Rejoice. Always.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

Rejoice. Always.

Not easy to do? I understand. But it should be. I know life has a way of beating us down. Life is not always fun. Yet there are grand reasons to rejoice. Always.

Just take a moment this morning. Take a paper and pencil (or screen and keyboard), and think of the good things in your life right now that are directly attributable to God. They can be simple things:

1. I woke up. 2. I have people in my life that I love and, in return, love me back 3. I am gainfully employed. 4. (Fill in the blank).

They could be grand things:

1. I am loved and saved by Jesus! 2. I have been gifted and able to do ministry! 3. I have a great job! 4. I have been blessed with a special spouse/friend/family member. 5. (Fill in many blanks)

If we could just take a moment every morning, and really sort through our blessings, then, in spite of what may be awaiting you on any given day, it will be easy to rejoice.

Always.

Gray

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, ^" I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain^" you and I will rescue you.” – Isaiah 46:4

Boy did this passage hit home this morning. I’m feeling my age. Not so much the “gray hairs” (I have my share – I’ve earned every one), but the never ending ache in my left knee accompanied by the newish need to have a cane near me in case that knee goes loopy on me.

I’m getting old.

In November, my 23 year old son is taking me to see The Who. Our conversation went something like this:

“Dad, want to do see The Who together?”

“Son, do you think they're still any good?”

“Dad, they’re not dead yet.”

Actually, half of them are dead. I was 21 when the first Who died.

I’m getting old.

But God’s Word says, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, ^"I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

So I wonder how this is going to work. As I get older, will I continue to understand that it is He that will sustain me? Will I still recognize the One who made me, carries me, rescues me…even loves me? I think so. I’d better.

It’s not the orthopedist that will do so. Oh, someday he might do something that will make my knee feel healthier; but even then, I suspect that his knowledge and skill will be, ultimately, a gift from the One who made and is sustaining him. Even if he doesn’t know it.

I’m getting old. But the one who made me is still carrying me, sustaining me, and rescuing me. He’ll need to. Because…

I’m getting old.

Jesus. Period.

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. - Colossians 1:28

This verse is a gentle reminder that what we Christians sometimes need to proclaim…is not always so gentle. Paul says, “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone….” It’s not that we are not to share the hope we have with gentleness and respect (visit 1 Peter 3:15), I think this is more of a reminder that the truth of the gospel is not always gentle. It is a message that is God’s proclamation; it is a message that, to our very core, admonishes; it is a message that teaches us truth. A truth that is only found in Jesus. Even my saying that truth is found only in Jesus, to some, is not a gentle message.

That being said, I do believe that the message that admonishes is ultimately very simple. (Visit John 3:16 or Romans 10:9). But one that can change you to the core.

What is it that you proclaim? What is the message that I have to share?

Jesus.

Period.

Turning

An extremely busy day, with a few very prayerful concerns. Yet I had the sight to notice, on the way back from the hospital an hour ago, the first trees showing signs of turning color. My favorite time of year is almost upon us.

"This is what God the LORD says--he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles...." Isaiah 42:5,6

Spam

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13

There was an interesting news article about six weeks ago. Authorities (including the U.S.) announced they had brought down one of the largest ‘spamming’ outfits in the world. If I remember right, the spammers were located in Eastern Europe, and it was an international investigation that dropped out most of their servers and made several arrests.

The impact was quick and obvious. All three of my active email accounts were noticeably empty of spam. For a few days, there was no one trying to sell me watches or prescription drugs or (you fill in the blank). For a few days. However, it wasn’t four days later that my in-boxes were flooded with incredible offers of great deals on stuff I have no use for. *Sigh.*

Kind of reminds me of efforts I’ve made in the past for self-improvement. It’s easy to get on a kick (lose weight, work out more, read my Bible, be over-all kinder – all things I need to work on) for a few days/weeks and then in grand fashion fall off the wagon and fall back into poor habits.

And when we do things on our own power, it is like the most temporary take down of the spammers that authorities were bragging about. It’s great. For a few days.

God’s Word knows the human condition. The apostle Paul knew he could do ‘everything.’ If he was doing it with the power and the will of Jesus Christ. Paul could have just as easily wrote, “I will fail at everything (ultimately) through my flesh which is weak.

How are you going to do things today? By your own power? We people are fairly ingenious. Man can we work up the spam in a hurry. But when we really need to improve, we have to rely on something that is outside of us. And that is Christ and his Sprit. With that, we can indeed do all things. Maybe even ignore the spam.

With that said, I pray we all have a great Tuesday, which feels like a Monday! And may we all do “everything through him who gives me strength.”

Hear His Voice

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice….” Psalm 95:6-7

Nice worshipful scene until you reach the last sentence, “if only you would hear his voice….” The implication is that we don’t hear his voice. Eh, the Psalmist is right.

If we would take the time to really, day in and day out, hear his voice…how would our attitudes, our actions, our thoughts, our words, our very lives really change? Seriously? If we woke up every morning listening our maker’s voice first thing? Would we mix in worship, kneeling, joy, peace, kindness in the dealings of the rest of the day? Would the everyday routine suddenly…be filled with more of a purpose?

You have been fearfully and wonderfully made by your maker. (visit Psalm 139:14) He wants you to hear his voice. Consider the implications as you go about this day.

And may your day be blessed.