Verses from Mama

Hearing God speak one Bible verse at a time.

The Way Out of the County Jail and Other Prisons

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Zechariah 3:1 “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.” 

A Visit to the County Jail

The Way Out of the County JailA dark foreboding feeling crept over me as I pulled the metal door open and entered our neighboring county jail. I was there on business with nothing to fear, but still the clanging doors and dark dismal interior sent shivers up my spine. I waited on a cold bench until an officer unlocked the security doors and beckoned me into the hallway outside the office area. There, while waiting to be helped, I watched the movements of a few inmates and their wardens on the numerous security cameras behind the thick glass. Finally my business was completed. The door clicked open, and I hurried through the lobby and out into the sunshine.

As I headed to my car I breathed a sigh of relief. Yet my thoughts wondered about all of those who did not have the freedom to leave that imposing institution. What crimes did they commit? How long did they have to stay? What kinds of sordid things happened in there?

Satan, the Accuser of the Brothers

The Bible calls our enemy, Satan, an accuser of the brothers. He is always searching the earth for those whom he can indict before the Lord. There is nothing he would like better than to have us locked up in a prison of guilt and sin. He did this with Job, with Peter, and in a vision that the prophet Zechariah experienced.

In Zechariah’s vision Joshua, the high priest, was standing before the angel of the Lord. Satan was pointing to the dirty garments he wore and accusing him of vile things. The Lord, as judge, didn’t respond the way you would expect when presented with a terrible sinner. Instead He rebuked the accuser and told those standing near to remove the filthy garments and replace them with festal robes and a clean turban. The angel of the Lord then admonished Joshua to walk in the ways of the Lord. In so doing he would be fit to govern the temple, God’s dwelling place, and to perform the sacred duties with free access amongst all who were there.

Joshua, the high priest, represented the whole nation. God was revealing through this vision that though their accuser had a real case, He would cleanse them and set them free. In the following verses (3:8-10) a symbol of the Messiah, the Branch, is foreshadowed. This Branch, the Lord Jesus Christ, would eventually come to earth to set all prisoners free.

The Way Out of the County Jail or Other Prisons

Sadly, sin remains rampant here on the earth. There will always be those who stand before a judge and jury accused of wrongdoing and sentenced to imprisonment. There are many who, though they walk free on the streets outside the county jail, are imprisoned in their own hearts and minds. But everyone, even the cruelest of inmates, has the opportunity to be spiritually liberated.

The Judge of the earth vindicates all those who put their trust in Jesus. Satan, the accuser is thwarted. The prison doors of sin and guilt fly open. And the defendant is finally free!

Love,

Mama

My Almost Ruined Day

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Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.”

“Do not let the sun go down on your anger.”

At 9:01 AM he walked in the door and tension, like a biting wind, whooshed in behind him. My empty mug was ready for its morning cup of coffee. He was expecting his check, but I had been out of the office the day before and had not had time to listen to his telephone message. This was not a problem as I could quickly prepare the check, but he was not willing to wait for even a minute.

He shot belittling words my way, and I felt my frame stiffen. “How could I have possibly known he was coming when I had just walked in the door myself?” Bitter words rose to my lips, but I was able to catch them before they escaped. I took a deep breath.

Ignoring the increasing strain I offered him a cup of coffee while he waited and I set about my task. Finally, he stormed out through the door, check in hand. But the tension stayed. My whole day was on the verge of ruin practically before it got started!

Anger is a natural human response to an injustice. Throughout the Bible we read of times when God becomes angry. We are made in the image of God, so it stands to reason that we would experience the emotion of anger also. The difference is that God is always righteous and just. We are not. In our sinful state we often allow this emotional response to go beyond what it should.

In Ephesians 4:26-27 God warns us about the danger of holding onto anger. The Holy Spirit, through the pen of the Apostle Paul, guides us to release our anger before the sun goes down. This may mean having a conversation with someone who has offended us. We may bring our concerns before the Lord in prayer and wrestle for freedom from our indignation and its affects. Not dealing properly with anger provides the devil an opportunity to do us great damage.

My irate client did me an injustice by taking out his frustration on me when it was neither warranted nor necessary. His inconsiderate behavior affected my whole being, both physically and emotionally. But I had a choice to make. By holding onto my anger I would allow him to control the rest of my day. Wild replays of the whole scenario and imagining  smart and sassy retorts would only escalate my emotions and lead to wrong behavior. So I took a deep breath and said a little prayer as I waited for my pulse to slow. “Lord, help me to forgive and move forward with your blessing!”

Suddenly the air lightened. I glanced at the empty coffee mug and a bit of sadness for this impatient man who almost ruined my day replaced my angst. I had a right to be angry, but the sun was still shining and I was called to forgive. Waking from my reverie I calmly turned back to my  tasks at hand, but not before I whispered, “Sorry, Devil! There will be no opportunity for you to win today!”

Love,

Mama

There Are People Only You Can Reach!

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2 Corinthians 10:13 “But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.”

There are people only you can reach!

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Envy is a vice that can cause great damage. It reaches into the heart of relationships and creates much havoc. Like a mouse squeezing into a home through the tightest places, this trait can even find its way into Christian circles and fruitful ministries.

The Corinthian church suffered the aftermath of envious leaders who infiltrated their midst after their spiritual father, the Apostle Paul, journeyed on to other places. Self-proclaimed apostles who lusted after power took charge of the congregation and began to deride Paul’s authority. By finding fault and casting doubt they convinced the Corinthians that Paul did not have their best interests at heart.

This was damaging to the integrity of the gospel message and a crushing heartbreak for Paul who loved the Corinthians deeply.

Within the letter of 2 Corinthians Paul seeks to defend his apostleship and uncover the real enemy behind the false apostles’ tactics. Satan, who disguises himself as an angel of light, worked in and through these envious men to gain control of the unsuspecting church members. Paul sought to reveal that their real motives were not based on love, but on the desire to enslave, devour, and take advantage of the situation. They wanted control and glory.

As Paul pleads with the Corinthian church he assures them that his desire for their respect is different. He is acting within the sphere of influence that God had given to him. He was the first to preach the gospel among them and his ministry had brought them to Christ, so he felt a responsibility for their spiritual welfare. He argued that he wasn’t trying to usurp other men’s positions, but was only doing the job and preaching the message that God had given him. He had never taken advantage of them as these false leaders were doing, but instead served lovingly free of charge.

Within the church today leaders still struggle with envy. It is easy to look at another person’s ministry success and compare it to our own. While there is nothing wrong with helping each other, it is important to remember that God has given us each our own sphere of influence. By enviously encroaching on another’s area of service for the wrong reasons we can miss opportunities that only we can fill. The world is a really big place and we are all needed to fulfill our mission if everyone is to be reached.

Paul knew that when a Christian worker focuses on his own God-given sphere of influence, people’s lives will be impacted and the circle of influence will grow in ever widening circles.

Are you enviously looking at the successful ministries of those around you and desiring to step in for the wrong reasons? Or are you asking God to show you whom you can reach in your sphere of influence?

The world needs you because …

There are people only you can reach!

Love,
Mama

Fighting Words

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Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Satan is a crafty enemy who uses many tactics to shut down those who are Christ followers. One successful approach is to convince God’s children that they are helpless and unable to do what they are called to do. I know this because this is something the enemy has used on me.

I have never been a very confident person. Though I can come across as very self-assured, I have always struggled with a feeling deep inside that says I am not good enough. These feelings became so strong at one point that I came to a place where I really started to believe that I was not good enough to do even the simplest of tasks. When asked to clean a house for someone, I panicked thinking that I did not have what it would take to accomplish the job well. 

Thank the Lord I finally realized where these paralyzing thoughts were originating. They were vicious lies whispered in my ear by an enemy who desired to shut me down. He knew that I am a child of God and have the power of the Holy Spirit available to me and he decided to attack me where I was weak. 

Through Bible study and prayer I recognized that I needed to combat these feelings with truth, so I memorized today’s verse. From that day on I have quoted this promise every time I have felt the vicious, self-degrading words slipping back into my mind. I now know that I have the ability to do all that God has given me to do. He will supply whatever I lack to help me to accomplish His will.

How about you? Has Satan ever used this tactic to try to keep you from trusting God and doing what He has planned for you? If so, then memorize this truth. And the next time you hear the enemy’s fighting words whispering, “You are not good enough to do this,” stand tall and fight back with the truth of God’s Word – “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me!”

Love,
Mama

Two Kingdoms

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Job 1:9-10 “Then Satan answered the Lord, ‘Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.'”

Within the spiritual world there are two kingdoms: the kingdom of light, which is ruled by the God of heaven, and the kingdom of darkness, which is ruled by Satan. For those who understand this truth and recognize the havoc that Satan and his demons are causing in our world, it is tempting to succumb to fear. But this is not necessary for those who are citizens of God’s kingdom.

Though the power of Satan is very strong and real God places limits on what he can do. The power of God within us is greater than any other power there is and nothing can happen that God does not allow. 

One day Satan and God were talking. God spoke about His faithful servant Job and pointed out how this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. Satan responded by accusing Job of following God only because his life was pleasant and trouble-free. As the story progressed God allowed Satan certain opportunities to test Job with painful difficulties. Though Job struggled with the disasters that befell him, he remained faithful to God, passing the test, and receiving many blessings in the end.

Though the story may seem concerning, I found some very comforting thoughts within the details. First, Satan recognized that God had made a hedge around Job and his house. No one was able to get through this protective barrier without God’s permission – not even a powerful enemy. What a comfort to know that nothing happens by chance or mistake. There is never a chink in God’s security system or a stealthy invader who can slip through unnoticed. We are completely safe under God’s protective care.

Secondly, when attacks from the kingdom of darkness come, the enemy can go only so far. Just as God allowed Satan to test Job in certain areas but kept him from taking Job’s life, God will sometimes agree to allow certain difficulties in our lives. But we can be sure that when that happens, He means to use the circumstances for our good. God will never allow a trial to be more than we can handle and will make a way for us to bear it when we keep our eyes focused on Him.

Thirdly, the rewards of remaining faithful are worth the struggle. In the end Job had a new understanding of Who God was. He did not understand all that was happening in the spiritual world or why the disasters had happened, but he developed a deeper trust in the One to Whom he belonged. God rewarded him greatly by restoring his fortunes and doubling all the blessings that were once his.

Though passing our personal tests may not produce worldly riches, God promises that through them we will develop endurance and faith and we will receive a crown of life. He never leaves us alone in our pain, but is near to the broken hearted, encouraging and strengthening us through the process. Though we would not choose our trials, the nearness and closeness of our Savior will begin to overshadow the pain.

Yes, there are two kingdoms. But I am thankful that God has complete control. He has put a hedge around the citizens of His kingdom and NOTHING can happen that He does not allow.

Love,
Mama

Heed the Warning

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1 Corinthians 10:12 “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

I have been very disturbed the past few days. The recent accusations of wrongdoing against Bill Cosby, a very well-known and loved celebrity has caused me and others to stop short and think sober thoughts. Could these charges actually be true? I truly hope not, but who knows?
With the constant discussion of this disturbing circumstance all over the news I couldn’t help but consider the world we live in. It is easy to look at others and judge them for their actions, but the Bible clearly states that all of us are sinners. From the very beginning of our lives we were born with a sin nature – one in which the possibilities of wickedness are limitless. 
As I pondered these things, I considered three directives that we would all do well to take to heart.
1. Never Pride Yourself in Your Goodness – Today’s verse tells us to be careful about thinking you could never fall into a sin that someone else has committed. Pride tells us we are safe, but all temptations are possibilities for us if we are not careful.
2. Protect Yourself from the Evil One – The Bible constantly gives warnings about protecting yourself from the evil one. James 4:7 says to submit yourself to God and resist the evil one. Ephesians 6 directs us to put on the armor of God so that we can take our stand against the devil’s schemes. And 1 Peter 5:8 reminds us to be alert and self-controlled because our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
3. Develop a Penitent Heart – When you do sin, go immediately to the Father and ask forgiveness. He promises that if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Do not try to hide or cover up wrongdoing, but take responsibility and make it right. If you have wronged someone, go to them and ask forgiveness even if there are consequences. Nip it in the bud immediately instead of waiting for it to come out later (because it will). Remember, you can never hide anything from God.
My heart is sad. Not just because another famous person has been accused of wrongdoing, but because I know that same sin nature is always waiting to gain control in my life and in yours. But I am thankful that God is faithful and has made a way to escape temptation so that we can stand up under it. You just have to listen to His warnings and obey.
Love,
Mama

Satan’s Smack Talk

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Psalm 42:3 “Day and night, I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me saying, ‘Where is this God of yours?'”
 
During a recent Sunday dinner our family had a conversation about high school football. There are many things to deal with when you take your place in the lineup. Along with executing plays and preparing to defend your quarterback or ball carrier, you will probably have to deal with the opposing team’s “smack talk.” For as long as games have been played, players have tried to rattle each other by engaging in chatter on the field that will distract their opponents.
Photo courtesy of www.viralhoops.com

Sometimes the smack can be threatening or inflammatory. Other times it can be boastful taunting. Basketball legend Larry Bird was known for his cocky braggadocio. During one game against the Indiana Pacers, when in the closing minutes of the game a rookie was put on Bird, he yelled over to the Pacer’s bench, “Hey, I know you guys are desperate, but can’t you find someone who at least has [a] prayer?”

As we discussed these tactics for unnerving the other team and getting a leg up on them, I couldn’t help thinking that this is just what Satan does to us. When we are struggling through difficult times he whispers his trash talk to our hearts.

The writer of Psalm 42 heard this subtle voice. His heart was breaking while remembering earlier times when crowds of worshipers walked to the house of God, celebrating, singing for joy, and giving thanks. Now all he felt was great discouragement and sadness. Day and night his tears were his only food as the voice pierced even deeper into his heart with the question, “Where is this God of yours?” The Psalmist responded by crying out to the One who was his rock, and reaffirming that his hope was in his Savior and God.

Someday when you are on the line, face to face with a difficult trial, you may hear Satan’s trash talk saying, “Give up now, loser; you haven’t got a prayer.” When that happens respond with a little smack of your own and tell him that he’s going down because the victory is already won and your hope is in God, your Savior.

Love,
Mama
 
 

Murder in the Hen House

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1 Peter 5:8. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (NIV)
 
There was murder in the hen house this week. Monday evening started out like any other evening. The hens had made their way into the coop and found their roosts as usual. After putting our German Shepherd in the big barn and checking on the goats, Dad perused the chicken run. All seemed peaceful and quiet.
We prepared for bed and promptly fell asleep. Sometime in the night I awakened to a strange noise outside the window. I thought I heard the girls clucking, but in my stupor I rolled over and went back to sleep.
Morning came and I was horrified to see a pile of feathers lying in the grass outside the fence. Upon further investigation I saw that a predator had gotten one of the hens, bitten her head off, and left the rest of her body. Since her carcass was outside the fence, I deduced that she must have gotten out and fell prey to the murderer.
The next two nights, to our dismay, the same thing happened only this time the victims were inside the coop itself. Something was getting in and ravaging our hens. One by one they were being decapitated, leaving only a lifeless body as evidence.
Our enemy, the devil, prowls around in the night and the day. He is always searching for a weakness in the fence of our lives where he can slip in unnoticed. We may have left a loop hole into our minds  by allowing greed or wrong desires to dwell there. Possibly we have left a gate ajar by associating with people who will not be good examples. The devil is always looking for our vulnerable places to make his move. His desire is to destroy and devour us, ruining our lives and our testimony.
The way to combat this enemy is through self-control. Stay on the alert and always be on the lookout for his crafty ways. Resist him, remain firm in your faith, and recognize that you are not the only one who could fall victim to his schemes. Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ, that they would not be led into temptation, but be delivered from the evil one. Always remember that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
It’s time to do some serious revamping of our chicken wire fence. It is very disturbing to think of some unknown murderer creeping around in the night. Whether it is chickens or our own lives, you just can’t ever let your guard down. If you do you might end up with murder in the hen house.
Love,
Mama

Beautiful Mushrooms

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 2 Corinthians 11:14 – “. . . for even Satan disguises
himself as an angel of light.”

 

What a great time we guys had a couple weeks ago as we followed John-Keith’s lead on our hiking and camping trip in West Virginia. John-Keith, Luke, Nathan, and I left the comforts of home on Thursday afternoon and traveled the 6-hour trip to Dolly Sods Wilderness. After arriving at the park at dusk, we donned all 60-75 pounds of each of our full packs and sought our first campsite. Thanks, John-Keith, for finding us something, even in the dark. This old guy was ready for some shut-eye!

The next couple days were full of great times. We hiked, we ate, we swam, we ate, we played, we ate, we . . . well, we took a lot of food, but it was certainly a great time. During Friday’s 9-10 miles of hiking, we saw beautiful scenery, from the vegetation along the trail, to the rock formations on the hills, to the creek that followed our path. One of the things that we continued to notice throughout our trek was the occasional beautiful mushroom that dotted the sides of the trail. A couple of times I stopped and looked closely at these marvels of nature. They looked so colorful. Some were orange and yellow and some were purple. To one without proper understanding and with a love of mushrooms, it would have been tempting to pick one and plop it into his mouth. How enticing each one could be!

Of course, we know that old saying, “when in doubt, don’t,” especially in the wilderness. Berries and mushrooms that look so pretty and inviting ca n be deadly if consumed. That reminded me of how Satan often works today. TheScriptures tell us that the devil’s beauty is without equal. The caricatures of a red figure with horns, a pointy tail, and goatee lure us into a false conception of the evil one. In fact, he is a beautiful creature still today. Isaiah calls him “star of the morning, son of the dawn.”

Today’s verse is a strong warning to all of us. Even though Satan is a beautiful creature, he is dedicated to darkness – his goal is to fight against the light of God (John tells us in I John 1:5, “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.”). The devil will try to tempt us with things that look very beautiful. He will distract us with things that appear incredibly tasty. But the end result is that these things will only keep us from enjoying the true light of God and the great peace that comes from following Him alone.

Man, those mushrooms were beautiful. I am thankful, though, that I have been taught not to eat them. They may look tempting, but I know that, like Satan, they are disguised to entice, and actually will destroy the one who gives in to their beauty.

Love,
Dad

 

The Accuser

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Revelation 12:10.  “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.”
 
No one likes to be accused of things. It leaves a sinking feeling in your stomach when you start wondering if your acquaintances, friends, and those you love will change their opinion of you because of the accusation. Sometimes you may even be accused of things that are not true and that is very disheartening. How will people know the truth? This is especially difficult living in a small town. There often seems to be nowhere to escape the gossip and stories that can spread like wildfire when everybody knows everybody. My grandmother used to say, “You can’t stop people from speaking falsehoods about you, but you can live in a way so that no one will believe them.” And yet it is very hard to feel confident while wondering what everyone is thinking.
 
Satan is called the “accuser of the brethren.” He loves to bring charges against Christians before God, before other believers, and even into our own minds. “God, look what she did and she calls herself a Christian” or “He is only following you because of  all the blessings in his life. If something difficult happens, he will surely leave you high and dry!” He is so crafty that he will try to turn believers against each other by planting seeds of doubt about another Christian’s character or intentions. Many fights and splits have taken place in churches because of Satan’s accusations against God’s children. He is even cruel enough to accuse us to our own minds. How many times have I heard the devious voice whisper, “You are not good enough! God could never use you! You will never be forgiven for that!” These are false accusations from the Father of Lies.

I know that I am not perfect. I have done things that are not what God would want from me, but I am very thankful to know that Satan does not have a chance before God. He can never tell God something He doesn’t already know. More importantly, my sins have been removed by the blood of Christ. When God looks at me, He doesn’t see my sin, no matter how bad it is. He sees the cleansing blood of Christ. Though Satan may accuse us day and night, our standing with God is firm, not because of who we are or what we have done, but because of Who Jesus Christ is and what He has done.

Satan’s defeat is sure, and there will come a day when he will be forever thrown down into the pit of fire. No more will he be able to accuse us before God, before others, or to ourselves. For now, live in a way that no one will believe his allegations, don’t believe everything you hear, and praise God that this snake has been defeated by the blood of the Lamb.

Love,
Mama