Windows of the Soul

Those Entrusted to You

2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:2-3)

 

Whatever we find ourselves doing, and no matter where we find ourselves in life and work, there are people and things that are entrusted to each one of us.  As parents, our children are entrusted to us.  As workers, specific responsibilities are entrusted to us.  Sometimes we find ourselves in a position of leadership overseeing others in the workplace, or programs to benefit others.  We find ourselves in places where people and things are entrusted to us. 

 

Regardless the level or the role, there is responsibility to those people or things entrusted to our care.  In the verses above, Christian leaders are exhorted to be shepherds of the flock under their care.  Those in positions of Spiritual Leadership are to take a personal interest in the well-being of those in their care.  They are to make sure the basics are covered.  Churches, especially now, are to help those in their flock who may be struggling with the basics of life: food and drink, clothing and shelter. 

 

Beyond the basics, the shepherd is to keep an eye on the horizon for new feeding grounds.  This may be literal or spiritual.  The literal has to do with the physical well-being, the resources available that benefit others.  The spiritual has to do with the spiritual growth and development of those entrusted to thier care.  The flock should recognize the Shepherd’s voice, and follow. 

 

The Shepherd, or leader in this case, is to not only watch over, take a personal interest in, make sure the basics are covered, and be on the look out for new feeding grounds, but s/he is to both serve the flock and be an example to the flock.  So that others might benefit and that they might follow.  Imitate.  Go and do likewise.  Pay it forward. 

 

Jesus is our great Shepherd.  He is our example.  Our pastors and leaders are to follow His lead.  We are called to follow as well. 

 

All of us have something or someone entrusted to us.  May we lead with honor, serve with dignity, and look out for the well-being of those entrusted to each one of us willingly. 

 

Selah.  

 

Taming the Tongue

 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.        9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. (James 3:8; 3:7-11 context)

 

I’m wondering if there is a person alive that can tame the tongue?  Come on, we all have used it to not only praise, but also to curse.  To gossip.  Tell a little white lie.  And to cuss – which is technically not the same a cursing, by the way.  I know I am guilty. What about you? 

 So, what is meant by restless evil and deadly poison?  Evil, in and of itself, is restless.  The Bible describes Satan as an enemy that prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Destroy.  Words can do that, too.

When you hear gossip, can you just let it go and not repeat it?  When someone wrongs you, can you turn the other cheek, and let it go?  I don’t know about you, but my first inclination is always anger, retribution, and to tell someone.  Whether I act on it or not, my gut reaction is always vindication: an eye for an eye.

 So, what can we do?  The tongue – or what comes out of the mouth - is a result of what is going on in the mind and in the heart of a person.  What are you thinking about?  What’s in your heart?  Like it or not, sooner or later it comes out of the mouth; it can be seen in our actions.   

The Word tells us to think about whatever is lovely, true, noble, praiseworthy, of good report. Here’s the verse:  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Phil. 4:8, NIV).  

 As we dwell in and upon the Word of God, we assimilate His character – godliness, holiness, love, and so much more.  While my first inclination may be to my earthly or sinful nature, God in me (godliness) can take over as I give the situation to Him. 

 And so it is with the tongue.  Get in the habit of ‘holding’ your tongue.  Wait.  Put a moment between stimulus and response.  And in that moment where you pause, think  Philippians 4:8; pray a prayer to God; do a heart check; and then respond. Remember, a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1, NIV). 

 Let what comes out of your mouth resemble this word picture: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver (Proverbs 25:11).

 Selah. 

 

Hardship

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?  (Hebrews 12:7)

 

Admittedly, this is not a fun topic to write about.  If you’ve lived long enough, you have no doubt encountered hardship.  Especially in today’s economy: with homelessness, housing foreclosures, and any number of unfortunate events going on all around us.  We all seem to know someone who is facing hardship, or we have faced it ourselves.  Sometimes we look at another person’s life and see hardship – and it comes in any number of forms: emotional, physical, mental, situational.  The suffering can be from within or without, but it is still there.  No one is immune. 

 

Fortunately, for many of us, hardship gives way to better days.  After hardship, we seem to see greener grass, bluer skies, and know down deep that life is good.  But this happens on the upside of hardship. 

 

The Word tells us to endure hardship as discipline.  Hmm.  As a parent, I disciplined my children when they were out of line, or when they didn’t do what they were supposed to do.  Discipline came in the form of spanking, grounding, loss of privilege. 

 

Discipline, however, in this particular verse, I believe has to do with training imposed for the improvement of self-control, behavior, mental, physical or spiritual well being.  Discipline increases our capacities – in every realm. 

 

Athletes engage in physically challenging workouts.  To get better, they endure hardship (aches and pains from training).  The same goes in the mental realm, and spiritual realm. 

 

God may allow hardship for a time, so that you ultimately benefit.  Let’s hope so.  If we use times of hardship to steady ourselves, renew our resolve and increase our capacities, we will become people who have more to offer.  We have built capacity to endure. 

 

If you are struggling, hang in there.  Try this: change the way you look at hardship and see the discipline as a friend rather than the enemy.  Eventually, you will look back and realize you have come a long way, baby. 

 

Blessings.  Selah.  

 

The Fruit of Righteousness

Today’s Scripture Reading: Isaiah 32; Isaiah 33; Isaiah 34; Isaiah 35; James 2

 16 The LORD’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field.

17 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.

18 My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.

19 Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely,

20 how blessed you will be, sowing your seed by every stream, and letting your cattle and donkeys range free. (Isaiah 32:16-20)

 

Just as fruit appears on apple and a myriad of other trees, so it appears in the life of the believer whose life is rooted in the Almighty.  Just as any fruit tree sends down deep roots, is watered through the rains that fall on earth,  blossoms and bears fruit, so it is with the lives of those whose ways are committed to the LORD. 

 

We see real fruit in the lives of believers.  Their ways are righteous.  Along with moral uprightness, they are godly and virtuous people.  And the evidence of that righteousness is peace.  Quietness.  Confidence.  Secure homes.  Undisturbed places of rest.  Blessedness. 

 

Righteousness is basically right standing with God.  Its also right standing with our fellow man.  This brings the fruit of peace.  Peace with God and others.

 

Have you ever been in a peaceful place – either a physically peaceful surroundings, or just a peaceful place in your heart?  You can relax and be your best self, and maybe even let your hair down.  There’s a certain joy, and seeming effortlessness or ease that goes with it.

 

May our lives reflect the love of God, and reveal the fruit of righteousness today and always.  Peace be with you.  Selah.  

 

Certain

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1) 

 

Have you ever just known about something, but had no proof?  You just “knew” when you met your husband.  Or you “just knew” when you stepped into a school that you would work there.  Or you “just knew” you needed to change directions.  And even though you just knew – you could not put anything tangible to it.  Just a gut feeling.  A knowing.  No proof.  You just knew. 

 

I have had these times.  Times when everything seems so impossible, so uncertain, and improbable – even though you ‘know’.  Even when everything in the physical world says no – when God says yes, you can bank on it. 

 

Faith is like that.  You cannot see the wind, but you can feel it.  You can see its presence in the way the tree branches blow.  Yet wind itself you cannot see.  But you know it is there. It’s the same with love.  You can feel love for someone, know you are loved by someone, and you can see tangible gestures of love.  But you cannot see love itself, just as you cannot see the wind.  Yet still – you know. 

 

Faith is the substance of what we hope for.  Substance brings with it the idea that it is real and tangible.  The gut feelings we talked about.  It may be a vision.  A dream.  It may be a notion.  A sense.  But we know. 

 

Even though everything in the physical realm may point to that knowing you have deep inside you as not becoming a reality, God, in his infinite creativity can make a way.  When God ordains something, all hell can try to stand in the way and it will not thwart the will of God. 

 

But faith is being sure of that.  The substance.  The evidence.  The sureness.  The certainty. 

 

What is it I can be sure of? All that God has promised. What is the evidence?  He said it, and God is true to His Word.  He reminds me regularly.

 

Lord God, each one of us can have faith in uncertain times and inhospitable conditions that what You have said is true.  Help is on the way.  You know the time and the place.  Our job is to believe.  To be sure.  To be certain.  To be still and know.  Selah. 

 

 

God and His Promises

And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. (Hebrews 6:15)

 

Paul has been writing and recounting the faith of the ‘greats’ among the Jewish people.  Abraham and Sarah waited twenty-five years for the child of promise.  Yes, twenty-five years.  They were in their nineties when they became parents to Isaac. 

 

Have you ever waited a really long time for something?  I mean, years?  I have.  And I have not always been patient. 

 

Waiting has been a journey and along the way I have grown tremendously.  One of the things I am currently doing is reading about training in my sport – road biking/cycling.  As I read and learn about training techniques, and what it takes to improve and become a champion, I realize the same principles hold true for my life and my work.   

 

Mental toughness.  Train with intention.  Focused efforts.  Specific targeted training to improve performance and meet training goals.  This is a different approach than I have used so far in my sport.

 

Abraham went about his life and waited patiently.  There was not a whole lot he could do to make it happen.  He simply had to wait.  Remain.  Believe. 

 

Waiting has always seemed like wasted time to me, in a way.  Hurry up and wait.  Life seems like endless periods of waiting in between short bursts of activity.  But, in reality, it isn’t.  Waiting is not so much a passive activity as an active one.  While the activity may seem absent, its work (the work of waiting) is profound, deep, and lasting.

 

Waiting gives our faith a chance to send down deep roots, and abide during seeming dormant periods.  Waiting gives us the tenacity to hold on and believe when we don’t see much happening on the outside.  Yet a lot is happening on the inside.  Waiting helps us focus on what we can control, not what we cannot control.  Waiting helps us learn to believe in ourselves and our abilities even in inhospitable conditions and circumstances.  Waiting helps us plan for times when the door of opportunity does open. Waiting allows us to shift our attention to other things and develop those things while we wait.  Waiting forces us to learn to be open to everything and hold on to nothing. 

 

Seems like waiting is a good teacher.  It brings out the best and worst in us.  It gives us opportunity for tremendous growth.  It develops our character, tenacity and the inner person. 

 

LORD, just as Abraham waited patiently to receive your promises, so must we.  My prayer is that you will fulfill your promises to me – in your perfect time and way.  I am open to receive your promises.  Amen.  

 

 

 

Stand

5 Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah's son have plotted your ruin, saying, 6 "Let us invade Judah; let us tear it apart and divide it among ourselves, and make the son of Tabeel king over it."

7 Yet this is what the Sovereign LORD says:" 'It will not take place, it will not happen, 8 for the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is only Rezin. Within sixty-five years 
Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people.

 9 The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah's son.  If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.' "  (Isaiah 7:5-9)

 

For today’s devotion, verses 5, 7 and 9b stood out to me from the Isaiah chapter 7.  It seems there is a very short but poignant story in it. 

 

Aram, Ephraim and Remaliah banded together and plotted the ruin of Ahaz, king of Judah.  Isaiah was appointed to go to him and tell him to be careful, stay calm, and not to be afraid.  The Sovereign Lord said their plot would not take place.  It would not happen.  And later, “if you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”

 

And, as the story progressed, sure enough, what the Sovereign Lord said was true, it did not happen, it did not take place. 

 

There is a lesson in this for us today.  That lesson is to listen, to trust and to obey.  If God said it, you can count on it.  If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.  Period. 

 

Stand firm.  Believe what God has said to you.  Even if you do not see it realized yet, stand firm in what God has revealed and what he has promised.  Count on it.  Bank on it.  Stand firm in it.  And watch it unfold.  It may take years, it may only take moments.  But you can trust that when God, who is Sovereign over the universe, says it, you can trust it. 

 

Stand firm in your faith.  Stand. 

 

LORD, may we stand firm in everything you have said to us, everything you have revealed to us.  May we trust you completely, and know that if you said it, it is done.  Amen.   

 

 

 

 

God's Work

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. (1Timothy 1:3-7)

 

Today I want to focus on God’s work.  His work is accomplished by faith.  I included several verses around this phrase in I Timothy 1:4b, in order to give context to the devotion. 

 

As we study both the Old and New Testaments we discover not only Biblical characters, but we discover more about what God is like. We find that His work must be done in His way and in His timing.  Honestly, as we look at some of the accounts of events, we cannot help but wonder why God chooses to do things the ways he does. 

 

Why do evil men remain in power?  Why do the prophets suffer?  Why did he have men march around Jericho and blow horns on the seventh day?  Why did the widow’s flour and oil not run out for three years?  Why did Ahab and Jezebel remain in power despite their wickedness?  Why did God choose for a donkey to talk?  Why did Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey? 

 

The short answer.  We don’t know.  Only God knows why he does certain things the way he does them.  We have no clue.   Our job is to trust, to obey, to remain steadfast, to be faithful.  We are to have a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.  We are to be God’s representatives here on earth. 

 

The truth is, we may never know.  But we do know this, we can trust in God’s love, character and goodness. 

 

LORD, may we recognize your work by the power of the Holy Spirit.  May we love you and trust you to do what is best for us in all things.  Amen. 

 

Selah. 

 

 

 

No Peace for the Wicked

“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”  (Isaiah 57:21)

 

Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands. Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.  (Isaiah 59: 6b, 7-8)

 

We are a people belonging to God.  The hallmark of God’s work in our lives is the fruit of the Spirit of God.  We recite Galatians 5:22 in rapid succession, but savor each word as you read it.  The fruit of the Spirit [of God] is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

 

Notice that peace is a fruit of the Spirit of God. Just as a fruit tree buds, the fruit grows, ripens and is picked, so it is with the fruit of God's Spirit.  The Word describes what the outcomes are in the lives of God's people when they are full of His Spirit.  Often, when believers are trying to discern God’s voice, His will, in various circumstances in their lives, they rely on their sense of peace.  This peace comes from the Spirit of God. 

 

For the wicked, there is no peace.  Period.  They do evil things.  They hurt people.  They rush into sin.  They will walk up your back with golf shoes on.  They scheme, plot, plan evil, violence.  These evil doers do not know peace. 

 

Do you know people like this?  They might be in your work place.  Or your neighborhood.  Or your community.  Organizations you belong to – maybe even your church. 

 

Truth be told, wickedness and evil deeds are at the core of evil people.  And these are like an addiction – they pursue evil.  They look for it.  Plan it.  Seem hooked on it.  Somehow it gives them a warped sense of pleasure. 

 

But look for peace.  You won’t find it in their words.  You won’t find it in their actions.  You won’t find it in their faces, eyes, tone of voice.  Because it doesn’t exist apart from God. 

 

If you can’t find peace, maybe you aren’t looking for God.  Maybe you are pushing your agenda.  Maybe you have sin stored in your heart.  

 

May you be a person of peace.  Pursue peace with God, with yourself, and with others.  Then and only then, will the peace of God - which surpasses all human understanding - guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen. 

 

Heritage

But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [Isaiah 54:17, Amplified Bible]

 

When you were growing up, did you learn about your family of origin?  Did you meet your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and listen to stories about your family of old?  The things they did, the things that happened to them, the way things were? 

 

Well, as children of the Almighty, we have a heritage as well.  As God’s children by rebirth, belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we have some history and a bright future ahead. 

 

Let’s take a look at some of the family values the LORD himself brings to the table.  There is a promise in this verse in Isaiah 54.  No weapon formed against you (as God’s dearly beloved child) shall prevail against you.  Those who accuse you – they will be refuted and shown to be wrong.  How?  Well, God will help.  He is on the side of his children.  This winning is the heritage of the servants of the LORD.  Our vindication is from God.  God defends us, shields us, exonerates us, he clears our name.  And we will triumph over opposition.  This is our heritage – it comes with belonging to God’s family. 

 

He looks out for his own.  This offers believers tremendous security and peace.  Knowing God is on our side, and that He will vindicate us sends a strong message to our enemies.  Might want to think twice before messing with one of God’s kids.  Paybacks, as they say, are hell. 

 

May you know your heritage in the Almighty.  And may you see God himself vindicate your case before men.  It’s all in the family.  Selah.