Could This Be *The* Year For You?
“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”
—John 14.15O, sisters in the LORD—could this be *the* year for you?
This is when the real change will occur… when we finally seek to know and to live the truths of God’s Word…when we lay our lives at His feet, when we give Him everything we’ve held on to: hands down… when we accept and apply the teaching of the Lord Jesus—demonstrating our love for Him by our obedience to Him… When we finally reckon with: If you love Me you will obey Me.
Could this be the year that you really get down on your knees and confess before the only Holy and Righteous LORD, who loves you endlessly, that you’ve been trying to “go it on your own” and that you are indeed willing that He would use you in whatever way He would choose and that, the Holy Spirit being your guide, you would willingly submit to His will and His ways? Could this be the year that you allow the Holy Spirit free reign in your life? Could this be the year that you would seriously begin to regularly rise early to drink from the rich well of God’s Word? Could this be the year that you would resolve to live in obedience to your husband—not because of what you will gain, but because of the LORD’s command that you do so? Could this be the year that you would cherish the blessings of the LORD: your children?
Could this be the year that you would redeem the time, that you would study the Word for yourself—that you would become a woman of the Word, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Could this be the year that you would wisely choose the activities in which you would become involved, making sure that they are in line with your husband’s aims for your family, that they are Christ centered and Christ honouring?
Could this be the year that you would weigh very carefully the books you read, the places you might go and the decisions you might make? Could this be the year that you begin consulting your husband before you begin new projects, from attending a Bible study to following the leader of a weight control program, ordering from a catalog, accepting an invitation to another home-party, or taking on another women’s ministry?Could this be the year that you come home—I mean really come home—to serve your husband? Could this be the year that you daily anticipate and prepare for the return of your husband each day? Could this be the year that you take up those tender things and tender ways you used to do and be for your husband? Could this be the year that you “fall in love all over again” with the man the LORD created
and “fitted” you to help? Could this be the year that your husband will never forget? Could this be the year that you look forward to meeting his needs? Could this be a year of fresh loving romance for you two? Could this be the year that you anticipate meeting his needs by getting enough rest, ordering the evenings, eating properly and exercising so that you are refreshed for him? (“Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.” -Proverbs 5.18-19)O, if your love for your husband has decreased, if your desire for him has gone… pray the LORD will help you delight in him once again, pray He will love your husband through you and that you will once again desire him. God is a God of miracles, nothing is too hard for the LORD. (Jeremiah 32.27 “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”)
Could this be the year that you would determine to be a contented wife, I mean really contented—content with him, his salary, your home, your automobile, your possessions? (Hebrews 13.5) I have heard many many times, there is nothing that pleases a man more than a contented wife… he can deal with a little clutter from time to time, he can deal with a little overweight, he can deal with delayed dinner, a forgotten appointment—but a discontented wife closes off the spirit of the man and drives him away.
Could this be the year that you come home—I mean really come home—as a servant to your family? Could this be the year that they know without doubt that you love them and *desire* to serve them, teach them, help them, prepare a home for them, are not inconvenienced by them, are not tired of them, are not waiting for them to hurry up and grow up so that you can get on with your life? If you’re a mama… this *is* your life. Could this be the year that you will *enjoy* what God has designed for you? (“He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.”—Psalms 113.9) O, if your gladness or desire has waned, pray the LORD will restore your love for the children… pray that He will help you see them as He sees them—as blessings. He loves children… and He will help you love them… (Genesis 18.14 “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?…”) You can trust Him to help you love them the way He wants you to love them and care for them as He would have you to care for them. He can restore your love for them — for motherhood and for your home.
You know, my sweet sisters in the LORD… this could be *the year* for each one of us. This could be the year that we all come home… and *do* those things we know that the LORD has directed in His Holy Word.
2Timothy 3.14-17
“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”Could this be the year of obedience—regardless of what others say or think or do?
Once again the Lord Jesus said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” —John 14.15
As we embark on another year, I pray that you would join me in seeking all the above — that you would join me in truly seeking to be an obedient woman, keeping the commandments of the Lord Jesus, following Him, delighting also in Him: earnestly seeking Him.
With love to you, In Jesus—pamela spurling
Reprint… originally written in 2000, revised 2006 Letters to my Sisters
Tag: Devotionals
stuck like glue…
I read a letter from a dear sister and at the end of her letter she enclosed a quote: “Self-pity is like super glue from hell that keeps us stuck to the past.” (Love & Thank you, Jenny)
As I’ve worked in our home today I’ve been mulling this quote over in my mind. I’ve been thinking of other angles on this one and I’ve come to see another angle on what keeps us stuck in the past — it seems to me that guilt is the “super glue from hell” that keeps us stuck to the past. Even confessed sin, repentance, a turning from whatever it was, somehow guilt links us and keeps us stuck to, or in, the past like a super glue.
Guilt’s a heavy thing. Guilt keeps us stuck and then other stuff keeps us stuck like glue to guilt! Even when a debt’s been paid, an infraction’s been forgiven, a problem’s been solved – we sort of keep the deal messed up by rehashing and feeling guilty about it all. Other things keep us stuck on guilt, too. Sometimes it’s other people. Sometimes it’s regret or sorrow. Sometimes its just our own stupidity revisiting done deals. Stuff haunts us when we least expect it and then the ugly event washes over us all over again and we’re buried in regret, super-glued by guilt.
Guilt — and by guilt I don’t mean what is, in reality, shame and deep conviction of living with unconfessed sin. I’m not talking about that true guilt… I’m talking about guilt as an emotional response or a sense of being plagued by a problem that was confessed as sin, that was dealt with, that was forgiven. This guilt plagues many of us — and it’s got a few companions, too. Guilt doesn’t travel alone. No… it travels well with shame and regret. It travels well with grief and doubt. It travels well with anger. It travels well with pity: self-pity (thus the quote my friend had in her letter).
Sometimes the trapping of guilt comes from other people — sometimes well intentioned, sometimes not. Whatever the case, I must/we must determine to be not allow someone’s criticism or condemnation to trap us for what we were or what we’ve done, we need to reject it and not allow ourselves to wallow in the condemnation. If we do, inevitably, guilt or shame or regret will overtake us. It’s got to be a red flag to us!
Get unstuck from that super glue from the pit — flee that trap — it’s not from the Lord, it’s from the devil. And here’s why:
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus
hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8.2
Stand fast therefore in the liberty
wherewith Christ hath made us free,
and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5.1
It is for freedom the Lord has set us free!
There is therefore now no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus,
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8.1
I’m praying about different things that have me “super-glued” to a past problem — seeking the Lord for His mercy and guidance. Maybe you’re dealing with stuff, too. I’m chiming in to say: No matter what you’ve done, where you’ve been or what’s happened: you’re not too far from the Lord. He’s seen it all — been with you through it all. In Him there is rest.
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4.11-16
Thinking Thankfully
I know you might be snickering at that title — as if it were written: “[She’s] Thinking. Thankfully!” Well, I am working diligently at really t-h-i-n-k-i-n-g before I write, t-h-i-n-k-i-n-g before I speak and even t-h-i-n-k-i-n-g before I think on things. If I’ve learned nothing else in the past year it is to t-h-i-n-k. Think. Think. Think… before I do or say anything. Still, I don’t get things right.
But tonight the thinking I’m referring to is thankful thinking — or, thinking thankfully. Just as it’s very hard — almost impossible — to praise and complain at the same time, it is also very hard to think thankfully and yet be ungrateful at the same time.
During this month, many of us are preparing for Thanksgiving Day. I don’t know what a lot of people do in preparation for Thanksgiving, but I know, as mothers, we spend the month (or at least a couple of weeks) planning, shopping for and preparing foods for the big feat big feast on Thanksgiving Day.
But this month can be, and really should be, devoted to much more than thinking about the Thanksgiving Day meal. And so that’s what I’d like to encourage you with this evening: thinking thankfully.
Do you think thankfully? I know I’ve given this a lot of thought and today, in particular, I’ve been asking myself this question: am I thinking thankfully? When I’ve taken the time to measure a fleeting thought passing through my mind I’ve asked, was that a thankful thought? Was that thought inspired by a thankful heart? When I’ve been working on tasks, I’ve asked, am I thankful for this?
Thankfulness (like it’s near kinsman: gratefulness) is a decision… it’s intentional… it’s a choice. We can choose to be thankful in whatever circumstance we face. We really can learn to: “Count it all joy…” (James 1.2). Sometimes a situation seems to be anything but favourable and we feel anything but thankful — and yet! we can decide to. be. thankful. In fact, we’re commanded to be thankful.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise:
be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.”
–Psalm 100.4
There are numerous other mentions of giving thanks in Psalms alone. And, it’s God’s will that we give thanks.
In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God
in Christ Jesus concerning you.
–1Thessalonians 5.18
Still not feeling particularly thankful? I’ll help you: Go get a pen and a sheet of paper – or your journal. Start a list… and work on it — or add to it — every day this month. Start writing down every single thing you can think of for which you are (or ought to be) thankful. You might number the list from one to one-hundred and fill it in until you can’t think of new things. Set it aside and come back to it later to add more. You might use the calendar date to prompt you to make lists — for example, tomorrow is the 14th; make a list of fourteen things. The next day, fifteen things, and so on. Soon, you will be thankful for those things for which you ought to be thankful!! Start inward and work outward or start outward and work inward. Thank the Lord for the opportunity of your own life. His gift of salvation. Jesus and redemption. Your eyes to see, your ears to hear, your mouth to sing, your feet to walk to the water… your hands to hold your daily bread…
If you’re still having a hard time thinking of original entries, then, as I previously mentioned, go to the Psalms — particularly Psalm 30, 105, 106, 118, and 136. Let the Psalms be your prayer.
And then, Consider Jesus…
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
–Hebrews 12.2
O, there are so many, many things for which to be thankful — regardless our personal situations or feelings, we could never thank the Lord enough for His mercy and loving kindness to us.
God bless you. I’m thankful for you.
.
for the woman in the mirror
| Facing the woman in the mirror… and getting her to do what she ought: O, what a challenge, sometimes!! I know this. I know this painfully well.
And so… I want to share with you some things you might do to help the woman in the mirror. Don’t “muddle” through life… there is help and there is hope.Your tomorrows do not have to be like your yesterdays. I’ve sometimes thought, with dread, that things will never change. I’ve sometimes thought, again with dread, that I will never change… that I will never get a handle on this or that struggle.Every now and then, when things seem to be going swell — it seems that all of a sudden, like a strong gust of wind or a wave: personal failures flow over me — accusations level me, fear grips me, other people’s opinions blast me. In such times, I’m once again faced with the strong, overwhelming thought: I will never get past this. You know, God is not the author of such a thought – the devil is the author of such a thought!! Experience has taught me that in such times, I need to face the trial, attack, guilt, fear, etc., etc., and ask what part do I have in it? What does the LORD want me to do? And then I must yield to whatever He leads. No matter how daunting it may seem — or how humbling. If you’re facing troubles, dilemmas, trials, hurts, hopelessness, fear or whatever… You may need to make some dramatic changes. You may need to set or reset some boundaries. You may need to completely change how you’re currently handling things. — your thoughts, your self-talk, your schedule, your computer time, your reading materials, your food, your exercise, your conversations, etc., etc. You’ll probably need help implementing changes. PRAY!! Talk with the LORD. Talk with your husband, talk with a trusted friend. PRAY!! Study the Word *and* journal your studies! Study up on the problem you’re dealing with, get help — don’t go it alone — you need to be careful to not get in a trap of defeat, of hopelessness, of worthlessness, etc. If people have let you down or if situations are troubling you or if you’re facing depression… talk these things over with your husband and/or trusted friend. Trust the Lord with all these things. If there are things in your life, patterns of living, etc., that don’t bring glory to God or honour to your husband and family — confess those things as sin and repent of those things . Set your mind to CHANGE THOSE THINGS. Get off that path a day at a time, a step at a time. Make a list of things you need to do. Add to that list the things you want to do. Arrange that list into a daily routine. Print that list out and follow it. Everyday: consult the list in the morning, check off the things you accomplish and review what’s left to do; set about doing them at the first opportunity. Determine to not be deterred from doing what you know the Lord has called you to do. Others may do things differently, others may mock you, the enemy may mock you, others may question what you’re doing – you may even be or feel rejected… but if the Lord has called you to do something, do it heartily – as unto Him. Do good things: good things for your husband, good things for your family, good things for you. Doing good will require sacrifice and will likely require repentance. Doing good may be painful or even lonely at first. Whatever the “good” is that you’re called to do, you can be assured if the LORD has directed it, He *will* supply for you. If the Lord is speaking to your heart today — touching on things that need to go or things that need to be done or changed — TODAY is the day to take your first step of obedience to the Lord and yield to His call on your life. Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day to start doing the things you know you ought to do. Follow the Lord today. Seek the LORD — seek wisdom. The Lord will work all these things together for good. |
Stones
Significant to me are the milestones in my life that were either turning points or celebrations or decisions. Some of the turning points were simply changes in direction of thought or action; simple things like: from this day forward, I will________. I have marked many of the “I will’s” in my Bible or on stones in our garden or in journals I’ve kept over the years. Sometimes I didn’t realize that specific decisions would have such strong or lasting implications—nor, did I realize that God would use decisions as springboards for others. But I do now. Only looking back do I see how some of the actions or decisions were used; decisions that were really insignificant at the time were used as the basis for some great changes or great work.
I recall the day I decided to always —everyday— without fail: make my bed the very first thing in the morning. Insignificant, maybe, but the LORD used a woman (when our first two babies were very small) to help me through a difficult time. It was that help that would lead to countless other personal disciplines and/or decisions. I felt overwhelmed. Yeah—I know—only two children at the time! Phew! But in my state at that time, I was overwhelmed and under-inspired. There were very few “hands-on” helpers in my life at that time bcz of where we lived and the work that it required and bcz of my mindset, I suppose. But then the LORD began to show me that there *were* helpers, there *were* encouragers, and He was walking with me — I just needed to open my eyes to those facts and I needed take what was being offered to me — and to stop looking for or wishing for something else — whether it be advice, actual physical help or simply to watch what they were doing and *emulate* that in my own life. It was a tremendous period of time — it was a turning point in my life — a major turning point.
Another turning point was when I realized that God had a marvelous plan for my life and that He was and had already been working everything together for good (Romans 8.28) and that no matter what things looked like or how they seemed, He was in control and all those things mattered to Him and would be for my good. I couldn’t always see it. I didn’t have faith to believe it—but then I began to pray for faith—faith to believe what I couldn’t see and faith to trust what I couldn’t understand. It was in those days that God would begin to show me a glimpse of His purpose for my life as a wife and mother. I knew at that time that He was truly LORD of my life, LORD of my marriage, LORD of my home and LORD of my womb. Even if I wavered in faith, God never changed—He was and has been utterly faithful. (Romans 3.3 “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?”)
Then, another stone was set in place… the stone of faith. There was another turning point time when I knew that the LORD has His hand on me—on my life—on our family. I don’t mean that in a particular sense of a mark or a calling or whatever. I simply mean that it was a definite time: a demonstration of His “ownership,” if you will, of all that we were or would ever be. He called us to faith.
Hebrews 11.6 “But 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.”
It became apparent that He would continue to work in many similar ways through the years. He would bring about circumstances that would both challenge and inspire our faith — circumstances that would set us in awe of His magnificent glory as He demonstrated His “watch-care” or provision in our lives. “Last-minute” provisions became or are so “normal” or frequent, that I feel like I practically stand at the window watching for His provision. I know my help/our help only is of His Hand. All the weights of the bag are His work—He alone is the balance. He is utterly faithful and the pile of stones marking His faithfulness is becoming as a mountain at the gate of my heart.
He taught us to walk and work in a manner as to totally yield our hearts to Him—trusting for every day, every provision, every child, every need, every dollar, every sunrise, every sunset. In our marriage, He’s brought to our remembrance our commitment of trust—trust in God and trust in each other. The stones in my rings are as stones of a monument of trust—no matter how things look, seem or feel at the time. God has worked and reworked our hearts to be to each other what God has designed. It is in faith that we demonstrate this toward one another: love followed, emotion followed, romance followed and faith is strengthened by years. Reading through the Word and coming to the book of the Song of Solomon, I was reminded over and over again that married love is timeless; the wonder of it being old is that it can yet feel fresh and new as Spring and yet as solid and secure as an old oak. The diamond in my ring reminds me of the strength of God and the gold: His refining power. The eleven different stones in another ring I wear are constant reminders of the great blessing each of our children are — and the enduring faithfulness of the LORD to us and to each of them.
I have stones — rocks — in different gardens around our home. There are dates or sayings or notes on the different rocks. Now, rarely does a child come to me and say: what mean ye by these stones, mama? But every once in awhile one of the children asks the significance of a particular quote or the meaning of a few words printed on stones or rocks in the garden. The children love seeing their names and birthdates on stones. They love seeing dates on stones — anniversaries of significant dates and events. I do this so that they won’t forget. I do this so *I* won’t forget.
More stones have been added this year than in any of the previous years… so that we won’t forget… the faithfulness of God.
encouragement for prayer
As I was reading my Bible, I began to pray specifically for one of my boys. This often happens as I am reading along and am inspired by the text to stop and pray or to make personal application to a particular situation or for a particular individual or family.
Well, the other day as I was reading and praying, I was greatly comforted by God’s gracious love toward us and how, though occasionally quite painful or difficult, the Lord works all things for our good and His glory. Each trial or difficulty seems (perhaps not till long after the fact) to be specifically arranged and ordered that maximum benefit and growth can be realized — and a deepening life message is continually written.
I often pray Colossians 1.11 for my husband and children, praying: “[O Lord, that they might be] Strengthened with all might, according to [Your] his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;” And then I might continue praying more specifically for a particular situation or need. I write these things down in my journal so that when rereading them later, I might be able to make a note how the Lord answered that particular prayer or need. I’m amazed through the years all the different things the Lord has brought to pass in such marvelous ways — ways I’d never have asked or imagined. He only does well… His ways are only good… all the time.
So I was praying for that boy…
Philippians 1.9-11 “… And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” And my prayer continued from there…
You know, as mothers, we often don’t know how to pray or what to pray about a particular situation or need and I think it’s in such times that we really do gain deeper love for the LORD and a greater appreciation for His Word — as in it we find loving consolation and Truth. I’ve found through the years that when my mind wanders in prayer I lose site of the reality of the presence of God — and the instant remedy is to return to His Word — no sooner do I begin reading than He meets me right at my point of need. Delightfully, my need is not what I initially thought it was.
In this weary, sin-sick world, we’re in such need of Truth — there are so many deceptions, so many subtle lies and distractions — O, that we would have the mind of Christ and the desire to see Him and the will to obey Him.
Wherever you are, whatever you do… He’ll be there.
“Rejoice with me”
Enthusiasm’s contagious! Isn’t it interesting how quickly our mood or emotions can change by being around someone who’s enthused about something? Or, someone who’s elated over accomplishing some great thing? It’s kind of like the bible verses in Luke 15:
8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
I just got off the phone with my brother… he didn’t need to say: Rejoice with me! It was in his voice, though, and the words couldn’t come tumbling out fast enough when he was telling me of his new job — every sentence as if to say: Rejoice with me!
I think of this sort of rejoicing from time to time. I think of this sort rejoicing when talking with a loved one a long distance away. I think of it when I pray for my family… when I pray for friends… when I pray for people who’ve lost their way — or never knew.
Another few verses (Again, Luke 15):
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Think of the enthusiasm in heaven! Because I have a page on our website dedicated to Prodigals and Waywards, I receive mail from mothers and dads who are grieving the lostness of their children. I marvel that there’s not more grief in the church over the lost sheep — it is grievous, really. But it seems our politically correct society even infiltrates the church and no one seems to want to offend anyone. Imagine: hell will surely be filled with unoffended souls — for we already see the church is filled with presently unoffended, unaffected and ineffective souls. Is it because we haven’t told the Truth? Is it that we’re too ashamed to speak the Truth plainly? Hell will be filled with the souls we were too afraid to touch… too afraid to offend… too afraid to talk to… too afraid to say, Rejoice with me!
Be enthusiastic about the Lord! Tell others what you’ve seen! You’ll be a true and faithful witness! Try it: Stand up for Jesus: Say, Come and See! I know I was blind but now I see! Rejoice with me!
New Year’s Resolutions
It happens every year. I resolve to do this or that thing – more or less or better or not at all. In addition to those resolves, I always think there’s something unique or particularly inspiring about the New Year. New Year. New calendar. New date book. New pages for the notebook — yes, as antiquated as it is and it remains, my palm pilot, my blackberry, my iphone, my lapbook, etc., etc is, simply: a spiral bound notebook of lined paper in which I write notes, message, recipes, web addresses, grocery lists, quotes, Scripture verses. And doodles.
Another thing coincidentally happens. I sort of secretly resolve to not resolve to do anything new/better/different/again. Well, except to lose weight, read through my Bible, spend more time in prayer, spend more time with my family, exercise, read more, write a book, blog more regularly…
It’s like I attempt to trick myself into complying with new (actually, old – but recycled) resolutions. I do this by saying I’m not going to make any *written* resolutions. I say: I’m just going to do a few things better.
Two days into the New Year’s Resolutions new year I’ve already had some recalibrating (I got that one from President Obama). I’m recalibrating several things. My time schedule, bedtime schedule, weightloss, exercise routines and Bible reading. My-o-my is it ever easy to set lofty goals on December 30th. You know, when the resolve to not eat any more Christmas goodies is strongly in place — you know, bcz you’re sort of full & tired of them — that, and the New Year looks far off!! And doable.
It’s easy to sort of smugly think you’ll do so much better with the new year on the horizon — that, and a new decade, too!
So, if you’ve already had to readjust or recalibrate the expectations/resolves you put on your self or things you wrote down on a scrap of paper. Know that you’re not alone. Studies show that something like 10-12% of “resolvers” ever keep those resolutions anyway. That’s not saying that you shouldn’t strive for bettering yourself or that you shouldn’t regroup and get back up and keep on keeping on… it just means that you’re not alone. There are a bunch of other people who’re commiserating with you on this one.
So, my solution? My advice to you (and to myself)? What does the LORD require of thee? Ask Him… He is ready to answer you. His Word says that He has shown you what is good and what He requires of you (Micah 6.8):
“…But to do justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God.”
May He richly bless you, keep you, direct you and joy over you with singing in this new year!
with love, pamela
This is life…
At its very best.
I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the value of a life, the influence of a life, the consequence of a life, the purpose of a life, and the final testimony of a life. As I have been studying for a Titus2 meeting I’ve been mulling over this month’s topic (from 2 Peter and the list of character qualities) and this month’s topic is charity. We know from 1 Corinthians 13 that without this — without charity, we are nothing.
So one of the questions that continues to be before me is this: what is my motivation for ________? (filling that space with whatever’s before me. I ask myself this question — and want to be more and more mindful of this question when I do this or that thing, think this or that thought, say this or that word — share this or that story. What is the motivation for doing this activity? Am I motivated by love or is it some other motivation? Is my action, word, thought, etc., motivated by love or selfish ambition? Love or personal gain? Love or retaliation? Love or fear? Love or manipulation? Love or deceit?
When I stop and ask myself this question or these questions, I am challenged to do what’s right… challenged to be honourable. When love is the motivation for doing, saying or thinking a particular thing, then I/we desire to do it, say it, think it as the Lord Jesus would have us to do it, say it, think it. This sort of bearing, believing, hoping all things sort of love is a strong motivator to be — and seek to become more — gracious.
So then, I have come to this conclusion:
This is life at its very best:
Graciously doing, at any given moment, what needs to be done..
From Webster’s 1828 Dictionary: GRA’CIOUS, a. [L. gratiosus.]
Thou are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful.
Nehemiah 9
All bore him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded from his mouth.
Luke 4
learning to stand still…
It’s been a week since our daughter, Kathryn, came home from Uganda. It’s amazing to me all that this past week has held. I’ve learned a great deal more about the love of God, the fellowship of the saints, the ministry of the Holy Spirit and faith — faith that God is who He says He is and will do what He says/said: That will He will do and that has He done.
2Chronicles 20.17
As Kathryn shares the stories of her time in Africa, I cannot help but be mindful of God’s provision and protection – I cannot help but be mindful of His Truths and Promises. And, as with other steps of obedience, there are many times where God’s work comes into question. I think it’s just the enemy attempting to thwart the work of God – and so I am attempting on all points to resist the devil that he will flee. One of the darts of the enemy was to doubt God’s direction and provision for Kathryn to go to Uganda. I didn’t see it as a dart at first – I even entertained the doubts and even allowed them to colour my thinking a bit. But when I realized the doubts were not of the LORD but of the enemy, I began to see them for what they were. Another dart of the enemy was in the form of questioning the ministry and its way and purpose. Since I believe humanitarian aid* is akin to works-based faith, I’m generally opposed to that sort of aid to those in need. But if, in the course of ministry, humanitarian aid is directed by the LORD and aid is given, then I believe such a ministry to be needful, ordained and a genuine blessing – and such work will be blessed of the LORD. [*a believer giving aid and not first giving the Truth of the Gospel along with the aid]
When individuals questioned the propriety of a young woman traveling to Africa — even in the name of the LORD for the purpose of lending aid and support, I tended to bristle – for I knew in part that such travel is contrary to my long held and strong personal beliefs. However the LORD had a purpose — and when the Hand of the LORD is moving, I surely have seen that there will be times or events that seem to be a contradiction to even long held beliefs.
“…fear not, nor be dismayed…
for the LORD will be with you.”
So, occasionally, there will seem to be exceptions to the rule – but the exceptions must not become the rule. Kathryn knew that and knows it more completely now. We saw that as we spoke by phone a few times each week and by email when possible. I suppose for that young woman, in that instance, and for that time, there was a seeming exception as we wouldn’t say the same could or will happen with our other daughters or other young women. We trust the work of the LORD to continue and for the seeds planted to yield rich fruit. I’ve asked Kathryn to write of her experiences and share more photos in order to paint a better picture of the people, life and work in Africa. She brought home several things to show us — not so much like last year, but interesting things — gifts from others that one might discard if one didn’t know the story behind the gift. These gifts, her things, her journals and some things she brought back to share with our family are all the more precious to her as she had thought she’d perhaps never see them again. When she arrived in Seattle, she was to find that her luggage was ‘lost’ and so she had to get the the place where she would accept this as a gift of the LORD — and she did. Though we prayed and she would join us in praying for her luggage to be found, she came to the point that she knew everything was fine — that what she brought home in her heart and the work the LORD did, in and through her, was enough. She just needed to stand still and see the Hand of the LORD and recall His work, His provision and great goodness.
stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you.”
A few days after she returned home, Wes received a very early morning phone call from the airline and a bit later (unbeknown to the rest of us) her luggage was returned to our door. Our family gathered for breakfast and Bible study as we do every morning and following a time of prayer, Kathryn said she was just fine and glad for whatever the outcome, but had still hoped her luggage would be found — and Wes replied to her: O, you mean that luggage?? He was pointing to the suitcase behind him in our living room — something he’d not mentioned all through breakfast, Bible study and prayer. God is sure gracious to have allowed that blessing. And as she lifted out the contents of the different compartments, we all saw what was so important to her and we were all touched by the sincerity and generosity of the gifts and givers. It’s both gripping and heartrending the beauty, simplicity and creativity that comes of abject poverty — that all over the world God is at work creating beautiful things in and through people.
When she arrived home a week ago, though thoroughly tired, Kathryn was so very glad to have both gone and come home again. We believe she went to Africa for all the right reasons and returned home to the States for all the right reasons; and, in between, God surely affirmed both — to her and to us.