Evidence of God's Working

Youth Group was awesome last night.

 

AWESOME!!!

 

But, even more incredible was the ride home.  It really was the icing on the cake for me and Frank.  I can't stop thanking the Lord for being so evident, real and at work!!! A special shout out to Katie!  Thanks for sharing your jawdropping, God honoring, faith deepening story with us.

 

If you were unable to make it to Youth Group last night...do whatever you can to make it next Wednesday.

 

Seriously.

 

I mean.

 

Whatever you can!!!

 

If you are a parent and want to just sit in and listen, that's okay too. If you've stopped coming and want to come on by, feel free!

 

You won't want to miss this.  Really.  NO, REALLY!!!

 

God is working.

 

God wants to use us for His glory.

 

God is alive and well in Calvary Baptist Church, and His Youth Group.

 

I keep thinking about the message Pastor Ron delivered to us last Sunday.  For those of you who are sports fans, athletes, etc., this sermon was right up your alley, so to speak!

 

He taught on Hebrews 12:1-15.

 

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

 

The word "encumbrance" could also be translated, weight.

 

Pastor Ron talked about what those weights might be.  They are not necessarily bad things, or sinful things, they are sometimes distractions (remember my watch?).

 

They are things that distract us, or detour us, or hold us back from focusing fully on Jesus, the One who grows our faith.  AND they make us ineffective for God.  Essentially, they make us totally effective for the world, satan and all things that would pull us away from glorifying God, obeying Jesus and being a light to the lost.

God is working in our Youth Group.  He is doing something.  I long for you to be a part of what God is doing!!!

 

I don't want you to miss it.

 

I'm reminded of our HS Winter Camp speaker's testimony of when God got his attention.  He was a Junior in High School.  He was also on the Varsity Football team.  He was in the limelight.  God was at work in the Youth Group where Dan attended.  God got Dan's attention during a Missions Trip.  Dan came home, quit Football, told his buddies what was going on (to which they said, "hey we know you! This won't last!").  Dan didn't want to miss out on what God was doing at that moment.  And, God didn't disappoint!  Some 25 years later, Dan is still serving the Lord and being a part of something that will last for eternity.

 

This life is a series of moments in time.  Once lost, they are never recovered.  The Christian life is a sustained race.  A marathon.  Paul encourages us to run in such a way as to win.  These earthly races are just dashes, sprints and blowouts.

 

Read what Paul says:

1 Corinthians 9:19-27 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. (20) To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; (21) to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. (22) To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. (23) I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. (24) Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. (25) Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (26) Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; (27) but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Philippians 3:14-21 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (15) Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; (16) however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. (17) Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. (18) For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, (19) whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. (20) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; (21) who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

 

Read on to see the PW Devo and why God has chosen us, jars of clay, "to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

 

How are your running today?

What is holding you back, weighing you down in the Christian race? 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Not My Power: Clay Posted: 26 Apr 2010 01:16 PM PDT "For God . . . made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Corinthians 4:7) I like the band Jars of Clay quite a bit. I think their last album was one of their best in years. But it bothers me a little that whenever I read this verse I think of them. Of course, they picked the name from this verse to make the point (I assume) that their ultimate message -- that we can know God through Jesus -- is far more powerful and valuable than the rock band that sometimes sings about it. If you went to The Container Store in Paul's day looking for something to keep your most valued possession in, you'd walk right past the "12 for $1" sign on the clay pots and look for a cool-looking display jar (or maybe something with a lock on it). Human beings are weak, fragile, flawed. Why -- how -- would God allow us to carry the most valuable truth in all of human history? Today's verse answers the question, and it's what we'll be thinking about this week. Think: What evidence have you seen in your life that you are a "jar of clay," that you are not powerful on your own to carry the message of God's grace? What evidence have you seen of God's power in and through you? Pray: As a Christian, thank God for placing His treasure in you and showing His power through you. Do: Notice this week evidence of your weakness and God's power in your life.

--
Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/

Natural Disasters & End Times

The following is from Dare2Share's email devo group.  Read on.  You may discover some interesting points to shift a conversation onto spiritual things!

 

Hope to see you ALL at Youth Group tomorrow night!  Remember - we have a new Praise & Worship guy coming! Woo Hoo!!!

 

Earthquakes and Volcanoes and End Times...Oh My! Tell me that you're not just a tiny bit concerned with the string of recent natural disasters that keep popping up on Earth's surface like pimples on a choc-o-holic? To refresh your memory, we've had multiple monster earthquakes in Haiti, China, Chile, and other places, volcanoes spewing ash across the European sky, even sinkholes that are swallowing cars! I wish I wouldn't have watched the 2012 movie, because now every time Mother Earth reshuffles the deck in real life, I get big screen Blu-ray flashbacks of L.A. folding up and collapsing like a cheap taco. So what does it all mean? Well that, of course, depends on your perspective. From one standpoint, you could argue that natural disasters have been happening all over the world since the beginning of time - therefore we all should stop freaking out and chill out about end of days stuff. On the other hand, as Christians we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and since every single prophecy in Scripture has been fulfilled to the letter except the "game over" ones that point to the future, I think there is valid cause for concern if there is a connection. Is there a connection? I'll lay out the evidence, then you can decide for yourself: Later as he was sitting on Mount Olives, his disciples approached and asked him, "Tell us, when are these things going to happen? What will be the sign of your coming, that the time's up?" Jesus said, "Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, 'I am Christ, the Messiah.' They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don't panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming (Matthew 24:3-8). And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come (Mark 13:7-8). When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven (Luke 21:9-11). In my opinion, the level and frequency of natural disasters this past year sounds a lot like what Jesus is telling us in these passages. Couple that with scientific speculation about erratic plate tectonics, and we got ourselves a whole mess-o things to keep us up at night. But remember that the point of these passages is not TO get our blood pressure up...quite the opposite actually. In the midst of Jesus' words on wars and natural disasters, don't miss His counsel: don't panic keep your head and don't panic do not be frightened The word for 'frightened' here is not the idea of being scared, rather it is a picture of deep terror and crying aloud out of panic. Sort of an "AAAAAAAAAGH!!! HEEEEEELP ME!!!" Not only are we not to panic, but we also need to be ready for when the big stuff really does start to go down. Friends...being ready is not obsessing about what might or might not happen. Being ready is- -making sure you are right with God by trusting in Jesus Christ alone for salvation -living each day in the light of Jesus' promised return, which means loving God and people with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength -passing along the Bible's warnings about the last days and sharing the message of the gospel as the only true "end times survival strategy" and living His Cause-THE Cause-of making disciples who make disciples. I don't know about you, but just keeping myself busy with those three things leaves zero time to hide my head under the covers and hope that happy days will come back to stay. Or in the words of my friend Greg Stier...reach out, don't freak out! Thank you Lord Jesus, because if it really is the end of the world as we know it, I really do feel fine!

Ask your friends if they think all the natural disasters are signs of the end times, then transition the conversation into what the Bible teaches about the return of Christ and the accompanying warnings.

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:11-12). Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near (James 5:7-8). Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God (1 John 4:7).

--
Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/

Words: Healing vs. Destroying

Have you ever wanted to blast someone with your words?

Have you ever wanted to say awful things to hurt someone!??

Have you ever, in anger or pain, let your mouth run off until you cried or screamed in frustration!!???

Have you ever blown up at someone and fired off words, hurling insults and mean accusations!!!????

Have you ever been so angry that words seemed inadequate and you wanted to physically throttle someone?

 

That was me.

 

Yesterday, in fact.

 

I confess.

 

Please don't ask me the details, because I won't tell you, but someone verbally attacked, insulted and wrongfully maligned Frank.  One of the many things I love about Frank, though it frustrates me to no end, at times, is that if he knows the accusations are incorrect, wrong or flat out lies...he won't defend himself. 

 

Ever. 

 

Nope, not ever.

 

He will not retaliate in anger.  He will not treat that person any differently than he did before.  One of the quotes he likes to use to remind me of how pointless response is in a matter like this, "when you start thowing dirt, you begin to lose ground."  He also believes God knows the truth of the matter and his heart.  He ultimately wants to please God inwardly and outwardly.  It matters MORE to him what God thinks than what people think.  Gulp.

 

What a HUGE testimony that is to me.

 

Really.
 

Given the time and emotional energy (anger in this instance), I can write a scathing response, enlightening the person (as to what an absolute inbecilic moron they are) and robustly educate them of the truth in the matter.  I was so blinded with anger when Frank explained to me on the phone what happened, I didn't hear him ask me not to contact this person.  Or, if I heard him, I chose to ignore him (disobey, in fact).  In this instance, writing was not a cartharsis for me.  And, I was at work.  I was suppose to be working.

 

On the way home I dialed up a number for this person I had stored on my cell.  Thankfully, the number was no longer working.  At that moment, a huge gust of wind made my car tremble.  The wind ALWAYS makes me think about the Holy Spirit.  Like an arrow piercing my heart, I was convicted of my sinful anger.  I was convicted of not trusting God in this matter and leaving it with Him.  I confessed my anger, lack of trust and asked God to help me encourage Frank when I got home.

 

Frank was relieved that I had not called this person.  He was also relieved I hadn't sent them anything in writing.  He reminded me that he had asked me not to do any of that.  And, reinforcing his command, he said it again.  He DID say I could write a letter, and get everything out, but not send it.

 

He believes, in time, the truth of the matter will come to light.  And, even if it doesn't, he knows the truth and is comforted by the fact God knows the truth.  Frank is WAY more mature than me!

 

I've destroyed the letter.

I've asked God to forgive me for my anger, disobeying my husband and not trusting Him.

I've also forgiven this person, which is really hard, but right and pleasing to God.

 

Today's PW Devotional is so timely (surprise).  Thankfully, I was prevented from unleashing the harm my words could've done in this situation.  God's way is ALWAYS better.

 

Always.

 

Really.

 

Oh yeah, and on the forgiveness thing...read what God has to say about forgiving others:

Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (15) "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Matthew 18:21-35 Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" (22) Jesus *said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. vss. 23 - 31 is the parable about the king who settled accounts with his slaves.  One slave begged to be forgiven a great debt.  The king forgave the debt.  The forgiven slave went to a fellow slave who owed him money and though the fellow slaved begged for more time to repay the debt, the forgiven slave had him thrown into prison.  The king was told of this wrong and ... (32) "Then summoning him, his lord *said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. (33) 'Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?' (34) "And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. (35) "My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."

Mark 11:25 "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.

Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification [edification literally means for the building up; in figurative sense "for the promotion of growth in the Christian life"] according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. (30) Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (32) Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Though I already know Eph. 4:32...I plan to memorize Eph. 4:29-32.  May the Lord bring these verses to mind in all situations!!!  Why not memorize these verses along with me? 

 

Read on...

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Words Matter: The Payoff Posted: 21 Apr 2010 11:53 AM PDT "From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him." (Proverbs 12:14) When your working life consists of part-time jobs, it's all about the hours. My friend T. works three jobs; he wants all the hours he can get his hands on. He's got car insurance, and he's saving for a truck. The math is easy: More hours = more dollars. Today's proverb builds a bridge between work and words. Working hours brings cash rewards. Working at speaking good words brings a payoff, too, though it's not always as obvious and sometimes it's even harder than pulling another shift. Kind words. Wise words. Timely words. Right words. Prayerful words. Worthless words left unsaid. They all contribute to better relationships, problem solving, contentment, leadership and -- surprise! -- communication. Good words payoff in a richer life. Think: How have the words you've spoken this week hurt or benefited your life? How could choosing wiser or more encouraging words in the week ahead payoff in a real improvement in a key relationship? Pray: Ask God to help the words you say to be beneficial to Him, to those who hear you, and to yourself, as well. Do: Listen this week for words from others that either cost them something good or provide something good for them or someone else.

--
Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/

More on Words...

The minute my car crossed the solid, double yellow lines...I KNEW I was breaking the law!  But you know, I reasoned, the few cars in front of me AND the few cars behind me were DOING THE SAME THING.  I guess you are supposed to treat those double, solid, yellow lines as if they were concrete barriers.  "You wouldn't run over the concrete barrier, would you?" At least that is what the very instructive motocycle police office asked me.  My reasons for crossing the lines were to get out of the traffic lane and into the left hand turn signal lane.  Regardless, my reasons were wrong and I broke the law.  And, I got a ticket.  Halfheartedly I complained, "what about all the people before and after me who did the same thing!"  The police officer's reply, "I observed you crossing the lines."  As I had not received a traffice ticket for quite some time, I was able to go to traffic school to keep my auto insurance from going up.  Let me advise you, however, going to traffic school does not absolve you from paying the traffic fine and you add the cost of traffic school.  I believe I ended up paying over $200 for that traffic violation.

 

But you know, from that time on (some 15 years ago): I. NEVER. CROSS. THE. DOUBLE. YELLOW. LINES...EVER...NEVER...EVER.

 

I do recall how many people were at traffic school complaining about "getting caught."  Most traffic school students plead ignorance to the traffic laws.  In this case, as in most cases, ignorance is NOT bliss.  The instructor informed all of us that all the traffic laws are in the DMV Driver's Handbook, of which we all had to read in order to pass our written as well as actual driving tests.  If we have a driver's license, it is our responsibility to know the traffic laws.

 

I believe many Christians are like those students in traffic schcool.  They plead ignorance to how God commands us to live, especially in the area of our words.

 

Do not lie.

Do not bear false witness.

Do not let unwholesome words come out of your mouth.

Do not slander/gossip.

Do not use swear words.

Do no talk foolishly.

Do not tell off colored jokes.

Do not take the Lord's name in vain.

 

Did you know all of these are in the Bible?  Where?  Check out these verses:  Exodus 20:3-17; Leviticus 19:11; Matthew 7:20-23; Ephesians 4:25, 29, 31-32; 5:3-4; Colossians 3:8-9.

 

Psa 19:7-14

(7) The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (8) The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. (9) The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. (10) They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. (11) Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward. (12) Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. (13) Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression. (14)  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

Verse 14 is another of my favorite verses.

Read on to see what PW Devos has to say, continuing on this subject.

 

Thought - Do your words reflect you as a child of God, eager to please Him with all you say?  Or, do your words reflect the world around you?  Pay attention to what you say this week.
 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Words Matter: Trapped Posted: 20 Apr 2010 01:47 PM PDT "An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble." (Proverbs 12:13) None of us like to feel like we're missing out. That's one of the reasons sin continues to tempt us. Why should we take that thing off our list of options right now just because it's "wrong"? What if that thing -- a lie, a cruel word, a little immorality, striking back in anger -- what if that's exactly what would make us feel so much better? Why box ourselves in? But the temptation is a lie. Sin always turns out to be its own dead end. We think of sin as tearing down roadblocks when really we're setting them up, cutting ourselves off from escape, limiting our freedom. Today's proverb says we do it with our words. With a lie, with gossip, with a hurtful remark, we limit the people we can turn to for help. We eliminate options more positive, helpful words would have opened up. Then -- when things get serious -- we're trapped. Think: Have you ever felt trapped by your own sinful words? What's the best way to get out of a trap like that? Pray: Ask God to help you to find greater freedom by refusing to sin with your words. Do: Watch this week to see how people box themselves into unpleasant situations with sinful words.

--
Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/

The Yellow Brick Road...

Have you seen The Wizard of Oz?  There are some pretty crazy moments in the movie!  And, the flying monkeys always creep me out!!!  Do you remember the Yellow Brick Road?  It was the road Dorothy was to follow to get to the Wizard of Oz, right?  It was the path that would provide her with all the answers she needed.  It was to be the path that led her, eventually, home.

 

Do you wish you had a personal "yellow brick road?"  Do you long for a sure path that leads you to the answers in life?  I think all of us do.  I believe God placed that longing in our hearts.

 

I remember the sad commentary on today's young adults when Frank and I watched a popular movie. The main actor was just out of college.  He was living with his buddies in a rental house.  Everything was going along perfectly in his life until he finds out he is about to be a father.  The gravity of the situation hits this irresponsible, consequence-free guy in the face.  Reality has hit him for the first time, ever.  Late at night, he calls up his father, who he hasn't talked to in years, and begins begging, pleading with his dad, "Just tell me what to do!"

 

This guy was looking for his own yellow brick road.  He wanted answers.  He wanted someone to tell him what to do.

 

For Christians, God has given us instructions on how to live (essentially, what we are suppose to do). In Psalm 119:105, David reminds us, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

 

Make sure your sources for advice are from truthful, Godly people you respect and trust!  And, make sure their advice is in line with what God has to say on the subject.

 

Check out what Psalms 119:97-105 has to say:

(97) O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. (98) Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. (99) I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. (100) I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts. (101) I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. (102) I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me. (103) How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (104) From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. (105) Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

 

And remember, a true friend tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.

Read on....

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Words Matter: Check Your Sources Posted: 19 Apr 2010 02:10 PM PDT "The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful." (Proverbs 12:5) I read recently that we each speak around 25,000 words a day -- and we hear many times more than that. It's no wonder we treat words like they're meaningless. It's easy to believe the old cliches: "Words are cheap." "You've got to walk the talk." "Sticks and stones . . ." But God's Word -- and specifically the seven verses from Proverbs 12 we'll look at this week -- says that words are powerful. For one, they reveal what's really going on in our hearts and minds. How we use them shows who we are. Today's verse tells us not to go looking for good advice from wicked people -- people who do wicked things. Their advice lies, either because they're really lying to us or because they don't know the truth themselves. If you want true advice, go to people known for telling the truth and doing good. More tomorrow. Think: Whose advice are you most likely to listen to? How careful are you about what voices you are willing to trust? Pray: Ask God to help you to make wise choices about who you trust to give you good advice. Do: Listen this week for words of advice offered from friends or media or other sources and think about who it is that is giving the advice and how you can know if that person is trustworthy.

--
Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/

The Watch (A Repeat for Some....)

The following is what we discussed in Youth Group yesterday morning.

Proverbs 3:1-8

(1) My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;

(2) For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.

(3) Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.

(4) So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.

(5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.

(6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

(7) Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

(8) It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.

The Watch...

When I was a about 3-4 years of age, my father was in the Air Force and stationed on the island of Crete in Greece. To my mother's delight, all of us were able to go "over-seas" with my dad and live near the base. In fact, we lived in a part mobile home/part house set up in a mobile home park walking distance to the Mediterranean. Previous owners had built onto a mobile home adding much needed living room space, a kitchen and I'm sure some other rooms which I don't recall at the moment.

I slept in the wall! As a child, you don't really care where you sleep, as long as mom is close and someone leaves a light on to keep at bay those hairy monsters lurking in the shadows. Actually, my bed was built into the wall of the mobile home. It was quite cozy. I'm sure I would hate it now…needing lots of space and places to put my "things." But to a small child, it was a secret alcove to which I could retire and dream of sunny days and kittens (bunnies had yet to head my list as favorite pet).

Most of my memories on the Island of Crete are quite fantastic and filled with seashore visits, maids' villages, braying donkeys, lots of family picnics and a silver metallic Christmas tree that changed colors due to a lit color wheel (hey, it was the late 60's) shining on the tree.

I was a happy, carefree child full of curiosity and many playmates. I often trotted down the street to play with other children or bug the nice neighbor lady who always had some cookies or cake freshly baked and iced. I was an impish, tow-headed girl with tom-boy tendencies.

On one such occasion, I was several "houses" down the street playing with a little girl a few years older than me. She had a beautiful, brand new watch that I desperately wanted to hold and wear. Her bargain was I could wear it if I agreed to be locked up in the storage shed in her back yard. Perhaps she thought I would dance away and take her beloved watch with me? Perhaps she was a mean-spirited child trying to scare me? Or, perhaps it was the silly logic of small children who think this method best for securing the ownership of a possession and trundle off to become preoccupied with another playmate or plaything, forgetting the possession and the child wearing it in the shed.

I was locked in the storage shed and promptly forgotten. As I was wearing the watch, I could tell you exactly how long I was locked in the storage shed: 45 minutes. To you and me now, that is not even a sufficient lunch break. However, to a 4-year old, it was a millennium. And, what accentuated the imprisonment was the barely heard call of my mother heralding me home.

My mother was going to walk to the base for some grocery items and I was appointed to accompany her. I was left to play where I willed until I heard her summons, meaning my playtime was up and my new adventure escorting her to the store was at hand. I was strictly instructed to come home when I heard her call.

Now, lest you think my mother negligent in discovering my predicament, let me assure you, this was not a first time offense of not heeding her call. Often, I'd be so busy playing I wouldn't hear her call or would hear it and choose to ignore her. Only once did I ignore my father's call.

My mother chose not to discover my whereabouts as she thought I was pulling another of my childish acts of poor hearing or outright disobedience.

As her calls faded away, huge crocodile tears began to stain my pudgy cheeks.

When her calls stopped, cries of abandonment and anguished despair escalated from mild whimpers to shrill panicked shrieks and screams.

I had been left behind!
I was forgotten.
I was unsearched for.
I was willfully maligned and abandoned.
I was alone. In the dark. With a stupid, big deal, brand new watch to keep me company.

The one thing I wanted, brought me no comfort nor satisfaction.

The one thing I wanted, brought me silence, solitude and a dark, damp, storage shed.

The one thing I wanted did not bring me joy and left me alone, scared.

I wonder how many of you are sitting in a dark, damp, storage shed possessively holding that "one thing" you believe will bring you satisfaction?

Eventually, a utility man and the mom of the despicable girl heard my pleas for release and freed me from my watch prison. I flung the watch aside and ran, with all my newly acquired energy, home.

I eagerly discarded the thing which, only a short hour before, I was willing to risk imprisonment to have and hold. "Ah," you must be musing, "such a silly child."

As children of the Creator of the Universe, we act repeatedly in similar silly and sinful fashion. Though our Father knows exactly where we are at all times, He doesn't force His desire for a right relationship with us upon us. He gently, persistently calls to us. He invites us to drop that worldly distraction and trust Him. He patiently waits…woos…nudges…calls…and He never gives up.

I'm so thankful He never gives up on us! Aren't you?

Anything or anyone distracting you from God is your "watch." 

What is your "Watch?"

--
Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/

Stop and listen....

One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 46:10

Psalms 46:10-11 (10)"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (11) The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah.

The idea behind the "Be still..." command is the same as "stop striving, thrashing about."  I remember reading about instructions to lifeguards.  If a swimmer (drowner) is thrashing about, struggling, trying to keep themselves from drowning, the rescuer (lifeguard) has to approach them from behind.  They also have to wait until the person quits trying to rescue themselves.  Then, and only then, is the lifeguard able to secure the drowning person and tow them back to safety.  In essence, it is only when the person drowning "gives up," that the rescuer can then come close, help and save them.

 

What a great word picture for you and me in our relationship with Jesus!  Even Christians grab at the temporary things of this life!  So often, when found in a troubling situation or circumstance, we grapple and try to grasp the things we think will bring us quick relief, satisfaction and sustaining joy.

 

This thinking also leads me to Proverbs 3:5-8, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. (7) Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. (8) It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones."
 

Will you stop?  Will you listen?  Will you "trust in the LORD with all your heart"?

 

Read on to see what PW has to say about this today!

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Fear v. God: Selah Posted: 09 Apr 2010 09:46 AM PDT "The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah" (Psalm 46:7) Stop and listen. Get this. Don't miss it. Ponder it for a minute. Pause before continuing. Value this. That's how scholars describe the meaning of that word "Selah." It shows up in our Bibles most often in psalms, or songs, meant to be sung by the choir, but it seems to carry more weight than just a musical direction. It apparently urges us to reflect on what has just been written (or sung). Fear is a normal response when an enemy is attacking, when the bad news is piling up, when it feels like everything you care about is threatened. But God is with us, and He is the ultimate safe place. Once He is with you, there is no where safer to run. Think about that. Think: Does feeling afraid ever make you want to run away from God? What other, less safe "fortresses" do you run to when you're scared? Why? Pray: Thank God that He is with you and that He is your fortress. Ask Him to help you to run to Him and trust Him most when you are afraid. Do: Read this quote from C.S. Lewis: "It is a dreadful truth that the state of (as you say) 'having to depend solely on God' is what we all dread most. And of course that just shows how very much, how almost exclusively, we have been depending on things. But trouble goes so far back in our lives and is now so deeply ingrained, we will not turn to Him as long as He leaves us anything else to turn to." — C. S. Lewis, Letters to an American Lady (Grand Rapids, 1967), page 47, italics his. (via Ray Ortlund)

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Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/

Is it Now???

Happy Easter Week to you all!  Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!

 

If you belong to Jesus, placed your faith in Him for salvation, those words should bring a thrill to your heart.

 

I hope you had an awesome Easter Sunday celebration!  We sure did!  Our church seemed ALIVE!  There was great worship time, excellent teaching by Phil Wozniac and lively fellowship time.  It seemed to me, we were all united in joy over the Good New of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
 

Today's PW Devotional discusses the fact Jesus ascended into heaven and will return in the same way.  One summer at Pismo, Frank taught on End Times and had everyone asking, "Is it now?"  We believe everything has been accomplished, prophetically speaking, for Jesus to return.  In fact, His return is imminent.  Meaning, it could happen at any moment.  It could even happen before you finish reading this email!  :o)

 

During our morning walk today, Debbie and I discussed the thought we might live long enough to see Jesus' return.  Had this conversation taken place 30 years ago, you would have heard me say, "Yes, I DO want Jesus to return...but can I get married first?"  Don't get me wrong, marriage is absolutely wonderful.  But it truly dulls in comparision to the return of Jesus.  Everything does.  While Debbie was talking about the immient return of Jesus...my heartbeat quickened and pure joy resonated within my spirit at her words!!!  I even looked up toward the heavens, expectantly.

 

What about you?  Are you eager, expectant for Jesus to return today?  Why or why not?

 

Read on to see what PW has to say on this important Truth!
 

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

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Countforward: How Long? Posted: 04 Apr 2010 07:00 PM PDT "He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.' " (Acts 1:9-11) I don't think countforward is a real word, but we're not counting down any more. The countdown was finished when Jesus walked out of His tomb alive and more powerful than ever. Now the clock is moving forward toward the day He will return. In the verses right before these, Jesus said we don't get to know how long. Nobody knows the hour or the day -- but there is a specific hour, a day on the calendar, coming. He will be back. The Father knows exactly when. In the meantime, we have a job to do, you and me and all those who believe all of these things we've been talking about all week. We have a job to use real power -- the same power of God that raised Jesus from the dead at work in us -- to be witnesses of what we've seen that power accomplish. It's a job that matters. And the clock is ticking. That's the message of Acts 1. Think: Are you looking forward to the return of Christ? What difference does His return make in your life? How seriously do you take the call to be His witness in your world? Pray: Ask God to help you to make the best use of the power and time He gives to you to accomplish whatever He asks of you in this life. Do: Read Acts 1 all the way through.

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Mary E.Hickcox
www.CalvaryBaptistSM.org
http://mary-neotes.blogspot.com/