A Holy Nation of Good Citizens

Mound City, IL, National Cemetary

The Memorial Day holiday is designated  as a time when we honor our war-dead; but it has morphed into a time when we honor those who’ve had significant impact on our lives before they passed on. It’s also a time when we have barbecues, kick off summer activities, decorate with our national colors, and focus on patriotic thoughts.

Not all these activities might happen, depending on where you live, but I want to focus on patriotic thoughts today since coincidentally my email devotional series happens to contain a passage of scripture which speaks so relevantly to us in May 2020. 

The following is today's email:

1 Peter 2:13-17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

·        Being a good citizen reflects on God

There’s no getting around it, God intends us to submit to government. When Peter wrote this during the period of the Roman Empire, there were some Jews who recognized no king but God and paid taxes to no one except God. It’s not that Rome was a friend to Christians; but remember what Jesus said? “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22:21

The exception would be if government ordered us to do something in contradiction to God’s law. Then we stand on Acts 4:19 – to obey God before man.

·        Rulers are sent by God

Peter tells us God sent us these rulers to “punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right,” as the New Living Translation tells us.

I originally wrote this devotional in 2014, and I asked the question then, “What do you think about negative political ads and those who bash Obama on Facebook?” How could I have known then about the level of negativity on social media and in mainstream media in 2020?

Just as God chose Obama in 2008 and 2012, He chose Trump in 2016. We’ve no right to bash; but are called to pray for our President.

·        God wants you to both speak and do good.

Our conduct is a way to defend the gospel. Those who never read the Bible will watch our lives. It is by living a good life that we can silence ignorance of foolish men.

·        Don’t use your freedom as an excuse for sin.

Peter warns us against using the liberty we have in Jesus as an excuse for sin. Instead we are free to show the kind of love and respect God asks from us.

·        Value all people

Strong’s Concordance says the word translated honor in verse 17 is  timaō  (tim-ah'-o)  to prize, that is, fix a valuation upon; by implication to revere: - honour, value.

Value all people.  Value all sovereign power, or authority.

You can honor government and still do what is right. God is available for help in doing so. Call on Him!

~~~

If you who would enjoy receiving a devotional as well -it's open to everyone - just shoot me an email to prov31grace@yahoo.com to be added to the list.

Today, I'm sharing this post at:

Inspire Me Monday
#TellHisStory

InstaEncouragments Link-Up

Basic Belief

Memorizing scripture can be so helpful along the Journey. The Holy Spirit will help you recall scripture you have learned just when you need it.

He is awesome like that.

When I was a child, the first scripture I remember memorizing was Psalm 56:3. Why that verse?

It was a great verse for someone dealing with fear.

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”

Short and concise, it was easy to commit to memory and recite in a little sing-song voice whenever I had nightmares, or worse, when I thought I heard a mouse in the corner who might want to jump up on my bed.

That was my mortal childhood fear – planted by a cousin who thought it was funny to tell me he saw a mouse trying to climb up on my bed. I believed him and spent many a night with all the covers tucked firmly around my person as I whispered aloud Psalm 56:3 over and over.

It became my mantra.  Now, don’t get worried about the word mantra. Although we think of it as a word Eastern religions use, a mantra is also defined as “a word or phrase that is repeated often or that expresses someone's basic beliefs.”

My basic belief is that when I’m afraid, I’m gonna trust Him to take care of me.

I’ve shared previously how Psalm 91 was so helpful to me when I was afraid of being alone at night. Obviously, night time is not my favorite!

But Psalm 56:3 is short, quick and to the point. You can use it for all kinds of situations.

For instance, suppose you’re driving home in pouring rain finding it hard to see the road and hail is beating on the roof of your car.  Repeating, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee,” as you inch along can be quite calming. I highly recommend it.

You’re not denying you are afraid; but you’re boldly declaring DESPITE your fear, you are going to trust in God.

It’s been said fear and faith can occupy the mind at the same moment.

The question is … which one are you going to let win?

I think all fear and doubt is rooted in fear that God is not who He says He is, OR I'm not who He says I am - His loved and precious child who He will help in time of trouble.

When fear comes, I’m going to speak in faith, trusting in God to move. The more I speak faith, the more my doubts get canceled out.

Whenever fear comes SAY, “I’m going to trust in Him.”

I can truthfully say He has never let me down in all the years I've been on the Journey - and He never will!

~~~

I’m honored you stopped by the Journey today!

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What to do when the enemy talks trash about you

On our journey to become more Christlike as we travel towards Home, it’s very easy to get discouraged about our progress.

We are often our own worst enemy and believe the lies the evil one speaks to our minds. I don’t know if the imps of hell spend all their time whispering lies to all of God’s children; but I’m pretty sure it is their main source of entertainment!

There is a simple solution to combatting the trash the enemy likes to talk to you. Apply the truth of God’s Word to any discouraging thought that comes to your mind.

My hubby’s grandma used to say this: “Thoughts are like birds. They may fly at you, but you don’t have to let them build a nest in your hair.”

In other words, take those thoughts captive and make them obedient to the Word.

For example, if the enemy says, “You’re a wreck,” you say, “I am God’s building.”

If the enemy says, “There is nothing good in you,” counter with, “I’m the Spirit of God’s dwelling place.”

If the thought comes, “I am a loser,” remember, more than once, God says “You are an overcomer.”

If it’s whispered, “no one loves you,” come back with “I am loved.”

If you are made to feel like you’re not part of the group, remember, “I belong to God.”

If, after a mess-up, you feel like God is tired of you, remember this, “I’m loved with an everlasting love.”

If the enemy says, “Yeah, God only said that to the Jews,” remind him “all the promises made to the children of Israel belong to you, too.” You’ve been grafted into the Vine that nourishes the family.

If, the evil one whispers, “I’ve got you now!” say, “Since I’ve repented, I’m free of the evil one. He has no power over me!”

If you’re told, “you’re crazy – you’re not the sharpest knife in the drawer,” remind yourself God has given you a sound mind.

I could go on and on … but these are enough for today. Dwell on these thoughts. Meditate on them until you know them like the back of your hand.

I'll share more of these scriptures from time to time; because, it is vital to know who you are in Christ. You’re His masterpiece. It’s time to live like it.

What do you do when the enemy talks trash to you? Please share in the comments.

~~~

I’m honored you stopped by the Journey today!

I don't want you to miss a post, so why not sign up to subscribe. It's easy-peasy. Just enter your email address in the sidebar right above my profile.

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Today, I'm linking with the communities at Inspire Me Monday, Trekking Through the Week and #FreshMarketFriday.

More on laying down your life …

During the month of love (February) I wrote about serving and laying down your life.

In March, I'm still considering love. In fact, I'm working on a series about God's amazing love.

The other day I noticed the similarities between John 3:16 and 1 John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

And then,

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:16)

Both are about love – the ultimate expression of love.

Both are about laying down our life.

Because God loves us so much, He laid down His life. And then we are told, because He did so, we should do the same.

What?

Maybe not physically. Few of us will be presented with the choice of laying our actual physical life down.

But in practical everyday life on this journey, we have to lay down our wants, wishes, hopes and aspirations for the good of another.

Actually, if you read further in 1 John 3, you will see the meaning of verse 16 is not physically laying down your life, it’s giving your “stuff.”

“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his hear from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:17-18)

First, we must see the need. I admit I’m one who is so focused on traveling my own path noticing the need never happens.

It’s good I focus on the destination (my goal keeps me on the path). But, it’s key I focus on the Guide of my path. The Guide will prompt me when there is a need for me to help.

I’m to help by loving in deed and in truth, which means giving of myself and making no excuses.

Sometimes giving my stuff, like money or possessions.

Sometimes I need to give something more precious to me – my time and effort.

It can be hard, people!

I’m so glad He will help. Notice the scripture said, “how does the love of God abide in him” if we don’t help. The truth is, if we have the love of God abiding in us, He helps us to lay down our life.

Everything He asks you do to do, He helps!

~~~

I'm linking this post with the communities at Jennifer's #TellHisStory, and Brenda's Chasing Community.

A God-lover Waits ...

Acts 1:1-5 The Message (MSG)Dear Theophilus, in the first volume of this book I wrote on everything that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he said good-bye to the apostles, the ones he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. After his death, he presented himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. In face-to-face meetings, he talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God. As they met and ate meals together, he told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but “must wait for what the Father promised: the promise you heard from me. John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon.”

Dear God-lover (the name Theophilus means God-lover), if you knew these were your last days on earth, how would you spend them?

I daresay, you would spend them with your people. You’d talk about the important. If there were any last-minute instructions, you’d share them.

Such were the activities of Jesus after the crucifixion and before the ascension.

During those 40 days, the bible teaches He presented Himself to the 500 people who were witnesses of the resurrection. He spent extra time with the disciples. He even cooked them breakfast!

He made time to be sure He and Peter were copacetic.

He appeared to James, his half-brother. (Don’t you wish you could have heard their conversation?)

He did all the things needed.

He also knew His people would need more.  So, He instructed them to sit tight and wait. Because, the promised Holy Spirit would come soon and He would be the Helper, the Comforter, they needed.

All they had to do was to stay put and … wait.

Are you waiting for the fulfilment of a promise God has made you? Be assured He is doing all the things needed to make it happen. (Sometimes His best work is in the background.) His Word tells us He is not slack concerning promises.

In the New Testament, we are told when we’ve done all we can do, just stand.

In other words, stay put and … wait.

~~~

I'm linking this post to the communities at Inspire Me Monday, Chasing Community Linkup, and Trekking Through the Week.

Love Is ... Laying Down Your Life

I thought it would be appropriate to share some thoughts on love since since this is the month that contains Valentine's Day. After all, this is the season of romantic gestures such as cards, flowers and candy. But what does love really look like in real life?

As I mulled that one over, I remembered a scripture about love:

John 15:12-15 New King James Version (NKJV)¹² This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Few of us will be called to physically lay down our lives for another; but in this season of emphasizing love, I’d like to discuss what the very real sacrifice of laying down your life means in day to day life.

First, let’s talk about for whom we should lay down our lives:

·        God

·        Spouse

·        Family

·        Brethren (Church family)

·        Neighbor

And then let’s talk about how we do that!

God:

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 New King James Version (NKJV)⁴ “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! ⁵ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

This is part of praying The Shema – the passage from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 that tells us what God wants from us. Jesus quoted the same passage when He was asked what the greatest commandment was:

Mark 12:29-30 New King James Version (NKJV)²⁹ Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. ’This is the first commandment.

Laying down your life for God is equal to putting your all into loving Him – all your thoughts, effort and strength.

Is it a one-time action? No! Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15, “I die daily.” Each day, you make the commitment to die to self (Another way of laying down your life!)

A practical way to lay down your life for Him:  give Him some of the time you usually use to do something you like.

Spouse:

God has clearly told us how we are to treat our spouses. Obeying often means laying down your life (giving up what you want to do!)

Ephesians 5:22, 25, 33 King James Version (KJV)
²² Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord …²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it …³³ Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Submitting, giving of yourself, reverencing – all tough things to do when you’re down in the nitty-gritty of life, surrounded by challenges and making a living.

I think it can be summed up best with this thought:  Put the other person first.

Family:

Let’s go back to the second half of The Shema:

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 NLT⁶ And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. ⁷ Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. ⁸ Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. ⁹ Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Talk about the Word constantly! Laying down your life to your family is teaching and discipling over and over even when the task seems thankless.

The Holy Spirit moved upon Paul to further instruct us:

Ephesians 6:4 NLT⁴ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Parenting is like the ultimate tool God uses to make us more like Him. Laying down your life might mean sleepless nights comforting a sick child, making sure THEY have a good Christmas even if no one else does, cooking dinner when all you want to do is veg on the couch, and always considering them instead of doing what you really want to do. (To name just a few things a parent is called upon to do!)

Brethren (your brothers and sisters in Christ):

1 John 3:16 King James Version (KJV)¹⁶ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Let’s talk practical real-life ideas where we can lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters:

For example, at one of my churches, Sister Sue was going to take over the Senior Adult Ministry, but she knew another church member really wanted to do it. She had recently suffered tremendous loss in her life and needed something to do to keep her mind occupied. So, the Sister Sue stepped aside, putting aside her plans for the ministry, and offered the office of Senior Adult Leader to the church member in need.

I would call that laying down your life.

I asked a friend if she could think of an example of laying down your life for the brethren. Here is what she came up with:

When there is a financial need and you only have enough to get you through to pay day which is a few days away and the Lord is telling you to give a certain amount to a brother. You give it even though it hurts. You put your brother or sister in Christ before your need.

I would call that laying down your life.

I was thinking of a testimony I read the other day. A lady's life was in shambles. A Christian sister watched the lady's kids after school each day and had dinner ready whenever the lady would pick them up. She would insist the lady eat with them. During the meal, and afterwards during clean up, she would pray with the lady and read scripture with her.

In other words, she was the friend that lady needed in her life.

I'd call that laying down your life.

What are some other things we that could be considered laying our life down for our church family?

·        Being a listening ear – even when you are busy or have your own things you’d like to talk about!

·        Interceding – not just a lay-me-down-to-sleep prayer – but wrestling in prayer until you get the victory.

·        Visiting them when in the hospital (or when one of their loved ones is ill)

·        Taking food when illness or death strikes

·        Attending visitation when a church member has lost a loved one

(Have you ever noticed these events always happen when your schedule is full to the brim, your grocery cupboard is bare and payday is next week? It’s called laying down your life!)

These are not always death-defying feats of devotion but saying no to our own schedules, giving up our own time, expending energy – maybe giving up precious sleep, all these are ways to love one another (something we are told to do twice in John 15 alone.)

I think this scripture that goes well with these thoughts:

Philippians 2:3-4 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. ⁴ Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

The kicker is it has to be done with the right motive, pure phileo love – brotherly love. If you do it for personal glory, you lost out on a blessing!

I also want to confess I’m not there yet! I strive to do these things; yet often I let my schedule and my energy level rob me of the blessing of doing what I know the Lord would want me to do.

Neighbor: Your neighbor is anyone with whom you come in contact

The story of the Good Samaritan is the ultimate in laying down your life for someone you encounter in your daily life.

LUKE 10:29-31 NKJV²⁹ The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”³⁰ Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.³¹ “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. ³² A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.³³ “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. ³⁴ Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’³⁶ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.³⁷ The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

The Samaritan laid down his time, effort and money for someone he met who was in need. Jesus tells us to do the same.

There's a world of people out there who need loving. I want to do all I can do to show His love. 

How about you? What are ways you can lay down your life for another?

~~~

I'm sharing at the Chasing Community,  #TellHisStory and Trekking Through the Week communities. So much good stuff at these sites!

The Becoming One

I love studying the attributes of God. It gives me knowledge of His nature. The more I know Him, the more I love and trust Him.

The name Yahweh is associated with God as the Becoming One, the God who becomes what His people need.  

A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,Is God in His holy habitation. (Psalm 68:5)

The fatherless need a father; Yahweh is there. The widows need a defender; God is there.

Your Father becomes what you need!

I feel we can apply that principle to so many areas of our lives:

·        you need direction, He becomes your guide;

·        you need help, He is your Helper;

·        you need someone to speak up for you; He is your advocate;

·        you’re in the depths of despair; He is the glory and the lifter of your head;

·        you need food, clothing and shelter; He is your provider.

And last but not least, when you need healing, Exodus 15:26 tell us He is your healer.  Isaiah 53:5 says He paid the price for your healing and the Apostle Peter confirms His Son Jesus did just that!

Let's never forget the incredible gift of God's love for us. Whatever your need, focus on Him. Jesus told us to seek Him first and then things would be added to us.

Seek Him and you are sure to find what is best for you.

~~~

I'm linking at Char's Trekking Thru the Week community.

Bottled-up tears

You number my wanderings;

Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?

Psalm 56:8 NKJV

Many, many years ago, a group of us were praying at the altar with a lady in our church whose husband had passed away with cancer. I'd heard of tear-stained altars before but this time I saw actual pools of water left on the bench when she arose. I can still see those blobs of tear drops puddled up on the bench's varnished surface in my mind's eye.

We serve such an intimate God, He even collects our tears in His bottle. He goes on to make note of it His journal. How can we ever think He doesn't care when He pays such close attention to us?

Why, He even numbers the hair on our head. (I find that thought so amazing!)

He's an all-powerful, all-knowing God, the all-sufficient one as in the God of More Than Enough. 

And if that's not enough, one of His names is the "God-Who-Sees-Me."

Are you going through a difficult time? Talk to our Father about it. He not only pays attention, but we have His word He cares.

~~~

I'm linking this post at Soul Survival, Arabah Joy's Grace&Truth and #TellHisStory because His story tells us He is intimately involved in the lives of His children.