Hand in Hand
A day of solitude is pretty rare, Father, but I give You praise for helping me make it so productive. Sunday preparations are well underway!
Romans 8:14-17 (<<click here to read the passage)
One of my fondest memories of my time at Kohl’s was seeing the many instances of fathers and their young sons strolling by the jewelry counter, hand in hand. I may have said something about it once or twice but all in all, I just enjoyed seeing it.
When you’re there in that moment as a father, more than likely you don’t think a thing of it. But from my point of view, it is priceless. It is something that should be cherished, for too soon that time passes, and it will not come again. I don’t think even a grandfather holding a grandson’s hand in the same way, has the same meaning.
There is that bond between father and son, that is like no other. As time marches on, at least in our culture, it becomes a thing we don’t do. The only other time when some might take advantage of the moment is when the end of days is coming and a son will hold his father’s hand, grasping for one last connection before it is gone once more, never to return.
I began tonight’s time by readying myself to read through verses 14-17 of Romans 8, but as I read verse 14 from the Amplified Bible, I felt compelled to go no further. That would be my focal point, but then my eyes drifted to the notes for the next verse and once again I paused.
Verse 14 from the Amplified Bible reads,
For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
The Amplified Bible actually emphasizes the words I underlined and bolded – allowing themselves to be led…
For the point of reference here is verse 15,
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!”
We are God’s children! In the Roman culture of the day, adoption gave the adoptee the full rights and privileges of a child born into their adoptive families.
The note for this verse refers to the word Abba,
An Aramaic word used by young children when addressing their fathers, but not used by Jews in prayer because it implies a sense of familiarity. Jesus’ use of the word emphasized his Father-Son relationship with God.
We too, as God’s children can joyfully cry, “Abba! Father!” as we allow ourselves to grasp the hand of God as we walk along through life.
Time moves along in this life of ours, and things change. But I for one am grateful that our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
The first portion of Malachi 3:6 proclaims,
“For I am the Lord, I do not change…” AMP
Hebrews 13:8 proclaims likewise,
Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever. AMP
Precious Lord, take my hand!
Feb 20th, 2023, Mon, 6:52 pm
He Sat Down
It was a crazy weekend with far too many ER visits. Father may all those impacted make good progress in recovery under Your watchful eye and in Your loving arms. Amen.
Hebrews 1:1-4 (<<click here to read the passage)
There are many times when we take something simple and make it crazy complicated. And just because it is unbelievably powerful and majestic doesn’t have to translate into being unable to be understood. Take our salvation for example.
Towards the end of verse 3, Lord, is a statement that has profound ramifications – You sat down. Two simple words but what they mean – wow! My New Living Translation Life Application Study Bible states, that Jesus sat down means that the work was complete. Your goal in coming to earth was to be the final sacrifice for sin and once You did that Your work was done, You sat down!
Once and for all my sin has been taken care of – every sin of my past, every sin I will ever commit…taken care of! And this applies to every man, woman, and child who has ever or who will ever walk the face of this earth. I committed the crime but Lord, You, paid the penalty…and the price was Your life. You died, but You weren’t down for the count. No…You rose from the dead, wrapped things up, and sat down. It…was…complete.
And now all we have to do is accept Your gift of forgiveness. We cannot fix it. We cannot work for it. It…is…a…gift! We cannot just take it either – no, shoplifting salvation is not an option. There can be no hidden motives – no masks. Just me…before You… and it will be done.
I am speechless!
(Feb 11th, 2016, Thurs, 6:27 am)
Feb 19th, 2023, Sun, 8:50 pm
Stomping on Temptation’s Toes
As I sit here, Father, catching my breath, I am grateful for a good night’s sleep, some nice time with Karen for lunch, and a good brisk walk after taking her back to school. Direct my heart and mind in the direction You would have it go. Amen.
Romans 8:12-13 (<<click here to read the passage)
One thing that drives me a little looney on my elementary route, is when one kid is trying to get another kid’s attention. They’re not sitting together but maybe across the aisle or several seats back. I hear, “Hey Will, Will, Will. Hey, Will, Will! Will! Hey, Will!” – an incessant repetition, until finally I have had it, and I call out, “That’s enough!”
Temptation is often that way. Whatever that temptation may be, and we all struggle with temptation of one sort or another, it seems to be around every corner. It doesn’t always come up and smack us in the face but often just continually pecks at us until we give in…or at least glance in its direction, giving it just enough attention that we’re hooked. Sometimes we can still turn away but oftentimes the door is open just enough that temptations foot is stuck in it, and the next barrage of “Hey, Thom, Thom, Thom!” lures us in that much more quickly. Far too often it leads to our succumbing to, as Paul puts it, our flesh [our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity].
(Can you tell that I have some experience in these things? Don’t we all?)
But another area that I am experienced in is …living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit which leads me to habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body.
In recent weeks, one of my temptations calls out to me on a pretty regular basis and from all different angles. I have found it very helpful to be ready to spit out rebuttals, “NO! Lord help me!” “Nope, I’m not going down that path of thought!” Sometimes I say a prayer. Sometimes it’s a simple calling out to God. Sometimes it’s a hymn – recently Jesus Loves Me was on my mind, and any time temptation reared its ugly head, I would belt out “Jesus loves me, this I know…” I like to think of it as stomping on temptation’s toes, with a mighty yell, “Get that foot outta my door! Jesus lives here and you are not welcome!”
So many times, our temptations began by yielding to something repeatedly. But let me tell you, it works both ways! May the Lord help us to habitually put to death the sinful deeds of the body. The Holy Spirit is more than willing and able to answer our prayers and pleas for help. His strength and tenacity become ours – one step at a time, one day at a time.
It’s time to put an end to some habits by beginning others! Amen!
Feb 16th, 2023, Thurs, 12:52 pm
A Leaf Blown Across the Road
Father, as I sit here with You, may my mind rest in Your presence. May Your thoughts and wishes guide me. Bring to mind whatever You deem fit. Amen.
Romans 8:9-11 (<<click here to read the passage)
This morning, in the middle of my elementary route, something crossed the road as I was coming up a country lane. At first, I thought it might be a mouse but as my eyes focused on it I realized that it was a solitary brown leaf being slowly pushed across the road by the wind. Seeing those kinds of things quite often makes me think, “I’m the only person that saw that.” I already had several kids on the bus, but no one else saw that leaf blow across the road…but me.
I don’t know about you but sometimes I feel like that leaf…small, blown by the winds of life, with no control, defenseless against the world. No one sees me. No one understands. No one cares.
But the thing is, Someone does see me. I am not alone – God is with me. And because He is with me – always with me, I am not defenseless, for He is in control.
Because of who and what we are, we feel vulnerable. So many people take risks with their lives – bungee jumping, driving recklessly, climbing sheer cliffs – knowing that their lives could be snuffed out with one wrong move.
This jar, this tent, this fragile vessel we call our bodies, is the way it is because of the sin we perpetuate in the world. It will cease to function someday. Our lives will come to an end. But as this passage clearly points out
…Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. vs10-11 NLT
We are not nobodies blowing across space and time that no one ever sees much less acknowledges. We are somebodies! And with Christ in us, we can be all we were created to be.
So, take heart, my brothers and sisters! With Christ living within us, even though we may feel small and insignificant, we can be victorious! As Paul says in Romans 8:35-37,
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
…..“For your sake we face death all day long;
….we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. AMP
Amen!
Feb 15th, 2023, Wed, 12:41 pm
Minds Set in Concrete
This cement head is available at www.olanderearthworks.com/products/puzzle-tabletop-cement-head
Things have been rumbling through my mind, Father. You know what they are, and we will work through them together. But may tonight be what You need it to be to reach those who need Your word for such a time as this. Amen.
Romans 8:7-8 (<<click here to read the passage)
Think for a moment. Do you know anyone who is stubborn, or maybe, better yet, is set in their ways? Certain personalities are not going to budge. If their minds are fixed on something, even though it may not make a whole lot of sense, they are not going to even begin to accept another mindset. They believe what they believe and that’s that.
More than likely someone (or maybe someones!) popped right away into your mind – family, friends, acquaintances, fellow workers, and on and on.
Unless they make the decision to change how they do something, it probably isn’t going to happen.
There are times when we grow increasingly concerned when people around us resist any attempt to hear anything about God or anything about our relationship with Him. That’s the way it is, and we can try to break down that barrier repeatedly, but we’re not going to change their mind! Fighting against them might even cause them to reinforce that barrier!
This is what Paul has to say in verses 7-8. The Amplified Bible translation helps me to think it through more thoroughly.
…the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God.
First of all, don’t give up! Yes, they may be adamant in their opposition to anything of God. It’s not just a matter of refusing to submit, it is more a matter of not being able to submit. Their sinful pursuits, appetites, and impulses all stop them from going down that path, much less taking off on a journey of life following Christ.
Secondly, and by no means is it of less importance, pray for them! The Holy Spirit is the only One that can break through that barrier. He alone can squeeze through the cracks of their minds and hearts, where He will begin to soften up minds set in concrete.
Thirdly, don’t just sit back and do nothing – love them! Actively, genuinely love them! And there is no pretense allowed! You might have to pray for yourself on this one! Love them unconditionally, with no strings attached. Love until it hurts. Don’t bristle at being taken advantage of, or of having your kindnesses rebuffed or even thrown back in your face. Love as Jesus loves them. He will help you, just ask!
God is still very much a God of miracles! An old Don Moen worship song (written in 1992) goes,
God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
I think Moen was directing it more to God making a way for us individually, but I think also that it is very applicable in our thoughts, actions, and prayers for others who need to know Him.
Lord Jesus, use us to reach others for You. Amen.
Feb 14th, 2023, Tues, 6:40 pm