Past Devotions

It’s been a very busy week with the kitchen reconstruction. Wednesday, so far, was the worst. Three different craftsmen worked on three different parts of the reconstruction. The front door was left open so they could run in and out, which meant we had a house full of flies by evening. There were all kinds of power saws in our front yard and driveway for both wood, laminate and tiles. Tools were scattered all over the kitchen, and then there was the abundant aroma of glue that permeated everything. That day left me with a headache and feeling really ragged by nightfall.

We still aren’t done. Laminate flooring and painting, staining cabinets, carpet cleaning etc., still need to be finished. Probably more noisy saws and more smelly glue. There is also a layer of wood and laminate dust on every surface, from our bedding and furniture to wall hangings and ceiling fans. Everything I touch is gritty. I foresee days of cleaning.

I know there’s a plan behind all this. I saw it outlined on five single sheets of paper. Who knew (well at least I didn’t) that the plan to make all things right would create such chaos before it culminated!

God has a plan also.  We read of its culmination in Revelation. “The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.’” [11:15 NIV]

As you read the Book of Revelation, you’ll notice that while the declaration of the culmination of God’s plan (which He had before the world’s creation) occurs in chapter 11, there’s a whole lot of chaos that follows. There are plagues and bowls of judgment, the destruction of Babylon, and chaining of the great dragon and false prophet, just to name a few.

Still, no matter the chaos, God’s plan is sure.  The kingdom of this world is the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ … and He will reign forever and ever.

As I sit here this morning someone is pounding away in my kitchen, nail guns are going off, power saws are running, reconstructing my kitchen. And I am lovin’ every moment. I will soon have my kitchen back, water damage mitigated, new cabinet, flooring, countertops. I will even have a change that I have wanted to make since we moved in, the reduction of the eating bar countertop that hung over into the living room.  Always hated that countertop.  Now it is gone, soon to be replaced by a much smaller one that doesn’t invade the living room space.

What appeared to be a disaster and left us initially wondering what to do is turning out to improve our house. Worn flooring will be gone and new installed. Countertops are new and more modern. And we didn’t even have to pay for it, insurance covered the cost (all but a deductible).

As I have listened to the noise in my kitchen for days, I have thought about that Scripture in Romans–that “all things” scripture found in chapter 8, verse 28.  “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” [Christian Standard Bible]

The NIV changes that verse just a little … “And we know that in all things God works for the good….”

We need to understand that “all things” working together doesn’t happen randomly.  It takes an initiating and sustaining power to make all things work together for good. My kitchen is not becoming better, newer, all by itself.  I can put all the wood, nails, countertops and flooring in there, but if a skilled craftsman doesn’t arrange them as they need to be, it isn’t going to happen on its own.  In the same way, the “all things” of our life work out for the good because our Father God, through the power of His Holy Spirit in us, ordains them to do so!

Thank you, Father, for the skilled craftsman in my kitchen – and thank you Father for the skilled craftsman, Your Holy Spirit, working all things together for good in me. Amen.

Bob got a Papa Murphy pizza the other day to bring home and bake. I reminded him as he left for the store that we wanted the “De-Lite” crust, the ultra-thin, lower carb version.  It’s the only kind of pizza I can eat on my diabetic diet. And truthfully, I have grown to delight in the “De-Lite” crust.

Delight. The dictionary tells us that delight means a high degree of gratification or pleasure, joy, and extreme satisfaction.  The NIV translates a word in 1 Corinthians 13 (the love chapter) as delight. It’s a word the NKJV translates as rejoice.

 “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”  [verse 6 NIV]

“[Love] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.” [verse 6 NKJV]

The Greek word for delight and rejoice in the first half of that verse is chairo (khah’-ee-ro); a primary verb which means to be cheerful, calmly happy or well-off. The Greek word for rejoices in the second half of the verse is a form of that word, but slightly different, and both the NIV and NKJV use “rejoices.”

Delight.  Love takes no gratification or pleasure in evil, in sin. Love finds no joy or satisfaction there.  Love’s satisfaction comes from a different source, the truth. That is true even though the truth is often difficult, often goes against our nature and our desires. The truth just plain hurts at times! Yet, love finds its cheer and well-being in the truth.

Beloved, evil is not something to rejoice in, it is something about which to mourn. Let us always find our delight, our joy, our cheerfulness in the presence of the truth.

“I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast!  And when I run I feel his pleasure.” –Eric Liddell

Watching the moving “Chariots of Fire” always inspires me to run my race with more vigor. Liddell’s quote above also reminds me that we each have a God-given purpose in life.  Liddell’s purpose that he refers to, of course, was his mission for Christ to China. He ran races, and he was fast, but his purpose was to spread the Gospel to his second homeland, China.

Paul reminded Timothy of his own purpose shortly before he died. “And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle-I am telling the truth, I am not lying-and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.” [1 Tim 2:7 NIV]

We all need a God-given purpose.  Suicide is on the rise in every state in our union, from 1% in Nevada to 43% in other states. Without knowing our God-given purpose in life, it can be extremely difficult to persevere through the bad times.  The enemy knows how to shout in our ear that we are worthless, useless and that no one cares whether we live or die.

We are not worthless, unworthy yes, but God was willing to pay a high price to redeem His creation.  We are not useless, no matter our age or physical ability, God can and will use us if we allow Him. He will not spurn a willing heart. And may I be so bold as to say that God cares whether we live or die. He wants us to live abundantly in Him until He calls us home.

Beloved, never, ever, let the enemy of your soul tell you that are worthless, useless or that no one cares! You have a God-given purpose!

Saturday, I watched “Chariots of Fire” for probably the 10^th time. There are a few scenes and quotes in the movie which touch my heart. Perhaps the most famous and the one I really like is the one toward the end of the movie, the one sub-titled, “Honors God.”

Eric Liddell, Scottish missionary, was a sprinter who ran in the Olympics before returning to his mission in China. When he found out that the trials for his race were on a Sunday, he refused to run. He lived the commandment to “keep holy the Sabbath.” Through the kindness of a teammate, he was given the opportunity to run in a distance race, a race he had never run before. Just before the race, an American runner, also a Christian, handed him a note with a quote from the Old Testament, “He who honors God, God will honor.” [1 Samuel 2:30]

Of course, Eric Liddell wins the race and walks away with the gold. One of Liddell’s quotes is repeated in the movie as he runs this race.  “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast! And when I run I feel his pleasure.”

Eric Liddell’s sister Jenny, and the man who handed him the Scripture before the race, Jackson Schultz, were key contributors to the movie “Chariots of Fire.” I read that it was difficult for the actor portraying Liddell to run the way he did, head back facing the sky, smiling, arms churning. To run that way is counter-intuitive. I think, however, for Liddell, to run that way is a testimony to the pleasure he knew from God.

May we all run that way, head back facing the heavens, smiling, arms churning through the air, sensing God’s purpose and pleasure. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwyltmUR3MU

Bob was fishing on Saturday, so I pulled out some old DVDs to watch. The first was “Chariots of Fire.” The movie is about the great Scottish missionary Eric Liddell.  There are a few scenes and quotes in that movie that I really like.  The first quote comes from a scene near the beginning which shows rather unorganized races throughout Scotland, slugging along in the rain and mud. He asks the audience who gathers to hear him preach after the race, “Where does the power come from?”

And then he tells them. “It comes from within.” (link below to movie scene)

He explains that it comes from having a relationship with Christ.  Paul said it this way to the Ephesians, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”  [3:16-17 NIV]

The power to participate in and win this spiritual race comes from Christ who takes up residence in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. That happens when we place our faith in God’s Son.

When we are slugging through the mud in life, running while the storms of life dampen everything, we need to remember that it is the power of Christ within us that will lead us to finish the race as winners.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbgR-pOIFbE

Spring and summer in the Treasure Valley in Idaho are a constantly changing weather picture. We can be cold one day, blazing hot the next. But the best are the thunderstorms that just seem to appear out of nowhere.

I was at the church the other day when one hit. Suddenly the front door blew open and the fierce wind began to shove the fallen leaves and tree blossoms inside. It began to pour. I could hear the thunder and lightning accompanying the noisy wind.  It was great.  I stood in the doorway and watched the clouds race across the sky.  And then just as suddenly as it came up, it was gone. Weather peace descended again.

Everyone has storms in life. Sometimes they come up just like the Treasure Valley thunderstorms that dot our weather pattern in spring and summer.  It is when the storms are buffeting us that we need to remember that Jesus is our song amid the storm.

There is a marvelous song that I listen to during my worship walks, “Let It Be Jesus.”  It begins with these words, “Let it be Jesus. The first name that I call. Let it be Jesus. My song inside the storm”

My song inside the storm of life is this, “for me to live is Christ.” And one day when that final storms wins its battle over my body, I shall know firsthand that “to die is gain.”  [Philippians 1:21]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2h9Hm9JZho  (“Let it be Jesus” link)

I’m getting ready to head out the door for my morning walk and I’m thinking about the new “sidewalks” upon which my feet will soon step. I’m anticipating their level, smooth surface. I know it sounds silly, but while walking outside is such a delight in many ways, for an older woman with balance issues, it can be distracting or difficult also.  I find that instead of focusing on the beautiful sky or listening to my worship music and singing along with it, I’m focused on my feet and my balance.

With these new, level sidewalks, I am not walking with my head down looking at the ground. I am head held high and striding with confidence.  I wrote yesterday about what joy there is in giving God our best in the mornings and on these new level walkways I can do just that.  Thinking of these sidewalks also reminds me of a  verse in the psalms.  “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” [Ps 143:10 NIV]

The KJV says, “lead me into the land of righteousness.”

The word for “level ground” and “land of righteousness” is miyshowr (mee-shore’) and means literally a level, even place. It is used figuratively as uprightness, or righteousness. I truly appreciate the NIV’s translation of this verse.  Anyone who has walked on uneven ground knows the toll it takes compared to walking on level ground. That applies to the spiritual as well as the physical!

God, teach me! Lead me! May Your Good Spirit lead me on level, even ground as I walk this journey with You. Amen & Amen.

I’m just back from my early morning worship walk. I’ve had to vary my routine now that summer weather is upon us. Rather than wait for the warm afternoon sun in fall and winter to head out, I now leave very early to enjoy the cool morning. I prefer afternoons, so much easier to get everything done that needs doing in the morning when I am my brightest and best.  Yet maybe I need to be my brightest and best (at least for half the year) when I worship God as I walk.

This morning I discovered a new “sidewalk!” I have sidewalks inside our subdivision, but in the mornings, inside the subdivision I am dodging misaligned sprinklers, people pulling out of their driveways, and often garbage cans and trash containers. Living in the rural part of a rural city, sidewalks are a luxury. If I leave my subdivision I’m on uneven gravel shoulders alongside roadways.

This morning I was walking the edge of our subdivision and noticed a new commercial section across the road. It’s been mainly farm fields, but now they are cutting roads through it and construction is in full swing. One section has all the sidewalks finished, but not the roads yet. I headed over in that direction. The only thing I had to dodge was the occasional quail and killdeer as they tried to lead me away from their nesting grounds.

As I walked along, I began to sing with my worship music. There was no one around, only me and the birds chirping their worship along with mine. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” [Ps 100:2 NIV]

Giving our wonderful Lord worship when we are at our “best and brightest” is a good thing. I think I am going to enjoy my early mornings with Him as I stroll along brand new sidewalks!

Ah, the “Saga of the Sink” is writing a new chapter this morning. They are beginning the process of building it back up. It only took them four hours to tear it all apart, rip up floor, remove cabinets, etc. Four hours that left us with a big hole in the cabinet, a laundry tub for a sink, and exposed sub-floor. We’ve been living like that for six weeks.  But today, TODAY, they are starting the re-build.

Unfortunately, it will take a lot longer than four hours. It will take multiple days across a couple weeks as they bring in different sub-contractors to do the different work needed.  In the end, however, we will have a kitchen that is much better than the original.

Funny how tearing down is a lot faster, cheaper and easier than building up. It doesn’t take much to tear down, rip apart, and leave destruction in the wake.  Our society is proof of that.  We seem to be geared to it. If someone attempts to raise their head above the crowd, someone else is waiting in the wings to take them apart.

Paul told the church at Thessalonica that they were to, “encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”   Paul even gave them a “therefore.”  They were “therefore” to encourage and build up others because “God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.”  [1 Thess 5:9-11 NIV]

Life is rough and often unfair. Society is moving away from compassion and kindness. Hopelessness is becoming the norm for so many. Opioid use is epidemic. Bullying, suicide, violence commonplace.

Church, we must become a bastion of encouragement. We must always seek to build others up. There are more than enough ready to tear down.