Absolute Refusal

They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  (2 Thessalonians 2:10)

I happened to read the above scripture this morning, and was struck by the strength of the words, "refused to love the truth."  The word 'refuse' sounds so deliberate and definite.  I often see people who aren't walking in God's way as those who are missing the truth.  But this verse talks about actual refusal....


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Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
 [Galatians 6:7]

The Five-Minute Prayer Method

Take an honest tally of your actual time spent in concentrated prayer each day. Is it fewer than 15 minutes?  Is it fewer than five?

Now,
1. Take a timer or your smart phone.
2. Set the timer for five minutes.
3. Decide four things you are going to pray for.
4. Start the timer.
5. For the first minute, thank God for anything and everything.
6. For the second minute, pray for the first thing on your list.
7. The third minute, pray for the second thing, and so on until the five minutes is up.

Daniel prayed three times per day.  Try this five-minute method three times per day and you will have spent 15 minutes in concentrated prayer!  Try it once a day, and you still can look for God's answers.

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...In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 
[Philippians 4:6]

Praying in the Moment

Last week, I found myself with a rare 90 minutes of free time - no immediate responsibilites required by home or family.  I was not at home and took a moment to ponder the various options regarding how to use this precious time. 

Then, I remembered to pray, asking the Lord  what would be His best use of my time.  Into my mind popped the idea of visiting a woman I know who lives in a nearby nursing home.  She is in her fifties, has multiple sclerosis and has been institutionalized for many, many years.

So, I stopped by and visited Sally.  What if I hadn't prayed and hadn't had the idea to visit Sally?  I would have been able to cross something else off of the endless list, something that had no eternal value.

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Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. [Psalm 86:11]

Dead or Alive?

The book of James tells us, "Faith without works is dead."  When a human body is dead, it is cold, unresponsive, immovable and eventually turns to dust. 

If we say we have faith, but do not practice good deeds, our faith is not a living faith.  It is unresponsive, stiff and in a short time will be virtually invisible.

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Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. [Matthew 7:17]

Before Thy Throne, O God, We Kneel

Here are Verses 3, 4 from yesterday's post.  My favorite part is "O God, be with us in the flame."    Those "fierce fires" that we find the most trying are exactly what purify our inmost spirits.

For sins of heedless word and deed,
for pride ambitions to succeed,
for crafty trade and subtle snare
to catch the simple unaware,
for lives bereft of purpose high,
forgive, forgive, O Lord, we cry.

Let the fierce fires which burn and try,
our inmost spirits purify:
consume the ill; purge out the shame;
O God, be with us in the flame;
a newborn people may we rise,
more pure, more true, more nobly wise.

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Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
[Isaiah 48:10]

From Sins Which Make the Heart Grow Cold

On Sunday, we sang a hymn unfamiliar to me.  Sung to the Russian tune of St. Petersburg, the phrase which caught my attention was "from sins which make the heart grow cold."

Which sins make the heart grow cold?  Perhaps it is those in which we continue, despite conviction that they are wrong.  Lord, keep us in Your way.

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And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [Matthew 24:12]

Before Thy Throne, O God, We Kneel

1 Before thy throne, O God, we kneel:
give us a conscience quick to feel,
a ready mind to understand
the meaning of thy chastening hand;
whate'er the pain and shame may be,
bring us, O Father, nearer thee.


2 Search out our hearts and make us true;
help us to give to all their due.
From love of pleasure, lust of gold,
from sins which make the heart grow cold,
wean us and train us with thy rod;
teach us to know our faults, O God.

Fact-Faith-Feeling

Let's apply the Fact-Faith-Feeling train to evaluating a potential spouse.  What are the facts about this person? 

- Does he profess sincere faith in Christand is he pursuing God?
- Has he been trained in the "way he should go" by diligent, Christian parents?
- How does he use his time, money, energy and space?
- Does he demonstrate the fruits of the spirit?
- What do my parents think about this person as a life partner for me?

Pray in faith to the Lord for wisdom about whether or not to consider this person.

Evaluate my feelings: why do I see this person as a perceived treasure?  (Don't define feelings here as a racing heart, sweaty palms, and trembling lips.)

Just as important, what facts do my parents see about this person?  When they are praying in faith, what are their impressions?  And, do they perceive this person as a treasure or a threat to my well-being in life?

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Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you.  [Galatians 5: 19-21]

Paciencia y Fe

Went to the theater tonight and saw, In the Heights, a Broadway Tony Award-winning Best Musical about a hispanic community in a section of New York City

The matriarch of the community, Abuela Claudia, sings a song entitled Paciencia y Fe - Patience and Faith.  As the years go by, and things turn out differently from what we may have hoped or dreamed, we hold onto our faith, which brings forth the fruit of the spirit - patience.  It is a sweet fruit that takes years to grow.

Disappointed?  Don't give up on life, God or the people who may be letting you down.          Paciencia  y Fe.


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Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [James 1:3]

Laying a Good Foundation

Most parents would agree that there is a degree of wisdom in arranged marriages.  Parents decide upon a spouse of similar background, culture and faith, with a thorough knowledge of the family from which the chosen one comes.

Arranged marriages are not the norm in America.  Jim Bob Duggar screened all potential suitors for his daughter, Jessa, who is currently in a courtship relationship with a young man from her church.  I think this is ideal for the happiness of the daughter, but even this is not the norm in America.

For those parents who are living the norm, our children enter into relationships and we meet their suitors once a romantic relationship has already begun.  No matter how we feel about this person, we must choose our words, actions and attitudes carefully.  This person could possibly be part of our lives for many years and we want to lay a foundation of kindness, love and care, all the while laying down our expected standards. 

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For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
[2 Timothy 3:2-5]

Prayer:  Lord, protect my children from choosing such as these.  Amen.  (So be it!)

Teaching on Marriage

But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.  But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.  
[I Corinthians 7:9]

One Unwavering Criterion

The pastor that officiated at their wedding later said, that of all the couples with whom he had provided premarital counseling, they were the most likely to have a successful marriage.

Both were degreed professionals who had their act together.  He held a position of respect in the military.

She was eight months pregnant with their second child when he left her for another woman.  They had been married for eleven years. 

Within marriage, we never can assume that we are "safe."  Before anything else, we must be seeking the kingdom of God.  We must be ever-vigilant to do the hard work of staying close emotionally and physically to our spouse.  As we ask God for wisdom and help, it will be given to us.

We cannot predict whether a marriage will be successful or not.  However, the one unwavering criterion for getting married must be that each individual professes a sincere faith in Christ.


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Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.  [Matthew 22:37,38]

Sanctification Through Marriage

We think our child isn't ready for marriage.  It's too big a responsibility.  She isn't mature enough for marriage.  She hasn't finished her schooling.  She doesn't do what is expected of her at home; how will she ever maintain her own home?

In a marriage, there are expectations that our spouse places upon us and personal standards that we place on ourselves. We may strive much harder and work more diligently than we ever did while living under our parents' roof.  Sometimes, those very immaturities that we want to see corrected prior to marriage only will be corrected through marriage.

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They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. [Hebrews 12:10]

Obey vs. Honor, Part 2

It was one month later, March.   Her beau had arrived from a faraway land, to propose to her.  Once they married, he would take her far, far away.

She asked me to meet her for coffee.  "Do you have any reservations about him as a person?" she asked me.  He loved God and he loved my daughter.  They wanted to get married.  I had to admit to her that he seemed like a good man, but that she had to understand how painful it was for me to see her go.

She was 20 years old.  We thought we would have more time with her.  We thought she would marry someone from this country.  We thought....  it would be different. 

They got married that summer.

She didn't do what I wanted her to do.  I had hoped, for many reasons, that she would wait longer.   She didn't do what I wanted her to do, but she honored me.

My granddaughter was born six days ago.

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For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  [Isaiah 55:9]

Obey vs. Honor

She was 20 years old and in love with someone that she'd spent 19 days with, at most.  Yes, they'd been Skyping and e-mailing for a year or more, but enough to know if they wanted to marry each other?  They were sure.

She asked to speak with us, her parents.  It was February. "We're thinking about getting married this summer."  She was very respectful.  We outlined four reasons why we didn't think it was a good idea. 

Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (Ephesians 6:1) 

She was longer a child.  That changed overnight legally, when she turned 18.  Her position was the same in our hearts, though.  She was our little girl whom we loved and adored.   Was it right for us to say, "You MAY NOT get married this summer"?

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Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), So that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth...  [Ephesians 6:1.2]

Go, and Sin No More

A woman was caught in adultery.  (What about the man she was with, I would like to know?)

Sinless Jesus didn't accuse or condemn.  He first rebuked her self-righteous accusers.  Then He said, in essence, "I don't accuse you.  But go and sin no more."

If a couple is "caught" in fornication, what would Jesus say?  Perhaps he would say, "I don't accuse you.  But go and sin no more. "  How, exactly, does this couple "Go and sin no more?"

I see two options for them:

1. Live separately and no longer be intimately involved.  They could try dating again - not easy once the relationship has already been established on a deeper level.  Still, it is an option that is within God's circle of blessing.

2. Get married and bring into wholesomeness the relationship that they have chosen. Also an option that is within God's circle of blessing, if they are both believers.

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If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them. 
[James 4:17]

Guidance for the Future

Yesterday, I was reminded that God promises to give wisdom to those who ask for it.  As we think about our life situation and seek guidance for decisions big and small, we can go to the Lord.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt... (James 1:6)

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For the Lord God will help me;  Therefore shall I not be confounded:  Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.  [Isaiah 50:7]

Joy Follows Pain

During the most intense, painful travail of childbirth, the mother thinks, "I can't do this."  Yet, she is left with no choice, but to continue on until the birth takes place.  Then comes the wonder, the joy, the relief and the intense feeling of love.

There are other emotionally painful times that we must see through to the end, and not give up.  If we say, "I can't do this," and walk away, then we will miss God's beautiful outcome. 

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Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. [Psalm 30:5]

In the Same Foxhole

Shortly after we were married, my husband and I went to a marriage conference sponsored by Family Life Today.  Although the overall experience was not positive for me (no fault of the sponsoring organization), there was a pair of sketches that made an impression on me.

The first sketch was of two foxholes, opposite each other.  The wife was in one foxhole, pointing her weapon at the other foxhole.  Her husband was in the other foxhole, pointing his weapon right back at hers.

The second sketch was of one foxhole, with both husband and wife working together as a team, pointing their weapons outward towards the world.

Rather than pointing weapons at our spouse and blaming him/her for situations, let us work together to create an emotionally safe place within the home and point our weapons outward towards the influences that work against a healthy, happy marriage.

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Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: [Ecclesiastes 4:9]

When We Can't See the Way

The Israelites wandered for 40 years due to their unbelief.  Sometimes I feel like I'm wandering.  Am I living in unbelief?  Lord, I believe. Help thou my unbelief. (Mark 9:24)

Oh, God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way

                             ~Donald James Moen

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Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  [Ps. 119:105]

An Effective Life

"The index of your life's overall effectiveness will be the amount of praying you do for other people." ~Dr. Robert A. Cook

This quote caught my attention today, and gave me renewed resolve to be faithful in prayer not only for loved ones, but for the not-so-lovable. 

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And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray... [Luke 11:1]

God Will Make A Way

How exciting it is when God opens doors to "make a way, where there seems to be no way!"
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4DgESWtCus

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But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

[Matthew 19:26]

A Closed Heart

"The worst prison of all is the one inside of a closed heart."  This quote came from my kindergartener's phonics book! 

A prayer:  Lord, in areas where my heart is closed, I am unable to open it.  I don't want to open it.  It will have to be Your work in my heart.  I don't even have the desire to ask you to do this work, but I do give you permission.  Amen.

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I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people...
[Ephesians 1:18]

Sophia Sez....

Please accept my apologies. I cannot locate the list of things that Susie said!  Instead, it'll be the usual "Sophia Sez." 

Once we hit about 40, it's tempting to look back at crucial decisions we made that have shaped where we are today.  We think, "If I'd taken that path instead, I'd be in a better place today."  Maybe, maybe not.

Moving forward, in each decision, every day, we can seek God, saying, "Show me thy ways, O Lord.  Teach me thy paths Lead me forth in thy truth...  What man is he that feareth the Lord?  Him shall He teach in the way that He shall choose."  (Psalm 25: 4, 12)  

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O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. [Psalm 25:20]

Courage to Change

No problem lasts forever. No matter how permanently fixed in the center of our lives it may seem, whatever we experience in this ever-changing life is sure to pass. Even pain.

Difficult situations often bring out qualities in us that otherwise may not have risen to the surface., such as courage, faith, and our need for another. 

All of our experiences can help us to grow.  But we may need patience. Some wounds cannot be healed quickly. They must be given time. 

In the meantime, we can appreciate the new capabilities we are developing, such as the capacity to mourn and the willingness to accept. Let us share our losses and triumphs with each other, for that is how we gather courage.  (From: Courage to Change, Al-Anon - reading for March 17)

 
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Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. [Matthew 5:4]

Simon Sez

I have a friend who is still married today because of prayer, the support of friends, extensive counseling and sheer perseverence to do God's will.  She offers great advice for anyone working to stay married when the going gets rough.  If we follow her advice, then we should have the same great results as she. 

We'll call the series Simon   Susie Sez.  Here's the first instruction:

Susie sez:  Pray and ask God to show you His love for your spouse.  

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You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. [John 14:14]