Rubber On The Road  

One day, my best friend, Celia, called me to say she’d gotten a new blouse. 

She laughed when she learned that I’d been shopping and had also bought a new blouse the day before.

We agreed to both wear our new blouses to church the next day. Imagine our surprise when we both showed up wearing the exact same blouse!  Through our friendship, we have found we have both influenced each other in many things. 

One of the things we’ve always loved sharing together is what the Lord is doing in our hearts and in our families as we walk together in Christ. Relationships are very important to God. It is important that I choose my closest friends carefully.

It is human nature to “pick up” certain characteristics we are constantly exposed to. Scripture warns about the influence that friends can have on my life. Proverbs 13:20 “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”  

It’s important that I be truthful with my self as I look at my friendships.  The influence of a friend can build or destroy my relationship with Jesus.  That’s why it’s so important that my closest friends be with me in Christ.      

When I’m consistent with my quiet time with the Lord in prayer and Bible reading, I have a standard for my relationships. Do my friends encourage me to be in God’s Word, faithful in church or does fellowship with them discourage me from the things of God?   

Proverbs 12:26  “A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

Prayer:  Father, help me to choose my close friends wisely. I want to walk together being a good influence and being influenced by good.  Teach us to pray and minister together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture Reference:

Proverbs 13:20 “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”  

I was at the local garden center with my 8 year old grandson, Jeff.  We were in search of a rose bush to replace one in the garden that had died. I’d told Jeff that I wanted a fragrant rosie, not one that was just pretty to look at.

He began leaning over all the tightly budded rose bushes, sniffing.  After a few moments, he pronounced that none of the roses were  a lot smelly, yet.  A few, he could “kind of” smell some light fragrance, but nothing really and truly SMELLY.

I explained to him that roses have to come into full bloom before they get “smelly.” Thinking about his new rose gardening knowledge, Jeff said, “So you have to give the rose time before it can start being really smelly?” As we walked, looking at the roses, he said that he noticed the more into full bloom the flower was, the more fragrant it was. We selected a rose that had a slight scent and a tag promising the rose would be fragrant when it did bloom.

Did you know that fragrant offerings, called incense, were an important part of worship in Biblical times? (Numbers 4:16, II Chronicles 13:11).  The fragrance that came  from the smoldering incense represented the prayers of God’s people, those in covenant relationship with Him. Psalm 141:2, believed to be written by David,  says,  “Let my prayer be set forth as incense before you.”

Since the atoning blood of Jesus at Calvary, we no longer have to make ritual offerings and sacrifices.  In Revelation 8:3-4 the prayers of the saints are mixed with incense. Today’s fragrant offering is a life lived in loving obedience, an intimacy in relationship with Jesus through prayer.

The Scripture says in Romans 12:1-2 that we are to be a living sacrifice. Our daily lives should be lived in such a way that we please God. The Apostle Paul used the illustration of fragrance to show the church at Philippi how God views acts of giving.  (Philippians 4:18)

Ephesians 5:2 says, “Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” When we love God the “fragrance” of our love for Him can be seen in our attitudes through witness or our  sacrificial giving of time, talents and offerings. The “fragrances” rise before Him and give Him great pleasure.  I love it when God uses everyday examples, like fragrance, to point out spiritual concepts!

When grouped together, the scent of a bouquet of rosies is intoxicating with its depth and complexity.  As each rosie has its individual fragrance; some sweet, some spicy, some fruity, we each come to the Lord with our own ‘fragrances.’ Our works and giving each according to our own ability with our own “scent” of sacrifice.

As we grow in Christ, our attitudes toward the things of God mature and we get more involved in God’s work.  Like the roses that grow into bud and slowly mature until they have their own flower and fragrance; over time, we begin to bloom and become more “smelly.”

The longer I serve my Lord, the more I’m aware of not only the importance of living every day for Jesus, seeking His direction, but the desire to give of myself.  The fragrance of our life sacrifice is pleasing to God, an important part of our worship, as maturing Christians.

Philippians 4: 18 I (Paul) have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Prayer:  Lord God, help me to live my life so that every action, thought and attitude are pleasing to you.  I want to be a living sacrifice that my every day activities are a sweet fragrance.  I love you.  Amen.

Scripture

Numbers 4:16 ¹⁶ “Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, is to have charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the regular grain offering and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including its holy furnishings and articles.”

II Chronicles 13:11 ¹¹ Every morning and evening they present burnt offerings and fragrant incense to the Lord. They set out the bread on the ceremonially clean table and light the lamps on the gold lampstand every evening. We are observing the requirements of the Lord our God. —

Revelations 8:3-4 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people,on the golden altar in front of the throne. ⁴ The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Last night, I asked my husband for the wire cutters.  He said they were in his tool box; he’d get them for me tomorrow. 

Tonight, when I got home, these scissor looking things were laying on the kitchen counter.   

Thinking, “Well bless his heart, he remembered to bring them in for me”; I cut the floral wire with them, lots of wires. When I told him thank you for bringing them in, he just gave me a blank look then started shaking his head and muttering, “no, no, oh nooooo, you didn’t, tell me you didn’t!” 

Unfortunately, I had used the wrong tool. One tool wasn’t better than the other tool; it just wasn’t the right tool for that job.  By using the wrong tool, I risked not only the success of the job, but I could have injured the tool as well. 

Every individual is a vital “tool” in the ministry of the Church. Whether it is cleaning the glass on the front door, keeping the nursery, visiting the jail, teaching a class or being faithful to show up for prayer in the prayer room, no position is less important than the other.  Each position should be covered in prayer and done with the heart of a servant. 

Know what your gift is and use it in the right place so all the ministries will be staffed by the very best people for the job.  If everyone does what God called them to do, every position in the church would be covered! Seek God and find out what ‘tool’ you are, then, do that job with the heart of a servant.  

I Corinthians 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But, in fact, God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

The Hiding Hat

Psalms 139:7-8

One cold winter evening, I surprised my 3 year old grandson with a toboggan. His face lit up as he took it and he said, “Oh Mamaw, a HIDING HAT!”

Puzzled, I asked him what he was talking about. He quickly put the hat on his head pulling it down over his face and eyes. He replied, “You can’t see me, Mamaw, I hiding.”

I assured him I could, indeed see him. Then, he reached up and pulled the hat up off his eyes and said, “I baaaack!”  Pulling his hat once more over his face and eyes, he challenged me, “Mamaw, come find me, I hiding again.”

Beginning to understand that he thought since he could not see me, I could not see him; I tried once more to convince him otherwise.  He insisted, “You NOT seeing me Mamaw, I HIDING.” The game went on for several minutes, both of us laughing.  I never was able to convince him that I could see him.

Christians wear a “hiding hat” with God sometimes.  We do things that are not wise and think God will not be able to see us. Like my little grandson, it makes no difference whether we THINK God can’t see us or not, we are very visible to our Lord.

We don’t have to hide from God. We can come before him, knowing He knows all about everything in our lives; good and bad.  We can tell Him how we feel, our problems, fears and battles.  He loves us and wants us to share our lives with him.

Stop trying to hide from God; He gave His only son to die on Calvary so that we can come boldly before him, no matter what our need.  (Hebrews 4: 14-16)

Jesus died on the cross so we don’t have to hide our sins anymore!  We can confess them and by the Holy Spirit, through study in the Word, know how to not do the things that make us want to ‘hide’ anymore.

Psalms. 139:7-8 Where can I go from your Spirit, where can I flee from your presence? If I go to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”

Prayer: Father, help me to hear the voice of your Holy Spirit and to know that everything I do is before your eyes. Assure me that I can bring all my problems, shortcomings and failures and lay them at your feet. Help me to understand the strength of your Spirit to prevent me from falling and the depth of your forgiveness when I do stumble. Amen.

Scripture reference

Hebrews 4: 14-16 ¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet was without sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

 The other night, as I walked through the living room, I noticed that both lights in the grandfather clock were burned out. It just didn’t make sense that both lights would burn out at the exact same time.  

I told Dan that BOTH the lights in the clock were burned out. He gave me that indulgent amused look. There is only ONE light in the grandfather clock—and it is in front of a mirror.  

Until the word of God becomes alive in our heart, it is only a reflection of Christ and not touchable by people on the outside looking in.   The Word of God has power; power to heal, power to restore, power to forgive, conqueror and build.

Once we act on the Word, it is no longer just a reflection but a living example of God’s power to a lost world. Once the reflection becomes a living breathing example of Christ, the world can no longer look and walk away and forget what they saw.  

A mere reflection of Christ does not promote action.  The world sees many reflections of Christ but their hearts are unmoved. Like the light in the mirror, the reflection is seen but it has no lasting power by itself.

The world can walk away from a reflection. The light of Christ living through us bringing hope and healing to a lost world is real. The constant living example of Christ demands a decision.   

(James 1:23-25) Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like

The other day, my new fangled wireless keyboard was giving me fits. Being technologically challenged, I tried everything I knew to do; pray, beg, cry, stare at it without blinking, but I just could NOT get the silly thing to work.   

Finally, in a fit of exasperation, I picked up the keyboard and SLAMMED it down on my desktop as hard as I could!  (I may also have emitted some kind of unspecific sound; like a primal scream, or a deep throaty growl)  

My uncooperative wireless keyboard immediately began to function normally and hasn’t given me one bit of trouble since!  I think  techno geeks refer to this particular approach as the “Big Stick Technique.” (this is not a recommended method of fixing a keyboard–ever)

Obviously, I have issues with unresolved anger. To resolve these issues, I’ve been reading I Corinthians 13 every day for the last several months.  Every day, I read the defining verses, first as written; then, I substitute the pronoun “I’m” for the “word” Love, and read it slowly, thoughtfully. (I’m patient, I’m kind, I”m not easily angered–) 

The Word of God is sharper than a two edged sword, cutting apart the flesh from the bone (Heb. 4:12). If I discipline myself to read the verse as a ‘heeeeeeeelpppp meeeeee’ tool, eventually, I will conquer this attitude flaw. Progress is slow, but, at least I’ve stopped snarling at inanimate objects that annoy me.  Baby steps—baby steps—; the fruit of the Spirit is–self control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

I Corinthians 13: 4-5 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Prayer:  Lord God, my Father in heaven, I have anger issues.  Your Word has given me instructions on how to handle all of life’s issues.  Help me to apply wisdom from your Word to conquer my short comings.  Help me to respond to the voice of your Spirit, and not react to my flesh. thank you. Amen.

Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

 Galatians 522-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

All afternoon, I’ve been working on computer housekeeping. My mind does not work well with computers.  I’ve found with repeated exposure and a lot of head banging (mine–) that I can almost squeak through and accomplish the basics—ok, maybe not. 

One of the things that really messes me up, and it is a uniquely ‘me’ thing, is naming folders then forgetting what is in them. Always, I end up with multiple folders and still can’t find stuff when I want it–which I find to be maddening.   

Saved as separately named documents, I have 6 copies of some things, and still can’t find one. When I finally do find one, I make another copy in case I lose that copy, again.  Then, I have 7 copies each named differently. In my mind, I refer to this as the ‘fearful fruitbat filing system’.  

My limited memory is one of the many reasons why I’m SO thankful for the Holy Spirit!  When I read God’s Word and hide it in my heart, the Holy Spirit is faithful to bring scripture to mind as needed.  God’s Word provides direction, encouragement and instruction.  When we read God’s Word, our faith is increased (Roman’s 10: 17) 

The Word of God is active and living, sharper than a two edged sword!  (Hebrews 4:12) No matter what my trial, there is scripture to strengthen me and help me to see God’s direction.  Read God’s word every day and it will always be in your heart; easily accessible through the Holy Spirit when you need it. 

Psalms 119:11  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

I watched as my young grandson struggled to put his shoe on. After a few minutes, his Mom said, “Honey, let Mama help you.” He angrily responded that he was a BIG boy and he could do it himself! 

 His Mom lovingly took him on her lap and said, “I know you’re a big boy; I’m so proud of you!  But,  an important part of loving Mama is LETTING Mama love YOU. Now let me help put your shoe on.”  The fire in his blue eyes cooled and he leaned back and put his foot up.

Sometimes, we dwell on the blessedness of “giving.”  The grace of receiving is just as important. A very big part of loving others, including God, is ALLOWING ourselves to be loved. So often, when it is our turn to receive, we feel uncomfortable or embarrassed.  Feelings of unworthiness or guilt invade our heart and ruin the blessing. 

Instead of happily receiving, we say nothing, or make light of the gift. Denying the giver their “joy of giving.”  The Bible illustrates receiving as a natural response of giving. (Luke 6:38A “Give and it shall be given to you.)  When you give without receiving, there’s a vacuum in your heart.  Bitterness and anger can easily take over when a relationship is one sided.  

Both giving and receiving are an important part of a loving relationship.  If either one is off balance, our relationships can suffer. When we accept the gift of salvation, we enter into a relationship with God.  Out of that relationship comes a desire to not only love but to be loved, as we’ve never been loved before.   

Christianity isn’t about rules, it’s about relationship.  When we have relationship, God’s ways are not hard or demanding.  Everything He has is ours.  But we must be willing to receive or the gift is wasted. 

Prayer:  Father, help me to be a generous giver and a gracious receiver. Show me the words to say to build up those who give to me. Help me know how to receive your gifts to me and teach me how to be a blessing to others as you bless me. I love you. Thank you for all your wonderful gifts. Amen.

Matt. 11:28-31 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

 Sometimes, the old hymns inspire deep thought!  Have you ever asked yourself, “what IS an ebenezer and just what IS a speriwinkle?”

Because inquiring minds just GOTTA know, I’ve been looking through all the research and study STUFF so I can learn. 

Ebenezer, (here I lift my ebenezer) in the popular old hymn, “Come Thou Font of Every Blessing,” I finally found in I Samuel 7:12-14.  It translates as, “rock of help,” and is self explanatory as a memorial of victory for the Israelites over the Philistines.   

But, speriwinkles?  Ohhhhh, the hours I’ve spent searching! Again, a word from one of those precious old hymns; but, unlike ebenezer, a speriwinkle is not so easy to find.  No such word is found in the Greek language or in doctrine; at least as far as I can tell, with my limited theological education.  

After having exhausted my futile search,  I began to look up the words surrounding the elusive “speriwinkle.”  With renewed fervor for research I grabbed my trusty concordance and looked up “glorious.” At last, I found it!  It’s a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle, not speriwinkles!  

The old hymn, like so many others, is actually backed by scripture, (Ephesians 5:27) “-that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” 

The church, us, you and me, washed in the blood of the lamb, without spot or wrinkle.  It’s so easy to see other peoples’  ‘speriwinkles.’ But, I find that when I ask the Spirit to show me my own sins every day, the sins of others don’t bother me nearly as much.  Jesus died on the cross so that MY sins could be washed away.  All I have to do is, well, accept it!  Do you have speriwinkles? God has a fix for that, just ask..

Romans 10: 8-9  But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

One Saturday afternoon, I took my two young grandsons to the movies.  We were running behind schedule because it had taken longer to eat lunch than I had planned. Hurrying into the theater with our tickets, I was all but dragging the boys toward the movie, which was about to start.  

Max, aged 6, with concern on his face, panted as we hurried along, “Mamaw, wait!  WAIT!  You forgot to get us popcorn!”  Breathlessly, I told him we did not have time to stop for popcorn, we needed to get a seat before the movie started. 

Horrified, Max stopped in his tracks, throwing his little arms back in dismayed explanation he said, “But Mamaw, popcorn is a very important part of my movie experience!” 

There is no way I could deny the little guy popcorn after a statement like that.  Popcorn in hand, we slipped into our seats just as the movie started.  As the screen jumped to life, I watched as he enthusiastically licked the butter off his fingers and I knew he was right.  Popcorn IS a very important part of his movie experience. 

In our Christian walk, having the Holy Spirit active in our life is an important part of our “God experience.”  If we don’t have the Holy Spirit as part of our God experience, like my young grandson seeing the movie even if denied the popcorn, we would still have a relationship with God.  We would still spend eternity with Christ as our Savior, but, like Max with no popcorn, a very enjoyable, very special part of our God experience would be left out.  

Regardless of the tradition you were taught, seek a deeper relationship with Christ.  Seek real intimacy with Jesus.  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?