Verses from Mama

Hearing God speak one Bible verse at a time.

Trusting God When You Don’t Understand

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Daniel 3:17-18 “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Bart Sheridan’s induction into the Ohio Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame – January 2019

Dear Kids:

Things are not always as they seem. Human nature causes most of us to interpret each circumstance through the funnel of our own understanding, and we make judgments based on our limited knowledge. This is a natural tendency in a world of untrustworthy people. The only way to navigate past these biases and feel safe is to understand Who has complete control of all of life and to fully trust Him.

Keeping a Secret From Dad

For the past few months you kids and I, along with a few select friends, have harbored a special secret. We knew that at the January Ohio Auctioneers Association Conference Dad was going to receive the prestigious recognition of being inducted into the Ohio Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame.

Hidden emails and texts flew between those of us who were planning the event as we gathered information, put together a slide show of pictures, and relayed arrival information for surprise guests. All the while Dad was in the dark about this coming honor and life went on as usual . . . until the day before the event.

I had just texted Uncle Matt some information about the guests’ arrival when Dad asked to use my phone because his was low on battery. I knew I couldn’t give him my device or he might see the secret messages. So in a very unusual manner I abruptly ran out of the room and quickly deleted the texts before coming back and handing him the cleared phone.

I could tell Dad was a little taken aback by my strange exit, but thankfully he didn’t ask any questions and knew me well enough not to make any wrong assumptions. It wasn’t until the next day when he received the award that he realized why I had acted so strangely. Things were not what they may have seemed to be.

Three Young Men Trust God

Three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced a strange turn of events, when they were taken from their homes into Babylonian captivity. This strange and distressing twist of life’s circumstances likely caused them to wonder about the God to Whom they belonged. Wasn’t He stronger than the king of Babylon? If so, why would He allow these devastating events into their lives?

But things were not as they seemed. And Instead of abandoning the God of their youth, these young men chose to trust Him fully even when they didn’t understand. When King Nebuchadnezzar made a law that everyone must worship the golden image he created or else be thrown into a fiery furnace they refused to bow. Their brave words became a testimony to their great faith.

They knew to Whom they belonged and trusted Him despite all that was happening. God honored their faith and walked with them through the blazing flames.

Trusting God When You Don’t Understand

Each of us will also face times when we don’t understand what life has thrown at us. It may seem that God is acting strangely or may have even disappeared. These distressing times may even cause us to doubt His love, goodness, and power. But don’t lose heart! Things are not as they seem!

The God Who walked with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego through the flames will walk with you through your difficulties too. Don’t allow your limited understanding to shape your responses. Instead stake your life on His faithfulness and trust Him fully. He will never let you down!

Love,

Mama

An Important Missed Detail

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Luke 1:13 “But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

Have you ever noticed how you can get so fixated on one thing that you miss something really important?

Exciting News for an Elderly Priest

Zechariah was an elderly priest. When his priestly division was on temple duty, his name was chosen by lot to burn incense before the Lord. During his service, Gabriel, an angel of the Lord, appeared to him and proclaimed exciting news: his prayer had been answered! His wife, Elizabeth, would become pregnant with a son whom they were to name John.

The angel went on to explain that  the Holy Spirit would fill this boy from birth and would bring many of the Jewish people back to the Lord their God. In the spirit and power of Elijah, John would turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous. This would all occur to make the people ready for the Messiah to come.

This news flabbergasted Zechariah. He and Elizabeth were very old and past the years of child-bearing. So he questioned the angel in disbelief. His mind was focused only on the seeming impossibility of a physical birth. Gabriel assured Zechariah that the words were true, but proclaimed that because of his unbelief he would not be able to speak until the child was born. Zechariah returned home after his job was done. Sure enough, as prophesied Elizabeth became pregnant.

Answered Prayer and an Important Missed Detail

I can only imagine how many years this couple had talked and prayed about having a child. Each passing month produced fresh disappointment and the decades rolled by. So when the angel gave Zechariah the incredible news of the soon coming birth, the tiny baby boy was all he could think about. It seemed impossible to him, though as a priest he must have known it was not impossible. Hadn’t he heard the stories of Abraham and Sarah and how God had given them a son in their old age?

The really impossible part was what God would do through this child! He would use him to soften the hard hearts of men and turn them back to God. Romans 3:10 states, “As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. Yet, despite the impossibility of humans seeking after God, through John’s ministry hearts of stone would be softened to hearts of flesh to respond to the coming Messiah.

Zechariah Sees the Even Greater Miracle

It seems that during the nine months of silent waiting Zechariah had much time to think. When the long-awaited baby finally arrived, this joyful father sang a song of praise. But the theme of the lyrics was not about the impossibility of an older person giving birth. Instead this song focused on the really important part: God would redeem His people from their sin and rescue them from their enemies. This precious little child, John, would give the people the knowledge of salvation through God’s forgiveness, which would miraculously prepare their hearts for the coming Savior. His physical life would prepare others for spiritual life in Christ.

What are you fixated on this Christmas season? Could it be that the thing you have prayed for the most has blinded you to God’s even grander idea? Open your heart and mind so you don’t miss any important details of what God is doing and has done. What you find might surprise you!

Love,
Mama

Read Zachariah’s song of praise here.

A Hidden Display of Impeccable Character

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2 Peter 1:5-7 “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.” 

Dear Kids:

A True Test of Character

John Wooden, one time head coach at UCLA, said, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are . . . the true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”

I pulled up to the drive-through window at the bank, opened my window and slid my deposits into the plastic tube. That’s when I noticed her. Sitting in a sedan in the next lane sat a woman who looked to be in her 60s. She was waiting for the teller to send her banking paperwork back through the tunnel system to her car. While most people sit and wait quietly, this lady was very obviously listening to her favorite tunes. Though I couldn’t hear the music I could tell because her head was bobbing and her mouth was moving. Every once in a while she would break out into a car-sitting dance move. I couldn’t help but chuckle as I wondered if this young at heart grandma had any idea someone was watching!

The kinds of things you do when no one else is around are the very things that paint the real picture of who you are. Some look over their shoulder before scrolling through pornography on the web. Others may take something that is not theirs or cheat on a test or their taxes. Yet there are many who pick up trash because it needs to be done or who help someone in need without any thought for reward.

Diligent Faith Promotes Moral Character

Peter explains that those who belong to Christ have everything necessary – namely the very nature of God Himself – to escape the corruption of the world. Diligent faith promotes moral excellence, which leads to knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. These character qualities continue to increase as one grows in the knowledge of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Living in light of these, even when no one is watching, keeps one free from stumbling and sin.

Most people don’t do certain things when they think others are watching – singing and car-dancing while waiting at the bank drive-through might be some of these behaviors. But how you respond in all areas of life when you are alone really is the true test of your character. And it may also be an indicator of whether or not you truly are one of God’s children.

Love,
Mama

God’s Terms of Endearment

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Zechariah 2:8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘After glory He has sent Me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.’” 

Dear Kids:

Dad and Sweet Abigail (otherwise known as Princess Cherry Blossom) – 2002

Have you ever noticed how people tend to give nicknames to those they love? Sweetheart, Darling, Precious, and Honey are some of these most common terms of endearment. Other times people craft fun or special names, which are meaningful and fitting for a certain individual. We have a number of those in our family. Just ask our sweet Abigail, whose older sister Emily dubbed her at birth Princess Cherry Blossom. Each pet name demonstrates how much we love the person so named.

God’s Terms of Endearment

God also has terms of endearment for those He loves. God’s people had gone through a very difficult period of time. They had spent years under the bondage of foreign nations. They brought this captivity on themselves because they turned away from God and broke His covenant with them. In wisdom God allowed them to be punished for their disloyalty by these foreign nations. But as with any good parent, God never stopped loving His children. He brought about their punishment for the purpose of getting their attention and drawing them back into relationship with Himself.

The prophet Zechariah delivered God’s call to repentance and promise of deliverance to Jerusalem and the cities of Judah. “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.’” The nation of Israel was special and loved, nicknamed the apple of God’s eye, and He was angry at the foreign nations. They had been called to punish His wayward people but they wanted to go beyond God’s intention. They planned to annihilate His special nation, and this was unacceptable!

God pledged that He would be a protective wall of fire around Jerusalem and that His glory would fill the city. He would go after the enemy nations with a vengeance because no one could touch His loved ones without His permission.

God’s redeemed people are one in Christ

Today God loves those who belong to Him as much as He loves the nation of Israel. In fact, God sees all people who are in Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, as His one redeemed people. Ephesians 2:13-14 says, “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace who made both groups (Jew and Gentiles) into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall. . .”

That means that we also acquire His special terms of endearment. We are deeply loved by Almighty God, and also called the “apple of His eye.” He is concerned about all that happens to us. He lovingly blesses us, disciplines us, provides for us, and protects us. No one can harm us without His permission. We are His and He is ours.

Have you grown up with a special nickname? Are you someone’s Honey, Sweetheart, Darling, or Princess Cherry Blossom? Regardless, if you are one of God’s children you are deeply loved. And those who touch you touch the “apple of His eye”.

Love,

Mama

The Best Part of You is Who Lives Inside!

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2 Corinthians 4:7 “But this precious treasure – this light and power that now shine within us – is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.” (NLT)

 “The best part of you is who you are inside!”

2013-06-19_15-25-25_833This was the saying on my childhood bedroom wall poster featuring a hen talking to a hatching chick. The words were a comforting reminder to a gangly teenager suffering the physical effects of changing from a child into an adult – my inner beauty was most important.

The poster was talking about the essence of who a person is – his or her personality, thoughts, feelings, and attitudes. These are the qualities that define a person’s life, not the outward flaws that many teenagers experience. But for a Christian there is an even greater meaning to these words.

Contained within our physical frame is a great treasure worth more than all the riches the world has to offer. For those who know Jesus Christ as their Savior, the light and power of His presence shine within us. God’s very own Spirit reflects the glory of God in and through us. He works in us, making us more and more like Him. As we grow spiritually we reflect His presence more every day.

Not only do we have God’s power available to free us from our sinful lifestyles, but we also have His power to convince others that the message of God’s salvation is available for them, too. God takes our imperfect efforts to reach others and powerfully uses them to make a difference to those around us. We do not rely on our own abilities. We are not the Creator of the light, but only carriers of it.

God put these precious treasures inside our weak bodies so that everyone can see that what we possess is not from us but from God. When we persevere through troubles and our human frailties are put to the test, we can still be victorious because of God’s strength within us. His power to prevail is like a bright light shining from the inside of a fragile jar. The jar isn’t what is important; the important part is what it contains. Those around us will wonder how we can survive the trials of life and we can give God the glory for our success.

Even in the face of death we will still win. Our momentary trials will only last for a short time, but our eternal destiny in heaven with Christ is secure because of His life that lives within us.

The teenage years fly by and the raging hormones that wreak havoc on the physical body settle down. But as time passes, age causes other ailments that affect the human shell we all live in. It could be discouraging but doesn’t need to be. God’s truth can fill us with hope and comfort as we are reminded that the trials will soon pass, but the joy they produce will last forever.

I think if I were to hang that poster on my wall today, I would want it to say,

“The best part of you is Who lives inside!”

Love,

Mama

 

 

Can You Find Joy?

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Philippians 1:3-6 “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

From the time I was young I always loved words. Some of my favorite games to play were Scrabble and Boggle. I love learning new vocabulary and discovering meanings. Words are like keys that unlock understanding.

There are many key words in the Bible. Joy is one that keeps popping up over and over again. Though joy may be an easy find in the game of Boggle it is not so easy to find when it comes to life experiences. The Bible states that joy should characterize the life of a Christian. It is a gift of God and a fruit of the Holy Spirit. We are supposed to find it in the midst of trials and the joy of the Lord is to give us strength. Why then are so many of God’s people devoid of this important key word?

While reading my Bible the other day I came across another word that I believe holds the key to unlocking the experience of joy in our lives.

Confidence is another word laced throughout the Apostle Paul’s writings. He often speaks of joy and confidence together. As I highlighted these words in my Bible, a light bulb suddenly flipped on in my mind. The ability to have joy despite our circumstances depends upon where we place our confidence.

People who have confidence don’t tend to become bothered by things. Yet as Christians our confidence is not to be in ourselves but in God. “Such confidence we have through Christ our God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God”(1 Cor. 3:4-5).

The confidence that Paul speaks about is not a good feeling about ourselves, but a complete assurance that God has everything in our lives under control. How then do we gain this confidence, which unlocks our joy? It comes from truly knowing God’s identity, God’s heart, and God’s power.

God’s Identity:
God is our Creator and heavenly Father. He is characterized by infinite attributes such as self-existence, self-sufficiency, unchangeableness, all seeing, complete wisdom, omniscience, and omnipresence to name a few. He is the giver of grace and peace, for all who receive Him as their Lord and Savior (Phil 1:2).

God’s Heart: He loved the world so much that “He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). For those who believe, He begins a good work in their lives that He promises to perfect in the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6).

God’s Power: He is able to accomplish all that He has promised. He is able to take the most difficult of circumstances and turn it around for good. Trials serve to strengthen our faith and spread God’s plan of salvation. Paul was able to see this clearly even in the middle of his unjust imprisonment. His trial turned out for the greater progress of the salvation message. Many people, including his prison guards, heard the gospel and trusted in Christ. His imprisonment also served to give the other Christians courage to speak the word of God without fear (Phil 1:12-14).

So if we want to experience joy in our lives, then we, just like Paul, must be fully persuaded of Who God is. We must be assured of the unfailing tenderness of His loving heart. And we must have complete confidence in His power to accomplish all that He sets out to do.

If we develop this type of unwavering confidence in our God, then joy, despite our circumstances, will be as easy to find as it is in the game of Boggle.

Love,
Mama

Spiritual Living God’s Way

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2 Timothy 3:5 “. . . holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these.”

How would you rate your relationship with God? In our house we have a saying. Whenever we see someone doing something that looks outwardly religious, we say they are so “spiritual.” But the roll of the eyes and the tone of voice conveys the opposite. Though it has turned into a joke for us, it really is nothing to laugh about.

There are many today who think that certain actions or words illustrate their virtue or closeness with God. Unfortunately, if one is relying on only these outward things, they are deceiving themselves. 2 Timothy 3:5 tells us that in the last days there will be many who hold to a form of godliness that is false. Their actions and “spiritual” sounding words will mean nothing if they have denied the power that God gives to those who truly belong to Him.

True godliness will always result in attitudes and actions that emulate God Himself. It is a deep inner change that results in pure outward actions. Just because someone goes to church every week, carries the largest Bible available, and can speak with flowery religious words does not mean that her life belongs to God. If their belief is real, it will produce the kind of devotion towards God that expresses itself in loving others just as Christ does. It will not be a forced way of life, but will happen naturally as the Holy Spirit works in and through them.

The Bible makes it clear that the natural inclination of man is to be “lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, loves of pleasure rather than lovers of God (AND) holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.”

On the other hand, the fruit of the Spirit will mark those who are truly godly. When an individual comes to God humbly and confesses his sins, He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse from all unrighteousness. He fills this believer with His Holy Spirit Whose power will produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The old nature is gone and the new has come. These inner signs are the real test for genuine God-given “spirituality.”

So take a deep look into your own life. Are you trying to carry off a “spiritual” façade by holding to a form of godliness that denies God’s power? Is your inner life defined by the natural inclinations of the sinful human man? Are your right actions and words coming from a sense of duty only?

It is no laughing matter. Though some may be deceived by this false form of godliness, God will not be. Turn to God today with a heart of repentance and He will fill you with the truth of the true Spirit.

Love,
Mama

 

Strong People, Stronger God

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Daniel 4:35 “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?'”

Nebuchadnezzar, by William Blake

There are many strong and powerful people in the world. In fact, the power to control things is present in each individual. We want things our way, and so we do what we can to orchestrate circumstances to our advantage. This can be done in a passive-aggressive way, which is the indirect expression of hostility, or it can be done openly where verbal or physical harm to others is the outcome.

Whatever the reason for these negative behaviors, those who struggle with them feel that they can gain control over others and get their own way. These powerful people disrespect authority and feel they have the right to be in charge.

A biblical example of a strong and powerful man is Nebuchadnezzar. He was the ruler over all Babylon, the world’s most powerful ruler of the day. He had the ability to control the affairs of his kingdom and of his people, and his subject’s lives were ones of fear and dread. He had the authority, the resources, and the position to dictate the outcome of every life for good or for bad. But there was something that King Nebuchadnezzar didn’t understand.

Though he was a strong and powerful monarch, there was Someone stronger and more powerful than he. His kingdom and position were given to him by the God of heaven, Who was and is the true Supreme Ruler of the universe. Nebuchadnezzar had some difficult lessons to learn before he came to the understanding that “the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes and sets over it the lowliest of men.”

One day, while walking on the roof of the royal palace, the king reflected on the glory of Babylon. In his mind he swelled up with pride and said, “Is this not Babylon the great which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?”

While the words were still in his mouth a voice came from heaven proclaiming his doom. Immediately God removed Nebuchadnezzar’s authority and the man went crazy. He became like a beast and was driven away from mankind. He lived in a field and ate grass like the cattle for a period of seven years until he learned the truth. He finally recognized that the Most High was the Supreme Ruler over the realm of mankind and that any power he had been given was the result of this God Who was stronger than he.

At the end of the seven years, this once strong, powerful, and controlling king lifted his eyes toward heaven. His reason returned to him and he blessed the Most High and praised and honored the One Who lives forever. He finally recognized that “all the inhabitants of the earth[, even the strongest and most powerful,] are accounted as nothing. There is only One Who does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can ward off His hand or say to Him, “What have You done?”

What a warning and a comfort I see in this story! For those of us who like to have control, we would do well to acknowledge the One Who has complete authority in all the affairs of men. There is no place for pride in a believer’s life. All we have has been given us by the Most High and He can take it away at any time. 

For those of us who are struggling to live in a world populated by strong and controlling people, we have no need to despair. The same God Who was able to subdue a very powerful king has complete control over the people we deal with every day. In His time and in His way He will show them what He showed Nebuchadnezzar: “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing. He does according to His will . . . among the inhabitants of the earth, and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, What have you done?”

Whether you are the controller or are being plagued by a controller, always keep in mind: Where there are strong people, there is a stronger God!

Love,
Mama

A Fully Executed Contract

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Romans 4:20-21 “Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.”

God’s promises never fail! Even when faced with the impossible this is a God-Fact you can rely on.

Recently, while attending a real estate continuing education course, I listened to a lecture on contracts. In our business we deal with contracts all the time. There are listing contracts, purchase contracts, and auction contracts, to name a few. In order for these contracts to be valid, both parties to the contract must agree to the terms and sign their names showing that they intend to uphold their side of the deal. These are called bilateral contracts.

A unilateral contract is different. In this case one party (the offeror) makes an express promise to do something in exchange for a specific action by another party (the offeree.) Once the action is completed by the offeree, then there is only one promise that needs to be kept. 
Abraham comes to mind as I consider the unilateral contract. In Genesis 12 God called Abraham to leave his country, his people, and father’s household to go to a land that He would show him. God then made a promise to him that 1) He would make him into a great nation; 2) He would make his name great; 3) He would bless those who blessed him and curse those who cursed him; and 4) that through him all the peoples of the earth would be blessed.
So Abraham in faith acted on God’s offer. He left his hometown and set out with his wife and nephew on a journey directed by God. The action was accomplished and from then on the execution of the unilateral contract was up to God.
Years passed and the childless couple waited for God to give them the son they so hoped for. But the ticking of the biological clock changes the human body. Abraham and Sarah grew old and there was no longer any possible human way for them to give birth to this long dreamed of child.
Most couples would have packed away their desires along with the baby clothes and toys in a chest, deposited it in the attic and tried to move on with life. But Abraham, against all hope, believed that God would make good on their contract and that he would become the father of many nations.“He did not waver through unbelief, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised.” 

God credited Abraham’s faith to him as righteousness, and in due time God fulfilled His promise. A tiny baby born was born to this infertile, elderly couple. Over time their descendants multiplied more than the stars in the sky, and from Abraham’s family tree the Savior, Jesus Christ, was born – the Son of God Who brought salvation to the world.

Ours is a God Who keeps His word no matter how impossible the circumstances. When you face a difficult trial and it seems that all hope has died, hang onto the promises of God. Memorize a Bible verse that applies to your situation, recite it daily, and hope against hope – because when God signs a contract He always comes through.

Love,
Mama