Verse of the Day - Matthew 6:33

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ~ Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

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It seems like Jesus was always talking over people's heads! Sometimes this was on purpose, because He said he sometimes taught in parables to the people and plainly to his disciples, as if some things were simply meant for future discovery. But He also was just on another plane, a different dimension -- and the disciples spent alot of time scratching their heads trying to make sense of His words.

They were confused about Jesus' kingdom, to be sure. They were thinking horizontally, an earthly kingdom. And it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't have a clear understanding of God's righteousness. Maybe we don't either.

Righteousness can mean right living; that is, doing what is "right". But righteousness is also right standing with God. Being okay in God's eyes, able to stand in His holy presence. And many people strive to please God by living right. By following the law. Isn't that what the Pharisees in the New Testament pounded into the people? They made laws on top of laws to make sure that people didn't break God's law. But with 613 (or so) laws they attempted to enforce, who, pray tell, could begin to keep them all, to be righteous?

People can strive to please God with their good deeds, with their honest living and hard work, but do our good works produce right standing with God? The Bible is clear that it is faith in God and His Son Jesus that provide our righteousness, not our good works!

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." ~ Romans 1:17 (NIV)

However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. ~ Romans 4:5 (NIV)

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." ~ 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NIV)

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

God's righteousness comes when we believe in the Righteous One He sent to pay for our unrighteousness. Jesus says Believe in Me, not your works, for right standing with the Father.

So, are you striving for a good works righteousness, or a faith-based righteousness? It's worth pondering, because only one is from God.

Love,
Joelene

P.S. I'll be on vacation this weekend, and will return to my blog on Monday, June 2nd.

Verse of the Day - 2 Peter 1:3

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ~ 2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)

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What?!? You mean I didn't need to buy all those Christian "self-help" books to become godly? You mean I didn't have to go to that expensive seminar to get spiritual?

God says that He gives every believer in Christ everything we need for living a godly life. Jesus embraces us and teaches us what we need to know. As we know Him, we know what godliness is. And His Holy Spirit enables us to act on that knowledge.

I'm not saying that spiritual growth can't be aided by gifted writers and inspiring seminars and revivals. As we talk about God's word together, whether live or via the written word, we are blessed and encouraged to dive deeper into our relationship with Jesus! The Lord is praised and glorified in the process, and that is a blessed thing!

But do you think we do new believers in Christ a disservice by deflecting their gaze from the One who gives everything we need for godliness, and directing them to finding their spiritual gifts, diving into ministry, and making sure they read the top 10 Christian best sellers, so that they are "equipped"? And is it possible that those who have been believers for a long time missed the important step of developing their relationship with Jesus because they were swept into the religious hamster wheel of ministry and advanced spiritual growth?

Jesus Christ is the Equipper of the saints. He is the one who gives us the divine tools for godliness. And that power is for everyone who believes, which is great news, because godliness is not just for pastors, or worship leaders, or Bible study facilitators. It is for everyone who comes to Jesus with an honest heart.

Let's purpose to stay centered on the One on whom our faith is based -- Jesus Christ -- for He is the exact representation of God and the radiance of His glory (Hebrews 1:3). Not only does He exemplify godliness for us, He empowers us through His Holy Spirit to enact godliness in us. Knowing Jesus is the key.

And knowing Him comes by reading God's word and spending time with Him in prayer. Talk to Him, listen to His voice, engage Him in your everyday life. He will make Himself known to you, and you will be changed. By His power, His children are changed...from spiritual rags to riches, clothed in Christ's righteousness!

If you feel like you've been spinning your spiritual wheels trying to get spiritual and be more godly, if you can't find your Bible for all of the other books stacked on top of it, if you don't have time to pray because of all of the Christian radio programs and music you're listening to...well, then, I say get back to basics. Get back to Jesus. Throw off all the distractions and go on retreat with Jesus...right where you are! You don't need to go to the beach or the mountains to center yourself on Him. But you may need to turn off the radio and put down the books...well, that is, except THE Book...(psst...that's the Bible :-)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 63:3

My lips will praise You because Your loving-kindness is better than life. ~ Psalm 63:3 (NLV)

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We sing a song at my church called "Better than Life" that comes from this verse. Hmm -- I hadn't linked it directly to a particular verse, although the lyrics seem to thread several Psalms together to praise our God...

Your love is everlasting
It's an everlasting love
Your mercy is as new
As every rising of the sun
And Your loving kindness
Loving kindness
Is better than life

Your grace is all-sufficient
It's an all-sufficient grace
Your power and Your glory
Are forever on display
And Your loving kindness
Loving kindness
Is better than life

[Chorus ]
Oh, it's better
Oh, better than life
Oh, so much better
Jesus, Your loving kindness
Is better than life

Fairest of ten thousand
Of ten thousand You are fair
And nothing in this world
Could ever measure or compare
To Your loving kindness
Loving kindness
Is better than life

All your ways are just Oh Lord
You're just in all Your ways
And I will lift my hands Oh Lord
With gratitude and praise
For Your loving kindness
Loving kindness Is better than life...

Is Jesus and His love better than life to us? Or are we grasping after other things in this world to satisfy?

I believe our deepest need is to be loved. But we often search for pseudo love in activities and goals and money and entertainment. They might spackle over the surface of our needs, but the deep longing for honest and abiding love is missed, if we don't seek it in God Himself.

Jesus offers all He has with a divine love that can't compare to anything we know in this world. It is higher, wider, deeper, and longer than a parent's love for their child, or a groom for his bride. Paul in the book of Ephesians longed for his friends in that church to really know the love that Jesus has for them...

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
~ Ephesians 3:16-19 (NLT)

His love is better than life. Better than taking vacations, and visiting with friends. Better than quiet walks in the forest, and brisk walks on the beach. Better than a six-figure income, and a million-dollar home. Better than anything you can think of. Do you believe that?

Do you struggle with grasping onto the magnitude of His love for you? If so, you are not alone, my friend. Paul stated flatly that it is too wonderful for us to understand. But it is true, and it is real. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to open our spiritual eyes to the wonder of God's love through His Son, Jesus Christ. And then let us praise Him with our lips, as David did. He is worthy of all of our praise, amen?!?

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - 1 Peter 5:7

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. ~ 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

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(NOTE: I am sick today with a bad cold, so my brain and body aren't functioning too well. When today's VOTD popped up, I was pretty sure I'd written on this, and I was right -- it's a very familiar verse. So today's devotion is a repeat from January 13, 2008 -- I hope you don't mind the reread. I didn't remember what I'd written and it sounded fresh. Maybe it will sound fresh to you and be an encouragement with whatever worries you face today. God bless you this day... love, joelene)

In traditional circumstances, children are cared for by their parents. The moms and dads feed and clothe them, counsel them in doing the right thing, and teach whatever faith is practiced in the home. The kids learn responsibility by having chores, and take on more as they get older, with the intent of teaching them how to be on their own -- for a time when they won't be supported by their parents. The baby bird does fly away at some point to make its own nest, leaving the mama and papa bird with an empty nest.

We're raised with the concept that one day we will carry our own weight, fully responsible for ourselves and being our own boss. But with that mindset can come some heavy stresses, if we think we can't or shouldn't rely on others. Pluck and pride can get in the way of peace and contentment when we think we must carry life on just our own two little shoulders.

But God says that from an emotional and mental standpoint, He's not kicking us out of the nest! He doesn't want us to have to shoulder the world by ourselves. Those who try are usually crushed under its weight, because we were never meant to be our own boss, spiritually speaking. We were always meant to be under God's roof. He wants to be our Papa. And we need Him to be, because life is hard, and we can't bear it on our own.

God knows what's been on your mind, what's keeping you awake, what makes you cranky and nervous and depressed. Don't try to go this alone, please. Talk to Him. Pour out all of the stuff that's filling up your head and making your brain hurt...and making your heart hurt. Let it go...

The good thing about turning your worries and anxiety over to God is that He can handle it. Completely. He's God, remember? Or did you forget that He single-handedly created the universe, with all it's mind-boggling intricacies? He breathes and miracles happen...seas are parted, water becomes wine, sins are forgiven. He is more than capable of lifting your worries and giving you peace.

All who sail the sea of faith
Find out before too long
How quickly blue skies can grow dark
And gentle winds grow strong
Suddenly fear is like white water
Pounding on the soul
Still we sail on knowing
That our Lord is in control

[Chorus:]
Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the stormAnd other times He calms His child...

He has a reason for each trial
That we pass through in life
And though we're shaken
We cannot be pulled apart from Christ
No matter how the driving rain beats down
On those who hold to faith
A heart of trust will always
Be a quiet peaceful place.
~ Sometimes He Calms The Storm, by Scott Krippayne

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Lamentations 3:23

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3:23 (NIV)

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Why is it that we hold faithfulness in a marriage covenant in such high regard, and yet in our covenant with God we often adulterate ourselves?

We doubt God's love and begin looking elsewhere for satisfaction in life. We get frustrated when our prayers aren't answered the way we want, and we walk away to search for our own solution. We simply want to do what we want to do, and turn our back on God's ways for the ways of the world.

So who's the faithless one in our covenant with God -- Him or us? And why is that unfaithfulness acceptable to us, when in the world, we bash the man or woman who tarnishes their wedding vows? It's a double standard, really.

The truth is that we're all adulterers in our relationship with God. We all let our eyes stray and our hearts fall for worldly temptations, sooner or later. We all want what we want when we want it, and we tamper with the world's bait. If you think you haven't, you better look again.

We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way. ~ Isaiah 53:6 (The Msg)

We have an amazing God who, despite our waywardness, remains faithful to His people, His children. We constantly test the boundaries of our covenant relationship with Him, and yet His mercies on us are new every morning. Wow. Do we really comprehend the gift of love that He gives to those who believe in Him?

The story of Hosea in the Old Testament is God's picture to His people of the pursuing love He has for them, of the mercies and faithfulness that He continually offers His children...

When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, "Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the LORD." So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. ~ Hosea 1:2-3 (NIV)

The LORD said to me, "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes." ~ Hosea 3:1 (NIV)

We are like Gomer, in all her foolish rebellion and lustful wandering. Hosea is the picture of God, who seeks us out and loves us despite our unfaithfulness. His faithfulness is our rescue. His love is our salvation. His mercy is our redemption.

Our God is an awesome God, and we must never forget it! Who He is and how He shows His character to us is the most amazing display of covenant relationship we could ever witness! Thank Him today for His pursuing love, His undying faithfulness, His fresh mercies. They are new, for you and for me, every day...forever.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Matthew 25:23

“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ ~ Matthew 25:23 (NLT)

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Matthew 25 shares two of Jesus' parables and His words on the final judgment. I encourage you to read through this chapter. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=25&version=51)

The second parable is where today's VOTD comes from, and in the King James version, what the master gave to the servants was "talents". Those not familiar with ancient times might not know, but a talent was a unit of money (not the abilities that God gives us). So other translations convert that to pieces or bags of silver. Which could lead us to believe that God is only talking about where we invest our money for His kingdom advancement. I just don't think so.

In reading further in the chapter regarding the final judgment, God separates out the "sheep" from the "goats", those going to eternal life with Him being those who cared for Jesus when they cared for the needy, reaching out in compassion to the hurting, being a friend to the ostracized, being the hand of God to others. Those destined for destruction are those who didn't lift a finger to help someone else, didn't shed any tears for the hurting, didn't do anything to give comfort to the downcast, wasn't the hand of God to others.

So, what are the talents, or silver coins, that the Master gives us to watch over while He's gone? And do you think He expects us to invest them to increase His Kingdom before He returns?

If you tithe regularly to God's work, but sit on your porch drinking lemonade and refuse to help your neighbor while he sweats bullets digging a trench, what does that say to God about your heart for people, who make up His Kingdom? If you sing in the church choir and people praise you for your beautiful voice, but you think your low-income neighbors are a waste of good real estate, are you a "good and faithful servant"?

Jesus says if you show kindness and compassion to people, you show it to Him. He takes very personally how we invest the currency of the heart.

I think all the resources God gives us are to be used! We usually think of our finances and our abilities as the only tools God gives us to advance His Kingdom. But if you are His child, then His Holy Spirit gives you love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Are you investing these resources for God's kingdom?

Today and every day, give Jesus the honor and glory He is due, by using all that He gives you to bless Him by blessing others.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Isaiah 57:15

The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.
~ Isaiah 57:15 (NLT)

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If you've ever been truly sorry for something you've done wrong, you understand what it means when God talks about "the crushed spirits of the humble". All courage and will to fight is lost when you have a repentant heart. You simply fall on your face in godly sorrow and desire forgiveness and restoration.

And the Holy God, the Maker of all things, says That's what I'm talkin' about. That is the heart that pleases me. That is the heart I live with. That is the heart that will live with Me.

Contrite is an old word, one we don't use very often...

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
con·trite
–adjective
1. caused by or showing sincere remorse.
2. filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; penitent: a contrite sinner.

God says that He's not interested in our pomp and circumstance. He doesn't care how lofty our churches are or how grand our prayers. He's looking for the contrite heart, one who knows they are a sinner in need of atonement. Why? Because it's the truth of humanity. We're all sinners in need of a Savior. But if we're never struck in our hearts with the gravity of our sin and our complete inability to clean out the filth in our soul, we will never humble ourselves to the God who can rescue us.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret... ~ 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)

Pride says..."I can do it myself! I can be good enough on my own. Besides, I'm not that bad..."

Contrition says..."my whole heart is a filthy mess! I am so sorry for all I've done against You, oh God. Forgive me, please, and give me a clean heart, as only You can do."

You are not pleased by sacrifices, or I would give them. You don't want burnt offerings. The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit. God, you will not reject a heart that is broken and sorry for sin. ~ Psalm 51:16-17 (NCV)

God wants a relationship with people. He wants to dwell with the souls He created. But stubborn pride and willfulness against His ways can't exist in a relationship with Him -- He says it just won't work. His holiness can't live with our arrogance. It's like oil and water -- they just don't mix.

The good news is that any person who comes to God with a contrite heart is embraced, fully and completely! You don't need to get your act together first or somehow attain to a certain spiritual level before God is pleased with you...in fact, you can't. Not without Him. He says All I want from you is a broken heart...broken pride, broken arrogance, broken self-sufficiency. That I can work with. That I can use. That I can love. Then let me do the rest...

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
~ 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

Give God the sacrifice of your broken and contrite heart. It is more pleasing to Him than a thousand stuffed tithing envelopes or an aria from a ten-thousand voice choir.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Hebrews 10:36

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
~ Hebrews 10:36 (NLT)

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Impatience can really get us into trouble, can't it?

~ You're running late to work and so you push your car well beyond the speed limit. But the red light in your rear view mirror says your impatience isn't worth it, to the tune of a couple hundred dollars with a speeding ticket...!

~ In your impatience for that illusive promotion at work, you leave the company in search of something better. But work becomes hard to find, and you end up wearing your shoes out in the unemployment line...

Patient endurance. That's not just hanging in there. It's hanging in there without chomping at the bit. Wow, is that tough to do! God says that's what we need in order to keep doing His will, knowing that He is in control of our lives. We don't need to run headlong ahead of Him, trying to speed up the process.

The context of this verse talks about the persecution of the 1st century church, and how they were so content in their sufferings when they first came to know Jesus...

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. ~ Hebrews 10:32-34

From the writer's implication, it sounds as if his readers were starting to chomp at the bit, and possibly begin making decisions based on their impatience. When things don't change for the better for a long time, we just get tired and start striking out on our own to rectify the situation. Rebellions are started when people impatiently rise up and take action on their own. Unfortunately, it often results in tragedy rather than transformation.

...you knew there were better things waiting for you that would last forever.

Our hope for eternity rests in Jesus, amen? But does our hope for this hour rest in Him? How about tomorrow? Your job, your relationships, your health. Can you be patient in Him and endure where you are with godliness, when things aren't as you want them to be? Or do you get fed up with waiting and take matters into your own hands?

Have you ever watched bull-riding on TV? The camera gets up close and personal with the bull and rider as they await the opening of the shute. Sometimes, though, the bull gets impatient and tries to bust out early. That is scary to watch! Sometimes rider and bull are injured in the impatient attempt to escape.

Jesus says I understand your frustration when you don't see change, when you remain in your trials, when you desperately long for relief and a brighter day. I, too, learned patience in my suffering, so I know where you're coming from. But the Father is in control. Hang in there, keep doing the right thing, and rest in His plan. One day -- maybe soon, maybe later -- you will see your reward from your Father.

Trusting God and His plan will help us wait patiently.
Relying on His Spirit for strength will help us endure.
Keeping our eyes on Jesus will help us do God's will by imitating our Savior.

Hang in there, my friends, and don't bust out of the shute early. Wait for God -- His timing is perfect, every time!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 37:23-24

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
~ Psalm 37:23-24 (NLT)

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
godly
god"ly\, a. Pious; reverencing God, and his character and laws; obedient to the commands of God from love for, and reverence of, his character; conformed to God's law; devout; righteous; as, a godly life.

Reverence for God and His character/laws, and obedience to Him out of love and reference for who He is. That's a godly person, according to Webster's. And according to God, a godly person is under His umbrella.

Ever shared an umbrella with someone in a rainstorm? You have to cling together and walk the same direction in order to keep from getting wet! And it usually ends up with some great laughs as you attempt to avoid puddles and keep from falling...together!

God says I want that with you. I want you to enjoy walking with Me, in My ways, in My direction -- not because I need my ego fed, but because they are right and wise (I'm the God of the universe, remember?), and it is good for your soul. And I give you my commitment to stay with you under this umbrella. I won't steer you wrong, and I won't let you fall. It's called "relationship" and it'll give both of us great joy...

So, are you under God's umbrella? Have you decided that His ways are right and worth following? Has your heart fallen in love with Him, so that it is your joy to be where He is and obey what He tells you to do?

Interesting that Webster's doesn't say that being godly is following God's rules out of obligation. Motive for obedience seems to be a factor. hmm...

We all have a choice on how we walk this earth. Whether the sun shines or the rain falls, we have a choice to be under God's umbrella, walking with Him...or walking alone. All I can say is, watch out. You don't have a map, and you don't know what's over the next hill. It could be a dessert, it could be a storm. Go it alone, and you'll be in trouble, guaranteed. My advice: find God and stick with Him. Not only will you be safe, but you'll have a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). And friends always enjoy a few laughs under an umbrella! :-)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - James 1:5

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. ~ James 1:5 (NLT)

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What to do?...what to do?...

Life is just so full of decisions...and indecision. We want to make sound judgments and right choices, and it's not the moral dilemmas that are usually the problem. We know right from wrong -- we're not pondering whether or not it's wise or prudent to rob a bank. It's the gray areas of life that can have our heads spinning.

So much of what we do in life is not good or bad, per se. It's more of What is most beneficial? What will be good in the long run? What is the choice that won't produce second thoughts later on? What meets the needs of the big picture?

And there's the problem...the big picture. Who has the big picture? Us? Yeah, right. Our human vision is so clouded with self-serving attitudes and limited understanding. As smart of a species as we like to think we are, we have no clue half the time!

And so we go looking for answers, looking for wisdom to help us through this life, to gain perspective and understanding in order to make decisions that are healthy and productive and God-honoring. But where are we looking? Oprah? The latest pop-theology book? Film and TV shows?

I'm not knocking the wisdom that can be transmitted through other people and in various forms. But you just have to know that wisdom comes from God. True wisdom, that is. Many claim to be wise, but the Bible says that God calls this world's wisdom foolish. If the "wise" words people offer are not based on God -- His character and His word, they are just spouting foolishness. Please test what people say and see if it lines up with the One who holds all wisdom in His hand.

Which brings us back to God. James says that if you lack wisdom, ask God. He won't bash you for asking. What it says when you seek God for wisdom is that you understand that He's the source and that you believe He will give it to you. Gee, what could please God our Father more than to have His children seek out His counsel?

James' comments about wisdom follows his exhortation to consider it pure joy whenever facing trials of many kinds. Perseverance comes from testing, which strengthens faith and develops spiritual maturity. James says, If you're going through the fire and you're struggling to make God choices in the midst of it, ask God for wisdom to make the right moves.

Wisdom is more about action than just knowledge and understanding. On this chessboard of life, God knows the right moves to make. He has the wisdom of the ages. So go to the Source, listen to His counsel, and then make your move. He'll never lead you into "checkmate".

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Proverbs 22:1

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. ~ Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)

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I think most people would agree with this Proverb. I mean, no one really wants a bad reputation, do they? Or do they?

Some people thrive on being a bull-dog, knocking folks down in their pursuit for money or position or power. They don't care if "the little guy" gets kicked around or whether they're beloved by others. In essence, people and their opinions don't matter. What matters is me...my needs, my wants, my ego, my happiness.

How short-sighted that mindset is, though. If we trash other people on our way to whatever selfish pursuit we're on, we are burning bridges that will surely come back to haunt us. If we then need help somewhere along the way, who do you think will want to lift a finger for us? People can be very unwilling to even look at a person who's dogged them, let alone listen to them or help them.

And although some people say they don't care, how many of us would want to overhear negative eulogies at our own funeral, huh? Is that the kind of legacy that any of us wants to perpetuate...?

We're here to mourn the death of our co-worker, Ebeneezer, who scrimped and saved all his life...and treated us like dirt. He may not have had friends, but he made a fortune ...and now WE get to spend it! Woo-hoo....let's party!...um...I mean, uh, after we take a moment to mourn the departed.....Okay, done. Party's at Frank's house -- grab a map on your way out...!

Many a story line has latched onto this theme, where the protagonist is faced with the reality that his lack of attention to good character has come back to haunt him. They find out that no one loves them, no one cares about them, because they didn't love or care about anyone else. They find out that relationships are so much more important than riches and fame.

These stories usually grant the protagonist one last chance to make amends, to change their story, to rewrite their ending. Unfortunately, that's not how the clock works in real life -- we only have now to write our history, because time waits for no one, and no one really knows what tomorrow brings.

A good character is always "money in the bank" -- you'll never go wrong by doing right. Never. Even if you don't have two pennies to rub together, if your aim is to have a heart after God's own heart, you are rich indeed! Just ask your friends -- they'll tell you....you do have friends, right? :-)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - 1 Samuel 16:7

The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
~ 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)

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(I just wrote on this verse three months ago, it popping up from another source. Gee, do you think perhaps God is saying we need another reminder about how we view people?)

The beautiful people of this world seem to have it made. They get the perks in life...access to leaders in business, backstage in entertainment, personal attention from us. Attractive people go places, do things, have stuff, meet people. But what is going on on the inside of those people? Do they have anything going for them that speaks of good character, or godly desires?

Of course, many do...I'm not collectively bashing beautiful people, by any means. But even my daughter has noticed that good-looking boys are often shallow people, and end up being jerks that you don't really want to date. She realizes that the good-looking ones haven't had to develop character for interpersonal relationships, because so many people are drawn to their good looks, like a bug to a bug zapper.

I think that most people would say that, when you get right down to it, a person's heart and character are what's most important. But we're so often either entranced with the beautiful exterior, or put off by what we consider disgusting or otherwise unacceptable, that we don't get to the inside. That's why God asks us to rely on Him when we look at people. Get His perspective.

In the Disney movie Aladdin, Aladdin is a street kid with no family and no money. He "steals what he can't afford" and "stays one jump ahead of the lawmen". The town folk call him riff-raff and a street rat, like vermin that needs to be stamped out. But at the end of the day, as he begins to chomp on a stolen loaf of bread with his monkey sidekick, Abu, he laments...

riff raff
street rat
I don't buy that
if only they'd look closer
would they see a poor boy? no, siree
they'd see there's so much more to me...

...and he shows what's on the inside by giving his bread away to two small street kids digging through the garbage, looking so very hungry. Abu balks at the decision to be kind, when their own stomachs are growling, but Aladdin's heart makes the godly decision.

...man looks at the outside, but God looks at the heart.

Today, I pray we can see to the inside of people, the way God does...

Help us, Lord, to peel off the layers that people put on (good or bad, pretty or ugly) and give us eyes to see who people really are, to value what's on the inside instead of being content to judge people on the visible. You are interested in the hearts and minds of people. Help us to make that our focus, too. Amen.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

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Have you ever had a problem and, when you shared it with someone, you found out they had the same issue? They could relate to what you were going through and offer some moral support and possible suggestions for help, right? It happens all the time! And that is God at work, so says this passage, so says life in action.

~ It is no coincidence that two strangers sitting next to each other on a plane strike up a conversation and end up encouraging each other in their cancer recovery.

~ It is not happenstance that a co-worker of yours shares a story of their negative childhood that mirrors your own, and how they survived.

We think we're alone in the trials we face, but we're not. God sees and knows and loves people so much -- He is the source of all compassion and comfort! And He ministers to people with the healing bandages of other people. And no bandage works as well as the one that fits your wound perfectly.

People often question God when they're going through the mud of difficulties. Why, God? Why me? It's a rather selfish, but very natural, reaction. But look at the big picture...God is building character in us, and creating a healing system for humanity. There's more, so much more, to God's plan than meets the eye.

People who go through a particular trial divinely have a soft spot for others in the same situation -- they've "been there, done that". They can truly understand what that person is going through -- not from head knowledge, but from life experience.

~ The compassion level is far higher in a recovering alcoholic when talking to someone just entering an alcohol recovery program, than someone who's never been tempted with alcohol.

~ How can you know what it's really like to feel sicker than a dog and lose all your hair from chemo treatments, unless you also were stuck at home, throwing up, and putting handfulls of hair into the trash as you looked in the mirror at a person you hardly recognize?

~ A person who has waded through the sludge of clinical depression can probably spot another in person in depression a mile away. They know all the signs, because they've been there. They can offer encouragement and understanding that speaks volumes to someone going through depression, because their testimony has validity. It is authentic.

God's plan is that we receive and give His comfort and compassion through a complex network that only He can fathom. It is amazing how He puts people together who are perfectly matched to bring comfort and encouragement. And from the the most unlikely places, too!

Never underestimate my Jesus
Your tellin' me that there's no hope
I’m tellin' you you're wrong
Never underestimate my Jesus
When the world around you crumbles
He will be strong, He will be strong
~ from Never Underestimate My Jesus, by Relient K

If you're in the midst of a trial right now, please know that God is loving you through it. He sends people -- just the right ones who've been there -- to those in need. Don't despair, but keep clinging to Him. His ways are higher than our ways, but His love is closer than our next breath.

If you've already been through the fire of trials, be ready for an assignment from God to help someone else. There's no time for you to keep your hurtful experiences locked away in your heart closet. As God helped you through the mud to the other side, He will ask you to help someone else through the mud. Pray for strength to help another's healing and, in the process, you will glean the blessing of ministering to another hurting soul.

Never underestimate my Jesus...

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Romans 12:12

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. ~ Romans 12:12 (NLT)

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We often equate hope with wishing. I hope it's not too hot today...(that's definitely wishful thinking in Sacramento today!)...I hope it's not too late to submit my application...was the deadline really yesterday?!?

hope (noun)
from the American Heritage Dictionary

1. A wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment.
2. Something that is hoped for or desired: Success is our hope.
3. One that is a source of or reason for hope: the team's only hope for victory.
4. often Hope Christianity - The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.
5. Archaic - Trust; confidence.

We can wish for $1,000,000 or cheaper gas prices, but our confidence level of getting them is pretty much zero. Confidence seems to be the key to a hope versus a wish.

How confident are you in Jesus? Is He your hope? Is He your "team's only hope for victory"? Do you ride all your bets on Him, confident that His horse will win the race--the race to end all races?

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
~ Revelation 19:11-16 (NIV)

Christ followers put their confidence in Jesus, because He's proved Himself to be trustworthy and faithful, strong and capable, divine and holy. All that He said would happen, did happen. He offered mankind eternal life in Himself, and then He rose from the dead, giving us hope -- that confident expectation -- that we will also have eternal life if we trust in Him, and Him alone.

They say that nothing is secure except death and taxes. Well, God begs to differ. Despite the fact that we cannot see beyond the grave, God says you can have hope of eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ. And Paul says in Romans that that is reason to CELEBRATE! ... REJOICE! ... GET HAPPY! Regardless of the trials and difficulties that come our way, nothing ... nothing ... nothing ... can take away our hope of salvation and eternal life! Christ's hold on us when we come to Him is like a vise grip...

Who can keep us away from the love of Christ? Can trouble or problems? Can suffering wrong from others or no food? Can it be because of no clothes or because of danger or war? The Holy Writings say, "Because of belonging to Jesus, we are in danger of being killed all day long. We are thought of as sheep that are ready to be killed." (Psalm 44:22) But we have power over all these things through Jesus Who loves us so much. For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.
~ Paul, in Romans 8:35-39 (NLV)

I'd say that sounds like a man who has real hope, wouldn't you?

You can rejoice in your hope, if your Hope is Jesus! As you enter your house of worship this weekend, let your worship of Jesus--your Hope--be JOYOUS! Let it be loud and exuberant! He is worthy of all you have to offer, because He gave all He had to offer for you. And it was enough. It was sufficient. For your past...for your present...for your future. You can be confident of that!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Luke 6:37-38

Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. ~ Luke 6:37-18 (The Message)

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I feel like these verses are Jesus' quick-reference guide on the principle that governs His kingdom---that is, love.

Judging other people is so easy. We can do it in a split second when we see someone who doesn't look or act like us! If they are disheveled or lacking in some way in our eyes, the judgment lenses can be leveled in a heartbeat. We look at them condescendingly through our shades of judgment and think disparaging thoughts -- you know it's true. God says, That isn't love...that isn't Me.

We might say, "Yeah, God, but I never said anything to them directly. I wasn't being unloving to them..." Oh, how we deceive ourselves! If our heart has junk in it, eventually it's gonna come out...

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. ~ Luke 6:45

The bottom line is that God is concerned with our heart, because what's in there will come out, sooner or later. And just because we keep a smile on our face and don't speak our judgment and condemnation out loud, that doesn't give us the right to harbor it in our heart. God's spirit will not let you rest with that, if His spirit lives in you. God's kingdom principle is love, and His love needs to be our modus operandi!

God says that the flip side of judging and condemning is to forgive and give. That these are the attitudes of our heart we need to be cultivating and practicing. A forgiving and giving heart models God to others, letting them see who He is and what He's really about. God loves people, so we need to love people. Bottom line.

So practice forgiving and giving today. Take off the judgment shades and look at people, in whatever state they're in, and let your heart love them. Ask God to change your heart from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19) for people. Ask God to help you really care about others and find ways to show that love and care in tangible ways. 'Cuz it's hard to judge someone when you're knee-deep in loving them. :-)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Titus 3:5

...He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. ~ Titus 3:5 (NLT)

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Titus is a book that perhaps many haven't cracked open very much. But this verse may sound vaguely familiar. If so, that may be because it's an echo of a classic evangelistic passage from Ephesians, also written by Paul...

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. ~Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)

If you've ever taken an Christian evangelism class, if you've ever been witnessed to by a Christ follower, you've probably heard this passage repeated. Why? Because it's critical to the concept of God's plan of salvation. No works...all grace (gift).

Humanity wants to work for what we get. It makes sense to us. Gifts seem to scream for recompense. Don't think so? Just try accepting an invitation to dinner from someone, and not planning to reciprocate. Or how about at Christmastime? As the Christmas cards come in the mail, and you get one from someone not on your mailing list? Oops...!...gotta shoot off a card in the mail to them. If someone offers to help with a need you have, are you tempted to say No thanks, I can handle it...? We do that all the time! Why? Because, in pride, we want to say we earned it. We did it. Look at us...we're good!

God says Uh...no, you're not. You're not good at all. In fact, you're all rotten to the core. Selfish, hateful, and prideful. AND...trying to do good to make up for all the bad just doesn't work in my Kingdom. My way seems crazy, but it's by faith alone. I can give you a clean heart and eternal life if you believe I can through my Son, Jesus', sacrifice on the cross -- without your help. That's the gift. Will your pride keep you working and striving, or will you swallow your pride and take the gift with a humble heart?

It doesn't matter how many charities you give to, how many community service projects you work on, how many noble and lofty endeavors you are a part of. None of these good works can make a person spiritually alive when they are dead. And unfortunately, that is what all of us are at birth. Spiritually dead. No two ways about it. You can say it isn't so all day long, but it's the truth. And pride says that I can work my way out of the pit. Yet God says it's impossible. So, who do you believe? Who do you trust?

Well, that's the $64,000 question, isn't it?

But, we don't have to live very long before we realize that trusting ourselves just digs us deeper into the pit, instead of getting ourselves out -- which just proves God's point. He doesn't have to rub it in our faces of how helpless we really are...we showcase it every day with the dumb mistakes we make and the willful choices that get us into trouble. If we take off the blinders, we see that we're a mess, and we need help. And that, right there, is the big "BINGO!" God says Now you're gettin' somewhere.

God is God, and we are not. He is holy, and we are sinful. See the big gap? Actually, it's a chasm. Like the Grand Canyon. No matter how hard you train, or how good a shape you're in, you cannot leap over the Grand Canyon. And that's us. That's our spiritual condition. But God, in His great love for us, made a way for us...

Silence
Trying to fathom the distance
Looking out 'cross the canyon carved
By my hands
God is gracious
Sin would still separate us
Were it not for the bridge His grace
Has made us
His love will carry me

(Chorus)
There's a bridge to cross the great divide
A way was made to reach the other side
The mercy of the Father, cost His SonHis life
His love is deep, His love is wide
There's a cross to bridge the great divide .

God is faithful
On my own I'm unable
He found me hopeless, alone
and Sent a Savior
He's provided a path and promised
To guide us
Safely past all the sin that would divide us
His love delivers me...

~ from the song, The Great Divide, by Grant Cunningham & Matt Huesmann

I hope that you can know the freedom of laying down your pride and picking up the gracious gift of God's salvation in Jesus Christ. Not by works, so no man can boast...

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - John 16:33

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
~ John 16:33 (NLT)

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I was struck to the heart this week about a horrific story of two teens being brutally murdered in Northern California after their prom date last Saturday night. Two small rural towns were struck to the core from this brutality (they each lived in a different town), and I read it with such sadness. But then, to add misery upon misery, tradegy struck the girl's family when the slain girl's older brother was involved in a serious car accident while trying to get home from UC Berkeley after hearing the news of his sister. He lay in critical condition for two days, and passed away yesterday. When I read the news of his death, my mouth just dropped open, and my heart cried out to God for these parents! Two children dead in one week?!? I just could not imagine the pain and suffering they are going through from their losses under such heinous and tragic circumstances.

I prayed for these parents yesterday afternoon. I wondered what in the world a person could say to them following such tragedy. I wondered and asked God if they knew Him. If they didn't, what could a believer in Jesus say to them? Could anyone say anything about a loving God that could be well-received? When your daughter has just been murdered and your son has also died from a car accident, how can the words 'God loves you' have any meaning?!?

I thought of Job in the Old Testament, and how he lost his children in an instant to tragedy. He was able to cling to God in the midst of such terrible trials. But he knew God. He had a relationship with God. And He trusted God.

What about those who don't? How can we possibly communicate to them that God loves them, and that there is peace in Jesus in spite of the trials and tribulations we face?

Well, all I can say is that it's a spiritual thing that the Holy Spirit must communicate to them. If you are a Christ follower, you have experienced the peace from the Lord Jesus that He talks about in this verse. You've had hard times, and come through the fire of trials with your hand in His. And because of His resurrection from the dead, we have hope that through faith in Him, we aren't chained forever to this world of death and destruction either. This life of sadness and depression and violence is not all there is to our existence, because He has overcome the world! But how can we tell someone else that who doesn't know Him?

He experience brutality beyond belief in this life so that we wouldn't have to experience that brutality for eternity in hell. We're not exempt from hell here on earth, as that poor family experienced this week, because of sin's reign and destruction. That has been this world's lot since man rebelled against God in the Garden of Eden. But God did love us enough to make a way of escape, to rescue us with His nail-scarred hand from ourselves. He is a loving God, and evil circumstances don't negate that love. But that can be hard to understand when while your daughter's killer is being arraigned in court, the doctor tells you that your son didn't pull through the accident and is dead.

Sometimes, all we as lovers of God can do when tragedy strikes others is to love them. Be there with them. Hold their hand. Cry with them. Hug them tightly. Let the Holy Spirit guide your words, because perhaps very few are needed.

And maybe you're the one who's going through hell on earth right now. I pray that the Spirit of God can break through your sorrow and put a salve on your bleeding heart. Jesus certainly knows all you're going through. He's been there...and back again.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/\book_id=29&chapter=53&version=31&context=chapter

No one else has been "to hell and back" but Jesus. That's why He can say I have overcome the world. He's the one who defeated the evil one. He's the one who defied and defeated the power of death. He's the one who took our punishment for our sins. He's the one. If we don't cling to Him, who else can we turn to?

Jesus is the one and only. I pray He is your one and only, and that you're able to show His love with those who are suffering.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 40:1

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
~ Psalm 40:1 (NLT)

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Two questions come to mind for me:

Do we really trust God to help us? And are we willing to wait for the answer?

Your view of God will determine your trust level...

If God is rather remote and distant, a spiritual being that you hear about in the church services and maybe pray to when you're in bind, but you really don't hold close...if God is that kind of God in your life, you won't trust Him to help you tie your shoes, let alone trust Him to meet your needs in the difficult trials of life, to give you wisdom to make right decisions, to be there as a friend. You lack intimacy with Him; therefore, you don't put your trust in Him. It's a relational issue, really. Just like your Aunt Whose-its, who lives in Nebraska, and who you only met once when you were five years old. Would you ask that relative for advice when you're under the gun at work, or struggling with an addiction, or needing advice about parenting? Of course not! You're not intimate with her. In fact, you'd have to spend the first ten minutes of the conversation reminding her of who you are!

Intimacy with God is best-friend stuff. It's honest and open. It's free-flowing and two-way. It's heart to heart and hand in hand. It's daily and eternal. And that's a person you will trust when you need help, when you're seeking wisdom, when you're lonely and need a friend.

And as for patience in the waiting when you do seek Him for help? Well...

How many times have you sought the Lord for something, but when you didn't get the answer you wanted in 37 minutes, you made your own plans to satisfy your needs? If you don't trust the man at the helm of the ferry ship, you will be pacing and grumbling and chomping at the bit when the boat is delayed and behind schedule. But if you really believe that the ship's captain has the knowledge to get you to safety and you don't, and that he will take whatever precautions are necessary to do his job right, even if that means passengers are delayed in their travels, then you are more likely to accept delays, knowing that you are in good hands -- the best hands for the job.

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry...

Relational intimacy with God and confidence in His abilities made it possible for David to live out this Psalm. How about you? Are you far off with God, or up close? Confident in Him, or sketchy?

I pray you can draw near to Him today, sensing His closeness, and relying confidently in His ability to love and care for you.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 27:4

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. ~ Psalm 27:4 (NIV)

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I don't know that I fully understand David's request here. Is he saying he wants to live in the temple 24/7? Or is there a deeper spiritual dwelling that he's talking about?

I do know that there can be a sense of security in the "house of God". Many come to churches to pray, to rest, to seek after God -- I always thought it was neat that you could walk into a Catholic church day or night, and it would be open. If you wanted a sanctuary to seek God and take time away from the world, they were open...at least that's what I see on TV and in film.

We are bombarded daily with godless stuff. Alot of what's on TV, personal temptation, wars and rumors of wars, crime and hatred. Those who seek after God can feel like they just want to hide away in a church 24/7 and shut the world out! We want peace and security that God offers, but this world is so full of the opposite. Where can we go for peace and rest?

Yes, God is a God of peace and rest. But He is also spirit and doesn't live in a special house. You don't have to wait to enter the lofty doors of a cathedral for God's presence to be known. For those who choose Jesus and His gift of grace, we become friends of God, and He makes His dwelling inside of us! No special place of worship is required to seek His face, to hear His voice, to know the peace and rest that comes from being where He is. He is where we are, amen?

I think of the 1st century church, following Jesus and running for their lives from their persecutors. They couldn't go to the temple to worship. Did that mean they weren't communing with God because they met in homes or underground? How about the persecuted church today, in third-world countries? Praise God -- He is where they are! I think in most cultures, it is natural to want a place of worship, a place that is consecrated/set apart for the worship and glory of God. But it's not always possible to have one, or to be there. If it gets burned down, do they have to wait until another is built to see God's face? Of course not, because God is where His children are.

On the sands of Iraq, in the jungles of South America, on the Alaskan tundra, on the streets of New York....God is wherever His children are. Take time to talk with Him, to meditate on His word, to listen to Him -- but don't wait til you're in a house of worship. Seek after God wherever you are...make your heart His dwelling place 24/7.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Proverbs 31:28-29

Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” ~ Proverbs 31:28-29 (NLT)

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Yes, today is that famous non-holiday in May that restaurants adore -- Mother's Day! It's supposedly the biggest restaurant day of the year; hence, why my son and I (daughter still at college :-( are doing our traditional thing today...pizza and a movie at my house after church!

If you are a mom, I salute you! You have an amazingly tough job, and God has seen fit to give you the assignment. I know it has it's blessings, but I also know that it sometimes feels like a curse. Please know that you are changing the world, one little heartbeat at a time...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YJ18kjKgE8

And if you're not a mom, then you have a mom! And yes, I realize that not all moms have "done it right", but nine times out of ten, they tried to raise you the best they knew how.
http://us.f825.mail.yahoo.com/ym/ShowLetter?box=Sent&MsgId=5451_32708734_255677_1356_10236986_0_34915_13459666_963095639&bodyPart=2&tnef=&YY=78445&y5beta=yes&y5beta=yes&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b&VScan=1&Idx=15

And for those whose moms have passed away (especially recently), this may be a hard day for you. I pray that God will comfort you as you reflect on good times you spent with her.

There's nothing quite like Moms, wouldn't you agree? We really shouldn't need a special day to remember them and honor them -- hopefully, we're doing that throughout the year. But, hey, the calendar says it's Mother's Day, so...where's the card? where's the candy? where're the flowers? :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IICWFx7sKmw

May God bless your day!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Isaiah 26:3

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
~ Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

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Steadfast. Not a word that's used too often. Well, except by me, I guess. :-) But I'm a wordsmith, and I often use words that have gone by the wayside, replaced with modern vernacular (oops, I did it again)...um, I mean...modern language. :-) And I talk "regular" like the rest of the world, too...don't get me wrong. I'm not a snob regarding the English language, by any means. But, words have meaning, and sometimes meaning is lost, to a degree, when we modernize them.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! ~ Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

When I read this verse today in the NLT, I didn't get the same sense as when I read it in the NIV. "Thoughts are fixed" on God just didn't speak to me like "whose mind is steadfast". Maybe it's just me.

When I think of being steadfast, I think of being rock solid...tenacious as a pitbull...completely committed -- the idea that there's no letting go. It's a posture, more than a practice. Does that make sense? I can try like crazy to keep my thoughts on the Lord during the day, and when I find myself frazzled and lacking peace, I could think Well, I guess I didn't do so well in 'keeping my thoughts fixed on God' today ... tomorrow, I'll just have to try harder. But steadfastness in God is a position taken, based on knowledge of Him, trust in Him, and commitment to Him. His Word says that this is what leads to peace. Peace given to the steadfast from the source of peace.

The prayer crew I meet with on Thursdays is praying for a guy who is looking for peace. This restlessness in his spirit has led him to leave his wife and kids to go find it. Not only is there a war going on within him, but now the wounded lie bleeding on the battlefield of his home. Peace...he's looking for peace. But he's not looking to God, so how can he find peace? God is the God of peace (Romans 15:33, NIV), and Jesus is the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). We believe, because the Word of God says so, that people have peace only when they come to Him and cling to Him. When trust in God becomes their posture, as well as their practice. (I covet your prayers for the man I've mentioned, who seems to be running headlong in the wrong direction. Pray that God will open his eyes to His truth in all things, that he can find true peace in the Great Peace-Giver.)

If you are struggling with a restless spirit, or feeling fearful of the future, or wrestling with circumstances, I pray that you can evaluate your posture toward God, and see if steadfastness toward Him is lacking. And then look to your practice -- do you practice faith in Him, believing that He is the Supreme Manager? Or do you pray in desperation, and then worry and scheme to try to fix things yourself?

I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn't like the peace that this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid. ~ Jesus, in John 14:27 (CEV)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

The posture of steadfastness and the practice of trust in the God of peace leads to peace.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Ecclesiastes 5:11

As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner, except to feast his eyes on them?
~ Ecclesiastes 5:11 (NIV)

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For some reason, I couldn't seem to understand what today's verse was saying, really. So I looked it up in a couple of different translations/paraphrases:

The more loot you get, the more looters show up. And what fun is that—to be robbed in broad daylight? (The Msg)

The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers! (NLT)

Ah, these brought it into focus for me!

Many, many people strive for wealth, and sometimes they get it. Professional ball players, movie stars, recording artists. Big money makers have worked hard and are paid handsomely. But at what price? How do they know who their real friends are, and who are just the schmoozing vultures looking for a piece of the pie? Surely they must be plagued with doubts and suspicions toward those who gather around them.

Solomon was the richest man in his day (and perhaps ever), and he had a lot to say in his writings about the cost of the pursuit of wealth (do a keyword search on "rich" in Proverbs). He spoke from experience about what the attainment of money can do to people's hearts.

So today, regardless of which side of the balancing scales you are on, seek the Lord regarding your attitude toward money. Examine how you treat people who have money versus those who don't. And guard yourself against greed, which causes all sorts of trouble.

When we seek after God's spiritual riches, such as mercy and love, forgiveness and longsuffering, we don't have to worry about the ill effects they will have on us and our relationships.

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Ecclesiastes 7:10

Don't long for "the good old days," for you don't know whether they were any better than today. ~Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NLT)

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Many people look back in our nation's history and think Ah, the '50s -- the "good ol' days" -- when kids were respectful and the music was clean...! But what about racism and the associated exclusion and violence against black people that was so rampant? (Do I need to paste some pics for you to remember?) Who can say that was good?!?

Or even further back...while we study and applaud the advances of European explorers who were discovering new worlds in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, their family and friends back home were reeling from massive casualties caused by repeated epidemics of the Black Plague.

We see what we want to see, and often ignore or forget what is unpleasant, so that we look backward through rose-colored glasses. Ever seen or known someone who refused to live in the present? They play oldies music, drive old cars, watch old television shows, and spend all their time talking about "the good ol' days". They seem to live in a time capsule, isolated from the present by their grasping of the past. But was the past all that great? Probably not as rosy as their vision would like them to believe.

We like to say that this generation is the worst ever. Please don't kid yourselves. If our dead ancestors could tell their tales, I think we'd see that there's truly nothing new under the sun. What is has been, and what was will be again. So, do we continue to spend our days looking in the rear view mirror, longing for the past, or do we look forward at what God is doing and will do? How will God use us for positive change in this generation we think is so bad? Are we willing to be used?

Yes, God sees and knows all that's going on in the world...poverty, injustice, depression, oppression, inflation, immorality, family dysfunction. But shame on us if we stick our heads in the sand, blasting our generation without lifting a finger to help make a difference. God is the Great Healer, the Great Restorer, the Great Reconciler . . . and He calls His people to be agents for good, agents for change. We cannot afford to close our eyes and refuse to look at God's call on our lives to meet the needs around us.

Oh, and btw, if you look for good, you'll find it. The "good ol' days" can be the "good now days"!

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Hebrews 4:16

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it. ~ Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)

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Do we take for granted the fact that we're able to stand before the God of the universe? Do we remember Who and what makes that possible?

It's Jesus. Only Jesus.

Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
~ Hebrews 7:23-28 (NIV)

It is by Him that we are made presentable to stand before the throne of God. In our sinful rags, we're a mess and unworthy to ask anything of the King of Kings. But when we choose to follow Jesus and accept for ourselves the sacrifice He made on our behalf, we get new spiritual clothes -- Christ's righteousness. He is our ticket to God. He paved the way.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
~ John 14:6 (NIV)

So, yes, we can come boldly to God in prayer. But humbly, too, as we remember Him who loved us so much, that He gave all He had to get us there. As you talk to God today, remember to thank Jesus for granting you access to the Father. Give Him the glory that is due Him!

And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!"
~ Revelation 5:9-12 (NIV)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Psalm 5:3

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. ~ Psalm 5:3 (NIV)

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I know many people have their quiet time with God in the morning. It does help that, in the morning, we're somewhat refreshed from a nights' sleep, and can rally our thoughts into prayers to the Lord. Nighttime is not my best discussion time with God -- I'm usually so tired by then, God probably feels like the Verizon commercial..."Can you hear me now?" All He hears from me are "zzz's". I read once that one of the stalwarts of the Christian faith used to allot a full two hours to prayer in the morning before starting his day, feeling out of sorts if he didn't. Wow! And mornings are great for morning people, like me. But mornings aren't for everyone (I can hear the "amens"!), so don't worry if you just can't clear the brain fog in the morning to talk coherently with God. There is no law that says God hears better in the morning, or only answers prayers before noon. :-) Talking to Him is what's important, not so much when...

And if prayer is simply your communication with God, two hours might not seem too far out...it's like chatting on the phone with a good friend! But if prayer seems like drudgery to you, an obligation you perform because it seems the thing to do as a Christian, I'm sure even five minutes will seem like an eternity.

Relationship, not religion. That's the essence of prayer. Talking to our Father and pouring out all of our hurts, joys, needs, wants, praises, pleas. He is a great listener and hears every word. Not only that, but He has the whole world in His hands -- He's big enough to manage everything we face, to give us what we need to be His children in this world, to help us sort out His will versus our will.

David made an important point in this verse. He waited in expectation for God to answer. That says two things to me:

~ He was listening for God's answers
~ He believed God would answer

Are we good listeners when it comes to our prayers? Are we confident that God will answer?

Sometimes, we're like Chatty Cathy's --- talk, talk, talk! But the listening part gets short-changed. We say "amen" and go on about our business, and God says, Hey, I was talkin' here! Being quiet before God is a discipline, I think, that takes practice.

And as far as being confident in God's answering goes? Well, frankly, I think it's not so much that we question whether God will answer, but we just aren't confident in how God will answer, and rightly so! We don't know the big picture of God's plan, and we're fallen creatures and often pray selfishly. We want what we want, and we're afraid God will say 'no'. And He often does. Praise God for that! We need to be rescued from ourselves...we need the shaping that occurs when He answers against our grain. But this shaping is done to help us have more of the mind of Christ, to want what God wants, to submit to His plan and give Him room to do what is best.

Prayer isn't a lucky coin you wish on and plunk into a fountain. It's open conversation with your deepest and dearest Friend --that is, if you want it to be...

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Genesis 1:31

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way.
~ Genesis 1:31 (NLT)

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My parents live in rural Washington on ten acres. All they have to do is look out their window to see the wonders of what God has made! But those of us who live in the city? We can struggle to find even a little of God's creation, being surrounded by that which man has made. Gas stations, restaurants, freeways, industrial parks. Concrete, steel, fiberglass, aluminum -- all around us! ARGH!

And so we go for walks at lunch, just to get away, hoping for a glimpse of some flowers, trees and grass. We take vacations to the beach, to hear the roar of the magnificent ocean...or go camping to the mountains, where the air is clear and the trees are tall. I think for most, getting away from the man-made into the God-made is a very calming experience. It helps us stop the frenzy within us, and to breathe...

But you know the amazing thing about the city? Everything around us is still made by God! That cement sidewalk you step on? God made the elements. The steel that fabricates your buildings? Made from ore that God placed in the earth. And a thousand other materials the construction of which I don't even understand...but God made the components. God made everything! We don't have to go to the country or smell the roses to be reminded of God's amazing ability to fashion something out of nothing. Everything...out of nothing.

God is truly amazing, and His creation shouts it loudly! So, how loudly do we shout His praise? How often do we tell of his magnificence and wonderful deeds? Do the rocks He created need to speak for us (Luke 19:40)?

I would venture to say that we need to work on the habit of praise. Out loud praise. Visible praise. And not just "Praise the Lord!" -- sorry, folks, but give some backup for why people should praise Him! What is He to you that others should take note? Why should an unbeliever pay any attention to the God of the universe? What reason do you give them to consider Him?

I preach to myself today, so don't feel like the Lone Ranger. I desire to have a good handle on who my God is, how He manifests Himself in the world and especially in my life, and I desire to share that good news with people around me. To give a witness...

Flowers scream with color, the trees whisper in the wind, the ocean roars on the shore -- His creation is in perpetual seasons of praise! I pray that we would be more prone to perpetual praise of our great and mighty God, for there is none like Him, amen?

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Luke 12:32

[Jesus says,] "Do not be afraid...."
~ Luke 12:23 (NIV)

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Some fears are based on the threat of personal attack. Others are based on the unknown. And some fears are a mystery...why are people afraid of clowns (coulrophobia), those characters that are supposed to make us laugh? Or the fear of books (bibliophobia), words on a page to simply interest or inform us?

Reading a list of phobias will leave you amazed. There is a named fear of almost everything under the sun. Some people are even afraid of specific colors! That may seem silly to some, but if you battle a particular fear, you don't think it's funny at all. It's terrifying and can be debilitating. Can you imagine what it's like to drive down a street in the spring when all the flowers are in bloom, and be afraid of the color purple (porphyrophobia), or yellow (xanthophobia), or white (leukophobia)? How does a person even get dressed in the morning with the fear of clothing (vestiphobia)? How did we as a human race become so afraid?

I don't have an answer for that, but Jesus has an answer that meets everyone with every fear they face...

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. ~ Jesus, in John 14:1 (NIV)

We sing songs like Trust and Obey (there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey...) and You are my Hiding Place (let the weak say I am strong, in the strength of my God, I will trust in You...), and yet we hold back our abandonment to God. We hang onto pieces and parts of our lives that we somehow think He doesn't want to manage, or can't manage as well as we can. That control issue over circumstances is a double-edged sword. We may be able to manipulate circumstances for a while, but soon things become beyond what we can manage. We're in too deep, over our heads, and we become afraid. sometimes, very afraid...

I don't mean to minimize phobias, because I know people who suffer from them, and they are very real to them, causing much trouble for them physically, emotionally and socially. The mind is very complex, and I'm certainly not a psychologist. All I can do is point to Jesus for answers, for help. He is the Creator of this world, yet He knelt down in human form to touch us, to be with us, to know our pain. He overcame the grave and defeated death. He is the Mighty One, the only one who has it all together. If we don't cling to Him, who else can save us? Certainly not ourselves, or even other people, because we're all in this boat together, in shark-infested waters, without any oars, and a storm is approaching. Do we trust God, or do we fear for our lives?

I think for most of us, it's a daily battle to trust the Lord. Even, and maybe especially, when there are no specific fears to battle. When we're able to function without crying out to God in desperation, are we looking to Him to guide us, to manage our affairs? Or are we at the helm, sailing the waters on our own?

I pray that we can abandon ourselves to Jesus every day, in every circumstance...learning what it's like to place all of our weight in His arms. Learning what it's like to wear a blindfold and let Him lead us. Learning what it's like to live outside of our own control without fear...

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Ephesians 4:2

Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.
~ Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)

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You know, in the world, tolerance can be very low for those who don't measure up. Get on board, or get out. There's little room for people who aren't the norm, who fall behind, who don't look or act like the mainstream. And those people, more often than not, get left in the dust.

But God has a different value system in His kingdom, where all members are worthwhile, are valued. So He reminds us that that is how we need to treat others, because we represent Him...we are models of the kingdom.

And when we operate in a God-mode -- with patience, humbleness and love -- it is amazing to see and be a part of. God, as always, does the miraculous! He knits together all manner of people, from all walks of life, from a multitude of different personalities and abilities, into a family. Brothers and sisters who have each other's back and who know we all have quirks, but it's accepted because we're family.

Our individual responsibility to be Christ-like makes the difference on the community level. But beware of self, who loves to put others down, to be the center of attention, to do what it wants when it want. That's a family killer, and a billboard for hypocrisy, keeping unbelievers from ever wanting to have anything to do with faith in the Lord.

Love one another. That manifests itself in being humble, overlooking faults, being gentle...just to name a few. As Jesus loves us and is all these things and more to us, we need to model those things to others. And not just to those in the family of God, but perhaps more importantly, to those who don't have a concept of who God is, and who operate in the world-mode. Show the world the God-mode and what He's really like...His amazing love, His deliberate grace, His unending mercy.

Be a billboard that makes the world stop and take notice. Love has a funny way of doing that!:-)

Love,
Joelene

Verse of the Day - Proverbs 22:24-25

Keep away from angry, short-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. ~ Proverbs 22:24-25 (NLT)

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I just spent an hour working on this VOTD today (in e-mail), and then I hit "backspace" one too many times, and lost everything! Talk about anger! Sheesh... why didn't I "save as a draft"...

But perhaps God didn't need me to expound on His word today. And I'm out of time now, so I'll leave you with a few other verses I'd referenced and some random thoughts...

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."~ 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

Like strawberries or bread that gets moldy, anger is contagious and will infect others.

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. ~ Psalm 86:15

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ~ Ephesians 5:1-2

If we are God's children, we need to take note of God's ways and how He deals with issues, and imitate Him.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. ~ James 1:19-20 (NIV)

Tempo seems to be the key. Quick to listen. Slow to speak. Slow to become angry. James indicates that we have control over how we react. We need to practice a godly response to people and situations, so that anger doesn't take root, like a nasty weed, populating the whole garden with unwanted junk.

Anger is a control issue -- we want to be in control, and things just don't always go our way. It can be used as a manipulative tool to get what we want -- temper tantrums often work to our advantage, even in adults. But it backfires...in our health, in our relationships. Infectious diseases can kill if left untreated, and anger is no exception. Question: Who's in control...? Us, or God?

I pray that we can relinquish control to God in our circumstances, and not allow ourselves to succumb to anger. It's just a bad apple waiting to spoil the whole bunch!

Love,
Joelene