Nothing New

Psalm 24:1 - The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

There's a lot of stuff going on in the world today, and if you watch the news, it can get kind of scary. From mothers drowning their children to escalating wars, it seems there is always something new to worry about.

But we don't have to worry. My Sunday school class is reading the book of Isaiah, and one thing we've learned is that there is nothing new under the sun. All that is, was, and all that was, will be again. The most important thing we've learned is that God is in charge now just as He was then, and He is faithful to protect His people. He always keeps a faithful remnant for Himself, and that remnant continues on.

So, whatever is going on in the world today, we just have to remain faithful to Him, listen and watch, and pay attention to His voice, and His plan.

He's got it all under control, whatever is happening.

Don't Pick It Up

I feel like I have to make this post. I don't know if I want to, but I feel like I need to.

Is there someone in your life who irritates you beyond belief? Someone at work? At home? At church? Do they offend you?

There's a lady at my church, and she often rubs people the wrong way. She's offended me before, and I questioned whether or not I should stay at the church. I took a couple weeks off, forgave her the best I could, and stayed. Things are better now, and I think I have a better understanding of her.

Sometimes she likes to sing during the collection of tithes/offerings even though she's tone deaf. This happened a couple weeks ago, and at first, I was cringing, and I wanted it to be over.

But then, I heard a couple ladies near me laughing. I was suddenly angry. How dare they laugh at her? What if she heard them? Then, I realized that I was doing the same thing. Though my laughter didn't spill over, I was laughing on the inside.

Then, God revealed to me that I wasn't really listening to her. I was listening to her with my ears, and not with God's heart. So, I took a breath, and listened again. I heard the song she had chosen. I heard how earnestly she sang the song. And no, her tone didn't get better, but the song was good. I even started singing along. She couldn't sing badly, because she was glorifying God with her song.

So, we have to learn to listen with God's heart instead of our ears. To look with His heart, instead of our eyes. To touch with His heart instead of our hands. To speak with His heart instead of our mouths.

Then, we will be less likely to take offense at the small stuff.

Which brings me to the next point of this post: offense.

People don't usually mean to give offense. Even if they do, we have a choice.

It's called taking offense for a reason. We don't have to pick it up. We don't have to take it away with us. We can just leave it right where it lands. Whether they meant to give offense or not, it is always our choice to take offense.

So, the next time that person at work/home/church bugs you, try responding with God's heart. And the next time someone offers you offense, don't take it.
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"And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes fro God's people in accordance with the will of God" (Romans 8:27).

"May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance" (2 Thessalonians 3:5).

More Than...

God loves us more than we can even begin to fathom. If we truly understood His love for us, we would never be able to see ourselves, or Him in the same way again. I think we would truly understand Him and ourselves.

"I am with you wherever, and where you go is where I am."

"Just a face in the city, just a tear on a crowded street, but you were a one in a million and you belong to me."

How amazing is God's love for us! He loves us more than we can fathom, more than we can ever fully understand. Shine for Him, so others can know His love.

I hope this song touches you today.

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"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16, emphasis mine).

Plagued

So, I've started teaching a Children's Church class. I know. Shocking, right? But it's a lot of fun.

Last week we talked about the plagues on Egypt, and I wanted to list them here, because I know that even though I learned about them as a kid, I had long since forgotten all of them.

1. Water to Blood
2. Frogs
3. Gnats
4. Flies
5. Pestilence - sick livestock
6. Boils
7. Hail
8. Locusts
9. Complete Darkness
10. Death of Firstborn

So, we also had to learn why God sent these plagues. Pharaoh continually hardened his heart and wouldn't let the Israelites leave Egypt to go worship God. Until the last plague, Pharaoh wouldn't even listen to his advisers, who wanted him to give in around the third plague.

These plagues showed how mighty God is, and how much He loves His people. After the third plague, the plagues only affected the Egyptians, too.

So, that's what we learned about in Sunday School class. Next week, we're going to learn about the Passover, and how God keeps His promises. I'm thinking of making some unleavened bread for the kids to try too. Should be fun!

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"Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death" (Psalm 68:20).

When We Don't Even Know What We Need

When we don't know what we need, God does. Sometimes He will bless us in ways that surprise us.

I didn't know that I needed to teach Children's Church, but I do. God knew that and provided the opportunity. It's going to be so much fun and I'm going to learn so much!

I didn't know that I needed a brand new, free Samsung tablet, but I did. I knew that my computer was getting old but new ones are expensive. I thought that I might need to get a new one in a year or so. God had other plans. Now, not only do I not yet need a new computer because I can use the tablet, I still have a laptop for when I really need it. God knew all of this.

I can even use the tablet for Children's Church.

I didn't know that I needed to use my dad's old Bible, but I do. I knew that it would be good to get a new Bible, preferably a Study Bible, but I never knew how helpful it would be to have my dad's notes and verses that he highlighted. But God did. I feel like I'm getting to know things about my dad through the verses he marked that I never had the chance to know before. 

I never thought to ask God for any of these things but He has provided them and now that I have them, I can see how much He has blessed me, how much I really needed them.

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"Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple" (Psalm 65:4).

Just as We Are

So, the other night I had a bunch of weird dreams. Just as I was waking up, I must have been dreaming of food because I thought "Why do you want to add cinnamon or sugar when it's perfect just the way it is?" I guess it was oatmeal.

But then it made me think. We do this to ourselves. We always want to better ourselves and that's fine, but often we do it with the wrong motivation: that we aren't perfect just the way we are, that somehow we have to do this or do that to achieve perfection. But whose perfection are we really striving for?

Because if we genuinely want to do something to better ourselves that's great! If we want to learn something to reach toward God's idea of perfection, that's even better! But if we want to do it to impress someone else or because we feel we aren't "good enough," then we need to stop it.

Because we are perfect just as we are, flaws and all, and the only ones we should want to change for are God and ourselves. To become better versions of ourselves.

Just my thought for today.
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"Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God" (2 Corinthians 6:7).

When We Fall Apart

So, I was listening to music while I vacuumed today and this song was playing. It really made me start to think. It's easy to trust God and to praise Him when everything is going good for us, but it's hard sometimes to praise Him when everything is falling apart. We want to blame Him. Yet sometimes things have to fall apart in order for us to be close to God. It's only through our weakness that we can truly see His strength.

The song begins "Why in the world did I think I could only get to know you when my life was good?"

Then the chorus says "'cause my whole world is caving in but I feel you now more than I did then. How can I come to the end of me but somehow still have all I need?"

I find this to be so true. Even when we have nothing except God, we still have everything because He takes care of us.

It seems that when we no longer feel a reason to praise God is when we really need to praise Him, when we really need to trust him.

When we can no longer trust in ourselves is when God shows us how mighty He is.

So, today I'm going to share this song. It is one of my personal theme songs.

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"Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the one who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and He answers me from his holy mountain (Psalm 3:1-4).