Verses from Mama

Hearing God speak one Bible verse at a time.

Small Answers, Big Faith

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1 Chronicles 29:10b-11 “Blessed are You, O Lord God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.”

Photo by Mark Jefferson Paraan on Unsplash

Faith is the key that unlocks the answers to our prayers. We must be so acquainted with the God of the universe that we genuinely believe who He is, understand His heart, and are confident that He rewards those who genuinely seek Him. When we desire to expand the boundaries of our faith in God, He often uses small answers to prayer to move us forward.

Saturday evening found me on the way to the grocery store. It was a stormy night but there were a few things I needed to purchase that couldn’t wait. The weather held until I arrived at the store, but while walking the aisles the torrent let loose. Thunder reverberated through the walls and a driving rain pelted the roof like machine gun fire. I waited in line with my loaded cart wondering how I was going to unload everything into the truck and make it home in a timely manner. The weather app didn’t offer much hope that the storm would clear away soon, but my feet were aching. I just wanted to go home and sit in front of the fire.

Earlier that morning I had read the beginning of King David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles. The descriptions of our great God had intrigued me. “Yours, O Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth . . .” It came to me – as I stood dreading the next moments of running through the storm with a loaded cart while everything in the heavens rained down on my world – that my God even had power over the forces of nature.

“Lord,” I prayed, “I know that getting soaking wet is not a major disaster, but my feet hurt and I just want to go home. Please stop the rain – just until I load the packages and help me get home as quickly as possible!”

I paid for my things and went to the door. The rain continued to pour and I prepared myself with some excuse why God hadn’t seen fit to answer this pitiful request. As I got ready to run, a young man wearing a yellow rain poncho approached me and asked if he could watch my cart while I brought my car around. I thankfully took him up on the offer, darted to the truck and brought it under the protection of the store’s awning where the young man even helped me load. I gratefully thanked him, told him he was an answer to prayer (really!) and headed home.

I pondered the events at the store and became even bolder. “Lord, thank you for your answer, even better than I had hoped, but we don’t have a garage and I still have to get the items into the house. No one is home and I won’t have anyone to help me there. You know I have been trying to grow in faith, to believe that I will receive when I ask, so won’t you please stop the rain when I get home?”

The driving rain continued to batter the windshield and the wipers faithfully swept back and forth clearing my view of the road. Each time I wondered how to get my many packages down the long sidewalk and into the house I pushed the thoughts aside. I had asked the Lord to stop the rain and I was going to believe that He would. After all He had provided for me at the store, so surely He would finish the job.

The rain continued to push me along our road, but when I made the turn into our lane it suddenly stopped. I pulled into our puddling parking spot and carried all the bags along the sidewalk and into the kitchen. I was dry. The bags were dry. And I was home.

Getting home through a storm. Carrying groceries into the house. Why did God answer these insignificant prayers? I believe it is because He cares and even more than keeping me dry He wanted to expand the boundaries of my faith for the even bigger requests for which I am praying. Faith is the key that unlocks the answers to our prayers – and even that faith comes from Him! Sometimes our God answers the smallest of prayers in surprising ways in order to help us trust Him even more!

Love,

Mama

Ask, Seek, Knock – Persevering in Prayer

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Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

Over and over again God tells us through the Bible that He hears and answers our prayers. Why then do we often give up so easily when there is something our heart desires? Maybe God wants to see how much we really want the request. Maybe the delay in the answers is to teach us the art of perseverance. Whatever the case God instructs us to pray without ceasing. Ask, seek and knock continually. This is the way to have our prayers answered.

It has been a few weeks since we got our puppy, Apache. She is such a sweet little girl but there are the typical puppy nuisances that we have to deal with. Potty training has been exhausting and the chewing on anything and everything has caused us all to be very persistent in teaching her what we expect. We are determined not to give up because we are sure she can learn and because we don’t want to end up with huge problems. Why can we stay so on task with our puppy training and yet give up so easily when it comes to prayer?

The great preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon once preached a sermon to his congregation where he challenged them with these words, “When you know what you need, your soul must become so possessed with the value of that device – with your own excessive need for it, with the danger which you will be in unless that device should not be granted – that you will be compelled to plead for it as a man pleads for his life! … We must have such a desire for the thing we need, that we will not rise until we have it – but in submission to His divine will, nevertheless. Feeling that the thing we ask for cannot be wrong, and He, Himself, has promised it, we have resolved it must be given, and if not given, we will plead the promise again and again, till heaven’s gates shall shake before our pleas shall cease!”

When we understand God’s heart for us and believe His promises to answer our cries we should continue on day after day seeking what we long for. Are you discouraged because you have prayed for something for many years without any viable answers? Don’t give up. Persistently lay your specific requests out before Him and believe that as you seek Him He will give you the desires of your heart. Nothing is too hard for Him and He delights to show us great and mighty things that are beyond our imagination.

Keep asking! Keep seeking! Keep knocking! Persevere in your prayers and take heart! God promises to answer and He always keep His word!

Love,

Mama

Goodbye Cherokee! All Things Come To An End!

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Hebrews 7:23-25 “Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.”

All things come to an end, so we’ve been told. This can be a good thing when times are hard, but other times this truth is difficult to swallow. Special days we’ve waited for like birthdays, weddings, and holidays come and go so quickly leaving us with sweet memories and nostalgic feelings. Sadly, relationships also come to an end.

This past week our family said goodbye to a good and faithful friend. Our sweet German Shepherd, Cherokee, struggling with weak back legs for some time now, finally got to the point where she could only drag her body around with her front legs. The joy of living an active life was over for her as there was nothing anybody could do to help.

Her spot by the back door is now empty. There is no one to greet us when we arrive home, chase away the wildlife that interlopes on our property, or guard the newspaper we receive every morning. We are so sad, but this is the way of life. All things come to an end! The position she played in our family is now a gaping hole.

In the Old Testament priests were an important part of the religious life of God’s people. They functioned as mediators between God and men. They performed sacrifices, offered gifts and took care of the tabernacle where the Lord’s presence dwelled so that the people could be in right standing with God. But there were a few problems with this system of worship.

First of all, the human priests had their own sin. In order to mediate for the rest of the people they needed to offer a personal sacrifice first. Secondly, the gifts and sacrifices they offered were not sufficient to make the people completely righteous in God’s eyes. Day after day they continually had to offer new sacrifices. Thirdly, the position these men held as priests was terminated when they died. As each generation passed away a new priest needed to step in and take their place.

As with all things, this Old Testament sacrificial system of reconciliation with God has now also come to an end. God knew that it was weak and useless (Heb 7:18) so He established a new and better way for people to become right with Him. This new system will never dissolve because it is based on the permanent priesthood of Jesus Christ. God’s own Son, Who is holy, blameless, pure, and set apart from sinners, has no sin of His own and is fully capable of meeting all our needs. He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him because He always lives to intercede for us.

I suppose we should say that almost all things come to an end. We had to say goodbye to Cherokee and someday we will find another pet to fill her spot. But thankfully for those who come to God through Jesus, our relationship is forever secure. We can count on this because our Savior and perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ, lives forever to intercede on our behalf. His priesthood will never end!!

Love,

Mama

Rough Road Ahead

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Hebrews 1:3 “And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

Sometimes in the ordinary activities of life we are suddenly confronted with a change in plans. We start out doing the same old, same old, but an unplanned and unpleasant event disrupts our regular routine. Suddenly the smooth path we have been travelling becomes bumpy. How does one cope with such an unexpected turn of events?

The other day I started my usual walk down our road. I plodded along, lost in thought about the day’s events, when a flash of orange caught my eye. Looking up I saw a new sign on the side of my usual route that read, “Rough Road.” Surveying the situation more carefully I saw that a swath of asphalt had been cut out on either side of the bridge leaving two low strips about a foot wide and 3 inches deep. If I had not been paying attention I would have stumbled and hurt myself.

This sudden change in my routine walk brought again to my mind some sad events of the past weeks. While going through the ordinary routines of life, a number of our friends were suddenly confronted with a stretch of rough road. Out of the blue, it seemed, tragedy struck and suddenly the smooth path was strewn with potholes of reeling emotions and overwhelming grief.

When a person becomes a Christian it is often easy to think that life from now on will be a straight and even highway to heaven. We are children of the King, so shouldn’t our lives be easy? This misunderstanding of the journey of faith is a huge reason why many end up turning aside. Moving forward is easy while the path ahead is clear, but as soon as a rough patch surfaces many abandon the faith with disillusionment.

But the Bible gives many signposts to warn of rough road. 1 Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.” James also instructs us to “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance (James 1:1-2).”

We are warned that these patches of rough road will come, but how do we keep moving forward with such tremendous difficulties before us?

Keeping in mind that Jesus our Savior upholds all things by the word of His power is a great comfort. He is the Creator and everything in heaven and earth belongs to Him. Despite all the forces that surround us, the Lord has ultimate authority and can control every circumstance with a single word. The winds and waves respond to His rebuke. The sick are healed and even the dead raised with a command from His lips. While our grief with difficult circumstances is very real, we can be assured that each stretch of rough road we encounter is not an error or mistake.

We may never understand God’s purposes, but we can be assured that He loves us and feels our pain. Nothing happens without His knowledge and apart from His love. During these times we must focus our eyes on His face and rely on Him to give us the power to take the next step, and then the next, and the next. By trusting Him completely we will in time experience His peace that overshadows our understanding of our circumstances.

There is rough road ahead for all who belong to the Lord. The Bible gives numerous warning signs. Yet we do not need to fear the rugged path ahead when we remember Jesus upholds all things by the word of His power. All things are under His control and not one detail escapes His notice. Keep your eyes on Him, hold his hand with every step, and despite the patches of rough road you will make it safely home!

Love,

Mama

Great Grandma’s Memory

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Psalm 103:17-18 “But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember His precepts to do them.”

Great Grandma Thomson on her 97th birthday!

The older I get the harder it is to remember things. As the years pass the information filling my brain seems to slip away like sand in a sieve. I grasp a person’s name one minute and the next I am searching every corner of my mind to recall the elusive data. It is truly exasperating! But these are the kinds of things that happen to people with the passing of time.

Your Great Grandma lived into her late nineties. For most of her years she was as sharp as a pin, but as she neared the one hundred year mark she struggled in many ways. Her eyesight grew dim and her hearing was somewhat impaired. She had trouble remembering even the easiest of things and often became confused. Once while attending a gathering of friends and family Luke approached her to ask if she would like some tea. She looked at him inquisitively for a moment and said, “You remind me of my grandson.” Luke responded, “Grandma, I am your grandson!” Faint recollections and fading vision kept her from placing someone who had very close ties with her.

While it is disheartening to experience these kinds of issues with loved ones, we can be assured that our heavenly Father will never forget. Man’s days are like grass and the flowers of the field. They are beautiful for a short time, but eventually fade away. Yet our God never changes. His lovingkindness towards those who fear Him is from everlasting to everlasting, and His righteousness extends to all who keep His commands. Generations come and go, but He never forgets even one of His children. His eye is attentive to every move and His ear open to every cry. He is aware of our frailty and is compassionate towards our needs.

What a comfort to know that even though human memory has glitches and moments of forgetfulness, the Lord will never forget. He always recognizes His children’s faces, remembers their names, and cares about every area of their lives. He will never change and His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Love,
Mama

Storm Warning

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Isaiah 31:1 “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!”

“Take shelter! Strong and potentially dangerous storms with possible hail damage have been issued for the following counties . . . .”

When the storm clouds roll in, where do you turn?

The alert sounded over the radio the other day while I was driving to a nearby mall. I was now in a dilemma. Should I turn around and go home, or should I continue my shopping trip and hope I could find appropriate cover if the storm actually did hit?

These kinds of weather occurrences regularly arise in our state during the spring season, and it behooves all Ohioans to recognize the signs and be familiar with the best safety procedures for the warning issued. Can you imagine if during a thunderstorm warning everyone took cover under the nearest tree? Or as a twister’s path of destruction drew near a town the residents all scurried to the attic to ride out the storm? These actions would be foolish and very possibly deadly! When faced with imminent disaster, it is important to seek the right kind of shelter and protection.

God’s people were in danger. Over and over they had disobeyed His commands, sought after other gods, and disregarded the warnings of the prophets. These wayward people were soon to suffer the consequences of their unwise decisions. A cruel enemy army was threatening their existence and they were in a quandary as to what to do. Where could they seek shelter from the strong troops that stamped their boots on the threshold of their cities?

There was only one wise thing to do, but the stubborn children of God refused to do it. Despite their history of God’s protection and provision, these rebels rejected the Lord and turned to the foreign nation Egypt for help against the enemy. In their minds the strong horses and horsemen along with the numerous chariots were their best hope for protection.

The prophet Isaiah warned against this foolish decision, but to no avail. Like hiding under a tall tree in a thunderstorm, God’s people put their trust in an ungodly country comprised of sinful humans just like they were. In so doing they brought even more disaster upon themselves. They didn’t understand that this decision would result in both nations’ coming to an end together.

I am afraid we are no different! When difficulties arise we often choose help and protection that sounds logical to us. We run first to friends or family, we rack our brains for a solution, or we try to fight and argue our way out of a dispute. But how many times do we seek help from the Lord as our first resort? In prayer we can lay our circumstances before Him asking for wisdom, protection, and justice. His ear is open to our cries, and He is the perfect shelter in any and every storm.

God’s nation ignored His warnings, but there is a chance for us. Maybe the next time a life storm is brewing we should reconsider hiding in the attic or under the tallest tree. Instead why not do the wise thing – look first to the Holy One of Israel and seek the Lord! In His hands is the safest place to be!!

Love,
Mama

 

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

 

Whom Are You Going To Believe?

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Titus 1:1-2 “Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ago . . .”

Black and white, tall and short, high and low, new and old – these comparisons all have something in common: they are opposites. Each adjective describes something, and by virtue of having one quality, the other one doesn’t fit. If an item is black, then it isn’t white. If it is tall, then it isn’t short, and so forth. Even a child can understand the differences in certain things when they look at the noticeable characteristics. These contrasts are particularly apparent when it comes to humans and God. When measuring the two against each other, there is absolutely no comparison.

Paul points out a particular attribute of God in the opening verses of his letter to Titus to prove this point and to foster faith in the trustworthiness of His word. Titus was up against a large problem. He was serving God on the island of Crete where many rebellious men were teaching things contrary to the Scripture. These unscrupulous teachers planned their lessons with thought only for how they could make a personal profit. In the process they were upsetting whole families with their deception.

In seeking to restore truth to this confused community, Paul started his letter with his personal credentials. He was a bondservant of God who was proclaiming the truth in obedience. He was also an apostle of Jesus Christ, which gave him the authority to speak for God about the hope of eternal life with confidence. His message was based on what God had spoken long ages ago, and it was completely true because God cannot lie. It was not that God didn’t lie, but that according to His nature He could not lie.

What a contrast this was to the other Cretans who were known to be untruthful. Even one of their own prophets called out their reputation for being liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons.

For those who were confused about the truth, the answer should be obvious. Whom were they going to believe – the ones known to be liars or the One Who could not lie?

Today we face a similar crisis. The world is full of people who spout intelligent sounding jargon that differs from what the Bible says. There are times when our circumstances cause us to doubt our faith and wonder if we should listen to those around us who have easy solutions. Sometimes a voice in our head second-guesses God’s love and control over our life. With all these messages floating around, whom are we going to believe?

When you don’t understand the swirl of confusion that is threatening to upset your life and even the lives of your whole family, consider the opposites. Decide whom you are going to believe – the untrustworthy voices all around you or the One Who by nature cannot lie!

Love,

Mama

An Ancient King’s Remedy For Anxiety

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Psalm 62:5-6 “My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.”

Shhhh! Just be quiet! These are words you have heard me say over and over again. Children tend to be noisy. (Wouldn’t you agree?:-)) Many times over the years I have needed to reign in an escalating conversation and call for peace and quiet. Silence is often needed to be able to think straight.

While this is something that most parents need to do from time to time, did you know that we must also use this same tactic on ourselves? In this day and age we don’t like silence. We have learned to think with our eyes and our ears instead of our brain. We hardly go anywhere without a device secured to our person. It is the first thing we look at in the morning and the last thing we check at night. We watch the news and read other people’s views on it. We bombard our minds with movies portraying what we think life should be like. We play music to pump us up or calm us down. We surf the web for answers to our questions about anything and everything. This stimulation is a constant companion and shapes our understanding of the world. Why think for ourselves when there is someone else to do it for us?

Our values and morals are driven by society and cause many to end in a train wreck of consequences from bad decisions and faulty reasoning. Fear wraps cold fingers of dread around our hearts as we listen to what is occurring in the world. Hopelessness weighs down even the bravest of hearts. Round and round our mind goes like a merry-go-round off kilter until we must get off or collapse.

Many years ago David the Psalmist had much to fear. Throughout his life many sought to destroy him. At one point even his own son turned against him. But this godly king had found a way to calm his spirit. When anxious he spoke to himself and said, “My soul, Shhhh! Just be quiet!” Closing off all disturbing thoughts and distractions his mind was free to focus on the truth. His salvation was from God. In the silence, the rock and stronghold of his life comforted his heart so he would not be shaken amidst difficult circumstances.

In our world of constant conversation there are times when we also need to shut out all the noise. When distress fills your heart and causes your knees to shake in fear, or differing opinions spin you around til you are dizzy, just apply an ancient king’s remedy for anxiety. Say, “Self, Shhh! Just be quiet!” Find a place of solitude and leave your devices behind. Turn off every distraction and wait in silence for God’s voice to assure you of His presence and bring comfort to your soul.

By quieting your reeling thoughts your mind will have the silence it needs to think straight. Soon you will hear the voice of your Savior gently saying, “I am your rock and salvation. Put your hope in me.”

Love,

Mama

When God Says, “No”

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John 16:26-27 “In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request of the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.”

Uncle Chuck and me at Camp of the Woods, Speculator, NY, c. 1986.

Most people hate the word “No.” When we have a request and ask someone to fulfill it, we hope the answer will be “Yes.” Being denied is a great disappointment and not very fun. But sometimes there are good reasons for the rejection. Sometimes the “No” leads to something even better than we had hoped for.

As a teenager I loved being at camp. When I was thirteen I started on staff at a small Christian camp in Pennsylvania. For six years I spent my summers there before applying to larger conference center in Speculator, NY. Camp of the Woods has always been known for its amazing musical talent. The accomplished music staff prepares for weekly concerts that rival any of the best shows you can find. Being from a musical family I thought that was where I would best fit. But God had other plans. He said, “No” to that desire and instead placed me in the education program teaching the Bible to fourth through sixth graders while their parents were in chapel.

I remember vividly my deep disappointment over not making the cut for the music staff. But the Lord gently comforted me with a thought. He was giving me the opportunity to speak to many boys and girls about His love and plan of salvation. I did this job for three summers and it was the beginning of a life-long passion for teaching and reaching others for Christ. His “No” brought about a huge “Yes” in my life.

There was another crucial time that God said “No.” Jesus, God’s beloved Son, was in deepest agony knowing that within hours He would be subjected to the cruelest of treatments resulting in His death on a Roman cross. While in the Garden of Gethsemane He pleaded with His Father saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). 

The Father’s answer to His only Son was “No.” The cup of suffering would not pass from Him. Jesus would carry the sins of the world to the cross where He would pay the price of justice in our stead. Because of His obedience those who believe would be spared the deserved penalty of their sins and would also have the right to become children of God.

Jesus explained to His closest followers that, because of what He was about to do, they would have the privilege of speaking to God directly. They would not need someone to be their spokesman. They could personally petition the Father, and not even Jesus Himself would have to request on their behalf.

Because God said “No” to His only Son, we who believe can receive the biggest “Yes” we could ever secure – salvation from our sins, membership in God’s family, and the privilege of bringing our requests directly to our heavenly Father in prayer.

Are you a child of God and seeking something from Him? Then go boldly before the throne of His grace and pour out your heart to Him. He loves you and wants to hear all your petitions. But while you may hope His answer will always be “Yes,” keep in mind  . . . when God says “No” it will assuredly lead to something even better than you could imagine. In God’s wisdom a “No” always leads to a resounding “Yes.”

Love,

Mama