Tear Down Those Walls!
In my distress I prayed to the Lord,
….and the Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
….What can mere people do to me? Psalm 118:5-6 NLT
Romans 1:8-17 (<<click here to read the passage)
Growing up I went to kindergarten through 5th grade, initially in West Virginia then finished in North Carolina. We then moved to Ohio where I attended middle school.
Younger readers won’t get this reference, but in Ohio, many of my classmates called me Gomer Pyle! (Remember these colloquialisms? “Shazam!”, “Gooolly”, “Sur-prise, sur-prise, sur-prise!” If you recall his character, I’m sure you heard his accent loud and clear in your head!) So unsurprisingly, I had a bit of a southern accent. I wasn’t labeled for very long, but obviously, it impacted me, because I still remember it after all these years.
Unfortunately, one of the worst traits of humanity is not accepting others who are different. It is an ancient habit that is just as prominent today as it has ever been. It is a very complex mentality that plagues us all.
It is most disheartening in that, though you’d think it wouldn’t be, the church is not exempt from these thoughts and attitudes. If anything, we tend to expand the criteria of separation. We don’t just hold at arm’s length those who differ from us along cultural, social, racial, and economic lines, but we also throw in all the religious issues.
Some may be pretty vocal, but I think, instead, many have this underlying mentality of distrust – even fear – of those who aren’t like them. And the list of “problematic” characteristics then goes on forever – they may not speak the language we know, the customs of their culture exclude some of our traditions and add things that are totally foreign to us, they may come from way more money than we’ve ever seen, or they may be dirt poor and lack the fastidiousness of our hygiene, and of course, having any other skin tone may automatically throw up red flags.
Then to make matters worse, they may adhere to different faith practices than we do. They may speak in tongues, or partake of communion from a chalice, they may follow a strict liturgy of worship, or be entirely led by the Spirit in their worship style…and on and on it goes.
It’s not necessarily intentional, but walls go up…dividers are set into place. But isn’t that what Jesus came to tear down? The Apostle Paul said it this way,
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. Ephesians 2:14-16 NIV
In verse 14 of today’s passage he stated,
For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world… NLT
My Life Application Study Bible says, regarding this verse,
Paul’s…obligation was to people of the entire world. He met his obligation by proclaiming Christ’s salvation to people – across all cultural, social, racial, and economic lines, both Jews and Gentiles. We also are obligated to Christ because he took the punishment we deserve for our sins. Although we cannot repay Christ for all he has done, we can demonstrate our gratitude by showing his love to others.
Lord Jesus, help us tear down those walls. May we too feel that obligation to people of the entire world…not just those near and dear. Amen.
Sept 15th, 2022, Thurs, 6:08 pm
Don’t Pray for Patience…
Father, I am grateful for the opportunity to get back in sync with You. You remain steadfast and sure, and I have been anything but! May I continue to be conscious of Your ever abiding presence, and may I live accordingly – much to my delight! Amen.
Romans 1:8-17 (<<click here to read the passage)
Years ago, someone introduced a concept into my brain that has stuck…and that is not necessarily a good thing. The statement made was “Don’t pray for patience, or God might just give it to you.” The problem is most of us struggle with patience, especially in the “instant” world in which we live. So, praying for patience would have a good chance of bringing multiple “opportunities” to develop patience.
Looking at today’s passage, for example, verse 10 read,
One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. NLT
Acts tells us that Paul’s prayers were most assuredly answered, though it did take a while for it to all come together. Remember after writing his letter to Rome while in Corinth, he spent two years languishing in a prison in Caesarea Maritima (see Yes, No…or Wait). He prayed for the opportunity to minister to the faithful in Rome, but it was not an easy journey. My Life Application Study Bible says:
When he finally arrived in Rome, it was as a prisoner. Paul prayed for a safe trip, and he did arrive safely – after getting arrested, slapped in the face, shipwrecked, and bitten by a poisonous snake. When we sincerely pray, God will answer – although in his timing and sometimes in ways we do not expect.
My challenge for myself as I write, and for you as well, is that we would cast aside the statement from my early years. Instead of avoiding praying for patience, we should embrace it. Paul’s journey to Rome didn’t weaken him – it strengthened him (maybe not physically, but spiritually for sure!) And look at all the lives that were touched, guards and sailors, all those on the Island of Malta – not everyone took to what Paul was proclaiming but there were lives that were definitely changed because Paul embraced his patience-laden journey. He didn’t buck it, he didn’t complain, he just faithfully followed God all…the…way.
Lord Jesus, You know that trials are not easy, for You experienced many Yourself. But enable us to understand that though our journey may be fraught with tribulation that when all is said and done, when on that final day we cast our crowns at Your feet and hear you say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21 AMP) that our prayers, too, will have been answered. Amen!
Sept 14th, 2022, Wed, 7:36 pm
Hit by a Bus!
A word of encouragement from The Valley of Vision – the opening lines of Christ the Word.
MY FATHER,
In a world of created changeable things
….Christ and his word alone remain unshaken.
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OK, I’ve had a couple of things running through my brain recently, so here’s another post outside the book of Romans.
One afternoon last week, I had a small quickly moving bird zoom in front of my bus. I don’t like hitting animals, so initially, there was a bit of “Oh, no!” but it quickly passed in that the hummingbird, I would assume – due to size and speed, zoomed just as quickly away from the front of the bus.
There was no way that it just darted in front of my bus and flew away. There was enough of a pause that it had to have lighted on some portion of the grill or radiator. I was amazed! Usually, if a bird or a butterfly, hits my windshield, it ricochets off and most times I would assume that that was the end of them. But this time, though I don’t know if it was totally unphased by the encounter, it was well enough to fly away in its own strength away from my bus moving forward.
People, when asked how they are doing, will sometimes reply by saying, “I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus.” Usually, that means that they are not feeling well physically but can’t the world do that to us in multiple ways? An argument with our spouse. The loss of a loved one. Major health issues on our part or someone close to us. Sometimes it might be something as simple as not being appreciated or looked down upon or getting the feeling that you are useless. It’s one thing when we get that from people we don’t know, but it can, over time, become crippling if those closest to us – at home or at work – repeatedly do it to us.
The are some things that we can’t do anything about, we’re like that bird or butterfly that just ricochets off of my bus window. We are down for the count and hopefully, we can piece our lives back together. But other times, it may very well be a situation where we can allow it to take us down or we can power through it. It is feasible to do so in the world as we know it, but it is an even greater likelihood if we allow God to empower us to move above and beyond whatever has tried to take us out.
Take the not being appreciated or looked down upon or getting the feeling that you are useless situation, for example. It’s easy to crumble, wallow in self-pity, get angry, and act out in ways that don’t help us or the situation. Or, we could say a quick prayer and let God do what He has created us to do and move on! He loves us, he empowers us. We are highly valued in His eyes. We are the apple of His eye!
I love how the Amplified Bible quite often puts things. Here is what Jesus has to say in John 16:33,
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
God in His infinite creativity enabled that hummingbird to overcome being hit by a bus…and He can do the same for us! Trust Him! Believe in Him! Love Him! Amen!
Sept 13th, 2022, Tues, 12:33 pm
Writing…Not Easy, but I Love It!
Father, there is definitely a kindling! …an excitement that I have eluded for far too long. May I stay close by Your side, Loving Father. I know that You have never left me, but I have puttered around the fringes long enough. Draw me in to the warmth of Your love and compassion for me. Hold me tight O Lord, my God! Amen.
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Right out of the gate, let me say that writing is not easy. I have faithfully written now for over seven years. I’ve repeated a few posts in that time but by far, there have been original posts, five days a week – that’s over 1,800 posts! This is not to brag but more to say that some days it is just plain hard to pull off. The only days I don’t write, at this point, are Friday and Saturday nights.
It has crossed my mind to bring it to an end, but honestly don’t feel that I have been released from it. If there is anything that I touch from the wellspring of my heart that is impacting people across the board it is this. God has dipped His pen in the recesses of who and what I am and brings forth, I believe, what He wants those who read to feel and ingest.
I also want to say that many times what I write flows readily through my fingers onto the keyboard of my laptop. I love writing about things that inspire me in the world around me…and God is in everything I see! And those things are everywhere and of an infinite variety! (And, by the way, this writing is one of those things!)
Pray that our loving Heavenly Father will continue to bear me up. …that His words will continue to burn within me with a deep yearning to come out! …that His inspirations will continue to find themselves in my line of sight and that this finite brain of mine will continue to make the connections that come from His heart, not just mine!
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On another note, I continue to find inspiration in the very thoughtful gift of The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan prayers and devotions given to me by a very dear friend. I have read through the following prayer several times over and finally decided that I needed to share a portion of it. I would ask once more that you would take the time to thoughtfully read through it. Let it sink deep into your heart and mind. Let Jesus speak to you through it, too. These are the opening lines of THE GIFT OF GIFTS.
O SOURCE OF ALL GOOD,
What shall I render to thee for the gift of gifts,
….thine own dear Son, begotten, not created,
….my redeemer, proxy, surety, substitute,
his self-emptying incomprehensible,
….his infinity of love beyond the heart’s grasp.
Herein is wonder of wonders:
he came below to raise me above,
….was born like me that I might become like him.
Herein is love;
….when I cannot rise to him he draws near on wings of grace,
……..to raise me to himself.
Herein is power;
….when Deity and humanity were infinitely apart
….he united them in indissoluble unity, the uncreated and the created
Herein is wisdom;
….when I was undone, with no will to return to him,
………and no intellect to devise recovery,
….he came, God-incarnate, to save me to the uttermost,
………as man to die my death,
………………….to shed satisfying blood on my behalf,
………………….to work out a perfect righteousness for me.
Amen and amen!
(Interested in ordering your own copy? The Valley of Vision is available on Amazon and several Christian bookstore websites.)
Sept 12th, 2022, Mon, 7:19 pm
You Can Beat Soybeans Hands Down!
It has been a very full day, Father. Thank You for Your presence in the middle of it all. May this time be profitable for my soul. Amen.
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One thing that is not exceptionally interesting to look at is a growing field of soybeans. It doesn’t have the height and majesty of corn. It doesn’t have the undulating beauty of wheat. Fields of soybeans are just green and bushy. Then they die and all their leaves fall to the ground, leaving the seed pods for harvest.
I guess they are beautiful as other living things of the field are. But where soybeans make the biggest impact is not in their looks but what they can be used for after they are harvested. I found a lot of interesting information on North Carolina’s Soybean Producers Association’s website. The high-protein fiber that remains after soybean oil is removed is toasted and prepared into animal feed for poultry, pork, cattle, fish, and pets. From the oil that is extracted from the seeds, we get biodiesel, soy crayons, biocomposites (building materials made from recycled newspaper and soybeans), carpets, candles, cleaners, soy ink, soy tires, soy foams, and concrete protector. Everything is safer for consumers and better for the environment.
Most of us would not consider ourselves things of beauty, though it has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholders. And there’s a good chance that many of us don’t feel we are all that useful – maybe for a few things, but it would be limited. But I can guarantee that God doesn’t see us that way!
God made us and knows, down to the very molecules of our bodies, that which we are capable of! He sees things in us that we would never dream of seeing in ourselves. When King David was a shepherd boy out in the fields protecting his father’s flocks do you think he ever saw himself as the greatest king Israel ever had? I doubt it. Do you think that Peter as a young man out in his boat hauling in nets full of fish ever dreamed that would walk beside the promised Messiah of the Jews, and that he would one day be a leader in a following that would turn the world on its ear? Uh…no.
These two were nothing out of the ordinary…until God got a hold of them and under His guidance and direction pointed them in the right direction. Only then did they become what God knew they could become.
I would challenge you today, to not sell yourself short. Ask God to use you in any way He can. But the thing is, we must be open and receptive to what those things may be. We cannot doubt His directives. We cannot crawl into the corner thinking, “Well, I could never do that!” We don’t know but God does. Let Him decide. Let Him lead you. Oh, the places you can go, in the hands of our almighty, all-knowing God! And truth be told, I guarantee you can beat soybeans hands down in accomplishing great and glorious things!
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.
….He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good thing
….from those who do what is right. Psalm 84:11 NLT
Sept 11th, 2022, Sun, 8:15 pm