“May the favor of Adonai our God be on us, prosper for us all the work that we do — yes, prosper the work that we do.”   Psa 90:17 

              God declares in the Ten Commandments that six days we are to labor and do all our work but the seventh is to be dedicated to rest and worship of God.  God says we are to work!

Not enjoyment and not sorrow

Is our destined end or way,

But to act that each tomorrow

Finds us farther than today!

Let us then be up and doing

With a heart for any fate,

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labor and to wait.

By Longfellow

              Labor Day is always one of my favorite holidays.  I think it is because my dad loved to work hard and consequently loved this holiday!  He was from a generation that really knew how to work!  It was normal to work from sun up to sun down six days a week.  That was a normal work week!  Women also worked the same only I’m not sure they always got a day off, but they had a good life.  I think at times in our effort not to ‘over-do’ we can get carried away with ‘rest and relaxation!’ God always teaches balance and we need to remember that we always need balance in our lives.

Courageous Hearts

By Mesha Hanson

God watches those with smiling eyes

Who go to their tasks each day.

The common folk who wear the yoke

Of many a dreary way.

There are no honors heaped upon,

Their bravery is unsung.

He knows the courage that it takes

And how the heart is wrung.

Out of the daily grind, He knows,

Is pressed a finer race,

No medals gleam for all to see

But only a smiling face.

From In a Crystal Vase, Published by The Lund Press, Inc.

              God wants us to work for Him.  Everything we do should be done with Him in mind.  Every person we meet we should be available to God as a tool in the event this person needs a word of encouragement or more.

“As long as it is day, we must keep doing the work of the One who sent me; the night is coming, when no one can work.” John 9:4

WORK FOR THE NIGHT IS COMING

By Anna L. Coghill,

Written when she was 18 years old in 1854

Work, for the night is coming,

Work, through the morning hours,

Work, while the dew is sparkling,

Work, ‘mid springing flowers,

Work, when the day grows brighter,

Work, in the glowing sun,

Work, for the night is coming,

When man’s work is done.

Work, for the night is coming,

Work through the sunny noon,

Fill brightest hours with labor,

Rest comes sure and soon.

Give every flying minute,

Something to keep in store,

Work, for the night is coming,

When man works no more.

Work, for the night is coming,

Under the sunset skies,

While their bright tints are glowing,

Work, for daylight flies.

Work ‘til the last beam fadeth,

Fadeth to shine no more,

Work, while the night is darkening,

When man’s work is o’er.

              I think the important thing for us to remember is Who our Boss is.  The Lord tells us that we need to work for our earthly boss as if he were our Heavenly Boss.  If everything we do and say we do it as if we are doing it for our Savior, our testimony in the world would be far more effective.  Or if we are the boss we are to treat our employees as if he were Jesus, Himself!  Maybe our image in Hollywood would change to “Oh, a Christian.  He’s a hardworking honest person.  I want him to work for me!”

              Do you ever feel like you never get to do anything for the Lord?  You so want to serve Him but you’re stuck in your routine and no way to get out?  I felt that way once and so I wrote a poem about my feelings as God showed me something really cool.

THE CRY OF A HOUSEWIFE

By Marvine Scott

Vacuum, dust, iron, clean –

How can I serve my Savior so?

I want to preach, to teach, to sing

But Jesus answers quietly, “No.

“For thirty years I longed to do

“These things of which you speak –

“I longed to heal, comfort, preach –

“But had to wait, lost souls to seek…

“If you will serve me in the place,

“By which you’re placed by Me,

“One day you’ll wear a glorious crown

“For serving faithfully.”

“Yes, Lord, for Thee I’ll clean and dust

“And while I clean I’ll pray.

“If you never let me preach or sing

“I’ll gladly clean ‘till you come, one day!”

            A few years later, God called my husband into the ministry.  He went to Bible College and we were privileged to have a part in starting the Alliance Church in the Rapids.  We have been in active ministry since 1970 approximately 2 years after I prayed that prayer and wrote the poem.  When we mean what we pray, and truly give our situation to God.  He gives back to us so much more.  He is such a wonderful God.  If you don’t know Him, I urge you to reach out.  He is standing right there with His arms open wide waiting to take you right into His loving arms.  Oh what a God He is!

Finding Treasure

by Marvine Scott

Proverbs 10 verse 9

Is an awesome verse to find.

It offers us security

In a world that’s lost its mind.

You will find God’s way is best.

It survived the ancient test.

He’s all powerful you see.

Follow Him and you’ll be free.

His word says walk in purity

And you’ll find security.

In a world that’s very blind

Here’s a treasure verse to find.

“Just as a father has compassion on his children, ADONAI has compassion on those who fear him.”  Psalms 103:13

              I think it is especially wonderful that God has compassion on all of those of us who love Him and worship Him.  He has the compassion like a parent has for his children.  When our kids messed up, remember the sorrow and compassion we felt for the pain they were bringing on themselves?  When we mess us, God sorrows over us.  We grieve Him when we disobey.  But through it all, He loves us!  How fantastic is our God!  

GOD’S HANDIWORK

Author Unknown

First, my car broke down

I was very late for work

But I missed that awful accident

Was that your handiwork?

I found a house I loved

But others got there first

I was angry, then relieved

When I heard the pipes had burst!

Yesterday, I found the perfect dress

But the color was too pale.

Today, I found the dress in red

Would you believe, it was on sale!

I know you’re watching over me

And I’m feeling truly blessed

For no matter what I pray for

You always know what’s best!

              Have you ever played ‘princess’ as a little girl?  Of course I was always the ‘princess’ and my little sister had to be the villain.  I am not sure why she was so gracious to me but she was always special.  We had some great games together.  However, my mom and dad used to tell me that I was a princess because my Father in Heaven was the King and Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  That made me a princess so my sister and I felt very special and loved. My brothers were Princes as well.  We were heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus! God has some wonderful things to say about all of us and here is something about women.

              “Charm can lie, beauty can vanish, but a woman who fears ADONAI should be praised.”  Proverbs 31:30.

              Here is a secret for us, ladies.  When we love, worship and follow God with all our hearts, we will be praised!  Ooh – isn’t that cool?  You should read the 31^st chapter of Proverbs and you will be blessed.  God rejoices over us, the Bible says, like a young man who is newly married and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride!  (Isa. 62:5).

              If you are a man of God, here are some very interesting verses that tell us God’s opinion of YOU! 

“You are the most handsome of men; gracious speech flows from your lips. For God has blessed you forever. Warrior, strap your sword at your thigh; [gird on] your splendor and majesty. In your majesty, succeed, ride on in the cause of truth, meekness and righteousness.” Psa 45:2-4 

              When I first read these verses this year, I was so impressed I wrote them in my prayer book.  When I would read them to a man, they would usually snort.  But God looks at you, His man, and says you are handsome.  He created you and likes what He made. 

              He says He has given you the ability to have gracious speech flow from you.  This happens as you let Him speak through you.  God has blessed you forever … that’s a long time to be blessed. 

              Then He calls you a warrior and tells you to grab your sword and wear it and to put on your splendor and majesty. (Another snort) but it is GOD’S WORD! Have you ever considered that God will put His splendor and majesty upon YOU!  He will put this on you when you let Him and will cause you to succeed and go forth in His cause of truth, meekness and righteousness!   Isn’t that powerful?  What a powerful and awesome God we serve!

God Give Us Men

By J. G. Holland

God give us men.  The time demands

Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and willing hands;

Men whom the lust of office does not kill;

Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy;

Men who possess opinions and a will;

Men who have honor; men who will not lie;

Men who can stand before a demagogue

Condemn his treacherous flatteries without winking;

Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog

In public duty and in private thinking!

For while the rabble with their thumb-worn creeds,

Their large professions and their little deeds

Mingle in selfish strife; lo! Freedom weeps!

Wrong rules the land, and waiting Justice sleeps!

              God is very protective toward all of us and warns us about hurting His ‘little ones.’ (Mathew 18:6,10,14).  Psalms 127:3 tells us that children are a gift to us from God.  Here’s God’s verse for all children:  “Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of Adonai.”  Ps 34:11.  There’s a lot in the Word about children and how we are to love them and teach them the way of the Lord.

              Does life sometimes give you a fit?

Isaiah 28:11

Oh God, where do I go, what do I do?              “Adonai will always guide you;

I need ….what should I do?                                 “He will satisfy your needs in the desert. 

My limbs are weak – I’m so tired…                   “He will renew the strength in your limbs;

He’s refreshed and strengthened me!             “So that you will be like a watered garden,

I’ve got continual help from my Lord!!            “Like a spring whose water never fails.” 

My Prayer

By Marvine Scott

Reveal Thyself to me, O God

In a new and REAL way.

Fill me with Thy Spirit

This morning, Lord, I pray.

My body, soul, and mind

I give complete to Thee.

O Holy Spirit, here and now

I pray Thee enter me.

Take control – do what you want

With me and what I own.

I am Thine forevermore –

This body is Thy throne!

LET’S IMAGINE!

 By Marvine Scott

              We are in the Millennial Reign.  Jesus is ruling as King of Israel.   Jesus begins to give instructions to His servants surrounding him.  He turns to Joan Stahl and sends her to Australia to deal with a problem there.  Next He says, “Charlie, I need you in Africa to resolve a little problem.”  He continues to tell him where to go and what He wants done.  Charlie cheerful agrees to his assignment. 

              Dora joyfully inquires with a teasing smile, “Charlie, will you be home for lunch?  I’m making your favorite.  I’ve even included your favorite fruit from off the tree in the New Jerusalem!”

              Charlie turns to Jesus with a raised eyebrow.  Jesus laughs and said, “There shouldn’t be any problem at all in keeping this appointment with Dora.  I plan on getting in on it!  Call Me if you need help.”  Charlie closes his eyes and opens them a moment later in the heart of Africa.

              Jesus turns to Marvine and says with a teasing smile, “Marvine, I know how you enjoy this job.  There is a closed meeting at a building down town with locked doors.  I need you to go and encourage them to refocus on me.”  Joyfully, Marvine immediately finds herself in front of the building.  With a smile she walks through the walls and begins to ease the fear of those within and point them to Jesus’ love.

A TRUTH FROM THE BIBLE

“He will change the bodies we have in this humble state and make them like his glorious body, using the power which enables him to bring everything under his control.” 

Phil. 3:21

              My parents encouraged us to search the Scriptures to see what Jesus’ resurrected body was like since ours will be like His one day.               We were diligent in this.  Often it was the topic of conversation at a dinner table.  I did not fear death because heaven is such a glorious place to go.  I do not resent my parents leaving at all nor do I begrudge them their eternal reward that they are currently enjoying.  I simply miss them.

              What did Jesus do after He rose from the dead?  Think about it for a few minutes.  First of all, He traveled at the speed of thought.  When He visited Mary Magdalene at the tomb following His resurrection He told her not to touch Him because He had not yet ascended to His Father.  He told her to go tell the disciples about Him.  Jesus then made a trip to the Father and came back to visit with the disciples that evening.  You find this story in John chapter 20.

              Think about that event for a minute.   It was Sunday and they had locked the doors for fear of their lives because the Jews wanted to kill them.  Suddenly Jesus was standing in front of them and said, “Peace be unto you.”  He had a wonderful time revealing Himself to them and giving them instructions that they also had a job to do and what He wanted of them.

              So far we have Jesus traveling Sunday morning to the Father after rising from the dead.  Then He walked through closed doors and showed them His hands and feet.  How would you like a body like that?!!  But there is more.  In the 24^th chapter of Luke we find an incident that occurred between the other two visits of Jesus.

              Two disciples were walking to Emmaus from Jerusalem (about 7 miles).  They were discussing what had occurred with the death of their Lord.  As they were talking about it, Jesus walked up and began to walk with them but something kept them from recognizing him.  Jesus asked them, “What are you talking about?”  The Bible says “they stopped short, their faces downcast; and one of them, named Cleopas, answered him.”  He was astonished that Jesus was in Jerusalem and didn’t know what was going on!  They went on to explain in detail all of their expectations that had been destroyed.  They had thought Jesus was going to liberate Israel and set up His kingdom.  Then they added, “Besides all that, today is the third day since these things happened; and this morning, some of the women astounded us.  They were at the tomb early and couldn’t find his body…reported that they had seen a vision of angels who say he’s alive!” 

              Jesus began to explain to them all that the prophets of the Old Testament had said regarding Himself.  They talked Him into going to their house to eat with them.  He took the bread and made a blessing and handed it to them.  Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.  At that point He became invisible to them (one translation).  Another translation says He disappeared.

              Let’s review.  Jesus arose.  He went to His father and took care of business (fast trip).  He walked casually with men on the road to their home.  He ate with them.  He walked through the walls where the disciples were that evening and comforted them and revealed Himself to them.  He showed them His hands and feet.

              He ate food on many different occasions (ie. fish with disciples).  So what will our glorified bodies be like?  We know for certain, we will have flesh and bone (not a spirit, Jesus said).  We will be able to walk through walls.  We will have joy!  We will have work to do.  We will be able to travel across galaxies faster than Star Gate.  We will be able to saunter slowly down a road.  We will know each other (scripture on this).  Oh, there is so much more but we are out of time.  Explore the Word – it is truly better than any Science Fiction fantasy we can read but it is TRUE!  It is exciting and it is God’s Gift to us!           

“…pray for each other, so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”  James 5:16

              Wow did Jesus ever give us a lot of instructions on prayer.  God has it throughout the entire Bible.  “What’s so great about praying anyway?” you might ask.  Well, you‘ve heard the expression “Try it, you’ll like it!”  Oh is it ever awesome.  I posted a Scripture on Facebook and a neighbor on a game, made the comment, “God likes to be called Father.”  How correct he is.  He is our daddy.  For those of us who had loving daddies, that is a precious thought.  For those who didn’t, He wants to be all you missed.

              Praying is not a religious ritual or at least that is not God’s intent.  “And when you pray, don’t babble on and on like the pagans, who think God will hear them better if they talk a lot.”  Matthew 6:7.  Unfortunately for many of us that may be where it is or where it began.  God wants so much more from His children.

              Jesus set up a sample prayer for His disciples and many have prayed that prayer daily or weekly.  When you pray it meaningfully, it is very good.  But it is a sample and God wants it to inspire us in how to pray.

UNTIMELY ANSWERED PRAYER

-Author Unknown

              “During the minister’s prayer one Sunday, there was a loud whistle from one of the back pews.  Tommy’s mother was horrified.  She pinched him into silence and, after church, asked, ‘Tommy, whatever made you do such a thing?’
              “Tommy answered, soberly, ‘I asked God to teach me to whistle, and He did!’

Endquote

              I am sure God was probably amused unlike his horrified mother.  Do we expect God to answer our prayers or is it always a surprise?  Perhaps we are like the little boy whose pastor asked him if he said his prayers every night. 

              “Yes, sir,” the boy replied.

              “And, do you always say them in the morning, too?” the pastor asked.

              “No sir,” the boy replied.  “I ain’t scared in the daytime.”

              What about us?  When do we pray?  Is it when we want something or when we are scared?  God wants fellowship with us.  He wants us to talk to Him and listen to Him talk to us.  He calls us “Friend.”  What an honor!

              I certainly enjoyed having our local authoress visit this summer for her 50^th class reunion.  We had the privilege of having her in our home.  She has shared with us some thoughts on praying for missionaries.  I certainly wish I could have had these tips 40 years ago when I began trying to pray for missionaries!

A MISSIONARY PRAYER

By Janet Elaine Smith

www.janetelainesmith.com

              Recently, Marvine did a column about prayer for missionaries. She found it a challenge at the start to pray for 15 minutes for missionaries. She named the missionary and the country in which they were serving…and then what?

              As a former missionary (both foreign and at home), I would like to offer a little insight into how to pray for missionaries.

1. Ask for guidance and wisdom for them. It is so easy for missionaries, especially new ones, to think they have all the answers. They can often learn more from the nationals than the nationals can learn from them.
2. Ask for comfort and friendship for them. It is lonely when you are in a foreign field, no matter how long you have been there. While the nationals are often “adopted” as their family, they still miss their “former life.”
3. Ask for health and strength for them. When the temperature for a person from northern Minnesota is suddenly over 100 degrees every day, they need stamina to keep on keeping on. Even the healthiest people need God’s help in adjusting to new climates.
4. Pray for their food. Not just a “Lord, give them enough to eat,” but “Lord, help them eat what you provide for them—and ask questions later.”
5. Pray for them to have enough time to spend in personal communication with God. It is so easy to become so involved in the ministry that they forget the Person who sent them there.
6. Pray for their ability to converse in a foreign language.
7. Pray for them to be able to laugh at themselves when the language barrier feels like Hoover Dam to them.
8. Pray for God to open doors—in unexpected places—for them to share the Good News of the Gospel.
9. Pray for humility for them. The “American way” is not always the “best way.”
10. Pray that they will not only proclaim the Gospel, but that they will learn to LISTEN to the people they are serving.

Having done all that, take a few minutes to write to them. Even if you don’t know them, let them know that you would like to hear what their needs are and what exciting things have been happening in their world.  Nothing thrills the heart of a missionary much more than news from home from somebody who is honestly interested in what they are doing.  And remember, even the tiniest things from the 5 o’clock news can make them feel that they are still a part of their homeland.  Make the news up close and personal.  You have no idea how hard they will laugh when someone writes to tell them about the deer that broke into the store and was eating the greens from the display.  Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.

-Endquote

Here are a lot of beautiful thoughts in this E-mail regarding prayer.

1. Give God what’s right . . . not what’s left.

2. Man’s way leads to hopeless end . . . God’s way leads to an endless hope.

3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.

4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.

5. In the sentence of life the devil may be a comma, but never let him be the period.

6. Don’t put a question mark where God puts a period.

7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.

8. When praying, don’t give God instructions . . . just report for duty.

9. Don’t wait for six strong men to take you to church.

10. We don’t change God’s message . . . His message changes us.

11. The church is prayer-conditioned.

12. When God ordains, He sustains.

13. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.

14. Plan ahead . . . It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

15. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.

16. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.

17. Exercise daily . . . walk with the Lord.

18. Never give the devil a ride . . . he will always want to drive.

19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.

20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.

21. He who angers you controls you.

22. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.

23. Give Satan an inch and he’ll be a ruler.

24. Be ye fishers of men . . . You catch them and He’ll clean them.

25. God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

What do you think of when you think of prayer? I’ll never forget when I first got started trying to really pray. I always prayed before a meal and I would pray when I needed something. Also I would pray during prayer meeting. But that was about it. I thought of myself as a good Christian.

Then one day I was challenged to pray for missionaries for 15 minutes a day. I thought “Oh, I can do that” and I committed 15 minutes a day to praying for missionaries. Well, what I didn’t realize was that I really didn’t know too much about prayer. I enthusiastically began the next morning:

“Dear Lord, please bless all the missionaries in the world.” Hum, I wondered what else I could pray since surely that would cover everything. I began to name the missionaries that I knew and the country they served in and asked God to supply all their needs. I glanced at the clock…5 minutes had gone by. “Wow!” I thought, “I didn’t know 15 minutes could be so long…” Oh dear, how was I going to do this for a whole YEAR? Hum, I tried for a few weeks and finally gave up.

I began to study prayer a little since I was a dismal failure. I thought about how two people meet and fall in love. What happens? They want to spend all their time together. They want to talk and listen to what the other person thinks on every subject. They talk on the phone at night before going to bed. They talk and talk and talk. Hum. I began to realize that I SAID I loved Jesus but did I really LOVE Him? If I loved Him as I said I did, wouldn’t I want to spend time with Him, talking to Him and listening to what He had to say?

I began to study the Bible to figure out just what this all meant. I discovered that the Bible talks about praise being part of prayer. I began to sing to Him. I looked at the Lord’s Prayer. The first thing is honor and praise. “Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.” Do we simply have a shopping list we want to present to God and feel that is all there is to prayer? “Dear Lord, today I want this and that and Oh, yeah, if you could please give me a new …” Is that how we pray? The Bible says to begin with honor and praise.

“Dear Father in Heaven. How awesome you are. You are the King, the Creator, my God my Lord and Savior. Thank you Jesus for coming to earth and suffering for us so I can be forgiven. Thank you Father for sending your Son.” A good way to learn how to pray is to read and study the Psalms. I simply opened the book of Psalms and found a couple of verses to illustrate my point:

“But I am like a leafy olive tree in the house of God; I put my trust in the grace of God forever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done, and I will put my hope in your name; for this is what is good in the presence of your faithful.” Psalms 52:9

There is so much to say about prayer! If you get to know the person you love, you love to hear them speak. You find 15 minutes is not enough. When you spend time in the Bible, you learn to hear the voice of God. He brings verses to your attention – they stand out like neon lights and you just KNOW they are for you. You learn to praise God in song and words. It is incredible but it is all prayer. You learn to pray for others – that is called intercession. Jesus intercedes for us, the Bible says. Oh this walk with God is an exciting awesome experience. I challenge you if you haven’t tried it to do so. It is great!

        “…Make me know the way I should walk, because I entrust myself to you.” Psalm 143:8b 

                  Have you ever just not known what you should do – where you should go?  How difficult it is when you are young to try to figure out what you are supposed to do with your life!  It doesn’t help when the advice you get from professionals is, “It is better to make a bad decision than to not make one.”  This was the advice I received when I was young and in training.  I was given an outgoing, determined, leadership type personality so this just fit fine with me.  I took that and ran with it.

              What was the problem with that advice?  It left God completely out of the equation.  It was my life and I could do with it what I wanted to do.  “If it feels good, do it” was another saying in my era.  Again, where is God in that?  The Bible definitely does not admonish us to live life according to our feelings!  Our feelings are affected by the pizza we ate the night before or whether or not we woke up on the ‘wrong side of the bed!’  If we are grouchy when we get up, does that mean that we have the right to lash out at others all day?

              When I discovered the error of the teaching and turned my life over to God, wow did things get better!  It wasn’t an immediate fix of wrong thinking.  It took years of yielding to God and daily reading His Word to get His thoughts on the matter.  But it has really helped.

              I love the verse from Psalms 143:8.  I pray that on a daily basis.  I ask God to help me know how He wants me to walk this day and I entrust my day to Him.  When I do that (sometimes many times in a day), my reflection at the end of the day is that of peace and satisfaction for a day well spent.

              Here’s a prayer I wrote July 19 during my devotions.

MY PRAYER

By Marvine Scott

Lord, fill my life with worthwhile stuff

And nudge me when I start to stray

From your narrow path today

Help me stop when I’ve said enough.

Without You, Lord, life’s really tough.

When I work and when I play,

Help me please and honor you.

May your love flow through me too.

May a grateful heart be mine to stay.

And may I help someone this day.

              I love the following article that I received through an E-mail some time ago from an unknown author.

DANCING WITH GOD

-Author Unknown

              “When I meditated on the word, Guidance, I kept seeing ‘dance’ at the end of the word.  I remember reading that doing God’s will is a lot like dancing.

              “When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.  The movement doesn’t flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

              “When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music.  One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another.  It’s as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

              “The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

              “My eyes drew back to the word, ‘Guidance.’  When I saw ‘G’: I thought of God, followed by ‘u’ and ‘I’.

              “God, ‘u’ and ‘I’ dance.

              “As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life.  Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

              “My prayer for you today is that God’s blessings and mercies are upon you on this day and every day.  May you abide in God, as God abides in you.  Dance together with God, trusting Him to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.”

Endquote

              I think the Psalmist David expresses it best in the very famous 23^rd Psalm.  As we consider each verse of this beautiful poetry, we are incredibly inspired and touched.  Consider for a moment what a good Shepherd does.  Obviously a good shepherd cares for his sheep.  How does he do this?  He makes sure they have fresh water, good food and he keeps them close to him.  He protects them from danger and from wolves who would grab them if they were allowed to do so.  He anoints their eyes and heads to keep the flies from bothering the sheep.  Jesus made the statement, “I am the Good Shepherd.”  I’m glad He is my Shepherd for I truly need Him.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

By Connie Calenberg

The Lord has e’er my Shepherd been,

My keeper in the night;

‘Tis He who leads me step by step,

Who guides me in the light.

When I am lost and darkness falls,

When steep the rocky way,

‘Tis Christ, the Shepherd of my Soul,

Who seeks me when I stray.

I shall not want, for He is mine,

He satisfies each plea,

And though I through the valley walk,

I know He’s there with me.

He leadeth me, O blessed thought,

Beside the waters still.

The wondrous peace of knowing Him,

My hungry soul doth fill.

I shall not fear though waters deep,

Through valleys I must roam,

For Christ my Shepherd e’er shall be,

Until He leads me home.

 Inspiring Poems (Zondervan ©1970) p.88

              Not everybody likes coffee but I truly love it.  I enjoy the tantalizing fragrance of rich, freshly brewed coffee permeating the kitchen every morning.  I have my little routine where I put on the coffee then get my husband’s glass for milk out, a glass of water for each of us and whatever medicine we need.  Then I pour my coffee and sit down at the table.  I am ready to start.  The first thing I do is get out my prayer book where I have listed things I do not want to forget to pray about.  Oh how I love the precious quiet loving time I have with my Savior.  This is one of the first verses I have written into a daily prayer at the beginning of my time.

“The accomplishing of the goal of all things is close at hand.  Therefore, help me to keep alert and self-controlled so I can pray.  More than anything, help me to keep loving your people, Yeshua, actively because love covers many sins.”  1 Peter 4:7-8

PRIORITIES

              I pray this every morning and it helps me to keep things in perspective.  The first thing this verse says to me is “Get your priorities straight.”  What is important?  Where should my focus be this morning?

              One time many years ago I spilled some homemade chicken noodle soup (with homemade noodles) upside down on the floor.  I was serving dear friends who had asked for this specifically.  I had just been thinking about how that we needed to keep our focus on Jesus.  My temptation was to cry and get angry with myself and ruin the evening for my guests and my family and myself.  I checked the response to the disaster with the  as a prayer I sent immediately to Jesus “Lord, help me to understand in my heart that 10,000 years from now this is really not going to matter at all.“  He gave me peace.  We went out to fast food and had a delightful time of fellowship in spite of the food disaster. 

              God says, “The accomplishing of all things is close at hand.”  We do not need to be afraid but we do need to be ready. 
             

 Help Me Keep Alert So I Can Pray

              The second prayer I found in this verse tells me of the need to keep alert in order to pray.  Have you ever tried to pray only to have your mind try to figure out how you were going to do a task for the day?  Sometimes I find myself planning meals or going over the activities I need to accomplish that day.  When I am in prayer and I find my mind wandering I pray this verse, “Lord, help me to focus.  Help me to keep alert so I can pray.  I want to spend this time with You!”  He helps me.  Some days the battle has to take place repeatedly but I find that it is very rewarding to persist.  I have strength for the day through prayer with my Lord.  Also, I want to stay alert to the needs of others around me so I can lift them up in prayer.

Most Important – Love

              The third aspect of this prayer is, “Lord, help me to love your people.”  Ofta!  Why does this have to be so hard?  Is it not because of high expectations?  We expect God’s people to be perfect (such as we are not!).  When they fail in this area, we are disappointed and all out-of-sorts with them.  I like the little poem written long ago.

To live above with saints we love,

O that will be glory!

To live below with saints we know,

That’s a different story.

Uncle Ben’s Quotebook, (Baker, Grand Rapids MI c.1976) p.47

              God wants us to love each other, overlooking one another’s faults.  So when I begin praying I ask God to help me get my priorities straight and remember what is important.  Then I ask Him to help me focus and pray.  Then I ask that He help me love His children.  I ask that He helps me to love with His love.  Praise God for that unbelievable miraculous love that He has for us.  Praise God that He forgives me!  Praise God that He loves me!

LEARNING FROM CHILDREN

-author unknown

Last night my little boy confessed to me

Some childish wrong, And kneeling at my

Knees he prayed:  Dear God, make me a man,

Like Daddy, wise and strong, I know You can!”

Then when he slept, I knelt beside his bed

Confessed my sins, and with low bowed head I prayed:

“Oh, God, make me a child like my child here,

Pure, guileless, trusting Thee with faith sincere.”

Ibid p.253

DEEP LIVING

By  Max I. Reich

We love to spread our branches;

The root-life we neglect.

We love to shine in public,

And human praise expect;

While in the inner chamber,

Where creature voices cease,

We may meet God in silence,

And breathe in Heaven’s peace.

The secret of deep living

Lies in the secret place

Where, time and sense forgotten,

We see God face to face;

Beyond mere forms and symbols,

Beyond mere words and signs,

Where in that hidden temple

The light eternal shines.

Ibid p.247

A Resting Place

By Horatius Bonar

I heard the voice of Jesus say,

“Come unto me and rest;

Lay down, thou weary one, lay down

Thy head upon My breast.”

I came to Jesus as I was,

Weary, and worn, and sad;

I found in Him a resting-place,

And He has made me glad.

“But I cry out to you, ADONAI; my prayer comes before you in the morning.”  Psalms 88:13

“…if you seek it as you would silver and search for it as for hidden treasure – then you will understand the fear of ADONAI and find knowledge of God.”  Proverbs 2:4-5 cjb

              I googled ‘Treasure Maps’ and found 100 sites on the Internet with my first try.  Treasure Maps have always interested mankind. 

              But what treasure is God speaking about in the verse above? What are we to search for?  In a previous verse we are told that the treasure is God’s words and commandments.  So the Treasure Map is the Bible, God’s Holy Word?  Oh, if we would only dare to explore, what excitement we would find!

              I think we sometimes only use our Bible to press flowers and grace our home.  I love the story of the little boy who opened the big family Bible.  He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages.  Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible.  He picked up the object and looked at it.  What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. 

              “Mama, look what I found,” the boy called out.  “What have you got there dear?”  With astonishment in the young boy’s voice, he answered, “I think its Adam’s underwear!”

              When we dare to look inside the Holy Book, we find life changing truth and incredibly easy instructions to understand.  They may be challenging to accomplish but definitely understandable.

              For example, Jesus gave such a profound message while on this earth that we have labeled it ‘The Sermon on The Mount.’   It is truly awesome and gives such simple instructions on how to live this difficult life.  We have only about 100 years if we are fortunate and sometimes much less and then all of eternity to spend in one of two places.  It is a truly sobering thought.  But God did not leave us without a book of instructions.  We have a treasure map from God and if we search it out, we can find the treasure.

              “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you; that sums up the teaching of the Torah(law) and the Prophets.”  Matthew 7:12 cjb

              Ooh.  That’s easy to understand — hard to do!  How are we to treat others?  Are we to yell at them or call them stupid?  In our heart of hearts do we truly enjoy being treated that way?  No?  Well, God says we are not to treat others that way either.

              Jesus goes on to describe the life here.  We are given a choice of two paths to travel.  In Matthew Jesus says there are two paths. 

Path 1 is a narrow hard path with obstacles and difficulties.  It is this one that Jesus says we are to enter.  Interestingly, it is the narrow one that leads to life. This path leads to Everlasting Life with Eternal Joy! (See Psalms 16:11; Isaiah 51:6; John 3:16, 36).    

Path 2 is a broad easy path with lots of attractive things to satisfy our inner cravings.  It is seductive and tempting.  It looks fun and interesting but it is the broad attractive one, Jesus says that leads to death (Matthew 7:13-14).

              The following poem was written by an unknown author but it is evident that he discovered the Treasure that we have been thinking about.

THE WORD OF GOD

For feelings come and feelings go,

And feelings are deceiving;

My warrant is the Word of God

Naught else is worth believing.

I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word

Till soul and body sever:

For, though all things shall pass away,

His Word shall stand forever.

-Uncle Ben’s Quotebook (Baker Book House c1976) p.57

              There is practical help you can get from the Word.  I like what one man put together with a few spots to look at in our Treasure Map.

MEDICINE CHEST

For the BLUES ……………………………………………..read Psalms 27

For an EMPTY PURSE…………………………………………….read Psalms 37

If DISCOURAGED about work………………………………………read Psalms 128

If people seem UNKIND to you…………………………read John 15.

If you are losing CONFIDENCE in people…………………………read 1 Cor. 13

If you cannot have YOUR OWN WAY…………………………read James 3

If you are all OUT OF SORTS………………………………read Hebrews 12

For a TRAVELING COMPANION read …………………Psalms 121

-ibid p.62

              There is a secret key to unlocking the mysteries of this Treasure Map.  Without it, it doesn’t seem to make too much sense.  What is this key?  The key is to know Jesus Christ and give our life to Him.  When we follow Christ, He enables us to understand His Word.  He is the interpreter of His Word. 

              Ken and I met a lady once who told us she had read the Bible from cover to cover 10 times.  We asked her questions such as ‘did it change your life.’  The answer was ‘no’ with a look of astonishment.  We asked her if she understood it.  She lifted her chin and said that it was beautiful poetry.  She said people kept talking about how hard it was to read and she proved that it wasn’t that difficult.  The problem was that she didn’t have the key to the treasure map so she couldn’t understand what it was saying to her.

Christ is our Peace; the sins of YESTERDAY

By His most precious blood are washed away.

Christ is our Life; the trials of TODAY

He bears for us who walked life’s toilsome way.

Christ is our Hope; the FUTURE all unknown

Is in His care who watches from the throne.

Ibid p.75

              Our first Treasure is the Bible which guides us under the direction of God safely through the storms and trials of life.  Also our Lord continually brings us comfort through difficulties and helps us.  He gives us joy here and then when we reach our final destination in glory, we receive the greatest treasure “Eternal Life with Jesus Christ!”       

“And the Rockets’ red glare, the Bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our Flag was still there.”

-From Star Spangled Banner

              Don’t you love the songs of Independence Day?  We always went to a park, had a picnic, praised God for our nation and watched fireworks.   When we celebrate Independence Day a few days from now, we should stop and ponder the origins of this great nation.  What made America great?  What kept America great? 

              I believe the first thing that made America great was her declared belief in Almighty God.  I have here Preambles for different states listed in alphabetical order.  It is an interesting read.

Alabama 1901, PREAMBLE

We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution…

Alaska 1956, PREAMBLE

We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land…

Arizona 1911, PREAMBLE

We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution…

Arkansas 1874, PREAMBLE

We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government…

California 1879, PREAMBLE

We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…

Colorado 1876, PREAMBLE

We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe…

Connecticut 1818, PREAMBLE

The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy…

Delaware 1897, PREAMBLE

Through Divine Goodness al men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences…

Florida 1885, PREAMBLE

We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution…

Georgia 1777, PREAMBLE

We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution…

Hawaii 1959, PREAMBLE

We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance … Establish this Constitution…

Idaho 1889, PREAMBLE

We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government…

Illinois 1870, PREAMBLE

We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors…

Indiana 1851, PREAMBLE

We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government…

Iowa 1857, PREAMBLE

We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution…

Kansas 1859, PREAMBLE

We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution…

Kentucky 1891, PREAMBLE

We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties.

Louisiana 1921, PREAMBLE

We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine 1820, PREAMBLE

We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity … And imploring His aid and direction …

Maryland 1776, PREAMBLE

We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty…

Massachusetts 1780, PREAMBLE

We…the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe n the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction…

Michigan 1908, PREAMBLE

We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution…

MINNESOTA, 1857, PREAMBLE

We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:

Mississippi 1890, PREAMBLE

We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.

Missouri 1845, PREAMBLE

We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness…Establish this Constitution…

Montana 1889, PREAMBLE

We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution…

Nebraska 1875, PREAMBLE

We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom…Establish this Constitution.

Nevada 1864, PREAMBLE

We, the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution…

New Hampshire 1792, Part 1. Art.1.Sec.V

Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience…

New Jersey 1844, PREAMBLE

We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors…

New Mexico 1911, PREAMBLE

We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty…

-End quote

              I do not have room to include the rest of the states.  Every single state of the union, when setting up their constitution, gave thanks to Almighty God.  What made America great is our belief in God and our determination to follow Him.  What will keep us great as a nation is returning to Him as a nation.  We begin by each one of us doing our part.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”  2 Ch. 7:14

“For ADONAI (God) gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”  Proverbs 2:6

              We all want to be wise.  We study at school, colleges, and universities so we can have wisdom.  The Bible says over and over to get wisdom so we know this is something God approves.  Here is a cute story I received from a recent e-mail. 

WORLDLY WISDOM

E-mail

              “After having dug to a depth of 10 feet last year, New York  scientists found traces of copper wire dating back 100 years and  came to the conclusion, that their ancestors already had a  telephone network more than 100 years ago.

               “Not to be outdone by the New Yorkers, in the weeks that followed, a California archaeologist dug to a depth of 20 feet, and shortly after, A story in the LA Times read:

“‘California archaeologists, after finding 200 year old copper wire, have concluded that their ancestors already had an advanced high-tech communications network a hundred years earlier than the New Yorkers.’

“One week later. A local newspaper in Iowa reported the following: 

“‘After digging as deep as 30 feet in his pasture near Wapello, Iowa: Bubba, a self-taught archaeologist, reported that he found absolutely nothing. Bubba has therefore concluded that 300 years ago, Iowa had already gone wireless.’

“Hawkeyes are such a proud bunch.”

-End quote

              I love the simplicity of children.  They do not confuse things they see with ‘man-made facts.’  I believe that is why the Art Linkletter show was so popular for so long. Here is one response of a child that has blessed many people.

              “A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present ‘Seven Wonders of the World.’  Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:

1.      Egypt’s Great Pyramids

2.      Taj Mahal

3.      Grand Canyon

4.      Panama Canal

5.      Empire State Building

6.      St. Peter’s Basilica

7.      China’s Great Wall

              “While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet.  So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.  The girl replied,

              “’Yes, a little.  I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.’

              “The teacher said, ‘Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.’

              “The girl hesitated, then read, ‘I think the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’ are:

1.      To See

2.      To Hear

3.      To Touch

4.      To Taste…”

              I believe this child has caught God’s view on this topic.  She appreciated what God has done.  One of my favorite children’s stories is this one:

MOSES AND THE RED SEA

-Author Unknown

              “Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School.

              ‘Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.  When he got to the Red Sea, he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely.  Then he radioed headquarters for reinforcements.  They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.‘ 

              ‘Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?’ his Mother asked.               

              ‘Well, no, Mom.  But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you’d never believe it!’”

              Are we like Joey when it comes to gaining the wisdom of God?  Do we believe what the Bible says or do we believe the things we read of this world’s wisdom and try to explain the Bible away?

              When I was small, I was totally shocked and really laughed at something a pastor of that day said.  He was explaining the miracles of the Bible from a scientific viewpoint.  Now don’t get me wrong.  I am not against scientists at all.  Many of our modern conveniences and health remedies would not be here if it were not for scientists. But this person was explaining away the miracle of the loaves and fishes.  He said that it wasn’t that Jesus didn’t actually multiply them, but that the loaves and fishes were just very large.  Someone did a research on the problem.  They determined that if the 5000 men were only the ones who ate and not the women and children, and each one had a one inch cube bread and fish, each loaf of bread had to be 40’ long.  I don’t remember how big the fish had to be.  He didn’t explain the 12 baskets of leftovers.

              Proverbs says that we get wisdom from God.  It makes sense since He is our Creator!  He knows all things.  We will never know as much as God and one exciting thing to me about Heaven is that we will continue to learn for eternity.  I think the little girl, Shelby, in the following story sums the subject up very nicely.

UNITED STATES MAP

Author Unknown

              “A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby.  She wanted to know what the United States looked like.

              “Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country.  Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said, ‘Go into the other room and see if you can put this together.  This will show you our whole country today.’

              “After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together.  The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly.

              “’Oh,’ she said, ‘on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus.  When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together.’”

-End-quote

“For wisdom will enter your heart, knowledge will be enjoyable for you,” Prov. 2:10