Rubber On The Road  

A poem from the hearts of the senior citizens at Lake Wylie Church 2010 

I’m thankful for God’s safe keeping. He cares even about the little things!

When it’s dark and I’m afraid, He keeps me. When I walked through the valley of sickness in the shadow of death He touched me, restored me and healed me. 

You bless me, turning my poverty into Your plenty. You came in when there was no hope, You brought me out. You gave me joy and took my sadness. 

Oh, that You would bring those that I love to the joy of your salvation and wipe all the tears from my eyes!  (Selah) 

Because my heart knows you, I worship you. You are all that I need. Your faithfulness is overwhelming!  My trust in you has never been betrayed!

(The active members of the LWCA Senior Citizen’s Group worked together to create this Poem of Senior Praise.) 

(This devotion was written by Carrie Messer; in loving memory of her Mam-maw) 

When I was really little, I was scared of the dark, open closet doors, monsters, you name it; I was afraid of it. 

I would lie in my bed at night trying to convince myself that it was just my imagination but nothing ever seemed to help. 

The place I always felt safest was in my Maw-Maw’s big comfy bed.  She used to lay there with me and my sister and we would listen for the bell that started “Nightsounds” because the first one of us that heard it would get a quarter.   

While we waited, she would rub our backs and sing hymns to us.  Her favorite hymn was “His Eye is on the Sparrow”.   She also taught us the 23rd Psalm and The Lord’s Prayer.   

Ever since, when I have been afraid, I have heard her voice in my head reminding me that even though I might be afraid, the Lord is with me.  I remember that he knows the number of hairs on my head and that if he is watching the sparrows that he sees me and knows me too.  

The scriptures that she taught me as I fell asleep next to her have stayed with me through the years.  Even when I strayed from church as a young adult, I would hear her voice quoting scripture and praying.  

When my children were born, she began to sing those same hymns and quote those same verses with them.  Although Maw-maw recently went home to be with Jesus, her faith, her reassurances, and her favorite hymns and Bible verses are continuing on through her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. 

Matthew 10:29-31 (KJV) Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 

Written in loving memory of Elsie Biggers (Maw-maw) July 5, 1926-October 22, 2009, by one of her beloved granddaughters, Carrie Messer.

By the time day’s end arrives, do you feel like you’ve fought a war? 

There’s a reason for that; you are actually in a battle. 

Everyday, there is a battle to steal our joy, our health and our relationship with our Lord.  Satan’s main goal is to make us a miserable, sick, poor, bitter, unhappy failure.   

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 through the circumstances. It is human nature to see only what is going on in front of us.  

God has a plan for our lives. (Jeremiah 29:11) The plan may not be exactly as we envision it, but it is perfect for what God wants to accomplish both in us and through us.  

The Bible says that ALL things work for our good, not just the things that feel good to us. (Romans 8:28) Sometimes, the ‘good’ worked through our current circumstances isn’t seen for awhile.  

The Word says, when we have done all we can; after we have put on the full armor of God; helmet of salvation, shield of faith, sword of truth, we need to simply—- stand.   

Wait on God to do what it is He wants to do to accomplish His perfect plan in our lives and the lives of those we love. Remember, we work in the ‘here and now’ and God works through lifetimes. 

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.  

Prayer: Father, help me to live in your perfect will. Show me the direction I should take, the goals I should set and how to reach them. And having done all—to stand. Amen.

Scripture References:

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Romans 8:28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

On my kitchen bookshelf is a row of diet books. I’ve read the books, agreed with them, highlighted them and dog eared their pages.   

But, when it comes right down to it, I put the book back on the shelf and keep right on going. 

To actively lose weight requires discipline, planning and action. The hardest part is simply, doing it. Discipline is never easy.

There is one discipline in life even more important than healthy living; holy living. Not just doing the motions, but doing everything possible, with the Spirit’s help, to make life application.  

The best way to make life application is to find scripture that directly associates with my life; like verses on self control. I read not only the verse itself, but the chapter, even several chapters around the verse. A good first step is to read the applicable verse(s) every day. But, the most important step is—do what the verse says. 

As I read the scripture, I think of how it can be directly applied to my life. Not just as a guideline, but as an actual ‘event’. For instance, not just ‘I need to make a daily time of prayer” but, “I’m going to make ‘this’ time for prayer”, then keep the appointment with the same attention that I would any appointment.  

Like with finding a diet that works for me, I must find a time during my busy day to sit quietly with my Bible, read and pray.  The same discipline that I apply for accomplishing every day things in my life can be applied to accomplish a time of devotion.  Plan it then DO it. 

James 1:22  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Whenever I read through the Old Testament, I’m overcome by heart felt gratitude that now, we’re living under grace.  

Everything in the Old Testament points toward Christ and the need for unobtainable perfection in order to have fellowship with a Holy God.  The purpose of the Law was to illustrate our need for a savior. 

Just the OT laws concerning mold are mind boggling!  Truth be told, if an Old Testament Priest stepped out of the past into my shower on a humid summer day; my house might have to be torn down!  Leviticus 14:35-52 

When sin entered the human race through Adam, in the garden, the relationship with God that we’d been created for, became impossible.

There is no way we can reclaim that relationship.  But, God had a plan to restore us to relationship with Himself. (Ephesians 2:4-5 & 8) 

No other ‘god’ wants a relationship with me; only the one true God.  Not only does He love me enough to make His own son the sacrifice needed to cover my sins; He sent his Holy Spirit so that I can have an intimate, personal relationship with Him!  

The Spirit searches the mind of God and reveals His personality to us.  Other gods have hard rules. Our God tenderly shows us the path of righteousness by His Spirit; a quiet voice for direction through the hard places in life. 

It’s not about rules; it’s about relationship. When we really have a relationship with Jesus, we are changed from the inside out. 

Romans 5:17  For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

My grandson, though only 6, seems to have a fairly good grasp on things spiritual. 

His mommy and his Daddy have raised him in the Baptist Faith, a bit calmer than my own Pentecostal Church.  

One Sunday night, my grandson was at church with me.  It was one of those old fashioned pentecostal kind of services.  He sat quietly watching, not saying a word. 

A friend of ours, who was praying at the altar, fell out on the floor.  My grandson jumped up, eyes wide. After a moment, he sat back down.  

Realizing that he was not used to pentecostal altar services, I asked him if he understood what was going on. Nodding, he said, “Oh yeah, I understand. Mr. John has a lot but he needs more and now he’s gettin’ it!” 

Sometimes we don’t understand how God moves in the hearts of people.  Some people dance, yell, fall out or run.  Some stand quietly and rejoice while others may cry.  

God has created us as individuals; but each of us in His own image. Every person is created with a heart that will give worship and praise in its own way. 

We can not say that the person running or jumping is out of God’s will. Nor can we say that the person in quiet worship is not free in the spirit.  

The one thing we can say is that no matter how our hearts worship God; when we seek Him, He will give us more than we can ever ask for. 

Because He created us to love Him; He put no limits on how our hearts respond to His love for us. 

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

There are 24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a week. 8,760 hours in every year.

If I live to be 70 years old, I will have lived 603,200 hours in my lifetime.

In those hours, there are, of course, some spontaneous “spur of the moment actions”. But, for the most part, I accomplish the things I plan to do. I plan time to do the things that are important to me.

I mark my calendar for hair appointments and meetings. I set a time to grocery shop, do laundry and fix dinner. When I must change my list, I keep my priorities in place so that the things that are vital to the health and wellbeing of my family are maintained.

It is vital that I plan a time to spend with the Lord in prayer and Bible study. If I don’t, the day will be over, I’ll be exhausted and –.  Just like planning what’s for dinner or watching a particular television show; I have to plan for a time for prayer and Bible study. Of course, following my plan is just as important as making a plan!

Right now, make a plan to include the Lord in today’s activities. Plan a time for conversation with your Lord and, just as important; follow your plan. Mark your calendar and note in your ipod when church services are; make going to church as important as meeting a friend to go to lunch or keeping a Dr’s appointment.

Life isn’t about how long we live as much as it is about what we do with the time we have. We do the things we plan for.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.

My friendship with Tawana began 15 years ago when we met through a mutual friend via e-mail. 

She is a prayer warrior and one of the first people I contact when there is a circumstance that calls for committed serious prayer.   

Tawana has been a quadriplegic for 25 years. She confided in me that for the first ten years of her quadriplegia, she thought “This is a test; if I respond ‘the right way’, in time, I will be healed. After my miraculous healing, many will be saved through the testimony of my trial.” 

As the eleventh year began, unable to move from the neck down, breathing on a respirator, a painful realization came; “This is not a test, this is my life.” Faced with a harsh reality, she began to seek God with a different focus. 

Rather than an attitude of patient, stoic waiting, she began to look for ways to minister ‘here, now’. Today, she’s a degreed Counselor, working with people who have addictions. She is active in Ministry at her church, has a loving husband and lives strong in Christ. 

Prayer is one of her ministries. When she prays, she begins with heartfelt praise.  Tawana’s commitment to ministry is no more or less a choice than yours or mine. 

We are often trapped by our own plans for how we will serve God, “when—”.  We live our lives believing that “this is a test, soon, I will be healed, delivered, blessed, set free–. After ‘this’ is over, THEN, I will serve God by (you fill in the blank).”  

Whatever situation or circumstance you are in, stop waiting to ‘be done’ and determine to get started.  Begin with prayer, and keep that commitment. As you spend time in our Lord’s presence, you will know what to do next. 

Perhaps, your circumstances will change, but, perhaps this situation isn’t a test; it’s your life.  Minister here, now, with what you have. God uses real people where they are, NOW. 

Rom. 37-39 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

My best friend, Celia, and I were waiting in the car at her daughter’s church.  We’d stopped by the church briefly on an errand. Celia’s young granddaughter dropped her toy and began to cry. 

Standing, I held on to the armrest on the middle seat to brace myself, leaned over and reached for the toy. Just as I was touching “wabby” with my fingertips, the armrest gave way and I did a head first nose dive over the seat. Ohhh mercy sakes!

I was wedged between the space at the end of the seat and the window; my nose on the floor and my rear pressed against the glass on the sliding door.  Unable to get up or down, I began to giggle at my plight.  Tightly wedged in the small space, l had no hope of righting myself.

Celia jumped out of the van and started to open the sliding door. I felt myself falling backwards and started hollering, “NO! NO! Celia, do NOT open the door!”  She shouted, “I HAVE to! I have to open the door NOW to get you out!”  

She YANKED the van door open and I flew out of the van taking her down with me in the gravel.  We floundered for a moment getting bits of leaves, twigs and dirt in our hair. We were tangled on top of each other laughing so hard we couldn’t even BEGIN to get up when we noticed her daughter standing there with a VERY serious looking deacon.  

Dorothy falteringly said, “Deacon, this is my mother.”  The Deacon did not even blink an eye as he said, “The one on the top or the one on the bottom?”  

Sometimes, in our zeal, we do the same thing with plans in our life. The idea we have is great but instead of spending time in prayer and preparation, we “yank the door open.”

We need to seek God and make our hearts sensitive to the direction of the Spirit before we rush in. We shouldn’t avoid or neglect the event or activity; just make sure our plans are grounded in solid preparation.  Enthusiasm without knowledge is not wise!

(Prov. 19:2)  “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way.”

Prayer:  Father God, thank you for having a plan for my life. Help me to listen to your direction through your Word and your Spirit.  I want to listen and follow in the path you have made for me. I love your guidance. Amen.

I Corinthians 10:13

There’s only one way to handle housework. Do it! I Started with the kitchen; washing the sink and the counter tops. Bits of “stuff” were stuck in the drain. Extending my finger, I started to dig the yucky mystery blob out.

HEY! WAIT! SPIDER! I scream, I yell, I do a dance, the HUGE spider runs for cover!  I’m hollering, I’m spitting, I’m slapping at the counter with a coffee cup as the arachnid runs helter skelter.

Finally, I pinned the giant spider to the counter by ONE wiry leg. It raised the other seven at me; I could hear it growling! (ok, maybe I dramatize-). With a cry of victory, I aim and SPLAT!

The battle over, I calmed myself; gloating over the corpse smashed on my kitchen counter.  Somewhere in my mind, I knew if there was one spider, there were many more waiting for opportunity. (Rolling my eyeballs and shuddering.) But, for now, I was victorious.

It’s the same way with sin.  When I’m victorious over one temptation, there are more, even bigger, temptations that lay ahead.  Unlike a skittering spider; Satan knows my weaknesses and carefully plans his attacks.

The devil’s main goal is to ruin my relationship with Jesus (I Peter 5:8). If satan can weaken my relationship with Christ, he knows he has access to work discouragement, frustration and anger in my life.

God knows every temptation I will face and He is very aware of my human weaknesses. God never allows a temptation to come that He hasn’t made a way of escape.  It’s my choice whether I choose the escape or embrace the sin.

Like my adventure with the spider, rejoice in your current victory, but be aware that there are more temptations coming. Admit your weaknesses; we all have them! Be vigilant in prayer and Bible study so you can know how to be victorious when the attack comes.

I Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Prayer: Father, help me to recognize sin and to understand Jesus has made me victorious over it. Help me to keep your Word in my heart and remind me that life is about choices. Satan can’t make me do anything, whether to sin or not is a choice that I make, every day. Thank you for your Spirit to help me make the right decisions and avoid sin. Amen.

Scripture references:

I Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (click to return to table of contents)