Verses from Mama

Hearing God speak one Bible verse at a time.

Be Quiet, Sit Back, and Rest

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Isaiah 30:15 “For thus the Lord God the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.’ But you were not willing.”

There are some sad statements made throughout the Bible. Over and over again we read words of comfort and promises of God’s blessings, but often we choose to disregard His message. God offers us so much, and then sadly has to say, “ But you were not willing.”

This has been a very busy season in my life. Graduations, two sons getting married, work, and the regular rhythm of life have all but done me in. I found it necessary in the past couple of months to take a breather from my regular writing schedule so I could rest my body, my emotions, and my mind. Many of you wondered where I have gone. While taking a break from posting I have had time to study and think without pressure. It has been a time of peace and rest.

While reading and praying, the Lord led me to Isaiah 30:15. It has been such a blessing. So much is swirling around me. Wedding preparations are in full swing. Preparing mentally for a huge change in our family structure, as well as balancing work, home, ministry involvement, and so much more bring exhaustion to a new level. But the Lord has continually reminded me of the need to rely more fully on Him in these stressful moments. “In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.”

There are times when we all need to step back from activity. Somehow we think that we must do it all. We run! We fuss! We strive! When all the while God is telling us to trust Him. Be quiet, sit back, and rest!

Judah was in a big mess! They had turned from the Lord and a foreign nation was breathing down the peoples’ necks. Instead of consulting God they tried to execute their own plan for deliverance. They fussed and planned and then finally decided to go to Egypt for help. There they thought they could take refuge in the safety of Pharoah. But all the while God was speaking to them through the prophet, Isaiah. He told them to repent of their sin, turn back to God, and rest in Him. If they would do this they would be saved. By waiting quietly for the Lord they would receive all the strength they needed.

“But you were not willing.” What a sad statement! All this blessing was at the disposal of God’s people, but sadly they rejected it!”

Today, God offers these same blessings to us. He longs to be gracious and show us His kindness and compassion in the midst of every circumstance of life. But we need to listen to His voice and obey. Sometimes this means taking a break from writing, other times it means saying no to the hustle and bustle that regularly dictates our lives so we can allow God’s peace to fill our souls and give us strength. When we are willing to listen we will experience the rest that God promises to give.

As the summer moves forward I plan to continue my writing, but I will only be posting once or twice a week and maybe sharing some favorite posts from the past as God leads. I hope this summer you will also be encouraged to take a rest, and listen for God’s voice. Do not disregard His message. In the quietness and through trust you will experience His unlimited strength and peace.

Love,
Mama

 

Boasting In the Bling

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Isaiah 2:17 “The pride of man will be humbled and the loftiness of men will be abased; and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”

Pride can take many forms. Some boast in their strength. Some boast in their knowledge. Some boast in their riches. And still others boast in the bling.

The way a person dresses says something about them. Men and women alike spend thousands of dollars accessorizing their bodies in all sorts of ways. Rings, body piercings, colorful hair colors, and tattoos have become all the rage. Often these accouterments are meant to attract attention and make the wearer stand out in the crowd. What is the motive behind our overuse of bling and is it really harmless?

The prophet Isaiah spoke about the women of Judah and their use of bling. The Lord saw through all the glitter to the hearts of these beauties and what he found was pride. They walked with upheld heads and seductive eyes adorned with dangling jewelry, perfume, nose rings, fine clothes, and even special undergarments (I wonder if Victoria’s Secret was around back then?).

While the outward beauty of these women was not the problem, the attitude of their hearts was. Because of their egotism God promised to punish them. Their beauty would be removed and they would be humbled until they learned that the Lord is the only one who deserves to be exalted.

Most of us enjoy a little bling now and then, but it is important to check our hearts to see if pride in our appearance has crept in. Have we adorned ourselves only for the purpose of gaining attention? Are we thinking more of ourselves than we should?

Always remember that our lives should glorify God in all ways. Don’t boast in the bling, but in the Lord. He is the only one who deserves to be exalted.

Love,

Mama

A Letter To A Condemned Criminal

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Luke 23:17-21 “[Now he (Pilate) was obliged to release to them at the feast one prisoner.] But they cried out all together, saying, “Away with this man, and release for us Barabbas!” (He was the one who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection made in the city, and for murder.) Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again, but they kept on calling out, saying, “Crucify, crucify Him!”

Dear Barabbas,

How are you?

Picture courtesy of The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes by Kenneth N. Taylor.

Oh, I suppose that was not a good question. How could any man condemned to death on a Roman cross be anything but crippled with fear? I wish your present hardships had never happened, but your past decisions have placed you in a very desperate situation. You must have known that participating in rebellions against the Roman government would be very dangerous. Yet you still attempted these treacherous actions and in the process got caught up in horrible terrorist crimes resulting in murder and more. I am sure at the time you thought you were being brave and courageous, fighting for what you believed in, but it is easy to get caught up in emotions and follow them to your fate.

Does the slow drip, drip of condensation puddling in your damp cell ever cause you to rethink your actions? Not that you could change your consequences now. Even if you were to beg and scream for mercy, there would be no respite. Justice must be done and your crimes paid for, and the Roman way is excruciating death on a rugged cross. I don’t envy your circumstances. Even the thought of all you will endure in beatings, mocking, and puncture wounds from the sturdy nails fastening your limbs to wood beams causes my legs to grow weak. But let’s face it – you deserve it! If you do the crime, then you must do the time!

But wait – what’s that? There is a commotion outside your prison walls. I can’t see everything that’s happening because the crowds are swarming the pavilion, but it seems they are very angry. There is another prisoner standing on the platform for sentencing. The people are accusing him of misleading the nation and calling himself the King of the Jews. He looks harmless enough – not a hardened criminal like you are – but the mobs sure don’t like him.

Oh Barabbas! This just might be your LUCKY DAY! The great Pilate wants to release this new prisoner, Jesus of Nazareth, but the crowds are swelling and screaming for his death. They have demanded that the frazzled ruler follow through on the Roman custom of releasing one prisoner during this Passover celebration. It is obvious that Pilate, believing him to be innocent, wants to release this Jesus of Nazareth, but the crowd is screaming YOUR name.

Despite all you have done and deserve, this other man is going to take your punishment.

Your cross is going to be His cross.

Your suffering His suffering!

Barabbas, do you understand? You are going to be set free!!

Dear one, this is all too good to be true. It is a chance of a lifetime. I hope this incredible mercy will change you. You are getting a second chance. Thank God for this unexpected gift of life in allowing this man Jesus to die for you.

This is not the end, and I will look forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely,

A Friend

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

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Make Sure You Have Your Pass

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Hebrews 10:19 “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” 

My conference badge gained me entrance to this week’s conference. Jesus’ death and resurrection gained me entrance to heaven!

Thousands of voices filled the Indiana Convention Center with the words from Martin Luther’s great hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. I had never heard such a great choir of God’s people joining together in praise of our God. It truly was a thrill, but I almost missed it!

Monday morning Dad and I had planned to attend The Gospel Coalition’s bi-annual conference in Indianapolis. After some struggling to decide if I should go or not, we decided that Dad would go early in the church van and I would come later.

My road trip was uneventful as I drove the straight shot across I-70 W, and then maneuvered my way through downtown Indianapolis to our hotel’s parking garage. Crossing the street I entered the sprawling convention center and began my search for the main session, which was already in progress. Dad texted me his location and I strode along the corridors hoping to make it in time for the next speaker. Taking a shortcut through the large area set up with book and information stalls, I attempted to enter the main auditorium when an attendant stopped me.

“Where’s your badge?”, he said.

“UMMM! My husband has it,” I stammered back.

“Well, you need to call him and get it before you can enter. Step aside please!”

I was taken aback and flustered as I tried to punch the message into my cell phone, “PLEASE bring my pass!”

Dad answered back with explicit instructions as to where he was sitting.

No, you don’t get it! I typed, “They won’t let me in without the pass.”

In short order Dad showed up, handed me the pass, and I gained access to the proceeding within the auditorium.

Looking around I took in the thousands of believers attending the event. All of them were wearing their important passes on lanyard around their necks. These plastic cards proved they had paid their admission and allowed them to be part of all that was going on. Without the card they would not have had access to the fellowship and teaching being offered.

I couldn’t help but think that I would one day meet these people from all over the world again in heaven. On that day we will also need a pass to enter our eternal home. But instead of a plastic card, our admission is gained by the blood of Christ. Even now those who have allowed God to wash their hearts clean can access God’s presence with full confidence because of what Jesus did by shedding His blood and taking the punishment for our sins.

I was so grateful to receive my conference pass so that I could participate in this amazing event this week. The teaching and fellowship has been wonderful. But I am even more grateful that my admission into God’s presence is secure because of what Christ did for me on the cross. His precious blood is the pass for all who believe.

A Mighty Fortress is Our God. I wonder if a great choir of tens of thousands will sing this hymn in heaven? If we do I am sure it will be amazing. I’m just glad that I already have my pass for heaven. Make sure you have yours, too!

Love,

Mama

Who Really Is Jesus Anyway?

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Matthew 16:13-16 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Throughout history there has been much talk about a man named Jesus. Many recognize His name or are even able to mention a few facts they have learned through the years, but quite a few have the same question: “Who really is Jesus anyway?

This is a good question and the answer holds the key to life itself. From the time Jesus physically walked on this earth, people were pondering His identity, and there were many different opinions. One day Jesus asked His closest followers, “Who do people say I am?” The answers were varied. Some thought He was John the Baptist returned from the dead. Others thought He was Elijah or one of the other prophets.

Jesus then asked His disciples, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Peter, the outspoken one of Jesus’ close circle, responded immediately, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Why did these men come to this conclusion? They had walked closely with Jesus for three years. They had traveled with Him, eaten with Him, listened to Him, and watched Him. They had seen Him perform incredible miracles such as turning water into wine, giving a blind man sight, causing the lame to walk, and raising a man from the dead. They experienced these things first hand and could come only to the conclusion that their teacher truly was God’s Son.

Today those seeking the truth about this controversial man still ask the same questions. Some believe Jesus was a good man while others call Him a religious teacher Who died for His beliefs, yet they wonder what this would have to do with them today.

To find the answers one must consider a few things:

First, Jesus was a real person. Historians would agree that this man truly did live and die. He was born over two thousand years ago during the reign of Augustus Caesar and was crucified on a Roman cross. The Bible, along with other credible historical sources, record that He performed amazing miracles that were beyond human explanation.

Many called Him a great teacher or prophet, though there were many others who were jealous and refused to believe even after witnessing the great works He did.

But it is important to go beyond what others have said about Jesus to see what He said about Himself. Numerous times throughout the Bible Jesus gave testimony to the fact that He was One with the Father. These statements and others proved that Jesus claimed to be God. The great signs He performed all pointed to the truth of these statements. The greatest proof of Jesus’ deity was His death on a cross and resurrection three days later. Though the religious leaders tried to downplay what they called a rumor, numerous people, including his closest associates and total strangers, saw Jesus in the flesh during the days following His death and subsequent resurrection.

Anyone asking, “Who really is Jesus anyway?” must search out and wrestle with this information. If Jesus is not Who He claimed to be – the Son of God – then you cannot call Him good. A good man would not be so deceptive. If He is not Who He claimed to be, you also cannot call Him sane. A sane man wouldn’t be so absurd. If neither of those two choices is true – Jesus the Liar or Jesus the Lunatic – there is only one other viable choice: He was telling the truth and He really is Lord.[i]

If, after considering the evidence, you come to the conclusion that Jesus’ claims were true then you have come to a crossroad and must take action.

Throughout the Bible you will see that sin entered the world through one man’s disobedience to God’s command. From that time on, a sin nature has passed to all mankind bringing spiritual death and separation from God. The many other side effects of this tragedy can be seen clearly throughout the world today in the evil that abounds and the physical death that affects everyone.

But God in His love chose to make a way for us to escape this condition. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth in the form of a perfect human so that He could bear the punishment for our sins. Jesus, being fully God and fully human, was the only One Who could justly take our place and secure our salvation successfully. Salvation is not found any other way or in any other person. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me.”

Jesus’ disciples came to know this man very well and, through observation and God’s revelation, they came to the conclusion that He truly was Who He said He was. They believed and their lives were forever changed because of it. For the rest of their days these men shared the message of God’s salvation with everyone they met even at great cost to their lives.

What about you? You also have a decision to make. Will you ignore this man Who claimed to be God and perish in your sins? Or will you believe and receive eternal life?

Your destiny all depends on how you answer the question, “Who really is Jesus anyway?”[ii]

Love,

Mama

[i] Adapted from C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity.

[ii] For more information on this subject read The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel, an atheist news reporter, who shares His personal journey to find the truth about the man, Jesus. After using his reporter skills to extensively search and study the evidence this man’s conclusions drastically changed his beliefs and his life.

Do You Have Prayer Neck?

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Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving . . .”

Throughout the years people have developed different types of maladies. Take writer’s cramp for example. Thousands of years ago this was not a problem as our forerunners preserved history orally and the average person did not know how to write. Since then we have suffered from a plethora of discomforts like tennis elbow, trigger finger, and carpal tunnel syndrome, which have all developed as a result of new activities. Even recently I heard of an even newer problem: text neck is neck pain and damage stemming from looking down at modern devices for too long. This is the way of our world now and we are suffering for it.

As I considered this new type of struggle, a thought occurred to me – I wonder how many of us have over time developed prayer neck. We seem to have no problem cramping ourselves into a fixed position for hours on end to communicate with our friends and family, but how many have spent that much time bowing our head in prayer?

The writer of Colossians, along with a number of other Bible writers, continually reminds us to devote ourselves to prayer. This discipline is the way we communicate with God. It is also the way to receive alerts to all that is going on around us. As we speak to God in prayer and read His words in the Bible, He reveals Himself to us and shows us how we should live. He encourages us and makes us aware of the errors of our ways. He is ready to respond at any moment of the day or night and is available for all we need. So why don’t we do this more?

Of course, there are other postures for praying than folding our hands and bowing our heads. Jesus, when He prayed in John 17, lifted His eyes towards heaven. The prophet Daniel knelt on his knees at an open window facing Jerusalem three times a day. Moses lifted up his hands toward heaven in prayer. Others fell face down on the ground, and still others called out a few brief words for help in the midst of a trial. But these all regularly did what they needed to do – keep in contact with their God through prayer.

What about us? If you are like me, I can guarantee you might be a candidate for text neck with your device ready at all times to message or respond to your people at a moment’s notice. But have you ever been at risk for developing prayer neck? Let us each work hard to be more diligent to exercise our spirits – as well as our bodies – in prayer as we seek to know God more fully and serve Him more completely.

Love,

Mama

The “I’m Right” Game

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Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

The words, like angry racquetballs, bounced off the four walls of the neat little home. Harsh dialogue spoken from the depths of raw emotions ripped back and forth – the competition was on. Raised voices shouted wrongs from the past and hea
rts ripped to shreds on both sides. In the heat of the moment, all that mattered was winning. But the satisfaction of the “I’m Right” game lasted only briefly, and a moment of smug glory ended poorly. An important relationship was damaged. What a price to pay for being right!

We’ve all been there! Sometimes it is so hard to keep our mouths shut in tense situations.

We know we are right.

We know we’ve been hurt.

We know we have interesting yet damaging information to share.

And we just need to win the “I’m Right Game”!

This is the game of the world and our sinful human nature is tempted by it, but God’s way is completely different. Ephesians 4:31-32 shows a contrast. The vices listed in verse 31 – bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice – are the reverse of verse 32 – being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. One set of rules destroys relationships while the other set builds them.

Why should we respond with kindness and forgiveness? The answer is clear. We should forgive just as God in Christ has forgiven us. We must walk in a manner worthy of our calling with all humility, gentleness, and patience learning to bear with one another in love. Our relationship with God should be evident in our treatment of others.

How can we abstain from playing this dangerous game when the competition is so strong? The NIV Application Commentary says, “We do not control the actions of others, but in choosing to forgive we establish control over our own responses.”

Some helpful ways to play by God’s rules are:

  1. Pray for early awareness of a tense situation so you will be prepared.
  2. Recognize the warning signs in your own body so you can choose your response instead of reacting.
  3. Listen and think before speaking.
  4. Speak softly and kindly.
  5. Change your thought process by trying to see the other person’s point of view.
  6. Consciously make a list of the good things about the other person.
  7. Seek to imitate God’s response to sinners.
  8. Trust God to bring the truth to light and to sort out the details of a difficult situation.

Our heavenly Father desires relationship. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die so we could be united with Him . . . and He desires that we also seek unity with others. This won’t happen if we play the “I’m Right” game by the world’s rules. Instead, be imitators of God and walk in love just as Christ loved you. When it comes to relationships, this is the only way you can win!

Love,

Mama

 

Life At One Hundred Miles An Hour

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Matthew 6:34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Buggy parking lot at The Amish Farm at Walnut Creek, Ohio.

Life at one hundred miles an hour – that’s what each day feels like sometimes. We rush and worry about all that needs to be done, constantly running and thinking ahead to the next thing. Usually in all the rush we miss the joy of the moment.

This weekend Dad and I spent some time away in the heart of Amish country. We love to retreat to a quiet inn we found a few years ago. From this special place we find rest that we don’t often get in the busy life of family business, church and school activities and home responsibilities. Things slow down and it’s easier to focus.

All around the area are peaceful farms and Amish residences where colorful clothes swing in the breeze and horses pulling buggies clop by. Though I would not want to live this particular style of simple living all the time, watching from the outside calms my soul and makes me think. What am I missing in all my busyness?

By rushing around in constant productivity, I realize I often miss the joy of the moment. While working on one project, my mind is miles ahead worrying about the next item on my list. How will I get that newspaper ad finished before the deadline? Will dinner be ready before the evening event? How much clothing is left in my drawer? Will I need to do laundry before work or school tomorrow?

Drinking in the simplicity of life in Ohio Amish country this weekend, I determined that from now on I would make a concerted effort to enjoy each moment. I don’t need to worry over tomorrow’s difficulties or next week’s deadlines. Instead I need to slow down the pace from race car status to carriage horse speed.

When we remember that God is in control of all tomorrows, our heart stops racing and we can put the brakes on life at one hundred miles an hour.

What are you doing right now? Pause, set aside your worries, think about the moment at hand, and enjoy!

Love,

Mama

When the Job Is Hard, Think of the Money

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Titus 2:13-14 “…looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possessions, zealous for good deeds.”

When faced with difficult tasks, it is always helpful to look past the hardship and focus on the benefit to come.

When I was growing up, Grandma would console me when I didn’t want to face an unpleasant, but paying, job by saying, “Just think of the money!” By saying this she was encouraging me to move past the unpleasantness of the task at hand by keeping my reward in mind. Focusing on the wages was a great motivation to get moving and finish what I needed to do.

Living in a fallen world is not easy for those who are trying to live God’s way. There are many distractions from godly living and opponents who would like to discredit and cause us to stumble. Paul encouraged Titus to show himself an example of good deeds despite the surrounding evil. He was to be pure in doctrine, dignified, and sound of speech. Those Christians who were slaves were to obey their masters with servant hearts and honest actions. By living out their beliefs in God before their masters, their lives would highlight God’s message of salvation.

These directives were not easy to accomplish. It is often hard to behave appropriately when you are not being treated fairly. But Paul reminded Titus and the other believers to “[look] for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of [their] great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.” Despite all they would endure, there was a better day coming. The Lord Jesus, Who had given Himself to redeem and purify His people, would come back again to get them. He was preparing a place for them in heaven that would make everything they experienced on this earth grow dim. Focusing on this joy to come would help His children to be zealous for good deeds despite their circumstances.

This remains an encouragement for us today. We are living in very difficult times. The consequences of sin swirl around us like ripples in a pool of water. How can we continue to move forward with joy in unpleasant circumstances? Grandma would say, “Think of the money! But God says, to think of the reward that awaits us – “the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.”

Love,

Mama

 

Following the Good Teacher

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Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins be as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.”

A good teacher is often hard to find. Anyone can get up and share facts about a particular subject, but a gifted teacher knows how to motivate her students. A good teacher knows how to give life to a subject and stimulate a pupil to think.

Follow the good teacher!

Thinking, problem solving, and reasoning are skills that are necessary all through life. These abilities will guide you, help you to grow, and protect you. Without a good teacher a person is headed for big trouble.

The children of Israel, had taken a wrong path. Somewhere along the way, they turned from the God of their fathers and began to worship idols. They forgot their history of how God had called them through their ancestor Abraham to be a people devoted to Him. They failed to remember how He had rescued them from Egyptian bondage, miraculously provided for them in the desert, brought them to a land they could call their own, and most of all loved them deeply. All of His laws and regulations were given with their best interests in mind to give them hope and a future. But these stubborn people willfully chose to disobey.

Through the prophet Isaiah, God spoke to this wayward nation. He called them to use their rational thinking skills to consider the options. “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins be as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.”

There were two options for God’s people: they could obey and receive forgiveness and blessing or they could refuse, rebel, and be devoured by the sword. God called them to think carefully and make wise and informed decisions.

These options are also before each of us today. God has given us life guidelines in His word that we must choose to follow. The law of the Lord is perfect and produces restoration and joy. His judgments are better than gold and sweeter than honey, and there is a great reward for those who keep them.

Listen, my children, good teachers have taught you to think, so use your reasoning skills.

Will you pursue God’s loving plan even when it is difficult? Will you give up sinful worldly pleasures and trust that His way is best? If you do, you will experience peace and joy that comes from forgiveness as well as God’s blessing on your life.

Or will you choose to ignore God’s perfect plan, do things your own way, and suffer the consequences of disobedience?

Reason through the options and consequences and make your decision. The results are up to you.

Love, Mama