Painting Bees

Yesterday, I was driving down I-16. There are areas of that highway that are pretty “lonely” stretches…or are they? We tend to see undeveloped areas as “barren” and “void” if you will. However, as I was driving along, God spoke to my spirit, “Behold!” And, it was just like He said to me, “This is yours.” From that moment, I possessed the riches of His glory…it was mine to see, understand and know the beauty of His creation. Both sides of the highway were lush and thick with different hues of green trees and plants. Life felt abundant, rich, and full.

I dwelled for moments in the word, “behold”. What did it REALLY mean? I separated it. First, “be”. I started by thinking…“be” is a state in the present. “Hold” means to possess, or grasp in a physical, spiritual, or emotional sense. What was God saying to me? Webster defines “behold” as: “To have or keep in sight; look at; now, usually, to see; “Look!” This is all good, however, I think we are missing a deeper sense of the definition. Comprehension of the gift of our ability to see and sense a greater depth of meaning is bound up in the word, “Behold!” “Be” expresses that we are…we have been given the gift of life in the present, and are, therefore, able. By His will and power, we exist. The gift of life is ours to possess. “Hold” means to take, to possess, or to have. It is definitely a word in the present sense, and it implies and applies “to you.” It is a word that embodies "experience".

I put these thoughts together. Several thought-provoking things came to mind. Right here, right now, “behold” meant that by His power, direction, and love, God had given me the presence of life. He also gave me the ability to possess these things in my sight, sense His presence and to comprehend the richness and abundance of life that He created for me to enjoy.

We are so preoccupied, absorbed and distracted by the things this world, that we have reduced the richness of God’s creation to long, lonely, barren stretches of “nothingness.” When we speak of this highway, we sometimes say, “There is nothing between here and there.” We behold nothing, because it is a condition of the heart and mind. Perhaps, for some, it is a spiritual condition.


God calls us to “Behold” Him…to have a state of presence in Him and to possess the ability to see Him in His creative fullness. His desire is for the scales to fall from our eyes, and He calls us to enjoy the riches and blessings that we hold in our sight. Being blinded by the things of this world…we no longer see with our hearts, we see with only our eyes. We have been blind to the beauty of His creation and all things that He would have us to BEHOLD!

This has also brought to mind the thought of the fact that God is asking us to see something that He can see. He is pointing it out to us and sharing it with us. Is it not AWESOME to think that God wants us to see things THE WAY HE SEES them?!? So now, to me, the event of that day… the word “behold,” has become a deeper and more meaningful experience. It was an encounter with God. I feel humbled and gracious for this that He has extended unto me…and the opportunity to express it. Praise God!

This morning, I tried to remember a dream that I had last night. It seemed very vague and jumbled, except for one particular part that stood out in my mind…and that part is the reason why I so much want to remember it.

I dreamed that I was around some people who were translating the Bible. We could not leave until they were finished, because we were to take Bibles with us. I went into a room and I wrote down one word, came out and said
“I have translated the Bible.” The other people looked at me, unbelieving, and then I showed them the one-word translation. It said, “LOVE.”

This morning, as I think about that dream, over and over, I cannot help but think of I John 4:8: “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
Now, combine this with the knowledge imparted to us in the Gospel of John 1:1 which is: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Okay, so it takes a little algebra, but in my estimation, if… God = the Word, and God = love, then the Word = love!

This part of the dream is so vivid, while the rest is as a long-lost memory. I know that God puts things in our hearts and minds to understand Him more. I will be thinking all day about the concept of love…knowing that it is a gift from God to His children. We love because He made us in His image and breathed His life into us, and is in us. He made us to understand a merciful type of love and capable of loving with His mercy. Now, return to the scriptures and read I John 4: 7-21.

In application of a godly love, we must turn aside all fear, to boldly rush into the burning building of the world, willing to be a conduit of the love that is freely given and dwells within us with an attitude of mercy and grace.

From the beginning to the end, the Bible expresses love, even in the listing of names. These names are the names of a people who God loved and called His own. Out of love, His Word includes instruction for protection and provision. The stories of His Word lovingly teach godly character and principles. His prophets express consequences of disobedience and give hope to those who await the reward of a sacrificial life of love lived for Him.

The Bible is a love letter from a Father to His children. God yearns for us to excitedly share this love with others in a natural overflow of the love He has shared with us.

Well, earlier this week, I hosted a pity party...three people came...me, myself, and I. It didn't take much, because I already felt like Eyeore, or maybe that little kid on The Peanuts, who had a cloud of dust that followed him everywhere he went. Then, just by chance, I called someone, who must have been kind of busy...and well, this is the speech that I ended up giving at my party in response to what had made me feel rejection...THE WORLD OF ME

The world of me is interesting, preoccupied, and filled
with what I like, I want, I have,
and all I have self -willed.
No time for you unless I need
a sympathetic ear
or something I cannot obtain without someone so dear.
I’ll call or write an email when I’ve
nothing else to do.
You should really understand that
life’s not all about YOU.
Remember, feel quite free to call
if there’s some emergency.
Otherwise, I’m busy, now.
Please don’t bother me.
Don’t think I’m being selfish
and do not want to share.
I just have my own life
And I have no time to spare.

Of course, I had no intention of sharing it with anyone except for the ones who had attended my party...I was bashing someone for being short with me. Yep, I did it. Something like this is not typical of me, and something I really don't like admitting, but God just brought it to my memory this afternoon. I was busy doing something that I (with a BIG I ) wanted to do when the phone rang. I could see who the caller was, and I felt like the call was not particularly for me...besides, if I answered, I could get tied up for a while. It is rare for me to do such a thing, but I WAS BUSY IN MY OWN WORLD! What a hypocrite! They didn't even know, but God knew. He spanked my legs too, and put it in my heart to write this. I am ashamed to say, that even when I am having a good day and have spent a lot of time with God, I can still mess up. What if that person just needed someone to talk to? I "dropped the ball." Next time I think about having a pity party, I need to think about how many I may have caused other people to throw! Forgive me, Lord.

Lately, God has given me some different views of family relationships. One day, He spoke into my spirit a truth about the man-wife and family relationship that I have never grasped before. These truths, we live out daily in our habits and so much of the way we are “geared” and the things that we do reveal basic knowledge of these truths. Let me give you an example that really shows just how much God made us like Himself…

Many of us have something that we like to collect. For men, it may be hats, knives, baseball cards, stamps, coins, etc.. For ladies, it may be glassware, dolls, antique linens, or anything that has a particular design on it like sunflowers, chickens, etc. Every item in the “collection” has something in common, and we often put them in a special place, like a special room, cabinet, book, trunk, etc. We often cherish these items and wish for special people to have them one day.

In Genesis, we read of the manner in which God made all of creation and man, who He placed in the garden of Eden. (Genesis 2:15) He then saw the man’s need for “a help meet for him.” (Genesis 2:20) So, God “took one of his (Adam’s) ribs,” and “made He a woman and brought her unto the man.” (Genesis 2: 21-22). Scripture reveals that these two human beings were similar and had much in common. God “made” both of them, and they shared something, a rib…Adam said in Genesis 2:23, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh.” The two were designed to be together, and God placed them in a special place, the garden of Eden. The children that followed their union were also like them.

This is where I come to think of how much He cherishes mankind. We are all uniquely individual. However, God has made someone special for each of us, and He has willed to place us together. The person that He designed to share in our lives is to become a part of a unique collection we call a “family.” The special place that He would have for us to be together in is a “home.” The word “home” brings thoughts of comfort and peace…and this is a spiritual condition that He wants for all of us.

Now for the good part. God cherishes each and every person, and it is His desire that ALL come to understand His love for us though the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ. When we accept Christ as our Savior, we are promised to join Him in a special place, where we will be with Him…loved and cherished throughout eternity. In our desire to become one with Him, we become part of God’s “family”, and our “home” will be with Him in heaven one day. And, this is God’s final divine design…

With all of the current world events, God placed this in my heart...

Sins of the world,
Like blasphemies hurled
Distance God.

Signs of the beast,
Hate, war increase;
World at odds.

Earth rumbles, shudders
And violently utters
God’s disdain.

Twisting winds tear,
Destruction leaves bare
Earth’s terrain.

The rains overflow
Rivers of woe
Express wrath.

Hurricanes churn,
Wild fires burn,
Rage in paths.

God’s people prepare.
His message declares
The end nears.

Angela Usher

I marvel at the physical gifts that we all have been given. My thoughts this morning are directed toward the gift of the ability to speak and the blessing of the sound of voice. God has been blessing me this morning with thoughts of His intentions for our voices and how He is able to bless us, through these, with His spiritual gifts…

There is a song with the words, “Give me words to speak…“

This morning, I pray that God uses my voice to glorify His name, to encourage others, to tell of His mercy, grace, and love; to express opinions that are seasoned with His wisdom and discernment; to express terms of endearment that are likened unto those of His heart; to openly praise God, and to tell of His wondrous love through the testimonies of His greatness. I pray that He uses the gift of speech to aid me in leading others in His paths of righteousness; to express my love for Him with a thankful heart, praising Him in songs and words that express my love for Him and that honor His Worthy Name.

I pray for words that teach my children: words that correct and convict of wrong in the sight of the Lord: words that do not anger, but bring them up in the training and the instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4). I pray that I am slow to speak in moments of anger (James 1:19), and that I am frequently reminded to express God's love and my love towards them. I pray that God help me to build up and not tear down the lives which He has entrusted to me.

When I am at a loss for words, I pray that the Lord God fills my spirit with those which spring from the well of His righteousness. I pray that I am filled with His compassion so as to express His comfort those who grieve. I pray for words that are kind and considerate: words that uplift the downtrodden and that strengthen my brothers and sisters. I pray to be in the service of the Lord, God Almighty, and that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in the sight of my Lord, who is my Strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

Amen.

The other day, I was watching a tv evangelist and he said something that was so poignant.The statement related something to this effect…”instead of worrying about leaving a better world for our children, we should be worrying about leaving better children for our world….”

We DO tend to busy ourselves worrying about saving our world, (or is it a “way of life” we are really trying to preserve?!?). Don’t get me wrong… preservation, conservation, recycling, and going “green” are wonderful concepts. They are, in fact, basic to good stewardship. However, if we became more concerned with teaching our children biblical foundations on which they can build their lives, the issues that the world faces today would slowly die.

Godly attitudes and moral character give way to appreciation and care, a thankful heart, and a respect for God’s creation…not to mention, good stewardship. The result is an automatic desire to protect and preserve His work of creation. I cannot help but think of Psalm 24:1-6,

1 “The Earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2 For He hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or shall stand in His holy place?
4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of those who seek Him, that seek Thy face, O Jacob. Selah.

When I think of the overall spiritual condition of our world, I don’t care how “green” we become, we cannot receive the reward of our endeavors unless we seek God.

There is something more important than establishing methods to delay or halt the deteriorating condition of our environment or society. II Chronicles 7:14 says, “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 forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

This generation must recognize that the condition of our world is more than just a physical condition or a human condition. It is a spiritual condition. The answer to so many of our issues is a matter of the overall condition of the heart and our relationship with God. But before we can teach our children how to live, we must recognize the state of our own condition, humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from our own sin. Children learn by example…

How can we leave better children for our world if we are not living the life that we should live as Christians?

Here is a deeper question…What in the world will become of us…..?

Christian Soldiers

I really enjoy the History Channel. I don’t watch it much, but when I do, I am always amazed by what I don’t know, and how much I learn.

I was watching it for a few brief moments over the Memorial Day weekend, when I learned something that not only astounded me, but also make me relate some of the realities of that moment in history to our spiritual lives.

During WWII, the U.S. was fighting on two fronts. It was a desperate time. It took about 18 men to “supply” one man on the front lines…16 to 18 thousand pounds of supplies per year (half of which was fuel) were needed to supply that one man on the front line. Only about 1 out of every 6 service men ever actually fought in the war (I hope I have all of my statistics right…forgive me if I have made a mistake.) Anyway, the number of “service men” (literally) needed was truly astonishing. I had never really thought about it. And, cutting off the “supply line” could mean the difference between winning and losing battles sometimes. The “supply line” was THE most integral part of the war…without the supplies, the war could not be fought.


Oh, there are so many life/spiritual applications that could be made here! I think of us, as Christians, “service” men and women. Sometimes we actually “fight” and sometimes, we serve.

Prayer is a Christian’s “life-line,” and the Word is the “supply line”. If Satan succeeds in diverting us from prayer or “refueling” on the Word, we are cut off from communication with God, spiritual nourishment and weaponry. This causes us to fight a losing battle. Ephesians 6:10-18 describes what is needed for the battles that we fight as Christians. We must put on this armor daily, for although Jesus won for us the ultimate victory, we still wrestle “against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12)

I hope we all can realize the importance of our prayer lives and the Word of God. A lack of either can be devastating in life’s daily battles. Many Christians “surrender” under an oppressed spiritual life, which bleeds into every other aspect of their lives. They give in to those things that are not of Christ, and floundering and depressed under the burdens of this world, they become useless as servants in God’s kingdom! They do not serve God because they CANNOT serve. Unarmed and malnourished, they have lost their own personal battle with the world…just the way Satan would have it. I believe that is why we have so few Christians that are “serving” Christ today!

Can these “prisoners” of war survive, overtake the enemy, and gain control of their spiritual and personal lives again? Absolutely! They have an open line of communication with the VICTOR! Their supply line is waiting, and the armor as well as the weaponry that they need is at their fingertips! It is simply a matter of their own self-will and determination. They can live a victorious life in Christ if they will just do what they need to do as soldiers of Christ.

It is not God’s will for His children to be overcome by Satan and this world. He will provide everything needed (Hebrews 4:16) in life’s battles. And, never fear…He is on the front line! ( See Psalm 9: 9) Maybe for encouragement, one should begin in Psalms. God’s mighty warrior, David, found his strength in battles and his refuge in times of trouble in the Lord, our God.

If the things of this world have depressed, suppressed, or oppressed you and have control of your life…then PRAY, seek God. Pick up “the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Eph. 6:17) Fight “the good fight” and “finish the course”, “keep the faith” that you may obtain “a crown of righteousness.” ( II Timothy 4: 7-8) Onward, Christian soldiers!

Lots and Lot

I have really been thinking about Lot alot lately. I don’t really know why, but God has laid it on my heart to write this. It started whenever I was drawn to the Word to find out the name of Lot’s wife. I was actually thinking about the fact of what happens when you “look back.” Looking back has dire consequences. The Israelites, in their disobedience to God, looked back and sometimes yearned for the life that they had in Egypt…WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? Ever “wander” what happened?!? When we LOOK BACK, sort of rejecting the protection and provision that God has supplied for the time at hand, we are unable to accept the blessings that He has IN FRONT of us!

Ok, back to Lot. It is apparent that his father, Haran, had died. Haran was Abraham’s brother. Abraham sort of “adopted” Lot, by taking him under his wing, helping him, and bringing him along when God told him to “Go.” I find an interesting parallel in the fact that God adopts us into His family, takes us under His wing, helps us, and allows us to walk with Him.

Next, whenever the area of land where God had lead Abraham was not large enough to support the herds of both Abraham and Lot and strife grew between their herdsmen, Abraham asked his nephew to choose an area of the land where he could take his family and herds to live. Lot chose the plains of Jordan that were abundant with water…the pasture seemed “greener on the other side.” Abraham was content to have what Lot did not choose. I also find an interesting parallel with this story. God gives us free will to choose…and we are, by human nature, often selfish. We want what appears to be “the best” and we are often self-centered in our choices, and God often settles for what is left of our time, talents, and resources.

Apparently, Lot eventually moved into the town of Sodom (Genesis 14:12), a town in which the men “were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly. (Genesis 13:13) He soon found himself taken captive. When he heard, Abraham came to Lot’s rescue. Just like Lot, we find ourselves in difficult situations when we move away from God and position ourselves where He does not desire us to be. But, He comes to our rescue. He redeemed His children.

And last, but not least, isn’t it interesting that “some people never learn.” What did Lot do? He returned to Sodom! Proverbs 26:11 says, ”As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.” This truth is again reiterated in II Peter 2:22. Well, again I say, “Some people never learn.” Obviously, things had not changed and had probably worsened, in the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. Yet, Lot returned to Sodom to live. (I can almost imagine that this was against Abraham’s advice!) Because of the sin and wickedness there, the Lord sought to destroy those towns. Yet, Abraham pled, on the behalf of Lot, for the Lord to spare the righteous. Isn’t it ironic that Jesus is OUR advocate before the Almighty God!

Finally, Lot and his family are led out of Sodom by angels. (Is this the reason why we think of “guardian angels” as beings that guide and protect us?!?) Now, Lot was perhaps a bit reluctant, as he “lingered.” Yet, the Lord showed him mercy, and the angels “laid hold upon” the hands of Lot and his family, leading them out of Sodom. They were given instructions. Genesis 19:17 states that the angels instructed, “look not behind thee.” Lot’s wife paid the price for her disobedience. Was she curious? Did she yearn for what she left behind? Did she look back thinking, “what if I had lived my life to make a difference?” Despite her reasons, disobedience and “looking back” can destroy one’s life. In Phillipians 3:13, the Bible speaks about “forgetting those things which are behind us and reaching forth unto those things which are before.” We cannot look back (or go back) and move forward in God’s kingdom…it is impossible. Are there things in your life you would change if you could go back? Forget them, and MOVE FORWARD! Are there things in your “old (pre-Christian)” life that you are drawn to? DON’T LOOK BACK! MOVE FORWARD! Are there things that bother you, that you just can’t seem to forget? DON’T LOOK BACK! MOVE FORWARD! God cannot use you if you are dwelling in the past. He cannot use you if you are not moving forward.

You know, by weight, salt is one of the least expensive things that money can buy. Lot’s wife ended up almost worthless…not even important enough to mention by name in the Bible! So, it must be pretty bad to “ look back!”

Finally, lots of us seem to do the things that Lot and his wife did. He and his family were considered “righteous.” Righteous does not always mean that people do right. And, to “go back” and “look back” are things that will never move us forward in God’s kingdom. In fact, it moves us away from God and His will for our lives. Pray that we not be Lots like Lot.

We have a table in our kitchen that is supposed to be positioned under a light fixture. Every now and then, I notice that it is nearly impossible to walk around it on one side. Somehow, someway, it has gradually gotten pushed over until it is no longer under the light. Funny that no one notices until you cannot walk around one side of it!

The other morning, God spoke so clearly to my spirit and showed me what He meant through the example of the table. The world is so distracting, and we sometimes have so much going on in our lives, that we get pushed further and further in another direction, and God is no longer center of our lives. Sometimes, we don't even notice it until we get pushed up "against a wall" of sorts. Then, we tend to regain our focus...we suddenly notice that we need to "rearrange" our lives and place God in the center of things again. Remember that the table had been pushed away from the light? Well, we also allow the hustle and bustle of everyday living to push us away from the Light...and things are not as clear in the darkness. We have chaos, difficulty making decisions, arranging priorities, etc, and are confused by so many choices that are offered by the world. If God remains in the center of our lives, the decisions, choices, and priorities are simplified. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light..."John 14:6.

I have had so many appointments and different things that I had to do lately, that my normal schedule has been thrown off. For a while, I have had a time that was designated for just me and God first thing in the morning. Lately, it has gotten pushed aside. Not to say that I have not maintained some sort of prayer life...I have. But, I miss that "sweet hour of prayer." Could it be that I need to rearrange my days, appointments, etc.? Someone committed would get up earlier. But, I dare say that anytime before the time I get up now would make me like the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. Sleepy is a poor excuse. I guess the important thing is that I have realized this, and that I will make an effort now to move my table more directly under that Light, to keep an eye on it's position, and move it when necessary.