Verses from Mama

Hearing God speak one Bible verse at a time.

Biblical Boasting

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Jeremiah 9:23-24 “Thus says the Lord, ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast about this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the Lord.”
 
Thanks to cousin Eva for helping us in our “Biblical Boasting!”
It is not pleasant to be around someone who brags. Who wants to listen to a person who is constantly speaking pridefully about themselves? But nowadays it’s hard to escape it.  You don’t even have to be with someone to hear their boasts. All you need to do is look at Facebook, or Twitter, or any of the popular social networking sites.

It cracks me up how people who would never boast about themselves in person will write things on Facebook that are completely over the top. It has even been given a name – “Facebragging.” It is usually couched in a somewhat humble setting, but the self-admiration and desire to be noticed shines through loud and clear.

“Wow, I’m so tired today. It must be that 5-mile run I took in the hot sun!” Or, “My Wheaties sure kicked in this morning. Glad I could bring my team to victory with three home runs.” Or, “Thrilled to have aced that big test today getting the highest grade in the class. Harvard, here I come!” It’s so easy to do as we journal our daily happenings for all the world to see.

Though pride and braggadocio are not qualities that we should strive for, there is one type of boasting that God likes. The Lord says, “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast about this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things.”

 
When we have come to know the Lord and begin to understand His ways, there is no need to hold back. Brag on about His love, His justice, and His righteousness. Tell about His wonders to all whom you meet. Share the answers to prayer that you have received and the blessings He has given. He delights to hear your voice speaking His praise.

Do not worry about what the world thinks of this kind of bragging. It pleases God and that’s all that matters. Oswald Chambers in his popular devotional My Utmost for His Highest writes this:

“The things that sound humble before God may sound the opposite before men. To say Thank God, I know I am saved and sanctified is in the sight of God the acme of humility, it means you have so completely abandoned yourself to God that you know He is true. Never bother your head as to whether what you say sounds humble before men or not, but always be humble before God, and let Him be all in all.”

Do you tend to talk about yourself too much, or maybe even Facebrag? Why not try a little Biblical boasting? Let’s all get to know the Lord better this week and then tell everyone we meet about how great He is!

Love,
Mama

Practicing Respect During Prom Season

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Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.”

The Bible speaks much about putting others before ourselves. This is one way that we can demonstrate our love to God and our desire to be like Him. Whenever we have the opportunity we should show respect for others and especially to those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Last week was the perfect opportunity for practicing this all-important godly trait. Every May many communities look forward to the high school prom. This year Nathan took a good friend as his prom date. It is always so much fun preparing for the big day by vacuuming the car, buying the flowers, getting dressed up, taking pictures, and attending the dinner and after-prom event.

But in the midst of all the fun, it is important to do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit. Philippians 2:3-4 continues by saying, “With humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own interests but also for the interests of others.”

What does this look like in the prom setting? Here are a few examples.

Guys, it is important to show respect and consideration for your date by practicing basic etiquette. If you are stopping by her house to pick her up, go to the door to get her. Spend some time speaking with her parents and family. Show your date and her parents respect and honor by making sure everyone is aware of the plans for the evening and what time you will drop her off.

Open the car door for your date and let her take your arm. Spend time with her during the evening and initiate appropriate conversation, asking more questions about her than talking about yourself.

Girls, an important way for you to respect your prom date is to dress modestly. It is so fun to wear beautiful dresses and to look your best, but make sure that your appearance is proper and done in good taste. Your true beauty should not come from an outward show of your body but from what God counts as beautiful – a gentle and quiet spirit. In dressing modestly you will be respecting your date who was made by God to be naturally drawn to a woman’s body, but who before marriage wants to keep his thoughts pure and clean.

While attending a prom is fun for all involved, it is also an opportunity to be devoted to each other in brotherly love – the kind of love that God wants us to have for each other all the time. Use this experience and others like it to give preference and honor to one another, and in doing so you will be looking out for not only your own personal interests but also the interests of others. And this pleases God!

Love,
Mama

How Low Will You Go?

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Galatians 5:26 – “Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”

The well-known teacher and pastor, Erwin Lutzer, once said, “The deeper we go with God, the lower we are able to go with service.”
Thanks for giving Abigail the front seat, John-Keith!

Everyone wants to be somebody special. We want to be noticed, appreciated, and lauded for our abilities and insights. We want our lives to make a difference to those around us and leave a legacy that will live long after we are gone from this earth. Often we will go to great lengths striving to attain this prominent place in the world. 

Unfortunately, this is often true even in our church circles. Our motives may stem from godly desires as we work diligently to promote our ministry and bring others within the circle of God’s grace. But might there be a seed of selfishness hidden in the soil of God’s harvest fields? Could it be that somewhere deep down we desire to leave a personal legacy that will keep our name alive even after we have gone home to be with the Lord?
It is not the norm to step away from an opportunity so that someone more gifted can take the lead. Yet so often we forget that as ministers of God’s salvation message we should be working together in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not about us and our legacy. It is all about God and His glory. 
It is possible to become boastful (in a humble way, of course) about all that God is doing through us. It is tempting to challenge each other to see who can bear more fruit. And it is crippling to the work of the gospel when we envy each other and try to come out on top.
Barnabas, one of the early followers of Christ, had a deep relationship with the Savior. Acts 11:24 calls him a “good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.” This deep well of connection with the Lord gave him the ability to encourage other believers regularly in their service to God.  On more than one occasion he went out on a limb to promote the talent or expertise of someone other than himself so the gospel message would have a farther reach.
When Paul was first converted, the other disciples did not believe he was truly changed. But Barnabas stood up for him and gave credence to his conversion. Later, after Barnabas had been called to Antioch to help with the church there, he saw the great need of a strong leader and went to Tarsus to find the Apostle Paul. He recognized Paul’s leadership qualities and was willing to take the back seat to the one whom God had specifically gifted and called for this service. 
The gospel message spread like wildfire and many, even to this day, have come to know Christ through the roles that Paul and Barnabas filled. While Paul’s travels and influence are more prominent in the biblical narrative of Acts, that doesn’t mean he was more important. It is just the part of the story that God chose to tell us.
So how low are you willing to go in service to the Lord? Would you be willing to take the back seat to another brother or sister in one area or another? Your ability to do this depends on how deep you  go with God. The deeper you go with Him, the more your personal desires will fade away and you will be willing for someone else to take the front seat.
Love,
Mama

Cancelled Flights and Line 5

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Mark 10:43b-45 “. . . but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
It was just about time to board the plane for home. I glanced at my ticket and weaved my way through the crowds to stand in Line 5. It had been an interesting weekend for me and I am sure for many of the other travelers. 
I had prepared to return home on Monday, but the fickle weather did not cooperate. That evening a thick ice had settled on the roads and my flight was cancelled. I rescheduled my flight for Tuesday afternoon and now I stood waiting in the last line – Line 5 – to board the plane along with other displaced passengers. 
As I waited for the final call I watched and listened to the people around me. A well-dressed  man in a stylish business suit stood directly in front of me talking out loud to no one nearby, obviously engaged in a telephone call on his wireless earpiece. Periodically he adjusted the appliance in his ear and continued his monologue about sales quotas and office policies. He was obviously someone of status and authority.
Finally the call came for the important people of Line 1 to begin their trek down the long corridor leading to the aircraft. The one-sided conversation in front of me stopped abruptly and I heard a panicked male voice exclaim, “Whoa, this is Line 5. I am supposed to be in Line 1.” Quickly the frustrated businessman grabbed his wheeled suitcase, ducked under the dividers, and raced to find his place with his peers already headed down the ramp.
I couldn’t help but chuckle as I said to myself, “What perfect sense! That man looked way too important to be in Line 5.” 
Finally the waiting was over and my group in Line 5 was called to board. I grabbed my duffle bag, walking along the ramp and down the aisle. I passed Mr. Important, already settled in one of the front seats, laptop open, continuing with business as usual. I smiled at him. He didn’t notice the gesture, so I continued my slow shuffle down the aisle searching for my seat. I finally found it at the very back of the plane. If I had gone much farther my seat would have been in the toilet closet.
I stowed my carry-on and plopped down to rest and mull over my circumstances. I had not planned on the cancelled flight and I had not chosen my back seat on this overloaded airplane. I was just glad to be on my way home. I remembered what Jesus said in the gospels: whoever wants to be great must be a servant and those who want to be first must be a slave to all. 
Jesus, the Son of God, demonstrated this principle as even He did not come to be served but to serve. It is only right for the King of Heaven to have the highest place and to have all sorts of servants doing His bidding. Yet He Himself came to earth for the purpose of serving us and giving His life as a ransom for our sins.   
I looked around and wondered whom I might serve that day as a result of being relegated to Line 5. Sure enough I ended up having some very nice conversations with the people seated around me. The man to my right was reading a new Bible that a friend had given him and seemed desirous to know God better. The couple on my left were believers and we had an encouraging conversation about different types of Bible study. 
As I settled back into my seat it struck me that a lot of God’s people were in Line 5 that day. And why should I have been surprised? The way to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven is to take the back seat and be a servant of all. If Jesus had a ticket I think He would have been in Line 5. Come to think of it, that’s exactly where He was – right there with us the whole time. 
Love,
Mama

Lose the Gaston Syndrome

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1 Corinthians 13:4b “. . . [love] does not boast, it is not proud.“

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Singing is a regular occurrence in our house. For no apparent reason someone will break out in a song and others will jump in to join the group. It is not an uncommon scenario for Walt Disney songs to be belted out (with all the voices and lyrics). 

With three strong young men coming in and out of our home on a regular basis, more often than not the large conceited antihero of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast will also make his entrance by way of  the lyrics from his song, Gaston.
The strong voices boom out the conceited narrative and lyrics (complete with perfect inflection and accent) that Gaston and his sidekick, LeFoe, sing praising Gaston’s size, strength, brawn, and every other attribute you can think of.

No one’s slick as Gaston
No one’s quick as Gaston
No one’s neck’s as incredibly thick as Gaston’s
For there’s no man in town half as manly
Perfect, a pure paragon!
You can ask any Tom, Dick, or Stanley
And they’ll tell you whose team they prefer to be on
No one’s been like Gaston
A king pin like Gaston
No one’s got a swell cleft in his chin like Gaston 
As a specimen, yes, I’m intimidating!
My what a guy, that Gaston!

(Lyrics by Alan Irwin Menken & Howard Ashman)

Though it is absolutely hilarious to hear my guys sing and act out this crazy song, it is a different story in real life. Anyone who can boast so proudly about themselves is not very fun to be around. Though in the story Gaston is trying to get Belle, the beauty, to fall in love with him, his efforts fall flat as she is completely turned off by his conceited and selfish attitude. This is certainly not the way to win or show love.
True love does not boast or act in a proud manner. It does nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility considers others better than themselves. It does not look only to its own interests, but also to the interests of others. This is the attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He, of anyone, had the right to boast, He made Himself nothing and took on the form of a servant. He humbled Himself and became obedient even unto death on a cross. This is the greatest display of love ever made.
Gaston may be an intimidating specimen, more manly than any other guy, but we know that didn’t get him what he wanted. If you want to be like Jesus, then put pride and boasting aside; otherwise, you’ll become just another boorish Gaston.
Love,
Mama

God on His Hands and Knees

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John 13:4-5 “So He (Jesus) got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel He had around them.”

It was right before the Passover celebration. Jesus, knowing that the hour of His death was upon Him, wanted to show His disciples the length to which His love would go. Not only had He left the ivory palaces of heaven to be born in a dirty stable in Bethlehem; not only had He lived His life on earth as One without a permanent home; but He was willing to take on the form of a servant, humbling Himself in the most demeaning of household duties. 

Jesus and His disciples had entered an upper room where they were going to eat the Passover meal. It was the generally accepted custom of that time that on entering an establishment a servant would wash the guest’s feet before they began to dine. Since there were no servants at this banquet no one was willing to do this humble service. 

So the God of the universe took off His robe, wrapped Himself in a towel, and got down on His hands and knees to wash the feet of those He loved. There were no limits to which His love would not go. And in the next few days His love would take Him to a cruel death which would result in life for all who would believe in Him.

Peter, horrified that His Savior would lower Himself to this degrading task, balked at the idea of having His feet washed by the Christ. But Jesus was using this example to show His disciples the spiritual implications of what He was about to do. He had come for the purpose of cleansing the world from sin. The disciples who already believed only needed their feet washed. Yet His love even reached out to others, like Judas who would soon betray Jesus to His enemies.

Jesus’ act was also a call to His followers to live their own lives in love and humble service to others. The attitude of humility and the willingness to serve – whatever the cost – shows that we belong to the One who gave His life for us. By following His example others may begin to understand the full extent of His love for them.

So how far would your love for others go? Is your mind full of future grandiose plans for serving God? Or are you willing now to fold the laundry, clear the dinner dishes, or carry your next door neighbor’s trash cans in?

If our heads ever become so lofty that there are certain places that are too far to bend, we would do well to remind ourselves of the King of Heaven. Fix our eyes on Him, follow His example, and we will see God on His hands and knees.

Love,
Mama

Cranky Kittens

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Ephesians 4:2-3. “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
 
I chuckled as I watched the little balls of fur roll around on the concrete patio. One second they were a blur of yellow, black & white wrestling with passion and the next second the yellow was pouncing through the air trying to catch a fly while the black, brown & white was burrowing beneath the hostas along the porch.

They were so cute and lovable that I just wanted to cuddle them on the porch swing. I stepped through the storm door and reached to pick one up when their playful attitudes immediately changed. Both kittens backed away hissing and spitting. The hair on their backs stood up on end and they looked like little porcupines. I was so disappointed and hurt. Why would they do that to me? Didn’t they like me?

There are times when people do not treat us as we would like. Sometimes when approached they will clam up, spit sharp words at us, or turn their backs making us wonder what we did wrong. It is tempting to react in anger when this happens, judging the words and actions without knowing the reason for the affront. By responding in kind, we typically will only escalate the tension and the problem is not alleviated.

But when we respond in a humble and gentle way, patiently bearing with one another in love, we will  often find that we are not the source of the problem. Usually there is another more serious issue that is upsetting the person causing them to snap at us. In taking the initiative to respond kindly, we may have opportunity to encourage and help someone who needs it.

I understand why my kittens hissed at me. They had been through a terrible trauma only days before. When the tornado came through they were displaced from their mother in the storm and who knows what happened to them and what they suffered in the terrific winds. When the rescuers found them they were terrified and it took time for them to feel safe. By waiting patiently and giving them loving care they eventually came to realize that I only wanted to love and help them.

Next time someone snaps at you, humbly hold back your retort. Bear with them patiently in love. They will eventually come around.

Love,
Mama