3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Acts 2:42
New International Version (NIV)
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
I've been wondering tonight where I place my devotion. Too often it is on the things of earth rather than the things above. I've also been learning about the Odes of Solomon, possibly the church's first hymnal. I suspect the early Christians knew more about devotion to Jesus than many of us today, myself included. This song is from The Odes Project, which has put music to the words of the ancient poet.
15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
"The BIBLE" - Go Fish
Sunday school, Penderlea Homesteads, North Carolina. 1937. Library of Congress.
13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
"Am I a Solder of the Cross" is a hymn I loved as a child but seems to have fallen out of use in the church. It certainly stirred my young girl's heart. Listening to it again tonight, I have found that it continues to stir this old mature woman's heart. There aren't enough words to express my gratitude to my Savior who went to the cross for me. Yes, I want to be His disciple; and when my cross seems to heavy to bear, I learn how often and how much he shoulders the burden for me.
"Am I a Soldier of the Cross" Isaac Watts 1721
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His Name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord.
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith’s discerning eye.
When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine
In robes of victory through the skies,
The glory shall be Thine.
3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord,[a] do not pass your servant by. 4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”
“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”
Hebrews 13:2
New International Version (NIV)
2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Matthew 25:35-40
New International Version (NIV)
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
My pastor asked his congregation, "Had any of us seen the homeless man resting on the front steps of the church as we entered in?" I and a number of others raised hands to indicate we had. Then he asked, "Do any of you know his name?" No hands were raised, not even mine. Sigh. I had greeted him with a smile and a hello then passed by him and through the church's front. doors, satisfied that I had met the standard of common courtesy. Sometimes common courtesy is truly common.
I'm so glad my Savior didn't pass me by.
What I fail to do for the least of these, I fail to do for Jesus, whom I claim to love. To have cared enough to have learned his name would have been such a simple act of kindness to someone whose only possession, other than the clothes on his back, was his name.
By the way, his name was Daniel, a Hebrew name that means "God is my judge."
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[a] sin.
Dad, I remember how you used to say that, as a young man, you weren't interested in being a Christian because the women all dressed in long dresses and black stockings with their hair pulled back in a bun. When I look at these pictures I think maybe you had a point! It's good that you married a woman who always worked at looking pretty for church; and she helped you look ever so handsome in your suit and tie. For a man who wore work overalls for most of the week you sure cleaned up nice on Sundays! Another wonder is how she managed to get all of us kids clean and presentable too! Mom still looks pretty at church having never given in to the casual dress trend that so many, including myself, have taken up. As I write I think you must be looking mighty fine in your heavenly garments, perfect and spotless because of the Savior. The blood of Jesus makes all of the redeemed beautiful in the House of the Lord.
11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
I had to go to the rheumatologist today. He takes blood every visit to make sure the prescribed medicine is working and not shutting down my liver or some other awful business. Every prescription I take comes with dire warnings, leaving me to wonder what one will kill me first. In spite of that, it's still better to take the medicine than not, because not doing so would render me an invalid.
Sometimes it's so hard to do what is good for us, to swallow the medicine needed not just for our bodies but also our souls. If I'm reluctant to acknowledge a sin, it's because I don't want to stop sinning. I call my sins, mistakes, not sin, because they've become beloved pets; and like a child who can stop picking at a sore, I return again and again to revel in the pain of my sin.
Step up, sinner. Take the bittersweet cure that brings healing to your soul. Jesus came to save sinners, such as I.
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
My desire is that others may may come to Christ for the sake of their eternal souls as well as their mortal lives. My desire, however, doesn't always match my courage, or lack of it. In these days of moral relativism surrounded by others who believe a we should be tolerant of every lifestyle, it's can be scary to say what I really think, unless it is to others who believe as I do. I live in a state that has legalized the right to die as well as same sex marriage and generally celebrates tolerance while disparaging fundamental Christian beliefs. So what's a Christian to do? Lift Jesus higher.
John 12:32
King James Version (KJV)
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
"I Believe" - Chris August
I've been reading about a church movement to bring the Kingdom of God here on earth. What I've seen of it would greatly disappoint me if I believed it to be true. The glory of God will be more than gold dust and feathers floating over a worship service, Scripture has shown it will be such glory that it would be unbearable to us in our mortal bodies. I certainly don't want to limit God, because as God He can do as He pleases. Still I eagerly wait for the revelation of His full glory when I do see Him face to face. Until that day I will share in the sufferings of Christ, and in doing so, I will remain faithful. When God chooses to be silent I will still speak for Him. When God chooses to move, I will move with Him. I will sin but God will perfect. He will answer my despair with hope and my sorrow with joy. Whatsoever He has promised in His Word, He will bring to pass. I may struggle to count it all joy; but by the power and strength of God, I can.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
Luke 3:14
New International Version (NIV)
14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
Do all things without grumbling? Really, God? All things? Yes, all things. I have a small job with an accompanying small salary. If I think I'm made for better things then shredding paper, God doesn't think so. The same God who left His throne to suffer Calvary's cross has put me where I am and I should be thankful. I write should be because, to my shame, I'm not always thankful. In other words, I'm the sour-faced rider on the happy train; and I'd better change my attitude before the conductor tosses me off. So, right now, I'm thankful that my God has and will continue to forgive a sinner such as me.
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Romans 1:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Mark 10:45
New International Version (NIV)
45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
My stubborn will at last has yielded
I would be thine and thine alone
And this prayer my lips are bringing
Lord, let in me thy will be done
[Chorus:]
Sweet will of God, unfold me closer
Til I am wholely lost in thee
Sweet will of God, still fold me closer
Til I am wholly lost in thee
I am tired of sin, footsore and weary
The darksome path hath dreary grown
But now a light has risen to cheer me
I find in thee my Star, my sun
[Chorus]
Thy precious will, O conquering Savior
Doth now embrace and compass me
The storms have ceased, my peace a river
My soul a prisoned bird set free
Knowing the will of God can confound me until I remember that He has told me His will in the Scriptures. If what I'm doing is in agreement with the word of God than I am in his will. When I meander off His path I will soon lose my way. The ancient paths will always prove true.
11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
John 1:1
New International Version (NIV)
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
I've been reading about spiritual movements that scream for the manifestations of the Holy Spirit but whisper the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I want Jesus above all signs and wonders. I want to trust in the evidence of things not seen. His Word is enough. It would be the height of folly and arrogance to demand otherwise. My God does not need to prove Himself, because He is God and I am not.
"My Faith Has Found a Resting Place" - Billy Foote & Cindy Foote
...because this image brings back so many good memories of my grandparents on the farm. Grandpa smoked a pipe and Grandma helped him to break the habit, not by nagging, but by keeping a dish of lemon drops where he once kept his pipe. The smell of a pipe and the taste of lemon drops will be forever sweet to my soul.
47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
I watched the World War II movie, "The Longest Day," yesterday and was inspired by Henry Fonda's portrayal of General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. He was the only general on D-Day to land by sea with the troops and at 56 the oldest man in the Invasion. Landing on Utah beach, he learned they were a mile off course. After making a reconnaissance of the beach, cane and pistol in hand, he famously declared, "We'll start the war from right here!" Suffering from arthritis and heart problems, he would die a little more than a month later in France and was posthumously awarded The Medal of Honor. The citation read:
For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, in France. After 2 verbal requests to accompany the leading assault elements in the Normandy invasion had been denied, Brig. Gen. Roosevelt's written request for this mission was approved and he landed with the first wave of the forces assaulting the enemy-held beaches. He repeatedly led groups from the beach, over the seawall and established them inland. His valor, courage, and presence in the very front of the attack and his complete unconcern at being under heavy fire inspired the troops to heights of enthusiasm and self-sacrifice. Although the enemy had the beach under constant direct fire, Brig. Gen. Roosevelt moved from one locality to another, rallying men around him, directed and personally led them against the enemy. Under his seasoned, precise, calm, and unfaltering leadership, assault troops reduced beach strong points and rapidly moved inland with minimum casualties. He thus contributed substantially to the successful establishment of the beachhead in France.
It impressed me so much that a man with arthritis could be so brave that I set out to conquer a walk that night that I really shouldn't have tried to conquer. So today, I hurt, my battlefield being ill chosen. I need to start the war from where I am, not necessarily where I want to be. Still, I want to be a good soldier for my Lord, the best soldier with rheumatoid arthritis I can be. The battle is the Lord's, after all.
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
When I shop at Walmart with the young man who lives in our house but doesn't want to be blogged about we often end up in the electronics department. My eyes are always drawn to the wall of bright, big flat screen TVs. In comparison to our blurry home TV, these are marvels; and, if I had disposable income I'd likely snatch one of those up and bring it home. Maybe that's why I don't have disposable income. I spend too much time watching TV as it is. I really like this song by Tim Timmons, "Great Reward," because it reminds me that God wants to be my enough.
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Ecclesiastes 8:15
New Living Translation (NLT)
15 So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.
Even though I was saved by grace, I did time as a child in a legalistic church. I wouldn't recommend it. A community of believers should not be joy killers, but it happens. I'm thankful still for that church because I loved the people, especially since I could only imagine Heaven with them there. Even so, along with all the do's and don'ts, a class in dancing would have been good; and I suspect that there are others like me with conservative church backgrounds who could use dancing lessons as well. God recommends fun! His grace is ever amazing! Cheer up, Christian, it's truly good to be happy.
30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
I was a child who loved singing the Doxology but for entirely childish reasons. At the end of a communion service the congregation would rise to sing it and then we went out. Yes! (fist pump) Yes, we just went out of church without the pastor holding us captive with a full on pastoral prayer! It was such a great break for kids and I would suspect more than a few adults. It was as if Jesus planned to end the Last Supper with just a hymn for the benefit for the generations of children to follow. I enjoyed Tim Timmons song, "A Thousand Amens" on his Sons & Daughters worship album for children, and possibly adults who still remember being children.
There are no shortcuts in life, no bypasses, no roundabouts, nor are there any other roads. The only way Home is by way of the Cross, so I'll keep walking.
A Red Cross nurse takes down the last words of a British soldier”. Somewhere on the Western Front. ca 1917...
“Don't bother to give God instructions; just report for duty."
― Corrie ten Boom
2 Timothy 2:3
New International Version (NIV)
3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:18
New International Version (NIV)
Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
"Onward Christian Soldiers" was the anthem that sent me marching to my childhood Sunday school class; and, Oh, did I ever want to be a good soldier in the Lord's Army, not realizing then the cost paid or the cost required. I didn't understand suffering then and fight against it even now. Following Christ is an unavoidable invitation to suffer. I can't step around it, only through it. Since I'd rather leave this life wearing combat boots than glass slippers, I'll continue to report for duty.
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I did my share this weekend of looking across the fence to greener pastures instead of being content with what God has given me. God may not always give me what I want but He gives me what I need; even though this rebellious daughter sometimes thinks she knows her needs better than He does.
Father,
Help me to be satisfied living in your house with my feet under your table.
...but shooting - injecting- myself with Enbrel really hurts. So I remember the cross and my own pain diminishes.
Peter 4:12-13
English Standard Version (ESV)
Suffering as a Christian
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
A man committing a righteous act will never fail to move me. When it happens in baseball that's like the kiss of cheese on apple pie. On April 26,1976, Rick Monday made a great play. He saved Old Glory from two flag burning protestors. Well, played, Mr. Monday, well played.
"The Greatest Play in Baseball Rick Monday Saves the American Flag"
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
I know that there are many who might describe a Christian as peculiar but not necessarily in a good way,but God thought otherwise. We are peculiar to Him and He gladly claims us. We can't be hidden either, as a family might hide a peculiar relative; and, like trick candles on a birthday cake, our lights can't be blown out. You make looks askance at a crazy, fundamentalist, born-again believer, but my prayer is that you won't look away.
