Rubber On The Road  

One of the most popular Bible scripture stories is the one of Abraham becoming a father at the age of 100 (Genesis 12:1-25:11).

Whenever this scripture story is taught, we marvel at God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises even when circumstances are impossible.

However, there is far more; the rest of the story is even more amazing! Many years later, after Sarah’s death, Abraham went on to marry another woman, Keturah—and then he FATHERED 6 MORE SONS. Abraham lived to be 175 years old and continued to be the “father of many nations.”

God’s miracles don’t just change things now; they continue to change our lives and the lives of others forever. Today’s miracle is an answer to prayer; and often grows silent in the memory of our hearts. But God’s faithfulness is like a ripple in a pond; continuing to move outward.

The next time we have a need, let’s look back not only to past miracles but the long lasting effect of those miracles. God’s miracles don’t just change our lives now, they change “forever.”

Genesis 25: 1-4 Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan; the descendants of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites and the Leummites. The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah.

Prayer:  Father, open my spiritual eyes to see beyond your faithfulness today.  Remind me each day that your mercies are ever lasting.  I love you, thank you for loving me. Amen.

Dihydrogen monoxide is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and kills uncounted thousands of people every year.

Most of these deaths are caused by accidental inhalation of DHMO, but the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide do not end there. 

Prolonged exposure to dihydrogen monoxide in its solid form causes severe tissue damage. Symptoms of DHMO ingestion can include excessive urination and possibly a bloated feeling. If large quantities are consumed, nausea, vomiting and body electrolyte imbalance can occur.  

The amusing part of the previous information is that dihydrogen monoxide is the chemical name for, water. Yep, the ordinary, most commonly consumed every day beverage—H2O.  This is a great example of how even if you know a lot, what you don’t know can lead to irrational fear.   

There are some who have the same irrational fear in reference to the Holy Spirit. Even though the Bible advises us that the Spirit gives us the power to witness and pray more effectively, (Romans 8:26-27) the mention of the works of the Spirit can cause many to back away in fear.  

Jesus himself spoke to the evidences of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. (Mark 16:17)  Yet, there are those that are convinced that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is of the devil.  But, why would satan want us to have a gift that brings us greater intimacy with Christ?  

In our Christian walk, having the Holy Spirit active in our life is an important part of our “God experience”.  Without the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, we would still have a relationship with God.  We would still spend eternity with Christ as our Savior. But, a very enjoyable, very special part of our God experience would be left out. 

Seek a deeper relationship with Christ.  Seek intimacy through His Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 2:10). Don’t be afraid to ask, God does not give “bad” gifts.   The Holy Spirit is a very important part of your “God experience”!  

(Luke 11:.11-13) Which of you fathers, if your son asks you for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  Or, if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?

Prayer: Father, I want to have a close relationship with you. Send your Holy Spirit to me to guide me as I study your Word. I want to know your mind so I know what pleases you. Thank you for the precious gift of your Spirit. Amen

Romans 8:26-27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues—

I Corinthians 2:10  these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

Matthew 24:45-46

One of the most popular stories in the Dr. Seuss series is the story about Horton the elephant.  A favorite quote from this well-known work is, “An elephant is faithful, 100{03cfc460ee471696895095d15914aa94e2affa08ca8863622c4ab45d0198dbc7}.”  When I was working with Kid’s Church, we had a Sunday where we celebrated the elephant attitude; being completely faithful.

Complete faithfulness includes more than just ‘faithful to show up at church’. A time of Bible reading and prayer, tending to the needs of others, supporting the ministries of the church through action and prayer, offering and helps; all of these are acts of faithfulness.

When we live ‘The Christ Life’, part of faithfulness is having the heart of a servant. Jesus, being sent to live among us, wholly man, yet fully God, was faithful 100{03cfc460ee471696895095d15914aa94e2affa08ca8863622c4ab45d0198dbc7}.  He took on the garment or attitude of a servant, even to the point of dying on the cross so we could have a relationship with The Father. (Philippians 2: 5-8)

Being faithful isn’t just about doing things, it’s about a relationship.  Out of that intimate relationship with Jesus, our hearts are transformed and we become faithful, 100{03cfc460ee471696895095d15914aa94e2affa08ca8863622c4ab45d0198dbc7}. When Jesus returns, He will be looking for the faithful.

Matthew 24:45-46– “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.”

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you were faithful to God’s will at Calvary. Thank you for dying for my sins so that I can have a relationship with God. Help me to be faithful, 100{03cfc460ee471696895095d15914aa94e2affa08ca8863622c4ab45d0198dbc7}. Help me to discipline my life to keep a time of Bible study and prayer so that I can be a faithful servant.  Amen.

Scripture References:

Philippians 2:5-8  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

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In memory of Mary, the elephant at Central FL Zoo

Photo by Greg/Karen Keys

My 3 year old granddaughter, Emmy, said something that was simple, yet profound.  Her daddy asked her “Do you know mommy and daddy love you?”  Em replied “Of course I do” in her best ‘aren’t you silly’ voice. 

Her Daddy asked her how she knew her mommy and daddy loved her.  Without a moment of hesitation Em replied “I just do”. 

Sometimes, especially when life is hard, we have our doubts about God’s love for us.  Those doubts try to creep in, especially when we are in the middle of one of life’s conflicts.  Just like Job experienced, when we come across difficulties in life there is always a voice saying, “God doesn’t love you or your life would be easier”, or “where’s your God now?”  

Satan hates God and the relationship we have with God. To hurt God, satan hurts us.  Whether through use of lies, circumstances, sickness, pain, hopelessness, poverty or every day ‘busyness’, satan’s ultimate goal is to destroy our personal relationship with our Lord; he will do whatever it takes.

Without time spent in God’s Word and intimacy with the Lord through conversation (prayer) we don’t have that ‘knowing’ of God’s love. Again, satan will do whatever it takes to rob us of this intimacy. Look around the painful circumstances and see what’s really going on. 

We make time, set aside time, make appointments and keep calendars so the important things in our life get done. In our “busy-ness”, we must make time to talk with the Lord, to read God’s Word.

Just like we make time to do every day things, we must make time for our relationship with God. Today, right now, let’s make time for God, so we KNOW how much He loves us. 

Ephesians 2:4-5.  But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions, it is by grace you’ve been saved.

My husband had been out of town on business for almost a month!  When I arrived at the airport, I learned His plane had been delayed in Chicago because of weather conditions.  

News of the extended wait was difficult.   Knowing that I could do nothing to shorten the wait, I stood watching the planes land, praying in my heart for those hurrying by and sipping a cup of coffee. 

Waiting is always hard; especially when we wait for something important!  In this age of instant gratification, waiting is even more difficult because we aren’t used to it.  The Bible speaks a lot about waiting; the words ‘wait’ or ‘waiting’ are found 67 times in the scriptures.

Satan’s main goal is to destroy our relationship with our Lord and he gladly uses ‘wait time’.  As we wait, satan tries to make us miserable, taunting us, ‘where is your God NOW?’ One of satan’s most successful tools is doubt and waiting is the perfect time for application.  

Scripture encourages us to find tasks to busy ourselves with while we wait.  Jesus illustrates in Luke 19:11-27 the importance of working while we wait.  We all know that time passes more quickly when we are busy.

God uses everything in our lives, including wait time, for His purpose (Romans 8:28). Even the distractions that are meant for evil are turned around and used for good (Genesis 50:20).  When we focus our eyes on circumstances, our hearts don’t see the work Christ is doing in our lives and in the lives of others around us; waiting is hard.  Isaiah 40:31 says that when we wait on the Lord, our strength is renewed. Psalms 33:20-22 says there is hope when we wait on the Lord.

In Ephesians 6, we are given directions for how to stand strong as we wait. Sometimes, when we have done all we can; after we have put on the full armor of God, we need to simply—- stand strong and—wait.   

Ephesians 6: 13,  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.   

HERE COMES THE GROOM!

Revelation: 21:2 

For centuries, the church has been saying “today we are living in the end times.”  However, today, more than any other time in history, the signs of the times indicate the end is near.  Certainly, Christ’s return is closer today than it was yesterday.

Sometimes I get a little scary when I think about the end times and everything I know suddenly changing.  Being snatched up and changed in the twinkling of an eye doesn’t sound like it would be a smooth introduction to eternity. But, I’m excited too because this is the promise Christians have been given for thousands of years.

I love the way God uses everyday illustrations to explain spiritual truth. According to the Bible, we are to be the “Bride of Christ.”  I remember when I was young and ready to marry.  I was excited, yet a bit fearful of starting a totally different life as a wife.

For what seemed like forever, plans were made.  Plans to set up my own house, to provide a loving home for my beloved.  It seemed the “day” would never really arrive!  Finally, the day did arrive.  My bridegroom became my husband and all the fears fell away as we began our life together.

When Jesus returns it will be the same way.  His bride, the church; the new Jerusalem, you and me, have planned and anticipated His coming for over two thousand years. Soon, the wait will be over and our bridegroom will be at the door.  He will sweep us up and take us to enjoy the pleasure of his company forever and ever!

There is nothing to be fearful of! Just as a young girl waits for the day she is a bride, we wait for the day when we will finally become the Bride of Christ. Even better than our earthly lives, this new life will be without pain, without conflict, without problems or worries.  Come for us quickly, Lord Jesus!

Revelation: 21:2  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride, beautifully dressed for her husband.

Prayer: Lord Jesus help me to always keep in mind how short our time is here. Show me how to make use of the days to win souls and influence the world around me for your namesake. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen

My daughter called me the other day with great news! She’d found a sale on designer handbags; buy one, get one free. She was SO excited about the bargain she couldn’t wait to share it with me. 

She didn’t talk long because she wanted to call some friends and let them know about the fabulous sale too. This is how we should think about sharing the Gospel; so good we can’t keep it to ourselves!  It is human nature to share our triumphs.

The fact is, satan doesn’t care if we tell our friends about a good sale, he does care when we share our testimony. That’s why we feel so timid about sharing the Good News.  That’s why it’s so hard to wittness to our family and friends.

Satan works hard to make us feel stupid about sharing our faith. But, as Christians, we have the best news ever! Forgiveness of sin, direction for life, hope for healing and a personal relationship with the Lord God Almighty; all free, paid for at Calvary. Literally the greatest news on earth.   

Tell somebody about it! Witnessing is simply sharing good news with somebody who hasn’t heard yet. Something this great, we can’t possibly keep it to ourselves! 

Mark 7:24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret.

It was supposedly a ‘kiddy’ ride at the amusement park. When the ride operator’s voice said, “please strap yourself into the seat and secure all loose objects”, I began to have doubts. 

 I heard my grandson, Max, in the seat beside me, holler, “Hang on to the handles mamaw, so you don’t go flying out of your seat and hurt yourself!”  Grabbing for the aforementioned ‘handles’, I knew, I knew I was in trouble. 

As my seat was jerked from side to side, I held on with all my might!  Stationary objects became weapons of visual assault because of the break neck speed we were spinning at. I was hurled around and down until I gasped for air! The noise was deafening! 

Then, I realized that if I could just focus my eyes on something stationary, the tumult around me would step back a notch.  Quickly, I riveted my eyeballs on my grandson’s shoe.

The world around me was still spinning, but my mind quieted with the focus. After the ride, Max took my hand and said, “Mamaw, we need to go get a cold drink now because you used a lot of energy screaming in there.”       Mercy! 

Sometimes, our life as a Christian is like a wild ride at the amusement park. We are living uneventfully when suddenly, life as we know it goes crazy! We feel like we have lost all control and one horrible thing after another assaults us.

We struggle to get right side up again but we feel we are trapped where we are and there is no escape!  Emotionally and mentally exhausted, we search for some focal point that will steady us amidst the chaos. 

Life can be rough, bad things DO happen to good people!  Jesus said there would be times like this. (John 16:33) When we take action and bring our focus onto Christ, we find a place of peace. 

The world is still crashing and screaming but our focus is no longer on the ‘noise’.  He is our refuge, a place to go to and find peace in the midst of calamity. 

Remember: satan’s main goal is to rob us of our relationship with Christ!  When we force ourselves to focus on Jesus instead of what’s going on, satan’s effort to rob us is made pointless. Is your life a wild ride today?  Focus on Jesus.   

Ps. 18: 1-2  I love you, oh Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and deliverer. My God is my rock in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

While at the bookstore, I noticed there was a section devoted to ‘the dysfunctional family’.  

I’m familiar with ‘blended’ families, ‘adopted families’ and ‘extended’ families. But what  is a ‘dysfunctional’ family? Inquiring minds want to know~

According to etymology, the word, dysfunctional, was first used in English Literature circa 1959. Curiously, my 1990 edition of Webster’s had not yet included this word. 

‘Dysfunctional,’ an adjective, meaning, “not working together properly,” is only found in the newer editions. As a life illustration; we are “dysfunctional” at anything we do badly. 

Sadly, today’s society elevates, even celebrates, dysfunctional life through TV programming, movies and literature. Prime time television and movies are rampant with examples of ungodly relationships being ‘normal.’

Stunningly, these programs are even popular in Christian homes!  Yet, the programs are based on ungodly lifestyles, attitudes and relationships. Is there a new standard for normal?  The world says yes, but the scripture says, no!

Life can be unfair and unfortunately, we sometimes treat each other cruelly and even temporarily make mistakes in judgment; but this is NOT God’s plan for His children!  

There is a scriptural standard for life and sadly, even Christians are embracing the world’s new standard for ‘normal’ rather than the scriptural standard.

I Corinthians 12:12-27 reveals that the church interacts the same way that a family does; when one hurts, the entire ‘family’ hurts.  

The Word instructs us to encourage each other (Hebrews 3:12) and live by the Godly standard of holiness (Leviticus 11:44 and I Peter 1:16).  

When ‘families’ are dysfunctional, so is the church, because, ‘we’ ARE the church.

We are to treat each other with respect and love while understanding that there are relationship boundaries set by God. We are to forgive and be forgiven; to use scriptural standards to grow and mature in relationship with Christ and each other.  

When I hold every life choice up to the revealing light of God’s Word, I recognize that it can be my OWN choices that separate me from God’s blessings.

People and circumstances can influence my life but my struggle is not a social issue, it is a spiritual issue (Ephesians 6:12).

When I harden my heart by choosing to accept the attitudes and lifestyles of the world, I risk becoming an enemy of God (James 4:4).

When I choose to continue those ungodly influences then I choose sin and rebellion over relationship with my Lord.

Bad choices hurt me but God can heal and restore, IF I let Him.  The first step is to step away from the world’s standards and satan’s traps. 

The second step is to immediately choose Godly lifestyles and attitudes.  I choose to turn my back on the ‘world view’ of ‘normal’ and move forward toward my Lord’s standard.

Phillipians 3:13-14 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

My young grandson, Max, was playing with his toys on the driveway while I cleaned out my car.  Hearing him make an angry sound, I turned to see what was bothering him.  When he saw me look at him he said, “Mamaw, go get your camera and take a picture of me!” 

Always happy to find an eager participant in a photo opportunity, I got my camera.  He told me to wait a minute—then he put on his mad face and said, “Now, take the picture.” Obliging but curious, I asked him what he was mad about.   

He told me that there was something that he’d been mad about a lot of times and he was just tired of it.  This time, he wanted a picture to remind him he’d already been mad once and he didn’t need to go back to being mad again!

Holding his little arms up in surrender, he proclaimed, “That’s it, it’s over—now I can get on with my life; I got a picture to prove I already been mad about it once and went past it.” 

Anger and bitterness can lead to broken relationships not only with each other, but with Jesus. One of satan’s tools is to keep pointing back to something that made us mad.

The devil knows that as long as we have anger and bitterness, we can’t have an intimate relationship with Christ..   

Whatever anger we have must be brought out into the healing love of the cross.  There is no hurt, no slight, no issue that is more important than our relationship with our Lord.

If something still makes you angry when you think of it, find scriptures that address anger and read them as part of your daily devotion.  

Pray for the person who has slighted you. If necessary, seek a qualified Christian counselor to act as an arbitrator; but do not hold on to the anger!

Once dealt with, make a picture in your heart of the cross where Jesus defeated anger.  Whenever satan points you back to the anger, point to the cross. 

Matthew 5: 23-24 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”  

The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Pradis Grand Rapids: The Zondervan Corporation, © 1973, 1978, 1984