noticed that most prayer request are for the sick, dying, and grieving.  When someone would give a testimony of praise it, as well, usually involved a healing from a sickness.  What is it about sickness that consumes so much of our prayer life?  As believers, why are physical concerns our only concerns?  Why are we not praying for our lost family members, friends, neighbors, and church members?  Why are we not praying for our missionaries as they battle in this spiritual war waged against them?  Why are we not praying for those who are destroying their own lives by living in sin?  Why are we not praying for our church families who are falling apart at the seams?  Why are we not praying for the immature, babes in Christ to grow in grace and knowledge?  Why are we not praying for the faithful mature believers to remain strong and true?  Why are we not praying for a spiritual hedge of protection upon our church?  Why are we not praying for God to raise up godly men who are willing to do the hard things necessary in our churches and nation?

 Perhaps it is the personal aspect.  Unfortunately, even children of God tend to be self-centered in our prayer life.  These types of prayers are hard to pray.  It takes a spiritually mature child of God to deny self and pray earnestly for others.  It takes hours and hours upon our knees to pray as we should.  It takes a rejection of this physical world to place our thoughts and affections upon spiritual things. It is easy to ask prayer for Brother So-and-so when he is sick, but it is a lot harder to pray for Brother So-and-so who lives in bitterness, strife, and constant sin.  It is a lot easier to pray for Sister So-and-so who is having surgery than to pray for Sister So-and-so who struggles with gossip. And it is a lot easier to ask prayer for ourselves when we are physically afflicted than to ask prayer for ourselves when we struggle and our faith is weak.  You see, it is easy to pray for the physical things but these are not the most important things.  It is only the spiritual things that will matter in eternity.  It is not our sickness that will matter as much as how we deal with our sickness.  When we become sick do we allow God to work in our lives, molding and shaping us into Christ’ image?  Do we see the hand of God working to draw us closer to Him during these times?  Do we see His perfect will being wrought in our lives and the lives of others?  It is these spiritual things in which we should pray.

 However, since sickness does acquire so much attention in our lives, it is important to recognize the different types.  Whether it is our sickness or others that we are praying for, God is sovereign in it all.  I believe that a child of God who diligently seeks the Lord and His face can petition God to reveal the purpose for the sickness.  In Scripture, I have found at least four reasons.

 The first and most apparent is the sickness unto death.  “And as it is appointed unto men once to die…”Hebrews 9:27a.  “For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23a.  We are all under the curse of death and there comes a point in our lives, as a result of sin, that our physical bodies will die and return to the earth.  “And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” Genesis 3:17-19.  Therefore, from the moment of birth we begin to physically die. The statistic is accurate.  Ten out of ten people die.  It is a part of life.  We should seek wisdom from God to know when we should stop praying for healing and begin praying for grace.  “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15.

 There is also a sickness due to testing.  Job is an example of this.  “And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown” (Job 2:6-7).  There are times that God will send a sickness for no other purpose than to test our faith.  A mature believer can learn to be thankful for these times of testing.  For it is in trials that our faith grows.   “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” James 1:3-4.    

There is also a sickness for no other purpose than God’s glory.  Do you remember the story of Jesus healing the blind man?  Jesus and his disciples passed by a man who was blind from his birth.  The disciples asked, “Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9:2.  Jesus responded that neither the man sinned or his parents but “that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”  Do you remember the story of Mary and Martha sending messengers to Jesus about Lazarus’ sickness?  “When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby” John 11:4.  I have heard story after story about a person who had cancer or some other fatal illness.  But then God in His mercy answered prayers and healed this person.  It was the sickness that revealed God’s glory to the world.

 The fourth cause of sickness is due to unconfessed sin in the believer’s life.  The Corinthian church was taking the Lord Supper unworthily and bringing about condemnation. “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep” 1Corinthians 11:30.  Many times God will chasten His children with an illness to bring them to repentance.  “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” Revelations 3:19.  God loves His children too much to let them remain in sin.  What would we think of a father who knowingly allowed his small child to play in the street?  We would think of him as unfit at best or even uncaring and cruel.   Why then, do we think that our Heavenly Father allows His children to play around with sin in the streets of destruction?  He is holy, perfect, and just, therefore, He corrects His children.  There are many backsliding believers who are under the judgment of God.  They need to humbly confess, turn away from their sin, and turn back to God.  James 5:14-16 gives us the remedy for someone who is sick due to sin.  “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

 Why am I sick?  I do not believe it is wrong to ask this question.  Seek the Lord for the answer.  Whether it is a sickness unto death or as a test of faith let it be as a witness for God’s glory.  If it is a sickness due to sin, confess your sins and “despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” Hebrews 12:5-7.

 

Counting Chicks!

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Driving home from a Valentine party the children were in the back seat discussing the weather. They were thrilled at the prospect of having snow the next day. Living in south Mississippi, one rarely sees snow. However, the weather forecasters had predicted four to six inches beginning that evening and continuing on through the following day. “Children,” I said, not wanting them to be disappointed if they were wrong, “you can’t count your chickens before they hatch.” We made it home and I gave the conversation no further thought. And sure enough, it started snowing during the night. By 6 a.m. the ground was covered. It was a beautiful sight!

Andrew, my youngest, was the first one up. He immediately ran to the door. “Mom, there are four to eight chicks out there!” He excitedly proclaimed. “What are you talking about son?” I asked. “My chicks! They hatched!” he said proudly.

The day consisted of playing in the snow, building snowmen, and having snowball fights. As I watched my children play with their friends, it took me back to a simpler time in life. I was taken back to a time when my only concern was if my fingers would fall off from the cold or how long it would take for the snowmen to melt. Time sure does pass quickly. Before I know it my children will all be grown. They won’t be running in and out of the house anymore. I won’t have to remind them to blow their nose or take off their muddy boots. They will have children of their own and my house will be quiet. But, I’m not there yet. My children are still young. They still have time to play. I still have time to enjoy this stage of life. I guess I shouldn’t count my chickens before they hatch!

When Bible Study is Wrong

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Humor me a moment as I describe my perfect morning. After a good nights rest I would get out of bed by 5:30 a.m., pour a cup of coffee and sit down in the living room with a blanket, my Bible, and prayer journal. When I first wake I like it quiet. Don’t talk to me. I want to spend a few minutes slowly waking up and preparing to start the day. I like to write in the mornings. I like to read my Bible and pray. Therefore, the first hour is mine.

 On this perfect morning, an hour or so later, I would receive a phone call from my prayer and accountability partner who is a pastor’s wife in Arkansas. For the next 30 minutes to an hour we would talk about scripture, share burdens and encourage one another. Then slowly my children would wake up and we would begin our morning routine. I’ve spent many mornings just like the one described above. However, there is one thing wrong with the above picture…..there is no mention of my husband. I realize that there are some men who are perfectly content with being left alone in the mornings but not mine. He gets up early and wants to talk about the day. He wants his coffee and a companion to share it with. He wants a hot breakfast of biscuits, gravy, sausage and scrambled eggs. So, what’s a girl to do?

 The “whitewashed feminist” in me screams out that “I need my time too.” But, is this the correct Biblical response? As a child of God and my husband’s help meet what kind of example would I be if I neglected him in order to study the Bible? I remember the day clearly when God convicted me. My husband never said a word. He just went to the kitchen and started cooking breakfast while I sat on the couch with my Bible in one hand and the phone in the other. All of a sudden, I did not feel very spiritual. Bible study in itself was not wrong, but my attitude sure was. So I got off the phone, put up my Bible, for a later time in the day, and with a repentant heart began to serve. Am I saying that cooking breakfast is a more spiritual work than studying the Bible? Yes, in this case I am because God is always concerned with the heart.

Sunday

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Throughout the week not a thought was given

Of the One who died and then was risen

So it was no surprise when Sunday came

That this day would be about the same.

A hectic morning, rushing to and fro

Hurry up! To church we must go!

Where’s the Bible, it hasn’t been seen all week.

Not once have we read of Christ so meek.

Nor prayed to God or our sins confessed

Yet on to church, we want to be blessed!

Beautiful songs rang with words so true

But the meanings of them no one knew

A few words spoken, empty prayers said

Mere ritual from hearts that were dead

The God of Heaven saw no contrition

Looking down only man’s tradition.

So He search below to see if He could find

A people who loved with heart, soul, and mind

Those who seek Him every single day

Who feast on His Word and faithfully pray

One day a week, worship is not done

But daily from rising to setting sun

Then on Sunday, fellowship sweet

With brothers and sisters they will meet

With one accord praise rise to the sky

In thanksgiving worshipping Him on High.

True confessions made from deep within

The cleansing and purifying of their sins.

Fervent prayers bringing fire from above

So encompassing and deep is His great love.

Next Sunday, they looked forward with glee

For no other place they would rather be.

I told you so…..

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Some things you just don’t want to be right about.

Back in June I wrote a blog called, “An Obamanation”. In it I warned that things were going to get worse and that if the Lord tarried then our children and grandchildren would witness terribly inmoral things in this country. The reason I said this is because I believe Scripture and in Leviticus Chapter 20 God deals with adultery, then homosexuality and then bestiality. We’ve seen adultery run rampant for several generations and now we are witnessing for ourselves the abomination of homosexuality being forced upon us. So logically what is next?

Today I received an action alert from American Family Association. Here is what it said.

Fox network inserts bestiality into family programming Urgent: File a formal complaint today with the FCC!

The Fox broadcast network featured bestiality on the program American Dad that aired over your public airwaves on Sunday night, January 3rd. But that’s not the worst of it. The network chose one of the most popular animated children’s programs (according to the Parents Television Council) to spew their toxic perversion and sickening content. Keep in mind that this program’s popularity ranges primarily from children 2-11 years old.

 I wish this was an issue that could be ignored. It sickens me to even think about it. But the truth is that if we ignore it than the victory will be given to the workers of darkness. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Eph 5:11) We better start waking up. We better start reading our Bibles. And we better stop being complacent and start standing up for righteousness. I guess I was wrong in one way. I was naïve enough to believe that it would be the next few generations that would have to deal with this but it looks like it will be mine.

 “Oh Lord Jesus how long? How long? Ere we shout the glad song, Christ returneth, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!”