Laughing at My Tears

I received a much-prayed-for answer to prayer today.  Someone I love very much needed to see the kindness of God shown in specific ways.  That had been my prayer for the last year.  Today, a specific recognition award was given to this loved one. 

When the news came through, I rejoiced with tears of joy.  My kids laughed at me, "Mom's crying," they commented, as if surprised that I would cry over the award.  That's okay; they can't understand.  They were all sound asleep those many early mornings that I spent praying.   The joyful, awaited answer to prayer had not come at a cost to them, nor is their love for this deserving individual as intense as mine.

TV~
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. [Psalm 27:13]

The Marriage Continuum

Think of your marriage as being on a dynamic continuum in which you and your spouse are never stuck in one place.  There is always movement either towards one another or away from one another.

Little decisions... like reaching out to touch him on the arm, like asking her how she is doing, like putting away the smartphone and listening, like snapping in anger, like turning away... become big decisions as they cause you either to grow towards one another or away from one another.

Christ is our example in that we love Him because He first loved us.  Let us be the first to show love, even if our spouse is undeserving at that moment.

TV~
 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.
[Titus 3:5]

Let Your Feelings Come Last

This comes from www.cru.org...

Do not depend upon feelings. The Christian lives by faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word. This train diagram illustrates the relationship between fact (God and His Word), faith (our trust in God and His Word), and feeling (the result of our faith and obedience) (John 14:21).



This train will run with or without the caboose. However, it would be futile to attempt to pull the train by the caboose. In the same way, we, as Christians, do not depend upon feelings or emotions, but we place our faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God and the promises of His Word.

TV~
 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. [2 Corinthians 4:10]

"Spring Thou Up Within My Heart"

We sang this in church today.  Spring thou up within my heart, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

 

The link tells the story of when it was written.  Scroll down to the white box for the words.  Enjoy.

 

http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/j/l/m/jlmysoul.htm

TV~
Above everything else guard your heart, because from it flow the springs of life.
[Proverbs 4:23]

 

 

   



A List to Pray

This what Paul prayed for the Ephesian Christians. 

He prayed that:

1.  God would give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him
2.  The eyes of their understanding would be enlightened
3.  They would know what is the hope of His (Jesus') calling
4.  They would know what are the riches of glory of His inheritance in the saints
5.  They would know what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward those who believe

Let us pray these same things for ourselves and our fellow Christians.

TV~
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
 [Proverbs 18:15]

Flashlight

When was the last time you needed a flashlight?  When groping around in the darkness, it is a relief to lay hold of a flashlight and turn it on.  In the U.K., flashlights are called torches. 
The path of life always requires a torch, whether night or day.  What is that torch?

TV~
Thy word is a lantern unto my feet, and a light unto my paths.  [Psalm 119:105]

Remembering

Today marks the anniversary of  a day of tears for me.  A source of daily love, friendship, and help  that I'd had for many years was taken to do those very things somewhere else.  I had come to rely on those things, a result of many years of hard work.  I believed I had earned them...  Not so.

My devotional that day spoke of the cutting down of one of the great cedars of Lebanon; a tree that had been a source of beauty, shade and repose for many. Then in a matter of hours, the steady work of an axe took the tree, leaving but a stump.

But the story doesn't end there.  That great tree was taken to another place, where it underwent preparation and eventually became a glorious polished beam in the temple of God.

Now, I just need to wait and trust God to show how the loss of that tree is going to benefit the remaining trees in the forest...

TV~
Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."  [John 13:7]

A Simple Formula for Marriage

Please pardon my oversimplification of a complicated relationship, however....

If he does this: "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself;"

and she does this:  "and the wife see that she reverence her husband," (Ephesians 5:33)

it can save a marriage.

TV~
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
[Philippians 2:3]

God as the Gatekeeper

"No matter what the source of the evil, if you are in God and surrounded by Him as by an atmosphere, all evil has to pass through Him before it comes to you.  Therefore you can thank God for everything that comes, not for the sin of it, but for what God will bring out of it and through it." ~Streams in the Desert

I often pray for a hedge of protection to be around myself and those I love.  This idea of a hedge of protection comes from the book of Job.  Satan complains to God that He is putting a hedge around Job and his household and all that he owned.  It was only after God gave permission, that Satan was able to afflict Job.  The evil had to pass through God before it got to Job, and God ultimately used it for good as Job continued to trust God in the most devastating of circumstances.

TV~
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. [Romans 8:28]

Do You Believe in ______?

When we hear that question, the blank usually is filled in with "Santa Claus" or "God" or "ghosts," etc.   My question for you is this:  Do you believe in the devil, a.k.a. Satan? 

The Bible believes in Satan. 

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.  (I Peter 5:8)

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.  (II Corinthians 2:11)

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

TV~
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. [John 10:10]

Healing Waters

"He who would be a helper must first be a sufferer."  ~Streams in the Desert

Are you suffering today?  That difficult path that you are being called to walk is the very path that God will use to refine you, make you stronger, and allow you to help someone else in the future.  What beautiful relief it is to have a fellow believer come alongside of us when we are in the midst of a difficult trial.  When that same person can truly understand our pain because of having walked a similar path, it can feel like healing waters are pouring into our open wound.

TV~
And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. [Luke 10:34]

A Reason to Pray

Jesus reminded his disciples that he chose them for two reasons:

1.  That they might go and bear lasting fruit
2.  That whatever they asked for in the name of the Father might be granted

So, one of the two reasons that Jesus chose his disciples was to grant their prayer requests!

TV~
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. [Hebrews 4:16]

The Lizard

Last night, I saw a one-man dramatic production of C.S. Lewis' novella, The Great Divorce.  It is about a man who takes a bus trip from hell to heaven.  The "ghosts" from hell each are being given an opportunity to give up their personal vice in order to walk the path to heaven.  One by one, they decline the offer. 

Finally, there is one man, with a talking lizard on his back that whispers in his ear like a friend.  The man is reluctant to give up this lizard of lust because it will be so painful for the angel to remove it.  However, he relents and when the lizard is removed it morphs into a powerful, beautiful stallion that the man then mounts and rides strongly away towards heaven. 

Do you have a vice, a lust, that is clinging to you, that seems like an old friend, that you think you would miss if it were taken from you?  This very thing could be prohibiting progress towards a strong and victorious "ride" towards heaven.  Give it to God.  Submit to its removal and see what happens as a result.

TV~
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. [Galatians 5:17]

Your Mess

I saw a clip today of ABC's Robin Roberts receiving an award.  She commented, "My momma used to say, 'Make your mess your message.'"  It brings to mind examples of people in the scriptures who did just that.

Think of Joseph, who continued to believe God after betrayal by his brothers, slavery, further betrayal and years spent in prison for a crime he didn't commit.  He later said to his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Genesis 50:20)  Joseph allowed his mess to become his message.

Think of the woman with the alabaster jar.  She is known for being the immoral woman who washed Jesus feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, and annointed them with very expensive perfume.  Jesus said of her: "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." (Luke 7:47)

What is your mess?  Ask God to make you a messenger.

TV~
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." [Matthew 5:14]

Ivy

Today, I received an email from someone who has Poison Ivy on her face, neck, shoulders, and chest.  My true sympathies go out to her, as I have suffered the malady of Poison Ivy many, many times.  In fact, my family jokes about it because the word "ivy" means friendship.  They say that I have a special friendship with Poison Ivy.

The friends that we come in contact with rub off on us.   Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." (I Corinthians 15:33)  He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20)  Whom are your friends?

TV~
But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.  [I Corinthians 5:11]

 

Each Day

We know not what each day will bring.  My friend's 50-something husband had a stroke last week.  Another friend rushed to the ER today, feeling unable to breathe.  A heavy object slammed into my daughter's upper spine; she was diagnosed with a concussion.  One day things seem fine; the next day, everything changes.

We know not what will happen, but we can know the One who knows.  Not a sparrow falls to the ground without Him knowing.  Good often comes from of the unexpected mishaps.  I'm remembering early December, several years ago, feeling most agitated at all the extra work the holidays require from a mother with an already overloaded schedule. The next day, I caught pneumonia.  As a result, most of my holidays were spent on the sofa, enjoying the beatiful Christmas lights.  Sickness doesn't seem like a good thing, but it can allow for good things to happen.

TV~
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. [Romans 8:28]

Pollution

I was on a rooftop deck near the ocean, viewing the stars.  It was among the best stargazing that I've ever experienced.  There was no light pollution, no large cities nearby to dim the viewing, and the ocean could be counted on to remain dark at night.  The Milky Way, shooting stars, the handiwork of God was spread across the night sky and I was able to see it all.

The same can be true for noise.  There is a voice that we can hear more clearly without noise pollution.  Jesus would awake very early to go somewhere alone to pray.  Early, and alone... ways to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit.

TV~
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.  [Mark 1:35]

100 Today

My dear readers (all four of you) and phantom followers (fess up), today marks the 100th post on Olive Tree.

I hope and pray that this blog gives you spiritual food for your journey, even if it's just a few crumbs each day.  As I read the scriptures and keep my spiritual antennae alert throughout each day, there will be impressions from God which seem shareable.  That is what you read on Olive Tree.

Do you have a favorite post so far?  Is there one that has been particularly helpful?  I would love to know.

TV~
She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.
[Luke 10:39]

Praying for Rescue

There are times when someone we love seems to be in imminent danger; seemingly within the reach of evil.  Here are scriptures that have come to my attention, at key times, when praying for a loved one within the grasp of the evil one.

O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked.  (Psalm 74:19)

But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. (Isaiah 49:25)

Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. (Psalm 22:20)

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 Deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. [Matthew 6;13b]

Roots of anger

I read today that the roots of anger are often unmet expectations.  We work hard to achieve a goal and that result is never realized.  We spend years building a relationship with someone, only to have them move away.  We reach out time and again to difficult people, who remain unresponsive year after year.

The Lord is faithful to remove the anger, which can lead to bitterness, as we continually give it to Him and ask Him to take it from us.  Keep praying and asking Him to take the anger away.  One day you will wake up and realize that it is gone.

TV~
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil. [Psalm 37:8]

Blessed Mary

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, you that are highly favored, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women. (Luke 1.28)

Why was Mary blessed among women?  We assume the reason to be that she was the mother of our Lord. However, the scriptures indicate another specific reason.  She believed.  She believed the words spoken to her.

Open the scriptures.  Look at the words spoken to you.  Do you believe? 

TV~
And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.  [Luke 1:45]