YOU ARE WHAT YOU... 

I expect we have all heard the saying, you are what you eat.  Now, this isn't a blog about nutrition, but I would have to agree that there is a lot of truth in that saying.  What we put into our bodies becomes part of us.  If we make sure to eat the foods that build muscle, bone and brain, we are most likely going to be healthy.  On the other hand, if we can't resist junk food and soda, we are heading for disease.  

But, this post is not about what we eat, but instead about what we think.  Scripture is full of exhortations to think about good.  Consider the following verses: 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
     Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:4-9 (ESV)

Here we are told quite a bit about how we should think.  He starts by telling us to rejoice.  Rejoicing has to come from joyful thoughts.  When we think about what God has done for us through Christ, when we consider the many blessings he bestows on us, we have reason to rejoice.  

Next, he tells us not to be anxious.  Anxiety often follows negative thinking.  Then follows the well-known list of things we are supposed to think about.  The result--peace.  

We are constantly being inundated with things, which if thought on, can lead to anxiety and a lack of peace. 

We need to feed our minds with a diet of regular meditation and study of God's word, continual
prayer and daily worship.  These will build a healthy spirit.  If, however, we choose to fill our minds with mental "junk food" our spirits will grow weaker. 

When you choose entertainment be sure it will build your spirit.  Watch out for movies, television programs, music, books and video games which lead to spiritual illness.  Temptation is all around us to "enjoy" such things.  Satan tries to tell us that we are strong and a little bit won't hurt us.  Don't listen to him.  He is the father of lies.

When you wake up in the morning, start with prayer.  Thank God for keeping you through the night.  Ask him to bless the coming day to his service.  

Meet with God early in the day by reading scripture and thinking about what he is telling you.  Maybe you are someone who likes to journal, if so, write your thoughts on the scripture.  

Pray throughout the day.  We are told to "Pray without ceasing." in I Thessalonians 5:17.  When the Spirit brings to mind a prayer need, pray as you go about your daily tasks.

When evening comes, take time to worship before you go to bed.  Before you drop off to sleep go over some memorized scripture and praise God.  

Think about the following story: 

Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

 GOT STRESS?

If you have any stress in your life, welcome to the club.  We all have stress, worries, concerns, things that get us down.  As Christians we know that we are not supposed to worry.  We are not supposed to fret (Psalm 37).  But, we do struggle.

I am gradually reading through Timothy Keller's book on prayer.  So far, I would say that it is an excellent book and I recommend it.  The other day, I came across this paragraph:

"Years ago I was preaching on the Lord's Prayer and commented--rather offhandedly--that since adoration comes before asking for 'daily bread,' we need to spend time thanking and praising God for who he is before we go to our prayer list of needs.  One woman in my congregation took this to heart and a couple of weeks later related what a difference the advice had made.  'Before,' she said, 'I would run right to my prayer list and the more I went through all the problems and needs the more anxious and burdened I would get.  Now I've started spending time thinking about how good and wise he is, and how many prayers he's answered of mine in the past.  And when I get to my own needs--now I find I can put them in his hands and I feel the burden coming off me rather than on me.'"  Timothy Keller, Prayer, pg 190

I have usually started prayer with some praise and thanksgiving, but this really resonated with me.  Some years ago I started writing down requests whenever someone would ask me to pray about someone or something.  As we all know, it is easy to say you will pray and then forget to do so.  Keeping the list has been very helpful.  Then of course, there are the needs of my children and grandchildren.  

Maybe you have children who have left the Lord.  Perhaps you lost a loved one and the grief is still powerful.  Maybe you are overwhelmed by the evil in the world.  Perhaps abortion has struck close to home.  You might have a child or grandchild who has bought into the transgender lies.  It is so easy to become anxious even as we pray fervently.

It is when we stop to think of the greatness of God and all the amazing things he has done in the past and even in our own lives that we can rest and know that he is taking care of things.  

Consider Psalms 106 and 107.  The psalmist recounts many mighty deeds of the Lord.  He praises God and calls on him to act.  

Sometimes just remembering the creation, where God spoke all things into being, can remind us that God is bigger than all the problems.  

Have you seen the images sent from the James Webb Space Telescope?  With this amazing technology we can see more of the great works of the creator.  The writer of Psalm 8 calls the creation the work of God's fingers!  How can we not praise such a God!?

Spend time meditating on the greatness of God.  Consider his mighty works.  Remember how he has worked in your life in the past.  Look at the kingdom of Israel and how God worked for them.  Thank him!  Praise him!  Adore him!  Then lay all your burdens down before him.  Give him those wayward children.  Give him the grief, the pain, the sorrow.  The God who created the world, raised the dead and healed the sick, is able to take all of those things and leave you with peace and trust.

 

 

FORTRESS

"But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.
O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love."  Psalm 59:16-17 (ESV)

This morning in our morning worship after breakfast, we read Psalm 59.  Today when we read the psalm I was struck by the idea of fortress.  What is a fortress?

Dictionary.com gives these two definitions of fortress:  1. a large fortified place; a fort or

group of forts, often including a town; citadel.  2.  any place of exceptional security; stronghold.

The psalm says that God is the fortress of the psalm writer.  Looking at the above definitions it seems obvious that the second definition is closer to what the psalmist is thinking.  

God is indeed the place of exceptional security.  He is a stronghold.  He is impregnable.  When we are in God, our fortress, we need not fear the enemy.  

The enemy will constantly attack our fortress.  We will face the flaming darts of the evil one.  He will try to lure us from our stronghold, our fortress.

As long as we stay in the fortress, we will be conquerors.  We need to keep our focus on our fortress.  If we stray, we are in grave danger.  

We might be tempted to believe that we are strong and can fight the evil one alone.  This is the pride that comes before a fall.  We are weak and hopeless outside of our fortress.

As Christians we also have a fortress that might be defined as the first definition; a large fortified place.  We have the body of Christ, the church.  Being a part of the body gives us strength.  We have each other's back.  We help each other stay in the fortress and resist the evil one.  We have even more to rejoice in than the psalmist had.  Just as the writer rejoiced in God, his fortress, and sang of God's strength and steadfast love, we can do the same.  We praise God and rejoice in the body of Christ.  

Stay in the fortress!  Don't wander away!  Sing praises to God, our fortress!

Search the term fortress in your Bible study program and you will find many times when God's people recognized God as their fortress.

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A PARABLE

There was once a wealthy man who owned many, many sheep.  This man hired shepherds

and assigned them sheep to care for.  

One young man excitedly started his job as a shepherd.  The master gave him five sheep, a beautiful ewe and four lambs.  The young man was to care for the sheep and report to the master on how things were going.

This young man loved his sheep dearly.  He made sure to take them where the grass was rich and the water was clean and calm.  He watched over them carefully.  There were many wolves in that country just waiting to grab a sheep or a lamb.  The young man kept vigilant watch over those precious sheep.  

The sheep in turn loved their shepherd.  They listened to his voice.  They relied on him.  They trusted him to protect them.  Because of the good care and their peaceful trust the sheep throve.

The young shepherd was very careful to report to the master every day.  He told him of the progress the sheep were making.  When there was a problem or concern with the sheep he would talk to the master and listen to his advice.  All was well.

Along with wolves in that country there were also worthless shepherds.  These men would ignore their sheep and try to lead the good shepherds astray.

One day, our young shepherd was accosted by one of the worthless shepherds.  He was told that it was ridiculous to spend so much time with his sheep.  He needed to have a little fun and let his sheep take care of themselves now and then, they would be fine.

The young man knew better than to listen to such lies and refused to trust the worthless shepherd.  However, he began to be tired.  It was such a lot of work to protect his sheep.  He began to skip a day now and then of talking to the master.  He decided that he already knew enough about taking care of sheep and didn't need to listen to the master anymore.

He started thinking about all the fun things he could do if he had more time for himself.  He decided he could take a few minutes every day to just relax and do something fun.  

At first it seemed to be fine.  The sheep were still healthy and safe.  The young shepherd was confident that he had everything under control.  Pretty soon he was talking to the master only a few minutes once a week and then only once a month.  

One day, one of the lambs was sick.  It began to lose weight and couldn't keep up with the ewe and other lambs as they grazed.  Then a prowling wolf came and caught the lamb.  

The young shepherd was upset, but told himself that it wasn't his fault, accidents happen and he still  had the other four sheep.  

One day, after he had been having a lovely time with his friends and their sheep, he couldn't find his sheep.  They had wandered off.  He did manage to find them, but sadly one lamb had broken a leg.  

Finally, the day came when the master called all his shepherds to come to his sheep farm and bring their sheep.  As each shepherd arrived, the master inspected their sheep and gave a judgement.  Some shepherds were praised for their faithfulness in caring for the sheep.  Others were sent away in disgrace.

As our young man approached with his remaining three sheep, he had all his excuses ready.  The sheep were contrary, they needed too much attention, he deserved time for himself.  He wasn't worried.  The master looked at the once beautiful ewe.  She was now tattered and worn from trying to watch the lambs herself.  She had lost weight and was in distress.  The two remaining lambs were sick and dying.  

What do you think the master did to that shepherd?   "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."  Matthew 11:15 (ESV)

"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,"  Ephesians 5:25 (ESV)

"Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them."   Colossians 3:19 (ESV)

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
  Ephesians 6:4 (ESV)

WATCH YOUR WORDS

In Matthew 12, verse 36 Jesus says that on the day of judgment we will have to give account

for every careless word we speak ("I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak").  That is extremely serious.

When I was growing up most people were more careful of their speech than people in this day and age.  I still remember my mother teaching me that I shouldn't even use common expressions of exclamation.  In her opinion those words were just softer ways of using God's name in vain.

Now, whether you believe that or not, what we say matters.  Carelessness in our speech leaves us open to more and more sinful speech.  The Bible has a lot to say about how we talk.  Consider Proverbs 13:3  "Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin."  What comes out of our mouth can ruin us.

I know of someone who was carefully raised.  He was taught to avoid needless words and expressions.  As he grew into adulthood he became careless.  He took on the speech of those around him.  He heard a lot of cursing and foul language at his workplace.  Because of his

carelessness, he began using such language.  Careless speech is a grave danger.  He will have to answer for those careless words.

But, cursing and bad language is only one aspect of careless words.  Words spoken out of temper, gossip, unkind joking.  All these are other forms of careless speech.  The parent who gets frustrated with their child and tells them to just shut up.  The neighbor who gets angry over the way the neighbor's dog barks in the mornings, and shouts insults over the fence.  Or, what about spouting an opinion about something you really know nothing about.  

We need to think before we speak.  Consider these proverbs: "Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." Proverbs 21:23 (ESV) "Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding."  Proverbs 17:27 (ESV) "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent."  Proverbs 10:19 (ESV)

As Christians we need to "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."  Colossians 4:6 (ESV).  We must always be "prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

James warns us about how difficult a job it is to control the tongue.  

" For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.  If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.  Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.  So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.  And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.  For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,  but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.  Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. James 3:2-12 (ESV)

We must guard our tongue and we must protect our heart.  When we are exposed to sinful, careless speech, we must fill our heart with God's words.  In this busy world we must take time to meditate on the words of God and fill our heart with them so that what we speak blesses us and others.  Jesus warns us in Matthew 15:18  "But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person."

And a final thought:  "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless."  James 1:26

SCRIPTURE WRITING UPDATE

I thought those of you who have been reading this blog might like an update on how my scripture writing is going.  I absolutely recommend it.  It has been a true blessing to me.  I started with Philippians.  Then I decided to write out Colossians since we are studying that book on Sunday evenings.  When I completed Colossians I went on to Ephesians since we are going through Ephesians in our Sunday morning sermons.  I am hooked!  

One of my readers who has tried it is also feeling blessed.  She mentioned liking the slow pace which gives more time to think about each word and phrase.  

One other reader just started and is writing Proverbs.  She keeps her Bible out on the table and stops now and then to write.  

If you have tried it and would like to share your experience, please do!

I know it might not be for everyone but I am so thankful to have added it to my morning routine.

 

POSSESSION 

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14 (ESV)

This passage in Titus is one of my recent memorization projects.  I used to think I couldn't

memorize scripture.  Oh, I had memory verses and did some memorization but nothing consistently.  Then quite a few years back, I found a memorization program and tried again.  I found it worked well and even when I completed the program I continued choosing passages and writing them on 3x5 cards and memorizing them.  I review several of the passages daily so as not to forget them. 

One thing I really love about memorizing scripture is the way the passages come to my mind at various times.  Often as I am getting ready to fall asleep one or more will come to mind and if I wake up in the wee hours before it is time to get up.  This has been a true blessing to me.  

This morning the above scripture was what came to mind before it was time to get up for the day.  As I was pondering the scripture I settled on the idea of being a people for God's own possession.

We all have various possessions.  They are more or less valuable to us for different reasons.  Some we paid a lot of money for and some were just found items.  So we understand possessions.  When we moved here we paid a lot of money to buy a car so we would be able to get from place to place.  That car is valuable to us and we take the best possible care of it.  When it gets dirty, we are sure to get it washed.  If something breaks on it, we get it repaired.  

As I thought about what this scripture says about being God's possession, I thought of the price God paid for us.  It says the grace of God appeared and brought salvation.  The grace of God became man and was killed, buried and rose again.  That was a price beyond belief.  Way beyond what we might pay for a house or a car.

God cares for us as we care for our possessions.  He trains us.  He is polishing us up.  He is preparing something wonderful for us.  

We have a purpose.  Most of our possessions have a purpose, even if it is only sentimental.  This passage says that we are to be zealous for good works.  

We are like a finely crafted piece of furniture that has been made by a master craftsman.  He has sawn, nailed, sanded, stained, varnished, polished, waxed--everything to make us what he wants us to be.  We must be fulfilling our purpose, proclaiming the skill of the master.

Just some thoughts that went through my mind early this morning.  Maybe they will bless you.

 SCRIPTURE WRITING

Last year we had the privilege of visiting a wonderful congregation of God's people in Lusaka, Zambia.  It was such a blessing to see how active and vibrant the congregation is.  It was also great to see some of our former students active in the work there.

During the announcements it was mentioned that they had a retreat coming up at which they would be studying the book of Deuteronomy.  In connection with that a challenge had been

issued to the congregation.  Everyone that planned to participate in the retreat was asked to write out the entire book of Deuteronomy before the retreat, if possible!  Wow!  Some who had completed the task were mentioned.  

Later in the day, we were visiting in the home of one of the prominent women in the congregation.  She mentioned that this is something the congregation has done from time to time and she herself had copied out several books of the Bible.  I was impressed as I know that she is a truly godly woman and has a wonderful Christian family.  

But, I really didn't think a lot more about it.

For years, I have been copying short passages of scripture onto note cards so that I could work to memorize them.  I have found that a great blessing as it really makes you stop and think about those verses.

Then, just a few days ago, in a blog I read, an article titled "Scripture Writing" was mentioned.  I was intrigued and wondered what it was about.  As I read the article I realized it was talking about the blessing of writing out entire books of the Bible!  Apparently, that is more common than I realized.  

Some have even joined together in an online group that sends out the scripture to write for that day with a short devotional thought.  

Others find that just choosing a book and writing it out works best.  That can be done up as simply or a fancy as you like.  Some even write their thoughts on the scripture along with their daily writing.  

Some have charts to keep track of which books they have written, which can be simple or fancy as well.  

The process of handwriting causes you to slow down and take time over the scripture.  That is never a bad thing.

I have been thinking about starting my own scripture writing.  I have a notebook and pen. 

Now, I need to choose a book to start with.

What do you think?  Would you like to start your own scripture writing?  Please let me know how it goes for you.