Uncancellable Reservation

 

Every time we plan a vacation, and I am bustling about researching where we are going to stay, I get excited. I carefully seek out the perfectly located accommodations. I look for the most luxurious furniture, linens, and amenities we can afford based upon our preset housing budget. Then, when we actually commit, and the reservation is made, I joyfully anticipate what is to come. Yes, I can be a drama queen.

Coupled with that bliss; however, lurks an underlying anxiety, a niggling apprehension that something unforeseen will happen to cause our marvelous trip to be cancelled. When we travel to the Outer Banks, hurricanes can come into play. As we age, serious unexpected sickness can prevent travel. An inefficient property manager might have overbooked our desired rental. Any one of those events could prompt a cancellation. Consequently, I teeter between ecstasy and foreboding until the appointed departure time.

Unlike such earthly cancellable reservations, God's plan is NEVER thwarted. His reservations are uncancellable!!

Scripture tells us, "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be," Psalm 139:16 (NIV). God, in His infinite wisdom and Sovereignty has a number of days set for each of us. They were planned, even before we came into existence.

"My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" John 14:1-3 (NIV). God's accommodations for us, our rooms, are being prepared in advance for us. In fact, God's Son, Jesus, is going there in advance to prepare a perfect place for each of His children.

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand," John 10:27-29 (NIV). We, God's sheep, are His, and we listen to His voice. He knows each of us personally, and we know Him. We follow Him to our especially prepared rooms, at the appointed time. We absolutely do not have to fear that our rooms are taken by others because God has given us eternal life through His Son, Jesus. We will NOT perish (die) and stay in the ground. God guarantees our rooms. He guarantees that we will not and cannot be snatched out of Jesus' hand. We were gifted to Him, and NO ONE and NO unforeseen situation can cancel this reservation!
God has made our reservations; He has prepared our perfect accommodations, and no one and nothing can keep us from our appointed time!!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time," 1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time," 1 Peter 1:3-5 NASB.

Holy Father, I pray that I might fully understand and accept such words as "can never perish, spoil or fade"; "incorruptible, undefiled, and that not fadeth away", "imperishable and undefiled, and will not fade away". May I know without question that you are protecting and guaranteeing my reservation in heaven, my inheritance that you have granted out of your abundant mercy, and because of these absolutes, may I live every day in joy that could only come from you. Amen.


 

Immutability

 

 

Immutability

 

Hebrews 13:8 tells us, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

My temporary earthly surroundings and situations seem to change haphazardly.  Havoc, worry, and stress affect my well-being, my thoughts, and my behavior.  Some days I feel like Jekyll and Hyde.   

When I read that Jesus has been, is, and always will be the same, I am especially comforted.  He is not inconsistent.  He is constant.  His nature is unchanging.  He is never buffeted about by surroundings, situations, or stress.

Our Lord is immutable.  This lovely word means He is unchangeable, unalterable, ageless, and He is not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature¹.  Why is this truth so comforting?  Why is this concept so important?

God's attribute of immutability makes me feel secure, safe, and serene.  His promises, gifts, and attributes are constant ALWAYS!  He is holy.  He cannot be tempted by evil.  He never sins.  He is righteous, just, and loving.

Malachi 3:6a says, "I, the LORD, do not change."

Because He is holy and perfect, He cannot lie, so I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that what He says is absolutely and totally true.  I can believe Him when He promises eternal salvation.  I can trust that His grace and forgiveness are forever. 

R. C. Sproul Jr. teaches that God's immutability is vitally important.  He says, " This attribute is that which enables us to depend on God to be God.  It is why we can be certain that every excellency, every perfection, indeed every promise of God is utterly inviolable. He shall not be moved. Jonathan Edwards wisely pointed out that this is one of the reasons the heathen hate him so much. They have other potent enemies. But those enemies can grow weak. They have other angry enemies, but they can be calmed. They have other knowing enemies, but they can be fooled. The God of heaven and earth, on the other hand, will never cease to be all-powerful. His wrath will never turn from sin. And His eyes will never grow dim.²"

Let me emphasize one phrase again; the attribute of immutability is what enables us to depend on God to be God!  I am assured and certain that He will keep every one of His promises.  I am sure He will be just in administering His salvation and His condemnation.

Psalm 102:25-27 says,

²⁵ In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
    and the heavens are the work of your hands.
²⁶ They will perish, but you remain;
    they will all wear out like a garment.
Like clothing you will change them
    and they will be discarded.
²⁷ But you remain the same,
    and your years will never end.

 

Who better can we entrust our salvation and eternal well-being to than He who is not only God, but He who cannot and does not change.  Our eternal destiny could not be in better hands!!

James 1:17 teaches, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

"In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name."  Psalm 33:21

Our Lord is trustworthy.  He does not lie.  His nature never changes.  No outside sources alter His character or who He is, was, or ever shall be.  His Gospel message remains the same ... always!  His promises are never broken.  His word is inerrant, unchanging, and living!  Everything else in creation is subject to change, except the Creator, for He, as God, will not change!

Holy and Heavenly Father,

I thank you emphatically for bringing your attribute of immutability to my attention.  I love this word, and I am incredibly comforted by this truth.  I may fuss about my changing situations, and I may stress over life's chaos and its people, but in the midst of all turmoil I can count on you to be my unchanging and constant God!  Thank you for your promises, grace, and love.  Amen.    

 

1.  immutable. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc.  

   http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/immutable (accessed: January 28, 2014).                   

      https://bible.org/seriespage/immutability-god

2.  http://www.ligonier.org/blog/importance-gods-immutability/

 

I Saw God Wash the World

I SAW GOD WASH THE WORLD


by William Stidger 1934



I saw God wash the world last night

With His sweet showers on high;

And then when morning came

I saw him hang it out to dry.



He washed each slender blade of grass

And every trembling tree;

He flung his showers against the hills

And swept the rolling sea.



The white rose is a deeper white;

The red, a richer red

Since Gold washed every fragrant face

And put them all to bed.



There's not a bird, there's not a bee

That wings along the way,

But is a cleaner bird and bee

Than it was yesterday.



I saw God wash the world last night;

Ah, would He had washed me

As clean of all my dust and dirt

As that old white birch tree!  

Apathy

Apathy


How does an apathetic life begin? Certainly no one sets out to be indifferent, aloof, or lukewarm, yet the stuff of life can place us on a path to a halfhearted, lack luster existence. As we face deaths, chronic or terminal illnesses, work disappointments, unimaginable family issues, political mayhem, crushed expectations, or financial distresses, we build walls or compartments around our hearts to detach us from such trials. We succumb to a dispassionate, lethargic survival mentality.

As our very wise pastor1 recently proclaimed, "Let the ancient words impart!"

We cannot allow discouragements or discouragers to hinder our service to our precious Almighty God. Let us be open to His wisdom, which He so graciously shares. He has provided us with the necessary tools in His inerrant and living Word. He has mercifully given us all of the truths and precepts we need to conquer this irksome jadedness.

"Let the ancient words impart!"

Haggai 1:7 tells us, "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Give careful thought to your ways.'"

Revelation 3:15-16:

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

Awareness of apathy, lethargy, and complacency certainly is the key step to move us to conscious changes.  How fortunate are we to have preachers and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to spur us on to loving deeds, prayerful support, and a proper focus!

Let us turn from a blah, callous, impassivity to an interested, passionate, sensitive, attentive liveliness and vigor. Let us focus our eyes on God and His plans, not on our own little kingdoms.

"Let the ancient words impart!"

Psalm 141:1-2:

"O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me.
Hear my voice when I call to you.
May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."

Proverbs 22:17-19:

"Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
So that your trust may be in the LORD,
I teach you today, even you."

"Let the ancient words impart!"

2 Corinthians 10:5:

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Today may truly be your defining moment to lay aside your apathy of the past. Tomorrow may be your defining moment to continue to lay aside complacency, and the day after tomorrow may be your appointment to rid yourself of all indifference.

Holy and Heavenly Father,

I lift up my arms and my spirit to you. I pray that many, including me, will meet you in defining moments with open minds and hearts, so we may hear what you have to say. Your plans, not our own, give significance to our lives. I ask that you be patient with us, as we learn to be passionate about your plans, and I thank you for faithful pastors who boldly proclaim your ancient words! Amen.



1. Pastor Gary Boschain - sermon September 2, 2012, The Return Home.

Kindness

Why is it that when election times come around, people put their manners on a shelf and walk away? Just recently, I felt compelled to post the following because of some of the meanness and trash talk that was being spewed.


A Kind Disclaimer: As election chatter heats up, I want to make a few comments - 1) I do not agree with nor support every statement that comes through my feed. 2) I find some of the comments and language highly offensive, and I wish everyone would be kinder in their fervor. 3) I have many friends, whom I love, and we care about each other enough to "agree to disagree". 4) As always, I encourage everyone to vote because we are privileged to have this freedom and should not take it for granted. 5) If anyone has any specific questions about my views, you may private message me (and I may or may not reply). Love to all!

The word "kindness" or the phrase "discuss without malice" has been forgotten. When debates over candidates and issues become so heated that we begin attacking other human beings, I say, "Enough!"

"Kindness" appears 65 times in 57 verses in the NIV1. In the King James Bible, the word is translated "lovingkindness". Kindness literally includes a "good sense or zeal towards and among mankind"; its components are mercy, goodness, a mutual benevolence and benefits, and favor.

Attacking another human because of differing opinions, political views, or even religious ideals is not helpful to anyone. Beating someone down verbally is certainly not an effective means of swaying them to another position. In fact, I have found the opposite to be true. Communication stops entirely, and not only is there no shared meaning, but an aggressive permanent hostility is born...and it lasts.

In 2 Samuel 9:3, King David is specifically looking for any kin of Saul's to whom he may "act kindly towards him like unto God." Perhaps, we should be looking for those to whom we may act kindly.

Over and over again, God has shown His grace, favor, and mercy to mankind.2 He has cleared our paths of enemies and made our journeys straight. He has preserved man and beast, when both have deserved harsh punishment or worse. God sacrificed His beloved and only Son, so that we might have eternal life. He has extended mercies and blessings on multiple generations.3 God established His faithfulness to us from heaven itself, yet we are not extending similar mercies to our fellow human beings here on this earth. Again, I say, "Enough!"

In Exodus 34, the God of the Universe described Himself to Moses as, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”

As we consider candidates and we passionately debate issues, let us do so compassionately and graciously. We, who claim the Lord as our Father, have a responsibility to emulate the love of Jesus. He showed love and mercy to the good, the bad, and the ugly. Only He knows to which category each of us belongs. May we proceed kindly, making our own political choices based upon our consciences and the Lord's leading. May we weigh and discuss issues thoughtfully, gently, and respectfully with the brains and hearts God bestowed upon each of us. May we walk away from malicious attacks and actions. We serve a Sovereign and living Lord, and His will, in His time, will be done.

"In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling." Exodus 15:13


1. Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for '"kindness"' in the NIV". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 9 Jan 2012. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=kindness&t=NIV >


2. NIV Psalm 5:8; 36:6; 48:10; John 3:16


3. NIV Isaiah 55:3

Disposable

Have you noticed just how disposable our current world has become? How many items in our society have been purposefully manufactured to be thrown away after only a few uses, or have been designed to become obsolete in a fraction of their previous shelf lives? The phrase "planned obsolescence" didn't even exist until the mid 1960's.


The rotary telephone in our garage is 50 years old, and it works better than our new cell phones. Our cell phones barely made it home before they were obsolete.

Corporations still use commercial wallpaper, which easily lasts 20 years. However, home interiors have painted walls that stay fresh and nice looking for only 2 to 3 years.

Television sets were passed from one generation until the next. They were huge, elaborate pieces of furniture, and they had to be run over by a tank before they would break. Now few television warranties are beyond 2 years.

Our original Westinghouse washing machine lasted 20 years before it began to show any wear or tear. Our talented repair man replaced two or three belts at year 20, and it lasted 5 more years before we had to buy a new one. Most now are only expected to last 5 years.

Our world is full of items that are designed to become obsolete in extremely short periods of time. When we make these expensive purchases, we do so without expectations that they will last.

Fortunately, God does not have a short expiration date, nor will He ever become obsolete. He has been in existence since eternity past; He is living and active in our present day, and He will be forever more!

Our earthly lives today last an average of 70+ years, but even Old Testament folks, who lived hundreds of years, were still just a blink on God's time line.

We are disposable on this earth, but according to God's Word, we will be living eternally - in heaven or in hell. Is not Christmas 2011 a perfect time to consider the free gift that our merciful LORD has bought for us?

Perseverance

Since 1996, I have had painful chronic health issues, so you would think I would know all about endurance and stamina. However, during the last several months as I have anxiously and hopefully awaited the sale of our family home of 30 plus years, I discovered that I know very little about perseverance.


Collins English Dictionary defines perseverance as "steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement."1 The process includes a doggedness and steadfastness, in spite of discouragement. It includes a tenacity and endurance until the end.

Perseverance is not just plodding forward; it is plodding forward even when (perhaps especially when) we are disappointed or discouraged. When life gets murky and mucky, I must purposefully toil and trudge through the mire.

In my mind, I think I have been throwing adult temper tantrums. My checklist of what should be happening and when it should be happening has not come to fruition, and I have not been tenacious in keeping focused on that which is most important.

1 Timothy 4:16 tells us:

"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers."

Hebrews 10:36 says:

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."

Strong's Lexicon reminded me that perseverance includes abiding still, continuing, or remaining in the "blessing for which one keeps himself fit".2 Continuing on a daily basis in the love and grace God has gifted me, rather than existing in a state of disappointment is really the key.

Strong's emphasizes in the Hebrews verse - "in the NT (New Testament) the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings."3

Recently, through the Holy Spirit, I have come face-to-face with the fact that I have swerved from my true purpose of loyal faith and piety, and I have allowed this trial of an unsold house to hinder my journey. I have briefly taken my eyes off heaven, the ultimate prize, and in that process I momentarily lost my daily joy.

John Gill explains that I am to take heed unto thyself - I am to take heed that my life is exemplary - and that means that my mental life should be steadfast, so my special gifts from God are not neglected. He encouraged me (and us) to feed our lives with God's knowledge and understanding, according to the doctrine of Christ and His godliness.4  By taking heed, we can save ourselves from the polluted thoughts of this world, which definitely include a propensity for giving up or giving in to discouragement.

God is a glorious God of grace and mercy. Even though I have no idea why our sale has not happened in my earthly timetable, God wants me to suffer through this trial in joyful perseverance, keeping my eyes on Jesus. I needed this lesson in continuance and endurance, regardless of my deferred prayers. I needed to learn to bear up under the temptation to throw mental temper tantrums.

Dear most gracious heavenly Father,
I know that my prayers are heard. Even when they are not answered as I would like or expect, I know that You have what is best for me in mind. I ask that you continually teach me how to persevere. I ask that you will enable me to endure without discouragement because I cannot do this on my own. May you envelope me and fill me daily with your joy. May you help me keep my eyes focused on my Savior and Sustainer, Jesus Christ. May you teach me to heed unto myself, so I may live an exemplary life, pleasing to you. Amen.


1. perseverance. Dictionary.com. Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. HarperCollins Publishers. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/perseverance (accessed: August 06, 2011).
2. Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for epimenō (Strong's 1961)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2011. 6 Aug 2011. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1961&t=NIV >
3. Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for hypomonē (Strong's 5281)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2011. 6 Aug 2011. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm? >Strongs=G5281&t=NIV
4. John Gill's Exposition. http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/1-timothy-4-16.html