Rubber On The Road  

One of the adjustments that getting older often requires is the acquisition of dentures.  It doesn’t sound like such a big deal, ‘hey, I have dentures now’.  But you soon discover that having dentures changes your entire life, not just your mouth.  

Obviously, every action your mouth does includes your teeth.  But, when your teeth are strangers you feel like the comedian on a reality show! You have no idea how much stuff you do with your teeth until your teeth aren’t yours anymore! 

Words that used to be so easily said now get tangled up and you find yourself searching for words that are more simply spoken.  Food tastes different, smiling and laughing feel weird and you feel like your teeth are as big as a picket fence.  

You’ve lived your entire life the way you were and suddenly, everything you do is different.  Although, a couple of things you do actually makes sense; you buy glue that really sticks instead of paste that cleans!   

Being a new Christian is a little like getting dentures. You have no idea how much Jesus has changed you until you find the Gospel being applied to every area of your life. Like with dentures, you find words that used to feel right no longer work in your mouth.  The Holy Spirit shows you good words to say what you’ve always said using bad words.  

In your heart, you know that asking Jesus into your life was the right decision; even though the learning curve can be really amazing!  As with anything new, the first few months may require some lifestyle changes. God is faithful to provide direction through His Word, fellowship with other Christians and the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit directly into your heart. 

You’ll find yourself making new friends; people who can encourage you because they’ve been where you are. Again, just like with dentures, the learning curve is real; be patient with yourself. Your life will forever be different now, but, it’s all good!

 II Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

LIFT UP YOUR MONKEY HANDS

Hebrews 12: 12-13

While watching a nature program, I saw a monkey, standing hunched over, his hands hanging down, as if in a state of complete defeat. In my mind, I thought, “That’s what I feel like, I have monkey hands.” I began to pray, “Lord, lift up my monkey hands, restore my joy.”

What could there possibly be, in my life, that would cause this monkey hands funk? When I read where David asked God to search his heart, (Psalms 139: 23-24) I whispered, “But, Lord, all my defeat is coming from the outside, not the inside.” Never the less, I asked God to search MY heart. Soon, I learned that God had a different perspective.

After asking God to show me my own heart, the ‘work’ of the Spirit began. The Holy Spirit led me through scriptures that spoke to the reasons why I had monkey hands that hang down. I began to see things in my heart that I’d never seen before. As I read Psalms 139:1-6, I was reminded that God is aware of every circumstance, every disappointment and all of my failures.

After God had shown me all of my attitudes that need to be turned to HIS ways; He reminded me of the mercy and grace of the cross. As I faithfully spend time in God’s Word and in prayer, those attitudes will be dismantled and replaced. God’s Spirit will work through my obedience to change me from the inside out.

It is truly humbling to be reminded that no matter what I do, there is still more to be done. Equally humbling is the fresh realization that only through Jesus can I be worthy to be a companion of a perfect God. My shortcomings are many, my faults – too great to number; which is the reason I need a Savior.

Circumstances are often beyond my control. I have no control, at all, over other people; even though they might be the source of my pain. The only thing I DO have control over is my own attitude and my own heart. Through God’s Spirit and His Word, He shows me not only how to face hard times, but how to come through victoriously.

Rarely does God change circumstances to make “me” comfortable.  Most often, He reveals how I should change “me” so that HIS presence can be more clearly seen through the trials of my life. He is Lord; He works all things out for my good. Because I trust Him, I CAN lift up my monkey hands and praise Him!

Hebrews 12: 12-13 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;  And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Prayer: Father, remind me of your presence in my circumstances during both the joyful and the difficult times. Show me that your plan for my life always works out in my favor.  Give me abundant joy in being your child. Amen.

Scripture references:

Psalms 139: 23-24 ²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart!    Try me and know my thoughts! ²⁴ And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Psalm 139:1-18

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. ² You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. ³ You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. ⁴ Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

⁵ You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. ⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Exercise equipment is wonderful. My treadmill was the best bookcase I ever had! I kept it beside my recliner. When I turned it on, it brought the books right to me!  Our neighbor got interested in fitness and asked to borrow it. Last I heard they said it made a great bookcase for them too.  

As you read this, you laughed!  We all know exercise equipment doesn’t work if you don’t use it.  More importantly, not only does it need to be used, you have to follow the instructions or it still won’t do what it’s supposed to do!  

On a more serious note, how many of us “use” the Word of God as we should?  When we keep it on the coffee table, it looks good, but it isn’t being used for the purpose it was intended. Sometimes, we even study for a class lesson. But, there is more in God’s Word than wisdom for a lesson or to prove a point when we are debating.  

God’s Word is for now, for you, for me. Within the pages of the Bible is wise counsel for every situation, every circumstance and every relationship. Life’s challenges and troubles are timeless.  The surroundings change, society changes. But people are still faced by the same temptations and problems now as they were in Biblical times.  

There is no problem you or I will face in this life that isn’t addressed in God’s Word. Read it daily.  Read it for truth, read it for direction, read it for wisdom, read it for TODAY.  The Bible; an instruction manual for life. 

II Timothy 3:16-17  All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be equipped for every good work.

My Great Aunt Violet loved to sew; she bought fabric by the bolt. Often she showed me ‘sewing tricks.’ One of the sewing tricks she taught me was sewing a few stitches before and behind a line of stitching to “sew a seam up tight.”  This double back stitch hem prevented the stitch from coming undone when the seam was under stress.   

As we go through life, we face many challenges and temptations. How many times, when we are faced with a life situation, do we think, “how can I get through this without coming apart?” ?  God’s Word says that He hems us in, behind and before; we won’t come unraveled. We are held securely!  

It doesn’t matter if our trials come from our own making (James 1: 14-15) or from satan through the trials of life (I Peter 5:8-9), God has given us the strength we need to be victorious.  James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”  

Satan wants us to feel alone; stranded with no hope.  He will do everything he can to separate us from friends in Christ because he knows that there is strength in fellowship!  From anger to busyness, frustration and temptation, satan’s number one goal is to sever our relationship with God and with each other.   

God gives us provision to keep from coming unraveled in times of stress.  God has hemmed us in behind and before! We have the strength and encouragement of fellowship at church, Bible study and the one on one ministry of the Holy Spirit.  We don’t have to come unraveled!

Psalms 139:5-6 You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Prayer:  Father, help me to hide your Word in my heart so that I can draw strength from it in times of stress. Thank you for the encouragement your Holy Spirit gives me and loving friends and family to hold my arms when I feel weak.  I love you. Amen.

Scripture References:

James 1:14-15 –but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

I Peter 5:8-9  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

James 4:7  Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The other day, I baked a German Chocolate Cake.  This wasn’t an ordinary German Chocolate Cake; I’d toasted the pecans and the coconut before I put them in the special icing.  It was, beyond any doubt, the most delicious German Chocolate Cake I’d ever made, bar none.

Later that night, I was lying in bed, when I remembered those layers of chocolaty sweetness and toasty pecans. Once my mind started thinking about that cake, it’s ALL that I could think of.  I wanted a piece of that cake so bad, it was like an ache in the back of my throat!  Mercy!

The Psalmist, David, wrote in Ps. 63:5 that his longing for God was satisfied like his body is satisfied with fine food.  Unlike aching for a piece of cake, the desire for intimacy with God is encouraged!

In Ps. 34:8, David said, “Taste and see that the LORD is good;” To be so intimate with the presence of God that you recommend that others “taste” it; what an incredible place to be!  I love it when the Word uses everyday experiences to illustrate spiritual truth.

God longs for relationship with us so much that He sent His only son to die so we could know Him. (John 3:16) But, wait, there’s more! God sent His Holy Spirit so we could have not just a relationship but intimacy with Him!  We were created for intimate relationship!

There is no other god who wants a relationship with us!  Other god’s demand worship, our God asks for relationship! Out of that intimacy comes an awareness of who He is. We worship in acknowledgement of the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Great and Almighty God.

The more time I spend in relationship with the Lord through prayer and Bible study, the more I long for more of Him.  Like when my throat aches for cake; when I think of my Lord, my throat aches to praise Him!

Psalms 63:5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

On the tenth day of the smell of putrefying flesh, arising from a mousie that had died somewhere in the walls of our home; I began to pray. Prayer has been punctuated with gagging–.  

The very things that I pray for deliverance from are sometimes the tool that God would use to illustrate His truth to my heart.  So, I’d been thinking, “IS there any lesson I can learn through the smelly carcass of a dead mousie?”   

Days of searching, spraying disinfectant and crawling around in dark places have brought nothing but the realization of my helplessness.  The advice of dear friends and loved ones brought the fellowship of suffering, but no actual relief.  

The stench was unbearable. Perhaps there was no lesson that could be had? Could there be no spiritual truth to be gleaned; was it simply an event?  Maybe, there was no real life illustration that could be made of this experience, no connection to the mysterious ways of an Almighty God?  

So, at my wit’s end this morning, I simply asked God for mercy. No more searching for some way of connection to a spiritual truth; just simply, a cry for mercy.  By the time I was dressed and ready for coffee, the smell had started to go away.  By noon, not a hint of rotting flesh remained!   

Searching had yielded nothing. Spraying air freshener had only given the smell of decay a fruity over tone. Then, a simple call to God asking for His mercy, and the struggle to make things right was over. How can I not be reminded of how I was before I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins? 

Not forgiven through works, not because I deserved it or was worthy; saved simply because I asked for God’s mercy.  God uses the simple things of life to reveal timeless truths.  

Even the most mundane and annoying every day experiences can, in retrospect, bring humbling enlightenment.  Who’d have known the smelly carcass of a dead mousie COULD be used as a reminder of God’s mercy?  Wow.  

I Peter 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Mmmmmm Pie!

Psalm 32:5

My grandson was reading his library book. He read, “Mrs. Hen put the apple pie, mmmmmmm, on the table to cool.” The sentence actually was, “Mrs. Hen put the apple pie on the table to cool.”  I stopped him and asked him to read the sentence again.

Once more, he added the “mmmm” after apple pie.  I told him to look carefully; there was no “mmmm” in the story.  He explained to me that he knew that, but he just couldn’t help it!  When his mouth said “apple pie,” his mind made him say, “mmmmmm” because he ate some apple pie and he loves it so much.

Like the apple pie, Gods presence, His provision and direction, should be reflected on. In scripture, the word, Selah, is found in the Psalms 71 times and in Habakkuk three times. Selah is thought to mean: “think about this” or “pause and reflect.” God lives in our praises.  This does not mean that He has a house with glory paneling and “bless you Lord!” paint.  To ‘live in’ means to have substance, to come alive in.

When my grandson thought of apple pie, his memory put substance to the thought. He could remember the fragrance; perhaps even taste the cinnamon and cloves dancing on the back of his tongue.  When we praise God, our memory rushes to the forefront, reminding us of the times that God has delivered, instructed and directed.

As David wrote the Psalms, out of his own past experience, he remembered God’s power.  Because he had a relationship with God, he could recall the Lord’s majesty and power when he was frightened or lonely. The memory made God’s presence come alive again, right then, “now,” and he was encouraged and comforted.

Selah is a music term that means, “to pause or reflect”.  It can also mean an instrumental prelude, you know, ‘background music’ while you think about it. The next time you see the term, “Selah”, reread the verse, think about how God’s servant, David, had stopped to think about what you just read.  Then, pause and remember the last time God delivered, protected or glorified His presence in your own life and praise Him. God inhabits (comes alive, has substance in) our praise.

Psalm 32:5 “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”– and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah”

Prayer: Father God, thank you for all of the times you have saved me from the traps of the enemy. Thank you for delivering me and giving me direction. The next time I stand in fear help me to think about all the times you have intervened in my life. Amen.

My friend told me about a “child speak” moment with her young son one Sunday morning.  Everyone was running about getting ready for church when she noticed her son doing more looking around than getting dressed. 

He told her he had to have his tie pants or he couldn’t go to church.  Thinking that her son spoke of his sweat pants, she patiently explained to him that his tie pants were for very casual wear—you know—relaxing pants, not church pants.  

The little guy insisted that he would only wear his tie pants to church and he HAD to find them!  After a few moments, her son announced that he’d found his tie pants; the dress pants that he only wore with his shirt and tie.  He’d said exactly what he meant, simply and obviously.

As Christians, we sometimes think our prayers must be full of big words and profound statements.  Prayer is a conversation with God.  Jesus said we must become as humble as a child when we come to Him.  No pretense; there is no need to think of big words or to be eloquent.   

Set aside all the involved, technical thoughts of living in today’s complicated world. Simply talk to the Lord one on one, “I love you Lord, “this” is what’s going on in my life today.” 

Tell him every thing that hurts, frustrates and annoys.  Thank Him for everything that brings joy, comfort and ease.  No thing in your life is too trivial for Him to care about. 

Of course, God already knows every tiny detail of our life, but He delights in our telling Him about it in our words—just—well— talking! He created us for relationship with Him.  And like we tell our children, when you’re done talking—-listen. Conversation is about talking AND listening.  

Matthew 18: 1-4  At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Prayer:  Father, I want to have a relationship with you. Forgive me of my sins and help me to want to hear your Words through Bible study, prayer and sound teaching.  I love you. Amen. 

My sister in-law, Vicki, my mom and I planned a yard sale.  We got “The Yard Sale Planning Guide,” published by the newspaper.  We did it by the book, labeling, pricing, planning, advertising; we did it all. It was certain to be a rip roaring success because—we didn’t do anything foolishly, we planned, we followed the directions EXACTLY!  We even checked the weather forecast to ensure our efforts would take place on a sunshine day.

About 5 a.m. on the day of our big sale, it unexpectedly started raining. How could this happen, we’d checked the projected forecast days before the event. Yet, the rain came falling down; not sprinkle or drizzle, it was an all out gully washer.

 We kept all the stuff on the front porch and thought maybe it would clear up.  But, the rain never stopped.  Not a single car stopped to see what was offered.  We didn’t make a cent, in fact, we lost money; yet we’d followed the rules exactly.  It was just SO unfair since we’d worked so hard!

 Sometimes, even when we do our very best and do all the right things; STUFF happens.  As Christians, we somehow think that when we love the Lord, live by Godly standards and do all the Lord instructed us to do; good results are guaranteed.  But, the scripture says that is not true.  Being Christian does not mean that we won’t experience ‘life,’ with all its pains and aggravations.  (Matthew 5:44-46) 

It is true that sometimes God moves in a miraculous way in our circumstances. But, most often, God is with us through “it”; He rarely delivers us out of ‘it’.  Throughout the scripture we see God working through ordinary people in difficult circumstances to reveal His glory. It is in our weaknesses that God’s strength is revealed.  (II Corinthians 12:9) 

It is up to us whether we walk through life’s storms victorious in Christ.  We either respond to the comfort, direction and encouragement of the Holy Spirit or we react to the circumstances. Regardless of what attitude we choose, life’s trials will still be lived and God will still be faithful.    

John 16:33  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank you so much for the assurance your Word gives me. No matter what happens, you are with us. Help me to worship and dance even on the—bad weather days.  Amen.

Scripture references:

Matthew 5:44-45  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

II Corinthians 12:9  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 

My daughter’s family has a pet kitty named Daisy. Daisy is an inside cat; a much pampered feline. One afternoon, my daughter was outside; turning, she saw Daisy, sitting on the deck.  Horrified that their inside kitty was outside in the cruel world, she softly called, “Heeeere, Daisy.”

To her amazement, Daisy jumped and ran off. After a few moments of unfruitful cat chasing, my daughter ran in the house and panted, “Help mama catch Daisy, she’s outside!” The whole family ran out the door and started chasing the naughty cat. FINALLY, cat struggling in hand, they brought their pet inside and plopped the complaining kitty on the sofa.

Yard weary and grubby, my daughter went to freshen up.  As she walked into the bathroom, there lay Daisy, softly purring, stretched out on the rug in the sunshine! Needless to say, the unwilling imposter, still sitting on the couch, was unceremoniously plopped back outside!

Sometimes, as Christians, our heart struggles to discern the voice of God in direction for our lives. Without exception, every direction of God’s Spirit can be backed up by the Word of God.  God will never ask us to do anything that will cause harm to our relationship with Him, or those we love.

When we spend time talking to God in prayer and studying the Bible, we are familiar with what His voice sounds like. The principles of God’s Word become part of our daily thought patterns.  The way of righteousness becomes familiar to us and discerning God’s direction is no longer a mystery.

Whenever we sense that what we are doing doesn’t “sound right”, we need to find a quiet place to search our heart and review our plans. We need to hold our plans up to the light of God’s perfect Word. Like the stray cat, when we sense that the quiet voice speaking to us is not familiar; run!

John 10: 27-28  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

Prayer:  Father, help me to understand the importance of spending time in your Word so that I can recognize your voice. Give me wisdom and understanding to make wise decisions in life’s circumstances.  Help me to live my life fully for you, obeying your Word, carrying out your will and sharing your love. I love you and I thank you. Amen.